Emily Bauer effectively voices the pride and fear that mingle in Deuce as she and her enigmatic partner, Fade, carry out their job of protecting and feeding their clan.” —AudioFile Magazine
“Ann Aguirre's dystopian novel, set after war and plague destroyed New York City and most of civilization relocated to enclaves underground, becomes all the more convincing through Emily Bauer's deliberate narration…Bauer's voice perfectly reflects [Deuce's] amazement as she encounters things like canned food and flush toilets for the first time.” —School Library Journal
“I popped the first CD into my car's stereo and was immediately hooked…Ms. Bauer reads the tale with all the tension and anticipation that is Deuce's world…This is the type of story that lends itself well to the audiobook format. It's a dark tale, and listening to Ms. Bauer describe the world of the enclave and the tunnels, the listener can close their eyes…and totally picture everything being described.” —Teens Read Too
“I loved [Emily Bauer's] voice and her pace and felt entranced while listening. I believe that if I had read it, I wouldn't have enjoyed it quite so much.” —YA Bliss
“[Enclave] is a young adult dystopian novel and has been compared to the hit series The Hunger Games. To say we're excited is a major understatement…” —ElleGirl.com
“In her first young adult novel, Aguirre (the Sirantha Jax series) has created a gritty and highly competent heroine, an equally deadly sidekick/love interest, and a fascinating if unpleasant civilization. This series is likely to hold considerable appeal for fans of The Hunger Games.” —Publishers Weekly
“Enclave is dark and thrilling, fast-paced and intense. With some graphic and gross imagery and a hard look at a post-apocalyptic world, Aguirre has taken themes from Scott Westerfeld and an assortment of zombie literature and created something that is very much her own — and a very engaging read.” —RT Book Reviews
“This well-paced zombie-esque adventure in an urban wasteland will keep fans happy.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Aguirre's young adult debut is a gripping survival story set in an apocalyptic future. . . This is a tense, action-packed dystopia with intriguingly gray characters. . . ” —Booklist
“Deuce's passion for life, even in her bleakest moments, is contagious, and that passion exemplifies the nebulous force that has driven all of these individuals to persist in the face of awful options.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Gr 8–10—Ann Aquirre's dystopian novel (Feiwell & Friends, 2011), set after war and plague destroyed New York City and most of civilization relocated to enclaves underground, becomes all the more convincing through Emily Bauer's deliberate narration. Each character is fully realized, from Deuce, who at her naming ceremony becomes a Huntress, the role she has long coveted but in which she never feels completely "at home" because she worries about her breeder tendencies (to show compassion and be concerned about others), to Fade, the mysterious partner Deuce resents at first but ultimately grows to love. Then there are her friends in her highly regulated community and the Elders who refuse to believe any ideas that differ from the status quo. There are graphic descriptions of horrific battles with the Freaks, the flesh eating enemies of Deuce's underground community, and Deuce's increasing realization that these enemies are becoming more devious and rational. When she is banished to the "upper world" after protecting a weaker friend, Fade chooses to go with her, claiming that he lived Topside once before. Listeners will identify with Deuce's amazement as she discovers sunlight, sunsets, rain, and snow. Ann Bauer's voice perfectly reflects her amazement as she encounters things like canned food and flush toilets for the first time. While the upper world has its own set of enemies, it also offers safety and possibility, the note on which this book, the first in a projected series, ends.—Edie Ching, The University of Maryland, College Park
