By now, you’ve likely seen some dozen of permutations on the sentiment that Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin must have written 2016, given all the high-profile deaths. Most recently, fans lost both Star WarsCarrie Fisher and Watership Down author Richard Adams, for which Martin offer his own thoughts on this “wretched year.”

Speaking from his LiveJournal account, Martin acknowledged a more personal connection to Adams, but offered of Fisher:

Death, death, and more death… this year just keeps getting worse and worse.

There is not much I can say about the death of Carrie Fisher that a thousand other people have not said already. She was way too young. A bright, beautiful, talented actress, and a strong, witty, outspoken woman. Princess Leia will live as long as STAR WARS does… probably forever…

As to Adams, Martin agreed with sentiments that place Watership down as “one of the three great fantasy novels of the twentienth century, right up there with LORD OF THE RINGS and THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING.” The author had suggested Adams be honored with a life achievement award from the World Fantasy Convention, though Martin admitted a personal motivation of hoping to meet Adams.

Finally, Martin echoed all our 2016 grief, pleading “Please, let this wretched year come to an end.” Soon enough, George, and then you can resume torturing us all with fictional deaths. We know they’re coming.

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