Brief
Veronica Roth shares 2026 book picks and announces new Divergent sequel
The author explains how criticism, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and a desire for joy shaped her latest novel.
By Felo News Desk · Published
ELLE’s Shelf Life column features author Veronica Roth’s 2026 book recommendations and details her newly released Divergent sequel, The Sixth Faction, which arrived on October 6, 2026.
What happened
Roth, 38, released The Sixth Faction on October 6, 2026. The novel revisits the Divergent universe, following Beatrice “Tris” Prior at a Choosing Ceremony that triggers a rebellion. Roth describes the book as a “sprawling, complex futuristic world… with an intimate love story at its heart.” She also announced that the story will continue as a duology, with the second volume slated for 2027.
What the reports add
ELLE notes that Roth’s decision to write the sequel stemmed from internalizing early criticism of the original series and a later shift after attending Taylor Swift’s 2023 Eras Tour, which inspired her to “find a way to experience joy associated with this series again.” The article also mentions that Roth’s earlier works include the Divergent trilogy, The Shards and Ashes anthology, The Carve the Mark duology, the Curse Bearer series, and The Bu.
What was said
Roth told ELLE, “It made me feel like, ‘I would love to find a way to experience joy associated with this series again. I think it would heal me in a deeper way, and I would like to give myself permission to appreciate the work I did when I was 24 years old.’” She added, “The way that I know to recapture joy is to make something new.” Regarding the new novel’s romance, she said, “It was sparked by a dynamic I wanted to explore between two characters, this deep wound between two people destined to fall in love… I wanted it to ache in the way that good love stories ache.”
How it came about
Roth’s earlier Divergent books sparked a 2010s dystopian fiction craze and were adapted into three films starring Shailene Woodley and Theo James. After the series faced criticism, Roth initially avoided discussing it, but a 2023 concert experience prompted a reevaluation. The new book aims to heal that past tension while offering fresh narrative stakes.
Key facts
- Veronica Roth released The Sixth Faction on October 6, 2026. (elle.com)
- The Sixth Faction is the first of a duology, with the second book planned for 2027. (elle.com)
- Roth says attending Taylor Swift’s 2023 Eras Tour inspired her to revisit the Divergent series. (elle.com)
Sources
- [1] elle.com — originally reported as “Veronica Roth’s 2026 Book Recommendations”
