Thank you to Penguin Random House for allowing me to get my hands on a copy of the e-arc for this book via Netgalley.

Silver Elite is an action-packed dystopian novel with all the nostalgic feels of the 2010 dystopian YA era, but make it spicier because we're all adults now.

The world that Dani Francis creates is a unique spin on the war-torn, dystopian America we often see in these dystopian novels, adding some elements of people who have been fundamentally changed by a combination of wartime experiments and radiation that lead to children being born and growing up to discover telepathic abilities.

"The Continent" is run by a General who puts the military and the lives of normal people aka "Primes" above all else. That means that Wren, our FMC, is in hiding as a very strong telepath but after her uncle is arrested and sentenced to death, her world changes when she gets arrested and added to the most elite military training program on the Continent by a man she met early on in the book. Aka our MMC Cross.

Overall, this book felt a bit more juvenile than I expected it to be as a new adult book. The Silver training program felt very cliquey and gossipy for a bunch of adults in the military who are trying to get into the most elite team that exists.

As much as Wren's character is our typical dystopian FMC who is the most badass, the best at everything, and the most resilient, her recklessness and not thinking things through started feeling more teenage than I would've liked.

A lot of the characters and relationships lacked depth for me and the only character I ended up feeling for, was Kaine. Even the relationship between Cross and Wren felt like it happened too easily for me and I would've loved to have more inner monologue around their struggles and evolving feelings.

The plot twists to me felt predictable as well and I would've liked the foreshadowing to be more subtle and in terms of the world-building, it seemed like random information was added in throughout the book that would've made more sense if we knew it from the beginning.

Overall though, I LOVED this book. I don't know what Dani wrote into these pages but I was addicted to reading it, not having an appetite for any of my other books until I was able to finish this one. The Dystopian nostalgia alone is 1000% worth it, but being able to know this world takes it above and beyond.

I have been searching for more books like powerless and hunger games, this did not disappoint me in any way, shape or form. Beautifully written, pleased to have been asked to read and review!

This was such a fantastic debut. I'm so happy to was sent to me for review.
I'm loving romantasy at the moment and this one I just devoured.
Cant' wait to read more from this author! Just amazing!

This book hits hard, in both the heart and the action department. It is a gripping dystopian romance where survival, sacrifice, and self-discovery take centre stage. Wren Darlington is not just fighting for her life, but for her identity in a world that wants to erase her. The tension between her growing feelings for her enemy, Cross Redden, and her mission creates a complex emotional landscape, blending enemies-to-lovers chemistry with deep themes of trust, betrayal, and loyalty. The writing beautifully captures the anxiety and desperation of living under an oppressive regime, while also exploring the personal costs of fighting back. The relationship between Wren and Cross is intense, not just in attraction, but in the emotional toll it takes on them both. It is a story about identity, loyalty, and the blurry line between ally and enemy, all wrapped in a thrilling, action-packed plot. I can’t wait enough for the next instalment.

Let me tell you that this is going to be the book of 2025.
If you loved Hunger Games and Divergent as a kid and love Fourth Wing now.
This is it. You have everything of this book together

🕊️Dystopian
🕊️Romance- Forbidden Romance
🕊️Strong Female Character
🕊️Enemies to Lovers
🕊️Psychic Abilities

TRUST NO ONE.

Wren Darlington has spent her whole life in hiding, honing her abilities and aiding the Uprising in small ways. On the Continent, being Modified means certain death – and Wren is one of the most powerful Mods in existence. When one careless mistake places her in the hands of the enemy and she’s forced to join their most elite training programme, she’s finally handed the perfect opportunity to strike a devastating blow from inside their ranks.

LIE TO EVERYONE.

But training for Silver Block can be deadly, especially when you are harbouring secrets people would kill for…

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

As the stakes grow ever higher, 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. And as war rages between Mods and those who aim to destroy them, Wren must decide just how far she’s willing to go to protect herself . . . and how much of the Continent is worth saving.

The Romance and the plot in this book was chef kiss.

The fact that Cross was the Captain was just the perfect cherry on top.
Also in theory because of what she is, they are supposed to be enemies but they are not really.

I loved the divergent type of academy and the trials they had to pass. Also how strong Wren is, I think she must be one of the few female character in a book that I truly love.

When this landed in my inbox I knew I was
going to love it. I literally could not put it down.

overall thoughts:

i'm really impressed with this debut. the writing was great and the world building was well developed making it easy to follow and understand.

wren was a strong female main character who was fierce and confident. she was stubborn and cocky at times but i liked that about her.

i really liked the romance between wren and cross. slow burn enemies to lovers with lots of tension. my only small complaint is that i would have liked to have seen them together a bit more. i feel like there was big gaps where they spent a lot of time apart. i did guess some of the plot twists early on but it didn't make it any less enjoyable.

i enjoyed this a lot and would recommend to anyone who's a fan of hunger games or divergent and is looking for something with similar vibes but more grown up.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

What an absolute riveting read!
I absolutely loved Silver Elite.From the first page, I was hooked by the thrilling plot and unforgettable characters. The world-building is exceptional, drawing me into a rich and captivating universe where every twist and turn kept me on the edge of my seat. The author’s writing style is immersive, with vivid descriptions that make the scenes come alive.

The characters are complex and multifaceted, with their motivations and relationships evolving in ways that feel both natural and compelling. I found myself deeply invested in their journeys, cheering for their triumphs and aching during their struggles. Dani Francis has a true gift for creating emotional depth and tension, making each chapter feel meaningful.

The pacing is spot-on, with just the right balance of action, mystery, and heart-wrenching moments. Every page left me wanting more, and by the end, I was completely satisfied but also eager for more of Dani's work.

An absolute must-read. It’s an unforgettable adventure that I highly recommend!

This was an immersive read. The world building is fab, one of the details I appreciate when reading a book. The setting is dystopian with plenty of twists and turns, secret operations, subterfuge and romance ! Loved the main character Wren, she is a strong character who can hold her own. I did not see that plot twist either. Loved it. All the stars

I still can’t believe I was sent this book—every time it happens, I have to pinch myself. When Del Rey reached out with Silver Elite, I couldn’t wait to dive in, and from the very first page, I was hooked.

In a world filled with danger, secrets, and rebellion, Wren Darlington must navigate impossible choices, intense relationships, and a mission that could change everything—not just for her but for an entire divided society. With powers she has to hide and enemies on every side, her journey is equal parts heart-pounding and deeply emotional.

This book has everything I love: a fascinating world, gripping tension, and a fierce heroine whose journey kept me flipping pages late into the night. Wren’s story was captivating, and the chemistry between her and Cross? Absolutely electric.

Thank you so much to Dani Francis, Del Rey, and NetGalley for sending me this incredible book. It’s a story that swept me away, and I’m already eagerly awaiting what comes next in this world!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone | Del Rey for providing me with this ebook in exchange for an honest review*

OHHHHH!!!!! That book!!!!!! It was as if Divergent and Hunger Games had a love child! I want more! Gimmie more!!!!!!!!!
I can't wait to read the next book!!!!

PS Were can we petition to NetGalley to add more stars to the rating system? Because 5 stars doesn't give enough credit!

Thanks to Cornerstone Random House and Netgalley for a review copy of this book. There have been a lot of dystopian and fantasy releases with romance elements lately and few that can compete with The Fourth Wing for tension, character chemistry and just all round great plotting, but Silver Elite is definitely one. A richly drawn and convincing world with a few shadowings of contemporary issues is only one of the elements that makes this a great novel. Immediately you are drawn into the novel, the first page turning so quickly as do the others as the world and story unfolds and the characters take hold of the imagination. Even before the end I found myself yearning for the next one to be at my fingertips because I knew I would want to read it right away. And that’s exactly what happened.

Wren is one of the secret modified whose lineage goes back to biotoxin was released and nearly wiped out the population hundred or so years before. The powers she possesses as a result of the modification make her not only able to be telepathic but also to read minds and most dangerously, control them. With such rare powers her guardian has kept her safely hidden on a remote ranch at the edge of the empire. But through Wren’s own unwitting actions her guardian is discovered and killed for his part in the rebellion against the oppressive rule of the General and Wren is taken into custody. In the end her only recourse is to join the other trainees to the General’s most elite force, the Silvers. There she encounters a man she brushed with briefly in the past, Cross. She despises him but as her training progresses she can’t deny the chemistry between them, especially as she finds herself increasingly alone, her telepathic communication with those she loves gradually gone, except for her first and childhood best friend that she only knows as Wolf. As training continues and it becomes clear that Wren’s path is now fixed to aim for the most elite of all troops, the deadly, Silver Elite, Wren finds she has to choose between choices that are hard to live with.

I have no doubt this novel will be a bestseller and I am glad that I was able to one of the early ones to read it and help share my joy at reading such a discovery with my fellow readers. The plotting, the characters, the world are all richly drawn and show such skill and dexterity that it’s hard to believe this is a debut novel. Absorbing and perfectly paced. Highly recommended.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a pretty original concept, I've not read one like it. I enjoyed the relationship between Darlington and the silver block people how they were complex, at least on her part. I enjoyed the relationship between her and Cross. I was really hoping he would turn out to be wolf and was so happy when he was. I will definitely want to find out more.

I did feel it was starting to get a bit slow from about 30 to 50% but it picked up again and the ending was good.

I was offered the opportunity to read this as an e-arc from Random House (and thankyou so much!) and having not read a good, new romantasy since Quicksilver in the summer I was in the right frame of mind to start this one and in all honesty once I started I couldn’t stop.

I thought the writing was great, the characters were well fleshed out. I loved Wren and her banter and self confidence.

I loved the premise of the story, a dystopian future where due to chemical warfare 150 years ago some people have evolved to become ‘modified’ and have abilities such as telepathy and mind control.

It made for a rather thrilling read as we follow Wren from being brought up by an Uncle figure, teaching her how to survive, then her being forced to participate in the Silver Block elite training school and endorse what she hates.

Yes, I had realised the romantic interest from the outset but I liked that about it. It’s a fun trope and it was done extremely well, I was readily reading to find out when they’d realise! And the romance element to this book was perfect. A fabulous slow burn with heated glances and slight touches growing to a few pretty spicy scenes but it’s not overdone, like baby pear’s porridge, it’s just right! I’m a fan of spice within a good plot and story and this was the cherry on the cake.

I’m rather happy to learn it’s going to be a trilogy and I shall definitely be looking out for a hard copy to grace my shelves when it’s released next year!

"Silver Elite" is the first book in a new dystopian trilogy that follows the story of Wren, a mod (individuals with powers due to sensitivity to a biotoxin) who is in hiding from the Regime. When she helps a villager during a critical event in her ward, it sets off a series of events that compel her to join the Silver Block military program initiated by the Government.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The main characters are well-developed, and the slow-burn romance is engaging, though somewhat predictable. The banter between characters is also great. However, I felt that the world-building, political aspects, and Wren's bac kstory could have been further developed. Additionally, the main plot event in the third act felt rushed and hectic. Despite these issues, I am very curious about what will happen in the next book.

If you enjoyed "The Hunger Games" and "Divergent" but are looking for a story with a more mature romance plot, I highly recommend reading this book!

Thank you Dani Francis and Del Rey for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC through @netgalley, in exchange for my honest review.

Wow. Wow. Wow. Where do i even start? This book was amazing. It was addictive from start to finish, i picked it up one morning and didn't put it down until i finished. An absolutely brilliant start to a dystopian trilogy. This book truly deserves all the attention i know it will receive on release day. I will be patiently waiting for the next instalment because i need to see where this goes. Thank you Penguin Random House and Del Rey for providing me with an ARC.