The illustrated re-creation of A Tune of Ice and Hearth: A Time for Crows is claimed 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 towards 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 one among his books is accused of violating copyright regulation itself by means of the usage of AI. At first look, this appears to contradict what Martin stands for. The writer’s consultant has now revealed an official assertion in an try to make clear the matter.
That is what occurred: A Tune of Ice and Hearth: Time of Crows has been given an illustrated re-creation within the US model, during which the e book has been expanded with quite a few pictures. Nevertheless, some followers have seen 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 during which Sam strikes Daeron.
- The picture of Woman Stoneheart seems suspiciously like fan artwork—solely with a crown that’s considerably much less devoted 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 e book, he has an axe and a protect).
- So many characters have their mouths huge open – this seems significantly unusual within the pictures exhibiting Euron on the kingsmoot and Cersei being arrested by the septas.
- Total, a really generic look all through the complete work. The picture of Euron and that of Cersei sitting on the foot of the Iron Throne (which is strongly paying homage to the collection model) stand out specifically.
so simply to let y’all know the brand new affc illustrated version is like virtually positively ai lol and id argue has taken fairly laborious ‘inspiration’ from current 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 photographs, they’d have learn the passages they have been illustrating. That’s inexcusable, no matter what in the end comes of [the allegations].
Extra pictures from the e book 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 revealed a press release:
My title is Raya Golden, and I deal with artwork path and licensing growth, working intently with George R. R. Martin as his schedule permits. I’m solely liable for approving any licensed artwork associated to our A Tune of Ice and Hearth 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 in response to 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, in fact, 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 is just not liable for the chosen illustrations and that the accountability lay totally 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 e book during which Christianity doesn’t even exist, or why there’s a picture that’s most certainly based mostly on fan artwork.
As well as, feedback have been disabled underneath the put up. Total, the assertion appears extra evasive than explanatory. Nevertheless, you will need to notice 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 contemplate the put up to be a lie, some consider that solely the artist is mendacity and that Golden really acted in good religion. Nevertheless, hardly anybody on Reddit defends the declare that the artwork is just not AI.
On the identical time, it’s rightly identified that regardless of all of the proof and clues, we will solely speculate. And it’s unlikely that the writer’s consultant will touch upon the allegations once more.
