Actual rating 4.5 ⭐️

This book was so fucking good!!! I love so many characters, but Wren and Cross are fucking awesome!!! I loved their relationship soooo much and they might be my favorite fantasy romance couple after Xaden and Violet. It was so action packed and fast paced that I managed to read it in one sitting as I couldn't put the book down.

That ending had me really intrigued and I absolutely can't wait for book 2!!!

Wowww this was definitely a fast paced and addicting read!
Read this if you like:
🕊️Dystopian setting
🕊️Psychic abilities
🕊️Enemies to lovers
🕊️Forbidden & slow burn romance

This book was definitely a mix of Divergent/Hunger Games and Fourth Wing but maybe a tidbit spicier!
I loved the MMC, Cross, he had so many hidden layers in his personality that I believe we have yet to see! Also he had such a filthy mouth gahhhhhhhh 🥵
Wren was a bada$$ and I really loved that she knew what she wanted!

I liked the world building and the characters as well as their dynamics but at the same time I feel like I wanted more? Idk if that makes sense but I would love some more plot and maybe less romantic scenes to preserve the angst! Also, it would be nice to see more strong side characters.
The plot twist was kinda obvious to me but I still liked it!

This does not end on a cliffhanger but I'll be waiting for the next book to see how things will go!
🕊️🩶🦠

A huge thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love a good dystopian book and this gave it all! Romance, action, a world damaged, it hooked me from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down! Thank you so much for the opportunity to read it! I can’t wait for the next book!

Thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc!

Pre-review:
I haven't been this excited about a book in so long. I have heard such good things about this and it being compared to fourth wing made me jump for joy. I can already tell this is going to be one of those books that keeps me up way too late, unable to stop turning the pages. My expectations are sky-high, and I have a feeling this one is going to live up to the hype!

Post read:
I absolutely devoured Silver Elite! it’s completely addictive. Wren is fierce yet deeply human, making choices that aren’t always right but always feel real. The world is morally complex, with no clear good or bad, which kept me constantly questioning where my loyalties lay. And the romance? Absolute perfection. I loved the chemistry between Wren and Cross the only thing was I was hoping that their emotional connection was deeper before their physical relationship started. Thank you to Del Rey, NetGalley, and Dani Francis for the opportunity to read this phenomenal debut early—I will be thinking about it for a long, long time.

I really enjoyed this book, especially how the world-building was done. It was easy to follow and really helped immerse me in the story. Wren was a strong and confident main character, which made her journey even more compelling. The romance between Wren and Cross was one of my favorite aspects—it was a slow burn, full of tension, and felt incredibly well-developed. While I did guess a couple of the plot twists early on, it didn’t take away from how much I loved the book. Overall, it's a fantastic read that keeps you hooked from beginning

Wow… where do I begin!
From the first couple of chapters I was hooked. The plot was established early on along with the chaos that continued to unfold.
This book gave me all the nostalgic dystopian vibes I have been missing in my adult years.
The MFC Wren was everything I wanted and the slow burn romance that is established within the book was everything! Perfectly executed with just the right about of spice for the storyline.
I can’t wait to see where the story is going to go and find out where the true corruption lies.
I loved the cliffhanger ending, leaving us with more questions and the yearning of this storyline along with the romance of Wren and Cross.
Amazing! Loved every moment of this book!

If sci-fi + dystopian + fantasy had a baby it would be this book.

Felt like I was a teenager again picking up Divergent or The Uglies, but make it adult version.

I enjoyed many of the characters in this book, especially Kaine. I need more of him! Even the evil ones were intriguing too, which is importante for a story to feel fully engaging and not too focused on just the main characters. I appreciated this about the book and hope to see more of the side characters continuing in the series.

I loved the sci-fi and dystopian aspect of this book. This was new for me and loved the modified vs. primes!

Silver elite was a breath of fresh air from the usual fantasy romance books I read. It follows our main character Wren who lives in a dystopian world, Mods are abnormal and Primes are considered normal. Something happens that leads her to be recruited by the very enemies she's running from. I love how within the first five chapters, the inciting action had already taken place which really sets the pace for the book. . Overall I loved how complex the secondary characters are, especially Kaine and Lyydie. Unfortunately I did not find the plot twist to be very surprising, it was very predictable. If you're a fan of Divergent and The Giver, you'll enjoy this book.

Wow, one of my top reads of the year. This book is for fans of Divergent, Fourth Wing, and Shatter Me. The pining, the world building, writing, and character development kept me on edge. I am totally in love with Cross. The plot twists and betrayals kept me guessing. I need book 2.

There’s something tiresome about this book’s relentless pursuit of a stereotype. The cussing, for example, is not there to deepen the tension or add weight to the emotional beats. It is like a checkbox ticked to make the FMC seem like a “badass” warrior, but it doesn’t ring true. It doesn’t serve the plot. It’s just...unnecessary and awkward.

Cross at the beginning of the book is not the same man at the end, and that’s not a good thing. The evolution felt forced, and in the end, I’m left wondering if this character arc really added anything to the story.

The transition from disdain to instant love felt rushed and hollow. A childhood connection gets used as a quick fix to justify the seismic shift in Cross’s character—from a conflicted, hardened commander to a lovesick puppy who’s suddenly ready to risk it all. No buildup, no chemistry, no tension, no yearning.

If you liked Fourth Wing and you’re looking for a “spicy” version of the Divergent formula, this book will probably make it in your top 5 of 2025. Everything about this book feels like it was tailor-made to tap into the current TikTok market, and it reads that way: repetitive, shallow, and almost formulaic.

I am grateful for the eARC!

No notes. Absolutely no notes. This book has completely taken over my life, and I have zero regrets. I’m utterly obsessed, wholly enthralled, and already certain this will be a top read of the year for me. It’s brilliant, utterly unputdownable, and the kind of dystopian read that checks every box—political intrigue, rebellion, a deliciously slow-burn romance, top-tier world-building, and a constant, gnawing sense of who can you really trust?

If you grew up devouring dystopian novels, this will scratch that nostalgic itch while delivering everything you love in more adult reads. Dani Francis has created something special here—a world ruled by Primes who hunt the Modified, an elite training academy where survival is anything but guaranteed, and an underground rebellion waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

At the heart of it all is Wren—reckless, powerful, and so easy to root for. Her abilities make her a target, but she’s spent her life trying to stay under the radar. Until one mistake forces her into the very system that wants her dead. Recruited into the military’s most elite unit, Silver Block, Wren suddenly finds herself in the middle of a dangerous game. And when the rebellion approaches her with an offer to become a double agent, she’s faced with an impossible choice. But the question remains: who can she really trust?

And let’s talk about the romance. The tension. The angst. The forbidden, slow-burn yearning that hurts in the best way. Cross and Wren’s banter is perfection—sharp, electric, laced with both heat and vulnerability. Their dynamic is volatile, charged, and so much fun to read.

The pacing is perfect—nonstop action, high stakes, and plot twists that keep coming. And that ENDING?! I need book two immediately. And let’s talk about the tension. The angst. The slow burn that hurts in the best way possible. It’s absolutely mouthwatering, and I could not get enough.

This is a phenomenal debut and the start of what is sure to be an incredible trilogy. Read this book, it is an absolute must!!

Spoiler-free review: Silver Elite
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

This book was so much fun! I forgot how much I like dystopian stories. Paired with psychic abilities, a competitive military academy, & a lil espionage??? Sign me UP. I adored the characters and their banter. The FMC is hilarious and I love her confidence, even though she doesn’t always make the best choices. The world building was excellent and Francis did an amazing job providing context and explaining the modified system and political tension. You end the book not knowing which side you support which was interesting (and realistic honestly). The entire premise of the different abilities most all stemming from the mind was fun plus the idea of voices being perceived differently through telepathic communication was sooo cool.

While the plot was extremely predictable and the story/tropes seemed a bit similar to others I’ve read, it was still so interesting and I could not put the book down. The writing is super good, especially for a debut! I REALLY loved it and am already SO looking forward to the next book (whew that ending!!!) and I strongly encourage people to check this out in May when it’s released!

Thank you SO very much to @authordanifrancis, @randomhouse, and @netgalley for the eARC - The opinions in this review are left here honestly & voluntarily.

4.75⭐️ I ate this up!! To me, this is exactly what I wanted in an adult dystopian book, think Divergent x Fourth Wing. The FMC, Wren, has to keep her psychic abilities hidden but somehow ends up in a situation where she is literally training to become part of an elite team of soldiers whose goal is to eliminate people like her. Captain Cross, who oversees this training program, gives such strong Four vibes in the best way!

While it can be a bit predictable and is not revolutionizing literature by any means, this book is extremely entertaining with a fast-paced plot, intriguing world, sizzling tension, and eventual romance. Every once in a while I did have to cringe at Wren’s internal monologue, but overall I liked her character, especially that she was actually very competent rather than naive/helpless. I am on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happens in the next book!

Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group for providing a digital Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review!

Dystopian books are so back!!!
This book had me giggling, blushing, you name it.
I loved the world setting and thought the magic system was perfect. The idea of Primes and Mods really drew me in and had me wanting to know more. I stayed up to read this and it had me hooked from the dedication. If you loved Tobias from Divergent when you were 13, you’ll LOVE Cross. This book was fast paced , easy to follow along , and had little plot twists that kept my attention. Every chapter ending with a mini cliffhanger is my weakness because after a few hours i’m finished with the book. If you enjoy a Captain and a girl who stumbles her way to being a recruit, SPRINT to put this on your tbr. This will be the book of the summer.
Thank you Netgalley & Del Rey for the eARC ✨

Rating: 3.75

This book started off really promising, and I loveddd the beginning to about 70% I thought it was so gripping and I couldn’t put the book down. I thought the story was good and the vibes were sosososo good.

Only some have magic or are “modified” and I really liked the magic system which was the telepathy. Though our FMC has more than just one gift and it’s super cool, especially controlling others and their actions, I hope this develops in the next book because she will be one powerful badass!!

70-100% of the story, I just wasn’t sold on the romance and I just wasn’t captivated as much. Overall I did like the characters but I didn’t enjoy the romance as much, I didn’t think the chemistry was there. I felt it more between the FMC and another character actually lol also I love spice but dang these two were going at it (imo) I skimmed through some of that part. Also the MMC called her “dove” wayyyy too many times (imo, respectfully).

One of the twists is really obvious which I didn’t mind at all. I didn’t see the second twist at the end though, that one surprised me and I wanna punch that character 👊🏻

I will be reading the next book whenever it comes out because I am genuinely curious how the story will progress.

*thank you to NetGalley and Penguin House Publishing Group for the arc
**blurb taken from Penguin’s website

What this book is about:

In the first book of a sizzling dystopian romance series, psychic gifts are a death sentence and there are rules to survival:

Trust no one. Lie to everyone. Hide in plain sight.

And whatever you do, don’t fall for your greatest enemy.

Twenty-year-old Wren Darlington is not your ordinary Mod. She’s one of the most powerful in existence.
But her world is divided. On the Continent, being a known Modified means certain death, as the Primes—those immune to the biotoxin that nearly wiped out the population 150 years ago—want nothing more than to eliminate those who were enhanced by the toxin and developed psychic powers.

Wren has survived all these years by concealing her abilities and keeping a low profile while doing what she can to aid the rebel Uprising in fighting against the Primes’ oppressive rule. But one careless mistake places her in the crosshairs of the Continent’s military, and she is forced to join their most elite program: Silver Block. Unwittingly, her enemy has given her—and the Uprising—the perfect opportunity to strike a devastating blow from inside their ranks.

That is, if she can keep her powers hidden, survive training, and prove herself to Cross Redden, her cocky, maddeningly attractive commanding officer.

Despite the explosive chemistry between them, Wren cannot let Cross get in the way of her mission. But as war rages between Mods like her and those who aim to destroy them, emotions run high and secrets are revealed, forcing Wren to decide how far she’s willing to go to protect herself . . . and how much of the Continent is worth saving.

I did not think I would enjoy this book as much as I did.

It has been sitting on my TBR since November.

This will absolutely be one of my top reads for the year.

I loved the FMC, she was strong, willing to do what was needed, but also empathic.

I loved the tension between Wren and Cross. It was so well done.

The book had a few twists and heart-stopping moments, you will need tissues for at least 2 chapters.

It has its moments of predictability but not enough to take away from the book.

The ending has left me on edge. Do we trust the uprising??

5⭐️
(ARC review) — Thank you to author Dani Francis and their publisher Del Ray. I received an Advanced Reader Copy for the May 2025 release of 𝘚𝑖𝘭𝑣𝘦𝑟 𝐸𝘭𝑖𝘵𝑒 in exchange for my honest review. Oh man. WOW. Dani I see you. What a debut novel! If you loved Hunger Games or Divergent. This dystopian series is gonna be for you! Dare I say, I felt some Fourth Wing vibes??!! I just love a book that makes me even remotely feel the way I did while reading Fourth Wing for the first time. I have a feeling this book may be the next big craze. This book checks the boxes for Romance, Spice, World building, Action, Uprising and Survival. I was completely glued to the pages and couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait to see where the series goes; waiting for book two is gonna be torture! My fantasy peeps… mad dash {yup, sprint} to add this one to your TBR!!!!!!! You’ll thank me later! 👏🏻

Holy moly this book just became my new current obsession. If you were a Divergent/Hunger Games girlie in your teens, Silver Elite is about to be your new adult Roman Empire. This fast-paced dystopian thriller had me hooked from page one. I absolutely loved Wren—her spunky, reckless, and impulsive nature made her an instant favorite. The love story? Absolute fire. Chef’s kiss. Everything about this book was perfection, and now I’m sad because I have to wait for the sequel. Please, let the rest of the series be just as good! I’ll be recommending this to all my friends. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I really wanted to like this one based on the premise but I just found myself bored and it fell flat. The pacing was just too slow and it read very YA but with spice. It was frustrating that the MC was immature and didn't think through her actions.

A spicy Divergent set in a dystopian world with forbidden love! The way I absolutely ate this book up!

🖤Commanding Officer x Recruit
🖤Enemies to lovers
🖤Slow burn
🖤Secret identity/hidden powers
🖤Rebellion
🖤Telepathic/Psychic abilities

This follows Wren Darlington and she is a modified (basically someone with psychic/telepathic gifts) and they are being hunted and executed. Wren is extremely powerful and has rare abilities. She is a strong and smart mouthed FMC, but intelligent and I just absolutely adored her!

When Wren makes a mistake her and the only person she’s ever cared for are compromised. This puts all enemies eyes on her and she’s recruited into the military’s most elite unit Silver Block. Just because you are recruited doesn’t mean you’ll survive the trials to actually join. Wren is approached by the uprising and she’s found herself as a double agent..but who can she really trust.

Her commanding officer Cross is making Wrens task all the more difficult, not only is Cross her commanding officer he’s also the generals son. The man responsible for the slaughter of her kind…or is he? The tension and angst between these two is mouth watering! Cross may know her better than she can ever begin to imagine though.

The political intrigue, the unique power, the lies and betrayals in this book had me continuing to turn pages because I could not put this down!! It was fast paced, you didn’t know who you could trust, when the slow burn started burning it had me screaming out loud! I did guess some of the plot twists but the author kept me second guessing myself just enough to where I wasn’t entirely sure.

I could not believe this was Dani Francis’s debut novel, I truly never would have guessed. The writing was phenomenal and the storyline was everything I could have asked for! Just read this, it’s an absolute must for all dystopian lovers

Thank you so much to Random House and Dani Francis for allowing me to read this pre-release in exchange for my honest review.