ARC Review: Enclave by Ann Aguirre

 

Enclave is the first book in the Razorland series by Ann Aguirre and a YA book from Feiwel and Friends.

Book Blurb:

Welcome to the Apocalypse

Deuce lives in an enclave, deep underground. Her friends are her family; her life revolves around training to become a Huntress, one of the elite cadres who protect the enclave.

Deuce is partnered with a mysterious Hunter named Fade, who is said to have lived in the surface world as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters - or Freaks - which seem to be growing more and more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings.

And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade’s long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known.

My thoughts:

A ‘brat’ born into the enclave is not given a name until they’ve lived fifteen years - then their name is given to them - completely by chance - in a naming ceremony. Until that time - the ‘brat’ is trained in one of three areas - Breeder, Builder or Hunter/Huntress.

Deuce has always wanted to be a Huntress.

As a Huntress, Deuce will hunt for food in the lightless tunnels - food that will feed her enclave. She has spent her entire fifteen years learning to hunt and track and fight. Because her enclave is not the only thing in those tunnels.

Freaks are humans with a taste for flesh - be it an animal or a human. The Hunters kill all that they come in contact with - it is a situation of kill or be killed.

But now Deuce and a fellow Hunter, Fade, have been exiled for daring to go against the rules and there is no place for them to go but up - into the above world.

Deuce may have trained for life as a Huntress in the tunnels - but she is not prepared for what she finds outside. The sun, the changing weather, gangs of people that have different beliefs than those she learned in the tunnels - all of this is so overwhelming. If it weren’t for Fade’s help - she might not have survived her first night out of the tunnels.

Enclave is a fantastic read. I am a sucker for a good post apocalyptic tale and Enclave certainly delivers.

Deuce is such a strong individual and she is certain that the rules set forth for her enclave by those in charge are for the best. But when she partners with Fade he makes her think - and what she thinks goes against everything she’s been taught her entire life.

I can’t wait for more in the Razorland series.

I give Enclave 5 out of 5 stars.

Product Details

* Reading level: Young Adult

* Hardcover: 272 pages

* Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (April 12, 2011)