Review: Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Hardcover: 259 pages

Release date: April 12th 2011

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Source: Gifted 
Amazon ││ Goodreads
Goodreads Summary: 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

Thoughts

I am a sucker for Dystopia books and this one is a great addition to the ones I loved! I was excited to have received it last week without much expectation of the book. For a change, I had no idea what it is about and I didn’t try to read the synopsis first. I wanted Ms. Aguirre to surprise me and she did not disappoint!! This has to be the first zombie apocalypse book I’ve ever read since I managed to avoid reading morbid books. I found myself enjoying reading about them a lot in Enclave. I’m so glad that the author wrote the characters’ encounters w/ these monsters skillfully and it reminded me of Chaos Walking and The Hunger Games trilogy. Those series are ones of the best I’ve read and I have no problem seeing their resemblance with this book.

Deuce is the kind of heroine I will always look up to. She’s like Katniss in the physical strength aspect. She’s a strong-willed young woman who knows what she wants and what she has to do. Born to be a huntress, she had a hard time dealing with emotions that are usually the Breeders’ kind of thing. Fade is the mysterious and tough guy she’d been partnered with since the naming day. I don’t think I can describe him much without giving anything away. All I can say is, I loved his character since I first saw his name. The budding romance between Deuce and him is to watch out for. While love triangles are fun to read, I want to hug Ms. Aguirre to find none! 

While on their way, they met two interesting people: Tegan and Stone. Tegan I liked but I didn’t expect to feel the same way about Stone. Not as much as I loved Fade but I still like him despite of his getting in the way of Deuce and Fade’s relationship (Though I don't really think Stone is Fade's rival, much). He may be selfish but at least he’s not the kind of man who sugarcoat things. 

Overall, Enclave is a great start to a trilogy. I cannot wait for another Ann Aguirre’s detailed and gripping action plot that put me on the edge of my seat. If you’re as crazy for dystopian books as I am, I highly recommend this book.