Author: Ann Aguirre
Series: Razorland
Pages: 259
Genre: Dystopian - Young Adult
AMAZON: Enclave
Synopsis (Goodreads)
WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE
In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.
As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.
Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first she thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.
As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.
In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.
As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.
Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first she thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.
As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.
REVIEW: 5 out of 5 Stars
Enclave by Ann Aguirre is a gripping, dark, intensely emotional read that had me enthralled from the first to the very last page.
Girl15 has earned the right to be named; she has survived her first fifteen years as a ‘brat’, a rare accomplishment amongst the College enclave with them barely surviving their mid twenties.
Each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Girl15 now bears six scars marking her as a huntress and has been named Deuce.
Now Deuce is a Huntress, a role she has trained for her whole life, her objectives are clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave to provide protection and sustenance for the rest of the group while evading vicious zombie like creatures known as Freaks. She has been partnered with Fade, an outsider not born into the enclave but fierce and protective as well as knowledgeable in self sufficiency.
The enclave lives by a number of rules which result in harsh punishment, including exile topside if broken. When Fade and Deuce go beyond the tunnels to save a small blind boy from a neighboring enclave Nassau, their punishment is to make the three day trek to investigate the message the boy held that freaks had taken over, what they discover leaves them horrified and now questioning the freaks intelligence.
Things in the enclave remain quiet for a number of weeks until one of Deuce’s best friends is framed for hoarding - a serious crime amongst the group and the consequences extreme, believing he has been framed to be made an example of; Deuce and Fade take the blame – resulting in exile topside.
Their battle for survival becomes more risky as they learn to adjust topside, as dangers arise from everywhere around them, their main priority becomes maintaining health, avoiding danger whilst making a trek to possible safety and evading the unknown as well as the freaks.
Ms Aguirre’s post-apocalyptic America is terrifying, complex and truly unique. I loved the clever world-building, the storyline flowed well and the grueling adventure we are taken on is action packed and filled with mystery, danger and intrigue.
All of the characters were well though-out and developed, Deuce is a strong protagonist, not only in her strength but emotionally and mentally she holds it together. I enjoyed her curiosity, strong resolution and the way she cared for those around her. Fade is intense, caring and mysterious; they were the perfect match for one another and I am eager to see how their romance progresses. I am also keen to learn more about Stalker and Tegan.
Enclave is dark, gritty and disturbing – it left me on the edge of my seat and anxious to know more. It is definitely one of the best YA Dystopian novels I have read and I am looking forward to the release of Outcast which has a September 2012 release date.
Have you read Divergent yet? It's amazing! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Annie! Thank-you for stopping by :) Divergent was another 5 star read for me - I absolutely loved it.. Dystopian is fast becoming one of my favorite genres :)
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