This book tastes like red cougar - DELICIOUS!!

Living in a dystopian world where modified humans (“Mods”) are hunted, captured, killed, and enslaved because of their unique abilities, Wren Darlington is forced to join the Elite training program to fight against her own kind. As a mod, Wren has spent her entire life in hiding with her uncle, but when a careless mistake gets her uncle discovered by the government they were hiding from, Wren’s life changes forever.

There were so many fantastic aspects to this book - the characters, the writing style, the modified ‘magic’ hierarchy, political intrigue and war, and the unpredictable plot. Set primarily at the training academy, this book is captivating from the first page and completely unhinged in the best way.

Hot tropes:
- Slow burn romance
- Secret identities
- Surveillance
- Dystopian world-building
- Badass FMC

Thank you to NetGalley for an arc!

You know how sometimes a book actually gets worse on the reread? Sad to say that’s Silver Elite.

If you write a dystopian novel, you have to actually build the world. Not just the who/what/where in the present of the book. I need the ins and outs of class, the political system, the history, the “how and why did we get here?” The same is true of the romantic relationship. Especially if you want me to buy into an enemies to lovers arc. Insta lust and the pull of attraction are NOT ENOUGH.

Let me get this part out of the way— Cross is a flat character. Francis doesn’t give us the specificity and texture to the relationship, the build that we need. They just lust after each other immediately and relentlessly. The eventual emotion in their intimate scenes is surface deep. Once (redacted) is revealed, Francis should have switched to Cross’ pov. Honestly, this part might have worked if their relationship arc had all happened beginning/ middle of the book, and then had the chance to deepen once their walls come down.

Now. The PR campaign for this compares Wren to Katniss, but I must protest—Wren chooses her life over the lives of others multiple times in this book. If anything it’s more like Divergent in that it depicts a militaristic society and lacks meaningful historical or political world building. A past war created a toxin that modified some humans—How did the war start? How was the toxin created? When was it clear Mod abilities were genetic? When and how did the rift between Mods and Primes form? General Redden runs the military and the Company, but what’s the governmental structure? If you want answers to any of these questions, you won’t get them. If you’re looking for a better dystopian romance about a capitalist-militaristic society, may I direct you to Kit Rocha’s Mercenary Librarian series?

Wren is yet another example of a racially ambiguous fmc with “bronze skin” who’s preternaturally powerful and all the boys want her because she’s “not like other girls.” She’s not quite TSTL, and yes she’s written as impulsive, BUT. She constantly evaluates and makes decisions with limited understanding that’s only based on what she can perceive in her current context, without further questioning. On the one hand, she’s suspicious of people because of who their parents are, and on the other, she gives the benefit of the doubt because someone has been nice to her. In a different book, her misplaced trust could have been used to comment on the way positional privilege (which she holds as a member of the elite squad) can blind you even when you’re a member of an oppressed group…but this book isn’t that nuanced.

There is just so much wrong with the ethics on display here. First of all, when will we grow out of creating conflict by prejudging people for the sins of their parents? This tangentially relates to my biggest problem which is about accountability: these MCs, they act like they don’t have a choice when they do. Cross is a good guy, because why? He cares about his mom? He sends Mods to labor camps instead of killing them? This is the lowest bar imaginable. Or when his younger half brother, with whom he has a fraught relationship (and who is portrayed as a sociopath but clearly has a tragic backstory that could have made him an interestingly complex character) challenges him publicly to a fight, we should believe his only choice was to destroy him? And feel bad for him about it? Wren is just as bad. She’s constantly performatively questioning herself and then doing what she was going to do anyway. She has this (redacted) power that she claims she doesn’t want and can’t control, but both times she uses it, there’s active effort and the intent to kill. I was continually left with the feeling this book doesn’t understand the concepts it is trying to explore.

And it ends with a cliffhanger that I don’t care about at all.

Have you ever had a book just enthrall you so much that all you want to do is find anytime to read? What am I talking about, of course you have! When I started Silver Elite, it consumed my every waking moment! I began it on an afternoon and when sleep eventually called, I woke up early the next day to continue the binge session. SO. WORTH. IT. I’ve been itching to read a dystopian book and this checked all the boxes for me!

Wren is a ‘mod’ or a human with off the charts psychic abilities. And in this world, you keep that a secret or you’ll get yourself killed! After a run in with a mysterious military guy and some sharpshooting, she finds herself captured by the people she was supposed to stay away from. Wren is given one choice, to join the Silver Elite program where she finds herself in a unique position to maybe take down the regime from within. Here she finds out that the Captain of the program is the military guy she met earlier that evening, Cross.

This was a true enemies to lovers and it’s no wonder I loved it so much! The dynamic between Wren and Cross was unforgettable from that first interaction and that slow burn was soooo epic. Two of my favorite tropes in one book! Their slow-burn romance is perfection. It’s not rushed or forced; it builds gradually, with each interaction adding layers to their complicated feelings for each other. The banter, the trust issues, the sparks flying between them, I couldn’t get enough! I was counting down for that moment when they would finally stop fighting their attraction.

Silver Elite had me hooked from the start, and honestly, I couldn't put it down. The mix of action, suspense, and that slow-burn romance made it an absolute binge worthy read. If you're a sucker for enemies-to-lovers, humans with special abilities and a bit of political intrigue, then this is definitely one to add to your TBR. I can already tell that this is going to be a series I’ll be following closely. I need book two now!

The Hunger Games x Divergent

I ate this up. I had high hopes and I was not disappointed.

Our FMC Wren is a freaking badass, incredibly impulsive, but not to the point that it annoyed me because let's be real sometimes an impulsive FMC can be a real pain. Our MMC Cross may be one of my fav MMC's as of late. He falls first… that gets me every
time.

I highly recommend picking this up, you won't Be disappointed!

Silver Elite was a great, fast-paced, bingeable read. A few times I found myself not wanting to put it down and thinking “just one more chapter”. The unique dystopian world that Dani Francis created was really interesting, and while I consider myself first and foremost a romance reader, the plot had me hooked. I will say, some of the “twists” I saw coming pretty early on but others managed to catch me off guard, and the action and political intrigue kept me on my toes.

I appreciated Wren being a strong and capable FMC who wasn’t afraid to stand her ground on the things she believed in. It was a refreshing contrast from the “small”, “weak”, “meek” female leads that are in a lot of fantasy and fantasy romance.

I also really enjoyed the friendships/relationships Wren formed in the Program—especially with Kaine—despite her internal conflict about befriending “the enemy”. I imagine her distress over these complex relationships will continue to be an interesting point of contention and conflict as the series continues. I do wish we saw more of Wren’s friendship with Wolf, though. The strength of their bond seemed to be more tell than show, and I was hoping to see them connect on a deeper level.

I really enjoyed the romance between the two MCs. I liked the dynamic of the MMC being down bad while Wren tried to resist her feelings/attraction. I also appreciated that even when she gave in, it wasn’t immediately insta-love. They still maintained that it was just physical attraction—even though, as the reader, you can see it slowly becoming more than that.

My only critique of the romance was that it felt a *teensy* bit forced at times—mainly in the latter part of the book. I was really enjoying the slow, steady build of their relationship, and then it somewhat suddenly spiked toward the end and borderline became the insta-love I thought had been avoided. The jump from maybe-sort-of starting to develop feelings to I’ll-burn-the-world-for-you levels of devotion felt a bit abrupt. I wanted to see more meaningful interactions and emotional depth explored on-page before reaching that point—which we started to get in a few scenes, but I felt it could have been taken even further. I wanted to see that slow-burn, palpable tension get dragged out a bit more—especially knowing this will be a (3 book?) series. That said, this was a relatively minor hang-up for me and didn’t detract from the quality of the romance as a whole or from the overarching plot. Again, it’s more of a nitpicky detail—I’m always most critical of the romance/relationships in books.

Overall, this was a really solid read, and I’m looking forward to picking up the sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Worlds for providing me with a copy of this book for review consideration.

Oh my gosh this book was PHENOMENAL! I was completely hooked by the very beginning, and I loved every minute of it! All the tension and angst, the world building, the plot… it was all fantastic!

This book surprised me, I went into it without reading the summary and was pleasantly surprised. A really great dystopian story that is engaging, intriguing, and some spice. Absolutely recommend for those who love dystopian reads. Cannot wait for book 2.

One of the best dystopian fantasies I have read in a long time, this comes in at the level of Shatter Me and considering that is my favorite series that is saying a lot! I loved every moment of this riveting story. The world building was genuine, it flowed and was done so very well. I love intricate world building and that’s what this story delivers.

Modified vs Primes…probably one of my favorites. I love a fantasy with an aspect of physic ability and this is jam packed with it. Do I find the Commands treatment of the Mods a bit hypocritical? Yeah, but that’s what happens with tyrannical governments they use the “enemy” as long as they benefit them. And if they don’t? Exterminate.

Is it really so black and white? That’s what Wren is going to find out and with some of the most unlikely of allies.

Silver Elite by Dani Francis is an absolutely captivating read, blending thrilling action with rich, immersive storytelling. I couldn't put it down and highly recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable adventure! Thanks Net Galley!!!

I found your new favorite book!! And it will be out tomorrow!

Think Divergent - but for adults, mixed with Fourth Wing War college vibes!

"Silver Elite" by @authordanifrancis had me hooked from the very first page! Wren Darlington is living in hiding, concealing her rare psychic abilities while secretly working for the rebellion. When she's captured by the military and thrown into their elite ranks, she's suddenly way too close to the enemy-including Cross Redden, her commanding officer. Their chemistry is so good! but with war escalating, trust is dangerous.

I devoured this book! The writing pulled me in, the pacing was nonstop, and the way the plot constantly had me questioning everything was just insane. Wren is one of the smartest and most intense heroines l've read in a while, and Cross? Just trust me - you will love him!

I need the next book ASAP

If you love dystopian fantasy with high stakes, insane plot twists, and a romance that slowly ruins you, this is one you can't miss!

Thank you Dani Francis Del Rey and Hambright for this ARC!

✨𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆✨

TRUST NO ONE.

On the Continent, being Modified means certain death—and Wren is one of the most powerful Mods in existence.

LIE TO EVERYONE.

Training for Silver Block can be deadly, especially when you’re harboring dangerous secrets and living in close quarters with everyone who wants you dead.

AND WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T FALL FOR YOUR GREATEST ENEMY.

Wren must prove herself to Silver Block, but that’s easier said than done when your commanding officer is the ruthless and infuriatingly irresistible Cross Redden, who doesn’t miss anything when it comes to her.

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

Silver Elite, the first book in Dani Francis’ debut dystopian series, has been compared to Katniss Everdeen. However, this comparison is far from accurate, it is its unique story and appeal that keeps the reader engaged from the very beginning.

The writing style is exceptional, drawing the reader into the story with a sense of immersion. The characters, particularly Wren and Cross, are well-developed and captivating, and their journey throughout the book is both intriguing and emotionally resonant.

While I have many thoughts and feelings about Silver Elite, I’ll refrain from revealing too many spoilers. However, I can confidently say that I was anticipating this book and had high expectations for it, and they were all met. As of now, Silver Elite is a top read for me this year, and I eagerly anticipate the next installment in the series.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved this so much! The dystopian romance sucked me in and held onto me like no other book. I can see the comparison between Silver Elite and Fourth Wing. Dare I say I loved this just a bit more? The action, the romance, the details into the world building? Impeccable.

Dystopian fantasy
Slow burn
Strong FMC
Sci fi meets fantasy romance
Wren is our FMC who is hiding a huge secret that could get her un-alived.
Enemies to lovers
Trust no one, lie to everyone!!!
Such great world and character building, you don’t get lost or bored!

This book is going to bring back the dystopian love. I did not know that I needed more dystopian romance but Silver Elite changed that! Gave me the vibes of the YA dystopian books I loved, while also being completely its own. The writing was well paced and made for a book I did not want to put down. My buddy read group will attest to how bingeable it is. We get political intrigue, an uprising, found family, betrayals, and a sizzling romance. And yes, the romance is a driving force in the story and so good! Lines are blurred on who are the good guys, who are the villains, and what lengths you go to in war. I highly recommend you grab a copy when it comes out tomorrow. I can’t wait to see where Dani takes us in the next book!

Thank you to DelRey for my arc. All opinions are my own.

THIS BOOK!!! Incredible! Amazing! Loved it soooooo much!! I knew from chapter one that this was going to be five stars and it absolutely blew me away! It’s like Divergent and Fourth Wing (no dragons) with a dash of Hunger Games mixed into one incredible debut! This book is non-stop heart pounding action and the most delicious, curl my feet while squealing romance! The tension!!! Just throw a bucket of water on me!

Wren must keep her abilities as a mod hidden or else risk death. When she is unwillingly thrown into the training program for Silver Block, the stakes get even higher as she navigates keeping her identity hidden while also resisting the pull of the irresistible commanding officer. The action, the twists, the complexity and depth of these characters will keep you glued to the page! Trust me when I say you will not want to put this one down once you start! And that ending! Ahhhhh!! The wait is going to be torture!

If you love dystopian romance with high-stakes, a sassy FMC with the skills to back it up, a ruthless but soft-for-her MMC, and sizzling tension, do NOT sleep on this book! I honestly want to already start a reread. It was that good!!!!

Thank you so much to the publisher for the eARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Mark my words this is the next big hit sensation since The Fourth Wing!! If you love dystopian worlds, be prepared to get sucked into this one. Oh my goodness, can’t wait for what’s next!!

Wow what a page turner! I couldn't put this book down. Idk about you but if a book keeps me entertained the whole time it's an automatic 5 stars for me. It felt like I was watching a movie, the world building was easy to follow.

"𝒴𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓈 𝒾𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓂𝒶𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈. 𝐼 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝓇𝒾𝓅 𝒶𝓃𝓎𝑜𝓃𝑒'𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑜𝒶𝓉 𝑜𝓊𝓉, 𝒷𝓊𝓇𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑒𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓇𝑒 𝒻𝓊𝒸𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓁𝒹 𝒹𝑜𝓌𝓃, 𝒾𝒻 𝒾𝓉 𝓂𝑒𝒶𝓃𝓈 𝓀𝑒𝑒𝓅𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓈𝒶𝒻𝑒."

This is the first book in a dystopian trilogy where Wren Darlington, a secretly powerful psychic Mod, must infiltrate an elite military unit while hiding her identity to help overthrow an oppressive government . As tensions between the Mods and Primes intensify, Wren battles inner conflict, growing attraction to her commanding officer, and the high stakes of rebellion-all while risking everything to bring justice from within enemy lines. There were so many "friendships" formed, betrayals and political aspects.

Wren is so much more than a psychic, she has many powers. She is such a strong FMC, I loved how she was so head strong even though Cross, our MMC and her had such powerful chemistry. The end left me with so many questions and I cannot wait to see where this trilogy is heading.

Read if you enjoy:
🕊️ Enemies to lovers
🐺 Adult Dystopian romance
🕊️ 1st person POV
🐺 Secret Identity
🕊️ Tension
🐺 Military training

Thank you so much to the author, Delrey books & netgalley for this eARC. So excited for the next book!

I’m so conflicted about how to rate this book. I found the world and the setting so cool!!! It started with a bang. it was so action packed that i didnt want to put this book down. the telepathy/mind reading powers was really interesting. The program to become part of silver block reminded me of divergent which was really fun!

My biggest issue is the romance. I found it seriously lacking which is so furtstraring because the couple had so much potential!!! the forbiddenness of it all was really appealing. There was definitly attraction between them but beyond that, I didn’t really believe in their love to be honest . The mmc’s replies made me physically cringe at times. I wish their interactions were a lot more romantic. Their relationship was so focused on the physical for so long that it got hard for me to believe in their love when it started to be more emotional.

I’m also conflicted about Wren. I loved that she was a strong character and she was so witty, her clap backs were too good. However, she made some POOR decisions that pissed me off!!! She frequently had thoughts about how the main character was attractive when he’s supposed to be her enemy and these thoughts were there from the start. I wanted to shake her to get a grip😩

That being said, I will 100% continue this trilogy because I’m so invested plot wise!!

OMG!! I loved this book so much! When I was reading I was fully immersed in the story and not getting distracted. It kept me so hooked and I just kept reading because I needed to know what would happen next. I need the next book like air it’s not even funny😭 I’m absolutely obsessed with Wren and Cross!! Their banter and dislike for each other had me giggling and hair twirling🤭 Cross Cross Cross the man that you are and the mouth on him tehe!! Besties do yourself a favor and read this book!!💗

I have had to come to terms in the last year with the fact that fantasy (or in this case, dystopian) that has a heavy romantic plotline isn't completely for me. I think this is a great addition to dystopian/fantasy shelves overall though, and will be perfect for a lot of readers!