Silver Elite by Dani Francis is the latest novel to blow up on BookTok, and the dystopian become BookTok's next big hit — it's receiving plenty of praise in certain corners of the internet — it's also proving somewhat divisive. The discussions surrounding the novel are even getting the attention of those who don't typically read its genres.
The novel is the first installment in a trilogy, and it follows a heroine named Wren as she's forced to a deadly military program. In doing so, she needs to hide her psychic abilities, resist rising feelings for her commanding officer, and grapple with taking down an oppressive regime. With some of the tropes present in Silver Elite, it's easy to see why it's getting so much attention, both leading up to its publication and after the fact. However, discussions surrounding the book have taken a turn, with multiple controversies becoming the focus.
Silver Elite's Dani Francis' Pen Name Controversy Explained
Why Readers Believe The Book Is Written By An Established Author
One of the driving conversations surrounding Silver Elite involves the identity of its author, who has chosen not to publish a photo alongside the book's blurb. The blurb doesn't tell readers much about her (besides the relatable fact that she loves breakfast), and the author's Instagram page maintains that level of anonymity. For this reason, readers are now speculating that Dani Francis is actually a pen name rather than the name of a debut author.
Rumors are circulating that Dani Francis has been confirmed as a NYT bestselling author using a pen name, but there's currently no source to this.
It's possible that Dani Francis is both a pen name and a debut author, but the novel's heavy marketing is sparking suggestions that she's a more established writer operating under a pseudonym. The pre-release push for Silver Elite has been huge, and Del Rey has seemingly put a lot of effort into getting eyes on the book. It even has foil edges and special editions, things that can be harder to come by for newer, lesser-known names. It's also been picked up as a Book of the Month option for May.
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There are many reasons an established author might publish a book under a pseudonym. Authors sometimes do this when they're known for writing within one genre but are branching out into another. It also happens when they're making the jump from writing middle grade or YA to more mature stories. Unfortunately, there are more sinister reasons someone could use a pen name as well. As some have pointed out on Reddit and TikTok, authors could wish to hide their identity if they're controversial and looking to avoid association with their real name.
The possibility of Silver Elite being generated by AI has also come up on social media, though this seems unlikely. Given that works created by AI cannot currently be copyrighted in the U.S., it would be an odd choice for a major publisher to go this route. Such conversations are reflective of growing concerns about AI in artistic industries, however, and companies would be wise to take note of them.
With creators sharing theories about who Silver Elite's author could be, other readers have pointed out how problematic this discourse can be.
Ultimately, it's Dani Francis' choice to remain anonymous — and that truth has led to further online controversy. With readers sharing theories about who Silver Elite's author could be, other creators on platforms like TikTok and Reddit have pointed out how problematic this discourse is. Authors use pen names to remain anonymous for safety reasons, preferring to prioritize their privacy while publishing their work. They shouldn't be forced to come forward or be "doxxed" by readers. It's a fair point and should put some speculation to rest. Unfortunately, the author's identity isn't the only issue cropping up over Silver Elite.
Silver Elite Is Also Getting Flak For Its Approach To The Dystopian Genre
The Focus On Romance Over Commentary Is Receiving Criticism
While the conversations surrounding Dani Francis seem to be dominating discussions about Silver Elite, the book is also being criticized for its approach to the dystopian genre. There's no doubt that Silver Elite takes place in a dystopian world, but Goodreads reviewers are mixed on whether the novel engages with that setting as much as it should. And in a guest post for B&N Reads, the author shared her motivation for writing this story. She wrote, "I wanted a dystopian story that has all the grit and danger and tension but also turns up the heat."
By "heat," she's referring to spicy scenes, and the post goes on to discuss how the author wanted to capture the magic of the 2010s YA dystopian craze — just with more mature characters and romances:
In a world where everything is on the brink of destruction, emotions run high, and desire can be just as powerful as fear or fury. I wrote this book for readers like me, the ones who devoured books like the Hunger Games but wished the romances were more front and center.
Although mature scenes in dystopian books aren't inherently bad, some readers are taking issue with the fact that the author seems more focused on the romance elements of Silver Elite than the dystopian themes the book strives to capture. Leaning more into romance than the political and social commentary misses the point of the genre. And that leads into another criticism of the 2025 release: that its marketing is a bit misleading, as it's being compared to The Hunger Games.
The Book's "Katniss For Grownups" Marketing Is Also Getting Backlash
Hunger Games Comparisons Are Setting The Book Up For Failure
Another reason Silver Elite is getting backlash is because its marketing and early reviews are comparing it to The Hunger Games. A Book of the Month ad allegedly pitched the novel as "Katniss for grownups," earning skepticism and pushback from readers online. As one Threads post points out, The Hunger Games already features mature themes, despite it being a young adult book. And other readers have noted that the series doesn't need spice, as that's not what it's about. Therefore, there's no need to create a new take on the story, just with mature characters and scenes.
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Additionally, early reviews likening Silver Elite to The Hunger Games are bound to set the novel up for failure, even without the controversial lingo. The Hunger Games has become the standard of the YA dystopian category, and that's a lot for any story to live up to. With Sunrise on the Reaping releasing back in March, readers have a fresh idea of how impressive Collins' storytelling is, too. It's hard to follow that act, so much so that it probably isn't worth trying.
Regardless of whether readers pick up Silver Elite or not, they're better off going into the book expecting a new and unique story.
Regardless of whether readers pick up Silver Elite or not, they're better off going into the book expecting a new and unique story — not one that places further pressure on the May 2025 release. With its new adult categorization and romantasy elements, Dani Francis' novel is naturally much different than Collins' series. It's better to embrace that than push a narrative that gives viewers high expectations it might not meet.