While the release of George R.R. Martin's "The Winds of Winter" is still up in the air, the latest reports suggest that it cannot be expected to arrive this year as it may be released along with the final season of "Game of Thrones" or the author's 70^th birthday, both of which are happening in 2018.

There is no denying that Martin's "The Winds of Winter" is one of the most highly anticipated novels. After all, the sixth book in his "A Song of Ice and Fire" series of novels is long overdue as the fifth book, "A Dance with Dragons," was released six years ago. 

"Not done yet, but I've made progress. But not as much as I hoped a year ago, when I thought to be done by now. I think it will be out this year. (But hey, I thought the same thing last year)," Martin wrote on his live journal last January in response to a fan who commented on his post.

According to the latest reports, though, Martin's highly anticipated novel may hit the store shelves next year, alongside the release of the eighth and final season of the hit HBO series, "Game of Thrones," which is based on Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" novels.

Rumors also claim that the book will be released on the author's 70th birthday, which is happening in September next year. Allegedly, it will be Martin's gift to his fans as he reaches another milestone in his life. 

Meanwhile, according to sources, the reason why "The Winds of Winter" is experiencing another delay is that the author has decided to introduce some plot changes to the novel that will make it different from the events in the "Game of Thrones" season 6.

To recall, many fans expected that "The Winds of Winter" would arrive before the release of "Game of Thrones" season 6 as the TV series was supposed to be based on the yet-to-be-released novel. However, "Game of Thrones" season 6 came with a season finale episode titled "The Winds of Winter," instead.