I was hooked and could not put this book down. I felt for Emeline, and while a couple of times I wanted to yell and shake her, given the way she grew up, that is how she should have acted, so I got through it. I love the battles between Collin and Hal within her, and the twists and turns of the story, with the characters' allegiances constantly shifting. The final chapter had me on edge, and I am still thinking it over, trying to figure it out. I can not wait for the next one.

This book completely exceeded my expectations. One of the best—and sometimes worst—things about fantasy is the inevitable book hangover, and this one hit hard. I’m still thinking about the ending days later.

If you loved The Hunger Games, The Uglies, Divergent, or Matched as a teen, this book will give you that same rush.

We follow Emeline, a minor defect whose role in society is to destroy art—one of the many ways control is exerted in her grey, tightly regulated world. Every part of her life, including decisions about her own body, is dictated by the system. When she’s told she’s been selected to be a mate—a role reserved for defects only when deemed useful for reproduction—it’s already disturbing. But what changes everything is who she’s been matched with: an Illum. It’s the first time in history that a minor defect has been chosen for someone of that status.

At the same time, we meet Hal—the embodiment of resistance—who challenges everything the system stands for.

I’m usually not into love triangles, but this one just works. The emotional push and pull is so layered and makes perfect sense in this world, where nothing is black and white—only shades of grey.

I was hooked from the first few pages. Fair warning: it ends on a cliffhanger, and I genuinely have no idea how I’m supposed to wait for the next one.

I really really enjoyed this book! The characters were very interesting and I loved the journey that the author took them on. Sometimes I can get bored if the plot is to slow but the author did a great job with the pacing and keeping it interesting. I was able to finish this book in one sitting because I could not put it down! I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.

I couldn’t put down Conform, a propulsive dystopian romance that hooked me from page one. Emeline’s voice is both tender and fierce, and I cared about her choices long before the stakes turned explosive. The far‑future society ruled by the Illum, with health surveillance and procreation contracts, is chillingly plausible and adds real tension to every relationship. I especially loved the detail of Emeline sorting ancient art for destruction, which gives her journey a poignant, elegiac undertone. The world building felt a little light at times, but the emotional depth and intimacy of the characters more than make up for it. The love triangle and the pull between safety and resistance kept me glued to the pages, and the momentum never lagged. The descriptions of each setting are beautiful and immersive, from sterile halls to the hidden edges where society’s outsiders survive. As the rebellion simmers, the pacing balances swoony romance with rising stakes, and I’m already eager for the next installment in the series.

A really fun dystopian world read. Little bit of mixed feelings with the love triangle, but I did end up enjoying Emeline’s story.

I haven't finished this yet but it doesn't seem like something my book club would get into. I know this genre is becoming more popular though! I can see Sarah J Maas fans giving this a try for sure.

4.5 stars!!
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this ARC!!

I absolutely devoured this book!! This was such a fun read and I could not put it down.

The FMC was amazing and relatable. Her growth through out the book was tremendous and the world building was awesome. The social levels and dystopian vibes were on point!

Already pre-ordered this book and cannot wait for book 2!

(More official review to come, but thank you NetGalley and Ariel Sullivan for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC for Conform in exchange for an honest review!)

SCREAMING. I had to put my Kindle down and take a break several times towards the end, how many times can my heart do flips right inside my chest?? My heart is devastated, broken, shattered… so of course I recommend this book 😂 I couldn’t put it down and literally finished it in one day. This was not always an easy read, not in a bad way, but there’s lots of information in the beginning and I had to go back a re-read several pages to absorb the information. It’s just one I needed to be in a very focused mindset for, without a lot of distractions.

This story has so much suspense, tension, forbidden love…and yes a giant cliffhanger that will make pace around your room for a good ten minutes. Already need book 2.

Don’t want to spoil anything, but this feels like a Handmaids Tale and the Mockingjay type of story, in an era where humans have caused their own distraction and the new powers in charge of rebuilding are corrupt. I loved the nods to historical artwork, and always enjoyed guessing which painting was being described and how the characters interpret the meaning of each piece.

Back to fan girling about the ending and the epilogue 😭😭😭

This book encapsulates many of my absolute worst nightmares, yet I could not get enough of it! I felt so nostalgic while reading this. It was very reminiscent of some dystopian novels I read when I was younger. This book was very easy to get into and the story flowed pretty seamlessly chapter by chapter.

I'm not always a fan of love triangles, but this one worked! There isn't an obvious choice between the two morally grey MMC's. Both had their own strengths and faults and they were equally as infuriating (as it goes with romantic subplots). Based on the limited reviews, it seems pretty split on who the favorite MMC is which is what you want from a love triangle! Regarding the rest of the relationships and characters, I thought they were very developed. It also felt like every character had some meaning to the story which is always appreciated.

The dystopian society was well portrayed. It felt eerie, controlled, and frankly nightmarish. I wish we learned more of the "why's" behind the society but our FMC is left almost entirely in the dark about everything, which meant we were too. The same can be said about the political revolution.

I did find myself craving more depth from the main plot. I wanted to learn more about the revolution and what that really encompassed, wanted to see more of the action; then the ending quickly arrived and finished on a major cliffhanger. While I still have a lot of unanswered questions regarding the world and who is truly trustworthy—I think this book is setting up for a wonderful series!

ARC provided for an honest review.

I have mixed feelings on this book. I love the premise of the novel. A dystopian society, a love triangle, female selections, and rebellions. All things I love to read about so I was unsure why I was having trouble really getting into the book. I concluded that it is the repetitive writing (phrases used over and over again), slow and incomplete world building (who are the Illum, why was Collin added, what determines a defect, etc) that made the book hard to read, at times. I feel like this book left a lot of questions unanswered (like all of them really). I was confused
By the ending and how the characters got to what happened. So many questions. This whole book was a cliffhanger. I am giving this a 3.5 star but rounding up to 4 only because this series could go somewhere very good. I will definitely be reading book two and hopefully the author will have improved her writing style a bit and answer all the questions.

I enjoyed this book, but nothing to write home about. It was definitely an interesting debut novel for this author, and I would be interested in picking up other future works by this author.

A new genre (Dystomance) is the new BookTok sensation. A character driven plot meets a political world building reality. Twists and turns and of course ended with a cliffhanger. I can see this adapted into a series or a movie. Perfect for fans of Fourth Wing, The Handmaid’s Tale and Silver Elite

In a world where you DNA defines your worth, what happens when you dare to question the system?

I haven’t been this immersed in a dystopian novel in a long time. Set in a society rebuilt post war, Conform explores a rigid genetic hierarchy where compliance equals survival. The story follows Emeline, a women branded “defective” from birth, separated from her family and assigned a life of engineered purpose. In this world, you don’t get to dream. You get programmed.

What first pulled me in was the idea of a romance tucked inside a dystopia. I went into conform not knowing exactly what to expect. Dystopian romance is a tricky balance to strike, but Ariel Sullivan surprised me. This isn’t just another rebellion story. It doesn’t echo familiar tropes; it interrogates them.

Emeline isn’t your typical revolutionary heroine. She doesn’t start off fighting the system. She believes in it. She’s shaped by it entirely. Her doubts emerge slowly, painfully, and watching her wrestle with those realizations is one of the most powerful parts of this book. You ache for her because you understand her. She hasn’t just been denied privilege. She’s been denied the imagination to want more.

The tight, single POV makes every revelation feel personal. Since Emeline’s worldview is limited by design, every shift in perspective hits harder. Her beliefs aren’t just misguided; they’re all she’s ever known. And when those start to unravel, you feel it deeply. I found myself wondering: What would I believe, if this was the only world I’d ever known?

The world building is razor-sharp. From subtle language changes like”birth-family” to the way everything–from procreation to work–is structured around genetics, the control feels chillingly complete. Emeline doesn’t just recognize how she’s been oppressed. She realizes how complicit she’s been in upholding the very system that hurts her. She wants to be seen as “worthy”… but at what cost?

And then there’s the love triangle. Except it’s so much more than that. Both men, Hal and Collin, represent opposing forces in Emeline’s life.

Collin, the youngest Illum and her assigned mating contract, is kind, polished, and attentive. But his warmth raises questions. Does he care for her, or is he simply playing the part he was raised to perform?

Thens there’s Hal. A Major beneath her in status, sharp and outspoken. Their connection doesn’t spark in a dramatic moment. It builds. Slowly. Intellectually. Every conversation between them is a quiet act of rebellion. He doesn’t just flirt. He challenges her. And in doing so, he helps her begin to reclaim herself.

Emeline is pulled between two paths. Collin offers safety and status. Hal offers truth and risk. But this isn’t just about choosing a partner. It’s about choosing a future. Who does she want to be, when she’s finally allowed to want anything at all?

What struck me most is that the emotional weight of this novel doesn’t come from explosive rebellion. It comes from the quiet courage of questioning. Of thinking: what if I don’t agree? What if I want something else? In a world like Emeline’s, every whisper of dissent is dangerous.

Themes of control, identity, complicity, and survival are tightly woven into every aspect of this book. And no one, not even the most powerful, is truly free. Everyone plays a part. The question is: what happens when you stop playing yours?

If you loved Divergent but crave something more morally grey, emotionally complex, and introspective, Conform will leave its mark. It’s unsettling, though-provoking, and grounded in raw human emotion.

Final thoughts: A gripping razor-sharp dystopian debut that will leave you questioning what it means to be “defective” in a world obsessed with perfection, and how far you’d go to reclaim your story.

Conform by Ariel Sullivan was an advanced copy I picked up after seeing it recommended by Jenna Bush—and wow, I was not prepared for how much this book would grip me. It’s the start of a dystopian sci-fi series, and while you can read the official summary for the plot, what I want to tell you is this: I was genuinely mad when I finished it… because it was that good. I didn’t want it to end. I needed to know more.

To me, it felt like a modern-day Hunger Games—but geared more toward adults, with deeper themes and a sharper edge. The story dives headfirst into issues of wealth inequality and class warfare, drawing powerful parallels to the world we live in now. I love when a book entertains and challenges you at the same time, and Sullivan does just that. It’s absolutely amazing, and I can’t wait for what comes next in the series.

Wow, wow, wow, just WOW! I have to admit that Jenna made me do it… LOL! This is not normally the type of book I’d pick up - I’m more a women’s fiction, psychological thriller girl, but boy, I am so glad I did! This book! I loved the different world. There was romance. There was even suspense! And, the ending??? Well, now that is the downfall to reading it early. I have to wait for Book 1 to actually come out and THEN another long wait for the next! This book, this series, is going to take the world by storm. Don’t be left out. Preorder this debut now!

This ended up surprising me in a good way. Honestly at first I wasn’t sure if I was feeling it but as it went on I started to get more into it. I liked how you can’t really tell where anyone stands morally. You’re never quite sure who to trust even with some of the main characters. It gives you little breadcrumbs along the way so you’re constantly guessing people’s intentions.

It’s got the classic dystopian setup. Rebellion, caste systems, control. But it focuses way more on the characters and their dynamics than it does on action. There is a lot going on all at once emotionally, politically, and romantically. There’s a love triangle starting to form that adds even more tension to everything.

Some of the rules in the world felt a little inconsistent. Like they weren’t supposed to have friends or talk but they’re casually using comm devices? Either way I still had fun.

I enjoyed it like if I was watching a random series you’d find on Netflix or something. I’ll definitely read the next one when it comes out. Probably more of a 3.75 stars but I’m rounding up to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for the ARC.

read this in two days! I have been hearing about this debut book on social media, and I was so thrilled to read the advanced copy. It didn’t disappoint, and just like Jenna BH said, I wasn’t ready to leave these characters. The addition of the art work was the chefs kiss to this dystopian romance meets Handmaids. Also love the cover.

This 3.5-star read delivered an engaging and fast-paced plot with strong dystopian undertones. The story gave off The Handmaid’s Tale meets Matched vibes, blending control, rebellion, and forbidden romance. While the concept was compelling, the world building felt too vague to fully immerse in. Key societal structures and history were hinted at but never deeply explored. Still, the characters and stakes kept the story enjoyable and worth the read.

This hoisted itself up into a 3.5-rounded-up⭐️ read through an intriguing world and a decent character arc from a frankly irritating MC into something pretty good. I do hope the sequels keep some nuance to her though.

The speed of the romance arc felt 2010 YA dystopia despite the MC being 27, but by the end I got into it, probably because I expected a twist concerning a certain identity. That twist did not materialise—not sure if I built the wrong expectations or if the author’s keeping it for the sequel. For that alone I’d read the sequel.

𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴
𝘌𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴
𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯
𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦
𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵-𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨

First novel from Jenna Bush Hager’s new venture, Thousand Voices.

I read this gem in a day. I couldn’t put it down. It is so intriguing and thought-provoking.

This story takes place centuries after a catastrophic war nearly decimated humanity. Society is now ruled by an elusive group called the Illum, who constantly monitor the population’s health and mandate procreation contracts. 👀

There are four levels of society: Ilum, Elite, Minor defect, and then Major defect. Our 27-year-old FMC, Emeline, falls into the Minor defect level because she has two different color eyes. Her family sits comfortably in the Elite level. She spends her days alone, sorting ancient art for destruction. She must wait until her fertility was determined optimal and is matched with an Elite male to fulfill her role for the Greater Good. 👀

There is a love triangle happening here. This triangle is frustrating because I LIKE both men for different reasons. Meet Hal, Elite turned head of the rebellion. His scenes were 🔥. But not liking something towards the end of the book. Now, meet Collin, our youngest Illum, who is a twin (rare in this society). He matches with Emeline which causes a stir because an Illum/Minor defect match hasn’t occurred in decades. I find his character so intriguing. I think there is more than meets the eye with him.

I seriously need book 2 soon because I need to find out what happens. I lost sleep with this one. 🤣 Even when I finished reading late at night, I couldn’t stop all the questions floating around in my head about this world.

✦ Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an early copy!
Rating: 4.75/5