The creator of the Divergent trilogy, Veronica Roth, has returned to one of young adult fiction’s most era-defining dystopian worlds, and this time, the spark came from Taylor Swift. Now, the American novelist has revealed that the power pulling her back to the universe that made her a literary phenomenon came from none other than global pop titan Taylor Swift.

Recently speaking about the upcoming The Sixth Faction at BookCon 2026, Roth revealed that the spark behind revisiting the Divergent world had a lot to do with Swift. The novelist shared that attending The Eras Tour and watching Swift perform her old hits left her emotional, stirring thoughts of honouring early work, embracing growth, and placing the past beside the present.

"The origin story of my revisiting the Divergent series had a lot to do with Taylor Swift," Roth said before expanding on how The Eras Tour inspired her.

Marking the 15th anniversary of Divergent, Veronica Roth’s bold new companion duology begins with The Sixth Faction, set for October 6, 2026. The dramatic reimagining is poised to pull fans back into the fractured world of five factions, asking what fate might have looked like if Tris Prior had chosen a path beyond Dauntless. Following close behind, an untitled sequel is already locked for February 2, 2027.

Meanwhile, Roth is also preparing to launch her new dystopian romance saga, Burning Empire, set to arrive in May 2026.

All about Veronica Roth’s new dystopian roman-tasy series

While Divergent prepares for a bold return, Veronica Roth is already opening another dangerous frontier with her adult romance saga Burning Empire. The series launches on May 12, 2026, with book one, Seek the Traitor’s Son, set in a far-future world scarred by war, where a fatal disease can drag the dead back to life and arm them with prophecy. Against that terrifying backdrop, a long-burning conflict rages between Elegy Ahn’s homeland and the rival nation of Talusar.

At the heart of the opening chapter stand hardened soldier Elegy Ahn and Rava Vidar, a feared general from enemy Talusar, as two forces from opposite sides move toward a collision that could reshape everything. While the first book has yet to arrive, Roth revealed at BookCon 2026 that she has already finished the second installment. Though she still keeps the title hidden, many expect the follow-up to land on the 2027 slate. Meanwhile, Roth’s Divergent had already conquered bookshelves and cinemas alike through Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant, led by Shailene Woodley and Theo James

Now, with The Sixth Faction, inspired by Taylor Swift, already building momentum, 2026 appears set to become one of Veronica Roth’s biggest revival years yet.

What are your thoughts on Roth revealing that Taylor Swift inspired her return to the Divergent world? Let us know in the comments.

Written by

Lisa Roy

Edited by

Aliza Siddiqui