Enclave: A Staggering Story in a Fascinating World

Do you ever crave an action-filled, edge of your seat novel? Have you ever yearned for something that’s both riveting and emotionally resonant as well as something that keeps you up at night? In that case, discover Ann Aguirre’s dystopian fiction novel Enclave. Published in 2011, it is the first book in the Razorland Trilogy. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, Enclave follows Deuce, a 15-year-old Huntress. For decades it has been known that the surface of the Earth, called Topside, is toxic and unsuitable for human life. Humans have fled underground and now live in small “villages” called enclaves.

In Deuce’s enclave, College, everything is planned out. There are three specific roles that a person can fill: Builders, Breeders or Hunters. Builders are in charge of building tools, furniture, and weapons. Breeders have the task of giving birth to new brats (how the enclave refers to children under 15). Hunters have the job of foraging meat in the tunnels for the enclave and killing Freaks, terrifying feral creatures that feast on humans. 

Ever since Deuce was a brat, she’s wanted to become a Huntress, and has trained for it until her naming day ceremony. A naming day ceremony is a great honour since it’s proof that you survived your first 15 years, after which the elders give you a name. Shortly after Deuce becomes a Huntress, she is paired with Fade, a fearsome Hunter. Soon enough, Deuce’s world is thrown into pieces once she discovers how corrupt the elders are. The rules that are meant to protect the enclave in reality restrict the people in it. Then Deuce and Fade are exiled out of the enclave for a crime they didn’t commit, propelling them Topside in the hopes that they’ll survive better than in the tunnels.

The characters in Enclave are nothing short of exceptional.

In most novels, I usually find the main character to be my favorite one. I always treat them as the most important person in a novel, but when I was reading Enclave, it didn’t feel that way with Deuce.

She is an accomplished character with great fighting skills, a kind heart, and an incomparable drive. Nevertheless, she wasn’t all alone. There were a lot of people who contributed to making Deuce who she is throughout the novel. Everything that brought Deuce to where she is now was a group effort. 

In my mind, I see all the other supporting characters giving Deuce a big push toward her destiny. For one, there’s Fade, Deuce’s stoic hunting partner. Fade acts callously to mask his constant loneliness. Unlike everyone else, Fade wasn’t born in College, instead he was found a few years ago in the tunnels, half-wild and deprived. He has made his hatred for the enclave clear, shown by his initial distrust towards Deuce. Over time, they become friends with a deep level of trust. Later comes Stalker and Tegan, whom they meet Topside. Stalker is a ruthless gang leader with a strong belief in “kill others before they kill you.” Tegan is a young teenager who has suffered immeasurable pain and torture by the hands of Stalker’s gang. Through the book, Deuce acknowledges Tegan for her own kind of strength and endurance. At first, Stalker is an antagonist but later becomes a friend and useful ally. The tensions that sometimes arise between him and Tegan add depth to the story. I enjoyed discovering all their perspectives and backstories, to the point where I can’t choose a favourite character!

Having lived underground for the majority of her life, Deuce knows close to nothing about Topside. Many times, this was proven in amusing ways. For example, when Deuce encountered the sun for the first time, she stated, “When I awoke, I first thought the room was on fire. I scrambled off the sofa and started to bolt when my senses caught up to my instinctive fear. No smoke meant no fire; it was a simple relationship” (page 137, Aguirre). I found scenes like these hilarious, because something that is so normal to me is completely unnatural for Deuce. While this scene is quite comical, it made me pause. I started reflecting, what if I was in Deuce’s place? Would my reaction be the same? Deuce is just now finding out about the broader world, while at the same time, I’m rediscovering the familiar. Discovering Topside through Deuce’s awe-filled eyes is a thrilling experience. I don’t know how she did it but Ann Aguirre wove Deuce’s first-person narrative in a magical and enticing way.

This may vary for every reader, but the way I see it, the theme of Enclave is to always maintain an indomitable spirit.

Time and time again Deuce proves that no matter how many times she has to fight Freaks (or fight to survive in general), she won’t give up. One specific Hunter tenet, “the strong survive,” is what drives Deuce even after her exile.

I want to note that Enclave may not be suitable for readers younger than 13-years-old. It contains some violent scenes and a bit of mature content that younger readers might not want to be exposed to. Enclave is brimming with a lovable female lead and a remarkable supporting cast. It is a splendid novel with a remarkable story to tell. This is the type of book that I enjoy re-reading without fail, and to which I’d attribute a five-star rating.