Book: Conform by Ariel Sullivan
Reviewed by plotdrunk
Rating: 4.5/5
This book is Uglies meets The Handmaid's Tale (although much less graphic), with a rigid class system that reminds of the Red Rising world. I love dystopian books where the social structure feels intentionally oppressive and unsettling, so this setting really landed for me.
Our FMC Emeline is a really interesting protagonist. She has been deeply brainwashed, which bleeds into every decision she makes throughout the book. She's quick to trust anyone who makes her feel seen, and I felt that pattern made sense with her backstory. It can be frustrating at times, but I think that her choices show the effects of the Illum's total control over the population.
There seem to be a lot of threads being set up for future books. Tabitha is especially intriguing, and the mystery surrounding the Reaper also feels misleading - after the epilogue, I wonder if we're meant to think the Reaper is Hal, but I suspect (hot take!) that it's either Nora or Collin. Gregory was probably my favorite character in the book, and I hope we see more of him throughout the series.
Overall, this book feels like it is laying the groundwork, planting easter eggs, and building momentum for the rest of the series. Between the prequel and the first book, I am definitely invested enough to continue the series and see if all of the setup pays off. I'm also really curious to see how all of this ties back to the prequel!