'Winds of Winter' release date: Don't get your hopes up for 2017

Hopes of the fans were raised when a page on Amazon France teased the release date of the book “Winds of Winter.” George R. R. Martin’s publisher has now confirmed that the date listed on the online retail giant is “incorrect.”

A listing on Amazon France had stated a few days ago that the book will be launched by March 2017. While the listing is still live, the retailer has removed the release date.

The book was supposed to be out before the premiere episode of “Game of Thrones” Season 6. However, Martin admitted that he failed to meet another one of his self imposed deadline, and this allowed the TV series to spoil some of the future events in the books. Although the show has diverged from the source material, the two are still heading towards the same ending.

After Martin missed his deadline to release “Winds of Winter” by early 2016, the fans felt that the Amazon listing may be accurate. However, the author has not made any announcements about having finished the book on his official blog.

A spokesperson for the Random House publishing has told Entertainment Weekly that the release date listed on the online retailer’s website is inaccurate. The publisher said that they support Martin, as he continues to work hard to finish the book. The announcement also stated that once the author completes his draft the world will know.

Martin’s UK publisher HarperCollins has also confirmed that nothing has been finalised about the publication or the release date.

The last book in “A Song of Ice and Fire” series titled “A Dance with Dragons” was launched in July 2011. This makes the wait for “Winds of Winter” one of the longest. Will the book be out before the premiere episode of “Game of Thrones” Season 7? Or will the show continue spoil the books for the fans?