Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Title:  Enclave

Author: Ann Aguirre

Pages:  272

Genre:  YA/ Dystopian

Source: Book It Forward ARC Tours

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 to 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. [via GoodReads]

Full of action, adventure, mystery and danger, Enclave, will have you at the edge of your seat.  I am on a dystopian kick right now.  So I pretty much will devour anything that says post-apocalyptic on it.  But I found that Enclave did not disappoint.  

From the first pages I quickly connected with Deuce.  I have a thing for kick-ass females and she is definitely one.  In a world where you are a only considered a number until you reach a certain age and are finally given a name, Deuce was like a shining light.  She is strong, tough, loyal and brave. She is definitely not someone who needs rescuing... on the other hand, she is the one who most likely does the rescuing.  I admired her for coping with the bleak and dreary world she lives in and making the best of it.  When she gets partnered with Fade she is not a happy camper.  Fade is someone whom the Enclave has ostracized.  He is allowed to live amongst them but is not seen as one of them.  When they make a discovery that will have Deuce questioning the moral code she's always lived by she'll find that the only person she can truly trust is Fade.  His determination to survive and find out the truth no matter the cost will be their beacon in the darkness.

Although at first it is a bit tedious when it comes to getting the names, sometimes number, etc. down, please persevere.  After a few chapters you will find that you are in the grips of a masterfully crafted adventure.  One that you will have a tough time putting down.  I guarantee that the world building, the tough-as-nails characters, humanity's struggle to survive, the bright spark of hope in a world that is hopelessly dark, a glimpse of compassion in a world full of cruelty, the danger, the adventure, the plausible and fascinating dystopian world, will all have you flying through its pages.  

Fans of The Hunger Games make sure to add Enclave to the ever-growing YA dystopian must-read list.  This is one series that you should not miss out on.  

My Rating: