Enclave by Ann Aguirre
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends / Macmillan Audio
Release date: April 11, 2011
Summary: Deuce has just been initiated as a Huntress in her Enclave. This means that it’s her job to protect the citizens from the flesh-eating Freaks that lurk nearby. She’s paired with Fade, a boy who allegedly comes from aboveground—a place that members of the Enclave would never go. While on patrol, Deuce and Fade discover something about the Freaks that has the potential to destroy every living person in the Enclave.
My thoughts: Enclave is, hands down, the most exciting audiobook I’ve ever listened to. Admittedly, I’ve listened to a grand total of four audiobooks so far, but I’m fairly certain that Enclave will hold a position amongst my favorites for a while. Why? Emily Bauer, the actress narrating the audiobook, does a fantastic job. She makes Deuce sound positively fierce—and Deuce’s ferocity is my favorite part of the story. Enclave’s protagonist is unforgettable. Her strong will and her combat skills make Deuce nearly unstoppable—but luckily for us, there’s a little bit of human emotion that peeks through once in a while, and it’s this that makes Deuce lovable.
As a whole, Enclave seems a bit directionless. I suppose that’s the point (considering the two main characters face the unknown quite often), but I wanted something more from the story—a goal bigger than just reaching a destination in one piece. I believe this desire will be fulfilled in book two, when we’ll presumably gain more insight into the world Deuce lives in. But Enclave itself seemed like a montage of fight scenes spaced between little tidbits of dialogue.
This isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy Enclave–I definitely did. The fight scenes are brutally realistic (which I totally ate up), and the relationships that build between the characters feel genuine. Anne Aguirre isn’t afraid to get down and dirty with realism, which is part of the reason dystopian fans will love Enclave. Don’t let my lack of emotion towards the overall story dissuade you from reading (or listening): this book is definitely worth reading, but I think it will be even better if read with the sequel sitting nearby.
Audiobook listeners, Enclave is not to be missed, especially if you’re a fan of action and adventure. The narrator perfectly grasps Deuce’s sharp, tough tone, and her readings of the fight scenes nearly transport you there.
Book rating: 4/5 stars
Audio rating: 5/5 stars
For those who like: action, dystopia, survival stories
Source: received from Macmillan Audio for review. Thanks!
