For five years, fans have been waiting, demanding, and pushing George R.R. Martin to release "The Winds of Winter." And amid all the rants and anxiety, recent reports suggest that the author may be on the final stages of completing the highly-anticipated novel.

It is worth noting that "Game of Thrones" season six, the season that was supposed to be based on "The Winds of Winter," has concluded with a big bang and Martin has not yet published the book version.

While earlier reports have somehow lost hope of a release taking place late this year or early 2017, The Bitbag shines a ray of light on those who still believe in the book's arrival before 2016 ends. According to the outlet, readers should consider that Martin has unveiled several chapters of the book and he has also dished some juicy details about an interesting character, Aeron Greyjoy.

While this could be normal for some, it could also mean that Martin is indirectly teasing the near completion of his sixth novel in the series "A Song of Ice and Fire." Though the writer has not confirmed the speculations, there is a fit chance that he is keeping mum so as not to quench the anticipation of fans.

Meanwhile, The Star says experts have also speculated that "The Winds of Winter" will be launched within a year...or it won't ever land on book shelves. However, the outlet also clarifies that several other analysts have defended Martin on his slow-paced progress.

President of book sales agency Ampersand Inc. Saffron Beckwith said of Martin's development, "The reality is these authors are people and they create things when they can create them. This isn't a ruse to drive up demand. (The publisher) wants the book out as much as anybody."

Martin has also revealed earlier this month that he has just returned home from the Balticon Convention and unfortunately, he caught a bug that got him, his two assistants, and his friend Lezli Robyn, "under the weather."

While the aged author said he is recovering, there have been speculations that his current health condition may further delay "The Winds of Winter."

For now, fans can just cross fingers and hope that Martin gets well enough to complete the novel and get it on the publishers' table before 2017 arrives.