The Winds of Winter: All 11 Preview Chapter Ranked (And Where You Can Read Them)

It’s been nearly fifteen years since A Dance with Dragons hit bookshelves, but The Winds of Winter isn’t entirely a mystery anymore. Over the years, George R. R. Martin has released several preview chapters through his website, convention readings, the World of Ice and Fire app, and other official sources. Combined, they offer fans a substantial glimpse into the opening act of the sixth novel, teasing the fates of beloved characters while setting up some of the biggest battles and political confrontations in the series.

From the Battle of Fire outside Meereen to Stannis Baratheon’s desperate campaign in the North and the terrifying rise of Euron Greyjoy, these chapters promise that The Winds of Winter could become the darkest and most action-packed installment in A Song of Ice and Fire yet. After reading every available preview chapter (and summaries where the full text isn’t available), here’s how I’d rank them.

8. Arianne I & II

• Rating: ★★★1/2  (This could have been a raven)
• Arianne I (from Martin’s website, archived)
• Arianne II (from Martin’s website, archived)

Arianne Martell journeys through Dorne after being sent by Doran Martell to investigate Jon Connington and the young man claiming to be Aegon Targaryen, who has landed in the Stormlands. These chapters are filled with political conversations, travel, and world-building rather than major revelations. While it’s exciting to finally move the Dornish storyline toward Young Griff’s invasion, much of what happens could honestly have been conveyed through a single raven. The destination is fascinating. The journey, not so much.

7. Victarion I

• Rating: ★★★★ (A mere glimpse but a bone-chilling, magic-packed one)
• Victarion I (partial, from a transcript by reddit user /u/icedune21)

Victarion Greyjoy finally approaches Meereen with his Iron Fleet, carrying the mysterious dragon-binding horn that he hopes will allow him to claim Daenerys and her dragons. Unfortunately, the preview is only partial, leaving readers wanting much more. Even so, the atmosphere is fantastic. Between Moqorro’s cryptic prophecies, blood magic, and Victarion’s absolute confidence despite not fully understanding the forces around him, the chapter feels like the calm before a supernatural storm. It’s short, mysterious, and incredibly intriguing.

6. Alayne I

• Rating: ★★★★ (With misery everywhere else, at least someone’s having fun)
• Alayne (Sansa I) (from Martin’s website, archived)

Disguised as Alayne Stone, Sansa prepares for the upcoming tournament in the Vale while Petyr Baelish reveals his latest political plans—including her eventual marriage to Harry the Heir. Compared to every other preview chapter, this one almost feels… peaceful. There’s dancing, courtly intrigue, flirting, and plenty of Littlefinger manipulating everyone around him like pieces on a cyvasse board. It may not have dragons or battles, but it’s still an enjoyable reminder that Westerosi politics remain just as dangerous as open warfare.

5. Mercy (Arya I)

• Rating: ★★★★1/2 (Arya doing what she does best)
• Mercy (Arya I) (from Martin’s website, archived)

Arya continues her training with the Faceless Men while living under yet another identity—Mercy—a young actress working in a Braavosi theater troupe. What begins as an ordinary day gradually reminds us that Arya Stark can never truly become “no one.” Martin brilliantly balances everyday life with mounting tension before delivering the kind of ending only Arya can provide. It’s another reminder that beneath every disguise still lives the girl who keeps adding names to her list.

4. The Forsaken (Aeron I)

• Rating: ★★★★1/2 (Sh*t got dark…)
• The Forsaken (Aeron I) (from a transcript of a reading)

Few chapters in the entire series are as horrifying as The Forsaken. Aeron Damphair remains imprisoned aboard Silence, forced to witness Euron Greyjoy’s increasingly disturbing rituals, terrifying visions, and unimaginable cruelty. The chapter transforms Euron from an ambitious pirate into something far more terrifying: a man seemingly determined to challenge gods themselves. It’s disturbing, surreal, and packed with Lovecraftian horror unlike anything we’ve seen before in A Song of Ice and Fire. If George sticks the landing with Euron’s storyline, this chapter may become one of the most important previews he ever released.

3. Tyrion I & II

• Rating: ★★★★1/2 “The Imp is clever again. Thank the Gods!”
  
• Tyrion I (Summary from numerous users on Reddit)
• Tyrion II (from the “World of Ice and Fire” app)

Tyrion, now riding with the Second Sons, finds himself caught in the chaos outside Meereen as Barristan Selmy’s forces clash with the Yunkish army. With dragons descending from the skies, Ironborn fleets arriving, sellswords changing allegiances, and battle erupting on every front, Tyrion finally gets to do what he does best. Think. Manipulate. Survive. After spending much of A Dance with Dragons reacting to events around him, it’s refreshing to watch Tyrion become an active player once again. The wit, strategy, and political maneuvering that made him one of the series’ greatest characters are finally back.

2. Theon I

• Rating: ★★★★★ “A decisive moment in Theon’s arc”
• Theon I (from Martin’s website, archived)

Theon finds himself inside Stannis Baratheon’s freezing military camp as one of the most anticipated battles in the series draws closer. The chapter perfectly captures Stannis’ brilliance as a commander. While negotiating with representatives of the Iron Bank, uncovering conspiracies within his own camp, and deciding Theon’s fate, Stannis demonstrates exactly why so many readers continue to believe in him. The atmosphere is tense from beginning to end. Winter itself almost feels like another enemy waiting outside the camp. If the Battle of Ice lives up to this setup, it could become one of the greatest battles Martin has ever written.

1. Ser Barristan I & II

• Rating: ★★★★★ “Got me cheering like a moron.”
• Barristan I (from the “World of Ice and Fire” app)
• Barristan II (summary from Wiki of Ice and Fire)

No preview chapter got me more excited than Barristan’s. As Meereen prepares for all-out war, Ser Barristan Selmy steps into command, rallying inexperienced knights, organizing the city’s defenses, and leading the charge himself. The chapters capture everything fans love about Barristan. Honor. Leadership. Experience. Quiet courage. Watching the old knight inspire his men before riding into battle genuinely gave me goosebumps. The action is gripping, the pacing is relentless, and the Battle of Fire reaches its absolute peak. If these chapters are any indication, Barristan may finally receive the legendary battlefield showcase fans have wanted for decades. I couldn’t stop smiling while reading them.

Final Thoughts

Click here to access the Combined PDF  by u/DiAtThePalms

Reading these preview chapters honestly made the wait even more painful. Whether it’s Barristan charging into battle, Stannis preparing for the Battle of Ice, Tyrion once again using his wits, or Euron descending into eldritch madness, The Winds of Winter already feels like a novel operating on an even grander scale than its predecessors.

Nearly every storyline left hanging in A Dance with Dragons appears ready to explode, and if these previews are representative of the finished book, George R. R. Martin may have something truly special waiting for readers. Now all that’s left is for The Winds of Winter itself to finally arrive.

Have you read any of the preview chapters of The Winds of Winter? Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below, and as always, stay tuned and stay HIGH ON CINEMA!