Isobel Carter is making headlines.

Some of them good, some of them bad, and some of them … astounding.

She started at the bottom and now she’s near the top with everything she never wanted, but the Ironside Show doesn’t care, because she’s just become one of the most interesting students at the academy, and everyone seems to have big plans for her.

The only thing the Ironside fans can’t decide on is which Alpha she looks best with, because of course it all goes back to them.

The precious, cherished, formidable Alphas of Ironside.

The ten reasons why she’s in this mess to begin with.

And what a beautiful, brutal mess it is.

It probably comes as no surprise that I read this book straight off the back of the first book. I read it in 3 hours. I got home from work and started reading. Next thing I know it’s 8pm and I haven’t had dinner! I finished reading it while I was cooking.

Anyone can write a book, right? But not everyone can leave you feeling it long after you’ve put the book down.

If I thought the plot couldn’t get anymore confusing, I was wrong. The plot kept turning at a relentless pace and I was powerless in stopping myself from being dragged along.

Isobel, I felt, proved herself in this book. Essentially, every other character is pulling her this way and that, trying to mold her into the vision they want her to be. Living any variation of that life is exhausting on its own, I can’t imagine trying to survive it while also having the ability to swallow negative emotions. I always find there is a fair amount of bullying or trauma with the main female character in reverse harems. I suppose you could say its a character trope of the genre. As in book 1, Isobel does bend, she does twist, she does snap. But the circumstances of her upbringing almost forbid her from breaking. Her father is a piece of shit – I think anyone who reads this series can agree on that. The tour Isobel completes in this book hardens her exterior but doesn’t protect her vulnerability. There are moments of confusion that haven’t been explained yet and it made me wonder at the depth of world building but also the depth of the characters.

Theo, our sunshine beam of light, plays a little hot and cold in this book. It’s interesting because he clearly cannot fathom how to react to his feelings and it sends him off kilter a little bit. He still remains friends with Isobel but in some ways he becomes more possessive and jealous of those around her. He still teases and jokes, pulls her to his side and douses her in his scent.

Oscar is more prominent in this book. It’s like the lighthearted characters take a step back to allow the dark and brooding characters more air time. Oscar is a confusing character for me. I understand he represents the ‘morally grey’ or ‘dark to light’ character but there is so much about him that hasn’t be explore. I have endless questions about his character. Even the glimpses into his life away from the Ironside Academy, while giving me pause, didn’t answer any of my questions on why he is the way he is. He’s a strong alpha and has quite a bit of command over the others. He tests Isobel but he pushes the barrier too far all the time. Isobel goes from being afraid of him to being defiant to him.

Niko is another character that pushes himself to the front. In book 1 I really didn’t learn that much about it but I have come to realise that’s almost by design. He is the confidant, he carries everyone elses secrets and he is regisned to having Isobel in their lives. However, he still thinks of her as a liability and tries to help her become more independent and skilled in facing her opponants. Niko carries a lot of wise words with him, he doesn’t necessarily reveal them in a wise way, but they are there.

Killian also evolves during this book. I think he struggles a lot in the beginning. Almost having an identity crisis that he doesn’t know how to handle. But then he almost puts it behind him in favour of dealing with mor pressing matters. I don’t necessarily think that was a good move for his character but I am sure it will be explored more further down the line. He still remains a good confidant to Isobel and their friendship, for the most part, continues to grow.

Cian also has more of a front and centre role and that is because he volunteers to be a ‘surrogate mate’ for Isobel. It’s an interesting dynamic. Firstly because Isobel is suffering and secondly because Cian is lying. As the reader I know both sides of the story but watching the characters manouver around each other was quite amusing. Cian goes from man-whore in book 1 to almost apologetic friend in this book. His priorities shift but that is only visible to himself and the reader.

Garbirel and Elijah continue to be a united front. They have very different personalities but they seem to stick to each other like glue. It speaks of a story that hasn’t been revealed yet. They are both more protective of Isobel in this book, each using their talents to make sure she is protected. It doesn’t always work which I think is frustrating for Elijah the most. We also learn a little more about Gabriel, who, it would seem, has OCD. Isobel quickly comes to understand this and there are a few moments where she either notices his behaviour or willingly – and silently – helps him through it.

Kalen and Mikel are also more prominent in this book and we learn their illegal powers. Mikel is harder around the edges. He both understands the presence of Isobel and resents it. I think his entire persona revolves around keeping the other alphas safe and learning as much information as he can about the authorities. Kalen was a mystery in book 1 and in book 2 he is still a mystery but less so. In learning about his illegal power, we see more of his character and can understand how he operates a little more. They both get surprised by Isobel and each handle it differently. I think Kalen is more open to it while Mikel is more likely to keep it at a distance.

I learned more about the world in this book. In the first book I’d made the assumption that the gifted were set apart higher than the humans but now I see that was incorrect. Humans have all the power, all the freedom. The gifted live in settlements but these are rundown almost shanty towns or slums, in some cases. The gifted live by a strict set of rules, they have no freedom and no power. They are slaves to the ruling body. The reason getting into Ironside Academy is so sought after is the Icon track. I never really paid much attention to it as it wasn’t featured much in book 1 but I know that Isobel’s git of a father is an icon. Becoming an icon, as I understand it, gives the gifted all the freedoms and liberties to live as a human (abit upon a pedastal). Worshipped almost by the humans around them. I suppose it is the best of both worlds.

The eight alpha’s are all on the icon track but I don’t know what their end game is. It is clear that they want one of them to win but I haven’t been given access to their secret club knowledge yet because they haven’t informed Isobel, so I’m in the dark as much as she is. I think it must be a big secret, something that will ‘rock’ the establishment.

There is a level of blindness between Isobel and the 10 alphas. It would almost be comical if it didn’t cause Isobel so much pain and distress. It’s almost like starring at an apple but also not seeing it is right there in front of you. I’m almost tempted to say it is a very ‘male’ point of view. Misguided, will never work, let’s put our heads in the sand and ignore it attitude. I won’t end well, that’s for sure!

The climax of this book punched through my heart like a steam train. I wasn’t expecting that flip at all and almost felt blindsighted by it. It changed my view of characters and almost made me suspicious of what else might be hiding in the bushes. It also caused me a great deal of confusion and more unanswered questions. It was a great ending to build more tension and encourage readers continue with the series. It’s definitely made me want to dive right into the next book. It’ll be interesting for sure, chaos seems to follow this group of characters from one place to another. I don’t doubt for a minute that the next book will be a calm ride. I wonder at the capacity of Isobel, at some point she’s going to have to pull the breaks on the train. A person can only run on adrenaline for so long and at some point she is going to have to stop and think of herself.