Favorite Dystopian of 2025. Conform by Ariel Sullivan

Wow! Talk about starting with a bang!

This is Ariel Sullivan’s first published work, but it certainly doesn’t feel like a debut. No editing issues, no inconsistencies, no two-dimensional characters, no pacing lulls—just intense writing and a gripping story set in a post-apocalyptic world following The Last Great War, where nuclear power decimated most of humanity, forcing survivors underground.

Our main character, Emmeline, is the daughter of two elites but marked by heterochromia—one brown eye, one blue. She enters a contract with a stunning mate, but soon another handsome stranger crosses her path, leaving her torn between belonging to the elite or joining a revolution.
The tension escalates steadily.

My only regret? She didn’t trust one of her love interests more. He has incredible potential, but she didn’t open up to him, and now with the finale, I worry he might take a dark turn. I don’t want that!
And yes, the love triangle. I usually hate this trope and want to scream, “Just choose one!” But here, it was slightly different—one relationship was more of an obligation than a choice and yet…. Still, the indecision had me so anxious!

To sum it up: I was completely immersed in this story. Hundred percent certain, I will read the sequel.