First off, I want to say thank you for giving me a chance to read this book early! I know so many readers have fallen in love with this story, so I was excited to see what it was all about. Unfortunately, I couldn’t connect to the characters or story. I know romance was one of the main plots, but I was hoping for more of a dystopian feel! As a dystopian fan, I love when books push the limits on society and what can happen in alternate worlds. I do enjoy romance in books, but feel that dystopians should also focus on the dystopia part equally if not more. I went into the book with the expectation to be completely captivated since it has been marketed as a story with a modern day Katniss. Wren just didn’t have that appeal for me! I’m bummed that this wasn’t my favorite read, but thank you so much again for giving me this opportunity!

Okay. When I say drop everything and read this now, I mean it. DROP EVERYTHING. RUN. READ ITTTTTTTTT. Also, did I say read this book? If I say it out loud, do you think it will work? Feeling incited?

This book is in my top 3 for the year, which says a lot, but not only that, it's probably in my top 3 fantasy series, EVER. We all remember the hold Divergent had on us in our youth, so imagine Divergent with powers (i.e. Powerless series) and then imagine that Four was no longer in a YA book. But thennnn make it unique and unputdownable. This is my new book rec for any time someone asks me. I will have dreams about this book, I will share this book with my kids and their kids and probably have it engraved on my tombstone as to read. You know, to say the least.

I am so happy to have gotten this copy from Dani Francis and Hambright PR, and beyond excited it was a BOTM pick.

Silver Elite is the love child of Divergent and Fourth Wing and I loved it.

Cross is a hybrid of Four/Xaden. He’s a broody asshole until he turns soft for the FMC Wren.

Wren is secretly powerful but acts weak. She’s impulsive, sassy, and genuinely does not care. But she has morals, she’s not a psycho like most the people she’s around. She’s starts training her abilities at 5 years old and she’s been through some shit. So getting into Silver Elite isn’t hard. It’s all the secrets she doesn’t have answers to that has her stuck.

Overall I rated this 3.75/5 stars. I’m very curious to see where the series goes, so I’ll be continuing on to book 2 when it’s released.

Silver Elite is all anyone can talk about, and for good reason. It’s a fast-paced, action-packed, dystopian romantasy with a unique plotline, complex characters, a brutal world, and a scorching hot forbidden romance. Humans are separated into two groups in the Continent: Primes and Modified. The Primes are in power and have hunted the Mods almost to extinction because of their dangerous psychic gifts.

Wren Darlington is a Mod with four psychic abilities, and has been in hiding her entire life because of them. Due to a mistake she makes, she’s taken prisoner by the Continent’s military and forced to become a recruit in their elite training program. Wren is a total baddie. She’s lethal and has been trained to fight, withstand interrogation, and shield her mind since she was 5 years old. She’s also sassy, impulsive, impatient, cunning, and fierce. I love her.

As she struggles to survive training, keep her powers hidden, and ingratiate herself to the Uprising, the rebel group of Mods fighting against the rule of the Primes, she’s increasingly drawn to Cross, her cocky commanding officer. They don’t trust each other, but also can’t leave each other alone, and their chemistry is explosive. There is so much flirting, and banter, and tension, and I ate it up.

I couldn’t put this book down, and stayed up well past 2 a.m. to read it. Mark my words, it’s going to be the new Fourth Wing. Read it immediately. In fact, buy your copy of the first print run asap, because you don’t want to miss out on it.

Thank you to Del Rey, Random House, Dani Francis, and NetGalley for the ARC.

📔Silver Elite
✏️ Dani Francis
📆 May 06, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

READ IF YOU LIKE:
🕊️dystopian romantasy
🕊️illegal psychic powers
🕊️brutal, oppressive government
🕊️elite military training program
🕊️enemies to lovers
🕊️he’s her commanding officer
🕊️secret identities
🕊️lies, betrayals, & scheming

Silver Elite is a dystopian fantasy following a a woman with powers as she is unwillingly forced into enemy territory. This book has several of my favorite tropes, and the romance was the perfect ratio of yearning/spice. While I did find the twists predictable, Silver Elite was impossible to put down. I will absolutely be continuing this series.

I received an ARC from Random House Worlds | Del Rey via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Silver Elite is an undeniably addictive new adult dystopian book that you will want to finish in one sitting.

The concept is what reeled me in: a biotoxin unleashed 150 years ago resulted in genetic mutations in a select few - the Modified - who developed telepathic gifts and whose veins pulse silver when channelling their abilities. There's just one thing: the Continent's government is out to eliminate all Mods. Wren, our main character, has hidden from them her whole life, until an incident leads her into the crosshairs of the military and everything changes. If you love a dystopian setting, you need to enter the world of Silver Elite.

Although it is a dystopian story, the plot is very romance-heavy. If you are looking for intricate worldbuilding or dystopian commentary reminiscent of George Orwell or Suzanne Collins, this probably won't meet your expectations. The dystopian setting is fantastic but, in my view, it is not the main focus of the story. The spotlight here is on the characters and character relationships. If you are looking for a romance/romantasy set in a dystopia, you will absolutely devour this book. Dani Francis writes very compelling and likeable characters, and builds character relationships so so well. I loved getting to know all the characters and seeing the romance develop throughout the story.

I would definitely recommend this book for fans of romance in a dystopian setting.

*Spoiler free*
I have not read many dystopian romance books, so I was unsure going into this one as to whether it would be my thing. I can safely say that it was most definitely my thing! This is one of those books where you truely don’t want it to end. I was sucked in from the very first chapter and I could see why this book is getting so much hype.

Silver Elite is very reminiscent of Fourth Wing, minus dragons and set in a post apocalyptic world. This post war world has two classes of people, “mods” - those who had some kind of mutation that gives them the ability to manifest certain powers. And there’s “primes” the current ruling class who hunt mods and sentences them to either labour camps or death. Our FMC is a mod with the gift of telepathy, who has to go into military school under the guise that she is a prime, and train with the people who hunt her kind.

There are so many twists and turns, betrayal, secrets, hidden identifies that you truely can’t predict what is going to happen. You literally cannot trust anyone in this book, and I think the inability to really foreshadow where things are going is one of this book’s strengths.

The FMC Wren is a total badass and she knows it, she’s also incredibly impulsive and I found her propensity to be like “screw it” whenever she was about to make a reckless decision highly entertaining. The romance between Wren and the MMC delivers, it’s full of tension and the most delicious slow burn. I really enjoyed the snark and banter between Wren and the MMC.

All around I found this to be a really enjoyable and addictive read and I look forward to seeing how the story continues in the next book. If you loved the romance in Fourth Wing and dystopian settings, you must absolutely read this book!!

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀
🕊️Secret identity
🕊️Military romance
🕊️Slow Burn enemies to lovers
🕊️High Stakes
🕊️Forbidden romance

Thanks to @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse @delray for providing me with this eARC.

Although there was plenty to enjoy about this book—a genuinely intriguing premise and a nostalgic return to classic YA dystopians (but with added spice)—there was one major element that completely killed it for me: the characters. Specifically, Wren. She might be one of the most unlikable protagonists I’ve ever read. Selfish, entitled, obnoxious—and somehow we’re constantly being told how amazing she is. It’s exhausting.

Her relationship with the male lead? Just two awful people being awful together. Nearly every character is introduced by how attractive Wren finds them (I wish I were kidding), and unfortunately, there’s just very little emotional or narrative depth beyond that.

I know so many people loved this book, and I really wanted to be one of them—but I just couldn’t get past how much I disliked the characters.

3.5⭐️
3🌶️
Age: Adult 18+

This will be this generations big dystopian hit like the ‘hunger games’ was for me growing up.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an eARC for my honest review.

Unfortunately the main plot twists were predictable but overall I still enjoyed the story. I’m left unsure with who to trust.

I loved the military setting and the powers that modified or aberrations can have. I look forward to reading book 2 and seeing where it goes and exploring the conflict more.

The ‘enemies to lovers’ was sizzling. But was a little cliche for my liking and felt more like instant lust. It didn’t sell itself for me. I honestly might have preferred this without that relationship dynamic.

However, I was hooked the military setting the politics I really enjoyed and I lieb stehe dystopian setting. Good vs evil and the blurred lines in-between during war. What are we capable of when we are faced with life and death?

Fast paced read that has all the vibes needed for a dystopian, romance loving reader. I don’t agree that it feels similar to Hunger Games but I could see how there would be some nostalgic feelings readers had with Divergent. I wish the world was built up a bit more and up front we had more information about the mutations, powers, etc. I’m interested to see where this all goes and how the world/politics continue to unfold. I need more likable characters to be introduced though cause it’s really kind of lacking in that. Wren’s character development also needs to be top notch. I have hope for book 2.

Silver Elite by Dani Francis was absolutely amazing!
This is the best type of dystopian! I don’t think I can quite put into words.
Francis‘ writing is captivating. She knows how to pull the reader into a magnificent and intriguing place.
The story was absolutely engaging and the work that went into the settings was noticeable and superb.
The attention to details in her writing really set the scene and tone.

I literally DEVOURED this book! This book deserves all the hype. I was craving a good dystopian book and this gave me everything and more. So much happened you uncover so much throughout the entire book to get to the ending and my mind was blown. I am in desperate need of book 2 because my jaw was on the floor with that ending. This book gives you all the feels you want in a dystopian book. Ok and Cross may be my new book boyfriend 🤭 definitely would recommend reading!!

Although I don't necessarily agree with the titles used to sell the book, I really enjoyed my read of SIlver Elite over all. I would say it reads more like a spicy divergent than an adult hunger games.

That being said I really enjoyed the romance in the book and how it builds. I also found that although a little predictable, the plot twist was still well done and added lots of intrigue to the book. It was a very fun read and I will be anxiously awaiting the next one.

I am so incredibly grateful to have received an advanced copy of Silver Elite from the author and NetGalley! 🫶

Silver Elite is simply everything! 🥹🫶 It gave me the feeling I got when I read Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros for the first time with thinking with how one day this book is going to become an absolute worldwide sensation! ❤️ If you imagine mixing Fourth Wing and Divergent together you get this incredible story and I love this with my whole heart and soul! 🫶
The worldbuilding was beautiful and I loved it so much that it felt like I was transported to a whole other world and I just didn’t want to leave it! 🥹

Wren is such an incredible FMC because she always stands her ground, never gives up, and is resilient. I absolutely love her friendship with Wolfie! 🐺 It’s seriously the cutest! 💕I also love the side characters a ton and thought they all brought a ton to the overall story. Meanwhile, the chemistry between Wren and the MMC in this book is goosebump worthy with the tension, banter, and the fact that it was so forbidden for them to be with each other! 🤭🔥 I also seriously need book two in my hands ASAP because that cliffhanger had me dropping my kindle on the ground! 🙀😱

If you love dystopian books, Fourth Wing meets Divergent vibes, forbidden romance, secret identity, epic world building, and a book that will bring you on such a wild ride then this is the book for you! 🫶

5⭐️ 3🌶️ 4.5🎧

Relationship dynamic: MF
Tropes/Microtropes/Vibes/Reps:
☢️ Sci-fi/fantasy romance
💣 Dystopian world
⚔️ Enemies to lovers
🙅🏻‍♀️ Forbidden
🎖️ Commander x recruit
🤫 Secret identities

Book Publisher: Del Rey
Audio Publisher: Random House Audio
Narrators: Amanda Dolan
Narration type: solo
Writing perspective: first person, single POV
Standard length (pages): 517
Standard length (time): 19:12
Listening speed: 2.5x
Listened via: Audible
Read via: Kindle
ARC provided by: Del Rey + NetGalley
Physical book provided by: Del Rey | Random House
(Audio purchased by me)

📖 I’ve been excited about this book since I saw it on IG a couple months ago. Coming off quite a few incredible fantasy books and having heard this compared to some of my fav series from youth (Hunger Games, Divergent, etc), I came in with some seriously high expectations… and I feel like Dani absolutely SLAYED!! The plot really took off right from the start and she expertly built the dystopian world for us as our FMC struggled through some very difficult situations. I thought she did a fantastic job showing me instead of telling me and set up just the right amount of knowledge while leaving room for surprises, twists, and turns. The tension and slow burn between our couple was delicious. The life or death secrets surrounding them kept the stakes high and the plot hopping. I absolutely can’t wait for the next book in the series!!

🎧 This was my first time listening to Amanda Dolan, and at first her voice sounded a little sharp to my ear. But once I got into this and got to know Wren’s character, I realized her narration was actually pretty spot on. Wren is bold, fearless, and powerful, so a strong, bold voice is the only thing that makes sense! Amanda also did a great job with the other characters voices, giving unique sounds to our fav side characters and of course the hunky captain.

Silver Elite had me from page one. Poignant, immersive, and so cool.
I think dystopian can be tricky in terms of the balance between world building and character development. Dani Francis did such a great job at keeping the world building informative to Wren and the world around her that learning about the world the story is set in was seamless and left me eager to understand and read more.

My only gripe is that I wish it was longer, or perhaps split into another book so certain scenes/character pairs could've had more time/depth. I didn't find these scenes or characters lacking, more that they would've benefitted from more focus so I could've loved them even more.

Twists and turns that were so fun to understand and wrap my head around, powerful characters, and forbidden romance. My ideal book!

Hooked from page one! I absolutely loved this dystopian! It gave me divergent vibes for adults and I ate it up. Highly recommend this book! It’s worth the hype imo!

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc!

What a fantastic read! I loved the pace, the characters, and the secrecy of everything. So happy to have a dystopian romance back in the hands of excited readers everywhere! I already can't wait for the next one.

WHAT A JOURNEY! hooked,hooked, hooked. New book hangover incoming

HIGHLY recommend to lovers of Fourth Wing, Divergent, Hunger Games and Red Queen- those series had a baby and it’s called Silver Elite.

The dystopian world, enemies to lovers, war college, uprising… CHEFS KISS.

I will say I am an avid fantasy/dystopian reader. This book may be confusing or hard to understand to readers who don’t always read this genre. Things are mentioned with no explanation but you learn as you go as with most dystopian series. Just saying imo it’s not the best introduction to the genre.

CANNOT wait for it to continue!!!

Silver Elite had me sucked in from the very beginning. This book was so well written and thoroughly thought out. I honestly didn’t know what to expect going in since this isn’t my typical genre but I’m so glad I took a chance on it. I’m still trying to gather my thoughts but the gist is: Read. This. NOW!
There’s angst, spice, twists and turns, and just a really beautiful story. I can’t wait to read the rest of this series!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️