A New Chapter in the Divergent Universe
Fifteen years after launching the Divergent book series, Veronica Roth is making a return to the franchise with two new novels. At BookCon in New York City, the author announced the release of a new companion duology set in an “alternate universe” where the young heroine Tris didn’t choose Dauntless. This fresh take on the beloved character offers fans a unique perspective that diverges from the original trilogy.
The new series, titled The Sixth Faction, is available for purchase starting April 18. While it can be read as a standalone book, Roth is especially eager to see how longtime fans will react to this alternate version of Tris. In the original books, Tris chose Dauntless, the faction of bravery, but in The Sixth Faction, a tragic event occurs during her Choosing Ceremony, leading her into an underground rebellion. There, she meets a mysterious boy named Tobias “Four” Eaton, who becomes her love interest in the original series.
Roth shared her excitement about the new story, stating, “For existing fans, I’m excited for them to see how the old and the new fold together.” She explained that while certain events might not occur due to Tris’ different faction choice, she still ends up meeting the same people. “Seeing how that happens is a really fun part of it,” she added.
In the original Divergent trilogy—Divergent (2011), Insurgent (2012), and Allegiant (2013)—Tris Prior is a teenage girl living in post-apocalyptic Chicago, where society is divided into five factions. After discovering that she is Divergent, meaning she doesn’t fit into just one faction, Tris must keep her identity hidden as tensions rise between the factions.
Shailene Woodley portrayed Tris in the Lionsgate film adaptations: Divergent (2014), The Divergent Series: Insurgent (2015), and The Divergent Series: Allegiant (2016). A planned final installment, Ascendant, was never made.
Roth has expanded the Divergent universe with additional stories, including the 2014 short story collection Four and the 2018 short story We Can Be Mended, both of which are told from Four’s perspective.
Fans of the original series will find new depth in this alternate universe, offering a fresh look at characters they’ve come to know and love. With The Sixth Faction, Roth continues to explore the complexities of Tris’s journey, providing a compelling narrative that stands on its own while also enriching the broader Divergent world.
