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Deuce has grown up without the sun. Hidden deep within the ancient city sewers, the enclave survives on rules and fear. Though her home is stalked by the flesh-eating freaks, it is still better than the horrors that await Topside -- or so she's told. No one has ventured Topside in years. No one, except Fade. Fade was found wandering the sewers, mysterious and feral, after surviving on his own for years. Everyone in the enclave fears the bizarre boy, so when Deuce is partnered with him as a Huntress she's prepared for his eccentricity and hostility. What she doesn't expect is a devastating secret that threatens the only life she's ever known.

In Enclave, the archaic rules and rituals of Deuce's underground world create a primal atmosphere and unsettling cult-like quality that bring the stark reality of this post-apocalyptic future to life. Like her society, Deuce lives by a rigid code of "daggers and determination"* that may seem unsympathetic, but is also fascinating and realistic in the context of her dark, dank world. She has grown up in the ferocity of the sewers and she knows how to survive. She's a girl and she's fierce and she makes no apologies. She has a will to succeed and a drive to prove herself.

Though she can seem stiff, it meshes well with her militant upbringing, and it's endearing to see her thaw over the course of the novel as she rediscovers her flickering humanity. Ann Aguirre puts herself completely in Deuce's shoes, portraying her reaction to the state-of-nature Topside with impressive care and imagination. Deuce is amazed by things we take for granted, and her encounters with the Topside gangs are brutal. However, I was troubled by Deuce's attitude towards the gangs' treatment of women. In this instance, the pragmatism instilled in her by the enclave makes her seem heartless.
Aguirre is unflinching in her presentation of this bleak future, where life is empty service to the survival of the whole. Living underground, away from life and sunlight, has slowly stripped the enclave of their humanity, until individuality is a sin and independent thought a crime. The ruthless, animalistic survival instinct makes the remaining humans alarmingly similar to the zombie-like Freaks they fear -- except for Fade. Fade slowly awakens the spark of spirit that still burns far below Deuce's rough Huntress exterior. The code of honor and deep-rooted trust that is crucial to their Hunter partnership builds slowly but strongly, allowing readers to believe and triumph in the ultimate romance. Enclave is rawer, wilder and more visceral than many of the dystopians that came before, and fans of the genre will relish it.

Rating: 

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher. This did not affect my review in any way.

Click here to purchase Enclave by Ann Aguirre.

Part of the 2011 Debu

3 Comments on Review: Enclave by Ann Aguirre, last added: 5/17/2011

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Today is finally the day!

Enclave by Ann Aguirre goes on sale today! Be sure to follow us on Twitter, where we'll be posting excerpts from the book, showcasing awesome Enclave reviews, and more.

For some of us who had originally read this way back in Fall 2009 (!), we've been eager to unleash this book.

But you don't have to just take our word for it:

“Spooky-cool, grimly gorgeous, tactile, tough, and terrifying.”  —national bestselling author Sharon Shinn

“Loved it. The only thing scarier than Reavers are Freaks.” —Gwen Hayes, author of Falling Under

“…In her first young adult novel, Aguirre (the Sirantha Jax series) has created a gritty and highly competent heroine, an equally deadly sidekick/love interest, and a fascinating if unpleasant civilization. This series is likely to hold considerable appeal for fans of The Hunger Games.” —Publishers Weekly

“Aguirre’s young adult debut is a gripping survival story set in an apocalyptic future. . . This is a tense, action-packed dystopia with intriguingly gray characters. . . Aguirre’s gritty future is not so simple; like Deuce, readers must weigh the comparative values of law and freedom in a functioning society.” —Booklist

“4 stars! Enclave is dark and thrilling, fast-paced and intense. With some graphic and gross imagery and a hard look at a post-apocalyptic world, Aguirre has taken themes from Scott Westerfeld and an assortment of zombie literature and created something that is very much her own — and a very engaging read.” —RT Booklovers Magazine

“…rich worldbuilding… this well-paced zombie-esque adventure in an urban wasteland will keep fans happy.” —Kirkus Reviews

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