Genre; Young Adult Hardcover: 272 pages Publisher: Feiwel & Friends (April 12, 2011) Source; Publishers
Rating;
My Thoughts - Girl15 Shortly after her initiation which brings her the name "Deuce" is now an official Huntress. She is a fighter who is bound to protect her people alongside the Hunters. Deep underground the Enclave consists of; Hunters, Breeders and Builders. Each role holds it's own important purpose and is sought by the number of scars you hold. The Hunters holding the most being six.
Things are strictly kept under control. For example; only Breeders are allowed to mate with other Breeders. You have to earn your right to a name, and anything found outside the Enclave must be given straight to the Elders. Should anyone not do so, you will either be exiled or killed. The Enclave is completely cut off from civilisation and is one of the very few clans left after a disease spread wiping out nearly everyone. It left people starving, angry and poor which led to the build up of ruthless gangs. Not many in the Enclave know what is out there, but even Hunter Fade who can't stand the Enclave knows he's safer here than anywhere else.
After Deuce and Fade are ordered by the elders to investigate a nearby Enclave they horrifyingly discover that it has been long overrun by the freaks, not only this, but that somehow the Freaks are starting to become more calculating and even strategic. Something that if continues could be deadly.
Enclave did throw me slightly off due to expecting it to really take off from the beginning. This was not the case. I was aware that the pacing was lagging, but it wasn't to the point where I became frustrated. The fact that the book was engaging and interesting kept me invested until things really started to pick up. The story built up over a period of time until I was completely invested.
Although Deuce and Fade are great characters that will be quickly liked by readers it was the misunderstood "Stalker" (LOL yes that is his name) that stood out to me. Upon first encountering him there is something very creepy and off-putting about him. It could be the hardness in his eyes or his heavily scarred face that makes him come across as menacing. It is clear though that he like - Fade and Deuce is tough and a skilled fighter. Their union is no friendly one, and although when first being introduced to him I was quite horrified by his cruelness, through time I got to really know another side him that showed he is just like them, but a boy that has had to live a different way to survive.
He could come across as quite strange to me at times. His thought process is very straightforward, and there is not a lot of emotion involved or thinking. He sees everything very one sided, and goes with the flow. I have to say I never expected him to have a large part in the story but boy am I glad that he did. There is so much to him that I would still love to know. Although readers might feel weary and uneasy towards him at first, and disturbed by his tendency to be cruel there is this hint of tenderness to him which makes him likable. He still has the ability to care and be gentle at the rarest of moments which makes you want to give him a chance.
Enclave is definitely a thrilling read which offers quite a bit of gore and action that adds some spice to the book. What I enjoyed most about Enclave was the whole idea behind the; Builders, Hunters, Freaks and Breeders. It's a concept that I was very intrigued by and quickly became one of the highlights of the book.
Stalker, Deuce and Fade were the only characters that really stood out to me unfortunately, and if there were any others that I was supposed to connect with, it just didn't happen. Personally, I don't think there is any need too. Although the book did originally feel quite slow paced to me I realised that it must not have even taken over three hours to finish, which in my opinion isn't particularly bad at all.
Enclave brings something fresh to Dystopia, and goes for something much grittier and darker than your average read. The world building is fantastic and you have to give the author her due when it comes to the three main thought out characters. Action packed and eerily creepy Enclave is a book that I, for one, fell completely in love with!
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