New point-of-view characters we want in the final Song of Ice and Fire novels

2) Mance Rayder

Last we heard of Mance Rayder, the King Beyond the Wall, Ramsay Bolton had put him in a cage, with a coat made from the skins of his six wildling helpers to keep him warm. At least, that’s according to the Pink Letter, which Jon received at Castle Black towards the end of A Dance with Dragons. It’s very much unclear how much of it is true.

Obviously, a point-of-view chapter from Mance’s perspective would clear that right up. I find the idea of the Pink Letter being a ruse by Mance himself very appealing, but for the purposes of this list, it doesn’t really matter if whether the Pink Letter is genuine. Mance is an interesting character in an interesting situation. As with the battle of Slaver’s Bay, we’re going to want several points of view on the Battle in the Ice. Mance, clever and insightful, could give us that. And like Stannis, the (former) King-Beyond-the-Wall may not live much longer, so we’d best get insight into his fascinating journey from Night’s Watchmen to wildling king to magic master of disguise while we can.