Take a photo of a barcode or cover
the_bookish_chimera 's review for:
Silver Elite
by Dani Francis
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
“We can’t erase our scars because we need them to remember.”
I read Silver Elite 2.5 months ago and I still don’t know what to think about it.
The story is very fast paced, and addictive. Pages turn “by themselves” and you quite can’t stop reading, twist after twist –no matter if they are (mostly) predictable.
The different types of “mind abilities” are interesting and keep fueling the constant paranoia you feel while reading, as you never know who can be trusted. But this book truly lacks some world building, in all aspects. I know it’s a trilogy, but we know almost nothing about the world, it only feels like a “surface set up”, and I wish it had more depth.
I (for most parts) liked Wren’s arc. She has an interesting evolution in this book, from the impulsive and self-centered “child” to a more nuanced character, even if she still has a long way to go. But I disliked her “h*rny teenager” side a lot. It felt like the other characters were described only regarding their “f*ckability degree” and it was uncomfortable, very “male gaze like” and –IMO– didn’t add anything to the character.
That sentiment increased with the pretty unaddressed s*xu*l h*rassement and ass*ults –as if it was just normal, not revolting. On the same line, the discourse around prisoners was blurry (as an example among many, the MMC is “good” because he sends people to work-camps –in which they’ll d!e– and doesn’t ex*cute them… really?), as much as the “Aberrants’” motivations (as if they had an “agenda”? Hum…). I think what was lacking to me was the critics about Society, which should be predominant in a dystopian book. It could be because it’s only book 1, but again it already lacks some WB so… I’m not sure. We’ll see (I hope so) in the future...
To summarize, as I said, I truly can’t say if I adored Silver Elite or the complete opposite. Maybe it’s the mark of something great? I have no idea. In the end, I would conclude that as an “isolated book”, I can’t say I loved it. BUT it’s a trilogy. And so much can be addressed in the remaining books. Will two books be enough to deal with everything? I’m not sure. But I’ll probably check book 2 to know anyway.
Thank you to the author and DelRey for the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.
I read Silver Elite 2.5 months ago and I still don’t know what to think about it.
The story is very fast paced, and addictive. Pages turn “by themselves” and you quite can’t stop reading, twist after twist –no matter if they are (mostly) predictable.
The different types of “mind abilities” are interesting and keep fueling the constant paranoia you feel while reading, as you never know who can be trusted. But this book truly lacks some world building, in all aspects. I know it’s a trilogy, but we know almost nothing about the world, it only feels like a “surface set up”, and I wish it had more depth.
I (for most parts) liked Wren’s arc. She has an interesting evolution in this book, from the impulsive and self-centered “child” to a more nuanced character, even if she still has a long way to go. But I disliked her “h*rny teenager” side a lot. It felt like the other characters were described only regarding their “f*ckability degree” and it was uncomfortable, very “male gaze like” and –IMO– didn’t add anything to the character.
That sentiment increased with the pretty unaddressed s*xu*l h*rassement and ass*ults –as if it was just normal, not revolting. On the same line, the discourse around prisoners was blurry (as an example among many, the MMC is “good” because he sends people to work-camps –in which they’ll d!e– and doesn’t ex*cute them… really?), as much as the “Aberrants’” motivations (as if they had an “agenda”? Hum…). I think what was lacking to me was the critics about Society, which should be predominant in a dystopian book. It could be because it’s only book 1, but again it already lacks some WB so… I’m not sure. We’ll see (I hope so) in the future...
To summarize, as I said, I truly can’t say if I adored Silver Elite or the complete opposite. Maybe it’s the mark of something great? I have no idea. In the end, I would conclude that as an “isolated book”, I can’t say I loved it. BUT it’s a trilogy. And so much can be addressed in the remaining books. Will two books be enough to deal with everything? I’m not sure. But I’ll probably check book 2 to know anyway.
Thank you to the author and DelRey for the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.