A dystopian romance novel where our female protagonist finds herself in enemy territory, forced to train to become part of Commands special ops forces. What else is there to do but become an undercover spy for the Uprising?

My thoughts are conflicted on this book, however I will start with saying that it’s a really interesting concept of Mods (modified humans with telepathic abilities) and Primes (non modified humans) and the conflict between them. I enjoyed the world the author has created, and I always love a good map, however, I think it could have been fleshed out more and a lot more could have been done with this concept. The general plot was predictable and has been done before, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it for the most part.

I feel like I have to break this book down into two parts, the first half of this book I felt like I had a 4 star read in my hands for sure. The pace of the plot was great and we’re fed details about the world/society/history at all the right places to be able to understand and absorb it all. Yes, the story line was predictable but it was still enjoyable to read and I felt like Wren, the FMC, was relatable and badass. The romance between Wren and Cross was building up nicely with their enemies-to-lovers trope and I was pulled into their angst and wanted more.

It’s the second half of the book where things started to go downhill for me. The pace sped up, but to the detriment to the story. What felt like impactful and emotional events that took place were barely acknowledged by the characters, who didn’t seem bothered by any of it, which didn’t really make sense. The romance between Wren and Cross seemed to fizzle out, and after the revelation of who Cross was (again, predictable, we all knew it from the get-go) I had hoped there would be more depth to their relationship but the characters felt flat. By the end of the book I felt disengaged with the story and I was not invested in the characters or what was happening to them.

It’s an enjoyable read for a quick dystopian fix. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I will be recommending this book to everybody. I’ve been in such a huge book slump and this is EXACTLY what I needed to help me out of it. This book captured my attention immediately and I could not put it down. It’s the type of book that you want to get back to immediately and doesn’t ever leave your mind. I used to read dystopian novels when I was younger and felt like this was an immediate need to read book! It is giving me those dystopian vibes that I’ve been missing in an adult book but also feels different than the dystopian books I read when I was in high school. That ending?! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK WHEN THIS ONE ISN’T EVEN RELEASED YET. This book was incredible and I loved every second of it.

The story is super captivating and I’ve fallen hopelessly in love with yet again many more fictional book characters. I try not to give anything away in my reviews which makes them feel kind of boring to me but I would love a pov from the male love interest.

Where do I even start with Silver Elite? This book swept me up from the first chapter and didn’t let go until the last page. Dani Francis has created a dazzling world filled with elite societies, gripping secrets, and some seriously swoon-worthy characters. Our main protagonist, a fiery underdog (because *of course* she is), finds herself tangled up in a high-stakes game where alliances are fragile, and danger lurks around every corner.

What stood out the most was the pacing. It’s quick without feeling rushed, keept me turning pages until well past my bedtime. The twists? Chef’s kiss. Then, just when you think you’ve got it figured out, there's a curveball. On top of this the character dynamics really sparkle...there’s banter, tension, and plenty of moments that make you cheer (or occasionally yell) out loud.

That said, it’s not without a few hiccups. Some side characters felt like they needed a little more meat on their metaphorical bones, and there were moments where the world-building could have used a little more detail. But honestly those are just my personal niggles and tastes, and the sheer fun of the story outweighs these minor flaws.

If you’re into books that mix danger, drama, and a dash of romance, Silver Elite will be right up your alley. It’s the kind of book that feels like a Netflix binge in the best way - fast, addictive, and oh-so-entertaining. Definitely worth the read!

4 stars!

Looking for an action packed dystopian read with a side of romance & some spicy? Look no further, this is the book for you. The hunger games teen in me was screaming while reading this.
The story grasped my full attention from the very first page. It was a super interesting and I enjoyed meeting all the characters. I thought they were well developed and relatable. There are some parts of the story that I believe some readers will find predictable but I doubt you will see the twist coming! It was such a fun and entertaining ride. I am privileged to have received this ARC super thankful! I however, am also super sad because now I will have to wait for the second book. That ending had me screaming and I cannot wait for this to come out so I can have people to talk to about it!!

Thanks to the publisher for my eARC. I loved this book!

This was so easy to read. Reminds me of a mix of Divergent and vibes of Savage Lands by Stacey Marie Brown this is new adult Dystopian which would appeal to a lot of readers. Silver Elites includes A brutal land, a dictatorship, a rebellion of suppressed people, an elite military group, military school training and an enemies to lovers romance.

A past war ended up in a biological warfare that left some people with special powers. The current regime led by General Redden seeks to hunt down every one of the aberrant and wipe them out. Wren our MC ends up in training for an elite group of soldiers and acts as an informant for the rebels. From the start she is attracted to sexy captain Cross and the feeling seems to be mutual…but there is one big problem that he is also General Redden’s son.

This is a mix of character and plot driven story with a relatively fast pace that kept me turning the page. With simple language, no flowerly words and familiar tropes, this did not feel like a 500 page book at all. Whilst it lacked a bit of world building and the plot was a bit predictable (in some places a bit too convenient), there was enough to understand the political climate of this dystopian world.
I love the romance subplot with the tension between our romantic couple and the open door spice scenewas 😘 Wren is a likeable character even with her reckless behaviors and Cross is my new fav.
What did frustrate me was somethings were a bit convenient to move the plot along and Wren did a lot of self preservation things one scene then later completely self sabotaging the next.

Overall it was a very entertaining read and I look forward to where the story takes us next. It’s a yes from me.
Thanks to Netgalley and Del Ray Publisher for the ARC.

I had a good time with this one, I really think a lot of people will love this.
This is an adult dystopian / fantasy and was really easy to follow. It gave me shatter me vibes mixed with the 🥵 of fourth wing
The fmc had some sass and I loved it.
The romance was good lots of tension there’s a few scenes of them together but not too much to overthrow the story.
TBH I seen a lot of it coming it wasn’t really hard to figure things out but I had a good time reading it and I think it was a good set up for the trilogy ( I believe it’s going to be )

“You sent him away?”
“Because he touched you this morning.”
🤭

Thank you netgalley for this arc

2.5 stars. Unfortunately, this one fell victim to being a little too similar to dystopian books I love and enjoy more than this. I don't mind similarities usually, but I also need newish and interesting ideas within to make it stick me and stand out compared to others and this just didn't deliver on that. I was super excited about this, as reviews were great and I really like a good dystopian every now and then.

This reminded me of all our our OG YA hits like Fourth Wing, Divergent, Hunger Games. I'm always on a lookout for new dystopian additions to our sci-fic collection because we struggle to find good titles to add to the shelf that's NOT fantasy. And this was a really good find!

Perfect for readers who love:
- the books stated above
- Shatter Me
- Enemies to lovers
- Rebels

Again, it's like taking the best parts about our favorites and putting them all in one book! And strangely enough it works! Highly recommend!

Round up to 4.5✨

In a world where silverbloods with toxin-induced gifts are being systematically hunted by the Primes, Wren Darlington has survived by hiding in plain sight—until she’s discovered by the Command. Forced into their brutal training program, Wren seizes the chance to dismantle the regime from within while balancing her people’s rebellion and her growing connection to the brooding Captain Cross Redden.

Perfect for fans of:
✨Shatter Me
✨Divergent
✨Hunger Games
✨Fourth Wing

Tropes and themes I adored:
🕊️Dystopian
🕊️Forbidden Romance
🕊️Psychic abilities
🕊️Enemies to Lovers
🕊️Slow Burn
🕊️Commanding Officer x Recruit
🕊️Rebellion/Uprising
🕊️Secret Identity

The enemies to lovers dynamic between Wren and Captain Cross is delicious, blending raw attraction with emotional depth as they navigate loyalty, betrayal, and blurred allegiances. The trials Wren endures, her unwavering strength, and the suspenseful twists (a few deliciously predictable) kept me glued to the pages. Fans of Divergent will love the academy trials and the themes of identity and resistance woven into this dystopian tale.

This book packs a punch in both the action and romance departments, and Wren is one of the most compelling heroines I’ve read in a long time. If you love stories with survival, rebellion, and just the right amount of spice, this one’s for you. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait for the next installment!

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC

This is the type of book you don’t want to put down, even if you guess the twists along the way. It made me nostalgic for the dystopian books I read as a teen and was highly enjoyable. There is even enough romance to keep things interesting. If you are looking for a fast paced, easy to read, dystopian romance, this is a great options.

Wren Darlington is a Mod - a person exposed to a toxin that gave her telepathic abilities. She has hidden her abilities her entire life. But when disaster strikes, she is thrown into a training program where she learns to fight against people like her. Wren’s story is compelling enough, even when she annoys you for being impulsive every other page.

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Reminiscent of Fourth Wing and Divergent, Silver Elite follows Wren Darlington, a young woman who is forced to hide her psychic powers from a dystopian regime that seeks to wipe out her kind. After being forced to join a military training program, Wren finds herself working to take down this regime from the inside — while also struggling with her attraction to her commanding officer, Cross Redden.

I want to preface by saying that I really wanted to love this book. And I did enjoy the process of reading it. I just had one big issue.

“Eichmann was not Iago and not Macbeth, and nothing would have been farther from his mind than to determine with Richard III 'to prove a villain.' Except for an extraordinary diligence in looking out for his personal advancement, he had no motives at all… He merely, to put the matter colloquially, never realized what he was doing…” - Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil

There is this strange, recurring thing in this book where we are told that the bad world they live in is nobody’s fault. The main character of this book, Wren Darlington, is constantly finger wagging at revolutionaries and both-sidesing issues. We hear her say over and over again how the soldiers in this regime don’t know any better. Even as atrocities happen under their watch. As they carry out orders from their government. As they say out loud that they don’t believe in the humanity of people like her. She forgives them, she befriends them, she sleeps with them… In one of the worst examples, a character is forgiven completely and not challenged when they claim that, yeah they were part of this regime… But they never technically shot the gun themselves. Wren’s sympathy even extends to the very worst members of this regime for no other reason than that they look normal. It feels strangely out of touch with real world events.

I did not care for Wren Darlington as a protagonist. While I believe she is supposed to come across as noble and compassionate, reckless yet still good, she’s just pretty morally inconsistent. Some of her choices and observations about her world/the people around her made me really dislike her. Her impulsivity also makes her seem really childlike.

Silver Elite is billed as a “dystopian romance”, and I think that’s a very interesting — but difficult — combination. While the book is fine as a romance, I don’t think it works well as a dystopian novel. To me, the dystopian elements felt a bit derivative and the politics of the book were all over the place.

One thing I genuinely do like about this book is the telepathy! I liked most of the scenes where Wren was using her powers and how the process was described. There’s also a bit of a “You’ve Got Mail” scenario with a certain telepathic pen pal that I thought was a really interesting element.

Overall, it’s an entertaining read. It’s fast-paced, the plot is engaging, and I think anyone who liked Fourth Wing will really enjoy the military fantasy aspect here. I’ll probably end up picking up the sequel to see where the author goes with the book’s themes.

I think I liked this better than I liked Fourth Wing. I am about to make this my whole personality.

Normally I like spice in my books, but I feel like this could easily hit home with several YA fans if it was cleaned up and what spicy scenes there are were removed. They weren't great, to be honest, and why I am seriously torn between my star rating because it really should be 5 stars, but the spice was mediocre and just did nothing.

Thank you again to the publisher for the ARC. The above is my honest opinion.

Unfortunately did not love this one! It just felt too similar to other books that I enjoyed more and that had more substance and a plot driven storyline.

Dystopian Fantasy Story - Wren has known that she is different, dangerous - since she was a child. When her uncle took her away at the age of five to hide her from those in power - and also to train her on how to control and conceal her abilities. Now in her twenties, she hides her identity as a modified (powers) in a land ruled by primes (no powers). When her uncle is in danger - she goes to the capital where she is then forced into military training program due to her skills (not the powers, but survival/ combat skills). Now hiding amongst people who would end her in a moment, every lie and deception starts to add up.
Not to mention the attraction with her broody Captain Cross. Along with a rag tag group of secondary characters, Wren doesn't know if she can trust anyone, or even who she is anymore. But with an uprising on the horizon, she must find out where she stands.
It gives a lot of divergent vibes - mixed with a K.A Riley dystopian series Thrall - with a dash of some spice. Class systems, sectors, powers, classifications. However it was still easy enough to follow, some things were a little convoluted because there's like 3-4 terms for the same thing, but overall it was a good engaging story that is definitely set up for a sequel.

HOW DO I MOVE ON FROM THAT?

Showstopping. Intense. Captivating. Marvelous. Addicting. Sexy. Action-packed. INCREDIBLE. I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF THIS WILD RIDE.

This was a super binge-able and easy to read book. It made me feel nostalgic for some of my favourite dystopians. I enjoyed the whole telepathic communication and modified abilities idea

However, I didn’t feel very connected to the characters and didn’t really care for or believe the romance. Although this was a fun read, it didn’t feel like anything new or something that I will keep thinking about, and I guessed a certain identity reveal from the very beginning. It will be interesting to see where book 2 goes tho.
Overall, if you’re looking for a fast paced read with vibes from Divergent and Fourth Wing, definitely pick this up!

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Worlds for this eARC.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow! What a way to start my reading in 2025! There were many twists and turns throughout this book that I did not see coming, and some that I did but it came out in an unexpected way. I got really hooked around chapter 5 and truly could not put the book down. My favorites have to be Wren, Cross, and Kaine <3. I cannot get over chapter 46!! Definitely went back to reread that chapter as soon as it was over. The last few chapters were a whirlwind and I’m nervous to see what happens next, but I can’t wait! It was a masterpiece and I’m incredibly grateful to have read this so early!

This book was just so fun and addicting! I was definitely intrigued when I found out it was a dystopian romance. I had a hard time putting it down because the author did such a good job of leaving you to want more at the end of each chapter.

I enjoyed Wren. She was fairly relatable in that she knows what she stands for and has firm beliefs. Some of her decisions may not have been the greatest, but honestly I think she was pretty valid for most of them. She’s very powerful and it does take some acting and a good poker face to not let on that she’s a Mod. Especially since she’s so powerful. There’s a time in the book where she gets away from another powerful Mod that works for the enemy, and honestly the way it went took a lot of conviction and pretend airheadedness.

I really loved Cross Redden. He’s such a hardass, but for a good reason. Honestly, I don’t blame Wren at all for being attracted to him.

Some of the book was predictable, but there was also a twist at the end that I didn’t see coming, which was really great. I am glad that my suspicions were correct on one part because I couldn’t imagine it turning out a different way.

Overall, this was a fun book and a must read if you liked Divergent or Fourth Wing.

This story follows Wren Darlington, who is a modified (someone who has psychic powers that were created due to a biotoxin released) , and lives in Z area hidden among the Primes (those without powers). When Wren decides to be reckless in order to save a child's life, she is exposed to Company (the military organization in this world), and Wren is taken captive and forced to join the program to train for the Silver Block and possibly join the Silver Elite. Wren obviously hates this as it is against everything she is. She must hide who she is while trying to reach out to the Uprising to help the cause of Mods. Her commanding officer, Cross Redden, the son of the General, causes her to confuse herself as she finds herself attracted to her so-called enemy. Wren tries to balance her developing feelings for Cross with her need for revenge and support of the Uprising.

This novel can be predictable at times and the writing isn't earth-shattering, but it definitely is very bingeable and enjoyable. Some of the dialogue was not well-written and flushed out. It definitely brings back the dystopian YA novel vibes of 2010s, which is exciting as this book is an adult fantasy with romance/spice. The book reminded me of a mix of Fourth Wing, Shatter Me, Hunger Games, and Divergent. This was through the division of the people (Mods vs Primes), control of the population by the strict General, special abilities, training in a military school-like program, and falling for the enemy.

I think Tik Tok is going to eat this book up.

I am looking forward to book 2 to see where this journey goes and I will definitely be buying a physical copy for myself.

I was worried when I first started this book because usually I am not into modern fantasy but holy bloodmark! I devoured this book!!!

There are Mods or Elites. Mods are typically killed due to their telepathic powers or at best, sentenced to serve as a “labor slave” and that’s on rare occasion.

Wren, a mod, is not like typical Mods. She’s known she’s been different since she was a small child and her Uncle Jim started training her early on.

However due to some events she has been recruited to join the Silver Elite team. The team that’s created to kill her kind.

She also realizes the hot and sexy man who’s room she ran into the other is none other than Cross himself. Leader of the Silver Elites. Also, son to the general.

Not only does she have to keep her secret hidden in the one place that’s dedicated to hunting her kind, she now has to fight the natural draw she feels for her number enemy.

I truly believe this book will take off in 2025. Such a refreshing concept to modern fantasy. I am already eager to read book 2!

However I do feel the romance between Wren and Cross could have been written better. At first it’s him chasing her and she allows him into her bed with her kickin her out right after. Then it jumps to 2 months later and they’re falling for each other. It’s not till the last 100 pages where he puts in effort or does/says anything to get her to break her walls down. The last 100 pages of Cross is what I want MORE of. This is why I gave the book 4 stars