I totally didn’t expect to love this but here we are now. This scratched my dystopian, enemies-to-lovers romance, school/tests/trials itches like 🤌 If you loved The Hunger Games and Divergent when you were younger and want an adult / mature version then here. you. go. I guessed a twist early on and I don’t even care. Genuinely would have been a 5 star if I didn’t think that Wren was so insufferable and makes the dumbest choices. Oh, and it’s a DEBUT and it’s going to be a TRILOGY.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Silver Elite by Dani Francis delivers a nostalgic sci-fi atmosphere that pulled me in right away, reminiscent of the kinds of stories that sparked my love of the genre.

After a deadly biotoxin swept through the continent, society split into two groups: the Primes and the Modified, those born with psychic abilities that are essentially a death sentence.

Wren Darlington is a telepath, trained from childhood to hide her powers and live a lie. But after her uncle is executed, everything changes. Forced to join Command, an organization she despises, Wren is assigned to train for their elite Silver Block unit. Driven by vengeance, she agrees to the role, but her true mission is clear: infiltrate the enemy, gather intel, and report back to the Uprising.

I struggled to connect with Wren at first. Her personality leans heavily into the “I’m better than everyone” trope, and much of her characterization relies on telling rather than showing. While her confidence can be compelling, it often veers into impulsiveness, which sometimes undercuts the emotional impact of her choices. Instead of feeling grounded in conviction, her actions occasionally seem driven by the desire for instant results or revenge. That said, her growth throughout the story became one of the more rewarding elements, especially as her relationships with the other recruits evolved. Even characters she initially clashed with became more compelling as their dynamics developed organically.

The romantic subplots were hit or miss. Wren’s chemistry with Cross didn’t quite land for me, but her bond with Kaine felt far more authentic—and I’ll admit, I’m a little in love with Kaine myself. (He may or may not be my new fictional husband.)

One of the novel’s biggest strengths lies in its side characters and the nuanced way their relationships unfold. Wren’s reluctant role in Command forces her into proximity with people she would never have chosen to trust, but those connections gradually gain emotional weight. Characters like Grayson Blake stood out to me, despite the limited information we get about him beyond his reputation as an exceptional pilot and helped flesh out the larger world.

My main issue with the book was its tone. While marketed as adult sci-fi, it reads more like YA. The inclusion of adult content felt jarring and often out of place. Language like “Hellfuck” pulled me out of scenes rather than adding emotional intensity, and the spicy moments felt more performative than necessary, offering little to character development or plot progression. In my view, the story would have been stronger had it leaned fully into its YA identity.

Fortunately, the final hundred pages helped turn things around. A key letter and a major character reveal delivered emotional impact and tied the narrative threads together in a satisfying way. These moments elevated my overall impression, even if some earlier missteps held the story back from its full potential.

All in all, Silver Elite shows real promise as a nostalgic, character-driven sci-fi that finds its stride in the second half. While not without flaws, the emotional payoff at the end—along with the evolving relationships and memorable characters like Kaine—makes it a solid 4-star read. The academy setting adds intrigue, and I’m genuinely curious to see where the story goes next.

I… i don’t even know where to start. This was honestly such a good read for me that I’m not sure where to begin lol. I am very intrigued with their power structure and how those who have powers get them, and I thought they were well written. I predicted the major twist, but the second twist I was blindsided by. While I would agree that there are some Hunger Games elements, Silver Elite stands up just perfect as its own story.

I need everyone to be so for real right now… this Fourth Wing/Divergent/Shatter Me fanfiction is not it and it’s definitely not bringing dystopia back (but my little dystopia loving heart was hopingggg).

The world building? Lackluster at best. Militaristic regime hates people with powers. Kills them and/or puts them into labor camps. Trite and boring. No information on how they keep this world functioning as well as they do or how many people there are. We spend most of our time in military school (which was so annoying tbh… what do I care about drills? The answer is: I don’t).

The plot? Predictable. Every “twist” could’ve been seen from miles away.

The characters? I’ll give Wren this—she wasn’t entirely insufferable. However, the author reallyyyy gave her nothing. But the nicknames people had for her?! Straight to jail. Every time I saw “dove” or “daisy” or “little bird” I wanted to barf. Her love interest was the most alpha male to ever alpha male. Good at everything. Hot. No weaknesses whatsoever. Except her of course. At least the story didn’t have insta-love. But also his dialogue was so cringey. I physically wrinkled my nose at least 3 times because of his ridiculous lines.

The end? Blehhhh. Soooo cliche. I will not be continuing this series and will unfortunately be judging every 4 and 5 star rating’s reading comprehension skills. Just kidding I won’t look at this page ever again, but man did I dislike this book.

Thank you to the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review…sorry about this btw.

I would describe it as if Divergent, Powerless, and Fourth Wing had an affair! I finished it in 6 hours and considering that I am currently doing my internship as a graduating student! That says alot.

Wren was a very memorable character and the relationship she has with the captain is 💋

This book will have you kicking your feet and screaming! 15% in this book I knew that this book was 5 star worthy! The banter, the pent up tension, the rebellion, secret identity, enemies to lovers and the betrayals. I need the second book immediately.

Silver Elite is one of the best books i’ve read. It is absolutely my favorite book of the year. I was instantly hooked to this story and these characters. I haven’t not been able to sleep from reading in so long. I sat here reading way past my bedtime because I could not put this down. I am absolutely obsessed with this story. I felt the same way reading this as I did while reading some of my all time favorites, so that means this one is up here.

The plot of this was so intriguing. I haven’t read a true dystopian novel in a long time. As i’ve gotten older I haven’t read as many, but if all of them were written like this, it would be my favorite genre. This story had so much plot wise, but also character wise which I loved. This story was intense in the best way. It had high stakes. I loved the trials they went through in order to make it to Silver Block. It was so interesting to see the dynamics of the groups. I just adored everything. I love the modified and seeing all of their powers. Of course Wren is my favorite. She is wicked smart and her powers are awesome. Even without her powers she is still such a badass which I loved.

The characters of this story were some of my favorites. As I just mentioned I absolutely adored Wren. Not only is she such a badass but I really love her perspective and her thought process. She is someone who didn’t necessarily grow up in the uprising, but she was raised by her Uncle Jim to protect herself. I really enjoyed watching her struggle with both sides as she is forced to train for Silver Block while knowing they would kill her if they knew who she was in an instant, while also feeling left behind by the uprising. Her push and pull with her friendships within Silver Block were some of my favorite parts. Along with this, her push and pull with the romantic interest Cross is one of the best things i’ve ever read. This very much felt like a true enemies to lovers in the sense that he would kill you if he ever found out your identity. It was hard reading about her guilt while I found myself so obsessed with their relationship. Cross is so addicting. I couldn’t get enough of him. I couldn’t get enough of them. I loved their dynamic from the start. I just can’t find the words to describe my feeling of this book. I can’t wait for all my friends to read this so I can scream about this story.

Overall, I am so obsessed. The plot and the characters were all so amazing. I loved the family aspects, the side characters, the setting, the writing style. This book was made to be read by me. Target audience achieved. I will read this again and again and again until I have the next one because it was glorious.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for an arc. All opinions are my own.

This book is insane.

Silver Elite is so good, I barely slept while reading it because I was hooked. It's this cool dystopian romancey book with Modified people and Primes, and a very violent Uprising.

Wren and Cross are possibly my two favourite people ever, and their constant push and pull was fun to read. The world building was excellent, and I appreciated the time taken to set the scene with the Wards, Mods and current leaders. The powers that the Mods have were well explained, and it continued to develop throughout the story.

At one point I was cursing the author, but it was redeemed right at the very end - plot twist!

I am desperate for more, I need to know what's happening next and I need to know it right now 🙏

THIS IS MY FAVORITE BOOK OF 2025

You know that feeling when you want to uncontrollably giggle? The smirk on your face is permanently planted like a tattoo? These scenes of banter and showing off. These games of cat and mouse. I’ve never been so obsessed. This feels like something special. Something that hasn’t been done in a while. This is why I read. This is why I spend my life in the pages of books for experiences just. Like. This.

If you’ve ever enjoyed… EVEN SLIGHTLY… Divergent, Fallout, Twilight, X-Men, or the Hunger Games… welcome to your new obsession.

I haven’t felt this excited about a book since divergent and twilight days when all you could think about was getting the next chance to read your book. You stayed up late knowing you needed to go to bed but you just. Couldn’t. Stop. Reading.

I’m pretty sure I blacked out multiple times reading this book out of pure enjoyment and excitement.

I feel like I’ve been searching for this book for the last 15 years… and I found it. And I can’t shut up about it. It’s perfect.

This is a dystopian story that is sizzling with romance, high stakes, and psychic gifts. And the rules of survival are simple. Trust no one. Lie to everyone. Oh and… whatever you do… don’t fall for your greatest enemy.

The twists in this story from page one to the end made me feel like I was on the most exhilarating roller coaster of my life.

I couldn’t put this book down. I read it in two days. And… she’s thick…

150 years ago there was a war that released toxins that made some people “modified” with special psychic abilities… and years later… the modified are at war with the humans who don’t have special abilities.

This book is surprisingly emotional. I love all the characters. I love the depth and layers that they all possess.

“Maybe we can’t change the fundamental trajectory of our lives, but we can adjust the details along the way. It's like navigating an ocean current. We can't change its course, but we can choose which path to take as we flow along with it."

The stakes in this book are like nothing I’ve read before. I was on the edge of my seat from page one. I had no idea where the story was going to go. And I screamed out loud. On multiple occasions.

Also… HELLO PLOT WITH SPICE!!! This story is crazy. Wild. Bonkers bananas. And then… AND THEN… There’s also spice that’s like.. heart pounding inducing. It makes me giggle. It makes me blush. there’s banter and hidden smirks and taunting that’s so delicious I could LITERALLY TASTE IT.

There’s a “look at me” moment that had me needing to be resuscitated.

There’s also like this whole side situation going on that… I really can’t tell you anything about but… it’s my favorite… thing about this story.

When I tell you it’s been so long since it was late at night and I kept saying just one more chapter… just one more chapter…

I’m so excited and exhilarated over this story. The ending had me in absolutely shambles. I don’t really know what I’m going to do with myself until the next book is in my hands.

I’m so grateful for this exhilarating story. It made me come alive. this is what reading is all about. Finding these… absolute gems.

I love love love dystopian books and this one had such a unique story that I knew I was going to love it. I am really pleased I got the advanced copy for this and it's a series I will absolutely read more of! Dani's writing is great and her unique twists and turns and way of pulling you into a story made for a fascinating read!

Silver Elite by Dani Francis
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
5 Stars — Absolutely Consumed by Silver Elite!!

I just finished listening to the audio of Silver Elite by Dani Francis, and I’m honestly at a loss for words — but I HAD to write this review immediately because this book completely wrecked me (in the best possible way). I’m not a professional reviewer or anything, but I know when a story grabs my heart and refuses to let go.

First of all, the narration was perfection — every emotion, every beat of action, every devastating choice the characters made came through so clearly that I felt like I was living inside the story instead of just listening to it.

And the story itself? Silver Elite is everything I want in a book: high-stakes action, deeply layered characters, emotional twists I didn’t see coming (and some I did but still screamed about), and a world that feels real. I’m invested — like, checking-my-calendar-for-the-next-release invested.

I’ve read (and loved) Fourth Wing, but I’m not exaggerating when I say Silver Elite hit even harder for me. The tension, the relationships, the way Dani Francis builds hope and then shatters it only to rebuild it stronger — it’s masterful.

If this is just the beginning, I NEED to be first in line for every future book Dani Francis writes. Publishers, PLEASE put me on the advanced reader list because waiting until release day again might actually be too much for my heart to handle.

In short, five stars. Ten stars if I could. Infinite stars. Silver Elite is unforgettable, and I’ll be talking about it nonstop until everyone I know reads it, too.

#SilverElite #DaniFrancis #BookObsession #AudioBookAddict #FiveStarRead #NeedBook2NOW #AdvancedReaderPlease #BetterThanFourthWing #EpicFantasy #MustRead #BookishLife #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer #FantasyBooks #ObsessedReader

Ok this was fun! If you liked Divergent chances are this will be right up your alley! The story flows nicely just wish there was a little more character development but otherwise loved this and had a really good time reading it! Keeps you turning pages!

Wren Darlington, a powerful psychic hiding from those who want to destroy her kind, is forced to infiltrate an enemy elite training program, where danger and deception lurk at every turn. As she navigates deadly training, secrets, and a dangerous attraction to her ruthless commander, Wren must decide how much she's willing to sacrifice to protect both herself and the world she's fighting for.

I haven’t loved a romantasy book this much since I read Fourth Wing. No literally I couldn’t put the book down, I stayed up until 4 am reading it and finished in one night. There’s something that I just love so much about the hunter versus the hunted trope. Extra points for the fact that it takes place in a training academy type setting. This book gave me Fourth Wing and Divergent vibes in the best way and I loved every moment of it!!

Book 42 of 2025

silver elite by Dani Francis

This book was EVERYTHING!! Five stars (and the rest!!) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Set in a future USA, after several nuclear wars when the population is split into mods (those born modified from radiation and have powers) and the prime (who were born immune to the toxin).
War continues to rage between the two, with the majority of mods either in hiding or enslaved.
The fmc Wren is a very powerful mod, who has lived her whole life in hiding with her uncle who has trained her with weapons and her powers.
After an incident in her town, wren finds herself trapped in a prime command centre and soon fighting for her enemy.
She is chosen to work undercover for the uprising and soon is questioning her loyalties when she makes friendships and bonds she never thought possible.

Thanks to @netgalley for the arc

Silver Elite by Dani Francis is an exhilarating start to a new dystopian trilogy that had me hooked from the very first page. The novel masterfully blends elements of fantasy, romance, and high-stakes action, creating a world that is both captivating and thought-provoking.

The story follows Wren Darlington, a young woman with extraordinary psychic abilities, who must navigate the dangerous political landscape of the Continent. The tension between the Primes, who are immune to a deadly biotoxin, and the Mods, who have developed psychic powers from the toxin, sets the stage for a gripping conflict. Wren's journey is filled with suspense, as she works undercover to take down a brutal government while concealing her powers.

Dani Francis's writing is vivid and immersive, bringing to life the complex characters and the divided world they inhabit. Wren is a compelling protagonist, strong yet vulnerable, and her interactions with Cross Redden, her commanding officer, are charged with chemistry and intrigue. The dynamic between them adds depth to the story, making it impossible to put down.

The plot is fast-paced and full of twists, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The themes of power, trust, and rebellion are explored with nuance, making Silver Elite not just an entertaining read but also a thought-provoking one. The world-building is exceptional, and the detailed descriptions of the Continent's society and politics add richness to the narrative.

Overall, Silver Elite is a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction and romantasy. Dani Francis has crafted a thrilling and emotionally resonant story that promises an exciting journey ahead in the trilogy. I can't wait to see where Wren's adventures take her next!

I absolutely love dystopian books - Hunger Games and Divergent were my favorites when I was young. This gave me all those vibes with a bit more. Definitely an info dump type of book though and I am intrigued so hopefully the next book is around the corner.

Dystopian books are usually hit or miss for me but I enjoyed this one. It took me a bit to get into and there was a brief moment around 25% in that I was feeling a DNF. It definitely gave me The Hunger Games and Divergent vibes but with telepathy and psychic powers. I think fans of romantasy will enjoy the dystopian elements.

The characters were good but not my favorite. There was just something about them that while I enjoyed them I didn’t fall head over heels for them. Maybe because they were all hiding so much I never really felt like we got to know them. The relationships were fun, I liked the friendships and relationships and the added tension of being enemies and on opposing sides literally trying to kill each other. It brought up great moral dilemmas and added a layer of emotion while reading. I will say Wren did take a bit to grow on me, she is reckless to a fault and she would brag about being so great at everything but then whine when she didn’t get her way. It was a bit juvenile especially in such a dire life or death situations but I’m hoping we see some character growth since this was just the first book. Cross Redden was intriguing and I’m glad we got to slowly learn more about him and I liked him and Wren together. I was worried there was going to be a love triangle but thankfully it sorted itself out.

The plot was a bit slow in the sense that I think this book was more of a build up to what’s to come. The storyline really revolves around Wren becoming part of Silver Elite and hiding her identity awhile the war between the Mods and the Primes slowly escalates. The twists and turns towards the end made me keep going and make the last 25% fly by. I did really enjoy the mystery surrounding each character and how they are all hiding something.

Overall I’m definitely interested in reading the next book and think this will definitely be popular. It’s a fun dystopian romantasy and a really solid debut.

This is dystopian fiction, about a society in which people who have been Modified (those who have particular talents such as telepathy) are hunted and killed. Wren is a particularly talented Mod who has been hidden away by her uncle—for her own protection. But when her uncle is captured and executed, Wren is given a choice—live the rest of her life in a work camp, or train as a government soldier. So she becomes an unwilling trainee, until the Resistance contacts her and asks her to work as a double agent. The complication is that Wren has fallen in love with her commanding officer, Cross Redden. How can she love someone who is on the opposing side of this war?
I found many parallels to the Fourth Wing series, and Silver Elite is just the first book of a planned series.

What a beautifully written, overwhelmingly heartbreaking book. I loved everything about it. It gave me divergent & hunger games vibes in the best way and definitely is up to par with both of those. Absolutely phenomenal. 6 STARS. Wren is so brave and unapologetically herself, and Cross is brooding, sexy, and only has eyes for her. I love this book with my whole heart and am so honored I was able to read it before its release!!

4.5🌟 As much as I don't like cliffhangers, this was one hell of a story! It had shades of Hunger Games, Red Rising, Game of Thrones, and Throne of Glass, but it was somehow still very original. I'm not even sure how the author pulled it off, and given this is the DEBUT novel (👀👀👀), I am genuinely pumped to see how the future books in this series are gonna turn out. Seriously, the twists and turns were a delight! 🥳