The illustrated new version of A Track of Ice and Fireplace: A Time for Crows is alleged to have used AI artwork. Now the writer’s consultant has commented on the allegations.
In October 2025, we reported that the well-known fantasy creator George R.R. Martin taking authorized motion in opposition to OpenAI. He accuses the corporate of utilizing his works with out authorization to coach its ChatGPT language mannequin. The creator is thus clearly against the unauthorized use of third-party copyrighted works by AI.
Now, the writer of considered one of his books is accused of violating copyright regulation itself by way of the usage of AI. At first look, this appears to contradict what Martin stands for. The writer’s consultant has now printed an official assertion in an try and make clear the matter.
That is what occurred: A Track of Ice and Fireplace: Time of Crows has been given an illustrated new version within the US model, through which the guide has been expanded with quite a few photographs. Nonetheless, some followers have observed quite a few inconsistencies that collected by person tell32 on Reddit.
- Extreme use of blue—even for characters the place it makes little to no sense (Cersei, Jaime, Margaery, Tommen, Euron).
- Lack of banners and coats of arms all through the work. Lions, which one would count on to see in giant numbers, are nowhere to be discovered.
- A Christian cross seems within the picture through which Sam strikes Daeron.
- The picture of Woman Stoneheart seems to be suspiciously like fan artwork—solely with a crown that’s considerably much less trustworthy to the books (Robb’s crown, which is kind of easy). [See X post below]
- Victarion bizarrely carries two swords in his picture (within the guide, he has an axe and a protect).
- So many characters have their mouths vast open – this seems to be notably unusual within the photographs displaying Euron on the kingsmoot and Cersei being arrested by the septas.
- General, a really generic look all through all the work. The picture of Euron and that of Cersei sitting on the foot of the Iron Throne (which is strongly harking back to the sequence model) stand out specifically.
so simply to let y’all know the brand new affc illustrated version is like virtually undoubtedly ai lol and id argue has taken fairly exhausting ‘inspiration’ from present fanart
(1st piece by zippo514) pic.twitter.com/GuLdFima0U— 2åse (@novembernatten) November 5, 2025
Reddit person chewiehedwig factors out: If a human had created the pictures, they might have learn the passages they have been illustrating. That’s inexcusable, no matter what finally comes of [the allegations].
Extra photographs from the guide are proven by Reddit person mildlyinfuriating:
The illustrated version of A Feast For Crows clearly utilizing AI
by
u/whimsicalWillow1121 in
mildlyinfuriating
A questionable assertion
Publishing consultant Raya Golden has spoken out on George R. R. Martin’s official web site and printed an announcement:
My title is Raya Golden, and I deal with artwork route and licensing improvement, working intently with George R. R. Martin as his schedule permits. I’m solely liable for approving any licensed artwork associated to our A Track of Ice and Fireplace books.
Not too long ago, allegations have been circulating that the Penguin Random Home Illustrated Version of A Time for Crows was developed utilizing AI-generated artwork.
To the perfect of our information and based on the artist who was commissioned to do the work, no such program was used. Though he’s a multimedia artist and makes use of digital applications, he has made it unequivocally clear that no AI was used, and we consider him. So…
The official assertion from our workplace is, after all, that we don’t, have by no means, and can by no means knowingly work with AI-generated artists in any kind or in any manner.
The assertion makes it clear that George R. R. Martin shouldn’t be liable for the chosen illustrations and that the duty lay solely with Golden.
Moreover, the announcement is questionable as a result of, though the elephant within the room was addressed, the person allegations weren’t. For instance, no clarification was given as to why a Christian image was utilized in a guide through which Christianity doesn’t even exist, or why there may be a picture that’s most certainly based mostly on fan artwork.
As well as, feedback have been disabled beneath the submit. General, the assertion appears extra evasive than explanatory. Nonetheless, it is very important observe that the writer can’t be confirmed to have lied. That is nonetheless solely hypothesis. The one factor that’s sure is that the assertion didn’t assist to calm the waters.
On Reddit, opinions on the assertion are divided. Whereas the overwhelming majority think about the submit to be a lie, some consider that solely the artist is mendacity and that Golden really acted in good religion. Nonetheless, hardly anybody on Reddit defends the declare that the artwork shouldn’t be AI.
On the similar time, it’s rightly identified that regardless of all of the proof and clues, we are able to solely speculate. And it’s unlikely that the writer’s consultant will touch upon the allegations once more.
