During BookCon this past April, the author Veronica Roth took the stage to announce the upcoming release of a new duology set in the “Divergent” universe. The news sent a shockwave through the audience, and gasps echoed through the crowd when the cover was unveiled.
The first book, “The Sixth Faction,” was released on Oct. 6, while the second book, “The Last Testimony,” is set to be released next February.
By 2013, Roth had released the “Divergent” trilogy containing the books “Divergent,” “Insurgent” and “Allegiant.” They were massive hits, becoming one of the defining series in the teen dystopian genre. They were often compared to Suzanne Collin’s “Hunger Games,” or James Dashner’s “Maze Runner.”
Due to the books’ overwhelming success, a “Divergent” movie franchise followed soon after. However, the franchise was shockingly canceled before it was able to cover the entire series, excluding the last film, “Ascendent.” Many believe this is due to the book series’ controversial ending.
The first book, “Divergent,” follows 16-year-old Tris Prior as she overcomes challenges in a post-apocalyptic society. Her world is split into five factions. Abnegation for the selfless, Amity for the kind, Candor for the honest, Erudite for the intelligent and Dauntless for the brave.
Tris undergoes challenging training and tests after selecting to be in Dauntless. Fans excitedly followed her as she fought back against an oppressive government and fell in love with Tobias Eaton, also known as Four. They were anxious to see how her story ended.
In a twist of events, fans were heartbroken after the third book concluded with Tris being shot while attempting to retrieve memory serum, eventually succumbing to her injuries. They were even more enraged after reading the epilogue short story “We Can Be Mended,” where Four shares a kiss with Tris’ best friend.
what is the ‘The Sixth Faction’ actually about?
In the book’s synopsis, it claims the plot will follow Tris as tragedy strikes while she is choosing her faction, forcing her to choose a different faction other than Dauntless. Roth seems to be taking a more alternate-reality route, instead of releasing straightforward sequels. It remains a mystery how closely the new duology will follow the old storyline.
She has also been hinting via social media that fans can expect to see the return of many beloved characters, corroborated by the outline of Four on the cover, eliciting an excited response from fans. But is this enough to create a competent novel?
My opinion
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about this new book. Many people online are accusing Roth of milking this series and using the new book as a meaningless cash grab. However, I am also excited to see a new spin on the book series that I’ve loved since I was a child.
This new duology may give Roth the opportunity to right her wrongs and give Tris a more satisfying ending. All we can do is cross our fingers and hope that “The Sixth Faction” lives up to the hype.