Silver

Lizzie Yr9 Ardingly

This book is great for people who love sci-fi and romance. I didn’t like the way it was written to fit like Silver’s mind and I found it a bit difficult to get into. However, it got better as it went on and by the end I quite enjoyed it. It showed the struggles and big decisions of who Silver would choose to betray in the end. I liked how Silver would have messages and be talking to Charybdis throughout the book because it highlighted how she was questioning the lies she was told as she grew up. I liked Finch as a character the best because it made the story more interesting and like Silver was living two lives at the same time. Overall I think the book was good.

Isla

I loved Silver so much and I NEED a sequel like because… are they coming back? Are they going to find a way to bring her back because I need Finch to find a way, I NEED him to! Also I am left with so many questions like did all the infants on board the Charybdis ship die? Surely she wouldn’t want that? And what about the other Charybdis survivors, can they meet Finch and find a way to bring her back? And what will Finch say to Stella, “She just left” because there is NO way she will believe that! I loved this book though and the presence of emotions in this book and the discovery of touch was so heartwarming!

Sari Y9- St Paul’s

I am a sci-fi fan and I really enjoyed Silver. I really liked how it explored how our world might be perceived by someone who had never been here before and how they might struggle to fit in and understand what was considered normal. It was really interesting to read about how Silver gets a different view on certain aspects of how to live and eventually realise how oppressive those who brought her up were. I also loved how she began to take in that being close to others wasn’t a bad thing at all, but can actually be a way for people to feel like they belong and like they have someone they can rely on, despite what she was taught from a young age. The romance between her and Finch was written really well and progressed in a way that seemed normal and what you might expect in real life if you were to end up in this situation. The plot twist at the end was also totally unexpected. I did get quite a bit of second hand embarrassment from when Silver is learning how to behave like a human, but I thought it was really effective as it showed how hard it might be to try and navigate our world without any help, and how complicated it might actually be for someone who was raised completely differently. Overall it was a great book and I would recommend it to sci-fi and romance lovers, though I think anyone could enjoy reading it.

Hiba

Silver is such an emotional and powerful read. From the very beginning, the story pulls you into the characters’ struggles and fears, but it’s the ending that truly stays with you. The final chapters are heartbreaking in the best way — full of tension, love, and impossible choices.

The moment when she sacrifices herself for everyone else’s safety is especially devastating. It’s not just shocking; it feels earned. Throughout the book, we see her bravery and loyalty, so when she makes that ultimate decision, it feels both tragic and completely in character. It shows how deeply she cares and how far she’s willing to go to protect the people she loves.

The ending left me emotional long after I finished the book. It’s the kind of story that lingers — bittersweet, powerful, and unforgettable.

Vivienne StPaul Y10

Sci-fi is one of my favourite genres !!! So I when I picked up this book I was pleasantly surprised. Hope the author writes more sci-fi, since this book was very well written. Really enjoyed the way things were described, such a lovely writing style. 😉

Eliza Y8

This book is great for people who love sci-fi and romance merged together. I loved the plot and how it explained what happened before she came to earth. I didn’t really like the ending but that’s just my opinion. I loved the book and strongly recommend.

Esmé Y9 Ardingly College

I loved the writing style in this book, as you could see the character progress through the words which the author was using, especially the length of the sentences changing as she knew more words and also as she became more human. I also loved the connection between Finch and Silver, but especially the connection between Doodles and Silver. Also, the quotes from different books at the beginning of each chapter really showed where Silver was in her character development, and also including dystopian novels such as 1984 by George Orwell and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley shows Silver realising what world she lived in whilst she was on Charybdis. I thought that some of the plot twists where a bit predictable like with Nat. I thought that the ending was perfect and really fit with the story and was the best decision in my opinion. Otherwise I think it was an incredible book and I will definitely be reading it again

Aya Yr9

I really enjoyed this book and the messages behind the story. Silver learning to become a human brought a new view on life and emotions. Personally, I don’t really like sci – fi books but the characters were so well written and the story was very deep and interesting, which made me like the book more than I though I would. It also brings about questions about authority as the aliens follow their mantra very strongly and that’s what made me keep reading. My only complaint is that I found it quite confusing at some points, but I would recommend it to anyone looking for an insightful but wholesome read.

Annabel – Saint Paul’s yr 8

Silver was one of the most interesting books I’ve ever read! I don’t usually read sci-fi but after reading Silver, it has completely changed my reading preference and has introduced me to a whole new genre of books that I love. One thing I especially loved from this book is how well the author writes about Silver’s development and adaptation to earth and how Silver gains emotions like empathy for the people she loves. I adore this book and would recommend to anyone looking to explore the genre of sci-fi!

Clara Y8

Silver was an amazing blend of sci-fi and discovery. This book really focuses on the feeling of belonging and learning how to adapt. I love how Silver tried to fit in with the humans and learn their ways – it was really funny. I personally found the plot of this book a little overused but I did like the way Silver was written and I would recommend it.

Callia

I really enjoyed the premise behind this book. By creating a character who must discover the many wonders of Earth, we as readers are reminded of how lucky we are to live in a world with so many eclectic truths. The romance between the characters in the book can easily draw more people in and the development of all the characters as the book progresses is extremely realistic and relatable. One point I do have to make however is that I would prefer the language that Silver uses to be less typically human and more awkward to highlight her distance from the human world.

Henry Year 9

Although slightly slow starting, I found Silver very interesting as I felt I was really following the story of Silver with very close descriptions of the struggles she faces in the human world even though it would be obvious to us – as we are already used to it .This clearly shows the difficulty of how it really is to go completely out of your comfort zone and get to know a whole new world. I found empathising with this book not only interesting but also quite relatable to real life.

Alie year 8 St Paul’s

Silver was a wonderful read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved how it described Silver’s past and the guilt she feels putting the humans in danger and the confusion of Charybdis lying to her about how humans are versus how her kind are and the story behind her learning that. But, there were some confusing parts that didn’t make too much sense at first read and I had to re-read them but overall it was an amazing book! I would definitely recommend if you love fantasy, romance and heartbreaking stories.

Ivy year 7

Pros: I liked this book, the themes of sci-fi and romance mixed together in a satisfying and engaging jumble! I like the way she slowly adapted to human life as if it was her own but she felt as if something was holding her back from enjoying it fully. Usually I don’t like books that incorporate sci-fi themes but Silver was deliciously engaging! Cons: Although it was wonderful the character development felt rushed and jumped to a more intimate relationship, I also found the end confusing and had to re-read it a few times to understand it .
voerall it was a 4.6 out of 5. I would definitely recommend reading it!!

Hannah Year 7

I enjoyed the sci-fi plot with a romantic touch. It was captivating and I was unable to put it down. The interesting awakening for Silver was a perfect blend to read. It allows you to wonder about outer space, it also created an atmosphere of questions. I generally don’t read sci-fi but this was so engaging to read.

Scott Year 9

I quite liked Silver, as it was really engaging and unique. It makes you question what it would be like to be put in an aliens shoes, and how much we as humans still don’t know about. The romantic plot was very interesting and made the book a lot better to read. My only critiques is that I would say it was very slow going and a bit confusing.

George Year 9 Ardingly

I personally did not enjoy this book that much as I felt it was very slow paced. However, I think the ending was fantastic. My favourite moment was when Finch and Silver were putting up the lights and Silver put the lights in his mouth. It showed that she was trying to learn what it is to be human and by the end of the book, she achieved just that. I would rate it a 6.5/10.

Dalia – year 8

Silver was an amazing book! The way that you got to see the perspective of an alien looking down at the human world and reacting to things that we would class as completely normal in everyday life was really interesting. The plot twist at the end was AMAZING and really kept me reading on. Even though it was an amazing book, it definitely wasn’t my favourite because I’m not really the biggest fan of sci – fi but this book made me like it more. I loved how she goes through the emotions and gradually becomes more human until she eventually becomes human. Highly recommend!

Louis year9

I think that this book was a awesome mix of romance and sci-fi. It’s a wonderful read and you can relate to many characters, it also has some very funny slapstick comedy moments and I love how the main character tries to fit in and act normal because it’s just hilarious. It has some sad moments and funny family resolves and heart warming moments, I like how the main character (Silver) starts to unravel the false information and the mysteries of her leaders and finds out what they’re really there for and that maybe the leaders are not who they say they really are! I’d definitely recommend this book to all my friends as its a excellent book everyone should read. Overall I think this book is a 9/10 as it’s just a great read!

Anonymous

Silver was an okay book, but I did not like it that much because of the slow pace and the descriptiveness in the start. I really liked the image Olivia Leves built about the Charybdis. Cadet 39 Silver if you like romance and sci-fi realities.

Theodore Year 8

I really enjoyed Silver, especially the plot. When I started reading Silver, I thought I wouldn’t really like the book because of the element of aliens and science fiction. However, as the book progressed, I started enjoying it, especially as Silver started to understand that Charybdis was lying to her the entire time. It was interesting to see the perspective of an alien, to see their reaction to all human traditions. Also, the plot twist at the end when Silver understood that her resistance from shielding and following Charybdis’ instructions had paid off and allowed her to be the first of her kind to fully turn into a human. I would definitely recommend.

Otto year 8

I really enjoyed Silver. Silver was a really great book that blended sci-fi and emotion. It showed emotion where you least expected it. The alien, unlike the stereotypical “mindless devouring scary alien creature trying to kill everything” was quite nice. I thoroughly enjoyed Silver and it took me through a whole load of emotions and it is definitely worth reading.

Vanshika Yr 9

I really enjoyed reading Silver because of the thrilling plot and the element of romance. I loved each and every plot twist that kept me engaged . My favourite character was Silver because of her humour and sassiness. However I thought that the first couple of chapters weren’t as pacey as the rest of the book. I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would because I usually don’t like Sci-Fi. Overall I really liked Silver despite the slow start and I would definitely recommend it to others.

Conrad year 8

I liked the book and how it had a massive plot twist at the end, I also liked how it showed that Silver being a alien was accepted by the people around her for what she was and not what she really looked like. I liked the bit where Silver goes and buy all the toys for Doodles. The end caught me by surprise because I really wasn’t expecting the founders to have been the Barbed ones. For these reasons I enjoyed the book.

Felix Year 8

I think Silver was a really good book because there was always a part that you could not stop reading. It goes from Silver wanting to gather information for the Charybdis to take over earth. At first she did not know much English and did not know what the humans did so she learned and failed a few times. Then she fell in love with a boy named Finch, that ended up to be VERY romantic especially towards the end of the book. I love the plot twist at the end when she realises that the Charybdis is actually the Barbed Ones ( the ones who destroyed the Charybdis ). This has been a amazing book to read and I really enjoyed it!

Kasia Yr 9-St Paul’s

Silver has been my least favourite book so far due to Sci-fi not being my favourite genre, however I think the slow burn of romance between Silver and Finch did keep me interested. At points I was slightly annoyed with the characters (especially Silver) due to their embarrassing actions and things they said. I did get quite a bit of second hand embarrassment! The concept of the aliens coming to take data from the humans is interesting even though I did struggle to finish the book. My favourite moment in the book was when Silver and Finch had their first kiss which then started their relationship. Although I didn’t enjoy the book that much I think it would still be a great read for someone who enjoys Sci-fi books!

Lily Year 8

I don’t usually like sci-fi but this book was impossible to put down. With the slow burn romance keeping me on my toes and Silver’s journey to finding herself this is the perfect book to get you into sci-fi. I love the symbolism of not the aliens invading the humans but the humans invading the aliens as they take over human bodies. My favourite part had to be the first kiss it was like everything was finally coming together. Even though the ending was heart-breaking, I like that it isn’t just a generic happily ever after. I would definitely recommend this book if you like sci-fi or romance.

Sylvia y9

The sheer emotional depth of this book was astounding; I didn’t adore the plot (it was fairly cliched and the characters were quite annoying), but the power of the characters’ feelings was pretty incredible. A brilliant book to build empathy in any reader, with the complicated relationships and achingly necessary ending.

Phoebe YEAR 8

Silver was gripping and heart-breaking even though I’ve never really liked sci-fi. Reading this book, I felt like I was making friends with the characters because they were written so well. My favourite part was when Finch and Silver kissed for the fist time in the gallery, although I enjoyed the ‘before’ parts as well. when I read the fight at the end, I couldn’t pull my eyes away.

Silver deserves more than wow – and I wish it never ended and it NEEDS a sequel!

Olly Year 8

I personally thought that it was a decent book, but some elements of it were overused, and others a bit underdeveloped. I did like the ending though because it wasn’t just all “and they all lived happily ever after”, which I like in a book. I also think that it uses quite a generic structure, with the whole “person who isn’t who they say they are, but they fall in love with someone they shouldn’t.”. I understand that it is a romance book, but the romance aspect of the book seems to tower over everything else. I really like the sci-fi part, as it is also well developed and very original, although a bit vague and it really feels like a real society, with propaganda and lies. All in all, even with its flaws, it is a good book, with characters with a personality, which is hard to get in a book.

Anna – Y9 Warden Park

The character arcs and sci-fi themes in this book were brilliant! The characters were easy to get attached to, and so leaving them when I had finished reading felt far more difficult than it should have been. I don’t usually read a lot of romance novels; I was very much invested in the progression of Silver and Finch’s relationship, however. I would definitely recommend this book to those who like space and sci-fi, and fluid, poetic storytelling – from quiet moments to tense fight scenes.

Clea Year 8

Silver was a really great book that blended sci-fi and emotion. I love how the perspective of the book is twisted to the aliens’ point of view which is quite unusual so it is definitely worth reading.

Barney

I really enjoyed Silver. It is a great book for anyone who loves sci-fi and romance novels. It follows the story of Silver from her time as an infant to becoming part of a family to fighting for her home, and over this time you start to feel as if you know Silver, making every emotion stronger. It will make you nervous for what will happen next going from ‘before’ to ‘now’ while always leaving you wanting more. I would recommend

Gabriella Ardingly College Y9

I really enjoyed reading “Silver”. The book was humourous, emotional and captivating, and it had a fantastic plot. I don’t usually enjoy Sci-Fi, but I think because of the romance element, I really liked “Silver”. I have to admit, at the start, the book was a little slow, but when Silver settled in at her new home, the book got a lot more interesting. There were many moments that made me smile, in particular when Finch told Silver that she could always hang at the pub, but Silver thinks he means “To dangle. To fall. To suspend.”. There were also many moments that were heart breaking, especially at the end. Overall, I really enjoyed reading “Silver” because of the emotional and captivating plot.

Anonymous

Brilliant romance with a lovely plot to a sad ending should read

Alexandra Year 8

Silver was a wonderful experience, it showed emotion where you least expected it. My favourite part was when Finch first found out what Silver was. The book captured a great mix of sci-fi, and romance. It’s a really great read and I’d recommend it to anyone, for no matter what genre you like, Silver is sure to satisfy.

Adrian YR8

This book is from the POV of the Alien, who unlike the stereotypical “mindless devouring scary alien creature trying to kill everything” alien, this one questions the orders of her leaders and directives which, like a vine to a tree, she was taught to grow up with. What happens when the tree is removed then? The alien, Silva, has to deal with the guilt of pretending to be someone else, deceiving everyone, while being hunted and questioned just because she dared to make a stand. As she tries to conceal her alien traits, her “mantra”, a set of directives that she was taught was the untouchable truth, say otherwise to her experiences, and so she is labeled a traitor to her home just because she tried to feel, to touch, to love. The conclusion is simply EPIC, heartwarming yet sorrowful.

Charlotte Year 8

I thoroughly enjoyed Silver and it took me through a whole load of emotions. I loved the character of Doodles and her bubbliness and was gob-smacked and depressed when she got taken onto Charybdis. Although, I didn’t like it when Nat came into the story, as soon as she came through the door I knew that she was an alien like Silver! I really liked the romance element of this sci-fi book. As I normally would not pick up a sci-fi book when I read the blurb I knew instantly I would love this book, and I did! I would recommend this book to anyone.

Emma

This book is a really good book and I would recommend it because one night I was reading it and I couldn’t put it down! I got lost in the story and even in year 7 could love this book. It is an amazing story about a human and someone from a different planet and different land… It is full of love, life and university. It is definitely worth reading.

Emma Ardingly

SPOILER ALERT!

I found Silver a very interesting book. I don’t usually read sci-fi but it was very hard to put it down. I really enjoyed how at the start Silver would talk about how she messed up the selection for the Charybdis and how she had to follow the mantra before we knew what was going on and then she explained to us a bit later which I found really good as it gave a kind of tension to the book. One of my favourite parts was at the start when she couldn’t inhabit the boy. My favourite character was her love interest Finch and when he touched her and it didn’t hurt and she was exploring emotions when she found that humans touch doesn’t really hurt Charybdis. At the ending I found it very interesting and tense how she confronted them for lying and then got “dissolved”. I really enjoyed how Finch was caring for her after she stepped into the vortex. At the start of the book I could have never predicted the end. One of the lines at the end when she says “I’m Silver and I am human” shows how she cares for the people she has met throughout the book. Overall it was very unexpected and an amazing book.

Dasha year 8 St Paul’s

This book was out of this world, literally.
I’m not a fan of sci-fi generally but this plot had me screaming. I think that one of the reasons I liked it was because it had romance. I can’t exactly say it was light nor spicy, I think it was like in the middle. This book was about longing to belong and to fit in. The main character didn’t exactly fit into the world, but fit into the family. I would recommend this to romantasy fans just because of the heart-wrenching romance.
8/10 for me!

Quinn – Park Community School

This book brought so many emotions and feelings. It had so many moments that made my heart-wrench, but so many moments that made me smile. I loved that this story really tells us about the quest of finding your identity, finding where you belong and what it means to be human. But also, the power of love itself, is shown greatly throughout this novel. Overall, an incredible book and I would recommend to people that love reading heart-rending novels that have greater meanings.

Etta

I thoroughly enjoyed the book Silver, I loved how it made the aliens ‘normal’ and the humans were the weird ones coming into the aliens’ life instead of the aliens being the ones coming into the humans’ life. I really enjoyed how it twisted your perspective and how it was from the alien’s point of view. I loved how the aliens were so similar yet so different from humans, they followed the mantra very closely – it was their bible and their religion just like humans have their one. I think my favourite part of the book is the way it makes you think from a different point of view on humans and it really makes you wonder if there is anything else out there. I would definitely recommend it.

Niamh year 8 St Pauls

I really liked this book, despite not being a big sci-fi fan myself. The characters were very well written, and the plot definitely drew me in to the story; I did not see the plot twists at the end coming! I liked the romance subplot very much as well. I would recommend to fans of sci-fi.

Lara year 9

I really liked this book; I loved all the wholesome moments and the message it told. Although I did get a little second hand embarrassment when she was learning to become a human. The ending was also well written as I could predict what would happen but it still made me shocked and wanting more. So I would definitely recommend it.

Tabitha year 9

The book blends sci-fi and emotion with a great outcome; it makes you think about what it means to belong and feel. It’s almost lyrical, especially in Silver’s gradual awakening to the human world and the exploration of touch, empathy, and identity, which make it interesting even if you don’t particularly like sci-fi and romance novels normally. One critique I do have is that the plot leans on familiar tropes that have been done a lot but it was written miles above the rest. it’s definitely worth a read