Enclave - Ann Aguirre

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. 

My thoughts:

I gave it a 3 in the end cos it was good, it could have been a 4, and I really should have given it a 1 because of last part. So I give the beginning  4, the middle part a 3 and the latter part a 1.

Right, good things:

It was a creepy freaky world. You can become a breeder, a hunter or a builder. And then die when you are 25. You live your whole live underground and do not know what the sun is. I liked all of this. It was dark, people died, there was injustice. People were stupid and it was just cool.

The narrator did a good job (not with Face though) and I was never bored.

Bad Things: 

Spoiler alert

The shit hits the fan when Fade and Deuce leaves the tunnels and heads up. This is where I started to question the world building. How the hell did it all break down so fast, how did people forget so fast, and why do people die so young, but start working so late? Maybe if a class of 5 year olds where the only ones to survive I can believe it.

But that was not the worst thing, no, that was the victim blaming. Deuce was all cool and thought about how if anyone abused a woman they would be cut and thrown at the freaks. Ok, good. BUT, why the hell does she then blame poor Teegan for getting raped? Yes it's SO her fault that she never learned how to defend herself and was gang raped by 20 guys. Had lots of stillborn children and almost died. SO her fault. Stupid Teegan, you should just have fought and died. What a stupid slut.

Ok can it get worse? YES. Ok so the guy who was the boss of the raping gangers comes along when Fade, Deuce and Teegan. No one except Teegan questions it. And suddenly we are supposed to think that he was the only one who did not rape Teegan (or anyone else). HA, are you kidding me? Of course he raped everyone, he was the leader. Yes just invite him along and do not think he would not rape you while you sleep. And and, omg. HE comes a love interest of Deuce. No fuck no! You did not think of the raping murderer as a love interest. How am I supposed to handle that? 

And honestly Deuce, you are sad over some blind kid but do not give one damn when you leave the city that you are leaving young girls and children to get eaten by freaks. I get that Stalker does not care.

I am torn, I want to see what happens but wtf Stalker wtf. I can not forgive that.WTF

Audio CD, 6 pages
Published April 12th 2011 (first published April 11th 2011)
(Razorland, #1)
YA Dystopia