PJV Quickie: ‘Enclave’ was a Parajunkee’s View favorite from 2011 and now ‘Outpost’ the second book by Ann Aquirre leaves me dying for more, again!!
Title: Outpost
Author: Ann Aguirre
Series: Razorland #2
Type: Dystopian
Amazon Vine review copy
Published September 4th 2012
Rating:
Rating: 
Review:
We left Deuce, Fade, Stalker and Tegan in the town of Salvation. They were going through a very traumatic trek through Topside after Deuce and Fade were banished from College and barely escaped the Gotham gangs with their lives. Now Deuce and the others are getting used to their new lives and it is proving harder for Deuce and Stalker then Fade and Tegan, who seem to be fitting right in. Deuce being a Huntress, is looked down upon in Salvation, women aren’t supposed to pick up arms, they are there to obey the men, cook and do womanly things. Deuce is not having any of that nonsense, though. All she wants to do is kill Freaks, who seem to be acting very abnormally lately. And speaking of abnormal, Fade hasn’t spoken to Deuce since they arrived in Salvation, he seems to be stepping back from her, while Stalker believes it is now his chance to step forward. But, all Deuce can think about, even though she isn’t a Breeder, is Fade and how much she misses him.
As the Freaks get more and more aggressive toward the town, showing signs of strategy and higher intelligence, Deuce has to focus on what she does best — kill.
Right? I don’t think I can correctly convey in a paragraph exactly what is going on in this book. Just know that it is completely different from the first book (but still wonderful), the main difference being that the focus of ‘Outpost’ is Deuce’s emotional transition from a single minded hive mind to an actual thinking, breathing human. Which started in ‘Enclave’ but now seems to becoming to fruition in ‘Outpost’ as she comes to realize that her rearing in College wasn’t exactly the “right” way and there may be more to life then just being a Huntress.
Ann Aquirre brought it in her usually kick-butt manor. She just jumped right in, no rehashing, and hardly any “flashbacks” — it was dive in and hold tight. She took characters that were already nicely developed and pushed them even further. I was also able to connect a bit more with Stalker and somewhat with Tegan, which I really enjoyed. Stalker is kind of a touchy character for me, but Aquirre puts it in perspective as to why he is the way he is and how Deuce justifies his friendship. I really liked that aspect of the book. Not everything is black and white and that is reiterated in almost every aspect of this book. There is nothing two dimensional about Ann Aguirre’s storytelling.
I can’t stop signing praises over Aguirre and her great series. If you haven’t experienced ‘Enclave’ yet, what are you waiting for? This series is not just a must read — it’s a HAVE TO READ or face desperate, book regret.
Recommendations:
Recommended for fans of Young Adult Dystopian novels. If you like dark and gritty dystopian novels like The Hunger Games, Divergent and those types of great best-sellers, you’ll love Enclave.
Audiobook Fan? Check out the audiobook clip:
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Oh, book regret! Can’t have that. Enclave has been on my list forever. It was in my stack for “summer reading” and here I am, back at school, still haven’t read it. You’re review has me wanting to grab it soon. Thanks!
Umm…get on it??
“the focus of ‘Outpost’ is Deuce’s emotional transition from a single minded hive mind to an actual thinking breathing human,” This was my favorite part of Outpost and something Ann does so well in all of her series. She squeezes out every drop of emotion and puts her characters in situations where it’s not just a matter of black or white – right or wrong.
This is hands down my favorite YA series.
Yes! I don’t like stagnant characters, Ann does transitions soo well.
She does love her gray areas, doesn’t she? That’s what I love about her. I think this is even more pronounced in her Sirantha Jax series, one of my all-time favorites.
My copy is still on its way (argh!) but I doubt I’ll sleep once I get it.
Her Jax series drives me crazy. I’m listening to book two right now.
Oh, but it gets so much better. For me, Doubleblind was the turning point. After that, they just keep getting better and Endgame completely blew my mind. I was lucky enough to proof read it so I read it months ago and I think it’s time for a reread.
Thanks for reviewing this! I’m always looking for more dystopian!
I’m so behind. I need to get this second book asap.
I haven’t read this series..WHY?? I love dystopian novels and this sounds epic. Sheesh, adding both to my wishlist. So glad you are enjoying them. Awesome review.
Thank you.
I have been waiting impatiently for Outpost, sounds like it’s everything I’m hoping for. I’m on the library wait list
Ummm — I have a book sitting here for you to come and get… hint hint.
I really enjoyed Enclave and I’m looking forward to this one too!