I really really get the feeling Winds of Winter will be Storm of Swords part 2, with all the action and twists Dance with Dragons was missing...
- With Sam, we're poised to finally dive into and explore the Citadel, and uncover some of the mysteries set up in the prologue and last chapter of AFFC. Who is the mysterious cloaked man calling himself The Alchemist, and what did he want with the masterkey? How did he reanimate Pate and wipe his memory? This along with his training and the politics of the Citadel should make for some very interesting chapters.
- With Dany and Barristan, it looks as if things are about to get going. After a book of bore, there is no way things are going to go back to status quo. The Yunkish - with the head-throwing - are basically sparking war with Meereen. I'm guessing Dany takes control of the Dothraki and enters the fray with them on her side. Victarion's fleet seems like it will arrive just on time, with the horn that may spell the start of dragons actually begin used in battle. Tryion is newly enlisted in the Second Sons and I guess will be our eyes and ears. The extremely well informed Archmaester who will likely play a big part in things to come (and who I forget the name of) must be nearing Meereen, if he isn't there already.
- Jon Connington and Aegon are just now starting their invasion of the South in earnest, and once his claim to the throne is announced, shit will really start going down. Logic follows that Dorne will declare on their side, meaning the South will once again be embroiled in full scale war. The attempted taking of Storm's End will make for an awesome chapter.
- The North; well, the first Bran chapter will be incredible, now that he has his powers and eyes not just all over the world but also in the past. The Wall is in chaos at the end of Dance, along with the Stannis/Bolton/Manderly situation. Both lie on cliffhangers that make me wish I could read GRRM's mind.
- Jaime and Brienne both are off on some new adventure together, on a quest that will
hopefully involve The Hound; everybody's favourite POV candidate.
- To boot, Dance gave us next to nothing on; zombie Catelyn, who's running about with Thoros hanging people, the Blackfish, who's now on the run but likely has plans beyond running, and most importantly Sansa/Littlefinger. All three we will likely get more on once Winds of Winter comes around.
- King's Landing will not only be spiced up by war, but also by Kevan's death (which leaves the position of Regent open), Varys' scheming, Cersei's trial-by-battle with the uncovering of 'Robert Strong', and one of the Sand Snakes - Nymeria - on her way with Princess Myrcella (minus one ear and with a tale to tell). That is, unless she is kept back in Dorne as hostage once war sparks...
- We finally get to find out what Osha and Rickon got up to on Skagos via Davos.
I just wanted to get all that down in writing, there are so SO many different threads of story to look forward to... I'm sure I left plenty out as well.