FUCK YES. I LOVE DYSTOPIAN. BUT DYSTOPIAN ROMANCE IS A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF JOY!

I absolutely am obsessed with this book. If I had the audiobook for this book, I would’ve finished it in a day. It’s so addictive and the story is so good!!!

Are there parts that are predictable? Yes. I DON’T CARE. I love it so much. I am so in love with Wren and Cross.

✨Dystopian
✨Romance
✨Forbidden Romance
✨Spicy scenes
✨Elite Battle School
✨Uprising
✨Secret Identity
✨Commander/Recruit

THE ENDING HAS ME REELING. I cannot wait for book 2. If you’re a divergent fan, you need to get this book.

Thank you @delreybooks for sending me a copy of the book! It’s a new favorite!

Silver Elite by Dani Francis is a dystopian romance novel with strong elements of action and intrigue. It follows Wren Darlington, a protagonist with powerful psychic abilities, navigating a world where being “Modified” is a death sentence. After a mistake exposes her, she is forced into Silver Block by Cross Redden, an elite training program run by her enemies


The plot was fast paced enough to be engaging but not to leave readers behind. It felt fresh and although you might predict some of the secrets from our protagonist’s past, you won’t be able to put the book down.

The character development for the main character was very good but I think we needed some more insight into Cross as his motivation was non existent. Hopefully this becomes clear on the next book and doesn’t get swallowed up by the romance aspect.

The relationship development was also quite compelling. They were done so well that the final twist is a gut punch. A gut punch we will need a motivation for in the next book. The one given did not fully fit in with what we thought was the character’s development.


The book pushed themes of how society treats those that are different, including the things those people would do to survive. I did have a slight issue with the protagonist’s relationship with the resistance following… Surely there would be some anger towards them?

I did have questions that would hopefully get answered next book. Are there any infinite number of powers and they just haven’t been found yet? Why are some people different? Why are some people stronger? How does a particular power our protagonist shares with someone work. And why did it work that way for them? Is this happening to others around the world? How does someone become this way if neither of their parents are?

The book is in 1st person present tense which works really well because it places you smack bang in the middle of the action as you unpiece this world with our protagonist. It’s single POV which means the only thing we know about the world is from her.



Apart from my earlier questions, the world building was really good. It paints a vivid picture of how this dystopian world is run.

It was a really good read and I cannot wait for the next book

3.25★

main thoughts:
I have a lot of mixed feelings when it comes to this book, I didn't completely suffer through it and there were parts I enjoyed, but I feel like nothing really happened during this book at all😭 wolf’s identity reveal wasn’t shocking cause I already knew who it was from the beginning and the ending wasn’t as suspenseful or earth shattering as I was hoping it was going to be. Everything kinda fell flat for the most part which is disappointing. I feel like maybe I should be rating this lower, but to be fair this book could have also been a me problem because I was very busy while reading it so it was hard for me to stay completely invested, which I feel like slightly messed up the reading process for me.

It wasn’t the worst dystopian book I’ve ever read, but it also could have been more shocking and crazy😭 somehow a lot of things just felt like filler, but maybe that’s just me that feels that way.

characters:
Wren: I don't hate her, but I don't completely love her, I feel like her mindset was really questionable at times and I think she makes some stupid actions, based on the choices she made towards the ending😭 I do think she possesses some unique skills and can hold her own but she needs to work on some things and needs character development tbh.

Cross: Honestly I was not expecting to love him as much as I did, but I wanted to know more and more about him especially towards the ending. Ugh he is still a mystery waiting to be fully discovered🫣 but he is definitely full of compassion and has layers underneath who he is, honestly he's intriguing.

romance:
As far as the romance goes I’m not sure, it’s questionable I found them more cute towards the ending after the reveal, but I also think they needed more interactions and I feel like they both said “I love you” way too quick. I think they still need to work on themselves and the relationship because it is too fresh. They have potential though ngl🤷‍♀️

extra:
Not sure If i should read the next book whenever it comes out in the future or not cause I'm intrigued, but at the same time this book could have been better and I'm not sure If it was a me problem, a book problem or both 😅

thank you netgalley for providing me with a e-arc of this book in exchange for a honest review!!

Adrenaline rush, sweet!

3 Reasons to Read:

1. It’s been a minute since I read something dystopia - and I forget how quickly those pages can turn. Get ready to accidentally stay up past your bed time.
2. If you need your romance with some spice. Hidden identities + forbidden romance - just nom, nom, nom. It feels like a soap opera at some points so please bring your popcorn.
3. You want something you think Hollywood would gravitate to. I feel like they love plots where there are rebellions and uprisings.

3 Reasons to Pause:

1. This is a first in a series. So if you like “closures” vs “cliffhangers” you may want to wait till the next book comes out.
2. You were looking for stunning prose. This book isn’t paced for that level of editing.
3. If repetitive internal dialogue drives you a little crazy.


Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore.

This hits shelves 6 May 2025.

3.75-4/5

After a life time of hiding, a series of stupid mistakes lands a girl in hot water. She's given the choice of a cell or to join the militaries training programme. Sensible person she is, she obviously takes the later choice. Que training montages, some painfully awkward flirting and making fwends.

I finished this a few days again, but have struggled to write a review. Partly this is because I really enjoyed this book. It's written in the same frame as Divergent and Fourth Wing, it's fast paced and the characters are generally annoying, but still likeable. I really enjoyed the world building, and the book could definitely have benefitted from more of this.

I did enjoy the first two-thirds more than the ending though. Towards the back of the book, the FMC makes a bunch of stupid decisions, which I felt went against her character. The last part was also even faster paced, with lots of revelations occurring in quick succession, and I'm not sure if it was all necessary.

Either way, it didn't detract much from my overall enjoyment. It's a good world and a good story, and I'm glad I got to read this ARC before it was released.

Silver Elite by Dani Francis is going to be a massive hit. This book simply consumed me, I could not put it down! I was drawn in from the first chapter and the first run in with the MMC of the story I thought I knew where this book was going I even thought to myself "Okay this is giving like Hunger Games capital vibes maybe Fourth Wing vibes" but I am so happy to be wrong not only could I not put this book down but I am still thinking about it a few hours after finishing. The future this story takes place in is so interesting, captivating and high stakes you can't help but be immersed in the world of primes and mods. There are twists and turns you don't see coming and when they arrive you are left dumbstruck you can tell the author really put a lot of thought into the story line and characters and how everything and everyone flows to create a great reading experience. I love being able to think back and see where the Easter eggs were and how it all comes together and I am really excited for the next installment.

A great dystopian sci-fi/fantasy world with a very captivating story and some interesting characters!

A slow burn romance and lot's of secrets and action. A great debut.

I am completely obsessed with this book and have already pre-ordered multiple copies. It's everything that I love in a dystopian fantasy - drama, secrecy, romance, and characters that kick ass. I am so glad I read it, and I desperately need more!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I read this until my eyes couldn’t stay open, and woke up before my alarm to continue it.

Having caught the attention of the soldiers she absolutely loathed, her Uncle Jim is taken by soldiers for being one of the Aberrant. She recklessly follows them and ends up being captured herself.

Wren Darlington is the newest recruit in the company’s program for Silver Block, under the command of the strong jawed Captain with mesmerizing blue eyes. She must prove her loyalty to the company, but also her captain who is hellbent on breaking her.

Wren must fight her attraction to the ruthlessly cold captain while hiding her powers. Because if she’s found out, she’ll be executed like her Uncle.

Full of fiery tension, betrayal, secrets and espionage Silver Elite is the next dystopian romance you don’t want to miss.

Thank you NetGalley & Del Rey for the e-arc.

Thank you so much to Del Rey and NetGalley for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I'm gonna be completely up front and honest (I mean I always am but right now this is sit-down-we-need-to-talk level of serious). This book low-key now owns my soul. For real. I finished it 3 days ago and I still think about it constantly. I'm contemplating a re-read already. This hasn't happened to me since Fourth Wing (but I don't really think this is anything like Fourth Wing).

Okay, so why am I obsessed? You remember back in the late 2000s, early 2010s when everything was all dystopian all the time? So you're going to understand my reference when I say this book is The Hunger Games meets The Darkest Minds (the latter more than the former). But better than both, because it's for adults. And oh boy is it for adults.

Wren is a Silverblood, or a Modified. Someone who has been changed by radiation of wars long past to now have mental powers (I won't spoil the whole list for you). She's different (I mean of course she is) because unlike every other Mod, her veins on her arms don't turn silver and glow when she uses her abilities. She's living life on her Uncle's ranch, sleeping with the occasional Soldier and tangentially helping the Uprising (the rebel group of Mods fighting their oppression, because of course it's illegal to be different), until one day the Soldiers come and arrest her Uncle for hiding his abilities and desertion.

In her attempt to rescue him, she's caught too, and to prove her "innocence", she's forced into the training program for an elite group of solders--Silver Block. She has to pretend she's "normal", all while fighting a ridiculous attraction to Captain Cross Redden--the captain of the unit and also thr General's son.

You guys, the SWOONING. The danger, yeah, that was a thing. There's a lot of tense moments but I was HERE for the romance and I can't overstate how much I loved these characters. I was genuinely upset when I realized this book doesn't come out until May and I'd have to wait that much longer to see what happens next. 5 out of 5 stars, Dani Francis, and holy crap do you have my attention.

I literally just put this book down and I’m struggling to form words so stay with me! It was an absolute PRIVILEGE to read this book. I am utterly obsessed with the characters and the storyline. I struggled to put it down and did not want to story to end!

Wren and Cross were such relatable and intriguing characters. Their chemistry was incredible and I was captivated reading about them when they opened up about their pasts. I just wish I had gotten to see them spend more time together as a couple.

Silver Elite is an adult dystopian novel and the setting of this book gave me serious Basgiath war college vibes, especially with our main characters enemies to lovers romance!

Going into this book I thought that it was a standalone. About an hour from the end of the book I started panicking because I realised that there was no way everything could be wrapped up so quickly! The ending has me absolutely SHOOK because I did not see the twist coming! I’m actually so glad that this is going to be a series though because I can’t wait to jump back into this world!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Honestly, yes! Solid 3.5.
Divergent meets Mutants?

I really hoped the twist would have been different, like really jaw-dropping (Wolf as Travis IMAGINE?) as I clocked Wolf’s identity in the first chapter. So, a very, very predictable but still an enjoyable story.

Cross personality is a little lack luster and our fmc’s decision to heal her scars felt plot-convenient and a little lazy but I enjoyed the rest of her personality and the story to keep moving forward.

I really think this is YA, as the writing and characters feel extremely young, but I guess the spicy scenes are to make it appealing to older audiences. Would have loved an older or more mature Wren but it’s still enjoyable.
Like chocolate. Always delicious and you know exactly what you get but nothing new or surprising.
But again, don’t get me wrong, very enjoyable!!
I’ll definitely read the next one.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.
This book wasn't for me, a tired dystopian storyline, a series of poor decisions by the main character, an ending that wasn't great, overall the whole plot feels too familiar to many others written since the early 2000s, however it might interest new readers so I'm giving it 3 stars as my younger self (less exposed to this genre/storyline) would have liked it.

**5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️ 1.5**

It’s always hard to finish a book that sweeps you through such a spectrum of emotions—especially when it’s part of an unfinished series. This is the kind of story that lingers, leaving you unable to imagine diving into another world just yet.
The setting is a dystopian future, where the main continent (and the nation our FMC, Wren, lives in) is ruled by an oppressive, oligarchic regime with communistic undertones. The world is sharply divided between two groups: Silver Bloods, whose powers are the result of mutations caused by a toxic war around 150 years ago, and Primes, those without powers. But this isn’t your typical good-versus-evil dynamic. The conflict is complex, with both sides guilty of oppression—Silver Bloods ruled cruelly in the past, and for the last 25 years, Primes have exacted brutal revenge. This gray morality makes it impossible to trust anyone, drawing you deeper into Wren’s precarious reality.

And then there’s the MMC. The chemistry between him and Wren?
*Chef’s kiss* . It’s not quite enemies-to-lovers, but more of a “fascinated by the enemy” dynamic that’s loaded with tension and expertly written. Their dynamic crackles with power plays and mutual intrigue, pulling you in with every interaction.
What really stands out is the author’s fearlessness; especially for their debut novel, this book is stunningly bold, with shocking twists and high stakes that reminded me of George R. R. Martin’s works—no one is safe, and nothing is predictable. It’s refreshing and exhilarating.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes BookTok’s next obsession—it has everything: a gripping plot, nuanced characters, moral ambiguity, and just enough spice to keep things interesting. If you loved The Hunger Games, Red Queen or Powerless, but crave a grittier, more adult take, this is the book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with a free ARC of the uncorrected proof in exchange for my honest review.

Thankyou to NetGalley and Del Rey Publishing.

"The Hunger Games" meets "Divergent" but spicy!

Wren is a "modified". She carries a biotoxin in her blood that nearly wiped out the earth's population 150yrs ago, giving her powerful psychic abilities. And the continent wants to kill anyone like her.
Learning to hide her abilities since she was 5 yrs old, Wren knows how dangerous it is to be caught. So after her uncle, Jim, is captured she makes a mistake that almost costs her life.

Forced to show her loyalty to the General and the company (tyrant and government), Wren finds herself deep in enemy territory at the 'cut-throat' military training academy for the continents most elite soldiers, run by Captain Cross Reddin. And as hard as she tries, he's not letting her get out of it.

This plot line was surprising, the complexity between Wren and Cross was enough to keep it interesting without going overboard along with the excellent establishment of many side characters that contribute to both the development of our main characters along with the plot line.

Slow burn, full of tension, this 'enemies-to-lovers' story will have you on your toes throughout.
Set to be a triology- this is not one to miss!
4.5 stars ⭐️

3.5-3.75/5

This has those classic and nostalgic dystopian novel vibes and that was just so nice. It felt just like sinking back into a world I haven't been in for such a long time but feel so comfortable in. If you're missing stories like Divergent, Shatter Me and a million others from that iconic era of dystopian novels, I would highly recommend this book.

I was so close to giving this a 4/5 star rating, but there were some moments and things that confused me a bit, so it gets the 3.5/5 star rating for that. But the vibes and everything else should be a 4/5.

Our main character, Wren, is trying to take down a corrupt government from the inside. She joins what is essentially their military, but at a very high level. And she has psychic abilities. And she must hide them.

But training is difficult and she has a little too much chemistry with someone she really should not (because he is also in this corrupt government's military).

It turns out this is going to be a trilogy and I am definitely interested in reading the entirety of said trilogy!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

A dystopian saga with elite forces with secret ops pitting magic (mods) against non-magic users (primes)???

WE’RE SO BACK.

RUN to grab this one when it comes out. The undercover missions and subterfuge. Mind connections with a secret boy??? GIMME.

Obsessed and book hungover, I highly recommend

🔥 Silver Elite by Dani Francis: A Wild Ride of Tension, Grit, and Unpredictability 🔥

From the very first page, Silver Elite pulls you into a world of high-stakes rebellion, morally complex characters, and heart-stopping tension.

Wren is a fierce, stubborn protagonist whose resilience and resourcefulness had me rooting for her even when I wanted to shake some sense into her. The dynamic with Cross is 🔥🌶️—all smoldering tension and razor-sharp dialogue, with just the right amount of restraint to leave you begging for more.

What I loved most about this book is how unpredictable it is. Every time I thought I knew where it was going, it threw me for a loop. The pacing is relentless, the stakes are always climbing, and the relationships—both the romantic tension and the friendships—are complex and layered.

But let’s talk about that ending… a cliffhanger that left me dying for book two. It sets the stage perfectly for the next book while leaving enough mystery (looking at you, Wolf) to keep me theorizing for days.

If you love dystopian worlds with a splash of romance, badass female leads, and enough twists to keep you guessing, Silver Elite is a must-read.

Rating: 2/5🌶️ and 4/5 ⭐ (because Wren’s stubborn streak might test your patience, but let’s be real—I’d follow Cross anywhere 😍).

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for this ARC!

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

What an absolute riveting read!
I absolutely loved Silver Elite.From the first page, I was hooked by the thrilling plot and unforgettable characters. The world-building is exceptional, drawing me into a rich and captivating universe where every twist and turn kept me on the edge of my seat. The author’s writing style is immersive, with vivid descriptions that make the scenes come alive.

The characters are complex and multifaceted, with their motivations and relationships evolving in ways that feel both natural and compelling. I found myself deeply invested in their journeys, cheering for their triumphs and aching during their struggles. Dani Francis has a true gift for creating emotional depth and tension, making each chapter feel meaningful.

The pacing is spot-on, with just the right balance of action, mystery, and heart-wrenching moments. Every page left me wanting more, and by the end, I was completely satisfied but also eager for more of Dani's work.

An absolute must-read. It’s an unforgettable adventure that I highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
DNF @ 10%. I requested this because I had seen a lot of good reviews and a dystopian rancher seemed right up my alley. It was, unfortunately, insufferable. I was irritated with the prose, the dialogue, the characters, on every single page. It reads like the characters are characters in an SNL skit. There’s a generic “command” and an “uprising”. The main character is soooo special and powerful and beautiful and a great shot and amazing in bed and I just couldn’t do it. I’ll just reread THG.