My mind can't even wrap around what I finished. A top read of 2025 for sure. This was phenomenal. There are so many amazing releases this month and on this day and this is one that is going to top them all. All the stars! This deserves all the hype and attention. It is phenomenal and I want to read it again immediately.

Trust is an illusion in this cut-throat world of intrigue and subterfuge.

What a thrilling–and chilling–series of unfortunate events! My heart was in my throat as I devoured chapter after chapter. I’d be biting my nails one minute, crying the next, gasping in shock, sitting stunned in disbelief, or fanning my face as the flames of passion ignited between Wren and Cross.

The author was very good at making me feel uncomfortable. There’s so much gray area in the story and no delineation between the good guys and the bad. I was morally and emotionally conflicted at the choices each character had to make and the reasoning–or machinations–that drove them to their decisions.

When I think I had someone figured out, the plot would Inception-style twist, throwing me completely off balance. My gut clenched often, feeling the visceral sting of each and every duplicitous act, as if I were the one being betrayed.

After finishing the story, I'm more confused now than ever. I'm definitely going to need a second book right away. No, Ms. Francis, you can't just mike-drop the last scene and leave us hanging!

I couldn’t put the book down! I was completely mesmerized by the incredible architecture of this fascinating world.

Silver Elite is a dangerous adventure with shifting alliances, uncertain loyalties, and earth-shattering consequences.

100% recommend!

Just devoured Silver Elite by Dani Francis and couldn’t put it down! It’s got mystery, magic, and a badass heroine you can’t help but root for. The supernatural twists kept me hooked, and the slow-burn romance? Chef’s kiss.

First and foremost - marketing did this book a disservice. If you go into this book looking for Hunger Games (which is what the first comp title for it was), then you will be severely displeased. This book is more like Fourth Wing / Divergent / X-Men, and readers who are looking for that, especially those who liked aspects of Fourth Wing, I think might get more pleasure out of reading this book. There is the military/training/secret ops squad aspect that FW and D readers will recognize and appreciate, even though with our politics being what they are right now, I hesitate to recommend that as a bonus for this book. The "powers" that our fmc has are mutations that, I think, originated from radiation exposure hundreds of years ago, even though they're all telepathic powers and no storm-wielding or invisibility (yet). X-Men lovers could get down with that.
Also, to market this book as dystopian seems, to be, to be factual inaccuracy. From writingmastery.com: "Dystopian fiction is a form of speculative fiction that imagines a frightening vision of the future in cataclysmic decline. It presents an end-of-the-world, gloom-and-doom scenario. Dystopia is the opposite of utopia, a place of ideal perfection. If utopia is paradise, dystopia is paradise lost." 1984, Hunger Games, Handmaid's Tale, Fahrenheit 451, Parable of the Sower, etc. These are the classic examples of dystopian fiction, yes? While Silver Elite may hold this description on the surface level, it does not feel like it holds dystopian past this initial "aesthetic."**

**using words the author themselves has used to describe this book and why they wanted to write dystopia**

Within dystopian fiction, there is a necessary sociopolitical discussion that plays at large throughout the story, and plays a central role to the plot too. Politics regularly feature in these stories, especially that of a totalitarian regime meant to control every aspect of their citizen's lives. Again, we have hints of that here here in Silver Elite - surveillance drones, mandated infertility shots, government testing of children, and a few others. However it fails at a larger glance to talk in any meaningful way about the issues with these things, instead relying on implied distaste from the reader, and rather favoring to look more heavily into aspects like the romance between the characters.

Secondly, the "romance..." now, I like spice, don't get me wrong, but at some point it starts to feel forced and gratuitous. And that's what this whole thing felt like to me. The relationship bt the characters feels more one-sided, and another reviewer labeled this as dubious consent. It does certainly straddle a line, and I got the ick major time reading the mmc say some things to the fmc.
Also, obviously, a smart reader is going to pick up on the "twist" pretty much from the first insinuation, and that's what I did. So by the time it happened and the romance plot line developed, I was thoroughly underwhelmed. Maybe it's because I've read too many books like this; maybe this book was full of overdone tropes and character archetypes; or perhaps the writing just wasn't that developed.
I'm leaning towards a combination of all three; the writing, minus the spice, did feel incredibly juvenile. If it weren't for the explicit value of those scenes and the open-door policy, I would think I was reading a YA; the characters all felt so young to me, and I kept having to remind myself they were in their mid-twenties. Likewise, all the characters felt like they were copy/paste from other books.
I described Cross as Xaden and Four in a review video, because honestly that's what he is. Wren is like Violet, but without the chronic illness. There was nothing that felt fresh about them. Even Kaine fulfilled a plot line that was strongly reminiscent of another character from Fourth Wing (NO SPOILERS SO NOT SAYING NAMES).

Then there's the anonymous author. Which IS NOT A BAD THING. We love the intrigue of anons! Riley Sager when he first started coming out was anon. So was JD Robb. And Melissa Blair (at least for marketing, she was). And the theories about who this author could be are fun and time-consuming, and honestly the Threads about this are hilarious.
But Raven Kennedy and other authors have brought up good points about anon authors and the publishing space, raising a point that (not saying that's what this author is) industry plants/industry professionals could hide behind an anon name to publish the stories they want to sell. This way they don't have to go through the vetting process - they can have their storyline, hire a writer, hide the writer behind a pen name/NDA, and publish the book. There's also the concern with AI. Obviously this is something we need to worry about, especially in the publishing/writing space. With the rise of AI models and how these programs and models have farmed writing for hundreds of thousands of authors, how long is it before publishers start using AI to "write" books for them. Forget the NDA or paying a ghost writer (ahem, Patterson), just have a computer write it for you, run it through an editor, spend the money on marketing and packaging that you would have spent a fraction of on an author, and bing bang boom, social media hit baby!

If you've made it to the end of this, brava, give yourself a pat on the back. Long story short - do I recommend this book?...I will recommend it to certain readers I know will enjoy it. But overall, eh, not really. I'll still read the rest of the series bc I am intrigued enough to see what happens next, and I want to know where the author will take this to. But overall, not really. I hope the author, even if they decide to remain anon, is a real person, not an industry plant, and that they continue to develop their writing style! I think there is potential there...as long as they're not a computer.

I really really wanted to like this.
The writing just didn't hit for me. It felt like someone took Fourth Wing and threw it into chatgpt, to make it dystopian.
The fmc was annoying, and good at everything. Which always bores me. I love a character with faults, and room to grow.
The writing was fine. But it kind of just throws you into the world, and uses names and words that are never really explained.
Very meh, the hype around who the author could be is the most exciting part.

A feral, unhinged, breathtaking thrill ride. Silver Elite is everything.

I don’t say this lightly: Silver Elite was an instant favorite. The kind of book that doesn’t just check boxes—it ignites them. It’s sharp, explosive, emotionally loaded, and somehow feels both nostalgic and entirely new. Think: dystopian classics reimagined for a modern romantasy reader with zero patience for slow plots or weak heroines. It gave everything, and then some.

At the center of it all is Wren Darlington, a character I would follow into battle, betrayal, or brunch. She’s not your typical “reluctant heroine.” She’s calculating, scarily competent, and walking a razor-thin line between survival and subversion—and somehow still manages to be funny, vulnerable, and insanely readable. The stakes are real, the danger is constant, and watching her play this long game had me biting my nails in the best way.

Then there’s Cross Redden, the infuriatingly magnetic captain who proves that stoic + sarcastic + secretly soft = literary perfection. Their chemistry isn’t just believable, it’s lethal. It starts out sharp and guarded, but the buildup? The burn? The eventual unraveling of tension into something raw and real? Unmatched.

But what surprised me most was how well everything clicked—the worldbuilding, the pacing, the rebellion politics, the secrets (!!!), the found family elements, and yes, the spice. Every single piece was balanced with intention. Not a single scene felt wasted.

There’s also this underlying ache to the story—this awareness of how systems dehumanize, how power corrupts, and how hard it is to hold on to truth when you’re deep undercover. It gave the narrative real emotional weight beneath the action.

Final thoughts?
If you’ve been mourning the golden era of YA dystopia but wishing it grew up with you, Silver Elite is the answer. It’s fast-paced, unapologetically intense, and completely devourable. I lost sleep over it. I yelled at fictional characters. I highlighted lines like my life depended on it. And I would do it all over again.

Thank you, thank you, thank you NetGalley for the ARC—I already know I’ll be counting down the days to book two like it’s my job.

I went into this as open-mindedly as possible, and I still left really disappointed. Perhaps this comes off of my recent deep dive into excellent dystopian stories, but this felt like someone had no real knowledge of the point of dystopian stories nor a sense of why we read them? I'm sure in its way this will be popular. It's just not for me.

While I was really intrigued by the premise of Silver Elite, I struggled to connect with the main character. She’s impulsive, impatient, and if I’m being honest probably one of the most frustrating FMCs I’ve ever read. The book acknowledges her flaws, which I appreciate, but by the end, it felt like she kept digging herself deeper with every choice she made.

That said, the slow-burn romance was a highlight! The tension between the leads was palpable, and I’d rate the spice around 3 stars. The world-building and plot were strong, especially with the themes of oppression and power woven in—it actually gave me Fourth Wing vibes during the combat training scenes, which I loved.

The humor also landed well for me, especially any scene with Kaine Sutler. He completely stole the show and became my favorite character with his charm and wit.

Overall, while the FMC wasn’t my cup of tea, I was satisfied with the plot and definitely enjoyed the story’s direction.

This genuinely felt like someone went into chat gpt and said "generate me a romantasy like Fourth Wing, but Dystopian" & it feels dystopian even calling this a Dystopian.

I definitely think that romance can exist within dystopian, but what bothers me about this is Dystopian is fundamentally a heavily political genre that exists intentionally to create commentary on the world around us and this quite blaringly did not give a shit about the genre and in fact reads as quite offensive and questionably alt-right at times.

The writing is very bad, the "dystopian" is offensive and simply there for the aesthetic at best, and the romance is also deeply cringe.

I really enjoyed my time with Silver Elite. The world Dani Francis builds is tense, gritty, and full of high stakes drama that kept me turning the pages. Wren is the kind of character I love rooting for, she's flawed, stubborn, and trying to find her place in a society that wants to break her.

That said, the pacing felt a little slow at the start. It took me a few chapters to fully settle into the story, but once the action picked up and Wren’s secrets started unraveling, I was hooked. The dynamic between her and Cross brought just the right amount of romantic tension, and the power dynamics in the Silver Block training kept things interesting.

I absolutely DEVOURED this book! The blurb drew me in and I was immediately hooked by the first chapter. Easily my favorite read of 2025; definitely fills the void if you’re seeking an amazing Enemies x Lovers novel.
Silver Elite, by Dani Francis, is a fast-paced dystopian romance that follows the struggle of power between the Prime (civilians without abilities), and the Mods (individuals with telepathic abilities).
Dani Francis’ world building and plot were extremely easy to follow, especially if this is not your typical genre. The flashback scenes between the FMC, Wren Darlington, and her uncle, Jim Darlington, are helpful in understanding the history of the continent and the relationship between these to significant characters.
Another significant relationship? Wren and Cross Redden. How much can be said without giving anything away?! The tension, the angst, and the lead up to the romance were everything.
I cannot stop recommending Silver Elite to those around me; I will be waiting (impatiently I might add) with my fingers crossed for a sequel.

••••••••••
Thank you Dani Francis, Hambright PR, and Del Rey for the opportunity to read Silver Elite as an ARC. This review and the thoughts expressed are my own opinions.
••••••••••

I've been dying for some new dystopian despite the current situation in this country, and this did not disappoint! Romance, plot twists, 10/10 worldbuilding...this book is EVERYTHING. Every single character including the side ones were just written so freaking well?? I haven't been this invested in a future book since Hunger Games.

The main issue is that this book is marketed as something it is not. Dystopian novels have themes that make social or political commentary and this doesn’t get there. It’s more of a fantasy. While there are entertaining scenes and moments they do not come together to make a story, it’s clunky, it does not flow. The FMC is inconsistent, you really can’t gauge who she is and what she stands for which resulted in me not becoming invested in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

I'm hoping this book brings back dystopian books but this was fantastic. I loved the MFC and her strength. She continues she show herself as compassionate and capable of tough things. Can't wait to read the next one.

this book was ok. there were some far paced bits and other parts that did drag a bit. but who is dani francis? i’m kinda interested - obviously is they wish to remain anonymous, then of course they can - but i wonder if it’s already a known author in the publishing community,

now, i did my dissertation on dystopian fiction. would i say this is entirely dystopian? no. there isn’t the political commentary and “mirror” to society in this book. i would say it’s mainly fantasy rather than dystopian.

the writing was ok, a few errors here and there but i that is because it’s an ARC. but i am still grateful for the chance to receive this ARC.

Silver Elite by Dani Francis is hands down one of the best books I have read this year.

More than 250 years following the Last War that created the Modified, we follow Wren Darlington as she finds herself neck deep in in enemy territory. She has been "recruited" to train to be part of the Command's strongest military force.

Every chapter continued to keep me on my toes.

Through giggling and kicking my feet, to literally standing up in shock, even bawling my eyes out at the revelations through the story.

This world Dani has created will be one that lives in my brain for decades. It is truly a phenomenal read and for anyone that loves a dystopian read.

I cannot wait to see where Wren goes next!

Thank you NetGalley for sending this ARC my way, it was beyond phenomenal

This was like a fever dream. I innocently picked up Silver Elite this morning intending to read for an hour with my coffee. It’s now 9 pm and I feel like I’m coming to after devouring it in one sitting. I know I ate and drank but it was like my kindle was glued to my hands. What sorcery is this? Needless to say I loved it. The drama, the stakes, the romance. Loved. It. Did it have some pacing issues and some less than stellar dialogue? Absolutely. Did it remind me of a certain blockbuster with dragons. Yes. Is it completely unique and groundbreaking? No. But it has that ineffable quality that keeps you invested and turning the pages that so many entries in this genre lack. Did any of that spoil the addictive quality of the story? No. Not one bit. I’m not here to nitpick or make comparisons. I’m only here to say I loved it and I hope we ordered enough copies for our library!

I had the time of my dystopian lover life with this one! My advice is to go into the story for just that- the love of a good story! Don’t overthink it, and don’t analyze it to death and make it a big political dilemma you think you need to decipher. Just ENJOY THE ADVENTURE! The two main characters remind me of Tris and Four’s dynamics in the Divergent series, which I loved immensely. There’s not a huge, drawn out in-depth explanation of the inner workings of this dystopian world, though I honestly didn’t feel like I needed it. Again, go into it for the love of a good story! The side characters were well-developed, and I fell myself getting attached to several of them, even the ones I wanted to hate. They were flawed and multifaceted, so this made them human and relatable, If you’re looking to dive into a dystopian setting with a sci-fi touch… if you love stories about humans with extraordinary powers… if you MELT for a good enemies to lovers… look no further. THIS needs to be your next read! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my arc read. These opinions are my own.
🌎dystopian setting
👮‍♂️elite military academy
🌲creepy dark forest
🧠heightened mental powers
🖤true enemies to lovers


🛑Ps. For the love of amazingly talented entertainment - Stop making everything a political argument!!🛑

This was marketed as a dystopian romance, but it reads more like a shallow fantasy of vibes over substance. The worldbuilding has no depth, the stakes feel manufactured, and the genre’s usual weight is completely missing. It’s all gloss, no grit. I saw someone else say that it is more shallow than a kiddie pool and couldn’t agree more.

The writing itself is rough. Clunky prose, stiff and cringey dialogue, and an insufferable FMC who spends half her time reminding us how hot the MMC is and the other half making irrational choices. There’s no real connection between the leads—just instant attraction with no emotional foundation. And a scene involving dubious consent sealed the DNF for me.

Shallow, unpolished, and painfully underdeveloped. I tapped out early and have no regrets.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a vibe for my millennial heart. I can objectively see why people say that much of the book seems to be pulled from others in the past. I did wish that we knew more about The Company and The Command; actually the world in and of itself. However this was a fun read and I was entertained.