"This book was quite addicting once I gave up the need to 'know' and essentially 'control.'" — Miss Remmers
Release Date: April 12th, 2011
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Challenges: Dystopia Challenge, Debut Author Challenge, 100+ Reading Challenge
"New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20's. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters—or Freaks—who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade’s long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known."
I'll be honest, "Enclave" did not grab me or demand to be read. I actually put it down once but then felt guilty about passing it on to the next reviewer without a review. So I picked it up again and "forced" myself to at least attempt 50 pages during on Recreational Reading Friday. The second time around I still struggled with this book for about the first four chapters. I was confused as to where the setting was and I had a hard time connecting to the descriptions, much like I struggled with "Inside Out. "
Despite struggling with the setting and the beginning of the plot, by second period I couldn't put this book down. I became addicted to the plot and characters and learned to be patient with the setting while I picked up on the setting bit by bit. I hope this book becomes a movie; that would greatly help me understand the parts of the setting that I'm still confused about. *Please remember, I am a small town Midwestern girl who, even when I went to BEA last year, has never been on a subway. So yes, I get the general idea of the setting, but as for the specifics — I'm completely lost.
The pacing of this novel was perfect, I felt that we were "down under" for just the perfect amount of time, "up top" in the city for the perfect amount of time, and so on and so forth. The plot moved along at a pace that I felt completely comfortable with. I loved Deuce and her strength but I fell completely in love with Fade and his "strong but silent" personality.
It's been a while since I finished the book, but when I think back what I strongly remember is the need to share this book with others. For those of you who don't know, every Friday in my classroom is Recreational Reading day. No matter what. And, like a good teacher, I model the behavior I expect of my students. I'm not grading and I'm not planning — I'm reading. On the Friday that I "forced" myself to read this book with each subsequent class I talked less and less. I, like a "bad teacher," forgot to greet my classes at the door because I was at a "good part." When a class would come in a little rowdy and see me reading at the center of the room I'd hear, "Shh! Miss Remmers' has a good book!" and the rest of the class would come in, sit down, and take out their own reads. The last couple minutes of one period a student asked me what I was reading, and I gladly shared.
This book, while it had a rocky beginning for me personally, was quite addicting once I gave up the need to "know" and essentially "control." Once I "went with the flow," "let myself go," didn't analyze, and just read the book for enjoyment (as it was meant) — this book turned out to be a complete winner. It's definitely a dystopia that I feel stands apart from the rest and I am already looking forward to book 2.
I will quickly add, I was completely confused as the front cover of the ARC says "Enclave" but in the acknowledgments and on the side binding it says "Razorland." Unless I missed it, Razorland was never specifically mentioned in the book. I hope this is addressed on the published version of the book.
Originality: 10/10
Ending: 8/10
Characters: 9/10
Plot: 9/10
My reaction/enjoyment: 8/10
Cover: 5/10
Overall: 49/60 B+
This book will be released on April 12th, 2011.
-Visit Ann around the web here: Website | Goodreads |
-BUY THE BOOK: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes and Noble
To the FTC, with love: ARC Blog Tour