Enclave by Ann Aguirre is definitely MY kind of book. To put it simply, I loved it. I don't even know where to begin describing how much and why. I loved everything about this book! It's a fast-paced, bone-chilling adventure set in a post-apocalyptic /dystopian world, where people are forced to live in underground enclaves and rarely live to see their 25th birthday. 
 Deuce, the main protagonist of this story, is not a nameless brat anymore. Today is her birthday. She did it, she proved that she's capable of surviving in the cruel world of the second holocaust. Today she will become a Huntress, she will be marked and named. The naming ceremony is the most important event in every brat's life. So many kids don't survive the first few years of their lives that naming them seems pointless. They are called Boy or Girl, along with a number. Only those strong enough to survive will be assigned their names and they will also get their scars. Hunters get six scars, Builders get three, and Breeders get only one. In Deuce's world everyone has a specific role to play, there's no place for weakness or sentiment. Only the strong ones survive. 
 Deuce is a Huntress now, which means she will be sent on daily patrols to hunt for meat and to fight Freaks (zombie-like creatures with razor-sharp teeth and claws instead of nails). Freaks feast on the dead, but they also like fresh meat and they don't shy away from attacking humans. Hunters are responsible not only for finding food for their enclave, but also for protecting people from Freak attacks. 
 Hunters are patrolling the underground tunnels in pairs. Deuce is matched with Fade, a mysterious, handsome Hunter, who, unlike most, hadn't been born in the enclave. No one really knows where exactly he came from or how he managed to survive entirely on his own. He doesn't talk about his experiences in the tunnels, doesn't try to make friends, but he's a great fighter and that seems to be the only reason for him being allowed to stay. 
 When Deuce and Fade get in trouble for saving a starved, blind brat, as a punishment they get sent to a neighboring enclave (Nassau) to check out the rumors about it being attacked by Freaks. They discover that the zombie-like creatures are not as brain-dead as everyone thought they were. In fact, they are growing more and more organized, showing signs of intelligence. The elders, however, refuse to listen to warnings. Things get even worse when Deuce is accused of stealing and hoarding, and together with Fade they're exiled from the enclave. What will happen to them now? Can they find a way to survive? What will they find when they reach the surface? 
 This was a really great, gut-wrenching and exciting read. I enjoyed it A LOT. It reminded me of all the great dystopian/zombie movies, like I Am Legend, 28 Days Later or Resident Evil, and yes, I am a huge fan of those and I had a huge kick out of reading this book! The characters were well developed and I liked them a lot (especially Stalker, don't judge me!). Deuce was AWESOME. I don't think I ever read a book with a more likable, kick-ass protagonist. The plot line was just fabulous, perfectly balanced and full of tension! I loved that the romance part was tiny and really well-served, not overwhelming, very subtle and with a great build-up! That's exactly how I like it! (I'm pretty sick of all the love-at-first-sight-BS). 
 Aguirre's writing style is marvelously hypnotizing and irresistible. Anne does not beat around the bush, she goes straight to telling us about the frightening reality of Deuce's world. Through skillfully crafted first-person narrative, we can see everything that Deuce is seeing, it's realistic and intense. 
 The cliffhanger ending left me wishing I wouldn't have to wait the whole year for the next installment in the series. It will definitely be an agonizing wait, I so want to find out what happens next!