GeekVixen.com » young adult

Review: Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Tiffany — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:00:52 +0000

Enclave
Ann Aguirre
Release: April 12, 2011
Purchase Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Nook Version | Kindle Version
Rating: 4.5 Stars

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 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.

Oh how I loved this book. It is the first book I have read in entirely one day in a very, very, long time.

Who are these people?

Girl15, soon renamed “Deuce”, is a 15 year old girl, coming into her own as a Huntress. In her world, you don’t get a name or true validation until you live to the age of 15 and proof yourself capable of fulfilling your role. She is hardened, determined, and has just enough naivety to make you care for her. I wanted to wrap her in my arms and protect her. She is only 15! This isn’t fair! I shouted it over and over again at her, and not once did she acknowledge that or give in to it.

Fade, is a seasoned but un-respected Hunter in their Enclave. He came to them from questionable events and has always been an outcast, even after proving himself physically several times over. Deuce is skeptical when first assigned to be his partner, but comes to trust him… mostly.

What is this book even about?

Superficially, Enclave is about a girl who has her world shaken up and turned upside down. Everything she has grown up knowing and trusting is not what she thought it once was. Enclave is a story of survival. Can Deuce and Fade live through the unfair and unbelievable fate that has settled over their heads? Or will they simply be killed and eaten by the increasingly intelligent band of “Freaks” threatening their people?

But maybe, Enclave is about more than just survival. Just maybe it is a story of political injustice and the faults of humanity. It’s a story about the pull of power, who has it and what humans instinctually do to keep it. The world built in Enclave is so easily imaginable and plausible that it pushed my buttons and made me think…. is that what I would have done? At it’s core, Enclave is a story of human nature.

What did I like love about this story?

Everything? That is probably the easy answer, but it is mostly true. It is hard to pick out just a few things that I loved because the story is so cohesive and well written that it sits in my head as one fully functioning entity. The characters wouldn’t be what they are without the world they lived in. The world they lived in wouldn’t be anything interesting without the enclave of people inhabiting it. The “bad guys” would just be another group of blood thirsty killers without the contrast of Deuce and Fade to measure against. In short, everything. The universe and story of Enclave pulls you in and wraps around you like your favorite quilt. All encompassing and familiar, but slightly uncomfortable as things heat up. Which brings me to….

What gave me pause….?

The end. This book would have gotten an easy 5 star rating if not for the ending. There was a point towards the end where I felt the story drag a tiny bit and I knew something needed to happen, and yet I couldn’t imagine what could wrap it all up in a tiny bow perfectly. I was right that something was about to happen to end it, but it wasn’t perfect. It felt awkward and slightly rushed. The conclusion was satisfactory enough, but it lacked the same punch as much of the story. I hate to sound cliche, but…. anticlimactic. I get the feeling the story was just too big for the word count goal and I almost wish it had ended on a cliffhanger to be continued in the next book.

Favorite Quote

I highlighted so many passages, it really is hard to choose a favorite.

People’s value came from their actions. In the enclave, the strong and the physically perfect survived, but if you were strong, you protected the weak until they had an opportunity to grow into their own power. At least that was the ideal.

Anything I would change?

As I stated above, I’d have cut the book a bit shorter and ended on a cliff hanger, even tho I hate cliff hangers! The story just feels too big and ran out of space.

Should you read this book?

Yes. A resounding yes. There will be some that say … “I don’t read young adult…” My response? Enclave is not defined by its genre. It is young adult in that it’s characters are not quite adults, but the story has universal appeal. If you like action, adventure, with just a smidgen of romantic tension that has the promise to blossom as the series continues… pick up this book. If you want to read something that feels truly honest and reflective, pick up this book. Yes, it is dark, dreary, and violent, but sometimes the best of humanity is born from that.

FTC Disclaimer: This book was purchased by me

Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Tiffany — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 20:06:16 +0000

Title: Catching Fire (Hunger Games, book 2)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Release: October 1, 2008
Purchase this book: Amazon
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars

SPOILER FREE, I PROMISE!

You may notice, I left out the blurb above…. I was posting it but then I realized its way too spoilery for those of you who have not read book 1 yet. In fact I am really not sure how to review Catching Fire without spoiling book 1, so I am going to keep this brief.

Just as they did in Hunger Games, the characters in Catching Fire captured my heart and didn’t let go. I sobbed several times and I will even admit there were times I wanted to throw the book. The story and the situation surrounding Katniss feels so desperate, its emotionally exhausting. I kept muttering to myself how things weren’t fair and at times I questioned my sanity for becoming so emotionally connected to this story. But isn’t that what a good story is supposed to do for you? A great book binds you to its world and the people in it, it keeps you reading even when your heart is breaking.

Catching Fire easily earns a 5 star rating from me. Once again Suzanne Collins delivers on the emotion, character depth, and suspenseful plot that keeps this Vixen coming back for more. If you haven’t started this series yet, I ask… what are you waiting for? The final book, Mockingjay, comes out this summer and you won’t want to miss it.

FTC Disclaimer: This book was purchased by me.

Review: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Tiffany — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 16:30:08 +0000

Title: Hunger Games (Book 1)
Author: Suzanne Collins
Release: October 1, 2008
Purchase this book: Amazon | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars

In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss’s skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister’s place.

Hunger Games drops you into a future where the United States has been destroyed and all that remains is Panem, a dystopian civilization made up of 12 districts and a Capital city. The Capital controls everything with an iron fist and a previous attempt at rebellion by the 12 districts resulted in the creation of a disturbing event known as the The Hunger Games. Every year each of the 12 districts has to choose one girl and one boy to compete in this televised game of survivor where you either win or you die, and there can only be one winner.

Katniss is a 16 year old girl with far too much responsibility on her shoulders. She protects and provides for her mother and sister with no regard for herself. She is independent, caring, and humble. When her sister’s name gets pulled from the glass bowl as this year’s female tribute to the Hunger Games, there is no question that Katniss will take her place. I loved Katniss from page 1 of this book. She is so strong, and yet still a vulnerable 16 year old when no one is looking. I had tears in my eyes and a sob in my throat before I had even gotten to page 25 because of the lengths she went to for her family. Katniss is a character you will root for and become emotionally attached to.

The beginning of the novel started a bit slow for me, it was all necessary to the story but I was anxious to get to the games and to find out whether Katniss even had a chance at staying alive. Once I got a third of the way through, I simply could not put this book down. The story was action packed, smart, and captivating. My pulse raced and I held my breath along with Katniss every step of the way. I felt her despair and desperation. I felt her joys and her I cheered her on.

If you are looking for a smart, fascinating, unique story with noble and likable characters then Hunger Games will not disappoint you. Don’t let the Young Adult genre designation dissuade you, book lovers of all ages with enjoy this one.

FTC Disclaimer: This book was purchased by me.

In My Mailbox: Hush, Hush!

Tiffany — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:58:38 +0000

These In My Mailbox posts will probably be rare since I tend to read everything on my kindle…. but I wanted to share what showed up today! A signed copy of Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. The cover is just amazing on this, beautiful! Can’t wait to read this one.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster for giving this away by contest on their twitter account!

Contest: Win Skin Game by Ava Gray!