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Read it on the My Precious Blog: thecallawayfam.blogspot.com ENCLAVE BY ANN AGUIRRE Publisher: Feiwel & Friends; 1 edition (April 12, 2011) Length: Hardcover, 272 pages Format: Audio book Source: Library2Go.com Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian Series: Yes, Book #1 of 3 Completed: November 2011 Challenges: 2011 YA Debut Author's Challenge, 2011 Show Me the Free Challenge SUMMARY The world as we know it no longer exists. Humans live underground, in groups for protection. The topside world isn't safe, or at least that's what Deuce has been told. In her underground world, she bands together with the elders and lives symbiotically with her peers. Each human has a purpose. Some are breeders, others are builders, but Duece is a hunter. She get paired up with Fade, an outsider, a boy who wasn't born and raised in the Enclave. Together they form a team, fighting Freaks and bringing home food to feed the Enclave, but they aren't without their problems. When a close friend of Deuce's is singled out for an act he didn't commit, Deuce takes the fall for him. Fade, also claims involvement. So what entails is they both are banned from the Enclave, forced to live a life outside the protection of the Enclave, if they are even able to survive on their own. Most people fail. Will they prevail or will they become dinner for the zombie like creatures called the Freaks that lurk outside the walls of the Enclave. BOOK AND AUTHOR BACKGROUND (From Ann's Website): Ann Aguirre is a national bestselling author with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, two cats, and one very lazy dog. She likes all kinds of books, emo music, action movies and Dr. Who. She writes urban fantasy (the Corine Solomon series), romantic science fiction (the Jax series), apocalyptic paranormal romance (the Ellen Connor books with Carrie Lofty), paranormal romantic suspense (as Ava Gray), and post-apocalyptic dystopian young adult fiction. Enclave is her young adult debut, the first book in a planned trilogy. The next book in the series Outpost is slated to release in Fall of 2012. SETTING, PACE AND STYLE Enclave unfolds in a futuristic world, a world far different than the one we live in today. With a rapid pace and easy to read language, Ann Aguirre crafts her nail biting tale of survival of the fittest. In this book the reader will always find something going on, where potential dangers are always lurking just right around the corner. The story is told in a first person narrative from Deuce's perspective. CHARACTERS AND PLOT Deuce begins her life as a number, a girl without a name. As she grows older, she wants nothing more to become a hunter and provide for her Enclave. She's a strong, determined girl who soaks up everything she is taught in brat school, ending up becoming a star student. When her dreams materialize she gets paired up with Fade. Fade is an outsider. He's not trusted by many of the Enclave members. He wasn't raised inside the confines of the protective Enclave, somehow managing to survive on his own once his father died. When The Enclave found him, they took him in only because he was a survivor, making him valuable. Its oblivious Fade can make it on his own, something almost no one else in the Enclave is capable of doing, not even The Elders. Two side characters who join Deuce and Fade on their quest are Stalker and Tegan. Stalker was the leader of a all boy gang and Tegan is one of his prisoners. Tegan is witty, kind and slightly fragile. Stalker on the other hand, is cruel, lacking compassion and appears to be in everything for himself. Both of these characters provide potential love triangles for the two main characters. The main plot revolves around Deuce and Fade being exiled form the Enclave after openly admitting to hoarding, taking the fall for a good friend who was wrongly accused. The reader will follow them on their quest as they attempt to reach a safe haven where they can live out their lives without fear. RECOMMENDATION This is a book for both guys and gals. Its intense, action packed and and engrossing read. Readers who are fans of books like Eve or Ashfall will appreciate this type of team survival read, where there are two kick butt main characters working together to fend off enemies. PERSONAL NOTE & WRAP UP The characters, plot line and plight all very engrossing. Fade, though tough still managed to hold a strong sense of compassion for his fellow human kind. He can't bare to see someone suffering. Deuce is honorable, willing to sacrifice her happiness for others. With both main characters possessing strong traits, it was easy to become vested in their survival story. This book had a mission, a quest and a goal, with many frightening, nail biting, obstacles along the way. One of them being the Freaks, which I was intrigued by these blood thirsty, zombie like creatures. I'm curious to find out why they are evolving, becoming smarter and what is going to become of their unusual race. Despite all the fighting, bloodshed and action packed into this story, the author does weave just a slight bit of romance between Fade and Deuce. Evidence strongly suggests there are sparks igniting between these two. Its also refreshing its not insta-love either. Towards the end of the book, they seem to be growing apart, instead of together. Something a little unusual for the young adult novels I've read lately. RATING Enclave is a fantastic, entertaining read which was difficult to walk away from, one I looked forward to returning to, until I eventually completed the book. I had no problems or foundation to deduct any rings from this one. Therefore, I award this...... 5 RINGS

2023-02-23 06:07