Silver Elite

Dystopian Drama with a Fiery Twist

If you’re into dystopian fiction with intense world-building, slow-burn romance, and characters that make you cheer, cry, and occasionally yell at your book—Silver Elite by Dani Francis needs to be on your radar.

Set in a fractured future, society is split into two rigid classes: the Primes and the Mods. The Primes, unaltered descendants of the apocalypse survivors, believe they’re humanity’s last hope. Mods, on the other hand, were genetically modified 150 years ago to save the human race—and now they’re treated like threats. Feared, hunted, and often forced into hiding or enslaved in labor camps, Mods live under constant oppression.

Enter Wren: fierce, guarded, and secretly powerful. Raised by her uncle and trained to hide her identity, Wren’s life is upended when he’s executed—and she’s drafted into the military. At first, she tries to fail out, hoping to be sent home. But when that doesn’t work, survival becomes the goal. As she proves herself, she earns a place in the elite Silver Unit—the highest, most dangerous military division. And from there, everything changes.

Now let’s talk about Cross. He’s the son of the general leading the anti-Mod movement, raised under a harsh doctrine that sees Mods as flawed and dangerous. But Cross isn’t as black-and-white as his father. His personal mission? Quietly preserve as many Mod lives as he can—while toeing the line of loyalty. When he crosses paths with Wren, their chemistry is immediate and electric. The romance builds slowly, full of tension, denial, and heat—and when it finally ignites? Sparks.

And then there’s Wolf. A fellow Mod with a mysterious link to Wren since childhood. They’ve been communicating in code for years, never sharing real names or identities, but their bond runs deep. He adds another layer of tension and heart to the story that keeps you guessing.

If you’re getting Divergent vibes, you’re not wrong. But this isn’t just a copy—it’s got more grit, more depth, and a whole lot more spice. The familiar dystopian themes are there, but the execution feels fresh. There were some twists I predicted and others that completely blindsided me. Either way, I couldn’t stop turning pages.

As a long-time dystopian and fantasy reader, I’ve learned one thing: trust no one. Silver Elite delivers on that unsteady ground—making every reveal and betrayal hit just right. And yes, I’m already desperate for book two (which, cruelly, doesn’t have a release date yet).

Bottom line: If you’re craving an immersive dystopian world, layered characters, forbidden romance, and plot twists that keep you hooked, Silver Elite is absolutely worth the read. Just be warned—you’ll finish it wanting more.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️

Blurb:

In the first book of a searing new dystopian trilogy, a young woman must conceal her psychic powers—and her attraction to her handsome, infuriating commanding officer—as she works undercover to take down a brutal government from within.

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.

Xoxo, Melissa