Enclave (Razorland #1) by Ann Aguirre

Book:  Enclave (Razorland #1)
Author:  Ann Aguirre
Release date:  April 12, 2011
Publisher:  Feiwel & Friends
Pages:  259
Source:  Publisher

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.

Enclave is not your average dystopian novel.  It’s more gritty and brutal than a lot of the books out there.  I admit, I loved it!  Sometimes gory, always captivating, Enclave is a great addition to the dystopian market.

Deuce knows nothing outside the Enclave.  She has never wanted to know what was outside the Enclave or aboveground.  Things change when she becomes a Huntress and is paired with Fade.  The elders don’t seem so brave anymore.  In fact, they seem like cowards.  Too bad Deuce and Fade don’t have the power to stand up to them.  Instead they are exiled to the Topside and new horrors await them there.  Can they survive or will these new challenges tear them apart?

Deuce is a very different kind of heroine.  She is a fierce, brave, determined girl.  She has no clue what to expect Topside but she goes anyway and makes the best out of things.  Fade is in no way typical as well.  He is not described as good-looking and while he is somewhat aloof, he has his reasons.  I didn’t care much for him at the beginning but he grew on me.  Tegan, Stalker, Stone, and Thimble were okay in my opinion but nothing spectacular.

The plot was great.  There was always something going on and while it took me a little time to get into it, once I was in I was hooked.  I actually read most of the book during my breaks at school.  I didn’t want to stop reading.  It seemed like every other page something was jumping out and attacking Deuce and Fade.  It was like a horror movie that I couldn’t look away from.

Overall, Enclave is a fabulous YA debut from Ann Aguirre and if you are a fan of grittier dystopian, check this one out!

First line:  I was born during the second holocaust.

Rating:  A

Cover:  A-

EMAIL
Twitter
Visit Us
Follow Me
INSTAGRAM
RSS
LINKEDIN
Share

Leave a Reply

7 comments

  1. Fantastic review, Katie! I’ve already heard brilliant things on Enclave. It makes me all the more excited to pick it up. Thanks for your review, Katie! =)

  2. I haven’t read anything by this author but everyone loves her books!!

    It’s good it’s a more brutal type of dystopian. Sometimes novels skim over that fact and it’s good to see it incorporated and take a front seat. Makes you root for the characters more!!

    Love it when we find out and are disillusioned about the politics in the world right with the character!

    Lovely review 🙂