Review: Enclave

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

                   Published by Feiwel & Friends                     

Genre: YA

$16.99 (US hardcover)

259 pages

What it's about:

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.

My thoughts:

I loved it! I knew I was in the mood for a dystopian book and when I went through my tbr list and saw this one, I knew I had to read it. Glad I did.

Let me start of by saying that this book reminded me a lot of Divergent by Veronica Roth. If you put together Divergent with Ashes, Ashes, and Forest of Hands and Teeth, you have Enclave. I found this a wonderful mix. You have the wonderful characters and clan life like in Divergent, with the weird mixed up world of New York like in Ashes, Ashes, and lastly you have the weird zombie human things eating people like in FoHaT. If you are thinking this is a zombie book, you are half right. I wouldn't say the "freaks" are zombies exactly, they remind me of plague victims who mated with zombies and came out with the freaks. Definitely intriguing and I'm very curious as to what and how the freaks are becoming smarter and adapting.

What I really loved about this book was Deuce and Fade. Both of them are wonderful characters that I couldn't help but be reminded of Tris and Four. Deuce is a very strong willed girl who all she wants is to be a huntress. To protect and serve while protecting the people she loves. Then there is Fade who is the mysterious hunter who doesn't quite fit in. I loved how he was actually incredibly sweet and loving and not at all cold hearted like the rumors have it.

The world Aguirre created absolutely horrified me but I can't lie, I was very drawn to it. I couldn't believe how cold hearted the people of College Enclave were. How children are known as "brats" and are a liability and not cherished like children should be.

Overall, I loved this book. It was exciting and horrifying all rolled into one. I adored the main characters and can't wait to find out what happens in the next book.

My rating: 9/10