BookPath

Conform Reading Order.

Quick Answer

Start Conform by Ariel Sullivan with "Conform", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

The complete reading order for the Conform series by Ariel Sullivan. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.

Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "Conform"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

Community Consensus

Low Debate

"The discussion highlights intense anticipation for specific sequels (Malazan, Tear Down Heaven 4, Craft Wars 3) and immediate, enthusiastic interest in new standalone/first-in-series releases, particularly Thomas Pynchon's 'Shadow Ticket.' Separately, the comments contain extensive, passionate praise for an unnamed existing series (implied to be The Books of Babel, due to the character Senlin and anticipation for Book 4), suggesting it is a mandatory read for new fantasy fans."

Key Reddit Advice

The strongest recommendation is to prioritize reading 'The Books of Babel' series (start with Book 1) immediately due to overwhelming praise for its characterization (Senlin) and prose. For the newly released titles, 'Shadow Ticket' by Thomas Pynchon is the most hyped standalone purchase, followed closely by new entries from Adrian Tchaikovsky and Ken Liu.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Conform conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Conform. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "Conform" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "Conform" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Reading Order1 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

Conform

Pub: 20254.14

THE MUST-READ FIRST NOVEL FROM JENNA BUSH HAGER’S NEW VENTURE, THOUSAND VOICESIn the far future, one young woman finds herself torn between two loves—and two sides of a rebellion boiling under the surface—in the first novel of a sweeping dystopian romance series.The stunning hardcover of Conform features a custom-stamped case, beautiful endpapers, and foiled jacket.“Compulsively readable and vividly written—it kept me awake long past my bedtime!”—Sarah J. Maas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Court of Thorns and Roses“An irresistible romantic debut with a love triangle that will have you picking sides . . . then changing sides . . . then changing sides again.”—Veronica Roth, #1 New York Times bestselling author of DivergentA lifelong outcast, twenty-seven-year-old Emeline spends her days alone, sorting ancient art for destruction. Centuries after a catastrophic war nearly decimated humanity, society is now ruled by an elusive and technologically advanced group called the Illum, who constantly monitor the population’s health and mandate procreation contracts. But Emeline’s bleak existence is shattered when, for the first time in decades, an Illum named Collin takes a Mate: Emeline.Baffled as to why she was chosen, Emeline is swept into the dangerous game of the Courting, where one wrong move can mean elimination. Soon, she discovers a rebellion rising in secret, and that her Mate may be keeping secrets of his own. Collin is confusing, both cold and protective, and worse, she finds herself drawn to the very last person she should be falling for: Hal, one of the resistance leaders.As she draws closer to both Collin and Hal, the Illum exercise their power in increasingly brutal ways, forcing Emeline to question everything—most of all whether she’ll have to give up her heart and even her life to stop them.

Prefer Listening?

Best if you commute

Get the professional narration of "Conform" free with an Audible trial.

Try Audible →

Own the Physical Copy

Best value option

Add "Conform" to your library. Curated links ensure you get the correct edition.

View on Amazon →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the Conform series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read Conform?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Conform" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Ariel Sullivan intended.

Can I read Conform books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the Conform universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.