in_libris_speramus's review against another edition
3.0
I had some issues with this book, particularly the characters. I wanted to like Deuce, but it was difficult at certain points when I wanted to shake her until her head rattled. I have a soft spot for warrior girls, and she seems brave, if naive, in the beginning. But the author frustrated me at several points in the story because Deuce never seems to grow up emotionally, even though she makes a pretty flippant remark towards the middle of the story that boils down to "I guess emotions aren't the worst, but I still don't want them."
Deuce lacks empathy for everyone around her, is proud of this, and seems to want to "improve" on her inability to relate to people because having feelings is not a Hunter trait. So, instead of deepening the relationship she has with her hunting partner, she ends up pushing him away when he needs her the most because she has the emotional IQ of a cockroach.
Plus, she forces a girl who has been raped for several years by gang members to travel with the gang leader when it's decided that he is to join their little group because he can fight. Deuce actually issues an ultimatum to the two kids that they either forget their history or get left behind. Again, she lacks complete empathy because she, and the skeezy gang leader, completely blame the constant raping on the girl, because she never fought her way out of the situation...
And the Deuce makes out with the skeezy gang leader in the middle of the woods.
I MEAN COME THE FK ON. Really. Not endearing.
Why still 3 stars? Well, I feel that it's really a 2.5 star book. I almost always like post-apocalyptic stories, and the world here is interesting. There is little lore in how the world ended up this way. Three of the four societies we encounter don't live much past their mid-twenties. Some societies live underground, some live aboveground. There's some form of zombie wandering through the underground. Two people are exiled from their home and attempt to find out what happened to the world, and look for a safe place to go. It's all the makings of an engaging story, and it was an entertaining story as a whole. Had we skipped the victim-blaming rape culture homage, or maybe killed off the gang leader instead of bringing him along, or added emotional depth to the main character this book might have garnered a full three or four stars from me.
Deuce lacks empathy for everyone around her, is proud of this, and seems to want to "improve" on her inability to relate to people because having feelings is not a Hunter trait. So, instead of deepening the relationship she has with her hunting partner, she ends up pushing him away when he needs her the most because she has the emotional IQ of a cockroach.
Plus, she forces a girl who has been raped for several years by gang members to travel with the gang leader when it's decided that he is to join their little group because he can fight. Deuce actually issues an ultimatum to the two kids that they either forget their history or get left behind. Again, she lacks complete empathy because she, and the skeezy gang leader, completely blame the constant raping on the girl, because she never fought her way out of the situation...
And the Deuce makes out with the skeezy gang leader in the middle of the woods.
I MEAN COME THE FK ON. Really. Not endearing.
Why still 3 stars? Well, I feel that it's really a 2.5 star book. I almost always like post-apocalyptic stories, and the world here is interesting. There is little lore in how the world ended up this way. Three of the four societies we encounter don't live much past their mid-twenties. Some societies live underground, some live aboveground. There's some form of zombie wandering through the underground. Two people are exiled from their home and attempt to find out what happened to the world, and look for a safe place to go. It's all the makings of an engaging story, and it was an entertaining story as a whole. Had we skipped the victim-blaming rape culture homage, or maybe killed off the gang leader instead of bringing him along, or added emotional depth to the main character this book might have garnered a full three or four stars from me.
beth_ro's review against another edition
4.0
Liked the story in general but not some aspects, like how a former rapist is clearly going to be one of the love interests. Maybe turns me off enough.
emmada11ow's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
jennifervu's review against another edition
3.0
I really didn't like the setting. It was not my type of book. The writing was okay but I was easily distracted. The only thing worthwhile in this book were Deuce's emotions, the fights, and the romance. (Well, I <3 my romance!)
ameschreiber's review against another edition
3.0
Reminded me of a less gory version of Ashes. If not for the references to Breeders and the violence against children, I would recommend this for students younger than 7th/8th grade. Would be appropriate for struggling readers interested in the Hunger Games who find that series to be too difficult to read.
crasscasualty's review against another edition
3.0
Trying to read some YA this summer so I can give better recs to my students.
My only thought on this series: well someone sure played Fallout 3.
My only thought on this series: well someone sure played Fallout 3.
octagonal's review against another edition
3.0
It was good, but the romance was distracting with the amount of WTF-ing it made me do. I mean, come onnn. And I say this as someone who is all for illogical, instant love in books. Pfff. The attempt at a love triangle was just creepy.
As for the rest of the plot, it was enjoyable. This post-apocalyptic world is creepy and one that I would die in so fast, it wouldn't even be funny.
BUT THE NAMES. You guys. Guys. Her name is Deuce. I'd rather she stay Girl15. UGHBLEH.
Still, I'm sure I'll read the sequels... I'll just whine about it. It gets 3 stars because even though 2 stars is technically "it was ok", it still feels too mean. I didn't dislike it, after all.
As for the rest of the plot, it was enjoyable. This post-apocalyptic world is creepy and one that I would die in so fast, it wouldn't even be funny.
BUT THE NAMES. You guys. Guys. Her name is Deuce. I'd rather she stay Girl15. UGHBLEH.
Still, I'm sure I'll read the sequels... I'll just whine about it. It gets 3 stars because even though 2 stars is technically "it was ok", it still feels too mean. I didn't dislike it, after all.
paradoxically's review against another edition
4.0
Enclave is done well, right from the beginning. You're placed straight into Deuce's world, but you're able to understand what is happening and what is going on without being inundated with information. Because if there's something that I hate, it's crappy information dumps.
I like Deuce. She straddles the line of having her own thoughts, but also tries her best to conform to society because of the way she is raised. As time goes on, you see her shift her thoughts from 'the enclave knows what is best' to 'that... isn't right.' It's done believably, without any whiplash, and Deuce struggles with herself and what she thinks. She's also absolutely kick ass, which is always a huge plus in my book.
I rather like the enclave itself. Not because I think it's good--because it is corrupt--but because of the motivations and reasons for why the enclave is the way it is in Deuce's time. The rules sprang out of the necessity to survive in such harsh conditions, and while it might have been working before, it's not going to work now, not with such stagnated leadership. Though, all right, I don't know how these people survive even as long as they have surviving only on meat, fish, and mushrooms. But little things like that I can push out of my mind easily enough (well, most of the time, anyway).
The book switches gear about halfway, due to I liked the latter half equally as much as the beginning half, and you meet a couple of interesting new characters. The ending was more of a sigh of relief, and you're left with really wanting to read more, though it's not precisely a cliff hanger. Overall, I enjoyed Enclave a lot. 4 stars.
I like Deuce. She straddles the line of having her own thoughts, but also tries her best to conform to society because of the way she is raised. As time goes on, you see her shift her thoughts from 'the enclave knows what is best' to 'that... isn't right.' It's done believably, without any whiplash, and Deuce struggles with herself and what she thinks. She's also absolutely kick ass, which is always a huge plus in my book.
I rather like the enclave itself. Not because I think it's good--because it is corrupt--but because of the motivations and reasons for why the enclave is the way it is in Deuce's time. The rules sprang out of the necessity to survive in such harsh conditions, and while it might have been working before, it's not going to work now, not with such stagnated leadership. Though, all right, I don't know how these people survive even as long as they have surviving only on meat, fish, and mushrooms. But little things like that I can push out of my mind easily enough (well, most of the time, anyway).
The book switches gear about halfway, due to
Spoiler
Deuce and Fade getting kicked out of the enclave.shonaningyo's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of those books with a decent premise that ends up slightly irritating you on account of the main character and his/her attitude, yet you're still interested in what happens and, like me, manage to finish the story with not as many complaints as you thought you'd have (especially from your first impression with the beginning).
I don't particularly like Deuce. Cold female leads have never been my thing, ever. I hate them, I really do. Luckily enough she wasn't a complete waste of time to deal with. She had sparks of humanity in her but it usually was quickly overcome with her "Hunter" attitude. I guess it makes sense, since being a gooey, "feely" girl will get you nowhere in the apocalypse.
The relationship between Fade and Deuce was to me one of two minus sides of a magnet. Sure they're similar and "Birds of a feather flock together" but they're so similar in their reservations and no-nonsense attitude that they manage to keep each other at bay. It is only with them fighting together that they form that "comrade bond" like among platoons of soldiers. I found it a little too neat but it would be insane if they didn't develop such a relationship, since half-flirty/half-serious "hate banter" would've been seriously unrealistic among fighting Freaks who could most definitely hear your teenage whining.
The development with Wolf was interesting, or whatever his name was (I forget). I do wish that Tegan would've been dropped. She was dead weight in all accounts.
Coincidentally, Tegan is also the name of my little sister.
I think people will be offended because of the harsh treatment of Tegan and the fact she was raped and how people weren't nearly sympathetic to the fact that she was. Well that's just how shit goes. She had no one to protect her from the rape gang and trust me, in an apocalypse, the human flesh is a nice commodity for one purpose or another. She was raised to be submissive. And since she didn't have the default minimum line of respect like in the Enclave, of course she would have been seen as worthless and face it, if a female doesn't have formal training on how to survive, we're basically sitting ducks. A man can use brute strength to get a little farther than we can. It's just how it is. Intelligence only goes so far. You have to know how to actually get shit done.
And my sexist comments end for today. Thank you for joining this one-sided discussion.
I don't particularly like Deuce. Cold female leads have never been my thing, ever. I hate them, I really do. Luckily enough she wasn't a complete waste of time to deal with. She had sparks of humanity in her but it usually was quickly overcome with her "Hunter" attitude. I guess it makes sense, since being a gooey, "feely" girl will get you nowhere in the apocalypse.
The relationship between Fade and Deuce was to me one of two minus sides of a magnet. Sure they're similar and "Birds of a feather flock together" but they're so similar in their reservations and no-nonsense attitude that they manage to keep each other at bay. It is only with them fighting together that they form that "comrade bond" like among platoons of soldiers. I found it a little too neat but it would be insane if they didn't develop such a relationship, since half-flirty/half-serious "hate banter" would've been seriously unrealistic among fighting Freaks who could most definitely hear your teenage whining.
The development with Wolf was interesting, or whatever his name was (I forget). I do wish that Tegan would've been dropped. She was dead weight in all accounts.
Coincidentally, Tegan is also the name of my little sister.
I think people will be offended because of the harsh treatment of Tegan and the fact she was raped and how people weren't nearly sympathetic to the fact that she was. Well that's just how shit goes. She had no one to protect her from the rape gang and trust me, in an apocalypse, the human flesh is a nice commodity for one purpose or another. She was raised to be submissive. And since she didn't have the default minimum line of respect like in the Enclave, of course she would have been seen as worthless and face it, if a female doesn't have formal training on how to survive, we're basically sitting ducks. A man can use brute strength to get a little farther than we can. It's just how it is. Intelligence only goes so far. You have to know how to actually get shit done.
And my sexist comments end for today. Thank you for joining this one-sided discussion.
saluki's review against another edition
4.0
In the underground enclave/tribe there are only three occupations; hunter, breeder and builder. Girl15 finally loses her brat status and becomes huntress Deuce on her naming day.
Deuce's perspective is narrow due to an enforced limited existence, but that changes when she is partnered with Fade. Fade mostly keeps to himself because he is originally from Topside, a place no one has seen, and he's treated as an outcast. Assimilated into the enclave at about ten-years-old, Fade is regarded with disdain and suspicion. Deuce begins to question the ideals, motives and codes of conduct of her elders so the life she has dreamed for herself, being a respected huntress securing meat for her tribe and defending against flesh-eating Freaks, is radically altered.
The female abuse and disregard is not for the faint-hearted and I'm sure it will anger some readers. Even though some actions are unpalatable Aguirre offers reasoning behind the actions and consequences in this bleak future.
Why, oh why, did I wait so long to read this! There are very few comforts in this post-apocalyptic telling. It's a world I would be terrified to live in... but nail-biting good to read.