4 ⭐️
📚 Release Date: May 2025 (This is 100% worth a preorder)

✔️ Dystopian / Post Apocalyptic Fantasy
✔️ Military Training Program Setting
✔️ Genetic Mutations 🧬
✔️ Forced Proximity
✔️ Forbidden Romance
✔️ Slow Burn
✔️ Steam & Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
✔️ Similar Books: Fourth Wing, Defy the Night, The Prison Healer, The Divergent Series

If you’re into dystopian settings, high-stakes action, and all the undercover drama...highly recommend.

My Overall Thoughts
**MINOR SPOILERS BELOW**

Plot: 🔥🕵️‍♀️
It's giving spy thriller meets dystopian survival. Wren’s undercover mission inside the elite Silver Block gives her (and us) the perfect look at both sides of the war...and the twists? Some are predictable, but others hit hard. Warning: This ends on a cliffhanger that’ll make you want to launch your Kindle across the room 📱➡️ 🧱. (don't, it’s not worth it.)

Characters:
▪️ Wren: Resilient, and totally chaotic. Big heart. Super fierce.
▪️ Cross: Broody, maddening, and magnetic. You’ll love to hate him, then hate to love him. 😤💖
▪️ Everyone else: Good luck keeping track of who's actually loyal and who's about to backstab—plot twists are super twisty. Be careful who you get attached to 😉....

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
For enemies-to-lovers and forced-proximity fans. Wren and Cross are the definition of slow-burn, with all the simmering tension you could hope for. There's definitely insta-attraction / lusty vibes (NOT to be confused with insta-love...this is definitely a slow burn). Solid blend of steam and spice.

Writing Quality: ✍️
▪️ The Detractors: I had a hard time with the first 10% of this book. The writing & character dialogue felt a bit clunky at times, and there were obvious typos (this is an ARC, so maybe it'll get another round of editing). HOWEVER, something completely shifts around the 20% mark..smooth sailing the rest of the way. The enemies-to-lovers and military training camp tropes are executed well, but they’re also very familiar, which makes some parts feel predictable / routine.
▪️ Strengths: You're thrown right into the action. Pacing is solid, and the world-building?👌. The suspense is delicious and will keep you up all night (seriously, don’t start this at 11 p.m.—rookie mistake). 😴

Emotional Impact: 💥💔
Straight-up palpitations 💓. Wren’s fight for survival and the constant risk of discovery had me high-key stressing out 🫠. Action, tension, and just enough vulnerability to pull at your heartstrings.

As a reader of fantasy this book was a great change! Silver elite had me addicted from start to finish the female main character was well-crafted, and I found myself drawn to her strength,resilience and complexity. I also loved that the interactions between the characters in this book were engaging and felt genuine.

The world-building in Silver Elite is easy to understand and the places described are fascinating! making it an intriguing backdrop for the story. I could easily envision the dystopian society in which the characters live and struggle.

One of the standout features of this book is the dynamic between the male and female lead.Their chemistry and their relationship development kept me eagerly turning the pages.

The main plot twist was sweet and tugged at my heartstrings, and the additional twists and turns, I thought were interesting and got me excited to read the next novel.

Overall, Silver Elite is a great read for fans of dystopian romance. Or even just fans of romance. It delivers a perfect blend of strong, interesting characters, a fascinating world, and an unforgettable storyline. It had me shocked, angry, happy but most of all... I was hooked!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5 star
🌶️🌶️ 2 spice
Highly recommended! Thank you Net galley for sending me this Ark Read.

Such a great read, fast paced and action packed.
This is the type of book that is pure escapism and keeps you wondering about what comes next.
Can't wait for the second installment.

I had high hopes going into this and it was even better than I thought it would be! Everything in this book was great. Perfect amount of world building, I wasn’t confused about Primes and Modifieds, and understood how the society was structured. I loved how each character was fully developed, even side characters who were only written in a handful of times. Wren and Cross were fantastic main characters. I was interested in both of them and both of their backstories. Their relationship was complex and kept me invested. And the ending…I need to know more. Such an amazing start to the trilogy, I can’t wait to read the rest!

Thank you to Random House Worlds and NetGalley for the ARC!

I applied for this ARC on a whim because I sometimes I really miss that whole dystopian craze—and that turned out to be a great decision because this one definitely brought me back to the feeling I got from reading those. It felt reminiscent of Shatter Me, while still feeling fresh enough to make me feel like I was reading an original story, and not a recycled one like so many dystopias are now.

I actually ended up enjoying the romance much more than I expected too. Their relationship development was really well-paced and made me genuinely invested in the couple.

I will say, I definitely thought this played i to the whole “I’m-so-special-everyone-is-obsessed-with-me” nonsense, with the way nearly every guy that interacted with her thirsted after her, but in the books defense, would it really be nostalgic of our favorite 2014 dystopian books if it didn’t?

The world building was also pretty easy to follow which is always nice — the biggest question I had is what on earth is a “quat” and why is it their only insult. I would have appreciated more background on the world’s history, but the foundation provided here was solid, and I think the rest will be explained in future books.

One of my favorite aspects was the story’s willingness to take risks: main characters aren’t safe, and there’s plenty of betrayal. This really kept me on my toes, and a few moments genuinely surprised me. However, I did predict one of the major twists about a character’s identity early on — before chapter two, even. Still, the mix of surprises, betrayals, and intense stakes kept it from feeling too predictable.

Another thing I didn’t really care for the number of sex scenes (there were four or five for the record). They weren’t poorly written, but I didn’t feel they were all necessary. For readers who enjoy a balance of romance and action, though, these scenes may be a great addition.

Overall, this turned out to be a really present surprise. It’s a good addition to the dystopian genre and a solid debut for sure, and I’m one hundred percent interested in where the story is headed in any future books!


Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Worlds for providing with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

🅞🅥🅔🅡🅐🅛🅛 🅡🅐🅣🅘🅝🅖: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆~

ARC review ✨
5/5⭐️
1.75/5 🌶️

If you like:
🩶 sci-fi/fantasy
🩶 dystopian world
🩶 enemies to lovers
🩶 slow burn
🩶 top tier plot twists
🩶 uprising/rebellions

Then you will love this book.

I seriously loved this book. I don’t typically read dystopian/sci-fi type books but this was amazing.

I loved the romance in it. Truly gave me butterflies at times! There was spice but it was pretty tame and minimal overall which was totally fine! The tension and romance was enough.

The side characters were wonderful and brought a lot to the story and its overall development.

It was action-packed and engaging. A true page turner.

THE TWISTS. Okay, one I saw coming but even guessing that beforehand, it still had a satisfying reveal. All the other twists, though?! Had me shooketh. Especially the ending.

Holy moly, I cannot wait for book 2!

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Worlds, and Del Rey for access to this ARC!

Well that was everything I ever want in a book.

If One Dark Window and Fourth Wing had a love child with a badass FMC, set in a dystopian world, it would be Silver Elite.

When tragedy strikes Wrens ranch on the outskirts of her small town, she embarks on a journey to save the man who raised her. She finds herself trapped in military training and in a battle of wills with the (hot) Captain of her new unit. But is he who he says he is? Is anyone?

Who can Wren trust when shes spent her life hiding the most dangerous parts of herself. The walls are closing in and she must do what is necessary to stay alive.

I consumed this book in one night. I’m talking 10pm to 4am. I could. Not. Put. It. Down.

Wren gives us strength, attitude, competence and heart. Everything I ask for in a FMC. Cross is just *chefs kiss* gosh I don’t even know what to say about Cross except that he’s taken top Book Boyfriend spot and i don’t know if he’ll ever be surpassed. He’s everything.

The supporting characters are also incredible, full of dimension and just so damn likable.

Twists and turns around every corner make this book hard to put down, paired with the slow burn enemies to lovers and its addictive.

This book had me in a chokehold from page one, it had me kicking my feet and giggling, and it had me on edge: basically everything I ask a book to provide when I pick it up.

I absolutely loved it and cannot WAIT for book two!

Thank you netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

AHHHH I am absolutely obsessed. I absolutely devoured this book. It's giving...shatter me x fourth wing. It's everything I want in a romantasy: hidden powers, slow burn romance, found family, twists and turns, a strong FMC, an mmc down SO BAD for the FMC. I ate it up and wish I could forget and reread it again. This is my top read of 2024 thus far.

This was strong start to the series, it had that element that I was looking for in a dystopian romance. The plot worked well and enjoyed the overall psychic gifts in this. The characters were everything that I was looking for and enjoyed how they worked in this universe. It left me wanting to read more in this series and was engaged with the world. Dani Francis has a great writing style and am excited for more.

4.5 ⭐️ Maybe it was a right book at the right time situation but I really loved this one. Think Basgiath in a world like Shatter Me, the main character (Wren) ends up in a situation right at the beginning of the book that forces her to join an elite military squad that fight against people who developed abilities like telepathy, healing, mind-reading, etc. The only problem is that she’s one of them 😁

The setting is super intriguing and really gave me the same vibe I had reading Fourth Wing. I loved the characters but I felt personally betrayed (twice!!!!!) at the end, tbh I always thought that one character was kinda sus but the other one???? I didn’t see that coming at all

The romance is good but could be better, I felt like they spent more time apart than together and I really wanted to see more of their development. The Wolf thing was a bit too obvious but that’s okay bc I wasn’t expecting much from that either (but I do find this connection suspicious 👀)

Anyway, this book was a huge surprise bc even with high expectations it still managed to surprise me, I can’t wait for book two 😭 Thank you Netgalley & Random House for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review :)

Thanks to NetGalley and Del Ray for providing me with an ARC Kindle edition of "Silver Elite" by Dani Francis, in exchange for an authentic review.

Silver Elite is a gripping dystopian fantasy novel that takes readers into a world where danger, secrecy, and suspense interweave to create a thoroughly immersive experience. Like the Divergent series, it introduces a society marked by supernatural abilities, with strict hierarchies and shadowy power structures, but author Francis manages to make the familiar feel refreshingly unique. At the center of it all is Wren, our fierce and enigmatic heroine, an outsider to her core. She’s not just different—she's different in a way the rulers declare dangerous, and she's desperate to keep those differences hidden when revealing them could mean certain death. Wren's world isn't kind to people with her mental powers, and she must continuously work to remain invisible.

The power structure in Silver Elite is controlled by a massive ruling organization with questionable ethics, prone to using cruelty and manipulation to maintain its grip on society. When Wren is unwillingly forced to their side, her military training team includes a complex mix of fierce rivalries and fragile alliances, which adds to the tension simmering beneath the surface. Relationships are far from straightforward here; alliances shift, and characters often conceal their true intentions, forcing Wren into an even deadlier game of strategy, forcing her to constantly be one step ahead of everyone else as the stakes become even higher.

Then there’s the slow-burning tension between Wren and her superior officer Cross, who is both smoking hot and maddening. The attraction between them is intense, but it's fraught with complications, especially given his position in her direct chain of command. Francis carefully builds this dynamic, infusing their interactions with a charged chemistry that makes you root for them even as you wonder whether such a relationship is even possible, given Wren's secrets and Cross' position in their ruthless world. But Cross isn't just a love interest; he's a key player in a much larger game, and like Wren, he may have secrets of his own.

Wren's quest for survival leads her into a labyrinth of intrigue and deception, and as she learns more about her own hidden origins, the stakes escalate. Though I managed to guess the identity of Wolf early on, Francis surprised me with several jaw- dropping twists that kept me on my toes, revealing that there's far more to this story than meets the eye.

And then, just as the story reaches a fever pitch, Francis drops a maddening cliffhanger. The ending leaves you desperate for more, cursing the wait for the next installment. I found myself completely absorbed, turning pages late into the night, eager to unravel the mysteries surrounding Wren and her world.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Silver Elite, and it earns a solid four stars. Here’s hoping the sequel is on its way soon- because this series has me absolutely hooked!

Omg loved it, just wow. I loved the MMC & FMC so much. Fabulous enemies to lovers, can't get over those twists and turns. A must read!

love love love.
an enemies to lovers slow burn? yes. an enemies to lovers slow burn with this much tension and chemistry? ABSOLUTELY YES.

it gave me divergent vibes, but more adult. the plot twists weren’t really shocking for me as i saw them coming but either way they were super fun so read so it didn’t really matter!

really love dani’s writing style. i would definitely recommend!!

instagram review to follow*

This book is my new obsession. It is a must read book-- I devoured it in one night. For those of you who might be like me and have been craving a book with the EXACT same vibes as Shatter me, Divergent and The Darkest Minds, but adult and with spice, this is the book for you. I cannot emphasize how much I loved this!!

Silver Elite is an adult dystopian book with a FABULOUS enemies-to-lovers romance. Our main character Wren Darlington is a silverblood, also known as a Mod, a subset of the population who was exposed to a toxin and developed psychic abilities. Silverbloods are hunted down by the oppressive Continent regime.

Wren's got some of the standard psychic gifts--telepathy, mind reading, etc.--but has one gift that is so powerful and feared that, if discovered, results in immediate execution. To give a little hint that's not a really spoiler because it's revealed early on... think "orange ability" from The Darkest Minds.

After a devastating event unfolds, Wren is forced to join the Silver Block, the most elite branch of the military. Similarly to in Divergent or the Fourth Wing, Wren then has to undergo brutal training on all styles of combat, classroom education, and tactics to suppress Mods - each recruit is given scores based on performance. All the while, Wren has to conceal her powers in an increasingly hostile environment.

Enter Cross Redden, the Silver Block commanding officer and most importantly the son of the Continent's cruel general. Cross is also ruthless - walled-off, broody, strict, and seemingly heartless/emotionless... Wren and Cross's chemistry is explosive. They utterly loathe each other, especially as Wren continuously breaks the rules and gets herself dragged into his office. Wren is so feisty and doesn't take any crap from anyone, but he matches her energy. Cross literally punishes her so many times and they are constantly threatening each other. Chef's kiss. When the slow-burn lust heats up, seeing Wren start to crack through armor is absolutely delicious. Their banter is also unmatched and I lived for every second of it.

I will admit, I saw one of the plot twists coming the second it was introduced early on and I was so, so excited to see when the reveal would come. When I tell you the last portion of the book had me foaming at the mouth. This is one of those books where both the plot and romance are top-tier, and I just couldn't get enough of it. The writing is immaculate and the story delivers on all fronts. I'll say it again, this is a MUST READ book!!

Thank you so much to Del Rey and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this ARC! 📚