I'm utterly speechless about how much I loved this book. From the synopsis I knew I'd be hooked instantly because I absolutely adore dystopian fantasies, but this is on another level.

Silver Elite is about a world divided by the primes, those immune to the biotoxin, and the mods, those enhanced by the biotoxin, both fighting against one another to come out on top. When a young woman concealing her psychic powers makes a simple mistake and puts a target on her and her uncles back, she is forced to face life in a way she is completely against, as a student in the Silver Block. Not only is she keeping her powers hidden from enemies surrounding her at every corner, but also the infuriating commanding officer who she can't get out of her head.

From the physic powers, to the rebellion and uprising, to the undeniable chemistry between our two main characters; Wren and Cross, I loved every part of this book. The pacing was so well structured as we learn things alongside Wren. It truly had me gasping in shock once we reached the plot twists, to the point that I couldn't put the book down even for a second. Although I had an inkling about one of the plot twists, it wasn't any less exciting once we reached them. The world building, the history, and the character descriptions were so in depth that I truly felt like I knew this world inside out from the get go, allowing the reader to feel less confused at the beginning which was so refreshing.

The tension between Wren and Cross was unbelievable!! The enemies to lovers truly had me giggling kicking my feet at every scene. The subtle glances across the room, the secret conversations in dark corners... it was just a top tier romance with the perfect amount of spice.

Dani has truly thrown us back into the dystopian nostalgia with this debut and I couldn't be more excited for the rest of this trilogy. If you love psychic powers caused by a biotoxin, uprising and rebellion, elite forces with secret ops, found family and banter, a strong female main character and an undeniable chemistry with a commanding officer... then you've come to the right place, because Silver Elite has all that and SO much more.

I'm constantly looking for new dystopian fantasies to obsess over, and I truly believe Silver Elite has the chance at becoming one of the best books of 2025 in its genre.

I love a good dystopian story. So I was excited to pick up Silver Elite. I absolutely devoured it! Dani Francis is a new-to-me writer with a penchant for complex character building that left me on the edge of my seat.

Silver Elite feels like a cross between Fourth Wing and Divergent, with some elements reminiscent of The Hunger Games. With character-driven storytelling at the forefront, the world comes into focus slowly. I felt the whole time like I was seeing from Wren’s eyes and living through this experience with her.

I'm giving this book three stars because I feel there are a couple of big missed opportunities. The first is the lack of world-building. On the one hand, I love the "show, don't tell." On the other, Wren’s limited perspective means I HAVE SO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS. Like what caused the Blacklands? And why do some folks have Bloodmarks and others don’t? What were the training days like for Silver Elite? And why does Wren feel like she can trust all these people? Did they go through things? What things?! And just generally, I feel like the world and even some characters were a bit flat. I craved more dimension. If Wren’s perspective is our main POV, girl needs to be a bit more curious, attentive to her surroundings, and more verbose in her inner monologue.

The second is the absolute randomness of the logic gap between Chapters 47 and 48. I honestly just do not get why Wren does this, what she hopes to achieve, and the point really at all. I’ve re-read the transition from one chapter to the next several times and I feel like I’m missing pages. Like. What?! Also why she did she go from being completely ALL ABOUT protecting herself to literally stripping herself bare OFFSCREEN. And why did she trust a loyalist with her BIGGEST secret?! Obviously I’m still pretty upset about it. Which, again, tells you how good the writing is.

Overall, I’m coming back for more with this one, if nothing more than to hang out with Wren and Cross again! The story ends with our heroine jumping into a helicopter. And with so many unanswered questions, I’ll be waiting with bated breath for the next story in the series!!

Everyone needs to run and pre-order a copy of this ASAP.

This may very well be one of my favourite books I've read this year. I was INSTANTLY hooked. I could not put this down. I can't stop thinking about it.
I've been craving a dystopian story that captivated me as much as the epic dystopian era of my childhood did and let me tell you.... this did that, and more. Think Divergent/Hunger Games but with SPICE that leaves you craving so much more.

I loved everything about this book. The pacing of this story was perfect, little bits of information trickled here and there that made it impossible to put down. The world building was so vivid, I felt like I was right there with them.

The TENSION between the FMC and MMC left me gasping at times. I can't put into words how much I adore the way Dani Francis wrote this enemies to lovers. The romance in this story was top tier. Chefs kiss. I want more, more and more. The SPICE UGH....obsessed is an understatement. Certain lines from the MMC had me absolutely feral.

This doesn't come out until May however, I am SCREAMING for the next book already. I will be re-reading this constantly to fill the void. I can't speak enough praise for this book and will be recommending this to anyone and everyone. I think this will be one of the most talked about books of 2025.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this arc, in exchange for an honest review.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a good dystopian book, but Silver Elite made me want to change that! Admittedly, I went in with a few reservations since a good dystopia novel is hard to pull off. If I could’ve read this in one sitting, I definitely would have!

I won’t go too much into the plot, but I’ll list a few key things I loved in this book:
-Enemies to lovers
-The banter between the Wren and Cross
-The side characters
-The politics
-The constant betrayals
-The world building
-It felt like an original story and not recycled from the Hunger Games era

I did see some of the plot twists coming, but it didn’t make the story any less enjoyable. I really wish this book was already published so that I could read the next book in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me an ARC of Silver Elite!

I’m so happy dystopians are making a comeback! I had high expectations for this, and this book exceeded them. I was hooked from the very first page and my attention was held until the very end. I can’t wait for the sequel - this was a very solid start to the trilogy. The pacing was perfect and the setting was intriguing and vivid. I feel like this series is going to blow up - a must read for sure!

A Must-Read for Dystopian Fantasy Lovers! ✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book absolutely blew me away! From the very first page, I was hooked, and I devoured it in one sitting—I literally could not put it down.The story pulls you into its world where magic, academia, and action collide in the most thrilling ways.

If you love Avalon Tower or Fourth Wing, this book is a no-brainer for your TBR pile. It has all the elements of an unforgettable read: action-packed sequences, a deeply immersive fantasy setting, and a slow-burn romance that will keep you rooting for the characters. The plot twists had me gasping, and the pacing never let up.

For fans of academia fantasy, and magical systems that feel fresh and imaginative, this is a standout. This isn’t just a book—it’s an experience. I can’t recommend it enough!

I love the divergent kinda vibes of this book. Not many book I've read that I am hooked on the first page! The main characters are likeable and the not the so nice people are brilliant too! I cannot wait for the second book, I can't wait to delve back into this world!

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this highly anticipated release!

𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘦 follows stubborn, flirtatious characters in a high-stakes world, reminiscent of 𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘨, with the nostalgia and dangerous edge of 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵. It's an engaging, fresh dystopian page turner with psychic, powerful mind gifts, giving it a pinch of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴.

150 years after a biotoxin severely reduces the population, a war looms between sides of a divided world. Modifieds, who gained psychic abilities, are hunted - murdered or sent to labor camps - by Primes.

Wren Darlington has evaded suspicion of her four Modified gifts, living alongside her uncle since her parents' deaths when she was a child. A poor but empathetic snap judgment decision sets the plot into motion, sending her uncle to his grave and Wren to military training for the Prime's most elite block.

She hopes to play both sides by ascending the ranks to make Silver Elite all while feeding information to the Uprising. The only thing standing in her way, other than fellow ruthless recruits, is her handsome, albeit cocky, commanding officer and General's son, Cross Redden.

While not overly inventive for the genre, this title is exactly what I've recently been craving! It's predictable, and its prose isn't earth-shatteringly beautiful, but I loved every second of it. It has a very bingeable quality, making the 528 pages fly by in the blink of an eye.

The main reason for the 4-star rating is the lack of originality around Wren's character. I had trouble picturing who Wren really is because her archetype screamed "Katniss Everdeen" and "I'm not like the other girls"... except she's literally like every other stabby FMC in the genre of romantasy. There's even a marksman training scene where Wren realizes no one is paying attention to her sniping abilities, and if you've read or watched 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘎𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴, you know exactly what she ends up doing in this scene. I realized where the scene was heading, and I audibly groaned. Automatic one-star deduction for that copycat moment, sorry-not-sorry.

Overall, I'm really excited to recommend this book, and I'm excited for the rest of the series! Be sure to grab a copy when it hits shelves in May 2025.

I really really enjoyed this book. I knew from the blurb that it was right up my alley. I loved this take of a dystopian romance. Overall a solid 4 star read for me.

Early 2000s YA paranormal romance has grown up in this spicy adult fantasy. If you loved Vampire Academy, Shatter Me, and Divergent, but wanted them in the style of Forth Wing, this book is for you.

SILVER ELITE has a military setting, a girl with immense powers she has to hide, enemies to lovers, training sequences, covert ops, a lot of guns, a lot of deaths, fast-paced action, high stakes, etc.

It's 1st person POV, so you spend the book inside the head of Wren Darlington. She's 20 years old and hiding her paranormal abilities. She's the stereotypical tough girl: best shooter, emotionally avoidant, cocky, always has a sassy comeback.

The drive of the story is the romance and action. The world-building, character development, and emotional payoff come second.

TW for sexual assault (off page) and mentions of suicide and suicidal ideation.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey (Random House) for the chance to read and review.

I've read a thousand iteration of this plot. It has all the overused, overly done tropes. It's cliché. It's predictable. But somehow it all works? I don't know why? But it just does? Because I can't remember the last time I stayed awake past 2am just to read a book.

I have to say what I love most has got to be the banter. Wren gives as good as she gets. And the chemistry between her and Cross? Sizzling. I love me those open door scenes. So if you're looking for spice, Silver Elite has some of that.

I had a bit of an issue with everyone just wanting to get in the FMC's pants. Yes I get it. You're gorgeous. You're special. Now stop reminding me.

Like I've said Silver Elite is quite predictable. One of the "big reveals" if you could call it that, I've guessed from the start. Also some of the other "big reveals". The last 10% though was a little chaotic. And I loved it. I resigned myself to not reading the sequel (I didn't think I would miss much) but the last 10% made me change my mind. There are so many more secrets to uncover. Especially when it comes to Wren's parentage and her abilities. And there seems to be a lot more about Mods we don't know about. I also have a strong feeling there's going to be a love triangle in the horizon? Hunger Games style. I won't like it one bit but I just know it's going to be there.

Overall, I think this was a good read. There's something about the writing style that made me want to keep reading. That or I was just in the right mood for this exact kind of book. Whatever the reason I'm happy that I enjoyed reading Silver Elite. It's been a long time since I sincerely felt that way for a new author. These days I've been rereading favorites because I've been picking up and putting down books left and right.

If this book's on your radar I say go for it. And I hope you enjoy the read!

Love this book cover to cover. The twist the turns. New information came you turning pages for more. It's everything you want in a dystopian plot but with a hate you love you romance plot. I need a second book!!

thanks netgalley and random house for the eArc!
This book is literally exactly what you would expect but I enjoyed the hell out of this. It was a fun dystopian with an easy writing style. You will get a set up similar to Fourth Wing, character wise too, with a brush of the Shatter Me world but you make it somehow hornier. But like less romantic. These are the vibes I got.
Know that I love both series and have been itching for some dystopian. If these broad strokes appeal to you then you'll love this story as much as I did.

Silver Elite is the start to a new dystopian series that is reminiscent of Shatter Me and Fourth Wing. The story follows Wren, a secret 'Mod', who has to hide her powers to keep herself alive as she enrols in an elite military academy. What follows is a journey of self-discovery, friendship and romance!

I really enjoyed reading Silver Elite. Although similar dystopian-style stories have been done before, I was engaged throughout. Most of the characters surrounding Wren were easy to root for, although Wren herself sometimes fell into the "sassy main character" stereotype. I felt that the relationship between FMC and MMC was a little bit underdeveloped and relied on instant physical attraction at first. This isn't something that I prefer, personally. However, I am looking forward to seeing how it plays out throughout the rest of the books.

The world-building was good. It was interesting to read about a world where the power had historically shifted several times between the oppressors and oppressed, as this is not particularly common in the genre. Revelations about the world unfolded at a good pace and set the scene well for the next book. The general pace of the story was good, too. Dani Francis was able to create an engaging balance between describing quick training/action scenes and knowing when to skip time.

I would recommend Silver Elite to anyone looking to relive their 2010s dystopian era, or anyone looking for a fun and fast-paced read.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review!
4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2/5 🌶️🌶️

I LOVED this book! I can't wait for it to be published.

Silver Elite is perfect for readers that loved Fourth Wing, Divergent, and Shatter Me. It's a dystopian romance where our FMC, Wren, is one of the most powerful "Mods" (psychics) in existence and is forced into a deadly training program for an elite military group. Forced to hide her powers while venturing deep into enemy territory to aid a rebel uprising, she accidentally starts to fall for the son of her greatest enemy.

What I loved:
⭐️Dystopian, apocalyptic world
⭐️A well built fantasy system that isn't overly complex
⭐️Love triangle (ish)
⭐️Brutal and deadly training program
⭐️All the secrets, deception, and betrayal

What I'm hoping gets tweaked before publishing:
• The slang was so cringy at times. I'm looking at you "fects", "hellfuck", "quat", and "keen" 👀
• I wish I loved her uncle more in the first 10%. A heartwarming story of their time in the Blacklands would have made his character richer than just prickles. He is a bit of a victim of first person narrative - just trust that he loves her, cause damn we did not see it. But hey, maybe she didn't, we didn't see all that much remorse 🤷🏻‍♀️
• Wren and Cross's relationship comes across as lust and surface level for a majority of the book with unimaginative open door scenes that are very skipable, it would have been nice to have seen some depth to their relationship upfront or to have seen conflicting feelings towards Wolf to explain a much deeper relationship/love later

I loved this book so much! Silver Elite by Dani Francis was such a good read! I recommend everyone to read this book as fast as they can because it's really good.

I'm finding it tough to rate Silver Elite by Dani Francis. Is it the most original or perfectly written? No. But did it pull me out of a nearly month long reading slump? Absolutely.

This completely gives Fourth Wing/Divergent vibes, with the whole 'recruited into an elite fighting squad and in love with my trainer and I have special powers' aspect, so fans of that trope will have a good time here. I know I did. The first person present narration is never my favorite, because it always relies too heavily on telling not showing, and I often DNF books like that. But I got hooked pretty quickly and even though it slowed a little in the middle, it was such a fun and quick read that I was compelled to keep going. Like I said, reading slump snapped, finally!

If you've read anything even remotely in the genre before, you'll find this utterly predictable but sometimes, that's just what I need. 3.5, rounding up to 4 for being the right read at the right time.

Wow that was a fun ride! This book was extremely binge-able and I was shocked it’s this authors first book.

We meet Wren Darlington who is hiding her physic ability using all the tools her “Uncle” taught her. She is forced into the most elite training program and her commanding officer just happens to be Cross Reden. The son of the general and the one she can’t take her eyes off of.

This book was exciting, fast paced, and had me questioning where the author was going to take it.

I think one of my only drawbacks is all the men were obsessed with our main character (even if they hated her) which is done in other books and always bugs me.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC!

2 stars ⭐️

Hmmm I had such a hard time diving into this and really getting hooked, which is why it took me so long to finish it. Idk, we’ve just seen the story a million times and this one’s writing and characters just don’t stick

I've been on a big dystopian kick lately, so I was excited when I read this description. It has a great premise, and the worldbuilding is well done, but the romance is a little disappointing. It was still a great book; the characters are great, the suspense had me reading until well past the point I should have gone to bed, and the writing at times was maybe a little bulky but got better the further you got in the book. I would highly recommend it!