Book Review: Silver Elite by Dani Francis

June 12, 2025May 9, 2025 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Dystopian Fantasy Romance
Length: 528 pages
Author: Dani Francis
Publisher: Del Rey
Release Date: May 6th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

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.

WHOA.

This honestly wasn’t on my radar until release day and I feel very fortunately Libby delivered a copy so quickly because OH MY GOSH WHERE HAVE I BEEN. This was like adult Divergent (but I swear if it ends the same you will feel my wrath across the globe) but add in more romance and I was SO HERE FOR IT ALL.

I can’t even go over everything I want to because there’s so much to unpack. The action was INTENSE and I loved the hidden identities and crossing loyalties and how the magic aspects worked into this dystopian-esque world.

I loved Wren, the FMC. She was wild and tenacious while battling grief and taking what she hoped would be the next best step. I loved that both sides have some twisted backgrounds because I think the exploration of that in the next book will be amazing. I want all of the history between these warring groups.

And the romance was heated. Such an amazing slow burn that was filled with that I hate you but I love you banter that sends me every time. There were a few key moments that my feet kicking and my voice squealing. The audiobook was incredible at bringing this book to life. Good heavens I need book two YESTERDAY.

Overall audience notes:

Dystopian Fantasy Romance
Language: strong
Romance: 4-5+ open door
Violence: high

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Book Review: The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn

June 11, 2025April 28, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Contemporary Mystery + Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Kate Clayborn
Publisher: Kensington
Release Date: March 26th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From the acclaimed author of Georgie, All Along and Love Lettering, a pitch-perfect, radiantly transporting love story about an unexpected road trip, true crime obsessions, and hard won vulnerability…

Hairstylist Jess Greene has spent the last decade raising her younger half-sister, Tegan—and keeping a shocking secret. Ever since their reckless mother ran off with a boyfriend she’d known only a few months, Jess has been aware that he’s the same accomplished con man who was the subject of a wildly popular podcast, The Last Con of Lynton Baltimore.

Now thirty-one, Jess didn’t bargain on Tegan eventually piecing together the connection for herself. But Tegan plans to do exactly what Jess has always feared—leave their safe, stable home to search for their mother—and she’ll be accompanied by the prying podcast host and her watchful, handsome producer, Adam Hawkins. Unwilling to let the sister she’s spent so much of her life protecting go it alone, Jess reluctantly joins them.

Together, the four make their way across the country, unraveling the mystery of where the couple disappeared to and why. But soon Jess is discovering other things too. Like a renewed sense of vulnerability and curiosity, and a willingness to expand beyond the walls she’s so carefully built. And in Adam, she finds an unexpected connection she didn’t even know was missing, if only she can let go and let him in . . .

NOT A BAD LISTEN.

I enjoyed this one but also don’t feel wholly connected to it? It was an interesting premise and I liked the characters well enough.

The romance had a lot of subtle and sweet moments. There was some good chemistry between Jess and Adam. I do think it leaned into the physicality of their relationship more than it needed (or made sense) for this kind of story line. The third act made me cranky, but I did like the couple in the end.

I wasn’t all that surprised by where the missing mother ended up and those scenes. It was much more on the predictable side. I do think the audio production was well done and that made for a good listen.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Mystery + Romance
Language: moderate
Romance: 3+ open door
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: parental abandonment

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Book Review: Daughter of the Forest (Sevenwaters #1) by Juliet Marillier

June 6, 2025April 26, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Historical Fantasy
Length: 672 pages
Author: Juliet Marillier
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Release Date: October 22nd, 2015
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A magnificent saga set in the Celtic twilight of 10th century Ireland, when myth was law and magic was a power of nature, brilliantly brought to life: the legendary story of an evil stepmother opposed by a seventh child.

The keep at Sevenwaters is a strange, remote place, guarded by silent men who slip through the woodlands clothed in grey, and keep their weapons sharp. Invaders roam outside: raiders from across the sea bent on destruction. But now there is also an invader inside the keep: the Lady Oonagh, a sorceress as fair as day, with a heart as black as night.

Oonagh captivates Lord Colum and his six sons, but she cannot enchant his daughter, Sorcha. Frustrated in her attempts to destroy the family, Oonagh binds the brothers with a spell only Sorcha can lift. If she fails, they will die.

When the raiders break through, Sorcha is taken captive. Soon she will find herself torn between her duty to break the curse and a growing, forbidden love for her captor.

BEAUTIFUL.

This book really grew on me. It started off pretty slow, but the further I got into it and the more I grasped the writing style the deeper the connection to the characters became. It’s a harrowing journey of love and loss and the strength it takes to move forward when everything is pushing you back.

I loved the historical elements and how they played in to the fantastical. I loved Sorcha. I ached for her at her lowest and cheered for her at her highest. The resilient nature she possessed was, at times, unfathomable. I loved how much she continually cared when others kept trying to make her hard.

There’s a subtle and soft romance that’s woven into this book too. I loved the intensity and sacredness of it and how the relationship came to be. The tension is palpable and all of the action scenes had my heart in my throat. I loved the balance of quiet and loud, I adored so many of the side characters and love the vibes of an older fantasy book.

I’m not sure if I’ll read the next? This was a standalone and the next book has a big time gap between the two. Maybe one day!

Overall audience notes:

Historical Fantasy
Language: low
Romance: fade to black
Violence: high
Content Warnings: rape (on page and recounted), animal death, blood/gore depiction

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Book Review: Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier

June 4, 2025April 18, 2024 GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 356 pages
Author: Makiia Lucier
Publisher: Clarion Books
Release Date: April 9th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From acclaimed author Makiia Lucier, a dazzling, romantic fantasy inspired by Pacific Island mythology.

In the old tales, it is written that the egg of a seadragon, dragonfruit, holds within it the power to undo a person’s greatest sorrow. An unwanted marriage, a painful illness, and unpaid debt … gone. But as with all things that promise the moon and the stars and offer hope when hope has gone, the tale comes with a warning.

Every wish demands a price.

Hanalei of Tamarind is the cherished daughter of an old island family. But when her father steals a seadragon egg meant for an ailing princess, she is forced into a life of exile. In the years that follow, Hanalei finds solace in studying the majestic seadragons that roam the Nominomi Sea. Until, one day, an encounter with a female dragon offers her what she desires most. A chance to return home, and to right a terrible wrong.

Samahtitamahenele, Sam, is the last remaining prince of Tamarind. But he can never inherit the throne, for Tamarind is a matriarchal society. With his mother ill and his grandmother nearing the end of her reign. Sam is left with two to marry, or to find a cure for the sickness that has plagued his mother for ten long years. When a childhood companion returns from exile, she brings with her something he has not felt in a very long time – hope.

But Hanalei and Sam are not the only ones searching for the dragonfruit. And as they battle enemies both near and far, there is another danger they cannot escape…that of the dragonfruit itself.

ENJOYED.

This was a great, quick read. I loved the Moana x How to Train Your Dragon vibes. It’s a fun adventure filled with sea dragons, pirates, and a good old fashioned quest. I loved the world and how the magic system with the dragons worked.

It’s a really great standalone and truly in the young adult category. I think many would enjoy it. I needed a bit more character depth and just something else. Not upset at all I picked it up though.

Overall audience notes: