Take a photo of a barcode or cover
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Considering everything I've heard about his book, I'm shocked that I actually kind of enjoyed it! This may not be the most original book out there, and it was fairly predictable, but it was fun and addictive. Honestly, this is probably one of the better romantasy books I've read recently. Though I'll admit the romance was a bit lacking. Cross didn't have much of a personality outside of brooding. Also, Wren made an extremely stupid decision near the end of the book that made no sense and really annoyed me. Despite this, I think I'll stick around for the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Drug use, Rape, Slavery
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Genre: New Adult / Adult Dystopian Romance
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
*spice ratings are relative to similar books in the same genre*
(3/5 means that this book had average spice for dystopian romance)
The Catalog: FM, dystopian world post climate crisis, paranormal elements (psychic abilities), double agents, secret identity / hidden powers, mutant powers via radiation, forbidden romance, war school / deadly trials, young adult characters (FMC is 20) themes of: slavery, oppression, eugenics, genocide, war, racism
CW: death, murder, blood, gore, slavery, sexual assault (side character)
Synopsis:
In a post-apocalyptic world where possessing a genetic mutation that affords psychic abilities is a death sentence, Wren does everything she can to remain under the radar. However, nothing good lasts forever, and when her uncle is captured and accused of being Modified, her entire life is turned upside down. Now a forced recruit in the military that hunts her kind, she’ll have to watch every move, especially when the resistance gets involved. If only it weren’t for her Captian, the son of her enemy, who will stop at nothing to keep her under this thumb.
Saddle up folks, cause this is about to be the longest review I’ve ever written. Let me preface this by saying that I read this after the accusations had already been stated, so I went into this with a more critical eye.
1. The Writing
First, let’s address the writing.
Although this author is supposedly a New York Times best selling author, I truly would have believed that this was a debut author. The writing was fine, you can tell it was professionally edited (maybe needed more editing, tbh), but it was dated. The style, the characters, the dialogue, the need for quirky mannerisms, and overall feel just gives 2012-2013.
There were several scenes that were written as almost 1:1 copies of popular scenes in The Hunger Games and Fourth Wing.
To the accusations about racial ambiguity: via context clues I thought it was pretty obvious early on that Wren is what we’d consider Latine. She is the only character (aside from her mom) who is described as bronze. Other characters get descriptions like pale, pale as a sheet, pale as milk, and dark. Trust me when I know that racial ambiguity is a giant cop-out, but I genuinely don’t see what else the author could have done when this world is centered in a reality that doesn’t encompass the ethnic, geographic, or cultural background for racial descriptors such as “Black,” or “Lantine.”
The book is entirely single POV, meaning we are stuck in the head of the FMC, Wren, the entire time. This provides a limited, unreliable, perspective of the world. This is important when asking questions about the validity of the book.
Many have asked if this qualifies for dystopian romance. According to SeaCrow Books “Dystopian romance doesn't just challenge characters with external threats; it forces them to confront their own beliefs, desires, and the essence of what it means to love and be loved. Through the fusion of stark dystopian settings and the indomitable spirit of romance, this genre promises a journey both thrilling and thought-provoking”
Was the world dystopian in setting?
- Yes
Do we know why the world is dystopian?
- Yes, a mixture of nuclear war, over population / excess, and climate crisis
Was there an oppressive power structure?
- Yes
Do we know why there is an oppressive power structure?
- Yes, the power structure flipped on its head and the formerly oppressed (Primes) now rule over the Modified.
Do we know how the marginalized are oppressed? Do we know why?
- Yes, they are oppressed through genocide & slave labor camps
- They are hunted down because they were previously in power and oppressed the Primes, creating deep resentment and desire for retaliation, leading to a coup.
Were the characters challenged with external threats?
- Yes. The FMC is in constant danger of discovery.
Did the characters confront their beliefs, desires, and the essence of what it means to be loved?
- Yes. The FMC’s entire journey is about her constantly questioning the truth, her own morality, her sanity for even having feelings for her enemy’s son. When she realizes that Cross, the MMC, is something more than she realized, her internal battles begin anew. In the very end plot twist, she is yet again faced with reevaluating her entire life.
Was it thrilling?
- In some ways yes. There was action and excitement, mystery and betrayal.
Was it thought provoking?
- A soft yes. The author didn’t take the same time and care to make comments about OUR world as other dystopian authors, but this is a dystopian romance, and only book one in a planned Triology. There was commentary on things like: the rich, empathy, oppression & how systems of power always seek to oppress someone.
2. The Characters
• Wren (FMC): Unfortunately, Wren reminds me of every young adult FMC written in 2012; too stupid to live. She’s stubborn, reckless, hyper-sexual, overly beautiful, good at everything, etc. I despised how much time she spent speaking on the attractiveness of other characters. However, I do want to take a moment to mention that in some reviews, people have pointed to her dislike of education as evidence that the author is problematic, whereas I read her character as being neurodivergent (perhaps ADD/ADHD), and that is why she struggles with and disparages education. Not because there is no value, but because she cannot learn that way. Her character does improve over the course of the book, but then makes the absolute dumbest decision around 80% that literally sets off every awful thing that happens until the end. Despite her very 20-year-old behavior, I still found myself rooting for her.
• Cross (MMC): We do not get is POV, so we only see him through Wren’s eyes. As such, he’s still a bit of a mystery. That being said, his character is more vulnerable than any other in the book. We learn a lot about his inner mind and feelings. I think there’s a lot of potential to explore his character. In fact, I think the overall commentary of this series will hinge on Cross’ character arc. I also don’t think that he is problematic as a character. Every time he said something really awful (the comment about prisons/labor camps, for example) he made it clear that what he was saying was his father’s beliefs / desires / demands.
• General Side Characters: the young folk in training with Wren are all prejudiced and generally awful. Wren makes friends with a few of them that were enjoyable, but again, these kids were raised hating the enemy. In many cases, their parents were previously oppressed by the Modified. I would not expect them all to be empathetic toward the Modified.
3. The Plot
I actually liked the overall plot of this book. The training schools the double agent secretiveness, the secret identity and aspects of being a Modified person were all really interesting and I enjoyed. The mutation stuff was prime dystopian goodness.
I do think there’s still a lot we don’t know about this world, but that is to be expected of a book in a series. I don’t find this to be the shortcoming so many have said it is. I don’t want everything reveled in the first book.
4. The Romance
Many people have pointed to Wren’s attraction to and inner monologue about Cross as evidence that this book is problematic.
They have missed the point.
While the romance itself wasn’t very fleshed out (imo), there is a very strong precedent for why she is attracted to Cross and why their romance doesn’t have a typical arc. I don’t want to give it away, even with the spoiler alert.
I really wanted more tension that was not related to lust / looks. It felt like the MCs didn’t have any emotional connection until the big reveal. I will say that Cross certainly yearned, and for that, I give him points.
The sex scenes were just okay.
I didn’t keep reading for the romance, but I hope that it will deepen as the series continues.
5. The Good
• The mutations. I really really loved the idea of some of the population possessing a biological mutation (due to nuclear fallout) that allowed for them to develop various psychic abilities. That is fantastic. Super loved!!
• A dystopian setting based on nuclear war and climate change is horrifying because of how relatable it is, but I actually really appreciated the applicability.
• This is a queer normative word.
• The FMC recognizes many times throughout the book that both sides have been evil.
• The ending. It was kind of the best part of the book.
6. The Questionable
A lot of accusations have been made about this book. I will now list the things I saw that gave me pause:
• There was a distinct lack of content warnings in the book despite there being multiple reasons to list them, the worst of which being sexual assault.
• There is a sect of people called The Faithful: people that hold to Old Era Beliefs, and was made to seem like they are religious. The current ruler outlawed God/religion, and then there’s a religious sect that works outside of his control. It’s odd. I did worry that this is a set up for praise of religious ideology in a toxic way (read: Christian Nationalism). Time will tell.
• The Modified that aren’t killed are tattooed for identification. This is touchy — leaning a little close to WWII, BUT this is also a common trope for the genre (Fourth Wing, for example)
• MMC has weird views on prisons in the Old Era (rhetoric about how prisoners treated better than citizens) “maybe in the old era there was a place for mercy, but not anymore.” But in the same scene he says that those who are executed jeopardize “the one thing my father values above all else: order.” Over again he says things like, “The General is obsessed with correcting the mistakes of the Old Era,” which lead me to believe HE doesn’t believe in the awful things happening.
• Tera Fe, a southern territory that was described as physically similar to OUR Central America was mentioned to be the drug producers (cannabis and cocaine). If Tera Fe was in fact inspired by Central America, making it the illicit substance producing region is pushing into stereotypes and borderline racism. This is especially weird because the FMC’s mom was from Tera Fe.
• The General (leader) outlawed God but his son, the MMC is named Cross. Again, this is just slightly worrisome as it relates back to the Faithful. Is there some underlying message about God and religion being the end all be all solution? Is this anti-atheist? So many questions about the Faithful, etc. The religious stuff confused me though, because it is a queer normative world—one of the main side characters is openly bi. Again, time will tell what the author means to say with all of this.
Conclusion:
While not the best writing, the story was highly intriguing and I DID find myself into the world and the dystopian aspects. The MCs leave a lot to be desired, but this is only book one in a series, so I don’t think it’s fair to judge them in their entirety when there is so much more character development to be had. The things people have spouted as problematic seem to be mostly taken out of context, or at the very least, not fully comprehended, as I did not see the same things others are describing. I thought there was social commentary. I thought it was obvious the MMC doesn’t believe in his father’s politics. I thought it was beyond obvious that the FMC hated herself for being attracted to the enemy.
There were a few things I made note of to monitor in the next books, but I cannot make a total judgement without all the information.
There is no way in my mind that this was written with AI, and I don’t think it’s fair to suggest otherwise. That’s a dangerous accusation. Equally as dangerous as trying to dox or otherwise discredit an author for wanting to remain anonymous.
I will likely read the other books in this series, with the caveat that I will be monitoring the iffy things as they progress.
Lastly, is this dystopian romance? Yes.
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
*spice ratings are relative to similar books in the same genre*
(3/5 means that this book had average spice for dystopian romance)
The Catalog: FM, dystopian world post climate crisis, paranormal elements (psychic abilities), double agents, secret identity / hidden powers, mutant powers via radiation, forbidden romance, war school / deadly trials, young adult characters (FMC is 20) themes of: slavery, oppression, eugenics, genocide, war, racism
CW: death, murder, blood, gore, slavery, sexual assault (side character)
Synopsis:
In a post-apocalyptic world where possessing a genetic mutation that affords psychic abilities is a death sentence, Wren does everything she can to remain under the radar. However, nothing good lasts forever, and when her uncle is captured and accused of being Modified, her entire life is turned upside down. Now a forced recruit in the military that hunts her kind, she’ll have to watch every move, especially when the resistance gets involved. If only it weren’t for her Captian, the son of her enemy, who will stop at nothing to keep her under this thumb.
Saddle up folks, cause this is about to be the longest review I’ve ever written. Let me preface this by saying that I read this after the accusations had already been stated, so I went into this with a more critical eye.
First, let’s address the writing.
Although this author is supposedly a New York Times best selling author, I truly would have believed that this was a debut author. The writing was fine, you can tell it was professionally edited (maybe needed more editing, tbh), but it was dated. The style, the characters, the dialogue, the need for quirky mannerisms, and overall feel just gives 2012-2013.
There were several scenes that were written as almost 1:1 copies of popular scenes in The Hunger Games and Fourth Wing.
To the accusations about racial ambiguity: via context clues I thought it was pretty obvious early on that Wren is what we’d consider Latine. She is the only character (aside from her mom) who is described as bronze. Other characters get descriptions like pale, pale as a sheet, pale as milk, and dark. Trust me when I know that racial ambiguity is a giant cop-out, but I genuinely don’t see what else the author could have done when this world is centered in a reality that doesn’t encompass the ethnic, geographic, or cultural background for racial descriptors such as “Black,” or “Lantine.”
The book is entirely single POV, meaning we are stuck in the head of the FMC, Wren, the entire time. This provides a limited, unreliable, perspective of the world. This is important when asking questions about the validity of the book.
Many have asked if this qualifies for dystopian romance. According to SeaCrow Books “Dystopian romance doesn't just challenge characters with external threats; it forces them to confront their own beliefs, desires, and the essence of what it means to love and be loved. Through the fusion of stark dystopian settings and the indomitable spirit of romance, this genre promises a journey both thrilling and thought-provoking”
Was the world dystopian in setting?
- Yes
Do we know why the world is dystopian?
- Yes, a mixture of nuclear war, over population / excess, and climate crisis
Was there an oppressive power structure?
- Yes
Do we know why there is an oppressive power structure?
- Yes, the power structure flipped on its head and the formerly oppressed (Primes) now rule over the Modified.
Do we know how the marginalized are oppressed? Do we know why?
- Yes, they are oppressed through genocide & slave labor camps
- They are hunted down because they were previously in power and oppressed the Primes, creating deep resentment and desire for retaliation, leading to a coup.
Were the characters challenged with external threats?
- Yes. The FMC is in constant danger of discovery.
Did the characters confront their beliefs, desires, and the essence of what it means to be loved?
- Yes. The FMC’s entire journey is about her constantly questioning the truth, her own morality, her sanity for even having feelings for her enemy’s son. When she realizes that Cross, the MMC, is something more than she realized, her internal battles begin anew. In the very end plot twist, she is yet again faced with reevaluating her entire life.
Was it thrilling?
- In some ways yes. There was action and excitement, mystery and betrayal.
Was it thought provoking?
- A soft yes. The author didn’t take the same time and care to make comments about OUR world as other dystopian authors, but this is a dystopian romance, and only book one in a planned Triology. There was commentary on things like: the rich, empathy, oppression & how systems of power always seek to oppress someone.
2. The Characters
• Wren (FMC): Unfortunately, Wren reminds me of every young adult FMC written in 2012; too stupid to live. She’s stubborn, reckless, hyper-sexual, overly beautiful, good at everything, etc. I despised how much time she spent speaking on the attractiveness of other characters. However, I do want to take a moment to mention that in some reviews, people have pointed to her dislike of education as evidence that the author is problematic, whereas I read her character as being neurodivergent (perhaps ADD/ADHD), and that is why she struggles with and disparages education. Not because there is no value, but because she cannot learn that way. Her character does improve over the course of the book, but then makes the absolute dumbest decision around 80% that literally sets off every awful thing that happens until the end. Despite her very 20-year-old behavior, I still found myself rooting for her.
• Cross (MMC): We do not get is POV, so we only see him through Wren’s eyes. As such, he’s still a bit of a mystery. That being said, his character is more vulnerable than any other in the book. We learn a lot about his inner mind and feelings. I think there’s a lot of potential to explore his character. In fact, I think the overall commentary of this series will hinge on Cross’ character arc. I also don’t think that he is problematic as a character. Every time he said something really awful (the comment about prisons/labor camps, for example) he made it clear that what he was saying was his father’s beliefs / desires / demands.
• General Side Characters: the young folk in training with Wren are all prejudiced and generally awful. Wren makes friends with a few of them that were enjoyable, but again, these kids were raised hating the enemy. In many cases, their parents were previously oppressed by the Modified. I would not expect them all to be empathetic toward the Modified.
3. The Plot
I actually liked the overall plot of this book. The training schools the double agent secretiveness, the secret identity and aspects of being a Modified person were all really interesting and I enjoyed. The mutation stuff was prime dystopian goodness.
I do think there’s still a lot we don’t know about this world, but that is to be expected of a book in a series. I don’t find this to be the shortcoming so many have said it is. I don’t want everything reveled in the first book.
4. The Romance
Many people have pointed to Wren’s attraction to and inner monologue about Cross as evidence that this book is problematic.
They have missed the point.
While the romance itself wasn’t very fleshed out (imo), there is a very strong precedent for why she is attracted to Cross and why their romance doesn’t have a typical arc. I don’t want to give it away, even with the spoiler alert.
I really wanted more tension that was not related to lust / looks. It felt like the MCs didn’t have any emotional connection until the big reveal. I will say that Cross certainly yearned, and for that, I give him points.
The sex scenes were just okay.
I didn’t keep reading for the romance, but I hope that it will deepen as the series continues.
5. The Good
• The mutations. I really really loved the idea of some of the population possessing a biological mutation (due to nuclear fallout) that allowed for them to develop various psychic abilities. That is fantastic. Super loved!!
• A dystopian setting based on nuclear war and climate change is horrifying because of how relatable it is, but I actually really appreciated the applicability.
• This is a queer normative word.
• The FMC recognizes many times throughout the book that both sides have been evil.
• The ending. It was kind of the best part of the book.
6. The Questionable
A lot of accusations have been made about this book. I will now list the things I saw that gave me pause:
• There was a distinct lack of content warnings in the book despite there being multiple reasons to list them, the worst of which being sexual assault.
• There is a sect of people called The Faithful: people that hold to Old Era Beliefs, and was made to seem like they are religious. The current ruler outlawed God/religion, and then there’s a religious sect that works outside of his control. It’s odd. I did worry that this is a set up for praise of religious ideology in a toxic way (read: Christian Nationalism). Time will tell.
• The Modified that aren’t killed are tattooed for identification. This is touchy — leaning a little close to WWII, BUT this is also a common trope for the genre (Fourth Wing, for example)
• MMC has weird views on prisons in the Old Era (rhetoric about how prisoners treated better than citizens) “maybe in the old era there was a place for mercy, but not anymore.” But in the same scene he says that those who are executed jeopardize “the one thing my father values above all else: order.” Over again he says things like, “The General is obsessed with correcting the mistakes of the Old Era,” which lead me to believe HE doesn’t believe in the awful things happening.
• Tera Fe, a southern territory that was described as physically similar to OUR Central America was mentioned to be the drug producers (cannabis and cocaine). If Tera Fe was in fact inspired by Central America, making it the illicit substance producing region is pushing into stereotypes and borderline racism. This is especially weird because the FMC’s mom was from Tera Fe.
• The General (leader) outlawed God but his son, the MMC is named Cross. Again, this is just slightly worrisome as it relates back to the Faithful. Is there some underlying message about God and religion being the end all be all solution? Is this anti-atheist? So many questions about the Faithful, etc. The religious stuff confused me though, because it is a queer normative world—one of the main side characters is openly bi. Again, time will tell what the author means to say with all of this.
Conclusion:
While not the best writing, the story was highly intriguing and I DID find myself into the world and the dystopian aspects. The MCs leave a lot to be desired, but this is only book one in a series, so I don’t think it’s fair to judge them in their entirety when there is so much more character development to be had. The things people have spouted as problematic seem to be mostly taken out of context, or at the very least, not fully comprehended, as I did not see the same things others are describing. I thought there was social commentary. I thought it was obvious the MMC doesn’t believe in his father’s politics. I thought it was beyond obvious that the FMC hated herself for being attracted to the enemy.
There were a few things I made note of to monitor in the next books, but I cannot make a total judgement without all the information.
There is no way in my mind that this was written with AI, and I don’t think it’s fair to suggest otherwise. That’s a dangerous accusation. Equally as dangerous as trying to dox or otherwise discredit an author for wanting to remain anonymous.
I will likely read the other books in this series, with the caveat that I will be monitoring the iffy things as they progress.
Lastly, is this dystopian romance? Yes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've seen some comments of people saying they thought this was written by AI and I can see it. The writing is jagged, like a video with too many jump cuts.
The FMC is also horrendous, the love is toxic, the relationships unbelievable etc etc
The FMC is also horrendous, the love is toxic, the relationships unbelievable etc etc
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, War
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
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:
Yes
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Explosive. Addictive. Utterly unforgettable.
Silver Elite was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025—and it absolutely lives up to the hype. This is the first book in a brand-new trilogy, and I’m already hooked. I honestly can’t wait to see where the story goes next—book two can’t come soon enough!
From the very first page, this book is a relentless, adrenaline-fueled ride through a dystopian world brimming with danger, desire, and devastating secrets. With a fierce heroine, a sexy and ruthless MMC, forbidden powers, a slow-burn romance, and betrayals that hit like a punch to the gut—you won’t be able to tear your eyes from the page.
It’s the kind of story that dares you to fall for the enemy… and bleeds you when you do.
If you’re a fan of the Divergent series, then this one needs to be on your radar.
---
From the very first page, this book is a relentless, adrenaline-fueled ride through a dystopian world brimming with danger, desire, and devastating secrets. With a fierce heroine, a sexy and ruthless MMC, forbidden powers, a slow-burn romance, and betrayals that hit like a punch to the gut—you won’t be able to tear your eyes from the page.
It’s the kind of story that dares you to fall for the enemy… and bleeds you when you do.
If you’re a fan of the Divergent series, then this one needs to be on your radar.
---
What to Expect:
âś… enemies to lovers
âś… psychic abilities
âś… secret identity
âś… military academy
âś… single POV
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Torture, Car accident
Minor: Sexual assault
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Blood
Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, Gun violence, Grief, Death of parent
fast-paced
Thank you Dani Francis, Del Rey, and NetGalley for the free gift!!
From the very first page, Silver Elite had me absolutely hooked. This is dystopian romantasy at its finest—intense, addictive, and brimming with high stakes, sizzling chemistry, and heart-wrenching choices.
Wren is a force: fierce, vulnerable, and endlessly compelling. Her psychic abilities and secret alliances make every moment feel like a knife’s edge, and the worldbuilding—dark, dangerous, and vividly imagined—pulled me in completely. Cross Redden (the commanding officer/love interest) was perfection: the perfect blend of ruthless and vulnerable, making the enemies-to-lovers arc perfection. The pacing of their relationship was spot-on, with just the right amount of tension, longing, and emotional unraveling.
This felt like Divergent for adults, but with even sharper emotional depth and richer romantic tension. The action scenes were pulse-pounding, the emotional moments gut-wrenching, and the steamy scenes were so well done without ever feeling rushed or gratuitous.
I am completely, totally obsessed and already desperate for the next book. If you love dystopian settings, forbidden romance, elite training academies, psychic powers, and stories that will leave you screaming for more—Silver Elite needs to be on your radar.
An easy 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is me telling everyone to READ THIS BOOK!
I was fortunate to get an ARC of this book through NetGalley… and oh my god.
This book was MADE for the kids who have been trying to fill a hole in their life since they read Divergent and The Hunger Games in middle/high school. I was hooked from the very start. It truly gave me everything I didn’t know I needed.
The plot and writing was so good. I was on the edge of my seat for nearly the entire book. The characters were lovable yet flawed. The tension was *perfect* and I was internally screaming constantly.
I really appreciate that this book gave me everything I wanted from a dystopian novel, without feeling like it was coping other series that I’ve read. I felt like the plot twists and overall conflict was unique. Imagine your favorite dystopian novel from childhood, but turned on its head, and with spice!!!
I can’t say it enough how much I enjoyed this book and cannot WAIT for the next one. 5 stars. Read it ASAP!!
I was fortunate to get an ARC of this book through NetGalley… and oh my god.
This book was MADE for the kids who have been trying to fill a hole in their life since they read Divergent and The Hunger Games in middle/high school. I was hooked from the very start. It truly gave me everything I didn’t know I needed.
The plot and writing was so good. I was on the edge of my seat for nearly the entire book. The characters were lovable yet flawed. The tension was *perfect* and I was internally screaming constantly.
I really appreciate that this book gave me everything I wanted from a dystopian novel, without feeling like it was coping other series that I’ve read. I felt like the plot twists and overall conflict was unique. Imagine your favorite dystopian novel from childhood, but turned on its head, and with spice!!!
I can’t say it enough how much I enjoyed this book and cannot WAIT for the next one. 5 stars. Read it ASAP!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism