Book Review: Silver Elite by Dani Francis

Official Synopsis: The world is divided. On the Continent, you’re either a Prime—immune to the biotoxin that nearly wiped out the Earth’s population 150 years ago—or a Modified, one who was enhanced by the toxin, developing powerful psychic gifts.

As conflict rages between the two sides, Wren Darlington lives in hiding. Occasionally running the odd op for the rebel Uprising against the Primes’ oppressive rule, she must keep a low profile. After all, if the enemy finds out that she is a Mod with a staggering four psychic abilities, she won’t just be sent to the labor camps. She’ll be executed—immediately and without trial.

When a careless mistake puts Wren in the crosshairs of the Continent’s military, she is taken captive and forced to join their most elite Silver Block. Unwittingly, they’ve handed her the perfect opportunity for the Uprising to strike a devastating blow from inside their ranks. That is, if she can keep her powers hidden, survive training, and prove herself to Cross Redden, her maddeningly cocky commanding officer.

Despite the explosive chemistry between them, Cross doesn’t trust her—even as he seems determined to destroy the remaining shreds of Wren’s self-control. Yet as the war between Primes and Mods escalates, and as Wren and Cross find themselves unable to stay away from each other, they must decide how far they’re willing to go for their secrets—and how much of the Continent is worth saving.

Wren Darlington is nothing less than reckless and impulsive, and this is what initially gets her in danger when she helps a young boy in her town by shooting a coyote that is trying to kill him. The shot was too good and the wrong people noticed. This leads down a hellish spiral where she ends up seeing her guardian die, and to prove her innocence is forced to join the people they were fighting against. The Silver Block are specially trained fighters for the Continent and the testing to get in there is extensive. They are also the ones who are hunting the people like her, those who are modified and specifically those who have the amount of abilities that Wren has. Just when Wren thinks failing might lead to her freedom, she learns no matter what she will be in a cage of some sort. Cross Redden, who is in charge of the Silver Block and also the son of her enemy, is infuriatingly attractive but also refuses to play her games.

Wren isn't ready to prove herself to Cross, or anyone she is with, until the rebellion reaches out, promising her that if she passes and becomes a Silver Elite, they will start using her in their missions against the General. As Wren pushes herself into this new position, the tension between her and Cross seems to grow. He is always where she is, finding her when she is alone and teasing her until the moment the tension finally breaks.

Now Wren has to deal with her budding feelings for the enemy, while also working against them from the inside. But the more she learns about Cross, the more she wonders if he truly believes in all the things he father does, and maybe there is a chance they won't constantly be against each other...maybe.

Meanwhile, the rebellion is working in every way possible to take the General down, even in ways that Wren doesn't agree with. The rebellion is ready to break apart the skewed beliefs of their home. Wren isn't ready to go against her morals, about people's free will and who has control, but her beliefs will be tested by both the Silver Elite and Rebellion as her time with them goes.

Everything I heard about this book is it was like an 'adult Hunger Games' and though I'm not sure I fully agree, I see the comparison. I would say it's a mix of Hunger Games and Divergent with a little bit 'modified' humans from Maximum Ride, but yes, it is definitely for adults. I for sure wouldn't call it romantasy as much as romance and science fiction, since a lot of what is happening is based more in science then having dragons flying around. One of my favorite concepts was the being able to speak telepathically, especially with the secret bond between Wren (Daisy) and Wolf, a secret friend she has never meet who has been speaking to her since she was kid.

That being said, I really enjoyed this book and am excited to see where the trilogy goes, especially after the letter at the end of the book. I am a big fan of dystopian novel, and there are definitely a lot of points in this book that feel a little close to home now. For a debut novel, it is really well written and the concepts within the book made a lot of sense. I was a really big fan of the characters, with the main focus always being Wren but some of the side characters were lovely too. Both Wren and Cross are well written, with their own amount of complexities that both compliment and go against each other.

Silver Elite was released on May 6, 2025 and if you are looking for a tense (and sexy) adult dystopian I highly recommend it!

I rated this book 4.5 out of 5 stars!

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