Enclave- Ann Aguirre

Title: Enclave
Author: Ann Aguirre
Source: Bought used
Series: Yes
Rating: 4.5/5












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 Deuce 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.

This book reminded me why I love dark books. The story grabbed me and did not let go, I am desperate to know what  happens next. I have already put book two on hold at the library and I am dying to buy the novella off the Kobo website. 

Deuce has worked hard all her life to become a huntress and she has finally succeeded. After her naming ceremony she is given Fade as a partner to go on patrols. Fade is not from the enclave. He is an outsider that other hunters found and they decided to allow him to stay. Since being partnered with Fade her world has been turned upside down, he shows her a side of the enclave she never knew existed. Deuce must choose between the world she knows and the world Fade had introduced her to.

Fade is the outsider bad boy with the soft middle. He takes care of Deuce and makes her see what she is missing, but at times he can also be a total jerk. I cannot say too much but there were times when I was not a fan of him. Deuce has been brought up to believe the elders are always right and know what is best. You can only be one of three things; a breeder, a builder or a hunter. She is a little wary of Fade at first which I totally understand. Who would trust this outsider who says he is not from the underground but as the story progresses she starts to grow as a character and trust him, she is not as naive as she first appears. I loved Stone and Thimble. I want to believe they will be in the future books, there is so much more to there story that has to be told. 

The storyline is similar to a lot of other apocalyptic/ dystopian books out there but Enclave has something that makes it stand out from the crowd. It has great characters facing impossible odds but still managing to stay sane. The story is a fast paced, even when the story seems to be slowing down and allowing the characters to rest you know it's not true. There is always something waiting around the corner to try and kill them.