I really enjoyed this second book in the series, Ally Carter can always be relied upon for gripping YA adventures. I really like the characters and the way we're getting more clues about the story. I didn't enjoy this quite as much as book one as I felt it was missing the adult characters but I think there'll be more of them in the next book 😍📖😍

April is back after the events of The Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor, with her friends Sadie, Violet, Tim, and Colin. They are now being cared for by Gabriel Winterborne, since his reappearance, and since Izzy has left and Mr. Smithers is conveniently on vacation. Gabriel is very sad that Izzy is gone, and not taking very good care of the children. They are very self sufficient, but this becomes a problem after Gabriel speaks at the museum and April ends up falling onto the stage from the balcony, as she is wont to do. This brings the group to the attention of Gladys Pitts, from Child Protective Services. Every time she stops by, the house is in chaos, whether it be a burnt cake and trashed kitchen, or Gabriel not coming home. This has April, who has spent a lot of time in foster care, very concerned. She is especially concerned when Gabriel no longer even cares if she orders groceries or buys clothes for Violet-- she knows that a guardian not caring at all is a bad sign. She is also concerned that Gabriel is going to be injured when he is on a mission fulfilling his family destiny acting as The Sentinel. To follow up one of these reports, the group visits Reggie Dupree, who seems to be fairly helpful. When April finds out that her mother, Georgia is alive, she must act quickly to locate her, since she fears that Gabriel might be dead. This takes her to Winterborne Island with the other children, including a very well prepared Colin (who brings extra hats, food, emergency flares and even a pool noodle-- Rebecca Behrens would be very proud of him!) While the group finds Gabriel, he is badly injured, and when Ms. Pitts visits again, she separates the children and sends them to new foster homes. Will April be able to figure out what's going on in time to stay together with her friends, who are now her family?
Strengths: There is plenty of action, adventure and mystery in this installment of the Winterborn series. We learn lots more details about the family, as well as April's past. This includes some surprising connections that I didn't quite see coming. We get more of a feel for the talents of each of the children, and they work together well as an ensemble cast. I'd like to see more of the quiet but talented Tim, although smooth Colin is fun as well. I worry that Sadie DOES needs more supervision! This is an excellent choice for strong elementary readers who want a fast-paced, multi-faceted read, as well as for middle grade readers who like mysteries.
Weaknesses: I didn't see the appeal of Gabriel, and his pining for Izzy and his neglect of the children didn't sit well with me. I missed Smithers, who is a man after my own heart. We all need boxes of EMERGENCY TEA. Younger readers won't care as much about this and will enjoy the fact that the children are taking care of themselves
What I really think: This definitely felt like a bridge to the next book, but I love Carter's work and definitely need the whole series. Thinking this will be three books, but don't have any information. This is a great introduction to Carter's work for elementary school students who might not be as interested in the Gallagher Girls.

I know at least ten different readers who will be pumped for this book, and series. The nonstop thrills, secrets revealed, and truly creepy Reggie had me going!

I enjoyed this, but need to have read the first one to understand the characters. Ally Carter always produces books students enjoy.

The second in the series about the group of orphans who live in Winterbourne House. After the adventures of the first book they think that they are now safe with a new guardian and home. However things do not go to plan and there is someone out there who is trying to destroy their home and their guardian. the story takes us on a roller-coaster ride as they try and save everything they know. there is a great twist at the end that will have the reader cheering.

Readers will need to have read the first book in this series (Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor) to not be lost in this text as not enough is done to orient new readers mid-volume. Readers already familiar with the series should prepare themselves for a novel that is much darker and more morose than the first volume. Much of the novel is focused on April's long time feelings of abandonment and her at times unhealthy seeming affection for Gabriel Winterbourne (it's never sexual, just so often one sided due to Gabriel's past trauma you can't help but pity the girl for pinning so many hopes on someone so ill suited to delivering them). A significant plot twist and new series-long baddie is introduced, which probably lends to sense that there's too much set up and not enough actual plot development overall. Book Three should be better now that so much set up has been placed, but it's becoming hard to believe that such damaged kids are somehow more resilient and capable than the very, very many damaged adults who control their lives.