Review of Enclave

My review of Enclave by Ann Aguirre is based on a hardcover copy of the book that I won in a giveaway. The following review is my honest opinion of the work.

Goodreads Summary: "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 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."

I was immediately drawn to Enclave because when I saw the trailer for the book I thought it was a love child of my boyfriend's favorite video game, Fallout. I've played the game a bit myself and watched him play through both it and it's sequel, New Vegas, many a time. I loved the storyline, and the background of the game. So as soon as I noted the similarities between it and Enclave I knew it was a must read.

What started out as a crush due to a video game turned into a full-fledged love affair with the book itself. I was lost in this book from the first page on, I can't believe how fast it flew by once I had the time to truly invest in it. There was literally never a dull moment for me in this book; the action was crazy intense and the threat of it almost always present.

Deuce was so strong, she embodied. I saw in her what I loved of Katniss of the the Hunger Games trilogy by and Eve of Keary Taylor's Eden. She was the king of heroine that never give up no matter how high the odds were stacked up against her. Her strength was so immense, and I'm not just talking about her fighting skills and physical strength. If I was going to be lost in a dystopian wasteland she's definitely the kind of girl that I would want on my side.

Though there was romance present it wasn't of the mushy variety, nor was it overly girly due to the fact that it had a female narrator. I think this is one of those reads that both genders would enjoy as it doesn't seem to lean too far in either direction. And I mean come on, it reminded me of Fallout! I'll definitely be trying to get my boyfriend to give it a shot. I'm giving Enclave by Ann Aguirre a five out of five stars review. It was a great read and I will be pre-ordering my copy of Outpost, the second book in the Razorland series, as soon as it's available...and I, you know, have the funds available.