Irony of Normality
In the opening chapter, and in the previous book, Michael complains about how boring his life is, how strikingly average his looks and brains and athletic abilities are. This uber-normality is ironic because, despite his average-ness, he has possibly the strongest electric powers in the world.
Irony of Returning Home
Michael and the Electroclan are looking forward to returning home, especially because of what it symbolizes: safety and a return to the comfort of life pre-Cell 25. As soon as they return, however, they find Elgen inside Ostin's apartment instead of his parents, and Jack's house has burned to the ground. Returning home hasn't given them any measure of safety at all, and this loss of security even takes away their sense of home.
Irony of Starxource
Starxource, the Elgen power plant program, sounds impressive, as if it runs on thermonuclear fusion (since that's the process that powers stars). The name, however, is misleading; "star" is simply "rats" spelled backward - the power source is actually just energy from genetically modified rats. The face of sophistication masks its true base nature.
Irony of the Safehouse
When the voice guides Michael and the Electroclan to the "safehouse," it appears to be safe at first glance. It's in a generic, quiet, nondescript suburban neighborhood, and it looks completely inconspicuous. Despite this apparent safety, the Elgen invade the safehouse, having tracked Jack and Wade, making the title ironic.
Irony of Finding Michael's Mother
The main goal in the plot of this novel is the location and liberation of Michael's mother, who is being held captive by the Elgen. When Ostin discovers her location, however, they despair at ever being able to retrieve her ("might as well be on the moon"). The letdown of knowing her location but not being able to retrieve her lends a quality of situational irony.
