I absolutely loved this! It's been a while since I've read a dystopian book and I must say this was like the best parts of the hunger games and divergent with other unique aspects all together. It's an adult book so the relationships were complex and intimate. Characters had depth and mystery and the interactions between them invoked so many different emotions. I found the background story so interesting and the world was gradually developed in an engaging way. There were several plot twists, some of which I had an inkling but others came out the blue. Absolutely recommend this to anyone who loves, dystopian, fantasy, romance, politics and mystery. There was a bit of everything.

Thank you to Del Rey for an advanced copy through Netgalley.

Silver Elite drops us into a gritty dystopian world through the eyes of Wren, a Modified who’s spent her entire life hiding her true identity and abilities. But after a reckless decision lands her in the Military, Wren is forced to train to become one of the elusive Silver Elite—a path that comes with danger, secrets, and an inconvenient attraction to her Commanding Officer, who also happens to be the General’s son.

One of the things I loved about this book was the world-building. The power dynamics were so well-thought-out and explained in a way that made everything click. Following a war over 150 years ago, a biotoxin split humanity into two groups: the Primes, who were immune, and the Modified, who were enhanced by it. I appreciated seeing both perspectives—how Modified once ruled with cruelty while Primes were oppressed, and how now, the tables have turned. Modified are hunted down, their powers seen as threats, regardless of intent. It’s a brutal but fascinating world. I especially loved the details—like the silver veins that appear when some Modified activate their powers, while others, like Wren, don’t show them outwardly.

Unfortunately, this is where my love for the book ends.

The writing and pacing gripped me for the first 30%, but by the time I finished, I was left confused. While this is billed as a New Adult dystopian, the dialogue and character behavior felt much more YA. (And let me say, I will defend YA forever—but it just didn’t match the tone or themes I think Francis was aiming for.)

I expected the training to be the focus of the book, but that phase wrapped up surprisingly quickly. By 70%, Wren was already off on missions, and I was left feeling like I’d missed a huge part of her growth. The pacing felt off and rushed.

Then there’s Wren. She’s introduced as this incredibly skilled, dangerous, and trained-since-childhood survivor. But she also makes choices that are so baffling I wanted to scream. Two, in particular, made me lose all faith:

1. She willingly lets a healer erase the scar that’s been her only protection from being discovered as a Modified. Why?! She knows how dangerous the world is—she’s seen the torture, death, and experiments.
2. She fully trusts a Prime girl she’s known for all of three months to keep her secret. No backup plan. Just… trust.


These moments didn’t align with the strong, calculated character we were told she was. I genuinely couldn’t stand her. I was really hoping that we get some good development by the end of the book, but sadly I saw very little.

I also didn’t connect with the romance. Her Commanding Officer was written to be this brooding, intense figure—but nothing about him really stood out. Their chemistry just didn’t land for me. And the “big” twist involving him? I saw it coming before he even entered the story.

I debated whether I’d continue the series, but honestly, there just wasn’t enough here for me to feel invested. That said, I know this book will absolutely find its audience. It just wasn’t for me.

2025 is when we bring back dystopian, isn't it? Because what the hell is this so good and entertaining for if not for the big comeback!!!
Okay. Wow. I'm genuinely SO. SURPRISED. that this was just SO GOOD.

Welcome to the world forever altered by the release of a DNA changing toxin back in the day. That event, now more than a century in the past, helped create the so called 'Mods': new sub-species of humans with telepathic abilities and sometimes other, more dangerous gifts, too. However, after power was taken over by the Company, Mods are either hunted down and executed or forced to become slaves to the new system ruled by Primes (humans without altered DNA).

'Silver Elite' is a fast-paced (but not too much so which is an advantage, IMO) dystopian sci-fi novel that introduces you to a Mod FMC that isn't great at everything but what she is great at, she excells at. That, on itself, is refreshing. Wren is terrific and spunky, she's also introspective which is a rarity in majority of popular books these days. You want to be her but you'd also make the same mistakes as her. She is a DELIGHT to follow and root for as she's just relatable. The romantic aspect of this story is also something that starts off as your regular run-of-the-mill romance in a romantasy but then it changes course and it ends up surprising you, not only evoking blush in the cheeks but a more emotional connection to the couple, too. It is delightful through and through. The side characters spice things up, the alliances, the shaky friendships, the gruelling training sessions the characters are subjected to in order to finish their training and get to Silver Block (or Elite, in some cases). There's never a dull moment but the quick pacing doesn't overshadow moments when you, along with Wren, stop and ponder, doubting the fairness of one's actions in the name of something greater than the doers. So therefore while it is an entertaining read, it doesn't shy away from the heavier topics which I appreciated. I pulled half an all-nighter for this one and this doesn't happen with just any story.

Last but not least, while I guessed/suspected what one of the bigger reveals in this would be, the other one was a fantastic surprise and I have to say it got me GOOD. I love it when it gets me good. ;)

Yup, the hype is real and do join the bandwagon. Y'all will thank me later. <3

Silver Elite is a book that as soon as you start you know it’s going to be so good....then you get to the half way point and the tension between the main two characters that has slowly been building throughout the book finally gets to where they give in and you just want to put it down forget every word 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, I grew up reading all the well known ones 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 this book delivers on, it truly is such a joy to read.

I love Wren and how fierce and determined and at times reckless but this just makes her all the more real, as she is tries to keep her secrets while being surrounded by people who wouldn’t hesitate to kill her. Then there's the slow burn romance between her and Cross Redden, I was living for every interaction between them and wow was it so good, this is the type of thing I love to read about in a book, the gradual development of a slow burn romance that makes you feel all the tension and then for it to pay off in the best way when they finally give in that makes it all worth the wait.

This book really is phenomenal and has the perfect balance between plot and romance, action and twists and turns. I've only just finished and I want to go back and reread it all again and will do so until I can get my hands on the second book. 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.

This book was everything I wanted and more! I haven’t been into dystopian books lately so I was a little worried starting this, but I really shouldn’t have because I was hooked from the first page. This book made me feel like I was a teenager again, reading Hunger Games and Divergent for the first time. The plot was plotting, Wren was a badass (a little too much at times? Maybe? Who cares, I enjoyed every second of it!), Cross was DELICIOUS, I think I highlighted every other sentence that came out of his mouth. The end threw me for a loop: I predicted one of the plot twists, but the others took me by surprise and gave me whiplash because they just.kept.coming!

Now I’m left with so many questions and theories, feeling empty and scared for these characters, counting the days until book 2 releases!

I might update this review later when I have more coherent thoughts, but for now I will be screaming into the void and making everyone read this book.

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House UK, and the author for this arc.

This is the hot, thrilling dystopian fantasy everyone’s been waiting for. Wren is Modified, in a world ruled by un-gifted Primes: she possesses silverblood gifts rare and powerful even amongst her kind. But they must be hidden, at all costs: Mods are sentenced to labour camps at best, death at worst.

When an error of judgement draws her to the attention of the Company, Wren is drafted in as a potential recruit for Silver Block, the secretive high-ranking military unit. Wren realises she also has a rare opportunity to infiltrate the enemy from the inside and obtain precious intel. But she will have to tread a careful line to work her way into the favour of the powerful: including the dangerous and attractive General’s son, Cross Redden. Can she protect herself, her own kind - and her heart?

This was loads of fun and played out as you might expect - but was no less enjoyable for that. Francis is giving the people what they want, which is:

- secret hidden powers!
- Academy setting with tests to pass or fail!
- Adrenalin-fuelled paced thriller!
- Unexpectedly found family!
- Secrets and betrayals and undercover spy missions!
- Sexual tension and spice!
- A lovely horse, who comes to no harm on page!
- Terrible, horrible decision-making!

you’re gonna love it chat

📚 Book Review 📚

#adprproduct

A huge thank you to NetGalley for approving me for an ARC of this book. Special shout-out to my buddy readers @bex_boys_and_books and @archerofpages, this was a great read.

After reading some early one-liner reviews of this one I was excited to dive into it and boy was I pleasantly surprised.

It was impossible to slow down when reading this book. I tried to drag it out but the writing was engrossing and the plot was very pacy.

Wren and Cross were fantastic MCs, the push and pull between them was torture but entertaining. The secondary characters certainly had some standouts, Kaine was one of my favourites and I'm intrigued to see where other character arcs lead too.

There are trials, plot twists, spice, friendship and unanswered questions, making this a highly entertaining and superb read. My only question is, when are we getting book two?

🌟🌟🌟🌟✨

This was such an addictive read with some great character, and I can see why everyone is buzzing about it! I really saw the Divergent x Fourth Wing vibes and the tension in the romance was enough to keep every page turning! The plot twist was no great surprise, but I loved the way it ended with so much unfinished business. Will definitely want a physical copy for my shelves!

Silver Elite by Dani Francis

4 STARS

A very impressive debut novel! The world building and setting is thorough - you feel immersed from the start. The characters are well developed and the plot moves along swiftly- wasn't prepared for the ending! Will definitely be reading further sequels.

I did not expect that extremely chaotic ending, I actually feel windswept!

This book was absolutely everything, especially when you consider the fact it’s a debut. The characters were so well developed, the plot was definitely plotting and we were feeling all of the emotions throughout.

My favourite character was Kaine, he was such a breath of fresh air, so easy going and saw the funny side of everything, which really helped to brighten up the book.

After that ending, I’m not sure how I feel about wren, our fmc, she went off the rails a bit at the end there and I can’t say I agree with all of her choices. It was quite the cliffhanger though so I look forward to seeing how her character develops in the next book.

Now can someone tell me when the next one releases, I need it right about now😭

R E V I E W

Silver Elite by Dani Francis

☆☆☆☆☆

Advanced Reader Copy graciously provided by Random House UK, Cornerstone | Del Rey via Netgalley

This book was completely addictive. I thought I'd outgrown my dystopian fiction era, but Silver Elite has happily proven me wrong. This narrative is a spicy adult amalgamation of Divergent, The Hunger Games, the Red Queen series, and Fourth Wing; effortlessly proving that you're never too old to escape reality and moreover, that the world we live in could always be worse.

Like the aforementioned YA offerings, Silver Elite revolves around a series of young adult characters, some going through the rigerous tests and trials necessary to grant them 'Silver Block' and 'Silver Elite' status in a world where humans rule and the Modified, or Aberrant (see: magically gifted) are subjugated, enslaved, hunted and killed.

Wren Darlington, our FMC, has been hiding in plain sight for years, gifted with four magical abilities marking her as one of the most powerful 'Mods' in the world. But when her careless actions see her uncle killed and her freedom taken, Wren is forced to enter the Silver Elite training program to prove her loyalty to the state. After spending a lifetime avoiding conflict and towing the line, Wren suddenly finds herself going against the grain and committing to her training at the behest of a Modified insurgency group. But with Silver Elite Captain Cross Redden's eyes never far from her, Wren quickly realises that she may be undercover, but she is not unnoticed, and what's worse? She's definitely noticing her gorgeous captain and unofficial captor right back.

This was a completely gripping first instalment, and I cannot wait to read the next. Whilst I predicted the major 'twists' in the plot, the writing was clever enough to leave a little room for doubt and engaging enough for me not to care when my predictions came to fruition. Did I find Wren's recklnessness a tad frustrating towards the end? Absolutely. Was I dreading the inevitable separation of our two main characters? Definitely. Author Dani Fancis graciously left my heart in tact- for now- but I don't doubt that she could do me some damage in the subsequent books, which I will most definitely be picking up.

Unfortunately I just don't think this one was for me. I liked the premise, the mods and command, but not enough to continue past 60%. It's definitely a me and not the book as I can see others have loved it. I think the academy setting just isn't my bag.

After a bit of a wary start, I absolutely ate this book up. We’re thrown into the world building from the first page, which felt a bit daunting and confusing initially. Once I found my feet with the terms of war and the who’s-who, I couldn’t put it down.

Silver Elite gives you an action packed plot, with a bunch of tension and peril to keep you reading and an enemies-to-lovers romance with the ‘he falls first’ trope we all know and love. The pacing was fast, but super engaging.

I loved the mix of characters, with the constant battle of trying to figure out who to trust and who to be wary of. A couple of the big ‘reveals’ were super predictable (Wolf being an obvious one), but I don’t feel it took anything away from my enjoyment at all.

With a story that’s chock full of telepathy, danger, desire, secrets and betrayal, this is definitely one you want to add to your tbr.

Absolutely incredible. The whole book feels like my favourite elements of dystopian books rolled into one perfect package. I have no doubt that Dani is going to create some wonderful work and I can't wait to read more.
For a debut novel, this is breath-taking!

Wow! This was such an exciting read, from the moment I started I couldn't stop reading! I loved loved the world and the concept of Mods. Wren was a great character to read about, and her chemistry with Cross?! The tension and their interactions were everything. Whilst I did see where the twists were going, I still had a great time because I couldn't wait for the characters to know what I knew. I need book 2 now please!

21 year old Wren Darlington is one of the most powerful mod’s in existence. On the Continent, being known as Modified means certain death at the hands of the Primes, those that were immune to the Biotoxin which nearly wiped out the population 150 years ago.
Wren has been able to conceal her abilities but a careless mistake places her Uncle in grave danger and now Wren is forced to join the Primes military. Instead of being rescued by the uprising they ask her to join Silver Elite and bring the Primes reign down from the inside.
I cannot believe this is Dani’s debut novel, her writing style is so immersive, truly bringing you into this Dystopian world. Wrens character is so resilient, she fiercely loves and protects those around her and when she looses everything I really felt such an emptiness within her.
Being forced to fight with those trying to destroy you goes against everything she stands for but with no way out, she has no option but to excel in order to be chosen for Silver Elite. Her biggest problem along the way is Cross Redden, her commanding officer and the son of her greatest enemy. This a true enemies to lovers in the best way possible, the wanting and angst between the two of them was so good!
Wren faces so many battles, not just physical ones but emotionally too. Forcing to hide your true self is hard, connections are made with enemies and lines are blurred which added so much more tension to the storyline.
There were a couple of surprising twists but for the most part I had predicted the last 20% but still enjoyed it playing out nonetheless, but for that reason alone it wasn’t quite a 5 star for me.
Thank you NetGalley, Dani Francis and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the ARC, all opinions expressed are my own.

I loved this book. It gave me all the dystopian vibes I was expecting, but also somehow met a few fantasy & romance elements I hadn't known I was looking for, but that totally bumped this up to be one of my top reads so far this year. The writing was just so easy to read & it played out like a movie. The pacing was brilliant & I never found myself checking how long was left.

It would be so easy to spoil this book, so I'll just say feisty FMC with telepathy powers, surrounded by gorgeous, flirty, brooding men that may or may not have her back. Questionable allies. Divergent & Hunger Games feels, but with spice.

The only bad thing about it is going to be the ridiculously long wait for the next book.

This book has dystopia paired with great characters - two things I really really love.

In a post-attack world, you are either a Prime (not having been affected by a biotoxin) or a Modified (with psychic powers). This is a big division, and both sides stand firm that the other side is doing wrong. Here, the author goes to great lengths to show that neither side is fully right or wrong - both having failed in parts while trying to protect their world.

We have Wren, a nearly great FMC, a Modified that has to hide her powers, and is doing well...until she isn't.
And we have Cross Redden, part of Command structure.
They both have secrets and things that shouldn't come to light. And both have a connection they didn't see coming.
And it has also a bunch of really enjoyable side characters that you love or hate...or both.

The first third of this book is great and had me hooked so much. The second third was a bit challenging for me and lost me a tiny bit. The last third is full of action, revelations and plot twists. Some of the twists you see coming from a mile away, some took me by surprise.

Overall, this was a really strong book, and I enjoyed myself most of the time. The romance was a bit cringe at first for me, but I warmed up to it.

I'll definitely keep reading and can recommend this full-heartedly.

4,5/5 stars

Thank you @netgalley and @delreyuk @penguinrandomhouse for the widget to this eARC!

#SilverElite #Netgalley #Bookstagram

Thank you Netgally and the publisher for gifting me this arc in exchange for my honest review.
I want to start by saying that dystopian novels are my favorite to read. And Silver Elite, all in all, was a good dystopian. I liked the over-arching plot, although it was a bit predictable, the military aspect of the novel, and some other little things that were reminiscent of the Divergent series. However, I found the protagonist, Wren, and the romance, quite insufferable. I don’t understand why romantasy lately has become formulaic and sexual from the get-go. Can we not have a conversation, the first one maybe, without sex coming up? The relationship between Wren and Cross had no personality, no emotion, It was based only on physical attraction.
The ending was ok.
I'm sure that all the romantasy girlies will love this novel, but I'm starting to pull away from romantasy... I’m not sure I’ll continue the series.

I just KNOW this is going to be the next big thing on BookTok and deservedly so!!! It gives Dystopian Fourth Wing vibes with the sarcastic banter and darker romance feel of Quicksilver and I ATE IT UP!!!!!!! I can’t believe there’s not already more hype for this as it’s going to be a staple Romantasy book as soon as it hits the shelves.

Set in a slightly futuristic dystopian world, with ‘Primes’ ruling and ‘Mods’ in hiding, the story follows Wren, a Mod with mind reading abilities, as she navigates her life being turned upside down and finds herself stuck surrounded by her Prime enemies. She has to try to keep her true self hidden and not fall for the disastrously hot Captain who seems pretty obsessed with her (of course we all know where that’s heading the moment Cross Redden hits the page)

I was hooked almost instantly, with easy to follow world building that feels natural within the story telling and characters I clicked with straight away.

Even with the majority of the story being in a school like setting it was never slow or boring, and it kept me guessing till the end.

The romance is intense and Cross has every Romantasy boyfriend trait we all can’t help but fall in love with! I was on board instantly and though it’s a wait for the spice to get spicing it was worth the wait 🌶️ 🔥.

The final act of the book was so intense! I was at the edge of my seat and couldn’t stop even though my anxiety was through the rough. It built perfectly though and the final pages had me needing to take a walk to digest what I had read.

I’m already excited for book two, and this book isn’t even out yet!!!!!

One of my favourite reads of the year so far and I can’t explain how much I can’t wait for this to blow up! You’re all gonna love it.