This also acted as free publicity for the franchise as frustrated non-followers gave in to the temptation to see what the fuss is all about and immersed themselves in the Song of Fire and Ice and going through the topsy-turvy turns and twists of the storyline.
Currently I am reading the 5th edition of the book series, "A Dance with Dragons". As the name suggests, this volume sheds light on the majestic creatures that came to life after centuries of extinction following the Doom of Valyria, the most prosperous city of its time.
It follows principally, the turn of events at and beyond the Wall, in Winterfell and in Easteros as the main characters narrate the story from their own point of views in each chapter.
Coming back from office in the evening, as the sky rise buildings and apartments fade away and the trees appear by the side of the road, chilly winds swoop in to shake me to the core of my spine. Even though the temperature is nowhere near the freezing point nor comparable to the ones in Canada or Siberia, for us Northerners (North Indians not North Westerosis), who are accustomed to a hot and humid climate, it does feel like we've suddenly gone beyond the wall, in a land known far far away from Frostfangs and the frozen lakes, known as the "Lands of the Always Winter", currently the abode of Brandon Stark and the Reeds.
Even in Winterfell, way south of the wall, the winter is quite unforgiving. From Theon Turncloak's POV, we see how Bolton and Stannis' men and animals alike, are dying each day buried in the snow.
Maybe because I am currently reading such accounts of how unrelenting the arrival of winter is and how this winter will last for decades on end, I am feeling the fangs of ice.
If this is the case, the sequel, named the "Winds of Winter" will be even more freezing, both climatically and otherwise as the Others make their appearance and we get a more elaborate picture of their lives (We did see in one of the episodes of Season 4) how an Other touches a newborn child and converts him into an Other too.
Well, let's hope George R. R. Martin releases this book soon enough and we can spend more time, effort and money reading, watching, fantasising and living in the land that owes its existence to this not so young man.
