‘Winds of Winter’ Release Date: George R.R. Martin Says Series Ending will be ‘Bittersweet’

George R.R. Martin, the author behind the series, "A Song of Ice and Fire," which the HBO show, "Games of Thrones" is based on, has revealed that the series will have a "bittersweet" ending.

Martin, who has yet to release the sixth book of the seven-book series, spoke with The Observer about his ideas for the ending.

"I haven't written the ending yet, so I don't know, but no. That's certainly not my intent. I've said before that the tone of the ending that I'm going for is bittersweet. I mean, it's no secret that Tolkien has been a huge influence on me, and I love the way he ended 'Lord of the Rings,'" Martin said. "It ends with victory, but it's a bittersweet victory."

The author continued, "Frodo is never whole again, and he goes away to the Undying Lands, and the other people live their lives. And the scouring of the Shire-brilliant piece of work, which I didn't understand when I was 13 years old: "Why is this here? The story's over?" But every time I read it I understand the brilliance of that segment more and more. All I can say is that's the kind of tone I will be aiming for. Whether I achieve it or not, that will be up to people like you and my readers to judge."

Martin is currently working on the highly anticipated book, "Winds of Winter," which has inevitably been the subject of rumors for months. Earlier rumors reported that the book could be released before the premiere of "Games of Thrones" season 6.

The latest rumors, however, believe that the book is almost done and could be released at the end of the year.