Return to Veronica Roth’s World of “Divergent” in “The Sixth Faction”

The Sixth Faction by Veronica Roth

One of my most anticipated reads of the year is finally here! The Sixth Faction by Veronica Roth is a new adventure into the world of Divergent, retelling the bulk of the original story, but an alternate version of it.

The story opens essentially the same way as the original book, with Beatrice Prior preparing to take the aptitude test, which will then help her choose which faction she belongs in. Raised in Abnegation, the faction of the selfless, she worries that the test may tell her she doesn’t belong there — all the while perhaps hoping it does, in fact, show her something new. However, unlike in the original book, something goes terribly wrong at Beatrice’s choosing ceremony, leading her to ultimately make a different choice of faction than what we’re used to — she doesn’t choose Dauntless.

Reinvigorating a YA Dystopian Classic

What ensues is a gripping, thrilling novel packed with action, romance, suspense and countless twists and turns. Roth breathes new life into the story of Tris, Four and so many other characters from the earlier installments, while also introducing new, fantastic characters to the plot. Despite the new plot points, characters and sides of people we thought we knew that we get to see in The Sixth Faction, never fear; the pages are still filled with many of the iconic moments from the original tale, though seen through new eyes or a different angle. I’m talking the fear simulations, the Ferris wheel, certain tattoos — nearly every moment that I was hoping to see again was included in some fashion. However, it didn’t feel like you needed to have read the original series to understand or enjoy this new take on the characters and world. You can approach The Sixth Faction totally fresh, never having read a page of a Divergent book before, and definitely still enjoy each and every minute.

I’ve been a fan of Roth’s work since first reading Divergent, and this latest title is packed full of her signature voice, multifaceted characters, societal commentary and stunning world-building. We are introduced to new systems and new locations, and Roth fills out the world of the book beautifully. I’ve loved Tris’ character and voice from the start, and getting to go on a new yet familiar journey with her was incredibly satisfying. I got a little thrill every time a recognizable face joined her within the pages, but was also impressed with the way that Roth explored new moments for Tris and how she processed them and learned and grew along the way. She’s the same Tris, and yet so much more than that. Likewise, we were able to gain insight into Four that we didn’t have before, and I really enjoyed the chapters from his perspective, as well as those from Caleb’s, which gave us a new look at Erudite.

For Fans Old and New

Whether you are a diehard fan of the original series or not, The Sixth Faction is a breathtaking new dystopian escapade that can be enjoyed by a wide range of readers. It’s got the heart-pounding action and terrifying suspense, right alongside powerful emotional moments and demonstrations of love, both familial and romantic. It’s a book that you won’t want to put down — something I can certainly attest to. I’m already desperate for the next installment, and I can’t wait to see what Roth delivers next.

Perfect for lovers of the original Divergent series and new readers alike, if you love a book with an intricate dystopian world, political scheming, a badass and passionate FMC and so much more, then The Sixth Faction is for you!