Plier

Ironside Academy, Book 1

By: Jane Washington

Narrated by: Jennifer Sterling

Length: 10 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Ironside is more than a regular academy. It’s also the biggest reality television show in the world...and a very elaborate, very luxurious prison.

Their hallowed halls are ruled by the Alphas, Betas, Omegas, and Deltas, but this year, there is change in the wind, and if there’s one thing the officials don’t like when it comes to their precious Ironside Show, it’s change.

Isobel Carter—the only Sigma to be accepted—is the first sign. But there are others. A sudden influx of rare Alphas will turn academy life, and Isobel’s life, upside down.

She might be the lowest rung on the ladder, but in order to survive, she will need to make her mark.

She will need to climb.

This isn’t a game for the faint of heart, and those who rise should be prepared to fall.

Hard.

Beware the pretty posers, because this social media game just got dangerous.

The Hunger Games collides with America's Got Talent, and you've just been invited to binge it all. But here's some viewer discretion before you continue:

Love is complicated in this world. Too complicated for our heroine to ever pick just one hero. Her path to love will get dark at times, and it won't be easy, so consider yourself warned.

Now it's time to grab some popcorn and dive right in!

©2023 Jane Washington (P)2023 Jane Washington

Wow

Beyond amazing!!! Absolutely loved everything!! Immediately listening to the next audiobook in the series. Book three will be released in 5 days!

it's so good!

Of course it's good, it's Jane. she's amazing! She's also kind of evil, but we love it.

This is the start of what I'm sure will be an awesome RH series. The innocent MFC has dwelled at the bottom of this Omegaverse her whole life. I can't wait to see her rise up in this unique socialite academy. Where the men will fit in, I don't know yet, but I'm excited to find out.

Very good

I’m a huge Jane Washington fan and I already know this series is going to be amazing!

Loved it!

I’ve been a huge Jane Washington fan for YEARS! She has always been so humorous in her books. Plier was such a pleasant surprise. I don’t usually read RH with more than six love interests, but lo’ and behold, I think Ms. Washington just might make this work! I’m particularly in love with Killian and Theo right now. I can’t wait for the next book!!

Wow, what a ride!

The story took my breath away! Jane Washington is such a good storyteller and the narrator is superb. I can’t wait for the next book.

Slow burn of the most epic proportion

Alright, I’ve listened to all 3 that are currently available and this is my second listen of book one. I picked up on some sly foreshadowing that really tickled me.

I needed a spreadsheet to keep the characters organized but other than the minor confusion, I love this series. The world building picks up in future installments and there are a bunch of little Easter eggs along the way.

I usually prefer a duet narration, but this isn’t bad. My only nitpick here is the narrator says “sumpthing” with a hard P sound rather than something with a smooth M sound. She also has a tendency to say “LAY-g” with a long A rather than “leg” and since the FMC is a dancer, they talk about her legs often. Those may not bother most people, they’re just 2 heavily repeated words that eventually grated on me.

That said, I’m on my second listen and I gave 5 stars, so take it for what you will.

Amazing

Absolutely loved this story and the narrator was great! One of my favorite books of the year.

Holy Slow Burning Goodness!

If you think you’ve read enough academy romance books to be prepared for this, you’re wrong.

Loved every mystery-building moment and the FMC and MMCs STILL don’t know everything about each other. Loved the dynamics of each of their relationships as strangers to friend-like begin to grow. I can’t wait to read more!

The story has everything you’d hope for and more. The narration is amazing too! You’re missing missing out if you haven’t read this book/listened to the audio yet!

Love it!

I loved this story and the characters. The narration was very well done. The entire thing was perfection. If you like a good heavy story reverse harem, this is the book for you. I’m excited to start book two now!

So happy I am listening before book 3 releases!

****** Audiobook Review *****
I was definitely impressed with this narrator, she did a good job with all the different personalities haha. I do think some of my internal accents I gave some of the guys didnt match (like the ones who based on their descriptions and backgrounds should have slight ones at least and the narrator didnt attempt them) so that is the only reason I would give it 4.5 out of 5 stars but she does a good job with capturing the different guys reactions to Illy and the things that happen in book 1. I loved Theo, she did him perfectly, as well as Cian (totally pronounced his name differently in my head this whole time!!). I picked up on things while listening I didnt when reading, so I am glad I am doing a listen through before book 3 releases next week 😍. Already into book 2 and should be done in a day or two with how quickly I am eating this world up again. The book hangover is going to be so rough after I finish book 3 next week haha, I can feel it!

~~~~~ Original ebook review ~~~~~
Wow....I am not sure I can fit everything I want to into this review. This series absolutely blew me away. I know I am going to have a massive book hangover and am already chomping at the bit for book 2. This is going to be an epic series, I feel it in my bones, and its definitely jumped to my top 3 reads of the year and will be probably stay there until maybe one of the next books in the series knocks it out haha.

I adore Isobel/Illy and I would totally want to be her bestie after everything she has endured and how she keeps getting back up despite everything. Her tenacity yet her vulnerability with her past abuses, with letting people in, etc. is beautiful and wonderful to read. I got so angry while reading parts of this book because of how society treats Sigmas like her. The author did a fabulous job painting this society’s picture and making the reader understand the nuances between the classes without shoving politics down our throats, which was nice! I felt for Isobel, for Eve, and even the Alphas. They each have a part to play in this world and things are so rigid they don’t have a lot of choice, which the Alphas I hope will dismantle based on their hidden agenda. I totally didnt get teary-eyed during a scene (and her having to deal with all the emotions that weren’t her own) and wanted to throat-punch her dad, noooo it was totally just raining...inside my house...you will understand once you read that part!

I loved the academy aspect of this story. Sometimes it can be hit or miss but this was a big hit. Definitely Hunger Games meets AGT haha. I loved the different classes that were discussed but not overdone. I liked seeing the practices, seeing that the talents were focused on more art subjects. I appreciated the collaborations and the competitive aspect to the story and cannot wait to see as they go further in school how bad/intense it will get! The antics the jealous and petty students put Illy through are vile and wish she could get back at them. I am hopeful the guys will stick up for her at some point. They have been doing some small things here and there, but eventually one is going to snap and put his foot down so they know don’t succeed in hurting her further or killing her this time. I hope Eve remains as awesome as she is and that friendship can withstand the rough rollercoaster I know these characters are going to be put through the wringer 😭

Now the guys and AAAAALLLL the tension and amazing banter! I have a tough time picking a favorite, this author has really made the guys different (some have similarities but aren't carbon copies of each other), they each bring something to the story and I am so intrigued by them. Especially with what is to come. This is a slow-burn, at least book 1. Don’t expect all the smexy times, but boy is there tension and growing heat. Theo is such a cinnamon roll, but has to keep up appearances. He had me swooning though! Kil I think would have to be my favorite IF I had to pick. I loved his personality and how he has connection with Sigmas, more than any other Alpha, because of his ability and how people treat him. His POVs made me love him even more and the ending broke my heart. I do wonder if there will be some M/M (I really hope so, I LOOOOVE M/M 😍). I was left shook and wanted to reach through my kindle app to hug him. I don’t like Moses but I understand a little why he is acting the way he is. I hope we get more answers about him in book 2. Eli and Gabe are wildcards for me but I love nerdy and I love caretakers/people who don’t like bullies so I bet they will be on my top 5 list haha. Cato has some darkness, his ability is scary and a huge unknown but he keeps showing some good in him so I am not writing him off yet. I mean a huge conflict is all his fault but you know whatevs haha. We didnt get much from Niko, hopefully he gets more airtime in the next book. We know he isn’t unaffected by our little Sigma but he has a tough family background and has a firm mask in place. He might be the toughest one to crack. Cian gives me similar feelings to a certain brother from another series by this author. Mischievous, ladies man, but misunderstood/puts on a front and is really a softie underneath it all haha. I really liked him by the end. The 2 “teachers” are the biggest unknowns for me. We get some glimpses of their abilities but nothing except a POV to get to know them. I think they will be the biggest shocks. Just a feeling 😉

I am so excited for this series, I know the heat will turn up in the next book or two. I enjoyed seeing how their relationships are all going to start and how the big reveal/twist at the end will impact them all. I can already see my heart being twisted and stabbed a bit. I am imagining how Illy will handle everything (while not knowing a lot of stuff), how she is going to be treated by the others competing with her, how the guys are going to handle things. So much goodness (and emotional turmoil) is coming and I am here for every second of it. I sure hope book 2 will be here soon, I need to know what happens after that cliffy!

If I could give this more than 5 stars I would, I loved it so much. I have a feeling this might overtake my favorite series by this author. I am gonna instantly get this on audio and in physical form. I need this series on my bookshelf ❤️❤️❤️