Ariel Sullivan’s debut novel, Conform, delivers a masterclass in dystopian worldbuilding that feels both eerily familiar and utterly fresh. In this post-apocalyptic society ruled by the enigmatic Illum, humanity has been stratified into rigid castes based on genetic “perfection”—Elite, Minor Defect, and Major Defect. Sullivan crafts a world where survival depends on conformity, yet the human spirit persistently rebels against such dehumanizing categorization.
The author’s prose flows with an almost hypnotic quality, mirroring the indoctrination that permeates every aspect of this society. Her writing style expertly balances lyrical descriptions with stark, clinical observations that reflect the protagonist’s fractured worldview. Sullivan demonstrates remarkable restraint in her world-revealing, allowing readers to piece together the horrifying reality alongside twenty-seven-year-old Emeline, who has spent her life sorting ancient human art for destruction—a metaphor so perfectly crafted it resonates throughout the entire narrative.
The Heart of Defiance: Emeline’s Journey
Emeline emerges as a protagonist whose journey transcends the typical young adult heroine arc. Born with heterochromia—one blue eye, one brown—she embodies the visual representation of her internal conflict between conformity and rebellion. Sullivan writes Emeline’s character development with nuanced complexity, avoiding the trap of making her instantly likable while ensuring she remains deeply compelling.
What sets Emeline apart is her realistic evolution from passive observer to active participant in her own destiny. Her initial acceptance of the system’s cruelty toward her feels authentic rather than frustrating, grounded in years of systematic psychological conditioning. When she finally awakens to the reality of her situation, her transformation feels earned rather than convenient.
The author particularly excels in depicting Emeline’s internal monologue—the constant battle between ingrained obedience and growing awareness. Sullivan captures the psychological damage of living in a surveillance state with remarkable authenticity, making Emeline’s every small act of defiance feel monumentally significant.
A Love Triangle That Transcends Tropes
The Romance Dynamic That Actually Works
Where many dystopian novels stumble with forced romantic tensions, Sullivan creates a love triangle that serves the larger narrative themes. Collin, the mysterious Illum member who selects Emeline as his Mate, represents the seductive allure of power and protection. His character walks the razor’s edge between genuine affection and calculated manipulation, keeping readers guessing about his true motivations until the devastating final act.
Hal, the rebellion leader known as “the Reaper,” embodies everything Emeline has been taught to fear, yet represents the freedom she’s never dared to imagine. Sullivan skillfully avoids making either love interest purely good or evil. Instead, both men exist in moral gray areas that reflect the complexity of their world.
The romantic elements never overshadow the larger political themes, instead serving to highlight the personal cost of living under authoritarian rule. Sullivan understands that in dystopian fiction, love becomes both an act of rebellion and a dangerous vulnerability.
The Brutal Poetry of Systematic Oppression
Sullivan’s greatest achievement lies in her unflinching examination of how oppressive systems maintain control through psychological manipulation. The Academy’s teachings, the genetic classification system, and the constant surveillance create a society where victims become complicit in their own oppression.
The author’s background as someone who moved frequently during childhood informs her understanding of feeling perpetually displaced, lending authenticity to Emeline’s sense of never truly belonging anywhere. This personal insight elevates the narrative beyond mere dystopian spectacle into genuine social commentary.
The Illum’s methods of control feel disturbingly plausible—they don’t rule through brute force alone but through careful psychological conditioning that makes their subjects grateful for their oppression. Sullivan’s depiction of how systems maintain power through division and manufactured gratitude feels particularly relevant to contemporary readers.
Where the Foundation Shows Cracks
While Conform by Ariel Sullivan excels in many areas, it struggles with pacing in its middle section. The Court proceedings, while thematically important, occasionally feel repetitive. Some secondary characters, particularly among the Elite society, could benefit from deeper development beyond their function as obstacles or allies.
The rebellion subplot, while compelling, sometimes feels underdeveloped compared to the personal journey. Sullivan introduces fascinating concepts about the underground resistance but doesn’t always follow through with the worldbuilding depth these elements deserve.
Additionally, certain plot revelations in the final act, while emotionally devastating, strain credibility when examined closely. The complexity of the Illum’s long-term planning occasionally ventures into implausible territory.
Technical Mastery and Atmospheric Excellence
Sullivan demonstrates impressive technical skill for a debut novelist. Her ability to maintain tension throughout extended sequences while building genuine emotional investment in the characters marks her as a writer to watch. The prose style adapts beautifully to match Emeline’s emotional state—clinical and detached during moments of psychological shutdown, flowing and lyrical when she embraces her humanity.
The author’s use of art as both literal plot device and metaphorical framework creates layers of meaning that reward careful reading. Ancient human paintings serve as windows into emotions the dystopian society seeks to eliminate, making Emeline’s job a perfect vehicle for exploring themes of cultural erasure and the persistence of human expression.
A Trilogy Opener That Delivers
Why This Series Demands Your Attention
As the opening volume of a planned trilogy, Conform by Ariel Sullivan succeeds in establishing a complex world while telling a complete emotional arc. Sullivan doesn’t rely on cliffhangers to maintain reader interest; instead, she creates genuine investment in seeing how these characters navigate their impossible circumstances.
The book’s ending provides resolution to Emeline’s immediate journey while opening up larger questions about revolution, sacrifice, and the true cost of freedom. Sullivan demonstrates remarkable restraint in not revealing all the world’s secrets, leaving plenty of room for future exploration without making this volume feel incomplete.
Literary Connections and Similar Reads
Readers who appreciated the psychological complexity of The Handmaid’s Tale or the dystopian romance elements of Red Queen will find much to love in Conform. Sullivan’s work also echoes the themes explored in The Selection series but with significantly more mature treatment of political themes.
For those seeking similar dystopian romances with complex worldbuilding:
- Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi – for lyrical prose and psychological themes
- An Unkindness of Magicians by Kat Howard – for systematic oppression and rebellion
- The Jewels by Amy Ewing – for genetic-based caste systems
- The Perfects by Colleen Reinhart – for similar themes of genetic perfection
- The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau – for post-apocalyptic societies and psychological manipulation
Final Verdict: A Promising Beginning
Conform establishes Ariel Sullivan as a significant new voice in dystopian fiction. While not without flaws, the novel succeeds in creating a world that feels both fantastical and unnervingly possible. Sullivan’s ability to balance romance, political intrigue, and genuine character development suggests great promise for the remaining volumes in this series.
The book works on multiple levels—as a coming-of-age story, a romance, and a political allegory. Sullivan never talks down to her readers, trusting them to navigate the complex moral landscape she’s created. In an oversaturated market of dystopian fiction, Conform distinguishes itself through psychological sophistication and genuine emotional stakes.
For readers seeking dystopian fiction that doesn’t shy away from difficult questions about power, identity, and the price of freedom, Conform by Ariel Sullivan offers a compelling entry point into what promises to be a thought-provoking series. Sullivan has created a world worth revisiting and characters whose fates genuinely matter.
Perfect for: Fans of psychological dystopian fiction, complex love triangles, and heroines who earn their strength through struggle rather than inheriting it through circumstance.
