REVIEW: Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Enclave
Ann Aguirre
259 pages
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: April 12th 2011
Source: Publisher (ARC for review)

New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20's. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters—or Freaks—who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade’s long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known.

   Going in, I wasn't sure what to expect from Enclave. The cover foretold the dark atmosphere inevitably inside and the summary in the back seemed to say "I'm just another dystopian!", so I didn't even bother to read it thoroughly.

   Inside was a whole different story. It was dark, of course, because Deuce and her people live underground, but light was shed in the most unexpected places. The story begins on the day when Deuce goes from being a brat named Girl15 to Deuce, a Huntress. Its what Deuce has wanted every since she was a brat.

   While Deuce is beginning to think her life is finally complete, she is paired with Fade, a Hunter who came from the dangerous Topside (aboveground) to hunt for food and protect the enclave they live in. Circumstances, including Fade's consistent questions, amount to Deuce thinking twice about the philosophies of her elders (who are no older than their late 20's). Soon, she and Fade are exiled to Topside, where they have to fend for themselves and find a place neither of them is sure exists.

   Ann Aguirre's young-adult debut was thrilling in every sense. My only dislike was that I never got to 'know' any of the characters that well. For me, they were simply 'there' and nothing more. I also didn't have much sense of time as the story drew on. But the plot itself was unique and had me wanting to know what happens next until I flipped over the last page and realized I'll have to wait till book two to find out more.

   All in all, Enclave is a quick, dystopian adventure that will leave you hungry for more!

I love the cover - its dark, brooding, and very inviting!

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