Conform Summary By Chapter | Ariel Sullivan
Introduction To Conform (Chapter-by-Chapter Summary)
Conform by Ariel Sullivan immerses readers in a dystopian world divided into rigid societal classes: Elite, Minor Defects, and Major Defects.
At the heart of this stratified society is Emeline, a Minor Defect whose heterochromia marks her as different, working underground in the Archives, erasing relics of the past.
When she is suddenly approved for a Procreation Agreement with Collin, the youngest member of the ruling Illum, her life is catapulted into the glamorous yet perilous realm of the Clouds.
This chapter-by-chapter summary of Conform captures Emeline’s journey from the subterranean Archives to the opulent heights of Elite society and the dangerous undercurrents of rebellion beneath.
Each chapter unfolds her struggles, alliances, and betrayals with the clarity and structure that help readers navigate Sullivan’s complex narrative.
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Book Structure Overview
Conform is divided into 2 parts, containing 41 chapters plus an epilogue. Told primarily from Emeline’s first-person perspective, the story also shifts briefly to Hal in the epilogue. The narrative flows linearly, taking readers from the oppressive surface world to the luxurious yet deceptive Clouds, and finally to the revolutionary underworld.
Book Table of Contents
Part I: The Approved Vessel
- Approval Notification
- Ascending to the Clouds
- First Meeting with Collin
- Hal’s Warning
- The Second Meeting
- Elite Preparation
- The Sphere Dinner
- Family Confrontation
- Monitoring and Etiquette
- Solo Dinner with Family
- The Breaking Point
- Rescue and Shelter
- Hal’s Story
- Gregory’s Warning
- Collin’s Twin Sister
- Public Exposure
- Suspicions and Gifts
- Choosing Sides
- The Pond Dinner
- Witnessing the Parting
- Strategy with Collin
- High Council Dinner
- Preparing to Descend
Part II: The Revolution Below
24. Secret Tunnel Entrance
25. Rebel Encounter
26. Observing the Minors
27. Elite Patrols
28. Nora’s Trauma
29. Isolation and Ball Prep
30. The Ball
31. Hidden Encounters
32. Overheard Conversations
33. Questioning Freedom
34. Power Grid Shutdown
35. Strategic Betrayal
36. Chute Sabotage
37. Surface Chaos
38. Collin’s Warning
39. Revelations from the Starlings
40. Full Elite Status
41. Ultimate Betrayal and Drugging
Epilogue: Hal’s Perspective
Conform Summary Chapter by Chapter
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This section contains detailed, chapter-by-chapter plot summaries.
Part I: The Approved Vessel
Chapter 1: The Approved Notification
Emeline works deep underground in the Archives, deleting holograms of ancient art including the Mona Lisa.
She receives notification that her procreation status is finally “Approved”—a moment she has feared for ten years. A handsome Major Defect named Hal visits her office, showing dangerous curiosity about the art she’s destroying. Hal hints he lives “beneath” and shares a secret moment with her.
Emeline receives an urgent summons for her first meeting with an Elite male that evening. As she ascends to the Clouds, she reflects on the mismatched eyes everyone deems a disgrace.
Chapter 2: The Starlings’ Preparation
In the Clouds, an attendant uses Emeline’s birth name for the first time instead of an ID number. The Starlings—Rose and Violet—prepare her for Elite society through painful grooming rituals.
They provide a high-tech lens to hide her blue eye, making her gaze appear uniform brown. Dressed in liquid gold, Emeline feels briefly like an Elite. The Starlings warn her she must “fly or die” in this new world.
Chapter 3: The Secret Garden Meeting
The meeting takes place in a magnificent secret garden in the sky. Emeline meets Collin, her proposed Mate, who is shockingly handsome and polite.
She learns Collin is not just Elite but the youngest member of the Illum, the city’s ruling body. Collin reveals he chose her specifically and warns that the Press will watch their every move. He stresses they are tied together for the “Greater Good.”
Chapter 4: Hal’s Warning
Emeline returns to her mundane surface life and finds Hal lounging in her office again. He has read Collin’s flowers’ card and mocks her for being an Elite “plaything.”
Hal questions the Procreation Contract, warning of dark consequences if she fails to conceive. Emeline signs the contract anyway, feeling she has no real choice.
Hal leaves after calling her defect “beautiful”—a first in her life.
Chapter 5: The Second Invitation
Ninety-six hours pass with silence from Collin, making Emeline fear she has already failed. Hal visits again and notices her eye is severely irritated by the lens.
He convinces her to remove it and admits the blue and brown combination is “striking.” They discuss a painting of a desperate embrace, which Hal interprets as a final goodbye.
Emeline receives a message for a second meeting at 5:30 that evening.
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Chapter 6: Rebel Whispers
The Starlings prepare Emeline while whispering about a rebel attack on the Capitol that killed six Elite. Violet hints that people are rising up against the Illum’s “illuminating rules.”
Emeline learns about the Elite Force—trained men who maintain peace through physical violence.
She is dressed in a sheer, cloud-like gown. Her wrist begins glowing rich gold, signifying official approval as an Illum’s Mate.
Chapter 7: The Sphere Dinner
Collin meets Emeline at “the Sphere,” a dining platform suspended high in the air. He identifies her birth brother Phillip and mentions her other siblings Gregory and Richard.
A Hologram Instructor will be installed in her room for “fresh lessons.” Collin breaks Elite rules by letting Emeline eat sweets first, claiming her needs are now his. The evening ends with Collin kissing her passionately before the entire Sphere.
Chapter 8: The Family Confrontation
Emeline’s birth family—Vincent, Helen, Phillip, Gregory, and Richard—arrive on the landing. Vincent, her father, is openly hateful, calling her a “disgrace” and an “insult” to their lineage.
Collin fiercely defends her, stating she is now an “extension” of him. He dismisses her family with cold power, proving he is a ruler. Collin asks if she trusts him, then begs her forgiveness before they part.
Chapter 9: Frida’s Monitoring
Emeline recounts the kiss to her friend Lo, who is amazed an Illum would show such public affection for a Minor. Emeline’s new HI, Frida, begins monitoring her biological stats and drilling her on etiquette.
Her nutrition is adjusted for her ovulation phase. While traveling to work, Emeline sees the Sanctuary—where women are sent if they fail the Illum.
Chapter 10: The Blue Dress
Rose prepares Emeline alone because Violet is “unwell.” Emeline is forced to wear a “Major Defect blue” gown, which she interprets as punishment.
Rose warns her someone is praying for her to fail. Collin messages that he cannot make the dinner with her birth family. Emeline arrives at her family home alone, feeling trapped and betrayed.
Chapter 11: The Elimination Act
The dinner with her birth family becomes psychological assault. Brother Gregory taunts her about the “color of trash” dress.
Vincent discusses the “Elimination Act”—a proposal to murder all Defects and preserve resources. Emeline reaches her breaking point, screaming that it’s their genes that created her “mistake.”
She triggers a Pod’s emergency button and flees into the rain.
Chapter 12: Hal’s Rescue
Hal finds Emeline running barefoot through High Town and carries her to her quarters. He helps her out of the restrictive metal collar and blue dress.
Due to curfew, Hal must stay the night. He reveals he has a “cuff” that scrambles MIND chip technology, making him invisible to the Illum. Emeline admits she’s terrified of her role and the prospect of a defective offspring.
Chapter 13: Hal’s History
Hal tells Emeline his tragic history: born to Major parents who loved him, they were murdered when Elite Force found them.
He was taken because his genes were “perfect,” but he chose to cut out his chip and return to the Underworld. They share an intimate night, though not sexual. Hal’s presence provides comfort she has never known.
Chapter 14: Gregory’s Fetch
Gregory bangs on the door at dawn; Hal hides in the bathroom. Gregory is tasked with “fetching” Emeline back to the Clouds. He notices the room’s poverty and mocks the “hovel.”
On the Pod, Gregory warns her they are “always watching” and reveals Collin is the Illum’s Enforcer. Emeline is taken to a dizzying balcony high above the clouds.
Chapter 15: Nora’s Kindness
Emeline meets Collin’s twin sister Nora, who is kind and treats her as an equal. Collin arrives and shows her a photo of her running—though Hal is absent due to his scrambler.
He reveals someone impersonated the Illum to send the blue dress. Collin overrode curfew to protect her but warns the Illum elders are watching her “anomaly.” Emeline learns Collin and Nora are rare twins.
Chapter 16: The Press Publication
The Press publishes a photo of Collin and Emeline’s kiss, titling it “Youngest Illum Shocks Elite with Minor Mate.” Emeline feels used as public distraction.
Hal meets her in her office and they nearly kiss, interrupted by a warning whistle signaling Elite presence. Lo arrives, ecstatic she has finally been “Approved” for procreation. Emeline learns a rebellion is imminent.
Chapter 17: The Reaper Suspicions
Hal visits Emeline’s office, visibly injured from a “rough shift.” They argue about her status; Hal accuses her of being a “mindless vessel” who believes Collin is different.
He reveals he was the same age as Collin and Phillip at the Academy and they were “thick as thieves.” Collin sends Emeline bloodred ruby jewelry for an upcoming dinner. Emeline begins suspecting Hal is the Reaper.
Chapter 18: Violet’s Plea
Violet appears with a battered face, admitting the Illum “persuaded” her for information.
She tells Emeline a rebellion is coming and asks her to choose a side: “Them or us?” Emeline is dressed in a sheer wine-red gown with blood-like jewels. Violet challenges her: “Are you content being his vessel… or do you want power?”
Chapter 19: The Pond Dinner
At a dinner at “the Pond,” Emeline sees Lo with Gregory and realizes Lo is Gregory’s intended Mate. Collin reveals the Reaper has been targeting medical buildings.
Emeline overhears Gregory telling an unknown woman—implied to be Nora—that he will never stop waiting for her. Collin warns Emeline he is the Enforcer and will silence discord. Pod doors shut before she can answer his question.
Chapter 20: The Parting
Emeline witnesses the “Parting”—Elite Force soldiers violently taking children from their mothers at the Sanctuary. She tries to intervene but is stopped by a masked soldier.
The Starlings explain this is reality for Minors once offspring reach a certain age. Emeline finally tells Violet she wants “power.”
Chapter 21: Collin’s War Room
Emeline visits Collin’s private office and sees a digital map of Underworld tunnels. Collin is identifying weak points for “retaliation” against the Reaper.
He admits the Illum will stop at nothing to silence those who speak of rebellion. Collin tells her she is an extension of him and “everything you see tonight is for the Greater Good.”
Chapter 22: The Execution
At a High Council dinner, Tabitha the Illum leader appears via hologram. A rebel sympathizer is executed in the room via lethal hemotoxin from his MIND chip.
Collin announces a planned ambush on the Underworld in two days. Emeline is horrified and realizes Collin is a murderer. She tells him to his face: “You chose wrong.”
Chapter 23: The Descent
Gregory takes Emeline home and advises her to “never care about anyone.” Emeline realizes she cares about too many people and decides she must warn the Underworld. She removes her lens and prepares a plan to go below.
A message from Tabitha broadcasts that the Defect community is under close surveillance. Emeline exits her quarters to find a way to the Underworld.
Part II: The Revolution Below
Chapter 24: The Underworld Arrival
Emeline leaps off a bridge to reach a secret tunnel entrance, nearly drowning. She is captured by Bri, a rebel, and brought before Gerald, Kane, and Barrett.
She warns them about the Illum’s impending ambush. Hal appears, shocked she risked her life to find them. The rebels reveal they already know about the Illum’s plans.
Chapter 25: No More Goodbyes
Hal gives Emeline a knife and a scrambler cuff for safety. They share a deep, passionate kiss in the tunnels. Hal tells her there are “no more goodbyes” but warns her not to return to the Underworld.
Emeline goes back to the surface, realizing the Majors are the only ones truly free. She hides her rebel trinkets in her closet.
Chapter 26: The Calming Supplements
Emeline notices Minors on the Pods look drugged and vacant. She realizes the Illum are using “calming” supplements to sedate the population.
She warns Lo to stop taking the pills. Lo is terrified but desperate for her contract to work. Emeline decides to give the supplements to Hal for analysis.
Chapter 27: Elite Force Patrol
Elite Force soldiers begin patrolling transportation Pods. Emeline is confronted when her Comm Device dings, but she uses her “Enforcer’s Mate” status to protect Lo.
A large soldier named Fredrik watches her intently. Emeline receives a summons to the Clouds for another meeting.
Chapter 28: Nora’s Trauma
Nora reveals her own trauma: she was Mated to Edward at sixteen and he was physically abusive. Gregory saved her then and has loved her ever since.
Collin discovers Emeline hasn’t been taking her supplements. They argue heatedly; Collin almost kisses her but stops himself. He calls her his “pet” and tells her to prepare for the ball.
Chapter 29: The Crystal Ball
Emeline spends two weeks in isolation, feeling like a prisoner.
The Starlings prepare her for the ball in a sheer black gown encrusted with crystals. Violet hints the Reaper is making a move soon. Rose begs Emeline not to betray them to the Illum because of her love for Violet.
Chapter 30: Hal’s Appearance
At the ball, Collin and Emeline perform an elaborate dance that shocks the Elite. Vincent tells Emeline her mother Helen fought to keep her from being sent to blue as an infant.
Emeline tells Collin she wants to be “saved.” Phillip interrupts with news of an “issue.” Hal suddenly appears in the room through a concealed door.
Chapter 31: The Closet Encounter
Hal hides Emeline in a closet and tells her he wants her “contract and all.” They have a highly intimate encounter. Hal advises her to use Collin’s lack of composure to get information for the rebellion.
He promises to fight for a place where they don’t have to say goodbye.
Chapter 32: Gregory’s Warning
Emeline overhears Gregory and Phillip arguing; Phillip reveals Gregory was once matched to Nora but Phillip rejected it to protect them.
Gregory helps Emeline return to the ball by fixing her hair and dress. Collin is seen dancing with another woman, Eve. Gregory warns Emeline that loving someone she cannot have will destroy her.
Chapter 33: Identity Shift
Emeline reflects on the Illum’s “Prosperity of Peace” and its reliance on elimination. Lo’s contract with Gregory is officially approved. Emeline questions if there’s more freedom in the Underworld than the Clouds. She realizes she no longer identifies as a Minor.
Chapter 34: The Power Grid Plan
Hal and Barrett prepare to shut down the city’s power grid. Hal and Emeline have sex for the first time in the Underworld. He tells her about the nuclear winter that forced humanity underground centuries ago.
Hal promises he will come for her if the Illum discover her.
Chapter 35: The Betrayal Revealed
Emeline finds a research folder in Hal’s quarters containing detailed surveillance on her. She realizes the nickname “Moonlight” was a strategic tool to manipulate her.
Hal confesses his love, but Emeline feels betrayed—she was just a “job” to him too. Gerald arrives, warning the power grid is rebooting. Emeline chooses to help Gerald anyway to save lives.
Chapter 36: The Black Hole Cube
Emeline crawls through a narrow chute to toss a “black hole” cube into the chip-powering device. The grid goes down, giving rebels time to move. Phillip finds her and takes her to the surface as the city erupts in flames.
Chapter 37: Aftermath
The Reaper’s attack leaves the surface in ruins. Gregory and Nora share a devastating goodbye to protect their offspring from the Illum. Emeline feels utterly alone and ruined. She nearly drowns in her bathtub while lost in a trance-like sleep.
Chapter 38: Collin’s Confession
Collin pulls Emeline from the tub. He admits he was in the Elite Force and that war is imminent. He tells her Lo is safe and that Emeline must stay with him permanently.
They watch the fires together from the balcony.
Chapter 39: The Nude Gown
The Starlings tell Emeline that Hal intentionally sent the blue dress to “level the playing field.”
Nora hints that the Reaper might not be a man, but a woman tired of being a vessel. Emeline is dressed in a sheer nude gown covered in thousands of heavy crystals.
Chapter 40: The Reaper’s Capture
Tabitha holds a mandatory ball and announces the capture of the Reaper. She grants Emeline “Full Elite status” for her “spying.” Hal is dragged in with a new MIND chip and metal cuffs. He looks at Emeline with “resolute acceptance.”
Chapter 41: Tabitha’s Revelation
Tabitha reveals that Lo—Lola—was the one who actually informed on the Reaper. She tells Emeline the Illum are now taking all Major offspring to “indoctrinate” them. Emeline is drugged with tea and collapses as Tabitha laughs.
Epilogue: Hal’s Revolution
The Epilogue is told from Hal’s perspective as a captive of the Illum. Despite cuffs and a new MIND chip, he remains defiant.
Before the grid was restored, rebels set a “ticking time bomb” and successfully funneled stolen supplements to the population.
He no longer sees himself as leading a rebellion but a full-scale revolution. His love for Emeline remains, but he “buries it” to focus on making the Illum’s buildings crumble for good.
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Ending Explained
⚠️ Spoiler Alert: This section contains major plot revelations.
The book concludes with a devastating reversal for Emeline. After believing she was part of a righteous rebellion, she discovers she was a pawn for both sides.
Hal used her as a mission target while Tabitha used Emeline’s ascent to manipulate other Minors into compliance. The ultimate betrayal comes from her friend Lo, who traded information about Emeline and the Reaper to the Illum in exchange for her own Procreation Contract with Gregory.
Emeline is stripped of agency, drugged, and forcibly elevated to Elite status—now a permanent “extension” of Collin and a tool to control remaining rebels.
The Epilogue shifts to Hal’s perspective, revealing that despite his capture, the rebellion continues.
Before the grid was restored, rebels set plans in motion and successfully distributed stolen supplements to the population. Hal now views their movement as a revolution rather than mere rebellion.
Though his love for Emeline persists, he buries those feelings to focus on destroying the Illum’s power structure completely.
