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Thursday, May 26, 2011

Enclave by Ann Aguirre

EnclaveFrom Goodreads:
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.
Like most of you, I have heard so much about this book I was itching to get to it. I had hives waiting for my chance to review it. *scratches* I finally received it and cracked it open almost immediately!  Anyhoo... I will admit that it took me a while to get into the world that was created here. When Fade and Deuce were paired, I no longer had that problem. The world and the characters took off for me. I really (I hate to say this...) enjoyed the world that was utterly controlled by the "elders" of the enclave. People who rarely saw past their 20s. Everything was for the good of the Enclave so no one was allowed to question it. In one way you really could understand their thinking. In another, I know I wouldn't want to have to live in that fashion. As assignments are given, there is opportunity for Deuce, with Fade's encouragement, to see that things aren't as simple as they seem. Her world may not be all black and white after all. She begins to see the world slightly more like we might as outsiders. This is terrifying for Deuce, but she does not back away from the fear.

As things progress, Fade and Deuce are exiled to the surface which means certain death. Even though this world is extremely frightening (especially to Deuce who has never encountered anything like it) they are able to win a couple of friends and begin to look for true safety. However, Deuce is not convinced such a place exists, but is willing to give it a try. The rest of the story is left for you to uncover, but I will say one last thing... the ending is not as fulfilling as you might hope. There are questions that are left with out a conclusion. So therefore... I will *evil laugh* at myself. *sigh*

There are a few things I do feel I need to point out. Despite my love of the world and Deuce, I was not all that thrilled with some of the men in this story. Fade's character seemed oddly unbalanced. When someone basically blacks out when fighting and cannot tell the difference from a spar and the real fight, they aren't as connected to their feelings as Fade seemed to be. Granted I do believe he would be sensitive, but I don't think he would have expressed himself that well nor do I think he would be that calm. People like that tend to be quite angry. Also, we meet a character named Stalker. He was a leader but decided to travel with the party as an equal. His arrogance as a leader was absolute. I do not feel that he would as easily give up that power, even to save himself. True, it is another world than we currently live in, but I still feel that people would still be somewhat the same especially when time is spent surviving and not developing character. Despite these things I found incongruous, I still really enjoyed this book. I give it 3 stars and recommend it to anyone who enjoys zombie/dystopian books.

I was given this ARC as a part of the Book it Forward ARC tours and no compensation for my review was given.

18 comments:

  1. Like you I have heard an awful lot about this one - not too sure if its for me though. Thanks for your view, your response to the male characters is interesting and not one I've heard before.

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  2. I was less impressed with the men in the book than the women and the ending was a bit abrupt. Oh who am I kidding, I thought I was missing pages LOL

    Great Review! I liked it a little more than you did but really I think it was the fact that this girl really did get out there and kick those idiot boys butts :)

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  3. Great review! I loved the book and the way it was created. It did start off slow for me, but I eventually got into it!

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  4. I've read so many mixed reviews about this book; I'm not sure whether I want to read this one. I think I would also have trouble with the male characters in the book.

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  5. I love your reviews just because they make it easier to decide whether I might like a book or not. This one- maybe. I am simply curious and I like dystopias.

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  6. Sound good. Jake loves zombies so I'll mention it to him. Love the review - thanks!

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  7. Well I do like zombie/dystopian books. So maybe this one is right for me. I am going to look out for it. Is there a sequal? I always want answers! ;)

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  8. hahaha!

    Melissa, you always make me laugh out loud! Sorry to hear that you had to evil laugh at yourself.

    I'm excited to read this one, but now I know that I can perhaps wait until the next book comes out. I don't like being left to question too many things. LOL

    And how rude it is for the Enclave to exile people when the population rarely makes it past 20?

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  9. I do think I would like it..ok I hope cos it sounds so good and I do know I like her writing

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  10. @...Petty... I think if you like dystopian genre, then you will like this one.

    @Felicia...LOL I thought so too! Where were those pages! I still did like it, and I really want to read the next one in the series.

    @Savannah... I did too. I really enjoyed this one despite what I didn't totally buy. :)

    @Misha... I didn't have a ton of trouble with the boys, but it was inconsistant from what was presented.

    @anachronist... *blushes* If you like dystopias... I would say... go for it. It is a great dystopian world.

    @Alyssa... Oh yea...he will like this then! :)

    @Nina...There better be a sequel! lol I agree... I need answers!

    @Missie... *giggles* Yea, you could wait for the next one. The ending was SO abrupt!

    @Blodeuedd... Oh I do think you will enjoy this one a lot.

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  11. While I am one who loves zombie/ dytopian books I am not one for books that take me a while to sink into their created worlds or unbalanced men... Hmmmm... I must still give this one some thought.

    Thanks for the great review Melissa and happy early weekend! ;)

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  12. Per the last line of your review... Of course... Why I freaking loved it!!!

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  13. Oh you are not playing fair now. ;D I have this one on the shelf to read I just have to get the time to get to it. But, I will get there! Thank you for the great review. :) Now you've read an Ann Aguirre book. But you have to read one of her adult books now. ;D Great review!

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  14. I must ask since both came out at around the same time - which dystopian should I read if I could only read one (there's only so much bleakness I can take) - Divergent or Enclave???

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  15. I hate those endings where you have a bunch of questions and no answers. Might wait until closer to book 2 to read this. Great review :)

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  16. Most reviews I've seen of this book are three star-ish like yours. I haven't gotten into zombies yet but I may start ;)

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  17. I have this one on Kindle and like you heard many things and want to read it.

    I'm not so hot for zombies but I do enjoy dystopian type worlds. I think I get where you are coming from with the characters and hopefully it'll be something to even out in as the novels proceed.

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  18. Great review!! I just got this yday, cant wait to read it =D

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