Need to Know Info:
Title: Enclave
Author: Ann Aguirre
Format: Hardcover, 259 pages
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: April 11th, 2011
Rating: 3 out of 5 HEARTS
ARC received through Good Golly Miss Holly ARC Tour
Synopsis from Goodreads
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 brooding Hunter named Fade.
When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce's troubles are just beginning. 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.
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 and no matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she's ever known.
My Always Spoiler-Free* Review (*unless otherwise noted)
Enclave is a fast-paced dystopian, with intense action that promises to keep you turning pages! Although the plot isn't anything all that original, Ann Aguirre has carved out her own voice in the genre with a group of tough-as-nails characters, who you won't soon forget.
I didn't find Deuce the easiest character to relate to, since she often seems disconnected from other people and reacts more out of instinct then emotion. She tends to justify why horrible things have happen, instead of properly dealing with how she feels about them. I do admire the fighter in her though, since she's certainly not the kind of girl who needs to be rescued, but rather is often the one doing the rescuing. I do think that Deuce becomes more vulnerable as the novel goes on and I enjoyed seeing that side of her, but I would never say that she ends up going soft.
Fade isn't your typical silent, brooding type, as he's been ostracized from his peers more by force then his own choosing. Although hardened by his situation, he hasn't completely cut himself off either and is more emotionally reactive then others in the Enclave. Fade's constant determination to survive no matter what the cost, and his absolute need for the truth, allow him to truly be the heart of the story.
I found the beginning to be a bit frustrating, as your introduced to a lot of characters very quickly and it was difficult to remember who was who and who did what. I also felt that a few parts were a bit forced, especially when Fade & Deuce were fighting, as it didn't seem to fit into the trust that was building up between them. We also meet two new central characters later in the book and I just couldn't identify or sympathize with one of them at all.
The constant running and brutal fight scenes keep up a thriller like pace, but its really some of the slower, quiet moments that I loved the most. These certainly helped flesh out the characters back stories and allowed for some tender and unexpected moments.
The ending is well done because you aren't left with some huge jaw-dropping cliff-hanger, but rather the door is kept open for a sequel. I'm very interested to see where the story is headed, how Deuce will handle herself and if we'll learn more about the past. Although not flawless, Enclave is still a great read and definitely worth a look.
