2026 has had a generational run of original movies and books, but I think we’ve also gotten amazing adaptations, reboots, and reruns hitting our shelves and screens. Why we’ve gotten so many reboots and crave this sense of nostalgia lately might say something about the current state of the creative industry and state of the world, but that’s neither here nor there.
Usually, when I see a favorite piece of media of mine getting a sequel or random reboot, I ignore it because I know it could never compare to the pieces I already love. However, quite a few new projects stemming from classic 2010s media have been announced, and I’m so excited about them that I feel the need to share them with the world. I can feel the 2015, Wattpad, fandom-obsessed, pre-teen girl within me screaming with joy at these releases.
‘The Sixth Faction’
I feel like I’m the last person to find out that Veronica Roth just released a new Divergent book, yet simultaneously the only person, as I’ve seen literally no one talk about it. Now, I know she lost our trust after that horrendous ending in Allegiant, but this new book takes a different turn from the originals.
Protagonist Tris chooses a different faction at the choosing ceremony after an undisclosed tragedy strikes. Instead of choosing Dauntless, Tris places herself into a different faction that catapults her story in a completely different direction. Don’t worry, Four is confirmed to still be in the book; I think a riot would ensue if he weren’t.
The Sixth Faction is planned to be the first in a new duology, with the second book predicted to come out in February 2027. The Sixth Faction was released earlier this October and has already amassed thousands of positive reviews. I, for one, am excited to get my hands on it and experience Tris and Four in a whole new scenario that’ll hopefully heal my pre-teen self.
‘Sunrise on the Reaping’
I genuinely believe this is the most anticipated book adaptation of the year. Ever since this book was announced almost three years ago, I’ve been foaming at the mouth over it.
Sunrise on the Reaping was released in March 2025 and gives us the backstory of Haymitch Abernathy, Katniss’s mentor. Now, trust me when I tell you this book is a devastating masterpiece. We know from the original books how Haymitch’s game ends, of course, and some other small tidbits, but that doesn’t prepare you for this book at all.
The film adaptation is set to be released on Nov. 20, and if the trailers are anything to go by, I’ll leave that theater in tears. This film is most certainly not a “cash grab” or pointless prequel (although it could be punishment for all the Snow edits). Sunrise on the Reaping is such an amazing addition to The Hunger Games franchise that gives us a deeper look into District 12, Katniss’s parents, and most of all, a new complexity to Haymitch.
Cassandra Clare and Holly Black
Cassandra Clare and Holly Black built the foundation for YA fantasy into what it is today, and I’ll forever stand by that. Both authors announced new books that were released on Nov. 3, and I don’t think you’ll find anyone more excited than me.
Clare’s book, The Last King of Faerie, is the start of her final trilogy in her famous Shadowhunter Chronicles. She’s been writing this series of over 25 interconnected novels since 2012, and they quickly took the world by storm for their intense action, supernatural qualities, and irresistible main characters.
Black’s release, A Conspiracy of Charming Monsters: Illustrated Tales from Elfhame, expands into the backstories and futures of so many characters readers love in her The Folk of the Air series. Both authors are the blueprint for the faeries and fae we see popularized today, and I’m excited to see how they each choose to wrap up their worlds.
‘Hollywood, Ending’
John Green, author of probably every book that made you cry and have an existential crisis at the age of 14, has struck again. His new book, Hollywood, Ending, was released on Sept. 22, and I personally haven’t been seeing a lot of buzz for it.
The novel follows two young actors as they navigate the balance between their personal and private lives amid the filming of an Andy Warhol biopic. This is Green’s first adult fiction novel, and I’m so excited to get my hands on it. I mean, how can you not trust the man who gave us The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska?
I’m absolutely in love with this resurgence of foundational YA fantasy and fiction authors. I, for one, can’t wait to see if more authors will join in on this trend!
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