'Game of Thrones' author George R.R. Martin reads excerpt of upcoming book (+video)

As part of the “Game of Thrones: The Exhibition” event in Toronto, “Song of Ice and Fire” author George R.R. Martin read a new excerpt of the next book in his series – Book No. 6 – which will be titled “The Winds of Winter.” 

Martin discussed his planned septology on March 12 in an interview with interviewer Teri Hart, who works for The Movie Network, a Canadian TV channel. The portion of the interview in which the author read an excerpt from his upcoming book for more than eight minutes was apparently a surprise to the audience.

“They don’t know?” Martin asked when Hart announced it. 

Martin warned the audience to leave if they hadn’t read each previous book, including “A Dance with Dragons,” the fifth book in the series which was published this July. There is currently no official planned publication date for "Winds."

The excerpt was told from the point of view of Victarion Greyjoy, who is the brother of Balon Greyjoy, the ruler of the Iron Islands, an area of the kingdom of Westeros. Residents of the Iron Islands are famed for their ships, and Victarion commands the mighty Iron Fleet, holding the title of Lord Captain. Victarion is the uncle of Theon Greyjoy, one of the main characters in the series who was raised by Eddard Stark, though technically a hostage of the Starks. Theon was turned over to Eddard Stark as punishment for Balon’s failed rebellion.

(Spoilers follow for “The Winds of Winter.”)

In the excerpt, which Martin said begins around “five minutes” after the end of “Dance,” Victarion tells three oarsmen from the Iron Fleet that they have been chosen to blow the hellhorn, which is said to have the power to control dragons. According to Victarion, the last man to blow the hellhorn died.

“Game of Thrones: The Exhibition” was held from March 9 to 18 and was presented by HBO Canada and the Toronto International Film Festival. Various items from the hit HBO series were available for viewing, including costumes from the show and props, including the Iron Throne, the chair that is the symbol of power for the king of the fictional country of Westeros. 

Check out the video below – Martin begins reading at the 30:49 mark.

Molly Driscoll is a Monitor contributor.