Brandon Sanderson Critiques George R.R. Martin’s Grim Fantasy

As anticipation builds for the release of The Winds of Winter, acclaimed author Brandon Sanderson has openly critiqued the darker elements of George R.R. Martin‘s celebrated series, A Song of Ice and Fire. In a recent post on Reddit, Sanderson expressed that while he appreciates Martin’s writing talent, he finds the relentless brutality of the narrative overwhelmingly distressing. This commentary provides insight into the broader philosophical divide between two of fantasy’s most prominent authors.

Sanderson, renowned for his series Mistborn and for completing Robert Jordan‘s The Wheel of Time, articulated his discomfort with the emotional manipulation present in Martin’s storytelling. He stated, “I read the first book, and while I thought the writing was excellent… I found the experience too much for me.” Sanderson’s critique extends beyond the graphic content; he challenges the realism in Martin’s work. He favors a methodical approach to storytelling, which he describes as an “architect” style, contrasting sharply with Martin’s organic “gardener” technique.

In his Reddit post, Sanderson characterized Martin’s narrative style as a deliberate exercise in building characters up only to tear them down, stating, “It didn’t feel realistic so much as, ‘Look how much I can build someone up before I destroy them.'” While he acknowledges Martin’s talent for crafting emotional responses, he argues that this approach often ventures into pessimism, diverging from traditional fantasy themes that offer a glimmer of hope.

As fans look forward to the anticipated release of The Winds of Winter, set for early 2026, questions arise about whether Martin will double down on shock value or shift towards a more grounded emotional tone. Martin has indicated that he is currently working through a manuscript of approximately 1,100 to 1,200 pages, leaving an estimated 400 to 500 pages to complete. Previous installments in the series have amplified the element of surprise, raising expectations for the next book.

In response to Sanderson’s critique, Martin maintains a different perspective on his work. He emphasizes that the label of “unrealistic” fails to capture his commitment to historical accuracy. In an interview with Time magazine, he explained that his narratives blend the “magical appeal of fantasy” with the “realistic elements of historical fiction.” Drawing inspiration from the gritty realities of the Middle Ages, including events like the Wars of the Roses and the Glencoe Massacre, Martin aims to challenge genre predictability through unexpected character deaths and plot twists.

Martin believes that merging fantasy with historical context allows him to keep suspense alive, stating, “As much as I love historical fiction, my problem with historical fiction is that you always know what’s going to happen.” This approach, he argues, is crucial to maintaining reader engagement, as suspense is a fundamental reason people choose to read.

The philosophical differences between Sanderson and Martin highlight why Sanderson would not attempt to complete Martin’s work if necessary. He perceives Martin’s narratives as fundamentally pessimistic, preferring stories that maintain a “spark of hope” despite darker themes. In contrast, the television adaptation of Game of Thrones concluded on a rather bleak note, suggesting that The Winds of Winter may follow a similarly dark trajectory.

Looking ahead, the concluding book in the series, titled A Dream of Spring, hints at a potential for hope that Sanderson feels is currently lacking. While Martin acknowledges the delays in his writing process, he insists that abandoning the project would equate to a “total failure.” He has also addressed speculation regarding his health, criticizing what he describes as “rude” inquiries from impatient fans.

As the literary community continues to discuss the contrasting philosophies of these two influential authors, the excitement surrounding the release of The Winds of Winter remains palpable. With each passing day, fans are reminded that the world of Westeros, fraught with its complexities and moral ambiguities, continues to evolve—even as the wait for its next chapter persists.