Related: I posted what I thought was a funny video practicing different pitches for my new novel and there are several comments telling me earnestly they don’t want books pitched to them. 🙄 https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTj5Kke1H/
I loved reading what you wrote here and I agree with a lot of your thoughts! I might just read Silver Elite now but I'm definitely not in a rush to pick it up.
It’s been awhile since I left Bookstagram so I haven’t heard of this book and the “controversy” attached to it. But funny (truly, it’s not) to see people are still reacting too much and with immaturity. The pen name thing… Come on, there are so many reasons for an author to go with a pen name and the first one (to me) is to protect yourself and your loved ones from crazy people from the internet 🥴 Anyway, great post though! I’m not planning on reading Silver Elite simply because it’s not my kind of books but I love to read other people’s thoughts :)
Great write up! I've been keen for this one for a while as a huge fan of dystopian YA back in the mid noughties. I've been anticipating the trend to circle around into a dystopian/romantasy crossover and it's so here 😂
On the topic of the author, I find some of the speculation amusing as to who it is. So many people guessing authors based on the publisher using the NYT bestseller tag, but ignoring that it's been touted as the author's "adult debut." So it can't be an adult fiction author (ie Elsie Silver, Ali Hazelwood, Carley Fortune). They have to then be a children's/YA author, or even a non fiction author.
I do find it weird that there is a push back for dystopian romance happening online though, when we've had hundreds of YA dystopian romances over the years. Mafi's Shatter Me series is still going strong, and the MC in Silver Elite gives off Warner vibes.
Also dystopian romance has been quietly thriving in indie publishing spaces across YA and adult for some time now. Post apocalyptic romance as well. I've noticed an uptick on r/RomanceBooks asking for adult dystopian/apocalyptic romance recently too.
Speaking of Conform, I'm reading it at the moment and...well it's not the best, but it reminds me heavily of the mid noughties dystopian trend but for adults. It'll be interesting to see what criticism it draws because I think the "conservative" story line has parallels, but having not finished either, I can't really comment. I have Silver Elite to read after I finish Conform though, so it will be interesting to compare the two.
I don't really know how these books can be AI sometimes when ai produces a lot of garbage. And also gets confused a lot. So I just don't see how it would do it. There's probably a method I guess I mean claudes latest programming model is amazing but even it regurgitates garbage. Of course at a certain point that will resemble enjoyable reading. Just maybe not that deep reading. It'll happen eventually. Some of the bestselling books of all time are on the easy reading side right?
not only was it a Book of the Month selection, but they did a special edition with shiny edges! it definitely had a spotlight & a budget behind it! thanks for the write-up :)
Apparently the thing about it being a bestselling author was in the publisher's press release on a book industry web site (maybe Edelweiss). Someone on Reddit posted a green shot but they're being weird about gatekeeping the source and the screen shot doesn't have anything in it to verify where it came from.
Reading one star reviews on Goodreads is one of my favourite hobbies. Such wild opinions to be found.
I’m curious whether the anonymous author is Justine Musk. She’s Canadian, writes in a related space (horror-tinged romance) and would definitely want to escape the notoriety of her ex Elon.
Related: I posted what I thought was a funny video practicing different pitches for my new novel and there are several comments telling me earnestly they don’t want books pitched to them. 🙄 https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTj5Kke1H/
oh my god
I thought all three were hilarious, Leigh! Pitch on!
why thank you!
You’re exactly right about the rage. I feel it in publishing.
I loved reading what you wrote here and I agree with a lot of your thoughts! I might just read Silver Elite now but I'm definitely not in a rush to pick it up.
thank you!
I'm curious about Silver Elite! I'll probably end up reading it.
It’s been awhile since I left Bookstagram so I haven’t heard of this book and the “controversy” attached to it. But funny (truly, it’s not) to see people are still reacting too much and with immaturity. The pen name thing… Come on, there are so many reasons for an author to go with a pen name and the first one (to me) is to protect yourself and your loved ones from crazy people from the internet 🥴 Anyway, great post though! I’m not planning on reading Silver Elite simply because it’s not my kind of books but I love to read other people’s thoughts :)
Unless the romance aspects and emotional beats are terrifically well-written, you've identified enough plot flaws to keep me away.
Great write up! I've been keen for this one for a while as a huge fan of dystopian YA back in the mid noughties. I've been anticipating the trend to circle around into a dystopian/romantasy crossover and it's so here 😂
On the topic of the author, I find some of the speculation amusing as to who it is. So many people guessing authors based on the publisher using the NYT bestseller tag, but ignoring that it's been touted as the author's "adult debut." So it can't be an adult fiction author (ie Elsie Silver, Ali Hazelwood, Carley Fortune). They have to then be a children's/YA author, or even a non fiction author.
I do find it weird that there is a push back for dystopian romance happening online though, when we've had hundreds of YA dystopian romances over the years. Mafi's Shatter Me series is still going strong, and the MC in Silver Elite gives off Warner vibes.
Also dystopian romance has been quietly thriving in indie publishing spaces across YA and adult for some time now. Post apocalyptic romance as well. I've noticed an uptick on r/RomanceBooks asking for adult dystopian/apocalyptic romance recently too.
Speaking of Conform, I'm reading it at the moment and...well it's not the best, but it reminds me heavily of the mid noughties dystopian trend but for adults. It'll be interesting to see what criticism it draws because I think the "conservative" story line has parallels, but having not finished either, I can't really comment. I have Silver Elite to read after I finish Conform though, so it will be interesting to compare the two.
I don't really know how these books can be AI sometimes when ai produces a lot of garbage. And also gets confused a lot. So I just don't see how it would do it. There's probably a method I guess I mean claudes latest programming model is amazing but even it regurgitates garbage. Of course at a certain point that will resemble enjoyable reading. Just maybe not that deep reading. It'll happen eventually. Some of the bestselling books of all time are on the easy reading side right?
not only was it a Book of the Month selection, but they did a special edition with shiny edges! it definitely had a spotlight & a budget behind it! thanks for the write-up :)
Apparently the thing about it being a bestselling author was in the publisher's press release on a book industry web site (maybe Edelweiss). Someone on Reddit posted a green shot but they're being weird about gatekeeping the source and the screen shot doesn't have anything in it to verify where it came from.
Reading one star reviews on Goodreads is one of my favourite hobbies. Such wild opinions to be found.
I’m curious whether the anonymous author is Justine Musk. She’s Canadian, writes in a related space (horror-tinged romance) and would definitely want to escape the notoriety of her ex Elon.
Thank you for the breakdown, I’ve been wondering why this title got so popular!
All the forced hate with popular books screams "I'm not like other girls"