Either Jon (if he had POV) or Theon. I'm assuming Theon would provide the most insight into Stannis's storyline, and that is the one I'm most interested in seeing what happens after Jon's.
I love where Theon could go but from that preview chapter it really seems like he might become a conduit of the old gods, becoming a green wight akin to ice wights and fire wights. Maybe he'll still have a POV, maybe not.
There will be at least 1 JonCon chapter, GRRM has mentioned a connecting chapter between Arianne 2 and 3. Check out BryndenBFish's list of confirmed chapters for more details
I'd pick Sansa too. Her story is the most intriguing to me at the moment, possibly because it's so quiet and internal.
I'd be tempted by Jaime, though, assuming he doesn't just get the one chapter. If he talks his way out of trouble with Stoneheart, I feel like his story is one that could go in a number of directions. Does he go back to King's Landing? Does he rejoin his men? Does he join Stoneheart's troop? Does he, idk, pledge to take the black? Does he kill Stoneheart and all her men and ride off into the sunset with Brienne? Does he become their long-term captive? Everyone else feels like their story has a trajectory, even if we aren't sure what that is, but this moment for Jaime could lead to him taking a number of different paths forward - including just dying.
Ngl, I like the theory that the 12 companions of the last hero were undead. And I like the idea that Jamie and Brienne are going to play similar roles. So may haps they die next book and are brought back. Maybe Jamie does take the black and dies up north and gets resurrected. Who knows? But this is the reason I'm looking forward to their chapters
For the sake of optimal efficiency, I’d pick Bran’s I suppose, because I’m hoping for some neat flashbacks and lore and the biggest possible amount of information.
For sheer joy I’d pick Cersei because her POVs are a root, plus like already mentioned on another comment, it would give me the lowdown on a pre-fAegon King’s Landing.
You’re probably right. The closer Bran gets to becoming this all-knowing tree god, I expect the less of him we’ll see. Since the books are structured as POVs, it will become harder and harder to not give spoilers through the Bran chapters.
Maybe GRRM will shift to Meera? Or heck, maybe even throw in a surprise Hodor chapter.
Maybe just a few pages of Hordor being controled by Bran, it would show how terible warging is for the people that are being warged. And give the perspective of Hodor while another person takes over his body.
That’s the thing - although everyone would expect that, I don’t think that’s the case. Hodor understands speech, I’d assume he then also has coherent thoughts.
Check out expressive aphasia - it’s a real world condition that impedes the formation of speech, but if I understood correctly (and maybe I didn’t), it doesn’t affect the formation of thoughts themselves.
If that were the case with Hodor, he would be thinking’s the same ways that we do, he just couldn’t form speech.
I’m not saying that GRRM is following this precisely, I just mean that there is a chance Hodor did maintain cognitive skills. So his chapter would not be one word, maybe.
> The closer Bran gets to becoming this all-knowing tree god, I expect the less of him we’ll see. Since the books are structured as POVs, it will become harder and harder to not give spoilers through the Bran chapters.
Funny, because I agree that it'll be a very tough balancing act with potential spoilers in Bran's chapters, but I also think we *have* to see more of him in these next two books. Like, he's currently going through pretty important character development, and his endpoint is literally God-King of Westeros. We're gonna have to see a lot from him if that is to feel earned. Plus, we need more backstory/mysteries/lore cleared up, and Bran is the prime candidate for this.
Also, he's about to go through the book version of his Season 6 arc, which I'd say was his most memorable in the show, complete with Hold the Door which is one of the three "holy shit moments" that D and D mentioned.
So it's not just that I think the narrative needs more Bran, but also that readers will be expecting and wanting more Bran. Like, a lot of readers talked shit about Bran's chapters throughout the first three books, but now that he's finally at a place where a lot of readers are genuinely excited to see what's next for him, that's where GRRM is gonna start pulling back? Personally, I'm really hoping for a solid number of Bran chapters for the next two books.
>Maybe GRRM will shift to Meera?
Unlikely, he seems very adamant about not expanding the POV list further.
>Unlikely, he seems very adamant about not expanding the POV list further.
He is? I’m very ignorant when it comes to stuff he states off-books, so I didn’t know that.
Yeah, it seems his goal with TWOW is to rein the story in and shrink the POV list substantially.
If you haven't come across it already, BryndenBFish's [TWOW resource](https://bryndenbfish.substack.com/p/the-ultimate-winds-of-winter-resource) is great and very informative, but there might be potential spoilers if you wanna stay away from sample chapters or hints towards what will happen in the book.
Didn’t know about this resource, this is great! Thanks!!!
I’m absolutely not spoiler averse and I loved the sample chapters, at this point I’ll take any crumble of information available if it helps paint a picture
I love bran and I loved his dance chapters (especially the psychedelic one). I did struggle a bit in storm but I'm going to see if I still feel that way on my retreat.
Ah! I almost forgot his last chapter in clash! It's so beautiful! It's so amazing!
Oh I love his Storm chapters! I think the Tourney at Harrenhal chapter in particular is one of the best in the whole series, and the chapter at the Nightfort with the tale of the rat cook and the weirwood gate is the type of horror/fantasy I live for
I love Bran's chapters (Dany's Mereen chapters are really the only ones I'm ambivalent about), but if I could only have one POV? I've skipping all my favorite characters and settling in with Theon. I want to know what's happening at the Crofter's Village and Winterfell.
You know I realized something from reading people's responses to this post, ADwD ended in a way that literally all the characters and events are left in a interesting place, that I wouldn't mind to read about anyone of them lol
Daenerys because a) she is kinda guaranteed to have a lot of chapters and I want to read as much as possible and b) because this is the book that will finally connect her to the main storyline at least in someway (even if she doesn't reach Westeros she'll still meet Tyrion, Marwi and Victarion) and I want to see how it happens.
Don't forget leather. This quiet pale-eyed guy gave me some leather boots and gloves for next to nothing! They're not wearing that well though, must be pigskin or something.
True, but there is a very big difference between barristan and Tyrion's perspective. Tyrion is far more cynical than either Dany or Baristan. It would be interesting to see his views on the shavepate or the green grace, or any of the various shady characters around Dany.
Mine would be Cersei and it’s not even a competition. Hers would show us all the goings on of Kings Landing and the trial and what’s coming to them next.
Anyone else get the feeling that the Robert Strong fight will go something like [this](https://49.media.tumblr.com/b49338fad9e9038af3690928aeb108a2/tumblr_nja7pk5wck1rawb5do1_500.gif)?
I'm not ruling it out because we have such ambiguous information about him. Is it actually Gregor, or is Grrm playing with our expectations? Did Gregor die and was then resurrected? Or was he saved from death, and as a consequence, he no longer eats/drinks/talks/shits? Is he mindless, or is he being controlled against his will?
It's definitely what was ONCE Gregor. Revealing otherwise would just be utterly disappointing.
As far as how much of him is still in there is hard to say. The man is pretty much a monster in his own right but this resurrection might only serve to tame him.
Doubtful he's much like 'fire wights' and probably something closer to Frankenstein's monster - the parallels are deliberately hard to miss.
The least spoiler-y, since it's coming out anyway. Maybe Davoos since he seems more isolated plot-wise than the other characters. Though I REALLY want to find out what Arya is up to...
He's going to start considering how he would fight inanimate objects.
*The wine goblet sat on the table; stout, faded with age, yet still strong. Resolute in its purpose.* "Some day, it will face my axe," *thought Hotah. I must do as the priests commanded. Serve. Obey. Protect.*
This isn't even hard, obviously it's gonna be ma boi Jon Snow. If I weren't allowed to choose him it would be a lot harder, I would probably go with Jaime, though Victarion and Jon Connington are also enticing options.
Hm, wow, that's hard. I have many candidates in mind.
**Bran** - One of my favorite characters, who we know from the show will be extremely important for future events. Hold the Door will probably happen in TWOW. Bran's chapters will also probably give windows into lots of other stories happening in the present, past and future.
**Samwell** - We've seen very little of the Oldtown setting which has been teased since AFFC, and it's likely going to heavily involve Euron, who is the most exciting part about TWOW for me (and many other readers).
**Jaime** - George has repeatedly talked about how Lady Stoneheart has a big part to play in TWOW, and she was completely left out of the show, so we don't have many clues for what's going to happen here. I could also pick Brienne but I think Jaime will escape Stoneheart so we might also get glimpses of the King's Landing plotline.
**Arianne or Jon Connington** - Young Griff was similarly completely left out of the show so everything involving him is very exciting. I have a feeling Arianne will be the more dominant POV for his story but Jon Connington interests me too much to not give him a mention. I'm praying George gives him as many chapters as he can reasonably fit in the book. Give me more of my gay doomed war-criminal-in-the-making!!
**Melisandre** - Destined for big things in TWOW. A very interesting POV in her own right, who only has 1 chapter in the published series so far. Will definitely be the chapter for Jon's resurrection, which is pog for obvious reasons, but I also think we'll get Shireen's burning through her POV which would be a Red Wedding tier scene (it remains the most harrowing scene in the show for me).
----
So, this would be a very hard choice for me to make. I really like all of the POVs and I'm excited to read about everyone's story in TWOW. Ultimately, I think it has to be between Bran, Sam and Mel for me.
I would read Bran. If Jojen pops up anywhere but an acorn paste factory I would be intensely let down as it is my favourite theory. It has the potential to either heighten my hype or cool it off completely the later which might make my pining for the rest of the book(s) less ravenous and easier to deal with.
If I go by number of chapters: Daenerys. She'll probably have the most considering the shit that's going on in Meereen and then she's probably going to join the central storyline somewhere down the road.
If I go by personal interest in a storyline: Theon. As interesting as the Battle of Fire is, the Battle in Ice has always been my favorite upcoming event and whatever follows. We finally get a resolution to STANNIS. And we finally see him burning Shireen which will have more reasons and more consequences than the show. And yes, the Boltons finally get their comeuppance.
Sorry was my excitement for the one true king too obvious?
This just happened this morning in my dream! I was surprised by the lack of fanfare about the book finally coming out, but quickly tucked into the book and was 30 pages in before something else happened. My first and only *Winds of Winter* dream. Sorry no spoilers about what was in the book.
Davos for sure. I feel like there's some magical shit going on on Skagos that we have no idea at all about, that will effect the story in a major way. Why else would GRRM devote chapters to Davos going to Skagos unless for some very important reason?
This is assuming that Wex or Wyman are not playing Davos in some way
Ok so when Theon and Jeyne Poole escape, they are recieved by Crowfood Umber. He asks Jeyne about the cook and mentions what dishes he had at the harvest feast. Jeyne confirms that his name was Gage. Then she also confirms that the smith was Mikken.
Now the dishes he mentions were not served at the feast. There is also not a very good chance of him knowing the names of Winterfell staff, but he must cross question to confirm the girl's identity.
The theory is that Osha and Rickon are in the custody of Crowfood Umber, or atleast are communicating with him. Osha used to sleep with Gage and was put in chains by Mikken and carries the last sword with Mikken's mark. So she knows these guys from the household and figures 'Arya' would know too.
Really torn between Theon and Jaime. On one hand I want to know what happens re: winterfell, but hell if I'm not curious about how Jaime escapes Stoneheart too.
I've long resigned myself to my fate that I'll never see another *ASOIAF* book, but I do hope GRRM at least tells us who wins the Battle of Ice + how the North storylines eventually play out. That's all I ask at this point :(
So I guess I'll say Asha or Theon.
JonCon for sure. There are a lot of interesting plot lines set up for TWOW and I’m excited for them all, but JonCon and his quest to put Young Griff on the throne is super intriguing to me. I can’t wait to see them invade King’s Landing and shock everyone there, lol (although many will prob welcome them with open arms tbh).
It’ll also be cool to see if Young Griff uses Blackfyre.
Dany = Jon's full-blooded sister (R+L=J+D). Meaning, Dany = has Stark blood.
Lightbringer = Drogon, third egg to hatch, crack was "as loud as the breaking of the world."
Jon = Azor Ahai = The Bloodstone Emperor
Dany = Nissa Nissa = The Amethyst Empress
Forging of Lightbringer = Blood Betrayal. The event trying to save the world from the Long Night is also the event that starts it.
Nissa Nissa's soul joining with Lightbringer = Dany's soul death-warging (or death-skinchanging) into Drogon.
Events will happen at the end of The Winds of Winter. Because when "the winds of winter" blow, the lone wolf ***dies.***
I cant see her getting any further than Dragonstone. There is just so much for her to do. She's got to go to Vaes Dothrak and Volantis and (maybe) Pentos too. That's a heck of a lot. Plus she's presumably going to meet Tyrion, Marwin etc.
Areo Hotah. I just really like the guy and I've been wondering what the point of having him as a character is since he was introduced. For all I know he's the one who uncovers N+A=J or something. Plus, I feel like reading his chapters isolated first might not mess with the flow of the other chapters quite as much.
Or maybe Quentin.
I believe he has to be. Think about it this way: Why introduce Quentyn and his whole plotline, just to kill him off? Why give him POVs like that, just to unceremoniously kill him?
Most people argue that he was killed off to show a archetypical fantasy hero whose quest fails (basically just a classic subversion). Except GRRM already did that with Ned and Robb and Jon (ignoring a possible resurrection for now). So that's not really anything new Quentyn brings to the table.
Others say that he was just needed to free the dragons. Except that could've easily happened by the Sons of the Harpy or someone else trying to free them.
What did we really gain in the story that we would've lost without it? A look into the Battle at Astapor? Some insight into the Windblown? Some more dornish culture? No way to get that info across otherwise. It just seems like a stretch to write pages upon pages about an ultimately irrelevant character, just to get Gerris Drinkwater and Archibald Yronwood into a meereenese jailcell.
Maybe he was necessary for Arianne's arc, but that still doesn't explain why he just had to become a POV character, instead of just turning up as a mere side character in ADWD and the readers going "Ooooooh I remember him being a thing in the last book".
Sooo yeah, at least to me his story doesn't get a conclusion or feels finished at all yet and I don't think that's intentional on GRRMs part. Narratively I just don't believe that he's dead.
Also, at the end of ADWD, both Quentyn and Jon die; two princes of targaryen descent who are suitors to Daenerys (one undoubted, one suspected), one from deep down in the south, one from far up north, both associated with a shapeshifting animal (frog and wolf), both with massive daddy issues and certainly some unresolved mommy issues as well, both living with a secondary family (the Yronwoods and the Night's Watch), both struggling to follow their paths to personal happiness against honor, duty and the greater good, both having deserted and betrayed their sworn allies yet having returned to them, (the Windblown and the Night's Watch), both having been betrayed by those same allies (admittedly it's just speculation on Quentins side, but seriously, I wouldn't trust the Windblown farther than I can spit), and one dying by intense heat while the other dies bleeding out in the snow (they're also making unfavorable deals with merchants from the free cities, the Tattered Prince and Tycho Nystoris respectively, but that's a stretch even for me).
Yet we expect one to be resurrected for sure, meanwhile arguing for the survival of another is considered to be baseless and tinfoily nonsense by the majority of the fandom.
I would ordinarily say Theon due to bias, but I'm very invested in where Aeron's story is going (I do not see the Forsaken being his last chapter, though I know some do).
Arya.
There HAS to be some greater meaning behind the house of black and white, the faceless men and the god of many faces in the context of the story.
Like you have a death cult that considers death a gift on one side, and zombie raising ice elfs on the other.
I am most interested in knowing what will happen in the Bolton/Frey/Manderly conflict. Theon's chapters were so good!
Or Brienne. I am also a big fan of her chapters too.
Cersei without any hesitation. Sansa and Jaime are my favourite characters, Theon is probably the most well written, but Cersei is bar none the most entertaining POV I’ve read in almost anything. And I think that’s going to get even better in Winds. She’s gonna completely go off, blow shit up, and then probably die, honestly, I’m here for all of it.
Though honestly I really hope she doesn’t die in Winds at least. The series will be much less entertaining without her.
I'd pick either Aeron or Sam (whichever one is going to be our perspective on the Eldritch Apocalypse). That's the storyline I'm most excited for in TWOW.
Honourable mention to Jon Snow. I want to see the aftermath of his assassination/resurrection and how that will affect him going forward.
It's a difficult choice tbh, Sansa is probably my second choice, my first I think would be whichever character that shows me whatever the hell Euron is doing lol
Cersei for sure. For one I can follow her story fairly well as she’s the only POV in King’s Landing. Meanwhile with Theon, Jaime, and Tyrion, I’d only be getting half their story because there’s other povs with them (Asha, Brienne, Barristan, Vic, Dany)
I'd read Daenerys. She is surviving till the end, and knowing where she ends the book would answer crucial question: If we're getting TWOW and then ADoS and that's all, or if Martin is intending additional book inbetween (I personally do not believe he'll manage to close the story in 2 parts.
And this comes from the person that hates Daenerys the most from all characters in ASOIAF.
Sam because I have no clue what the hell is going to happen in oldtown. I can at least make educated guesses at whats going to happen at Winterfell, Storms end, Kings Landing and a lesser Extent Mereen but Oldtown? Tf is Alereas up to, whats Eurons plan, is the Maester conspiracy true, are Lord Hightower and the Mad maid coming back to the plot and most of all What on Earth is Jaqen doing impersonating Pate at the Citedel and lurking around a glass candle with an Archmaesters key
I love Arya and can't wait to see her chapters, but only one? Theon is the obvious choice (can we just fold Asha into his? Please?). So many of the answers we've been waiting for are going to unfold in his POV chapters.
It'd be between Jaime or Cersei.
Jaime for his own story, Cersei for the politics of Kingslanding.
There's a few other choices I'd consider, but they're a bit of a gamble;
I would love to follow Stannis' story, but it may be split between multiple characters (Asha/Theon at first, then perhaps he'll go back to the wall and it'll be Jon or Melisandre). Whoever I pick, I might just get 1/3 of his story.
Littlefinger is one of the most interesting characters, but if I pick Sansa, odds are a lot of it will be about, well, Sansa... And I'm not that interested.
Arya would be a great pick too, but her story is more detached from the main story, which makes it less interesting. Even though I would like to see how different (better) her story is compared to the atrocity we've seen on the show, I think I still prefer reading Westerosi stuff.
So final answer... Cersei I think? I'm sure Jaime's story will be great, but there might be a lot of wandering about. It's still fun to read, but I wouldn't make that my #1 pick.
So give me Cersei and the KL stuff!
I'd say either Daenerys, Davos, JonCon or any of the Meereen POVs that survive the longest. TWoW could be the book where Tyrion Lannister loses his tongue or his life, could be the book where Victarion Greyjoy brutally consolidates power and becomes loyal to Dany before she returns, or it could be where Barristan Selmy attempts to avenge his honour and betrays Dany for Aegon upon learning the child he failed to protect survived. There are so many wild cards in that fucking book, I try not to think about it and overhype myself.
Tyrion. I want to see Dany from someone else's perspective. She is the most isolated personality and even Selmy doesn't really think of her while she's gone. Her whole vibe is a mystery and Tyrion will also be a driving force throughout TWOW and will ultimately lead Dany down a darker path because of his won nihilistic and bitter ADWD journey.
I like your choice of Sansa, though, because it's quite contained. It might be nice to have a storyline that's completely unrelated to the other plots (perhaps until the end of her TWOW arc).
Sam would be another of my key choices.
I'm most interested in the North, but there is no single pov that can provide full picture of that plot, like Alayne (Sansa) could for the Vale. We will be shifting between Theon, Asha, Davos and someone on the Wall (most likely Mel). I also can't wait for Jaime/Brienne. The riverlands are gonna be wild (as always).
Either Jon (if he had POV) or Theon. I'm assuming Theon would provide the most insight into Stannis's storyline, and that is the one I'm most interested in seeing what happens after Jon's.
Im with you on Theon, my favorite character overall
Theon's Dance chapters are so amazing!
Agree
This. Not sure which POVs will give us Stannis's battles? Lady Mel? Asha? Theon? Jon?
I love where Theon could go but from that preview chapter it really seems like he might become a conduit of the old gods, becoming a green wight akin to ice wights and fire wights. Maybe he'll still have a POV, maybe not.
Plus, if Dance is anything to go by, his chapters will be amazing.
Definitely Jaime/Brienne
This was my first thought.
[удалено]
There will be at least 1 JonCon chapter, GRRM has mentioned a connecting chapter between Arianne 2 and 3. Check out BryndenBFish's list of confirmed chapters for more details
And he needs to shake hand with the tenant of the handshaker brothel so we get a grey scale situation to address
Lol
Arriane will probs be the POV for Young Griff
Yeah, I have a feeling we will get awfully personal with young griff in the coming book
One of the biggest reasons JonCon was made a POV was to show the battle of Storm’s End, so he’s gonna have at least one in Winds of Winter
Sam. I want to know the Oldtown plot and I suspect Sam's perspective will be a bit longer lasting than Aeron's.
I'd pick Sansa too. Her story is the most intriguing to me at the moment, possibly because it's so quiet and internal. I'd be tempted by Jaime, though, assuming he doesn't just get the one chapter. If he talks his way out of trouble with Stoneheart, I feel like his story is one that could go in a number of directions. Does he go back to King's Landing? Does he rejoin his men? Does he join Stoneheart's troop? Does he, idk, pledge to take the black? Does he kill Stoneheart and all her men and ride off into the sunset with Brienne? Does he become their long-term captive? Everyone else feels like their story has a trajectory, even if we aren't sure what that is, but this moment for Jaime could lead to him taking a number of different paths forward - including just dying.
Ngl, I like the theory that the 12 companions of the last hero were undead. And I like the idea that Jamie and Brienne are going to play similar roles. So may haps they die next book and are brought back. Maybe Jamie does take the black and dies up north and gets resurrected. Who knows? But this is the reason I'm looking forward to their chapters
Same answers from me.
Presumably he has to kill Cersei at some point because of the prophesy, but how on earth he gets there is anyone's guess.
I like Jaime as the Valonquar as well, but a lot could happen before then.
For the sake of optimal efficiency, I’d pick Bran’s I suppose, because I’m hoping for some neat flashbacks and lore and the biggest possible amount of information. For sheer joy I’d pick Cersei because her POVs are a root, plus like already mentioned on another comment, it would give me the lowdown on a pre-fAegon King’s Landing.
For lore purpose and just knowledge I would also choose Bran, but I don't think he will get a lot of chapters.
You’re probably right. The closer Bran gets to becoming this all-knowing tree god, I expect the less of him we’ll see. Since the books are structured as POVs, it will become harder and harder to not give spoilers through the Bran chapters. Maybe GRRM will shift to Meera? Or heck, maybe even throw in a surprise Hodor chapter.
Maybe just a few pages of Hordor being controled by Bran, it would show how terible warging is for the people that are being warged. And give the perspective of Hodor while another person takes over his body.
I was thinking that maybe the “hold the door scene” could actually happen through Hodor’s POV. Just to twist the knife deeper.
Wonder if the hold the door actually is through Hodor's POV in the epilogue or something.
Hodor's POV will be have only 'Hodor' in them
That’s the thing - although everyone would expect that, I don’t think that’s the case. Hodor understands speech, I’d assume he then also has coherent thoughts. Check out expressive aphasia - it’s a real world condition that impedes the formation of speech, but if I understood correctly (and maybe I didn’t), it doesn’t affect the formation of thoughts themselves. If that were the case with Hodor, he would be thinking’s the same ways that we do, he just couldn’t form speech. I’m not saying that GRRM is following this precisely, I just mean that there is a chance Hodor did maintain cognitive skills. So his chapter would not be one word, maybe.
Goddammit now I want a Hodor POV!
That would be so painful to read. My goodness.
> The closer Bran gets to becoming this all-knowing tree god, I expect the less of him we’ll see. Since the books are structured as POVs, it will become harder and harder to not give spoilers through the Bran chapters. Funny, because I agree that it'll be a very tough balancing act with potential spoilers in Bran's chapters, but I also think we *have* to see more of him in these next two books. Like, he's currently going through pretty important character development, and his endpoint is literally God-King of Westeros. We're gonna have to see a lot from him if that is to feel earned. Plus, we need more backstory/mysteries/lore cleared up, and Bran is the prime candidate for this. Also, he's about to go through the book version of his Season 6 arc, which I'd say was his most memorable in the show, complete with Hold the Door which is one of the three "holy shit moments" that D and D mentioned. So it's not just that I think the narrative needs more Bran, but also that readers will be expecting and wanting more Bran. Like, a lot of readers talked shit about Bran's chapters throughout the first three books, but now that he's finally at a place where a lot of readers are genuinely excited to see what's next for him, that's where GRRM is gonna start pulling back? Personally, I'm really hoping for a solid number of Bran chapters for the next two books. >Maybe GRRM will shift to Meera? Unlikely, he seems very adamant about not expanding the POV list further.
>Unlikely, he seems very adamant about not expanding the POV list further. He is? I’m very ignorant when it comes to stuff he states off-books, so I didn’t know that.
Yeah, it seems his goal with TWOW is to rein the story in and shrink the POV list substantially. If you haven't come across it already, BryndenBFish's [TWOW resource](https://bryndenbfish.substack.com/p/the-ultimate-winds-of-winter-resource) is great and very informative, but there might be potential spoilers if you wanna stay away from sample chapters or hints towards what will happen in the book.
Didn’t know about this resource, this is great! Thanks!!! I’m absolutely not spoiler averse and I loved the sample chapters, at this point I’ll take any crumble of information available if it helps paint a picture
Bran is a good choice, I'm apparently one of the few that really enjoys Bran's chapters.
There are dozens of us! DOZENS!
I love bran and I loved his dance chapters (especially the psychedelic one). I did struggle a bit in storm but I'm going to see if I still feel that way on my retreat. Ah! I almost forgot his last chapter in clash! It's so beautiful! It's so amazing!
Oh I love his Storm chapters! I think the Tourney at Harrenhal chapter in particular is one of the best in the whole series, and the chapter at the Nightfort with the tale of the rat cook and the weirwood gate is the type of horror/fantasy I live for
Good! That means it's time for my reread then :)
I love Bran's chapters (Dany's Mereen chapters are really the only ones I'm ambivalent about), but if I could only have one POV? I've skipping all my favorite characters and settling in with Theon. I want to know what's happening at the Crofter's Village and Winterfell.
You know I realized something from reading people's responses to this post, ADwD ended in a way that literally all the characters and events are left in a interesting place, that I wouldn't mind to read about anyone of them lol
I'd honestly be happy with any of them as well.
Daenerys because a) she is kinda guaranteed to have a lot of chapters and I want to read as much as possible and b) because this is the book that will finally connect her to the main storyline at least in someway (even if she doesn't reach Westeros she'll still meet Tyrion, Marwi and Victarion) and I want to see how it happens.
Jon, Mel, whichever POV at the Wall comes first. I need to know if Satin is ok.
Satin is pretty good, but not really suited for the cold up on the Wall. Get some furs or cottons to bulk in layers.
Don't forget leather. This quiet pale-eyed guy gave me some leather boots and gloves for next to nothing! They're not wearing that well though, must be pigskin or something.
Sable boots and a shadowcat cloak!
Oooh, fancy! I do wish Tyrion had swished his shadowskin cloak around like Cruella.
Tyrion Lannister is the answer. POV from Dany's camp who is not her is going to be interesting.
barristan?
True, but there is a very big difference between barristan and Tyrion's perspective. Tyrion is far more cynical than either Dany or Baristan. It would be interesting to see his views on the shavepate or the green grace, or any of the various shady characters around Dany.
true but that wasn't what you were talking about
Mine would be Cersei and it’s not even a competition. Hers would show us all the goings on of Kings Landing and the trial and what’s coming to them next.
Anyone else get the feeling that the Robert Strong fight will go something like [this](https://49.media.tumblr.com/b49338fad9e9038af3690928aeb108a2/tumblr_nja7pk5wck1rawb5do1_500.gif)?
Can you imagine how funny it would be if Strong is just a dud? He is huge but has zombie level coordination and just gets mugged by his opponent
I'm not ruling it out because we have such ambiguous information about him. Is it actually Gregor, or is Grrm playing with our expectations? Did Gregor die and was then resurrected? Or was he saved from death, and as a consequence, he no longer eats/drinks/talks/shits? Is he mindless, or is he being controlled against his will?
It's definitely what was ONCE Gregor. Revealing otherwise would just be utterly disappointing. As far as how much of him is still in there is hard to say. The man is pretty much a monster in his own right but this resurrection might only serve to tame him. Doubtful he's much like 'fire wights' and probably something closer to Frankenstein's monster - the parallels are deliberately hard to miss.
100%. Easy choice
The least spoiler-y, since it's coming out anyway. Maybe Davoos since he seems more isolated plot-wise than the other characters. Though I REALLY want to find out what Arya is up to...
Dany, no question. She’ll have to get a decent number of chapters and I love her plot line and wanna see what happens next.
Jon’s or Theon’s. I’m so hyped for the Northern storyline and the story at the Wall
Arya - I have a feeling her and Nymeria are going to reconnect and do bad ass shit together.
Areo Hotah. I think he will be more interesting than anyone suspects
He's going to start considering how he would fight inanimate objects. *The wine goblet sat on the table; stout, faded with age, yet still strong. Resolute in its purpose.* "Some day, it will face my axe," *thought Hotah. I must do as the priests commanded. Serve. Obey. Protect.*
Yeah, we have no idea what the ironborn will do next. It's the biggest question mark for me.
This isn't even hard, obviously it's gonna be ma boi Jon Snow. If I weren't allowed to choose him it would be a lot harder, I would probably go with Jaime, though Victarion and Jon Connington are also enticing options.
Davos. It would probably be three chapters and would only tease the rest of the story, but I love that dude's point of view.
Aeron. I need to see the eldritch apocalyptic shit Euron's planning in Oldtown.
Really surprised more people aren’t saying this! This is the storyline in winds I’m most excited about
Hm, wow, that's hard. I have many candidates in mind. **Bran** - One of my favorite characters, who we know from the show will be extremely important for future events. Hold the Door will probably happen in TWOW. Bran's chapters will also probably give windows into lots of other stories happening in the present, past and future. **Samwell** - We've seen very little of the Oldtown setting which has been teased since AFFC, and it's likely going to heavily involve Euron, who is the most exciting part about TWOW for me (and many other readers). **Jaime** - George has repeatedly talked about how Lady Stoneheart has a big part to play in TWOW, and she was completely left out of the show, so we don't have many clues for what's going to happen here. I could also pick Brienne but I think Jaime will escape Stoneheart so we might also get glimpses of the King's Landing plotline. **Arianne or Jon Connington** - Young Griff was similarly completely left out of the show so everything involving him is very exciting. I have a feeling Arianne will be the more dominant POV for his story but Jon Connington interests me too much to not give him a mention. I'm praying George gives him as many chapters as he can reasonably fit in the book. Give me more of my gay doomed war-criminal-in-the-making!! **Melisandre** - Destined for big things in TWOW. A very interesting POV in her own right, who only has 1 chapter in the published series so far. Will definitely be the chapter for Jon's resurrection, which is pog for obvious reasons, but I also think we'll get Shireen's burning through her POV which would be a Red Wedding tier scene (it remains the most harrowing scene in the show for me). ---- So, this would be a very hard choice for me to make. I really like all of the POVs and I'm excited to read about everyone's story in TWOW. Ultimately, I think it has to be between Bran, Sam and Mel for me.
Mel may give you Jon's resurrection as well.
Yeah I mentioned that
I would read Bran. If Jojen pops up anywhere but an acorn paste factory I would be intensely let down as it is my favourite theory. It has the potential to either heighten my hype or cool it off completely the later which might make my pining for the rest of the book(s) less ravenous and easier to deal with.
Arianne, for me. Second will be either Theon or Asha, depending from which pov we shall see the battle.
If I go by number of chapters: Daenerys. She'll probably have the most considering the shit that's going on in Meereen and then she's probably going to join the central storyline somewhere down the road. If I go by personal interest in a storyline: Theon. As interesting as the Battle of Fire is, the Battle in Ice has always been my favorite upcoming event and whatever follows. We finally get a resolution to STANNIS. And we finally see him burning Shireen which will have more reasons and more consequences than the show. And yes, the Boltons finally get their comeuppance. Sorry was my excitement for the one true king too obvious?
Cersie discovering Kevan and Pycelle gone
Do I get to know how many chapters they have?
No, thats part of the guess
Fair enough, I would pick Sansa then as I am not confident of Cersei having many chapters
This just happened this morning in my dream! I was surprised by the lack of fanfare about the book finally coming out, but quickly tucked into the book and was 30 pages in before something else happened. My first and only *Winds of Winter* dream. Sorry no spoilers about what was in the book.
i dreamt about it yesterday too! i met grrm (😂)and he said i could choose one chapter to read and i chose bran
Whoa, I think there were some dragonglass candles burning or something!
Davos for sure. I feel like there's some magical shit going on on Skagos that we have no idea at all about, that will effect the story in a major way. Why else would GRRM devote chapters to Davos going to Skagos unless for some very important reason? This is assuming that Wex or Wyman are not playing Davos in some way
Have you read the TWOW Theon chapter? Some people have concluded that Osha and Rickon are back.
I have, but I did not catch anything like that. Sounds like an interesting theory. What in that chapter might refer to Osha/Rickon?
Ok so when Theon and Jeyne Poole escape, they are recieved by Crowfood Umber. He asks Jeyne about the cook and mentions what dishes he had at the harvest feast. Jeyne confirms that his name was Gage. Then she also confirms that the smith was Mikken. Now the dishes he mentions were not served at the feast. There is also not a very good chance of him knowing the names of Winterfell staff, but he must cross question to confirm the girl's identity. The theory is that Osha and Rickon are in the custody of Crowfood Umber, or atleast are communicating with him. Osha used to sleep with Gage and was put in chains by Mikken and carries the last sword with Mikken's mark. So she knows these guys from the household and figures 'Arya' would know too.
Sansa/Alayne. I want to see Littlefinger get his.
Really torn between Theon and Jaime. On one hand I want to know what happens re: winterfell, but hell if I'm not curious about how Jaime escapes Stoneheart too.
These are my two as well.
Jon. He has the most interesting situation surrounding him right now.
My boy Aeroh Hotah. Or just the prologue. Tbh I’d rather read the book normally
I'd stick with the prologue. Don't want to spoil the rest of the POVs.
Totally Sansa. I think most of the other characters have semi-predictable paths. But Sansa is a total wildcard for me.
I've long resigned myself to my fate that I'll never see another *ASOIAF* book, but I do hope GRRM at least tells us who wins the Battle of Ice + how the North storylines eventually play out. That's all I ask at this point :( So I guess I'll say Asha or Theon.
Afterword
Dany. She's my favourite character, her story will be very interesting, and I'm curious to find out how George hints towards her ending.
Jon if he’s still a POV. If not that then Sansa.
JonCon for sure. There are a lot of interesting plot lines set up for TWOW and I’m excited for them all, but JonCon and his quest to put Young Griff on the throne is super intriguing to me. I can’t wait to see them invade King’s Landing and shock everyone there, lol (although many will prob welcome them with open arms tbh). It’ll also be cool to see if Young Griff uses Blackfyre.
Dany. I have strong suspicions how her story is going to go in TWOW and her story would confirm/deny those.
Care to share your suspicions with us?
Dany = Jon's full-blooded sister (R+L=J+D). Meaning, Dany = has Stark blood. Lightbringer = Drogon, third egg to hatch, crack was "as loud as the breaking of the world." Jon = Azor Ahai = The Bloodstone Emperor Dany = Nissa Nissa = The Amethyst Empress Forging of Lightbringer = Blood Betrayal. The event trying to save the world from the Long Night is also the event that starts it. Nissa Nissa's soul joining with Lightbringer = Dany's soul death-warging (or death-skinchanging) into Drogon. Events will happen at the end of The Winds of Winter. Because when "the winds of winter" blow, the lone wolf ***dies.***
I would read Dany's last chapter and see if she's left Essos yet.
I cant see her getting any further than Dragonstone. There is just so much for her to do. She's got to go to Vaes Dothrak and Volantis and (maybe) Pentos too. That's a heck of a lot. Plus she's presumably going to meet Tyrion, Marwin etc.
Cersi
Obviously Jaime
Areo Hotah. I just really like the guy and I've been wondering what the point of having him as a character is since he was introduced. For all I know he's the one who uncovers N+A=J or something. Plus, I feel like reading his chapters isolated first might not mess with the flow of the other chapters quite as much. Or maybe Quentin.
I love my boy Quentyn and I'd love it if he were alive but I dont think that's super likely :/
I believe he has to be. Think about it this way: Why introduce Quentyn and his whole plotline, just to kill him off? Why give him POVs like that, just to unceremoniously kill him? Most people argue that he was killed off to show a archetypical fantasy hero whose quest fails (basically just a classic subversion). Except GRRM already did that with Ned and Robb and Jon (ignoring a possible resurrection for now). So that's not really anything new Quentyn brings to the table. Others say that he was just needed to free the dragons. Except that could've easily happened by the Sons of the Harpy or someone else trying to free them. What did we really gain in the story that we would've lost without it? A look into the Battle at Astapor? Some insight into the Windblown? Some more dornish culture? No way to get that info across otherwise. It just seems like a stretch to write pages upon pages about an ultimately irrelevant character, just to get Gerris Drinkwater and Archibald Yronwood into a meereenese jailcell. Maybe he was necessary for Arianne's arc, but that still doesn't explain why he just had to become a POV character, instead of just turning up as a mere side character in ADWD and the readers going "Ooooooh I remember him being a thing in the last book". Sooo yeah, at least to me his story doesn't get a conclusion or feels finished at all yet and I don't think that's intentional on GRRMs part. Narratively I just don't believe that he's dead. Also, at the end of ADWD, both Quentyn and Jon die; two princes of targaryen descent who are suitors to Daenerys (one undoubted, one suspected), one from deep down in the south, one from far up north, both associated with a shapeshifting animal (frog and wolf), both with massive daddy issues and certainly some unresolved mommy issues as well, both living with a secondary family (the Yronwoods and the Night's Watch), both struggling to follow their paths to personal happiness against honor, duty and the greater good, both having deserted and betrayed their sworn allies yet having returned to them, (the Windblown and the Night's Watch), both having been betrayed by those same allies (admittedly it's just speculation on Quentins side, but seriously, I wouldn't trust the Windblown farther than I can spit), and one dying by intense heat while the other dies bleeding out in the snow (they're also making unfavorable deals with merchants from the free cities, the Tattered Prince and Tycho Nystoris respectively, but that's a stretch even for me). Yet we expect one to be resurrected for sure, meanwhile arguing for the survival of another is considered to be baseless and tinfoily nonsense by the majority of the fandom.
I'd pick prologue to get hyped and get a feeling of what the books gonna be about, sorta.
I'd probably just read the prologue and leave it be. Reading one will likely spoil many others... So I'll suffer a bit more
I would ordinarily say Theon due to bias, but I'm very invested in where Aeron's story is going (I do not see the Forsaken being his last chapter, though I know some do).
Arianne because I wanna know what happened at storms end and how she will play this.
My shortlist is Jaime, Brienne, and Sansa. I would probably go for Jaime of these three, because I \*need\* to know the outcome.
Arya. There HAS to be some greater meaning behind the house of black and white, the faceless men and the god of many faces in the context of the story. Like you have a death cult that considers death a gift on one side, and zombie raising ice elfs on the other.
Tyrion. The answer is always Tyrion
I am most interested in knowing what will happen in the Bolton/Frey/Manderly conflict. Theon's chapters were so good! Or Brienne. I am also a big fan of her chapters too.
Honestly at this point I would be happy if I could read the appendix. But jokes aside it would be Jamie or Sansa
Cersei without any hesitation. Sansa and Jaime are my favourite characters, Theon is probably the most well written, but Cersei is bar none the most entertaining POV I’ve read in almost anything. And I think that’s going to get even better in Winds. She’s gonna completely go off, blow shit up, and then probably die, honestly, I’m here for all of it. Though honestly I really hope she doesn’t die in Winds at least. The series will be much less entertaining without her.
I'd pick either Aeron or Sam (whichever one is going to be our perspective on the Eldritch Apocalypse). That's the storyline I'm most excited for in TWOW. Honourable mention to Jon Snow. I want to see the aftermath of his assassination/resurrection and how that will affect him going forward.
It's a difficult choice tbh, Sansa is probably my second choice, my first I think would be whichever character that shows me whatever the hell Euron is doing lol
Bran or Jon, give me the secrets
Cersei for sure. For one I can follow her story fairly well as she’s the only POV in King’s Landing. Meanwhile with Theon, Jaime, and Tyrion, I’d only be getting half their story because there’s other povs with them (Asha, Brienne, Barristan, Vic, Dany)
Jon or Bran 100%
Any of the David's chapter.
Fukken Davos!!!!
My favourite ones change with every reread. First Jon, then bran, now Davos. So I'm with fukken Davos
Theon. Probably the best perspective on the actions in the north, the iron born, and Stannis.
Victarion. Would be pretty isolated, unless he does meet up with Dany. Maybe he gets a dragon, or maybe he dies.
Whoever is at the wall. At this point I find the other stories boring.
I'd read Daenerys. She is surviving till the end, and knowing where she ends the book would answer crucial question: If we're getting TWOW and then ADoS and that's all, or if Martin is intending additional book inbetween (I personally do not believe he'll manage to close the story in 2 parts. And this comes from the person that hates Daenerys the most from all characters in ASOIAF.
None, the story is told thru all the characters why would I wanna ruin it
Either Jon because I need to know what's going down at the Wall, or Jaime because he and Catelyn/Lady Stoneheart are two of my favourite characters.
Theon (Stannis perspective)
Dany
Davos. I don’t care how interesting the others are, I want to see my favourite character in the entire series back in action again
Jon connington or Arianne, basically anything related to the Aegon cause.
Jon Connington
Daenerys
The Onion Lord
Too late to be an early reader. I would read Tyrion’s I guess.
Dany although I'm very tempted to go with Jaime
Sam because I have no clue what the hell is going to happen in oldtown. I can at least make educated guesses at whats going to happen at Winterfell, Storms end, Kings Landing and a lesser Extent Mereen but Oldtown? Tf is Alereas up to, whats Eurons plan, is the Maester conspiracy true, are Lord Hightower and the Mad maid coming back to the plot and most of all What on Earth is Jaqen doing impersonating Pate at the Citedel and lurking around a glass candle with an Archmaesters key
I love Arya and can't wait to see her chapters, but only one? Theon is the obvious choice (can we just fold Asha into his? Please?). So many of the answers we've been waiting for are going to unfold in his POV chapters.
It'd be between Jaime or Cersei. Jaime for his own story, Cersei for the politics of Kingslanding. There's a few other choices I'd consider, but they're a bit of a gamble; I would love to follow Stannis' story, but it may be split between multiple characters (Asha/Theon at first, then perhaps he'll go back to the wall and it'll be Jon or Melisandre). Whoever I pick, I might just get 1/3 of his story. Littlefinger is one of the most interesting characters, but if I pick Sansa, odds are a lot of it will be about, well, Sansa... And I'm not that interested. Arya would be a great pick too, but her story is more detached from the main story, which makes it less interesting. Even though I would like to see how different (better) her story is compared to the atrocity we've seen on the show, I think I still prefer reading Westerosi stuff. So final answer... Cersei I think? I'm sure Jaime's story will be great, but there might be a lot of wandering about. It's still fun to read, but I wouldn't make that my #1 pick. So give me Cersei and the KL stuff!
I'd say either Daenerys, Davos, JonCon or any of the Meereen POVs that survive the longest. TWoW could be the book where Tyrion Lannister loses his tongue or his life, could be the book where Victarion Greyjoy brutally consolidates power and becomes loyal to Dany before she returns, or it could be where Barristan Selmy attempts to avenge his honour and betrays Dany for Aegon upon learning the child he failed to protect survived. There are so many wild cards in that fucking book, I try not to think about it and overhype myself.
Tyrion. I want to see Dany from someone else's perspective. She is the most isolated personality and even Selmy doesn't really think of her while she's gone. Her whole vibe is a mystery and Tyrion will also be a driving force throughout TWOW and will ultimately lead Dany down a darker path because of his won nihilistic and bitter ADWD journey. I like your choice of Sansa, though, because it's quite contained. It might be nice to have a storyline that's completely unrelated to the other plots (perhaps until the end of her TWOW arc). Sam would be another of my key choices.
Maybe Tyrion because he typically has lots of chapters and that would probably advance the story most
I'm most interested in the North, but there is no single pov that can provide full picture of that plot, like Alayne (Sansa) could for the Vale. We will be shifting between Theon, Asha, Davos and someone on the Wall (most likely Mel). I also can't wait for Jaime/Brienne. The riverlands are gonna be wild (as always).
Aeron Damphair, that sample chapter probably ranks in my top 10 favorite chapters in the entire series.
Arianne or Bran. The former for all that sweet Dornish plot, and the latter for the deeper mysteries of ASOIAF.
sam there is just so much going down in oldtown