I adopted this approach like 5 years ago, until I decided to do a reread, now I'm obsessed again, I still appreciate the history that we have, and I tend to think that ASOIAF cannot or is very very dificult to finish
@@mrloadinggame i'm obsessed still lol but what helped me was to think about how each book is its own product and I am not owed more. I can not demand art, art is given.
I'm the same, just sort of accepted we may never see it and have made peace with it. It's also why I'm unlikely to re-read until the book is confirmed to be releasing, I'd hype myself too much for it if I did read them again haha.
@@jacobwillis7596 Exactly, we're use to treat this sagas as franchises or IPs or products but ASOIAF is pure art and as you say you cannot demand art, and you cannot expect to be given art on demand
I thought about Jon and Qhorin running through the caves from the wildlings, why would Davos light a torch and draw his sword when he is trying to be all sneaky in his boat? edit: If you believe the covers were swapped, this could be Jaime freeing his brother.
Saw someone mention it and I agree, that the figures on the covers are meant to symbolise you, the reader, who are going through these events and this world exploring it
@@christinadanezi2195 I mean, half of the direwolf is gray, which would indicate Benjen. The top half of the direwolf being white could be simply representative of the snowy peak, and that the direwolf's true coat is gray.
@nujabraska For me, it is obviously Jon. Benjen isn't so much an important character to make a cover for him, I mean, he doesn't even have a chapter in the books.
@@christinadanezi2195 Direwolf is the sigil of house stark. I understand Jon is the most obvious choice, but with all of the unknown surrounding Benjen’s journey- for me- makes it supremely cool to imagine.
@williamwilliams8809 Jon's first time beyond the wall is also an unknown journey for him, but it's ok, for you is Benjen in the cover, for me is Jon, it doesn't matter, all it matters is Martin to finish his books and finally give us some answers.
Love the new covers. My immediate thought is that they're releasing new covers simply to eliminate the tv show connection, since all the current covers include the "Now an HBO series" branding.
I still think that A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords should swap their covers. Since ACOK was about the battle of Blackwater between two sides of house Baratheon (KL vs Dragonstone) While ASOS was extremely Lannister-centric (first Jaime POV chapter, the beginning of his redemption arc, the height of Lannister power after the red wedding just to fall off real fast in the purple wedding and the Lannister civil war between Tyrion and Tywin/Cersei and the eventual murder of Tywin which signifies the true downfall of house Lannister).
Second cover gave me the vibes of Ned as he walks into a lion's mouth - representing him falling for the traps of Cerci in book 1. I think they played with the covers to trick us a bit. Another option is that Azor Ahai is on every cover with Lightbringer, as according to Rhaegar he might be the song of ice and fire so it fits. Also we should note that this figure carries the sword on his back, and I think Jon the the only character who is doing that.
I prefer the old covers but maybe that is just nostalgia. I don't mind the new ones though. The Winds cover could be anything at this point perhaps even a griff? We can neither confirm nor deny that.
Part of the problem with the old covers are just how nothing they are. A generic sword, a clipart crown, a random helmet, a goblet and a... Coin? Shield? Button? They're so meaningless there's nothing to dig into, these could be the covers of literally any fantasy book. Meanwhile, say what you will about the new ones, but you can tell at a glance that these are without a doubt, A Song of Ice and Fire.
@@constantanxietyattacks6878Is it really tho? Even if the old covers while generic are intrinsically connected with asoiaf by now. These covers idk. I simply prefer the simplicity of the older ones. Guess theyll grow on you as time goes on.
While the new covers’ art looks fantastic, I think there is an insane loss in visual recognition with them. I can’t tell you the amount of times I’ve been to another home and the blue/gold/green/red/white spines of the current covers immediately jumped out at me and spawned amazing conversations. The current covers have an elegant simplicity to them, just a bold color and an item, it’s instantly recognizable and iconic at this point. The new art looks amazing, it really does, but on a bookshelf, there’s nothing to make these new ones stand out and immediately tell someone “this is ASOIAF motherfucker”.
What is mroe disstinctive than the actual ASOIAF Logo that was created like a thank you to the fans who came up with the acronym. In the previous ones theree was nothing distinctive, just the colors.
@@thevikingbear2343 You can’t see that awesome logo on the spines unfortunately. And the new spines are not bold and visually pop out at you from across a room like the current ones do, is all I’m saying. The new spines are mostly dark and blend together, without much to differentiate them (at a glance) from any other fantasy series on your shelf. The art itself is gorgeous and the inclusion of the acronym is as you say a great nod to the fans.
I think the figure in the Dragon’s eye may be an Other, judging by the spindly form and sword, along with the black trees similar to the haunted forest.
I speculated as well what the next cover(s) might be. Our options were: A white raven (like you) A zombie bear with a white walker A kraken with victarion. Two of the opening battles of Winds are heavily kraken inspired (battle of blood and battle of fire)
Take: Each of them represent a form of azor ahai. Like the old stories that talk about different characters whom they named azor ahai. It has been speculated that it could have been a group and that’s why there are different names. This covers may represent the next group of heroes
I really think that the first three covers should be swapped around. The Lion's Mouth should be for AGOT, because it symbolizes Ned walking into the Lion's Den and the torch makes it seem like he's searching for something. The Stag should belong to ACOK because the Red Comet is on the cover and that features almost exclusively in ACOK, also this is the last book with both Stannis and Renly. The Wolf cover should be for ASOS, because that's the book where Jon comes back from his time spent with the wildlings beyond the Wall.
Aha agreed the first three seem rather bizarre, though I do get starting with a wolf. ASOS being a stag seems the most bizarre of all of em, as Tyrion and the Lannisters generally have quite a significant role in book 2 (Tyrion kinda takes Ned’s place as lead in that one) but Stannis ain’t really the central figure in ASOS
Yeah but alsoTV's Game of Thrones starts very Stark centric in their 1st sseason, and even though A Game of Thrones is not as much as the show, I think marketing wise the first book has to be the Stark book. If we are going with house sigil animals.
The first books cover is 100% depicting Jon Snow. The man on the cover is even wearing a big sword on his back, just like Jon does with Longclaw…and he’s also on the back of a White Wolf, it’s definitely Jon.
I happen to be a fan of the studio who developed the covers, so I asked them on their Instagram about who each character was. They said they (the artists) had some ideas about who was portrayed on each, but was purposefully made it vague to leave the air of mystery.
@@eren__morwen5947George said less than two weeks ago that not only is it still only 3/4 done he doesn’t know where the rumors about editors and publishers came from as they have not seen it at all. Why haven’t they? It’s not done and he hasn’t sent it.
Even if Winds doesn’t come out, I still think those new covers are great. Not only do they just look better overall, but they better represent what happens in the books and don’t have the stupid book number reminder at the top.
My first thought when I saw the dance cover was that it was an other in the eye of the dragon. It looks like it takes place in the forest beyond the wall and the long hair, armor, and sword is consistent with their description in the books and some of their iconography from the show. Plus, the symbol of an other being seen through the eyes of a dragon really encapsulates the ice and fire from the story as a whole and highlights the focus on Jon and Dany in that book.
I think they could be the candidates for who is Azor Ahai/people who are significant in a prophecy A Game of Thrones: Jon Snow A Clash of Kings: Jamie A Storm of Swords: Stannis A Feast for Crows: Brieanne A Dance with Dragons: Dany The Winds of Winter: A kraken with Euron, a phoenix with Melisandre, a Griffin or black dragon with Aegon, or Stannis as Nights King with an ice spider
I doubt it would be Stannis twice, probably Euron we haven't seen as much of him but he is important in some way, else he wouldn't be at the forefront of one of the few sample chapters George released.
I’ll go more with it being a Kraken or spider, I doubt we’ll get a dragon considering the last book had one even if it was just the eye, I do like your phoenix idea but I feel like that would fit best ( if it ever releases ) with ADOS.
I think the AGOT cover is Ned Stark, given the size of that sword (probably Ice). Ned is walking up a mountain, but I feel like behind that climb there is a cliff, simbolizing Ned walking into his impending doom.
3:02 I love them so much they look so cool and would love character artwork done up in this fashion cause a Mance and a mammoth would be super cool. My hope says winds is coming and tbh for my mental health the hope is one of the things keeping me going in this crazy world.
I interpreted the ACOK cover as Davos walking into the cave with Melisandre to birth the shadow demon. And Davos then later is defeated by the Lannisters.
I’m a little disappointed. Storm looks kinda cool but the unclear symbolism is odd. The covers look like the generic fantasy books I see in bookstores today. The old ones were more unique
A Kraken wrapping it's tentacles around the cover and it's knight would be a cool cover for Winds and it's the only Great House sigil you could use. Griffin would be a possible one, signaling the oncoming magic and the one true king. Falcon or a bear would be possible. Maybe Arryn finally does something or a bear to symbolize time to hunker down for the winter.
You could use a rose or a sun for aDOS, they don't seem necessarily connected to the events of the book but the title and flowers and the return of the sun are spring imagery.
Brienne is described in feast as having hair that ‘blew about her shoulders’ so long enough that it could be her on the cover, especially since I’m pretty sure she’s the only girl with a huge sword in feast that’s noteworthy, needle is too small for that to be Arya, if it is her that makes me so happy
To add some related information: per a TWOW speculation thread from a month ago, some of the translated paperbacks have also been updated recently. I know of at least the Dutch, German, and Polish editions. Last time this happened was shortly before Dance.
A Kraken symbol for Euron, a blackfyre symbol for Aegon, or a symbol for the others would be a great awesome cover for winds of winter if it ever comes out major copium
Given that they only redesign the covers in the lead up to a new mainline book, I think this means George is quite confident that Winds will be out by 2025
All Animals on the Covers appear in the Color of the Coat of Arms you can find them, the Wolf is a variety of Grey from very light to darker Grey (pure White in print is rarely used, mostly because it reflects light and can hurt our Eyes, even our Bookpaper is some kind of beige so that our Eyes are not hurting when we read), the Lion is golden, the Stag is Black, the Crow is as Black as the Black Brothers and the Dragon is Red. If you are right and we get another Animal on the Winds of Winter maybe it is the Eagle of Arryn, that is white. About the Person on the Cover, I thought that it was Arianne or one of the Sandsnakes, this is the first book where she is a PoV. And sure she doesn't use a Sword, but she is the Person behind the Scheme to make Myrcella Queen before Tommen.
Looking at these covers and I gotta tell ya, im really liking these new covers. They have a more classical fantasy look and imo fits the vibe more. But the different design of the TWOW speculative cover is cool also
My mind immediately went to Jaime in his weirwood stump dream or a member of the Brotherhood without banners as they resided in a cave, but that is definitely ASoS. With the red stag cover it really does support the theory that the covers were switched, with Stannis standing on the stag and Jaime being on the lion cover. The person on the AGoT cover might as well be Benjen as he got lost beyond the wall in that book.
The winds of winter cover have to be a winter rose or a freezing rose. It covers the heraldry of the Tyrells most likely losing or dying. There would be second meaning with us finally learning the truth of R+L=J. If not then a dream of spring.
Should be noted that both Euron and Bloodraven are tied to crow imagery in the same way that Starks are to wolves, Lannisters to lions, Baratheons to stags, and Targaryens to dragons. The Kingsmoot also takes place in A Feast for Crows. In other words, it's not about heraldry, but symbolism. As someone else mentioned, the Night's Watch are also tied to crow imagery. So that's another thing to consider. Both heraldry and symbolism might mean that Winds's cover will be a griffon. Jon Connington is going to feature heavily in Winds, after all.
The white eagle of the Arryn's House could also be used as a "Winter" symbolism. Plus the Vale is also going to be a very important place in TWoW. But the Kraken could also be an option
@@celebalert5616 Martin wrote himself into a corner the most by bringing her back. There’s no way she will let Jaime walk away again this time but Jaime must walk away to fit the valonqar prophecy, which means Brienne is likely to kill her but then Catelyn’s entire purpose of coming back would be just to get killed again by a person she trusted. So that would make Cat a useless piece of meat who got betrayed over and over again in every life she lived.
I looked back at the original storm of swords cover and it was of Sandors duel with Beric, so possibly it's Sandor preparing for his duel under the hill next to a hearth
The covers of book 2 and 3 were most likely switched. Clash had 3 baratheon kings and the comet and Storm had the Starks run into a trap by the Lannister (aka running into the lions mouth)
I think the new covers mean one of three things: 1) The book is almost finished. Maybe not coming out this year, but actually, really coming out in the near future. Why make new covers now, after 13 years, if Winds wasn't near? Why not after GoT ended? They would have needed to make a decision of whether to commission art for Winds when they did the rest. To me, George is too far along with Winds to not commission art for it in case he has a burst of progress and gets it done. If I'm right, why commission art for a book you don't think is coming out soon? And why release the new covers for the old books when the new book isn't coming out soon. Usually series will have new covers to piggy back off the hype of a new book. 2) The book is 100% not happening anymore. The reason George seems to be so cheery and posting on his blog all the time is because he made the decision to cut his losses and stop writing it. They know they aren't getting a new book so they are making a new set of covers because it's the best they will get. 3) The publishers have given up and are cutting their losses and publishing new covers. I don't find 2 all that likely, and 3 just seems weird because again, why now? Why announce these covers in the middle of HotD when they could have promoted it alongside the show. A full brand integration would have made more sense if that were the case. Basically, to me, the only option that makes a lot of sense is 1, so I'm pretty hopeful
I believe I'll buy these new covers. I've been reading a lot of the books this year and with this hot summer weather, a lot of the pages have been falling out. That's what I get for leaving books in my car to read on lunch break.
The cover for A Dance With Dragons shows the dragon’s eye obviously, but also I think the figure in it’s eye is meant to be a white walker surrounded by Weirwoods, the cover being an overall representation of Ice and Fire
To me the cover of Clash reminded me of the dream Jaimies has before he saves Brienne, he was in the dungeons of Casterly Rock and the dream makes a lot of mention of the light of his torch going out if I remember correctly
the blackwoods: “am I a joke to you?” I think the animal is going to be a crocodile. I bet the bran stuff is gonna finally go crazy and have Howland Reed finally come into the fold of the story. Maybe it would more likely be a kraken due to Euron popping off. I just think the reeds getting some light would be cool. Another possibility could be giants or a child of the forest to represent an in-human angle to the book.
The characters on most of the covers are kinda vague, potentially on purpose, but right now I think Dance's silhouette is Bloodraven. He's of noted Targaryen lineage, heavily associated with the weirwoods, and took a famous sword with him when he was lord commander. Only issue is the cover seems to show a ponytail.
HOTD has done some major damage control to the Game of Thrones/ASOIAF brand, to the point where people are excited again, as opposed to the melancholy of the GOT S8/the wait for TWOW. It’s smart for them to capitalize on the newfound good will
The new covers go hard. I personally love the ones for Game and Dance. The covers for Clash and Storm do appear swapped (and the comet plays a big role in that). Also, the crow in Feast can also be a reference to Euron. And, even though it is probably unintentional, i feel the White Raven for Winds works because of 1- The reason you mentioned. 2- The symbolism can evoke an opposite to Feast, because Feast saw the beginning of new conflicts as the War of the Five Kings ended in the last book. The Raven can similarly represent the end of all present conflicts and the beginning of the next one. Also in the hypothetical Raven cover it would be pretty dope if its position was the opposite of the crow so it looks like a 💫vibe💫
If I had to go with a wintery animal to go with the title, I think a mammoth (a wighted one perhaps) or a skagosi unicorn could be cool, but the Kraken feels most likely given how many Greyjoy storylines are going to be important in Winds: Euron at Oldtown, Asha and Theon in the North, Victarion in the East, the Priest in the Iron Islands... I think the Iron Islands might end up being pretty important, but who knows, maybe it's another red herring 🤷♀
Love these new covers. Definitely picking up the box set. I have only ever owned the standard mass market paper backs and they are beyond ratty at this point.
Person with the sword must be Azor Ahai, the unknown figure is kept purposefully abstract, being both male and female forms, as we still aren’t 100% sure who the Prince that was Promised is yet.
Now that you said storm and clash should’ve been changed I’m like WHYY DODNT THEY DO IT THAT WAY?! So I guess you sold me. I like the idea that the person on all of them is Jon as his story is ‘the most’ important from what we know. But I also see Dany on the Dance cover so idk hahah
For clash, I thought it might be Davos, bc even tho he doesn’t believe, he’s on the side of Stannis and Melisandre w/ the torch as R’hllor. Davos in the Blackwater is in the Lions jaws.
3:46 i think the "ghost mountain" is actually meant to symbolise the Wall. Jon climbs it in the first book and Ghost is his protector just as the Wall 'guards the realms of men'
I think the new covers are pretty. My take on book six is that I no longer choose to actively be excited. I will start it up again when I hear that the damn thing is done.
I think the person figures on the new colors are just abstracted and meant to represent the reader. If they are supposed to represent specific people, maybe the Dance with Dragons one that you're having trouble with is Meera Reed?
I think they wanted to keep like the same color scheme with the new books so like AGOT was blue so the new color was blue, ACOK was yellow/gold so the new one is yellow/gold, storm was green and the new storm is green, feast was red and the new one is red, dance was white/gray and the new dance is where my analogy falls apart. I think keeping the main colors of the books was at least attempted and that’s why storm and acok look thematically weird but at the same time people have been used to the main color scheme of the order of the books for well over a decade. Yellow being the third book would probably trick up the eyes of people who are used to the old one and buy the new one and have them sit on a shelf
Its interesting that the actual 'box' image is clearly only a digital mockup because the actual books aren't anywhere near that uniform in length right? unless I'm missing something dance had to be split into two parts in other box sets so its in reality going to be much thicker. meaning that image isnt final if theres anything else that might appear in the set ...
I have a theory, they are all things that happen BEFORE the book even starts. Agot is Ned returning to the north after Robert's rebellion. Acok is varys pretending to be the jailer talking to Ned. Asos is stannis or davos at blackwater Bay. Affc is Brienne fighting the bear in her dress. Adwd is arya blinded and learning to warg into Nymeria in the riverlands.
