Book Review: Is Silver Elite by Dani Francis the new Fourth Wing?
If you’re on the hunt for a spicy dystopian romance that blends action, rebellion, and forbidden attraction, Silver Elite by Dani Francis might just catch your eye. Marketed as the first book in a sizzling new series, it’s already being compared to Fourth Wing, ACOTAR, and even a spicy Hunger Games. But does it live up to those comparisons? Let’s dive in.
Silver Elite by Dani Francis: Spicy Dystopian Romance Book Summary
In this post-apocalyptic world, psychic gifts are a death sentence. The rules are simple: Trust no one. Lie to everyone. Don’t fall for your greatest enemy.
Wren Darlington has spent her life hiding her powers while secretly helping the rebel Uprising. As one of the most powerful “Mods” alive, she knows that discovery means certain death. But when one mistake lands her in the hands of the enemy, Wren is forced to train at Silver Block, an elite military program designed to kill the Mods.
Caught between survival and secrecy, Wren faces relentless challenges and an infuriatingly attractive commanding officer, Cross Redden. As tensions rise and the war between Mods and Primes escalates, Wren must decide how far she’s willing to go to protect herself, her friends, and the fractured world around her.
Does Silver Elite Compare to Fourth Wing and ACOTAR?
Many readers are calling Silver Elite the next Fourth Wing or ACOTAR. Personally, the academic/military setting feels very much like Fourth Wing, especially the squad banter and the Violet/Xaden–style romance between Wren and Cross. But to me, this didn’t really feel like ACOTAR at all. The world is much more modern, with guns, phones, and technology, and no fae in sight.
However, from the very first chapters, this book gave me major Divergent vibes mixed with the survival edge of The Hunger Games. Add in elements of Red Queen and Powerless with the Mods vs. Primes conflict, psychics abilities and you get a dystopian world that feels familiar yet still engaging. If you loved Divergent growing up (like I did), there’s a strong chance you’ll enjoy this one too.
On a personal note, I really loved Silver Elite. I’m more of a “vibes reader” than someone who needs perfect world-building or flawless prose, and this book just worked for me. It was such an easy, addictive read that scratched an itch I didn’t even realize I had. And as someone who adored the Divergent series growing up, I was absolutely thrilled to dive into a story that carried those same dystopian, survivalist vibes, only this time with a lot more spice.
Is Silver Elite spicy?
If you’re looking for a spicy dystopian romance, Silver Elite delivers. But I’ll be honest: the spice leaned more toward lust than emotional connection. Some scenes were exciting but felt a bit rushed, and others could have used more tension and buildup.
The romance between Wren and Cross was addictive, but definitely not the slow-burn romantasy experience some readers might be expecting. Instead, it leans heavily into instant attraction and spice, which may frustrate readers looking for the emotional build-up of Fourth Wing or the layered fantasy romance of ACOTAR. Wren and Cross were instantly attracted to each others from the moment their eyes met and it felt more like a force proximity to lovers trope than enemies to lovers.
The World-Building in Silver Elite: Mods vs. Primes
The concept of Mods with psychic abilities hiding from the ruling Primes had so much potential. I loved the inclusion of Wren’s telepathic bond with Wolf, a friend she’s been connected to since childhood.
However, readers who crave rich world-building in dystopian fantasy books may find Silver Elite a little surface-level. While the pacing is fast and addicting, the political structure and world depth felt underdeveloped. Dystopian books are supposed to be political and Silver Elite felt more like an easy spicy military romance book than a dystopia. Everything in the story was predictable but I still enjoyed it.
Final Verdict: Should You Read Silver Elite by Dani Francis?
If you’re a romance-first reader looking for a fast-paced spicy dystopian book, you’ll probably enjoy this. But if you’re expecting the complex fantasy world-building of ACOTAR or the depth of Fourth Wing, this might leave you wanting more.
⭐ Rating: 4 / 5 stars — Fun, fast, and spicy, but best for readers craving romance over dystopian depth.
👉 Recommended for fans of Divergent, Red Queen, Powerless, and Fourth Wing who want a lighter, binge-worthy post-apocalyptic military romance.
When Does Silver Elite Book 2 Come Out?
The wait is finally over for fans eager to know what comes after Silver Elite. Dani Francis has officially announced that the highly anticipated sequel will be titled Broken Dove, with a release date set for May 5, 2026. Along with the title and date, Francis also unveiled the book’s stunning cover, which has already started making waves across BookTok, Instagram, and online romance communities. The buzz is real, and readers are counting down the days to return to Wren and Cross’s world.
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