15 years after 'Divergent', author announces two new books with a surprising twist

Clare Mulroy, USA TODAYSat, April 18, 2026 at 6:00 PM UTC

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NEW YORK – It’s been 15 years since “Divergent” published, but Veronica Roth isn’t done with Tris quite yet.

The bestselling dystopian author announced at BookCon on April 18 she’s written a new companion duology set in an alternate timeline to “Divergent.” What if Tris hadn’t transferred to Dauntless, the faction of bravery?

“Not a prequel, not a sequel, not a spinoff, not a different POV but an alternate universe of ‘Divergent’ where Tris chooses a different faction,” Roth tells USA TODAY in an interview before BookCon. “I think the question of ‘who is Tris without Dauntless’ is an interesting one.”

“The Sixth Faction” is out Oct. 6. Here’s what we know so far.

Divergent series will return in new duology ‘The Sixth Faction’

Veronica Roth at the USA Today NYC headquarters

In “Divergent,” Beatrice Prior learned she could choose any faction after her test because she was Divergent, a rare individual who possesses traits of multiple factions. She left her home in Abnegation and chose Dauntless.

But in “The Sixth Faction,” a tragedy strikes at her Choosing Ceremony and everything changes. The decision she makes thrusts her into an underground rebellion, where she meets a boy hiding his own secrets. This boy? He’s described only as having a number for a name. We can guess who that is – Tobias “Four” Eaton, Tris’ love interest.

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“‘The Sixth Faction’ is a tour de force. We were thrilled to explore this new take on the Divergent world with Veronica, who has taken her storytelling talents to new heights that will thrill longtime fans of the series and delight readers new to the world,” says Erica Sussman, vice president and publisher at HarperCollins Children’s Books, in a statement.

Roth says that “The Sixth Faction” can also be read as a standalone novel, but she’s particularly looking forward to readers getting a new glimpse at the “Divergent” universe.

“For existing fans, I’m excited for them to see how the old and the new fold together,” Roth tells USA TODAY. “You’d think that certain things wouldn’t happen because she makes a different faction choice, but she does find her way to the same people. Seeing how that happens is a really fun part of it.”

The Divergent series was adapted into three films starring Shailene Woodley and Theo James: "Divergent" (2014); "Insurgent" (2015) and "Allegiant" (2016).

Roth has continued publishing dystopian novels since the success of "Divergent." Her latest is a wide-ranging adult romantic fantasy, "Seek the Traitor's Son," out May 12.

Clare Mulroy is USA TODAY’s Books Reporter, where she covers buzzy releases, chats with authors and dives into the culture of reading. Find her on Instagram, subscribe to our weekly Books newsletter or tell her what you’re reading at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Two new 'Divergent' books are coming, reveals author Veronica Roth

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