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dark
tense
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
Silver Elite by Dani Francis is an adult dystopian fantasy. It is the first book of a new series. There’s a big buzz about this book right now because the author is believed to be a pen name for an otherwise well-known author. Whether that is true or not, this one had a big release for a completely unknown author.
I loved this one! I didn’t even want to put it down. Wren Darlington is such a strong female main character. I enjoyed the connection between her and Cross. The setting and plot had me so intrigued. Like most fantasy books, there was quite a bit of world building. Add in the dystopian element, and I really had to hang in there to sort out the framework in the beginning. But it’s easy enough to understand, I just wish I’d kept better track of the side characters early on.
I liked this one a lot because it feels different than anything else I’ve read recently. When you read a lot of books, so many themes and elements get repetitive—even between genres. But this one kept surprising me all the way through. I saw a couple of twists coming but even those didn’t unfold the way I expected. This alone makes it a standout for me.
If you read the Hunger Games or Divergent series when you were younger and liked them, then you’ll probably enjoy this one too. It’s been so long since I read Divergent and I know I wished for more romance in it (but, YA), so this felt a bit like if Divergent was all grown up with spice in it.
Given that we have no idea who the author is or when the next book of the series will be released, I’m definitely eager of the next book in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Rape
adventurous
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual assault, Death of parent
Minor: Drug use, Slavery, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Sexual content, War
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Murder, War
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book got me out of a reading slump. Once I started, it was difficult to stop reading. Wren, the female main character and the POV we see the story unfold from, is a fantastic lead. Cross is hot. He and Wren have a funny meet cute that wasn’t all that original in premise, but it genuinely fits them once you get to understand the dynamics. This story is set in a dystopian, future world led by a General with modified humans being hunted as they pose a danger/threat to the current world leaders.
Wren and Cross’ chemistry and tension made their scenes memorable. There were lots of surprising moments and also moments that proved some of my suspicions correct. The cast of supporting characters is diverse and all of them add to the story.
This first story ends in a fitting way that sets up the next book nicely, without the use of a very abrupt cliffhanger. There is some new information revealed, a new setting, and a predicament that Wren will need to face in the next book, and I cannot wait. Best read of 2025.
Wren and Cross’ chemistry and tension made their scenes memorable. There were lots of surprising moments and also moments that proved some of my suspicions correct. The cast of supporting characters is diverse and all of them add to the story.
This first story ends in a fitting way that sets up the next book nicely, without the use of a very abrupt cliffhanger. There is some new information revealed, a new setting, and a predicament that Wren will need to face in the next book, and I cannot wait. Best read of 2025.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, War, Classism
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Confinement, Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Car accident, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Silver Elite is a dystopian romantasy fantasy novel perfect for fans of the Shatter Me series, though I was also reminded of the rebellion in Mockingjay as well. Chosen one gets swept up in morally ambiguous politics, trains for a war of dubious loyalty, and kisses all the boys along the way. The pacing of this novel is FAST, but still steady. The characterization could be heavy handed in a "look how much we've changed!" kind of way, but the world building was quick and efficient. Wren Darlington is our feisty FMC (who has too many names, honestly...I counted 4) and she is delightfully competent in that role. She believably is adept at impossible things, and her impulsive nature is equally believable and consistent. She's flawed in the right ways, and her banter is at the tip top of hilarious snark. I read this massive book in two days because it was that interesting.
While the packing was great, the plot fell flat around the 70% mark for me, picking up around 80%, crashing hard at 90%, when I wondered what the hell Wren was doing because despite the first person narration, I was baffled why she'd do something so stupid, and then finally the ending left me in a state of curious tension. I will be sat waiting for the next one, thank you.
A word about the MMC, Cross Redden: He's no Aaron Warner. He lacks Warner's vulnerability. BUT he's legit. Solid 8/10 on the "who hurt you, but also how can I support your success as an independent person?" Book Boyfriend Scale.
UPDATE: I've been thinking about this a lot, and I strongly suspect Cross is not endgame, but more of an Adam Kent than an Aaron Warner despite the vibe. I'm highly suspecting that hotshot pilot plays a bigger role in Book 2 💅👀🤔🫠
UPDATE: I've been thinking about this a lot, and I strongly suspect Cross is not endgame, but more of an Adam Kent than an Aaron Warner despite the vibe. I'm highly suspecting that hotshot pilot plays a bigger role in Book 2 💅👀🤔🫠
This one is for the romantasy girlies!
Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for this ARC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Torture, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug abuse, Sexual assault
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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:
No
Was it groundbreaking? No. But did I have a fun time and do I want to read the sequel? Yes!
I'd say the vibes of this book are Divergent with the plot leaning a little more Hunger Games with a heavy focus on romance.
I think I actually would have rated it higher had the romance been focused on less, because it started to feel like we were ignoring important aspects of the story for the sake of throwing the two together more often.
The first 100 pages? Excellent, I thought it would be a 5 star read. But it lost momentum and its sense of stakes/urgency toward the middle when it focused on the budding relationship. Though I will say that I really enjoy the author's writing, and I was really surprised to learn that this was their debut! I will absolutely read more from them in the future.
Also, I should add, I absolutely loved Kaine.
There were a couple of scenes between Wren and Cross where she says no and he's a little persistent saying he can see that she "wants it" that I think we're supposed to find hot, but they did make me uncomfortable and it took me a while to get back on board with the romance after that.
I'd say the vibes of this book are Divergent with the plot leaning a little more Hunger Games with a heavy focus on romance.
I think I actually would have rated it higher had the romance been focused on less, because it started to feel like we were ignoring important aspects of the story for the sake of throwing the two together more often.
The first 100 pages? Excellent, I thought it would be a 5 star read. But it lost momentum and its sense of stakes/urgency toward the middle when it focused on the budding relationship. Though I will say that I really enjoy the author's writing, and I was really surprised to learn that this was their debut! I will absolutely read more from them in the future.
Also, I should add, I absolutely loved Kaine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
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
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This books writes like a male author. The FMC is insecure, consistently looking for the approval and “addicted” to a man, and consistently competing with or villainizing all other female characters.
Storyline was interesting.
Storyline was interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Forced institutionalization, Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
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