Saturday, November 24, 2012

DNF Review: Enclave by Ann Aguirre


Title: Enclave (Razorland, #1) 
Author: Ann Aguirre
Rating: DNF/2 Stars
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 Deuce 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. 
Enclave is amongst the few dystopian novels that has actually received a level amount of praise from practically everyone. As far as I know, there are no “haters” of Enclave, although there are those that feel simply ambivalent towards the novel, and as such, I went into it fully expecting to love it. Much to my disappointment, however, not only did I not fall in love with this novel, I couldn’t even bring myself to finish it. I was less than hundred pages from the end when I came to sudden realization that I simply did not care. Thus, this book is sadly joining my pile of DNF novels.

In theory, Enclave is a book I should have loved. We have a kick-ass heroine, an enigmatic young hero/romantic interest, and a unique dystopian world.  Yet, everything was simply lacking in some manner or the other. What struck me first about the story was its lack of world-building. I’ve already mentioned that Aguirre has imagined a fantastic new realm, only we don’t know all that much about it. Of course, we are given details of the inner workings of this utopian society and are introduced to the “Freaks,” or zombies, but we are left completely in the dark as to the origins of this world. It isn’t a huge qualm as far as world-building qualms go and while our protagonist herself didn’t know the answer, a few theories as to how the Freaks came to exist or the manner in which the utopian society was formed would have been enriching to say the least.

Nevertheless, my true qualm took place in the shape of our protagonist, Deuce. Deuce is kick-ass, sweet when it comes to young love, fierce when it comes to fighting, and loyal when it comes to her job, but that’s all she is. Either than a couple of adjectives – strong, brave, kind – Deuce isn’t made up of much. In my eyes, she never had any real substance and I was unable to understand or connect with her as there wasn’t a person there to understand in the first place. It’s difficult to put into words, but more than just a lack of connection with Deuce, I couldn’t care for her or see her perspective on certain issues. Furthermore, this extended into her romance as well, making it all just fall flat for me.

Yet, the last straw in this novel was the love triangle. I thankfully didn’t make it to the point where this issue became an obvious forefront, but from skimming through other reviews, I can tell that it’s distasteful at best. Not only does it continue on in the sequel (turn-off much?), but it also centers on a former rapist. (I have no right to judge in this instance, however, since I haven’t seen how Aguirre deals with this issue and it CAN be dealt with very effectively, as can be seen with Melina Marchetta’s Lumatere Chronicles.)

Nevertheless, with any mention of a love triangle, I am usually running in the opposite direction and that, combined with the lackluster romance already present and my lack of feeling for the characters or their world simply resulted in a novel I couldn’t bring myself to continue. Yet, I haven’t quite given up on Ann Aguirre. I hope to read (and love!) her adult Sirantha Jax Series soon for as an author, Aguirre’s writing leaves little to be desired. Unfortunately, I simply seem to be the black sheep when it comes to this novel and, considering I’ve read too many dystopians, utopians, and zombie-related novels lately, I’m just hard to impress. 

23 comments:

  1. Oh, no! I'm so sorry you didn't much care for this! I understand what you mean about the worldbuilding, I really do, but I guess I just slipped into Deuce's character so easily and it didn't bother me to know only what she knew, which admittedly wasn't much at all. This gets better in book 2 as Deuce discovers more of her world and even where Freaks come from.
    I hope you'll have better luck with Jax. :))

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  2. Ahh I'm sorry that this didn't do it for you! I really enjoyed it myself, but I do completely understand your points on the romance. Actually, I've been quite reluctant to pick up the sequel because of it. I hope you have better luck with Aguirre's adult books. Stunning review as always, Keertana!

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  3. I can overlook a love-triangle if the other parts of the book are good enough. The fact that it lacks world-building is a huge turn-off for me.. I do like the sound of the characters, but I guess it's better to stay away from this book. Thanks for your honesty!

    Mel@thedailyprophecy.

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  4. I despised the love triangle, although I actually quite enjoyed this book the love triangle in the sequel was beyond annoying so it was a DNF for me. Thanks for the honest review!

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  5. Awh, too bad you couldn't finish it, I'm really looking forward to this book. I don't think I'll be starting it anytime soon though.

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  6. With so many great reviews written about so many great books, I can't help but get my hopes up and want to love and enjoy the book as much as everyone else did. But a lot of the times, that usually leads to my being disappointed simply because I didn't get as much out of it, as everyone else did. Awesome review!

    Lisa
    @turningpages94.blogspot.com

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  7. I have a copy of this and was about to read it for my Project: Dystopian challenge on the blog but thought better of it. I've heard great things from many friends, but I've also heard some really negative things from friends as well, and those negatives, unfortunately, outweighed the goods for me. And the fact that it lacks world-building isn't helping its case at all, and the romance sounds awful. I've heard even worse things about the romance in the second book, too. O_O Great review, Keertana! Sorry you didn't like this. :(

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  8. I'm so sorry this didn't work out for you Keertana! I have heard great reviews about this, but not being able to connect with the mc is a major turn off me too and I didn't even know that this book featured a love triangle :/ Well at least you gave this book a shot, I think I will still pick it up, but will definitely take all your points into consideration beforehand! Lovely review hun! :)

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  9. Och. I detest love triangles as well. And while this book has been receiving a lot of good reviews, I didn't enjoy this one as well. Truthfully, I was inundated with the action all at once, if I remember it well. But still, I think I bought the second book to this series in the hopes that my opinions will change.

    Oh well. You win some, you lose some, eh? :)

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  10. I'm sorry you didn't care for this, Keertana. I have heard a lot of good things about this series but I can understand not liking it if you didn't connect with the main character. Love triangles are an annoyance but sometimes I can stomach them. I probably will still pick this up eventually. Great review Keertana. :)

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  11. Aw man! I'm sad that this one didn't work for you! I personally loved it and I will admit: I didn't like the love triangle especially because the other guy was just bad!

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  12. While this was one I really liked, I can see the reasons you didn't like it. Honestly, I love seeing when someone didn't like something I liked...reminds me that when it's reversed I'm not crazy! :)

    - Jessica @ Book Sake

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  13. Yikes, I'm sorry to hear that you couldn't even make it through this one, Keertana! I've heard stunning reviews for this one, although, I have seen the occasional "meh" review as well. However, based on what you've said in your review, I think it definitely makes sense why this is a DNF for you.

    The main character really seems... flat. I think that's the best way to describe it. In fact, your review gives me the impression that everything is flat- the world building, the romance, etc. And ugh, a love triangle?! I'm like you, Keertana, I run in the opposite direction even at the mention of a love triangle.

    I'm sorry you couldn't enjoy this one more! I may still give this one a try, though, just to see how I like it. Thanks for the honest and lovely review! <3

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  14. I've wondered about this book a few times but despite some great reviews, I just don't think it's for me. Now your review has convinced me to pass - thanks, hun!

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  15. It sucks when you read dozens of positive reviews from fellow bloggers and get yourself anticipated for a book, then you read it and think... WTF WERE THEY SMOKING?! Or maybe that's just my private reaction sometimes :P

    I really enjoyed this, but at the same time I can definitely understand the reasons it wasn't a hit for you. It's been ages since I read it, but I do know I was much more in favor of Fade than the other potential romantic interest.

    Anyway, I hope Ann's other series manages to impress you more. Yet another fantastic review, Keertana!

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  16. This is a brilliant review! I decided not to read this a while back and haven't read any reviews of it, really, so I found yours really intertesing! You wrote it in a way I could connect with and I found your explainations... (I'm going to sound so pretentious- forgive me!) enlightening.
    I sound like I'm reviewing your review- WHY!?!? Awesome review, I loved reading it!

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  17. This is a brilliant review! I decided not to read this a while back and haven't read any reviews of it, really, so I found yours really intertesing! You wrote it in a way I could connect with and I found your explainations... (I'm going to sound so pretentious- forgive me!) enlightening.
    I sound like I'm reviewing your review- WHY!?!? Awesome review, I loved reading it!

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  18. I loved this book. But its been ages since I read it. I know in the second book the love triangle is resolved. I mean both boys like her but she only likes one back.
    I don't really remember how the romance went in the first book though.
    I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it more, but we cant all love everything. And why waste time reading something you really don't care about? I can't believe you got that far and didn't finish though! I definitely would have put it down sooner.

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  19. GREAT review :) I'm sorry you didn't finish this book, but to be honest, I don't blame you. While I did enjoy it when I read it, I do understand why you didn't. The one thing I hated was the goddamn love triangle. It's awful. And yeah. The new dude is a rapist. And he almost killed the first love interest. I will NEVER EVER IN A MILLION YEARS forgive him for that. But she does. And it's so fucking stupid. And I'm hating it. Still haven't read the sequel, because of the damn love triangle. I know how it ends, and I know it ends kind of good, but it isn't good all the time. And that isn't good enough for me. Heh. Anyway. Sorry for this long comment (A) Your review is awesome. Sorry you didn't like it, but can't really blame you :)
    Thank you for commenting on my mailbox. <3
    Love, Carina @ Carina's Books

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  20. I don't know whether I'll read this book or not. You've kind of left me in mixed opinions.

    It wasn't really on my track until this point either, but I don't think you've convinced me despite the hype about it.

    Shame you couldn't finish it. And oddly love triangles aren't all that bad when they're done well.

    Lovely review! :)

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  21. Huh. You're right, I HAVE seen unanimous praise of this one, so I was pretty surprised to see that your review was headlined with DNF. Sorry this one didn't work out for you, but I am glad that you reviewed it regardless because the items that you mention are things that would really turn me off as well. I just don't care about one note 'great' characters, and can't handle love triangles.

    I'm very interested to dive into Marchetta's stories and see how she deals with the subject of a former rapist (I'm guessing it's Froi since all's I know is that he's hated). I wasn't beating down any doors to read this one, and now I'm not sure I will--thanks for the great review, Keertana!

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  22. Yup, it is Froi. While he isn't necessarily a rapist, he does attempt to rape one of the characters in Finnikin of the Rock, but the manner in which he changes and becomes a main character in Froi of the Exiles and Quintana of Charyn is phenomenal. I really can't see another author dealing with that type of a complex character in the same manner, which is another reason why I was so put-off by this one. I'm glad my review helped though, Heidi, and I can't WAIT to see what you think of Finnikin when you read it! :D

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  23. Meh. Love-triangles, faulty world building, and a character without those layers and nuances I normally look for appears to be non-existent in this book. I was never attracted to the premise myself despite the gushing reviews I've seen of it, so I think I'll pass. Sorry you couldn't forge through this, Keertana! (Although I completely understand...)

    Stunning review, not that I expected any less of you. ;)

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