Review of Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Title: Enclave
Author: Ann Aguirre
Published by: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 259
Source: Won in a contest
Format: Hardcover
Rating: ★★★★

Summary from Goodreads:  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.

What a fast paced, thrilling adventure.  I could not put this novel down.  I was caught from the first page and as the novel progressed so did the action, fighting, and sexual tension.  Deuce is a strong female warrior who has devoted her whole life to becoming a Huntress and protecting her enclave.  When she finally gets the chance she is partnered with a ruthless Hunter named Fade, but things don't always go as planned. 

If I ever needed protecting Deuce and Fade are the type of people I'd want watching my back.  They are lethal, almost to the point of being scary.  Make sure you end up on their good side.  Not only can they fight, but the also show great wisdom and compassion.  This is important for me when looking at characters.  I don't care how kick-butt or fierce they are, if they don't use their heads and their hearts then they just fall flat for me.  I also liked how loyal Deuce was.  I loved how she stood up for her friends even when things turned bad for her. 

While the base story line of a post-apocalyptic world is becoming a common theme in YA literature, Ann Aguirre gave Enclave it's own voice.  She created these creatures who are not quite monsters, but at the same time are far from human.  They were fed by their hunger and desire to live.  I kind of wonder if these "Freaks" once started as humans but evolved into creatures out of evolution and necessity to survive?  It hard to think about what people will do to survive when times get tough.  I guess it's the mentality of kill or be killed, but at this point it my life it's hard to visualize that necessity.

Ann Aguirre made a name for herself with this gripping YA debut.  I can't wait to Outpost scheduled to
release this fall.