Review: Enclave by Ann Aquirre

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Series: Razorland #1
Release Date: April 12th 2011
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 259
Source: My collection
Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon | The Book Depository
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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 Deuce 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.

 

This is the first book in the Razorland trilogy. I have the opportunity to go to a signing featuring Ann Aguirre as one of the featured authors so I decided to read this. Well I can say honestly that I really enjoyed this and I’m (not so patiently) awaiting its arrival.

Enclave follows around Deuce. As we start the book she doesn’t actually have a name yet. She has to go through the naming ceremony and then she has to be assigned a job. Her dream job was to be a Huntress. Huntress’s roam the tunnels outside their underground city, to bring back meat and protect everyone from the “Freaks”.

Deuce has her name and her dream job, but she is partnered with the one person that no one wants to be around, Fade. When Deuce and Fade get into some trouble they must make a trip to another Enclave 3 days away. They find something horrible and when the head leaders at their enclave won’t believe them they are punished again.

Deuce is a pretty kickass heroin. She knows how to fend for herself and she doesn’t go running when something scary comes along. She knows that her partner has her back but she can stand fine on her own. I really enjoyed her character and loved her growth when she has to start learning about things she never knew existed.

Fade is a pretty cool character too. He takes the death of people he knew very hard. He also falls in love pretty quickly. I wasn’t the biggest fan of that but the way it is progressing in this story it makes it better. The romance is not one of the main points in this book. It is sort of in the background of the story.

I can’t wait for the second book to arrive so I can start it right away. This is a quick read and I recommend it if you like Post-apocalyptic/zombie type books.    

My Rating: