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medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault, Torture, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well that was fun! I walked into Silver Elite not expecting a life-changing work of art and I enjoyed the ride! The dystopian fantasy vibes and so much internet hype hooked me in and I read 500+ pages in just a couple of days. Friends who love fantasy might find this a little lacking in the world building and anyone who labeled this as “enemies to lovers” is fooling themselves, but the story is an easy, bingeable read. I liked the band of recruits working their way through the program and felt the emotion of the high and low points of the plot. There were some things I thought could have been improved (and maybe will in book 2?). I thought there was a lot of missed opportunity in the dystopian setting- the world building that did exist with Mods/Primes, abilities, and the history of the coup was fun, but I think there is a lot that could have been done to create a really immersive setting and history. The pacing felt a little crazy- with a lot of twists and changes happening in the last 100 pages of the book. I wouldn’t have minded an earlier reveal with some space to build. The romance was fine, but we could have gotten a lot more tension in there for good enemies to lovers. And last but but least, there was a really painfully predictable reveal which had me rolling my eyes. All in all though, I would recommend for an escape and someone who wants a fun read. 4 stars, mainly for vibes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I simply will not lie to you. I knew who Wolf was before I even made it to page 100, but this was a fun little ride. Fairly standard first book in a fantasy series—SO much exposition before everything gets turned on its head in the last hundred pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, War
Moderate: Suicide, Vomit, Death of parent, Sexual harassment
Minor: Animal death
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Finally!! Another book like Fourth Wing that I couldn’t put down! I love the fantasy world and character building (and steamy romance). This is a unique fantasy world with a BA leading lady.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Violence
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story is told in the first person by Wren. In the world of the book, there are Mods and Primes. Mods have one or more powers. Primes have no powers. The Primes rule the country Wren is in. The military (called the Command) of the Primes hunts down Mods. They either execute them, enslave them, or enlist them as collaborators. Wren is a Mod. She lives with her Uncle Jim (also a Mod) on his farm. Wren is caught by the Command. She is under suspicion, but they don’t know she is a Mod. The top unit of the Command is the Silver Elite. Wren is forced to train to possibly be selected as a member of the Silver Elite. Soon after joining the trainee classes, she starts a relationship that is very much insta lust on both sides. The story goes from there. I thought the story moved well. I never got bored. There was a lot of action. I thought there was pretty good world building. The actions of Wren and others often didn’t ring true to me. They didn’t always seem realistic. The Silver Elite training facility was run in a way that was kind of loose for a facility that was training potential members of the top Command unit. There is a lot of graphic sex in this story. Crude language is used. There is a lot of violence and some graphic deaths. I recommend this book to someone who wants to an enjoyable dystopian romance with a lot of action. If any of the concerns I mentioned are a problem for you, you may not want to read the book. Despite this book requiring a fair suspension of disbelief, I found it an enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Starts off at an interesting clip with solid enough characters and setting. Doesn't really get engaging again until the last stretch of chapters. I won't get too deep into my dislikes but the uneven pacing of the action interspersed with a whole lot of chemistry devoid 'romance' and lackluster hookups from the leads made everything between the beginning of the book and the end progress in a way I personally did not find appealing.
The buildout for the politics, belief and value systems, and history of conflict in this world works on a surface level. As the story goes on it gets difficult to parse out from Wren's perspective which side we are supposed to be rooting for because she had some flip-flopping ass motivations. Like what is supposed to be the takeaway? Both sides--the Primes and the Modified led rebellion--are equally corrupt? I don't know, it just doesn't work for me. Perhaps if her ties to the rebellion (who she eventually turns spy for) were emotionally stronger and Wren was more empowered in her modified identity that argument would be more nuanced
The way this book was marketed you would think it was the next Hunger Games or Divergent. I would compare this more to Shatter Me, both being closer in theme, tone, and writing style. This book is supposed to be adult dystopian but Wren's voice, her attitude, and the writing style give YA.
The way this book was marketed you would think it was the next Hunger Games or Divergent. I would compare this more to Shatter Me, both being closer in theme, tone, and writing style. This book is supposed to be adult dystopian but Wren's voice, her attitude, and the writing style give YA.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, War
Minor: Sexual assault
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the Taco Bell of books. You know it might not be the best for you,and you’re absolutely going to regret it.But dang it,if it isn’t easy to devour at 11 o’clock at night. With that said,I am not a fan of the MMC. He’s so cringe.No,I take that back. He’s an absolute walking red-flag. 😂Things that he said make me suspect that Dani Francis is a man writing as a woman. There were some moments where I read the dialogue and said, “Said absolutely no woman ever. 😂”
Is it as awesome as Fourth Wing? Not quite, but I see the potential in future books in the series. Wren is kick-ass. Also, I enjoyed the question of whether or not anyone is a ‘good side’ during a war. I enjoyed the action and the ending. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. Hopefully the author gets some of the yuck out of that MMC,so I can continue on. I read this via Libby.
Is it as awesome as Fourth Wing? Not quite, but I see the potential in future books in the series. Wren is kick-ass. Also, I enjoyed the question of whether or not anyone is a ‘good side’ during a war. I enjoyed the action and the ending. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. Hopefully the author gets some of the yuck out of that MMC,so I can continue on. I read this via Libby.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This dystopian novel really did it for me this time around. I have so many questions, and I’m looking forward to book two. That being said, I felt like there was an unstated “part one” and “part two” due to a dramatic tone shift. Part Two was WAY better in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual assault, Vomit, War
Minor: Suicide, Death of parent