Thank you to the publisher for the eARC to read, however unfortunately I have found myself DNFing this book and nobody is more disappointed than me about it. I’ve had so many mutuals raving about Silver Elite with ample praise so I had been highly anticipating a new favourite read of the year, so I’m definitely gutted that I’m not able to join in on the hype.

From the very beginning I found myself struggling to connect with the writing style/prose from the author with the stilted dialogue and character interactions that had me cringing and wanting to roll my eyes at times. Wren, the FMC, comes across and arrogant and impulsive with an unwillingness to actually listen to her peers with more experience in the Uprising than she did. She refuses to slow down and actually think things through which causes complications that other people are expected to clean up on her behalf. Wren also seemed to cling to an obsession and toxic regard to the kind of men that she’s supposed to hate, yet can’t seem to help but note their physical attractiveness as she lusts after them. The emphasis on just how “strong and skilled” she is in combat felt like too much without the actions to back up those claims. I just couldn’t connect with her character at all and consider her a likeable main character to root for in a rebellion.

I’m begging authors to please pick a different scent to associate MMCs other than “pine, leather and some sort of spice” because there are a ton of other options out there to choose from. How a man smells should be the least of my concerns when reading a book… but when men in multiple books by multiple different authors all describe them smelling the same… it becomes generic and predictable. Cross himself read like a generic ‘alpha’ main character. He was fine, but I didn’t feel like I was experiencing anything new and noteworthy. I immediately predicted his identity from the second that Wren’s mysterious childhood friend came into the story early on through telepathic communication, so I just didn’t find myself enjoying Silver Elite as it lacked the tension and suspense that I was looking for.

Something else I struggled with was the lack of clear indication when communication transferred from verbal to telepathic. Usually in a book a change in dialogue will offer a clear indicator such as being written in italics… or literally anything to avoid confusing the reader. The swift change into telepathic communication wasn’t clear to me at all from the beginning as I found myself having to backtrack and figure out what was actually going on.

I’m really sad that this book hasn’t worked for me and my tastes. I can definitely see *why* it’s becoming a huge favourite for readers, it’s just unfortunate that I’m not going to be one of them. I feel bad rating a book I never finished with 1 star as maybe I would’ve liked the second half more than the first, so I’ve settled on 2 stars as a middle ground.

Silver Elite is a book that as soon as you start reading you know it’s going to be so good....then you get to the half way point, you just want to put it down forget everything and start again just to relive every moment and that’s before you even know how it’s going to end!

Dystopian books have always been a favourite type of genre for me to read, so to have those feelings brought back to life reading Silver Elite makes me so happy, this book is amazing. The story is gripping and the writing instantly pulls you in keeping you on the edge of your seat trying to work out what is going to happen and who you can trust but like it says trust no one and that is so true when you get to all the twists and turns that unfold throughout.

The slow burn romance between Wren and Cross is everything, I was living for every interaction between these two and it certainly develiverd. This is the type of thing I love to read about the gradual development of a romance that gives you all the tension and then for it to pay off in the best way possible makes it worth the wait.

This book really is phenomenal and has the perfect balance between plot and romance, action and twists and turns. I cannot wait to have the second book in my hands. Highly recommend. 

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for opportunity to read and review this book before publication, these are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Silver Elite is a dystopia romance, following Wren as she infiltrates her enemy's elite program: the Silver Elite. She meets the mysterious Cross, her captain who she seems to have a strong connection with.
I was put off dystopians about 10 years ago when I finished a certain popular trilogy and was disappointed by it's ending - since then I've really avoided picking them up. But, I am so glad I picked up Silver Elite - I think it's healed my dislike for dystopia stories! I was instantly hooked and intrigued by Wren's story. I really love the romance between Wren and Cross and can't wait to see more of them in the next book. The world and powers were really interesting and I can't tell where things are going in the next book. I don't know who Wren should trust but I love being along for the ride.
And I had forgotten how good these kind of series can get at the end of a book - that anxious, heart pounding end when you know everything is going to wrong but you just need to keep reading to see what happens. I felt that and loved it, even though I now need the next book and have no idea when it'll be out.
I loved Silver Elite and highly recommend, especially if you're a fan of dystopia romance!

This is one is for the girlies that grew up during the 2010s dystopian YA era! And I am so here for it!

amazing !!! I’m obsessed like actually wow I can’t believe I put off reading this for so long. The concept of this book was insane I’m in love with everything about this book. Cross Redden !!!! Wren !! ahhhh I love the characters so much. loved the plot twists, just can’t wait for the next book!! wolf & daisy

A fast paced dystopian read which kept me wanting more!

I go through phases with dystopian but I had heard that Silver Elite was very action packed and pacy so I decided to give it a try, and I’m so glad I did. The dystopian element is almost more of a backdrop for the story than part of the plot itself - for this book, I get the sense that it will become more central to the story as the series continues.

The characters were engaging - I did work out who Wolf was immediately, but there were plenty of other twists and turns, and it didn't negatively impact my experience to have worked it out already - and I enjoyed getting to meet a variety of people from across her world as the story progressed. Some of the decisions Wren had to make were impossible, and I felt this was dealt with in a realistic (and difficult for her) way.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Silver Elite and I’m excited to see where the series goes next! I can see why people are saying it gives Fourth Wing vibes because it has that same addictive, I-finished-this-in-one-go energy. Definitely one I would recommend to anyone who enjoys fast paced romantasy.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for this eCopy to review

Silver Elite by Dani Francis is a thrilling dystopian novel that had me hooked from the very first page. The story follows Wren Darlington, a young woman living in a world where being "Modified" means possessing psychic abilities, which is punishable by death under the current regime. Wren has spent her life hiding her status and supporting the Uprising in secret. However, after a fateful incident, she finds herself imprisoned and forced to join the government's elite training program, Silver Block, under the watchful eye of the enigmatic commander Cross Redden.

The plot is packed with action, political intrigue, and a simmering romance that adds depth to the story. Wren's journey is one of survival, resistance, and self-discovery as she navigates the dangerous world of the Primes and the Mods. The tension between Wren and Cross is palpable, and their dynamic keeps the reader guessing about their true intentions and feelings.

Francis has created a rich and immersive dystopian landscape that feels both familiar and fresh. The societal divisions and the history of the biotoxin that led to the emergence of psychic abilities are well-explained and add layers to the narrative. The story moves swiftly, with plenty of twists and turns that kept me engaged. The last hundred pages, in particular, are filled with shocking revelations and cliffhangers that left me eagerly anticipating the next instalment in the trilogy.

Silver Elite is a compelling start to a new series that fans of dystopian fiction will surely enjoy. The blend of action, romance, and political intrigue makes it a must-read for anyone looking for their next great adventure.

I would give this 10 stars if I could. I am loving the dystopian resurgence and this does not disappoint.

Set In a dystopian version of our world where a biological weapon has mutated some of the human population so that they now have mental powers and are now hated by the ‘primes’ unmutated humans. A truly bleak and terrifying dystopian authoritarian world is created in this story.

Enemies to lovers but he doesn’t know she’s the enemy. Wren and Cross's relationship is steamy perfection. The twists and turns this book takes have me counting the days already to book 2.

Silver Elite! Wow, wow! Wow! That's my review, okay? I'm joking, obviously, but when I tell you I finished this book literally half an hour ago and was like okay I need to write the most unhinged review because I'm absolutely feral for this story. It's a god tier read for me, all the stars, in my top books of the year, I mean the whole shebang!

I honestly think it's best not to know too much of the plot because when I tell you, this book had me dry eyed manically reading till very early hours in the morning like I was telepathically communicating with Wren and Cross Redden themselves, literally shouting at them whilst simultaneously covering my eyes.

The world building is phenomenal, I've seen people say this is like a mash up of Divergent and Fourth Wing, and it's not. It's better, I said what I said.
The Dystopia, The Mods v Primes, The psychic powers vs. soldiers, the incitement! Ahhhh, the plot just plots! but let's talk about my gal Wren. Wren is out here purposefully failing tests, so people don't know how powerful she is! I mean, come on!!! She's a bad ass. Sarcastic and Cocky as hell I loved her.

Cross Redden is rude, grumpy, and also sexy as hell! I swear, every time he called Wren Broken Dove, I swooned harder. He gives off so much I hate you, but I want you energy, and I was so here for it. The forced proximity, the tension between them both sign me all the way up!

I could genuinely be here all day talking about this book, but if you like dystopia, politics, all the drama, and just a book you can completely obsess over, then this is for you. Please talk to me about it once you've read it. Please!

Summary

Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

Spicy rating: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5

Trust no one is absolutely right!
Oh my days the twists this book took especially towards the end practically gave me whiplash. What just happened?! I need book 2 like now 😫

Dystopian Romances are well and truly back my friends and I am so grateful! This gave all the nostalgia of reading books like divergent for the first time but with a fresh and more adult feel to it. Absolutely obsessed with this book and no idea how I’ll cope with waiting to find out what goes down for Wren next!

The characters were interesting and well written and definitely had me engaged in their stories and journey and not just our MCs but side characters as well! Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out… bam 💥 another double cross! Seriously no one is safe 😅

Nothing is ever as it seems and I really loved the undertones of how no one side is wholly right when it comes to war and how awfully grey and muddy everything becomes, even when you think you’re doing what’s right the lines become blurred so quickly.
It was depicted especially well through this slow realisation reading Wren’s POV.

It was face paced and will keep you turning pages long in to the night and past your bedtime but just hold on to the handle bars and just run with it

Yes there are probably a few bits I could nit pick about but honestly this book was such an enjoyable ride I’m not sure why I’d bother.

I've been on a roll with debut fantasy authors lately and this is another corker!

Psychics hunted for being different, through no fault of their own, a rebellion to oust a corrupt leader (sound familiar!), intolerance of those deemed different, a dystopian world which may just be a place we know very well that has succumbed to climate change and civil unrest. This is a brilliant mix of action/adventure/science fiction & romantasy.

Where most fantasy worlds feel a bit samey, Silver Elite said "hold my beer" and gave me a world that resembles Earth but with a few added extras, name changes, etc but enough similarities I can kind of track where we are in "the real world". The world building in complex and there are lots of big themes handled so well. There are some tough scenes and I'll admit I wanted to hit things a few times when it looked like things were going pear-shaped but everything kind of worked out - even though I'm now standing on the edge of an almighty cliffie!

Wren is by turns annoying, funny, pragmatic, world weary but always, always deadly! She may have to hide her "light" under a bushel but there is no way that can last long because this girl is just too good! It's also nice to see some equality and she is the one who sneaks out of a morning!

Cross really puts the enemy in enemy to lovers! He can be ruthless, determined and downright scary but "things" put it in perspective and between him and Kaine, you won't be short on eye candy.

There are complex relationships all over the place, new friendships, allies won and lost and no small amount of treachery. I did have a wobble on the big reveal of Wolf but I'm glad to say I was right in the first instance. There are side characters aplenty who really fill out the MC's as characters and I was cheering them on through training but be warned - sadly one of my fave's doesn't make it to the end and I was big mad for a while!

TW: Murder/death/war/bigotry/discrimination/alluded to SA/drugs/mental illness & institutionalisation

A MILLION STARS.
THIS WAS SO GOOD, I AM GONNA WRITE THIS ENTIRE REVIEW IN CAPS.
BEST HEROINE I HAVE READ IN A WHILE.
WREN WAS BADASS AND KIND AND STRONG AND ACTED LIKE A NORMAL PERSON. UTTERLY RELATABLE.
UM XADEN RIORSON, WHO? WELCOME CAPTAIN CROSS REDDEN. HE IS THE MAN.
OMG, I LOVED HIM.
POSSESIVE, SMART, AND A CINAMMON ROLL.
THE PLOT? LOVED IT. DYSTOPIAN MEETS FOURTH WING SANS THE DRAGONS.
TWISTS AND TURNS. GREAT SECONDARY CHARACTERS. VERY VIVID UNIVERSE AND AMAZING WORLD BUILDING WITHOUT BEING TIRESOME TO UNDERSTAND.
LOVED THE ENDING!!!!!! BUT I WANT MORE.
ALSO, THE PACING WAS EXCELLENT, I WASN'T BORED AT ALL, NOT EVEN FOR A MOMENT.
GREAT SPICY SCENES, AWESOME SLOW BURN. GREAT BONDS BETWEEN THE CHARACTERS, AWESOME CHARACTERIZATION.
YUP, I DONT HAVE A SINGLE BAD THING TO SAY ABOUT THIS BOOK.
JUST KICKING MYSELF FOR NOT READING MY ARC SOONER.

This book is bound to be a favourite of the year for a lot of people! I absolutely loved the first 25% or so and literally did not want to put it down when I started it. The setting the scene and build up of the tension and world building was done brilliantly and had me hooked straight away. I did find the story started to drag a little around half way and it lost some of that magic for me here although I still did enjoy my time reading. This is a great dystopian debut novel with fantastic world building and tension. Its definitely one that I cannot wait to dive back into when the second book is released

The dystopian YA revival we didn’t know we needed—but are now quietly obsessed with.
If you were a teen in the 2010s living off Divergent, Legend, or Shatter Me, may I introduce you to your adult self’s new fixation? Silver Elite has that unmistakable energy: high stakes, shadowy governments, and one girl who might just crack the system—only this time, she’s not reluctantly special… she knows she is, and she’s worked her whole life to earn it.
The worldbuilding hits that sweet spot: immersive without turning into an infodump. There’s tension, there’s verve, and there’s just enough backstory to make you feel like this society really could exist. (Though let’s be honest—I’d take a spin-off dossier any day.)
And then there’s the MMC. He knows he’s the MMC. The energy is dangerous swagger meets morally grey—he's on the enemy's side, but good luck convincing my brain to care.
Add to that side characters who feel like real people (not cardboard plot-movers), and you’ve got the start of something solid.
Bring on the next installment—I’m emotionally invested now.

OK.. I am very very sorry for this review, because I genuinely thought this would be a favourite of the year.. and yet after the first 1/3 it turned into a heap of editing and plot disasters that tanked it to an utter disappointment.
The dystopian premise, the heroine who is strong but also sensitive, the moral dilemmas... all started really well. And then.. once she enters the military academy.. all ruined.
Wren could have been such a combination of powerful heroine that has to hide herself but also try to use some of her powers for her people all the while avoiding the rest which can be destructive and murderous.. instead she turns up to be completely impulsive, thoughtless and in the end utterly stupid. Like,..see a motorcycle and decide to grab it and ride away while being monitored in a highly lethal military camp and when you are already lucky to have escaped with your life? Who in good sense would go and reveal the tattoo that puts a target on their back and makes them enemy no 1 for a murderous regime, after years of concealment and when their closest family member trained them for years to hide and died to protect them? Just to.. what? Prove misguided loyalty to a guy who should already know her precarious situation as he is in same place and who never asked or would appreciate such an act of utter idiocy? Or the reasoning " they will not see it where it is".. when she is in a training academy and goes into common showers, common missions... I mean privacy in these cases is known to be non-existent?
She is also one of the most morally hypocritical characters I have seen.. she swears over and over she will not use her lethal powers no matter what, then when she is threatened she does so without a second thought, out of choice, not out of lack of control like the first time.. and it would be Ok if in her inner monologue she proved she has acknowledged from the start that she understands she will cross that line to save herself and people she wants to protect. But no.. she remains obtuse to her own flaws.. goes on to tell her comrade "don't worry, I am a nice person, I would never harm anyone, trust me!".. I found that so completely hilarious.. like the scorpio that lied to cross the river and then bit.. nature always wins.
The romance.. so problematic. I can appreciate the allure of the "dark broody matcho instructor" but in the beginning he was like a Xaden bad copycat, and then the whole attutide towards her, a student, was borderline cringey and unacceptable given their difference in power dynamics and position. As for their sudden love declarations and the supposed connection that they are revealed to have.. such a copout. It could have been left for their relationship to develop given their backgrounds and despite all the issues between them, but suddenly they know each other and have been in love for years... when nowhere before is it even implied that he is nothing more than a friend to 'Daisy".. and if he loved her and she loved him, then it makes the way they behaved in real life even more cringey.. you love another woman but basically stalk and borderline abuse power over your student,.. then try to get closer to her as "feelings" develop? Like.. no?
And the mess that became the plot in the end. Wren is so clueless and yet behaves like she knows more than seasoned seniors.. she just looks stupid. She kills Jade- a plot point that offers zilch to the story other than proving that she will kill when threatened.. but then Cross, at a time of high security risk when everything would be in close scrutiny and alert as their leader was.. you know.. murdered.. is able to visit her in her cell with ease, breaks her off with no difficulty, then they go galivanting and stealing military supplies and vehicles unstoppable.. even if he is a high ranking officer noone is that unscrutinised and it is all totally unbelievable.
I can see why people are taken in by the story, premise and the outward allure of the story and characters..but apply a critical mind to it and it all crumbles. Most will not and it will be a massive success.
I am really sad as it had so much promise. I will probably give the next a chance just in case the redeeming qualities of the first patch up the rest of the disaster.

DYSTOPIAN IS THE NEW BLACK IN 2025

And Dani Francis absolutely rocks it!

I fell so hard for this book! The plot, the vibes, the romance and just the right amount of naughty naughty!

I adored ever second … could not put it down! And guys …. It’s out in just 4 days!

Thank you so much to @delrey for the netgalley arc I DEVOURED!

Oh my goodness, this is incredible! I’m absolutely hooked and can’t wait to read more from this amazing author.

This was a very bingeable book with an easy writing style and a storyline that was reminiscent of 2010’s dystopian novels (very much Divergent vibes). It’s a great debut that drew me in and kept me wanting more, even if it was a little predictable.

Silver Elite is a dystopian story with a heavy focus on the romance, romantasy fans will enjoy this but I wish there had been just a little less romance and more depth to the world building and a clearer underlying message which is expected in the dystopian genre.

The story follows Wren, who must hide her psychic powers at all costs, as these are outlawed and she will be killed on site if discovered. She finds herself in the most dangerous place she could, turned spy for the rebellion training to become one of only a handful of members of Silver Elite, the best of the best in the military and the team responsible for the deaths of so many of her people.

Wren is a reckless strong minded woman and is definitely a character to root for, despite some of her less than smart choices. The tension and banter between her and Cross was excellent, I actually wish this was drawn out a little longer for a true slow burn to keep that on your toes tension. It did fizzle a little once they gave in to their feelings which is a shame. There were some fun side characters introduced throughout, I always enjoy a found family story and the complexity of Wren’s feelings about befriending her enemies added an extra element to the dynamic.

The one big thing that stopped this from being a higher rated read was the language style which felt quite juvenile to me. In particular the choice of having Wren focus so much on everyone’s attractiveness as a way to give character descriptions when for me she should have been so much more focused on the severity of her life and death situation and the use of certain slang words also pulled me out of the story. It has a fairly predictable storyline but I didn’t hate this, as I enjoyed going along for the ride.

Despite my niggles with it, I had a great time reading this, it was very much a ‘for the vibes’ fun read and I am very much looking forward to the sequel.

3.5 stars but I will round up to 4 because it is a very impressive debut!

In a market currently saturated with Romantasy books this was so refreshing and different. I read this in two days because I could not put it down! Excellent world building pulled me in from the start.

Some of it was very predictable and I saw nearly every twist coming but I still enjoyed it immensely. I did feel the last 100 pages felt a bit rushed but I am excited to see where the story goes.

amazing !!! I’m obsessed like actually wow I can’t believe I put off reading this for so long. The concept of this book was insanely good, I’m in love with everything about this book. Cross Redden !!!! Wren !! ahhhh I love the characters so much. loved the plot twists, just can’t wait for the next book!! wolf & daisy🥹🤭