What do you think?
Rate this book
Silver
A HEART-RENDING NOVEL ABOUT THE QUEST TO BELONG, THE POWER OF LOVE, AND WHAT IT IS TO BE HUMAN.
THEIR LOVE WILL SET THE STARS ALIGHT . . .
Silver has been trained since birth for her collect data on the humans to test if Earth is viable for her home ship, Charybdis, to colonise. The only rules are that she must feed back the data she collects to the ship, and at all times follow the To touch is agony. To feel is pain.
So when Silver inhabits the body of a young woman and infiltrates the house she is staying in, she must learn to pass as a human without revealing her true identity. But she isn't prepared for how the humans will get under her skin. And she definitely isn't prepared for Finch, the boy she starts to fall for. Especially when he touches her - and it doesn't hurt.
It is not how Charybdis said it would be.
Have they been lying all along?
Conflicted by the war between her growing feelings for Finch and her allegiance to her ship, Silver must decide who to stand by and who to betray.
THEIR LOVE WILL SET THE STARS ALIGHT . . .
Silver has been trained since birth for her collect data on the humans to test if Earth is viable for her home ship, Charybdis, to colonise. The only rules are that she must feed back the data she collects to the ship, and at all times follow the To touch is agony. To feel is pain.
So when Silver inhabits the body of a young woman and infiltrates the house she is staying in, she must learn to pass as a human without revealing her true identity. But she isn't prepared for how the humans will get under her skin. And she definitely isn't prepared for Finch, the boy she starts to fall for. Especially when he touches her - and it doesn't hurt.
It is not how Charybdis said it would be.
Have they been lying all along?
Conflicted by the war between her growing feelings for Finch and her allegiance to her ship, Silver must decide who to stand by and who to betray.
419 pages, Paperback
First published November 7, 2024
12 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 26, 2024
Thank you to Hot Key Books for sending a copy of this book my way. I'm quite intrigued and cannot wait to read it!
December 11, 2024
*Thanks to Hot Key for sending me a copy of this to review!*
I really liked the concept of this book, and it started off really strongly. I did find as it started to focus more on the romantic element though, that the worldbuilding fell a bit to the wayside. It felt more like a contemporary novel with some sci-fi elements sprinkled in for convenience, than a sci-fi novel with contemporary elements sprinkled in. I think I wanted more backstory from Silver, maybe some longer scenes of her on her home planet and interacting with other members of her species. I needed the foundation of the book to be a little stronger, so that I felt more of the angst in the later chapters fully as she has a sort of moral dilemma to face. In that sense the execution of the original story did feel a little half baked, but if you immerse yourself enough in just the emotional human side of it, it’s decently enjoyable.
Writing wise, it was pretty standard for a YA noble but I think it was good. The pacing is really snappy and the plot does have enough happening to keep it moving forward, but I still think this one would have benefitted from maybe being around 100 pages shorter. It did feel a little laggy in the middle. It was also quite a humorous book, but I don’t think the author really leaned into a lot of the opportunities to be funnier. We have an outside species pretending to be a human being, I would have liked more chaos and misunderstandings because they made me giggle.
I didn’t feel much when reading this, I think that’s where it definitely didn’t hit the mark for me. It’s such an emotional story arc, but reading it doesn’t necessarily get that across very well. I don’t think it really displayed the full spectrum of human emotion and feeling, and didn’t tug on my heartstrings the way it was supposed to. I didn’t feel like the characters had strong enough connections to Silver for me to feel sad at the prospect of her having to leave. The romance elements also play into this a lot, as I didn’t feel like the characters had sufficient chemistry built up to tie in a love plotline. They clearly got on quite well and they were decent friends, but at times they struck me more as acquaintances. Siblings at best, but I wasn't really feeling the whole romantic pining that was supposedly going on. They just fell a little bit flat for me as a couple. I enjoyed the characters and their stories a lot, but they did feel like cardboard cut out and could have done with some more dimension.
This was quite a good read, but with some tweaks definitely could have been stronger. I had fun with it, and you will to if you don’t set your expectations too high and just immerse yourself.
I really liked the concept of this book, and it started off really strongly. I did find as it started to focus more on the romantic element though, that the worldbuilding fell a bit to the wayside. It felt more like a contemporary novel with some sci-fi elements sprinkled in for convenience, than a sci-fi novel with contemporary elements sprinkled in. I think I wanted more backstory from Silver, maybe some longer scenes of her on her home planet and interacting with other members of her species. I needed the foundation of the book to be a little stronger, so that I felt more of the angst in the later chapters fully as she has a sort of moral dilemma to face. In that sense the execution of the original story did feel a little half baked, but if you immerse yourself enough in just the emotional human side of it, it’s decently enjoyable.
Writing wise, it was pretty standard for a YA noble but I think it was good. The pacing is really snappy and the plot does have enough happening to keep it moving forward, but I still think this one would have benefitted from maybe being around 100 pages shorter. It did feel a little laggy in the middle. It was also quite a humorous book, but I don’t think the author really leaned into a lot of the opportunities to be funnier. We have an outside species pretending to be a human being, I would have liked more chaos and misunderstandings because they made me giggle.
I didn’t feel much when reading this, I think that’s where it definitely didn’t hit the mark for me. It’s such an emotional story arc, but reading it doesn’t necessarily get that across very well. I don’t think it really displayed the full spectrum of human emotion and feeling, and didn’t tug on my heartstrings the way it was supposed to. I didn’t feel like the characters had strong enough connections to Silver for me to feel sad at the prospect of her having to leave. The romance elements also play into this a lot, as I didn’t feel like the characters had sufficient chemistry built up to tie in a love plotline. They clearly got on quite well and they were decent friends, but at times they struck me more as acquaintances. Siblings at best, but I wasn't really feeling the whole romantic pining that was supposedly going on. They just fell a little bit flat for me as a couple. I enjoyed the characters and their stories a lot, but they did feel like cardboard cut out and could have done with some more dimension.
This was quite a good read, but with some tweaks definitely could have been stronger. I had fun with it, and you will to if you don’t set your expectations too high and just immerse yourself.
December 29, 2024
This was a charming read with characters I was really routing for. As a middle-aged reader, it was a little young for me, but I can’t mark it down for that! Many thanks to NetGalley for an arc of this book.
August 4, 2024
"Silver" by @olivialevezauthor is an imaginative and thought-provoking sci-fi novel that draws readers into a world where one character's mission holds the survival of her entire race. Silver's journey is both fascinating and poignant as she navigates the complexities of human emotions and relationships.
This process of unlearning and self-discovery is portrayed with a heartbreaking and melancholic undertone. Silver's internal conflict is palpable as she grapples with her programmed beliefs and the new emotions she experiences. The narrative deftly intertwines chapters that reflect her teachings on Charybdis with her present experiences on Earth, highlighting the stark contrast and her growing confusion.
The theme of understanding what it means to have a home, to be at home, and to be home is beautifully explored. Silver's longing for connection and her guilt for desiring something beyond her mission are deeply moving. Her interactions with Finch, who defies her expectations and challenges her beliefs, add a layer of emotional depth to the story. Finch's presence in the story serves as a catalyst for Silver's transformation, making her question the truths she has held onto for so long.
As Silver gets to know the human family and forms bonds with them, she learns about kindness and humanity. The initial strangers become friends, and Silver's first impressions are transformed as she opens her heart to new possibilities. The story ultimately delves into what it means to be human and the power of compassion and understanding.
"Silver" is a touching and insightful novel that will resonate with readers. Olivia Levez has crafted a story that explores deep emotional themes and challenges preconceived notions. The book beautifully portrays the journey of self-discovery and the realization that sometimes, the most unexpected connections can change everything.
Thank you #pansing @definitelybooks for the arc! Don't miss the release of "Silver" this November.
This process of unlearning and self-discovery is portrayed with a heartbreaking and melancholic undertone. Silver's internal conflict is palpable as she grapples with her programmed beliefs and the new emotions she experiences. The narrative deftly intertwines chapters that reflect her teachings on Charybdis with her present experiences on Earth, highlighting the stark contrast and her growing confusion.
The theme of understanding what it means to have a home, to be at home, and to be home is beautifully explored. Silver's longing for connection and her guilt for desiring something beyond her mission are deeply moving. Her interactions with Finch, who defies her expectations and challenges her beliefs, add a layer of emotional depth to the story. Finch's presence in the story serves as a catalyst for Silver's transformation, making her question the truths she has held onto for so long.
As Silver gets to know the human family and forms bonds with them, she learns about kindness and humanity. The initial strangers become friends, and Silver's first impressions are transformed as she opens her heart to new possibilities. The story ultimately delves into what it means to be human and the power of compassion and understanding.
"Silver" is a touching and insightful novel that will resonate with readers. Olivia Levez has crafted a story that explores deep emotional themes and challenges preconceived notions. The book beautifully portrays the journey of self-discovery and the realization that sometimes, the most unexpected connections can change everything.
Thank you #pansing @definitelybooks for the arc! Don't miss the release of "Silver" this November.
November 15, 2024
I don't think I can do this book justice with any review I write. It is absolutely outstanding. There are subtle things Levez does throughout that elevate Silver in a way that many may overlook, but that set her apart as an extremely talented writer.
-
Silver has been trained since birth to become the First Pioneer and collect data about the human race in preparation for her mothership, Charybdis, to colonise. The only rules are that she must feed back the data she collects to the ship, and at all times follow the mantra, remembering that "To touch is agony. To feel is pain." As Silver settles into the body she has inhabited and the family she has infiltrated, she begins to learn that the Charybdian mantra may not be true after all.
-
Levez begins her story with Silver touching down to Earth on a hill outside a small rural town. It is in these opening chapters that Levez's writing shines with the way Silver tentatively explores and finds the words to describe her new surroundings; "Two pips, then a trilling. Its perch is pinned with fire berries. I spark at it and it hops. I find the word: tree. Treehopper. Bird." The imagery is so strong but so quiet at the same time. This is also how Levez makes you care so deeply about Silver as a character; she is like Bambi learning to walk on ice, delicate and innocent, even though her quest is anything but. Levez also includes well timed flashbacks that give us an idea of Silver's upbringing on Charybdis, where we learn that her and her fellow infants were taught not to require touch or reassurance, which makes you want to nurture Silver yourself. The supporting characters in Silver's story are also strongly rendered and it is clear that Levez is an observer of people because she deftly creates distinct personalities for them through all the small things they do and say. As a fellow ex-English teacher, I would wager that Levez was an expert at teaching her students 'show don't tell' for their Language Paper 1B, because she does a cracking job of it herself.
-
The story itself is engaging throughout. The budding relationships that Silver forms with her new family are easy to invest in, and each character learns things about themselves as they grow with Silver. There is nothing I didn't like about this book, only that I can never read it for the first time again. I've seen it compared to ET a lot, but although there is a literal nod to that classic, it reminded me more of a kind of reverse of the Xenogenesis series by Octavia E. Butler. Sci-Fi is nowhere near the top of my go-to list of genres, but Silver is definitely on my list of 2024 favourites and I am so excited to use it for my booktalks in schools.
-
Thanks to Netgalley UK, Bonnier and Hotkey for the digital ARC, and to Levez for writing it.
-
Silver has been trained since birth to become the First Pioneer and collect data about the human race in preparation for her mothership, Charybdis, to colonise. The only rules are that she must feed back the data she collects to the ship, and at all times follow the mantra, remembering that "To touch is agony. To feel is pain." As Silver settles into the body she has inhabited and the family she has infiltrated, she begins to learn that the Charybdian mantra may not be true after all.
-
Levez begins her story with Silver touching down to Earth on a hill outside a small rural town. It is in these opening chapters that Levez's writing shines with the way Silver tentatively explores and finds the words to describe her new surroundings; "Two pips, then a trilling. Its perch is pinned with fire berries. I spark at it and it hops. I find the word: tree. Treehopper. Bird." The imagery is so strong but so quiet at the same time. This is also how Levez makes you care so deeply about Silver as a character; she is like Bambi learning to walk on ice, delicate and innocent, even though her quest is anything but. Levez also includes well timed flashbacks that give us an idea of Silver's upbringing on Charybdis, where we learn that her and her fellow infants were taught not to require touch or reassurance, which makes you want to nurture Silver yourself. The supporting characters in Silver's story are also strongly rendered and it is clear that Levez is an observer of people because she deftly creates distinct personalities for them through all the small things they do and say. As a fellow ex-English teacher, I would wager that Levez was an expert at teaching her students 'show don't tell' for their Language Paper 1B, because she does a cracking job of it herself.
-
The story itself is engaging throughout. The budding relationships that Silver forms with her new family are easy to invest in, and each character learns things about themselves as they grow with Silver. There is nothing I didn't like about this book, only that I can never read it for the first time again. I've seen it compared to ET a lot, but although there is a literal nod to that classic, it reminded me more of a kind of reverse of the Xenogenesis series by Octavia E. Butler. Sci-Fi is nowhere near the top of my go-to list of genres, but Silver is definitely on my list of 2024 favourites and I am so excited to use it for my booktalks in schools.
-
Thanks to Netgalley UK, Bonnier and Hotkey for the digital ARC, and to Levez for writing it.
April 8, 2025
This is what Cadet 39 had worked so hard for. All the learning, conditioning, the studying of the founder’s mantra, the tests and defeats of other cadets. She is the first pioneer of their kind to kickstart their mission Project Ultima to find a new planet. The chosen planet is called Earth.
She lands in the snow, her skin Silver against the white. But there are humans in this place, and she is seen. She must hide. Become one of them. Report back to the founders. Cadet 39 finds a teenage girl, scans her mind and inhabits her body. This girl is named Syliva, and is about to meet a local family to become their live-in pet sitter. The family is made up of three humans. Stella, the adult human, Doodles, a young girl human, and Finch who is a boy human the same age as the girl she is inhabiting.
Determined to do well, Cadet 39 studies the family, learning the human ways. It’s a struggle to understand some of the things they say, and what they require of her. She is to report back to the founders on the local hill where they shield themselves and wait for her progress reports.
Her mission is also difficult as she begins to like these humans and feels guilt at inhabiting one. She is instructed to inhabit each of the family members in order to learn as much as she can, but that is difficult too. She has been taught not to feel. But as a young cadet and even earlier on her ship, she felt different to her peers, caring for them when she shouldn’t.
She has been taught to fear human touch, as it will damage her. But the more she gets to know humans, she wonders about her mission, the mantra she has lived by and her own sense of self.
A love story like no other. Silver is sci-fi, romance and the story of a family all rolled into one. Each chapter begins with a quote from The Mantra � something this tribe of aliens live by, which helps the reader understand the main character, Silver.
But she is an anomaly among her kind, which puts a spanner in the alien’s planned takeover of the Earth. This difference in her is woven into a twist for readers, but only once you have fallen in love with her falling in love, with a human boy named Finch.
Other characters are just as likeable, whether it be Finch’s neuro divergent little sister, Betty the old lady next door, or a homeless man named Three Fingers. Silver is a wonderful study of what it is to be human, our quirks, sayings and social rules, and how an alien (albeit an empathetic one) views them.
I really enjoyed hanging out with this family, and didn’t want to leave them behind at the end of the book.
Age � 13+
She lands in the snow, her skin Silver against the white. But there are humans in this place, and she is seen. She must hide. Become one of them. Report back to the founders. Cadet 39 finds a teenage girl, scans her mind and inhabits her body. This girl is named Syliva, and is about to meet a local family to become their live-in pet sitter. The family is made up of three humans. Stella, the adult human, Doodles, a young girl human, and Finch who is a boy human the same age as the girl she is inhabiting.
Determined to do well, Cadet 39 studies the family, learning the human ways. It’s a struggle to understand some of the things they say, and what they require of her. She is to report back to the founders on the local hill where they shield themselves and wait for her progress reports.
Her mission is also difficult as she begins to like these humans and feels guilt at inhabiting one. She is instructed to inhabit each of the family members in order to learn as much as she can, but that is difficult too. She has been taught not to feel. But as a young cadet and even earlier on her ship, she felt different to her peers, caring for them when she shouldn’t.
She has been taught to fear human touch, as it will damage her. But the more she gets to know humans, she wonders about her mission, the mantra she has lived by and her own sense of self.
A love story like no other. Silver is sci-fi, romance and the story of a family all rolled into one. Each chapter begins with a quote from The Mantra � something this tribe of aliens live by, which helps the reader understand the main character, Silver.
But she is an anomaly among her kind, which puts a spanner in the alien’s planned takeover of the Earth. This difference in her is woven into a twist for readers, but only once you have fallen in love with her falling in love, with a human boy named Finch.
Other characters are just as likeable, whether it be Finch’s neuro divergent little sister, Betty the old lady next door, or a homeless man named Three Fingers. Silver is a wonderful study of what it is to be human, our quirks, sayings and social rules, and how an alien (albeit an empathetic one) views them.
I really enjoyed hanging out with this family, and didn’t want to leave them behind at the end of the book.
Age � 13+
November 10, 2024
Silver is on Earth to send data about humans to see if it is viable for her homeship, Charybdis, to colonize. She must always remember 'To touch is agony. To feel is pain'. She inhabits the body of a young woman and must learn to pass as human. Silver is not prepared for how humans are and she is especially not prepared for Finch, the boy she starts to fall for. Who touches her and it doesn't hurt...
With the 1st person POV, we see the world through Silver's observant, studious, duty-bound, awestruck newcomer gaze. The weirdness of the situation is depicted very well. There is a quality of preciseness, a matter-of-fact demeanor to the descriptions, including little details that are befitting to the character. Ever so often there are sentences that are lyrical gems. I enjoyed the philosophical vibe.
We experience Silver's homeship and upbringing with the Before parts which were so interesting. The harshness of their expectations. The narrative shines with the antithesis of growing up with touching or intimacy being forbidden and then being flooded with the touchy-feely behavior of the humans. She is confused and awkward, very much in her head. We travel in her inner thoughts. The humor is inevitable. The warm and fuzzies too. Though so are the heart-wrenching, drama-induced, 'what to do now' parts.
Loneliness and the need for connection color the story. It is about discovering hope and joy and keeping them alive inside. About belonging.
The buildup of the story is gradual, maybe a little slow in parts. I wish that some of the scenes that have to do with the threat are less confusing and could have been brought about a little differently. As we get close to the finale there are instances where the storyline seems to stumble and I wish the author had gone a different way. The best part of the book was Silver learning how to be human. The final truth that is revealed makes so much sense and you know it couldn't have ended any other way.
An unexpected more than likely doomed romance that that teaches a spy from the stars the power of love with the world at stake.
With the 1st person POV, we see the world through Silver's observant, studious, duty-bound, awestruck newcomer gaze. The weirdness of the situation is depicted very well. There is a quality of preciseness, a matter-of-fact demeanor to the descriptions, including little details that are befitting to the character. Ever so often there are sentences that are lyrical gems. I enjoyed the philosophical vibe.
We experience Silver's homeship and upbringing with the Before parts which were so interesting. The harshness of their expectations. The narrative shines with the antithesis of growing up with touching or intimacy being forbidden and then being flooded with the touchy-feely behavior of the humans. She is confused and awkward, very much in her head. We travel in her inner thoughts. The humor is inevitable. The warm and fuzzies too. Though so are the heart-wrenching, drama-induced, 'what to do now' parts.
Loneliness and the need for connection color the story. It is about discovering hope and joy and keeping them alive inside. About belonging.
The buildup of the story is gradual, maybe a little slow in parts. I wish that some of the scenes that have to do with the threat are less confusing and could have been brought about a little differently. As we get close to the finale there are instances where the storyline seems to stumble and I wish the author had gone a different way. The best part of the book was Silver learning how to be human. The final truth that is revealed makes so much sense and you know it couldn't have ended any other way.
An unexpected more than likely doomed romance that that teaches a spy from the stars the power of love with the world at stake.
Read
September 13, 2024Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC!
I want to preface this by saying I’m probably not the target audience. This book is YA, truly young YA. I do read YA and enjoy many of them, even the ones on the less mature side. However, this book felt a bit more middle grade, and I can easily imagine myself loving it when I was 12. However, the adult me, not so much.
The premise is amazing, reminding me a lot of Translation State by Ann Leckie in the design of the aliens and Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh in their manipulation by the governing entity. The flashbacks to Silver’s past as a cadet are the best part of the book, a true sci-fi of the best quality. The Earth part, though is the reason I couldn’t finish the book.
Once Silver ends up with the human family, she seems to forget all the supposed knowledge she acquired as a cadet. The scouts died trying to find out as much about human activity as possible, and on all the educational videos, there was no one walking the dog? She learned human language on the ship, but she’s capable only of quoting bad commercials? The logic starts to break a little. Don't even get me started on how the family let the original dog sitter have access to the house before meeting her first. Did they just leave a key under a doormat so that a foreign teenage girl could let herself in?
And then, when Silver wants to cook a cake, so instead of going shopping (payments don’t seem to be a problem for her technology), she goes to a neighbor? A neighbor who is clearly not okay and spends pages after pages on gibberish.
I really wish I loved it more. There is great potential, though, and if I was still a teenager, I would probably enjoy the book.
I want to preface this by saying I’m probably not the target audience. This book is YA, truly young YA. I do read YA and enjoy many of them, even the ones on the less mature side. However, this book felt a bit more middle grade, and I can easily imagine myself loving it when I was 12. However, the adult me, not so much.
The premise is amazing, reminding me a lot of Translation State by Ann Leckie in the design of the aliens and Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh in their manipulation by the governing entity. The flashbacks to Silver’s past as a cadet are the best part of the book, a true sci-fi of the best quality. The Earth part, though is the reason I couldn’t finish the book.
Once Silver ends up with the human family, she seems to forget all the supposed knowledge she acquired as a cadet. The scouts died trying to find out as much about human activity as possible, and on all the educational videos, there was no one walking the dog? She learned human language on the ship, but she’s capable only of quoting bad commercials? The logic starts to break a little. Don't even get me started on how the family let the original dog sitter have access to the house before meeting her first. Did they just leave a key under a doormat so that a foreign teenage girl could let herself in?
And then, when Silver wants to cook a cake, so instead of going shopping (payments don’t seem to be a problem for her technology), she goes to a neighbor? A neighbor who is clearly not okay and spends pages after pages on gibberish.
I really wish I loved it more. There is great potential, though, and if I was still a teenager, I would probably enjoy the book.
October 17, 2024
You know I’m a terrible bookstagrammer when I’ve read the books but still haven’t posted the unboxing. Priorities, guys, priorities.
Anyway, Silver by Olivia Levez explores what it means to be human by having a pioneer parasitic alien, Silver, realise that she does not actually want to colonize earth. All she wants is a normal human life, to be connected to others, loving them and protecting them. However, her mothership is not about to let their carefully laid plans fall apart due to something as seemingly insignificant as love.
This was a poignant read indeed. There’s something in the way Levez writes Silver that is at once naive yet calculating, a whole bundle of contradictions as the titular alien tries to discover who she is and what she stands for. There were some parts when I was skeptical about how caring Silver was when she was bred to be a ruthless colonizer, however, I needn’t have worried, since Levez resolves it nicely. I felt that the struggle between self-observation and taught beliefs was nicely done. Of course, life is never quite so clear cut, but this was lovely to see. Certainly, I felt for this little alien, who so obviously yearned for connection from young but was groomed to be otherwise.
This is not a read that banks on plot twists and reversals. Instead, what we have is an emotional story that stays true to its central themes, ensuring a satisfying resolution that I enjoyed thoroughly.
Diversity meter:
Strong female characters
Anyway, Silver by Olivia Levez explores what it means to be human by having a pioneer parasitic alien, Silver, realise that she does not actually want to colonize earth. All she wants is a normal human life, to be connected to others, loving them and protecting them. However, her mothership is not about to let their carefully laid plans fall apart due to something as seemingly insignificant as love.
This was a poignant read indeed. There’s something in the way Levez writes Silver that is at once naive yet calculating, a whole bundle of contradictions as the titular alien tries to discover who she is and what she stands for. There were some parts when I was skeptical about how caring Silver was when she was bred to be a ruthless colonizer, however, I needn’t have worried, since Levez resolves it nicely. I felt that the struggle between self-observation and taught beliefs was nicely done. Of course, life is never quite so clear cut, but this was lovely to see. Certainly, I felt for this little alien, who so obviously yearned for connection from young but was groomed to be otherwise.
This is not a read that banks on plot twists and reversals. Instead, what we have is an emotional story that stays true to its central themes, ensuring a satisfying resolution that I enjoyed thoroughly.
Diversity meter:
Strong female characters
November 7, 2024
Silver is a sweet and thought-provoking science fiction YA book.
Silver is also the name of our main character, a young alien come to Earth to spy on humans and see if their world is ripe for takeover. Her job is to 'inhabit' the first human she meets and learn what she can - without getting too close to anyone. The founders, who lead the people on her spaceship, say that even a touch from a human will cause incredible pain.
Of course the story cannot be so simple as that. Silver is too scared to inhabit the first human she sees, and instead makes do with the second, a dog-sitter/home-help who conveniently is brand new to the family she's staying with, and comes from another country (so it is sort of hand-wavey okay if she doesn't know the local lingo).
What follows is quite a cute story (cute sounds dismissive, but it isn't) about discovering what it means to be human, making mistakes and getting over it, and falling in love for the first time. I will say the romance felt more like a sub-plot to me (the cover makes it sounds like it's the biggest love story ever) and definitely quite young YA, but that's okay - we need some of them! The SF is interesting but may not hold together if you think about it too much (how did Silver land unaware of so many human concepts after all her training?). I enjoyed the UK setting - it felt like home.
I'd happily recommend this to any younger people wanting something with a dash of romance and a big splash of SF.
Silver is also the name of our main character, a young alien come to Earth to spy on humans and see if their world is ripe for takeover. Her job is to 'inhabit' the first human she meets and learn what she can - without getting too close to anyone. The founders, who lead the people on her spaceship, say that even a touch from a human will cause incredible pain.
Of course the story cannot be so simple as that. Silver is too scared to inhabit the first human she sees, and instead makes do with the second, a dog-sitter/home-help who conveniently is brand new to the family she's staying with, and comes from another country (so it is sort of hand-wavey okay if she doesn't know the local lingo).
What follows is quite a cute story (cute sounds dismissive, but it isn't) about discovering what it means to be human, making mistakes and getting over it, and falling in love for the first time. I will say the romance felt more like a sub-plot to me (the cover makes it sounds like it's the biggest love story ever) and definitely quite young YA, but that's okay - we need some of them! The SF is interesting but may not hold together if you think about it too much (how did Silver land unaware of so many human concepts after all her training?). I enjoyed the UK setting - it felt like home.
I'd happily recommend this to any younger people wanting something with a dash of romance and a big splash of SF.
January 5, 2025
I love the premise of Silver: a familiar story of an alien, trying to understand and fit into the world of humans. I really enjoyed the way Levez allows us to see ourselves anew through the eyes of an outsider.
There were nods to other alien stories in here too with a direct reference to ET as well as shades of The Man Who Fell To Earth and War of the Worlds. The flashbacks to Silver’s upbringing on the spaceship, Charybdis, were chilling in places, particularly the dystopian nurture rooms and the babies in their pods, which reminded me of the babies in Brave New World. Also, the dilemma Silver faces throughout was extremely emotionally affecting and reminded me of The Little Mermaid.
The contrast between the initial emotional coldness and bewilderment of the main character, Silver, and the chaos and warmth of the family she lives with was great, as was her gradual thawing. Levez descriptions of and references to nature and wildlife were gorgeous and further justified Silver’s desire to stay on Earth, particularly when contrasted with the descriptions of her ‘real� home. The set pieces were beautifully written, from the opening snowy scene, where she first encounters Finch, to Christmas Day, the art exhibition and the finale.
Silver will appeal to fans of romance and sci-fi as well as to anyone who likes a well-written, tender and ultimately very human story.
There were nods to other alien stories in here too with a direct reference to ET as well as shades of The Man Who Fell To Earth and War of the Worlds. The flashbacks to Silver’s upbringing on the spaceship, Charybdis, were chilling in places, particularly the dystopian nurture rooms and the babies in their pods, which reminded me of the babies in Brave New World. Also, the dilemma Silver faces throughout was extremely emotionally affecting and reminded me of The Little Mermaid.
The contrast between the initial emotional coldness and bewilderment of the main character, Silver, and the chaos and warmth of the family she lives with was great, as was her gradual thawing. Levez descriptions of and references to nature and wildlife were gorgeous and further justified Silver’s desire to stay on Earth, particularly when contrasted with the descriptions of her ‘real� home. The set pieces were beautifully written, from the opening snowy scene, where she first encounters Finch, to Christmas Day, the art exhibition and the finale.
Silver will appeal to fans of romance and sci-fi as well as to anyone who likes a well-written, tender and ultimately very human story.
October 26, 2024
Headlines:
Humanity
Compassion, touch and skin
Being a pioneer
This story was part invasion of the body snatchers, part Roswell and much of its own unique conception. It was firmly placed in the YA genre, so that age and immaturity that comes with it was present in the pages. It was about the exploration of humanity through the eyes of Silver, an interesting alien character trying to sketch what it meant to be human.
The story was told in past and present, both were equally engaging. Present being Silver's life in a family in the UK and past being her cadet training on board an alien ship, preparing to be the first pioneer on Earth. Not everything was as it first appeared and there were some good reveals along the way.
The family that Silver found herself in was chaotic but real and how she found her feet there kept me reading in the early stages. The situation with the founders on board the ship, the need to 'shield' and then the second pioneer had me stress reading.
The plot was super exciting in the final quarter and the ending felt right for all that had gone before.
Thank you to Hot Key Books for the review copy.
Humanity
Compassion, touch and skin
Being a pioneer
This story was part invasion of the body snatchers, part Roswell and much of its own unique conception. It was firmly placed in the YA genre, so that age and immaturity that comes with it was present in the pages. It was about the exploration of humanity through the eyes of Silver, an interesting alien character trying to sketch what it meant to be human.
The story was told in past and present, both were equally engaging. Present being Silver's life in a family in the UK and past being her cadet training on board an alien ship, preparing to be the first pioneer on Earth. Not everything was as it first appeared and there were some good reveals along the way.
The family that Silver found herself in was chaotic but real and how she found her feet there kept me reading in the early stages. The situation with the founders on board the ship, the need to 'shield' and then the second pioneer had me stress reading.
The plot was super exciting in the final quarter and the ending felt right for all that had gone before.
Thank you to Hot Key Books for the review copy.
December 22, 2024
3.75⭐️
Thank you to @netgalley for providing me with this eARC!
I really did not know what to expect with this one. Sci-fi isn't my usual but I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and I'm so glad I did.
This book gave me all the feels. It's such a beautiful story following Silver learning about humanity and what it means to be human with some truly thought provoking moments.
Her relationship with Finch and his family really tugged at my heartstrings. There's so many wholesome moments between each member of the family, with Silver helping each of them conquer their fears or dreams in their own ways.
There's some truly wonderful and sweet moments between these characters that brought tears to my eyes. The 'I came for the plot but stayed for the characters' truly fits this book.
No spoilers but that ending was absolutely perfect. I cried whilst finishing it (at 2am on a work night but no regrets). It was bittersweet but truly fitted the story.
I'm so glad I gave this a shot and truly believe that this will be such a standout for readers who want a young adult sci-fi romance with characters with depth and thought provoking revelations.
Thank you to @netgalley for providing me with this eARC!
I really did not know what to expect with this one. Sci-fi isn't my usual but I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and I'm so glad I did.
This book gave me all the feels. It's such a beautiful story following Silver learning about humanity and what it means to be human with some truly thought provoking moments.
Her relationship with Finch and his family really tugged at my heartstrings. There's so many wholesome moments between each member of the family, with Silver helping each of them conquer their fears or dreams in their own ways.
There's some truly wonderful and sweet moments between these characters that brought tears to my eyes. The 'I came for the plot but stayed for the characters' truly fits this book.
No spoilers but that ending was absolutely perfect. I cried whilst finishing it (at 2am on a work night but no regrets). It was bittersweet but truly fitted the story.
I'm so glad I gave this a shot and truly believe that this will be such a standout for readers who want a young adult sci-fi romance with characters with depth and thought provoking revelations.
November 18, 2024
A decent YA science fiction romance
Thank you, Bonnier Books and NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC of Olivia Levez’s, .
Overall, a decent YA science fiction novel. Great concept, well written, themes of loneliness, belonging and love. A central romance.
It could have benefitted from a bit more nuance. It was a straightforward good versus evil: humans being good (and vulnerable) vs thoroughly evil aliens. That, some plotholes and a bit too much naivety all around, brought it down to 3 stars for me in the end.
All in all, is a good choice if you are looking for an entertaining YA science fiction romance.
Thank you, Bonnier Books and NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC of Olivia Levez’s, .
Overall, a decent YA science fiction novel. Great concept, well written, themes of loneliness, belonging and love. A central romance.
It could have benefitted from a bit more nuance. It was a straightforward good versus evil: humans being good (and vulnerable) vs thoroughly evil aliens. That, some plotholes and a bit too much naivety all around, brought it down to 3 stars for me in the end.
All in all, is a good choice if you are looking for an entertaining YA science fiction romance.
June 14, 2024
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and honestly review an advanced reader’s copy of this book.
Silver is a short, contemporary sci-fi story about an alien chosen by her people to come down to earth, to inhabit their bodies and to find a way for her dying people to take over the world.
And honestly, I wish it had worked better for me. I wish the story had felt a lot smoother, and not so stilted. I also have a problem with suffering from secondhand embarrassment easily, and this book had that in spades.
(Also putting Harry Potter reference in a book in 2024? Yikes.)
The characters were fine, the plot was fine if a tad predictable. Overall it’s just all ‘fine�.
If you read more contemporary than me, this could work for you. 2.5 stars.
Silver is a short, contemporary sci-fi story about an alien chosen by her people to come down to earth, to inhabit their bodies and to find a way for her dying people to take over the world.
And honestly, I wish it had worked better for me. I wish the story had felt a lot smoother, and not so stilted. I also have a problem with suffering from secondhand embarrassment easily, and this book had that in spades.
(Also putting Harry Potter reference in a book in 2024? Yikes.)
The characters were fine, the plot was fine if a tad predictable. Overall it’s just all ‘fine�.
If you read more contemporary than me, this could work for you. 2.5 stars.
November 7, 2024
This story was a sad story about an alien species trying to explore Earth and find out about human life. If they could live there. The scout that is sent takes some time to understand what human emotions mean but doesn’t expect to fall in love and want to stay with him. She has to take over each person and read all their thoughts and experiences in life to report back to her mother ship that hovers over the hillside.
I found this story a great read and would love to think ther could be a sequel to this.
Many thanks to Bonnie Books Uk for the opportunity to read this arc copy for review consideration via Netgalley.
#Netgalley, #BonnierBooksUk, #OliviaLevezAuthor.
I found this story a great read and would love to think ther could be a sequel to this.
Many thanks to Bonnie Books Uk for the opportunity to read this arc copy for review consideration via Netgalley.
#Netgalley, #BonnierBooksUk, #OliviaLevezAuthor.
February 9, 2025
I love a cosy sci-fi, and this one absolutely delivered.
Silver's character development was so interesting, and the whole narrative felt like a coming-of-age story with a great sci-fi twist! I loved how Silver began to open up to the human world, and I thought the blend of humourous miscommunication and genuinely heartfelt moments was really well balanced.
If (like me) you've been feeling somewhat bereft since finishing Becky Chambers' Wayfarers series, this will definitely scratch that itch.
Books with similar vibes - The Humans by Matt Haig, The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini, and Across the Universe by Beth Revis.
Silver's character development was so interesting, and the whole narrative felt like a coming-of-age story with a great sci-fi twist! I loved how Silver began to open up to the human world, and I thought the blend of humourous miscommunication and genuinely heartfelt moments was really well balanced.
If (like me) you've been feeling somewhat bereft since finishing Becky Chambers' Wayfarers series, this will definitely scratch that itch.
Books with similar vibes - The Humans by Matt Haig, The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini, and Across the Universe by Beth Revis.
January 20, 2025
the ending saved this book for me, it tied the plot up nicely! however, the first 2/3 felt slow. definitely saw how silver was able to slowly become human, small changes in her speech and being more gentle in the way she treats others. and i enjoyed the flashbacks to silver’s time on charbydis. for the romance, i didn’t feel that the it was natural between finch and silver but instead filled with too much kissing as opposed to their relationship. overall, didn’t feel very connected to the book, but can see why people liked it
August 20, 2024
This is a story about love, desire, sacrifice and despair. It’s beautiful and devastating and heart wrenching. The writing starts off jerky, like a newborn deer experiencing its surroundings for the first time which fits with the main character’s experience. The writing becomes more lyrical as the character experiences humanity and grows into their own individual, and they decide on their own priorities, taking matters into their own hands. A truly beautiful story!
September 22, 2024
What a great cosy sci-fi romance! The cover originally drew me in but after a few chapters I was fully invested. Silver is such an interesting character and it really is a journey looking into what it is to be human. I liked the two timelines and the short chapters as it was super engaging, I think it definitely is more YA as some parts weren't for me but I would recommend it to younger readers than myself
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
November 23, 2024
As a YA book I was unsure about how much I would enjoy it � but Silver is so beautifully written with a gripping story that had me totally hooked from start to finish. I could never imagine becoming so invested in an alien girl, but the characterisation of Silver, and all the characters, drew me in. With vivid descriptions, I can absolutely see this story on the big screen. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book and will definitely be buying some for Christmas presents!
Read
April 19, 2025This was a beautiful story about an alien from Charybdis attempting to take the form of a human and blend in with their society. Along the way she meets a family and becomes very close to them, forming bonds and on occasion making disastrous mistakes as expected of someone masquerading as human. I really loved seeing Silver’s development and the revelations they made about Charybdis along the way.
June 15, 2024
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this advance copy.
I'm not 100% sure what drew me to this book but I'm pleased it did. I absolutely adored it. From the very beginning I just couldn't pur it down. The characters and storyline were simple but effective. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
I'm not 100% sure what drew me to this book but I'm pleased it did. I absolutely adored it. From the very beginning I just couldn't pur it down. The characters and storyline were simple but effective. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.
July 19, 2024
Initially I was reminded of "The Host" by Stephanie Myers with the premise of this book, but soon shook that concept as this was much more focused of feelings rather than a fight for survival.
I loved Silver's progression from an outsider to 'human' and her relationships with the family and found family.
I loved Silver's progression from an outsider to 'human' and her relationships with the family and found family.
August 2, 2024
A really enjoyable read based on an original idea. Silver's development, as they learn about what it means to be human, the bonds that bring us together and what it means to love, intertwines with their discovery of the truth behind their purpose and the intentions of their guardians. I will definitely look out for other titles by this author.
December 12, 2024
I like fantasy novels but I’m not usually a great fan of aliens. However, I very much enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were realistically and thoughtfully drawn and there were some delightful cameos. The plot was engaging and believable (well, there are aliens involved so, not completely believable, but very satisfying!) Levez writes beautifully. No spoilers: read it!
September 16, 2024
This is a beautiful YA story about what it is to be human.
I enjoyed following Silver & seeing her develop from a fairly robotic persona to a fully fledged non human.
The ending was so bittersweet & I hope the family never forget her. I also hope Doodles won 🏆
I enjoyed following Silver & seeing her develop from a fairly robotic persona to a fully fledged non human.
The ending was so bittersweet & I hope the family never forget her. I also hope Doodles won 🏆
November 30, 2024
4 stars.
I really enjoyed this. I found it a really fresh take on quite an old idea of first contact with/from aliens. I wish it explored more of the politics/culture of the alien civilisation - which was done more in the early part of the book - but still worth a read if this is up your ally.
I really enjoyed this. I found it a really fresh take on quite an old idea of first contact with/from aliens. I wish it explored more of the politics/culture of the alien civilisation - which was done more in the early part of the book - but still worth a read if this is up your ally.
December 31, 2024
Even taking into account that this is YA fiction, I couldn't suspend my disbelief anywhere near as far as this book demands. It's a cool idea and could be interesting if some of the plot holes were ironed out.
January 14, 2025
This was a fun read, I loved the romance and the sci-fi elements combined with the humorous vibe. The plot was snappy. It was slightly too young for me but I won’t mark it down for that, that’s just because of my age. Pacing needed to be a bit faster at times. Thank you for the ARC!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.