There was plenty of buzz surrounding Silver Elite upon its May 2025 release, and a year later, Broken Dove seems destined to spark similar excitement — especially since the sequel is a step up on multiple fronts. Broken Dove is among May 2026's many much-anticipated book releases, and it's likely to win over fans of the prior installment, and perhaps a few fencers as well. It picks up where its predecessor leaves off: with Wren Darlington escaping the Company's clutches and making it to the Uprising.
While Silver Elite spends much of its time in enemy territory, Wren is no longer undercover in its sequel. Instead, she's among other rebels and Mods. Unfortunately, that doesn't mean they immediately trust her, or vice-versa. Broken Dove spends a lot of time acclimating Wren and its new supporting characters to each other. As it does, it takes us on a series of high- and low-stakes missions for the Uprising and successfully expands the series' scope and stakes.
Broken Dove improves on the world-building & dystopian elements of Silver Elite
Some of the most common criticisms leveraged at Silver Elite involve its world-building and dystopian themes. Although the character work and relationships in the 2025 novel are fleshed out well, the backdrop leaves something to be desired. To be fair, we don't get to see much of the world as Wren is trapped training for Silver Block. But even the history leading up to the feud between the Company and the Uprising feels hazy, and the magic system could use a little fine-tuning.
Broken Dove improves upon these aspects of the series by taking Wren outside the Continent. With the Uprising being more open about their powers, Francis is able to expand on the ones seen in Silver Elite and introduce new ones. It gives the fantasy elements of the book a greater presence, and it adds new stakes in the form of more dangerous abilities.
The missions the Uprising goes on also take them to new parts of the Continent and to Tierra Fe. As a result, the world feels bigger, and we're treated to a wider range of political stances. We meet characters who want no involvement in the Primes vs. Mods feud, and we come to see the many shades of gray on the two sides of the war. The variety adds a layer of realism to Broken Dove's world.
In general, the dystopian commentary of Broken Dove is an upgrade from Silver Elite. This could be chalked up to spending time among the rebels, but it feels like there's more clarity to Francis's messaging. It helps that Wren gets more precise about her place in this fight, even if it's not fully aligned with the Company or the Uprising.
Broken Dove is as twisty and readable as its predecessor
Broken Dove tightens up certain elements of Silver Elite, but it also maintains its greatest strengths. Despite its 500+ pages, the 2026 sequel makes for another addictive read. The pacing is strong, the narrative rarely drags, and there's always action or drama happening. If one thing can be said about the sequel, it's endlessly entertaining.
The twists that make up the last third of the novel will also take readers on a wild ride. Francis does an impressive job of planting the seeds for them without being too obvious. Those who love a good plot twist will be satisfied until the very last page, especially since the author raises more questions than answers with Broken Dove's ending.
The romance in Broken Dove calls back to the 2010s dystopian era
The romance between Wren and Cross is a major component of Silver Elite, and while it's present in Broken Dove, it's not as central. The novel calls back to the 2010s dystopian era in two ways, which could prove nostalgic for some readers — but will no doubt be frustrating for others. First, it raises doubts about Silver Elite's relationship, something so many second books in the dystopian genre do. It adds tension, but it comes at the cost of Silver Elite's focus on Wren and Cross.
Second, Broken Dove leans fully into the love triangle trope, which may elicit an exasperated groan from some readers. The silver lining is that Francis does a decent job of selling both romances. All the characters involved are sympathetic and likable, which means Broken Dove's sequel is likely to break our hearts no matter who ends up together. That's a testament to the writing, though it won't ease the disappointment for anyone hoping for a book more fully centered on Wren and Cross.
Final verdict
The expansion of Silver Elite's scope is a point in Broken Dove's favor, and it helps address some of the prior novel's flaws. The sequel continues leaning into Dani Francis's strengths as well: its story is compulsively readable, and it features a number of thrilling twists. Broken Dove's narrative maintains its high stakes, featuring several gutting moments. It introduces a slew of supporting characters, many of whom will evoke strong reactions by the end of the book.
Of course, there are still frustrations to contend with, including the fact that, romantically, the series is taking notes from the dystopian era of the 2010s. Some readers may appreciate that, but it's likely to prove divisive. It could also make it more difficult for Francis to stick the landing, though her approach to the main romances gives me hope she'll pull it off.
Broken Dove has a few other flaws, though they're minor in comparison to things like world-building and messaging. There's a bit too much catty behavior between female characters, another remnant of the 2010s dystopian era — one that many of us were all too happy to leave behind. Some of the dialogue reads unrealistic at times, and there are a few heavier moments glossed over just a bit too quickly. However, none of these are so distracting that they take away from how enjoyable the book is, especially as things really start hitting the fan.
Those who enjoyed Silver Elite will fall back into Francis's world with ease, and those on the fence about continuing may enjoy Broken Dove more. Sequels don't always achieve upward momentum, but this one pulls it off. And after that cliffhanger, Francis may one-up herself again when the next book arrives.
Add us as a preferred source on Google