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Razorland #2
Outpost
Deuce’s whole world has changed.
Down below, she was considered an adult. Now, topside in a town called Salvation, she’s a brat in need of training in the eyes of the townsfolk. She doesn't fit in with the other girls: Deuce only knows how to fight.
To make matters worse, her Hunter partner, Fade, keeps Deuce at a distance. Her feelings for Fade haven’t changed, but he seems not to want her around anymore. Confused and lonely, she starts looking for a way out.
Deuce signs up to serve in the summer patrols—those who make sure the planters can work the fields without danger. It should be routine, but things have been changing on the surface, just as they did below ground. The Freaks have grown smarter. They’re watching. Waiting. Planning. The monsters don’t intend to let Salvation survive, and it may take a girl like Deuce to turn back the tide.
Down below, she was considered an adult. Now, topside in a town called Salvation, she’s a brat in need of training in the eyes of the townsfolk. She doesn't fit in with the other girls: Deuce only knows how to fight.
To make matters worse, her Hunter partner, Fade, keeps Deuce at a distance. Her feelings for Fade haven’t changed, but he seems not to want her around anymore. Confused and lonely, she starts looking for a way out.
Deuce signs up to serve in the summer patrols—those who make sure the planters can work the fields without danger. It should be routine, but things have been changing on the surface, just as they did below ground. The Freaks have grown smarter. They’re watching. Waiting. Planning. The monsters don’t intend to let Salvation survive, and it may take a girl like Deuce to turn back the tide.
317 pages, Hardcover
First published September 4, 2012
492 people are currently reading
17.4k people want to read
About the author
Ann Aguirre
82Ìýbooks7,003ÌýfollowersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ann Aguirre has been a clown, a clerk, a savior of stray kittens, and a voice actress, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in Mexico with her family. She writes all kinds of genre fiction, but she has an eternal soft spot for a happily ever after.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,264 reviews
September 17, 2012
Here we are again: me singing praise to Ann Aguirre and you guys putting up with me. (Oh, stop trying to run away, I’m not about to start singing for real.) I must admit I was terrified of reading this book, but not because I doubted Aguirre in the least. After reading 11 of her books and loving them all, I know perfectly well what she’s capable of. No, I was terrified because, even before starting it, I knew it would crush me into tiny Maja bits. And it did.
There’s a reason for everything, and a million reasons for some things. The list of reasons why Ann Aguirre’s books always affect me so deeply is about three miles long. I’m very familiar with her work � I’ve read everything she’s published under her own name, some books more than once even, and I’ve long ago stopped being surprised by how consistently good she is.
Let’s start with the worldbuilding, shall we? I can be rather nitpicky when it comes to dystopian worlds. I need them to make sense, but sometimes they truly do appear as if they’d been created by . (Hot water has been banned and the government controls fish byproducts, or something along those lines.) But in a world destroyed by a disease, with no government, internet or means of transportation, extremely violent gangs would undoubtedly form, as they did in Deuce’s world. There would surely be groups of people, entire communities that would go back to old values. And some would probably find their way underground, where such a thing is possible. As always, Aguirre’s world is fully realized and flawless.
But character development is where the author’s skill truly shows. She doesn’t just point out Deuce’s upbringing when it’s convenient or when it serves to further complicate the plot. She is meticulously consistent, and not just with Deuce, but with all her characters. Not many authors leave me in awe of their insightfulness and intelligence, but somehow, Ann Aguirre always does. She is, above all, an excellent psychologist and she knows her characters to the bone.
To call what happens between Fade, Stalker and Deuce a love triangle seems vastly unfair and oversimplified, although I suppose, technically, that’s what it is. It is a triangle of comfort, hope and kindred spirits, and there is nothing simple about it. I may have hated some things that happened in this book with a fiery passion, but I never hated the characters for them!
Deuce is amazing, one of those characters that make you want to stand up and do something extraordinary for yourself and for others. She is grown up in some ways, and adolescent in others, naive at times, but a quick learner too. She grew up knowing nothing of how the real world functions, and yet it didn’t take her long to start appreciating family bonds and friendships, or develop her interpersonal intelligence.
I suppose I should address the cliffhanger as well, as there’s been a lot of grumbling around the blogosphere. It’s a trilogy, and as much as it pains me, I understand the need to leave things open for the last book. And truth be told, this open ending (not exactly a cliffhanger) is less painful than most.
This is, hands down, my favorite book in 2012. I hope I helped the rest of you decide to read it, and soon.
There’s a reason for everything, and a million reasons for some things. The list of reasons why Ann Aguirre’s books always affect me so deeply is about three miles long. I’m very familiar with her work � I’ve read everything she’s published under her own name, some books more than once even, and I’ve long ago stopped being surprised by how consistently good she is.
Let’s start with the worldbuilding, shall we? I can be rather nitpicky when it comes to dystopian worlds. I need them to make sense, but sometimes they truly do appear as if they’d been created by . (Hot water has been banned and the government controls fish byproducts, or something along those lines.) But in a world destroyed by a disease, with no government, internet or means of transportation, extremely violent gangs would undoubtedly form, as they did in Deuce’s world. There would surely be groups of people, entire communities that would go back to old values. And some would probably find their way underground, where such a thing is possible. As always, Aguirre’s world is fully realized and flawless.
But character development is where the author’s skill truly shows. She doesn’t just point out Deuce’s upbringing when it’s convenient or when it serves to further complicate the plot. She is meticulously consistent, and not just with Deuce, but with all her characters. Not many authors leave me in awe of their insightfulness and intelligence, but somehow, Ann Aguirre always does. She is, above all, an excellent psychologist and she knows her characters to the bone.
To call what happens between Fade, Stalker and Deuce a love triangle seems vastly unfair and oversimplified, although I suppose, technically, that’s what it is. It is a triangle of comfort, hope and kindred spirits, and there is nothing simple about it. I may have hated some things that happened in this book with a fiery passion, but I never hated the characters for them!
Deuce is amazing, one of those characters that make you want to stand up and do something extraordinary for yourself and for others. She is grown up in some ways, and adolescent in others, naive at times, but a quick learner too. She grew up knowing nothing of how the real world functions, and yet it didn’t take her long to start appreciating family bonds and friendships, or develop her interpersonal intelligence.
I suppose I should address the cliffhanger as well, as there’s been a lot of grumbling around the blogosphere. It’s a trilogy, and as much as it pains me, I understand the need to leave things open for the last book. And truth be told, this open ending (not exactly a cliffhanger) is less painful than most.
This is, hands down, my favorite book in 2012. I hope I helped the rest of you decide to read it, and soon.
June 8, 2020
this three star rating should not be a mark against this book; i am just giving it a three because i liked it slightly less than enclave, to which i gave four stars, and that is the way i do math...
and of course the first book in a series is usually the best: new characters, new setting, exciting world-building; everything is designed to reel you in and make you want more.
this second book is more concerned with character development. and probably, upon a re-read, i will like this one just as much as i liked enclave, once i can see the bigger picture.
because this story is important. it is no longer about deuce's struggle to survive, but her struggle to adapt.
deuce has come out from the underground, from her rigidly structured social system where survival from the freaks was ensured by designating certain highly-specialized roles to its members, because this is dystopian YA and we have to have our factions, right? and her role was a huntress, and she is oh so very good at the fighting. but now she is aboveground, in a protected township, with people who have formed a society that is more recognizable to the reader. these people have managed to form a true community, despite the threat of the monsters at their door.
and deuce is learning that her old way of thinking just doesn't apply here.
this is a more reflective book than enclave,one where deuce is given the space to consider her past actions, and develop emotional attachments that just weren't possible in her underground life.
don't worry, there are still plenty of action scenes, and they are great, but they are just not the focus as they were in the first book.
it is more about adaptive morality, and the ways in which people respond to threats, and the lengths they will go to survive, but also about forgiveness, empathy, and understanding how where people have come from defines their behavior. once distanced from her enclave, and after meeting fade, stalker, tegan, and now these people in salvation, deuce spends much of this book dealing with the messy intrusion of emotions that go against her training as an impassive huntress, but which will, ultimately, make her better-equipped not just to survive, but to live.
she is learning how to become more receptive to emotional concerns that were not part of her training, and it is difficult to shake her past.
it is that "almost" that kills me. oofa.
some quick notes about stalker: i know a lot of people are enraged that he is a leg on this love triangle, because of his past, and what he and his gang did to girls. and i am not one to give a thumbs-up to a rapist, but context is everything, isn't it? we love deuce because she is fierce and independent, but it's not like her past doesn't have some black marks. and she acknowledges this, as she makes stalker's case for him:
i can't help but think that this is an authorial response to the stalker-hatred. deuce does this a lot in this book; she never justifies what stalker did, or makes apologies for him, but in her new home, she is able to understand more, and become more sympathetic and understanding to different situational necessities: the things we do to survive, when we don't know the whole story, and the only reality is the day-to-day struggle to stay alive and ensure the future of humanity, which is a pretty big battle for a buncha teenagers, yeah? her people cast out the sick and injured to die, and bred the useless attractive people simply because they seemed to have no other purpose... that's not much better thank what stalker and the wolves did. and she realizes it, even if tegan doesn't.
this is a rather long passage, so i am putting it in a spoiler, but i don't think it is technically a spoiler for anything, if you have read the first book.
so, you see. it's a lot to think about, for our deuce.
but enough about all that - i totally get why people are skeeved out by stalker, but honestly, the teen-relationship stuff in this book is a little strained, anyway. it is the weakest part of the book. it is great that deuce is learning and growing, becoming more socialized and able to expand her worldview and overcome her training to allow emotions to factor in - to see that there is joy to be had in other people - in family, in romance, but all the running away from her feelings and not understanding them and denying them and blahdiblah. i think it is just that i have read three books in a row now where that was happening to the female lead,and it is just so maddening to me.
but it was good, and it is a veryhigh three stars for me, and oh yeah:
cliffhanger ending! cliffhanger ending!!
dammit.
and of course the first book in a series is usually the best: new characters, new setting, exciting world-building; everything is designed to reel you in and make you want more.
this second book is more concerned with character development. and probably, upon a re-read, i will like this one just as much as i liked enclave, once i can see the bigger picture.
because this story is important. it is no longer about deuce's struggle to survive, but her struggle to adapt.
deuce has come out from the underground, from her rigidly structured social system where survival from the freaks was ensured by designating certain highly-specialized roles to its members, because this is dystopian YA and we have to have our factions, right? and her role was a huntress, and she is oh so very good at the fighting. but now she is aboveground, in a protected township, with people who have formed a society that is more recognizable to the reader. these people have managed to form a true community, despite the threat of the monsters at their door.
and deuce is learning that her old way of thinking just doesn't apply here.
this is a more reflective book than enclave,one where deuce is given the space to consider her past actions, and develop emotional attachments that just weren't possible in her underground life.
don't worry, there are still plenty of action scenes, and they are great, but they are just not the focus as they were in the first book.
it is more about adaptive morality, and the ways in which people respond to threats, and the lengths they will go to survive, but also about forgiveness, empathy, and understanding how where people have come from defines their behavior. once distanced from her enclave, and after meeting fade, stalker, tegan, and now these people in salvation, deuce spends much of this book dealing with the messy intrusion of emotions that go against her training as an impassive huntress, but which will, ultimately, make her better-equipped not just to survive, but to live.
Until tonight, I had thought of her only as someone giving me a place to stay out of obligation, out of charity. I hadn't known she cared. Why would she? I wasn't a proper girl, nobody she'd have chosen for her kin.And yet her regard was unmistakable; she had been worried about me. I didn't think anybody ever had been before. I was a Huntress, so if I went out and died, then I had done my job.
she is learning how to become more receptive to emotional concerns that were not part of her training, and it is difficult to shake her past.
The enclave had its rules and didn't permit bonds to form between offspring and parents. For the first time, I almost understood what a loss Fade had suffered, because he could remember both of his.
it is that "almost" that kills me. oofa.
some quick notes about stalker: i know a lot of people are enraged that he is a leg on this love triangle, because of his past, and what he and his gang did to girls. and i am not one to give a thumbs-up to a rapist, but context is everything, isn't it? we love deuce because she is fierce and independent, but it's not like her past doesn't have some black marks. and she acknowledges this, as she makes stalker's case for him:
...it was hard for me to blame him when he hadn't been taught otherwise. The things I'd done on the elder's orders filled me with hot shame now. I had killed an innocent man as a test of loyalty, and I'd let them murder a brat in cold blood. My own hands weren't clean. Maybe Tegan's were; and she'd never hurt anyone who didn't deserve it. I couldn't help what I'd done before I learned it was wrong. I could only do better in the future. And the same held true for Stalker, whether anybody else believed it or not. Whether he could rise above the person he'd been in the gangs, well, that rested squarely in his own hands.
i can't help but think that this is an authorial response to the stalker-hatred. deuce does this a lot in this book; she never justifies what stalker did, or makes apologies for him, but in her new home, she is able to understand more, and become more sympathetic and understanding to different situational necessities: the things we do to survive, when we don't know the whole story, and the only reality is the day-to-day struggle to stay alive and ensure the future of humanity, which is a pretty big battle for a buncha teenagers, yeah? her people cast out the sick and injured to die, and bred the useless attractive people simply because they seemed to have no other purpose... that's not much better thank what stalker and the wolves did. and she realizes it, even if tegan doesn't.
this is a rather long passage, so i am putting it in a spoiler, but i don't think it is technically a spoiler for anything, if you have read the first book.
so, you see. it's a lot to think about, for our deuce.
but enough about all that - i totally get why people are skeeved out by stalker, but honestly, the teen-relationship stuff in this book is a little strained, anyway. it is the weakest part of the book. it is great that deuce is learning and growing, becoming more socialized and able to expand her worldview and overcome her training to allow emotions to factor in - to see that there is joy to be had in other people - in family, in romance, but all the running away from her feelings and not understanding them and denying them and blahdiblah. i think it is just that i have read three books in a row now where that was happening to the female lead,and it is just so maddening to me.
but it was good, and it is a veryhigh three stars for me, and oh yeah:
cliffhanger ending! cliffhanger ending!!
dammit.
Want to read
July 16, 2011I hope there more of Fade & Deuce than the first one! (I was kind of like huh? That's it? With the ending of the last) deuce can kick some a$$ tho!
January 25, 2016
Unsurprisingly, I liked Outspost as much as I liked Enclave if not even more. It kept me interested since the first chapter. I just liked less analysing sometimes. It was useless. And more description (shockingly). But this book still was great.
“I want to drag you off and hide you away,� he whispered.
“W³ó²â?â€�
“I always knew you were beautiful, but now everyone else will too. I won’t be able to keep other boys away from you, and it’ll make me crazy.�
After being rescued by Longfoot, Deuce and her friends settled in the Salvation and each one of them was "adopted" by a family there. Our heroine is living now with the lovely Mama Oaks and her husband. Even though her new parents are so kind, good and even understanding (at least most of the time), she's finding a hard to adapt. Everyone is gossiping about her. Girls are supposed to work at home and work not want to fight and kill Freaks, wear dresses and cashmere instead of pants and gears. She's the intruder here. Fade is acting strangely. He's scarcely talking to her. Only interferes when she's bullied by the natives. And let's not talk about school. She' s fighting material after all and useless for history lessons. Stalker seems to be the only one who understands her and sharing her situation. That's why she's spending most of her time training with him. But it doesn't look like that for the others. Tegan has been clearly avoiding her. Well, who can blame her for wanting to blend?
This piece won't last long. Summer is coming and they'll have to plant outside their post. Then collect harvest and visit some nearby towns for goods. When the first attempt was destroyed by Freaks, who seems to only get smarter, they decide to retry and protect the crops this time. They enemies are getting stronger and clearly planning something big and dangerous. But what is it?
Deuce is as amazing as ever, even though she times don't get it fast. Fade is just awesome, but he needs to understand her more. Stalker is more likable in this book. And Tegan is surprisingly braver.
“I want to drag you off and hide you away,� he whispered.
“W³ó²â?â€�
“I always knew you were beautiful, but now everyone else will too. I won’t be able to keep other boys away from you, and it’ll make me crazy.�
I'm sure I'll like Horde, with this ending, it seems so promising. The characters are so good that you forget sometimes that Deuce is only 15-16 years old. While this trilogy is one of my favorites, my hopes are very high for the next book.
“People try to make sense of things, and if they don’t know the answers, they make them up, because for some, a wrong answer is better than none.�
September 28, 2012
*This review contains some spoilers, especially for those who have not read Enclave*
That second paragraph of the synopsis reminds me of Ashes by Ilsa Bick and how much I can't wait to read this book!!!
July 26: Just got an ARC of Outpost. Color me excited!!
September 27 -
This probably sounds redundant because everyone's Outpost reviews are starting with this, but the most important you should get out of this review is that its plot is very unlike Enclave. Whereas Enclave was all about surviving in harsh environments, walking until your whole body felt like it would fall over any second, and fighting for dear life; Outpost focuses on the relationships between characters, emotional development of the teenagers, and learning more about the enemy.
Deuce, Fade, Tegan and Stalker has finally found a place that (seems to be) safe and they are relieved to be rid of the danger of Freaks, but there are problems of a different kind at Salvation. For one, Deuce and Fade are so different from the teens here, there are constantly teased and ridiculed. Girls are expected to cook and sew and wear pretty dresses here, and Deuce cannot tolerate these rules. She joins the summer patrols to protect the growers only to be threatened for indecent activities. She does find a family for the first time in her life when she is taken in by a loving and understanding couple - it is here she learns tenderness and devotion and the meaning of love.
Once she joins the Outpost to protect the town's crops from the Freaks, Deuce stars noticing strange things such as fire being stolen from the campsite, and she realizes what this means - the Freaks are growing sneaky and more intelligent and they seem to have a personal grudge against the humans! Nobody listens to her, and eventually, her dear Fade and his tent-mate are taken from the campsite to a giant settlement of Freaks and only Deuce and Stalker can save them.
Outpost's pace is a lot slower than Enclave and most dystopians I have read, but I suppose that's what makes this book so unique. It is so heartwarming that in the midst of all that despair and danger, one can find a love so pure and honest. What hasn't changed since Enclave is Aguirre's impeccable writing style that makes me jump into Deuce's head and want to stay there :)
Deuce is one of the few characters who can successfully pull off being both a kick-ass MC as well as an emotional girl in love. When she talks about her fighting, you can feel the passion radiating off the page, and when she and Fade are together... well, MOAR passionfulness!! Those two have the sweetest relationship ever, up until... well, I can't spoil that.
During Enclave, I was all for Fade. I felt like there was no competition at all and Stalker was just a random dude who tried to kiss Deuce. She didn't even like it (much)! It was the same case with Outpost (except you learn just how deep Stalker's feelings do). By the end, though, I really don't know what to think. Fade's still Fade, but Stalker has changed, become deeper and more meaningful. Fade's beautiful and sweet and emotional, while Stalker is loyal and so much like Deuce herself. I really don't know what to make of it.
I am dying to know how the Freaks (or Muties) came about and what the humans did to elicit this kind of response. By the end, we are made aware that these aren't just zombies but mutants. I can't wait to join the foursome (together again) on another heart-stopping adventure in Monsters.
That second paragraph of the synopsis reminds me of Ashes by Ilsa Bick and how much I can't wait to read this book!!!
July 26: Just got an ARC of Outpost. Color me excited!!
September 27 -
This probably sounds redundant because everyone's Outpost reviews are starting with this, but the most important you should get out of this review is that its plot is very unlike Enclave. Whereas Enclave was all about surviving in harsh environments, walking until your whole body felt like it would fall over any second, and fighting for dear life; Outpost focuses on the relationships between characters, emotional development of the teenagers, and learning more about the enemy.
Deuce, Fade, Tegan and Stalker has finally found a place that (seems to be) safe and they are relieved to be rid of the danger of Freaks, but there are problems of a different kind at Salvation. For one, Deuce and Fade are so different from the teens here, there are constantly teased and ridiculed. Girls are expected to cook and sew and wear pretty dresses here, and Deuce cannot tolerate these rules. She joins the summer patrols to protect the growers only to be threatened for indecent activities. She does find a family for the first time in her life when she is taken in by a loving and understanding couple - it is here she learns tenderness and devotion and the meaning of love.
Once she joins the Outpost to protect the town's crops from the Freaks, Deuce stars noticing strange things such as fire being stolen from the campsite, and she realizes what this means - the Freaks are growing sneaky and more intelligent and they seem to have a personal grudge against the humans! Nobody listens to her, and eventually, her dear Fade and his tent-mate are taken from the campsite to a giant settlement of Freaks and only Deuce and Stalker can save them.
Outpost's pace is a lot slower than Enclave and most dystopians I have read, but I suppose that's what makes this book so unique. It is so heartwarming that in the midst of all that despair and danger, one can find a love so pure and honest. What hasn't changed since Enclave is Aguirre's impeccable writing style that makes me jump into Deuce's head and want to stay there :)
Deuce is one of the few characters who can successfully pull off being both a kick-ass MC as well as an emotional girl in love. When she talks about her fighting, you can feel the passion radiating off the page, and when she and Fade are together... well, MOAR passionfulness!! Those two have the sweetest relationship ever, up until... well, I can't spoil that.
During Enclave, I was all for Fade. I felt like there was no competition at all and Stalker was just a random dude who tried to kiss Deuce. She didn't even like it (much)! It was the same case with Outpost (except you learn just how deep Stalker's feelings do). By the end, though, I really don't know what to think. Fade's still Fade, but Stalker has changed, become deeper and more meaningful. Fade's beautiful and sweet and emotional, while Stalker is loyal and so much like Deuce herself. I really don't know what to make of it.
I am dying to know how the Freaks (or Muties) came about and what the humans did to elicit this kind of response. By the end, we are made aware that these aren't just zombies but mutants. I can't wait to join the foursome (together again) on another heart-stopping adventure in Monsters.
June 10, 2016
I have to admit that I am love with this book. I loved Deuce and Fade and I am SOOO glad she made it clear to Stalker early on that things weren't going anywhere between them. I can never get over Stalker being a rapist and I will never see him as a love interest. Plus, he feels very manipulative to me... For instance, when Deuce was going to save Fade and he is all like Kiss me, kiss me before you go... Really, I think that was manipulative, this girl is going to save her boyfriend and all you can think of is getting her to kiss you... Seriously??? Not to mention, he wants her to leave becasue there is nothing to fight or kill in the beginning... Deuce NEEDS the love she finds in Momma Oaks and Edmund, she needs the family unit and she needs Fade...
I did hate that Fade went through what he wet through but I understand his response... Noe did I agree with it, no, but I understand it. Think of how many soliders we send to war and who see something that none of their training has prepared them for and come home to the ones they love and they do not know how to express what is going on with them? Ever stop to think that maybe he is traumatized because he being captured made him feel weak? Made him feel like he was no longer "STRONG" enough to be what Deuce needs? Maybe he isn't ready to tell Deuce everything that happened? Maybe he doesnt want to feel like she pities him? Maybe he is traumatized because of what he saw becasue he is tired of having to fight for his right to live and wants to settle down and be happy, and seeing the Freaks and what they have planned for the humans makes him lose hope... There is nothing wrong with that especially if he is in love and wants more than to be a hunter for the rest of his days... Not to mention he is 18 years old... Grown men couldnt handle some of what he has seen and he is being called weak for taking a step back and trying to figure things out for himself.
I am glad the Deuce is in t for the long haul. Fade needs that and she will prove that love can prevail even in the worse of situations... I hope that their persistence is rewarded in book 3.
I am anxious for Horde... I hope that they find what they are looking for and eliminate the Freaks and I hope they find a home...
I did hate that Fade went through what he wet through but I understand his response... Noe did I agree with it, no, but I understand it. Think of how many soliders we send to war and who see something that none of their training has prepared them for and come home to the ones they love and they do not know how to express what is going on with them? Ever stop to think that maybe he is traumatized because he being captured made him feel weak? Made him feel like he was no longer "STRONG" enough to be what Deuce needs? Maybe he isn't ready to tell Deuce everything that happened? Maybe he doesnt want to feel like she pities him? Maybe he is traumatized because of what he saw becasue he is tired of having to fight for his right to live and wants to settle down and be happy, and seeing the Freaks and what they have planned for the humans makes him lose hope... There is nothing wrong with that especially if he is in love and wants more than to be a hunter for the rest of his days... Not to mention he is 18 years old... Grown men couldnt handle some of what he has seen and he is being called weak for taking a step back and trying to figure things out for himself.
I am glad the Deuce is in t for the long haul. Fade needs that and she will prove that love can prevail even in the worse of situations... I hope that their persistence is rewarded in book 3.
I am anxious for Horde... I hope that they find what they are looking for and eliminate the Freaks and I hope they find a home...
September 12, 2015
While this is not necessarily one of my favourite trilogies, I still can't wait to see how it ends!
March 7, 2023
Duece, Feod, Tegan y Stalker ahora viven el la aldea de Salvacion, han intentado acostumbrarse a sus nuevos roles, pero para Deuce y Stalker es mucho mas dificil. En la Aldea ambos son considerados ninos aun y el hecho de que no los dejen entrenar o formar parte de la patrulla los tiene a ambos bastante aburridos, por eso ambos se reunen algunas noches para seguir practicando y no perder sus reflejos. Y cuando comenzaron a solicitar voluntarios para acompanar a los sembradores, ambos se ofrecieron como voluntarios de inmediato, y junto con Feod, los tres resultaron ser los mas fuertes del grupo de guardias. Pero los Freaks (Mutes) comenzaron a hacer incursiones en los campos sembrados, Deuce se dio cuenta que estaban aprendiendo, mejorando y que estaban aplicando tacticas casi humanas para sacarlos de su fortaleza, incluso mantenian familias y se reproducian como los humanos, sera que ellos podran tener alguna oportunidad para derrotarlos y poder vivir felices dentro de la Aldea?
Aqui vemos un poco mas de la vida dentro de la aldea, y comenzamos a conocer realmente como actuan los Freaks, pero tambien tenemos un sentimiento de familia, apoyo y confianza vistos desde el punto de vista de alguien que jamas lo tuvo. Realmente fue bastante entretenido y emocionante de leer, esperaba muchas de las cosas que pasaron, pero algunas otras no y eso lo hizo interesante.
Cuando comence a leer esta saga esperaba que fuera parecida a muchas de este estilo, donde la joven resulta ser la elegida y logra conseguir la libertad de todos, pero, aunque es todo eso, la forma de contarlo es diferente y entretenida, lo que hace de esta historia mucho mas interesante de leer que otras del genero. Asi que pors supuesto quiero terminar la serie, quiero saber que va a pasar con los zombies, como van a terminar las parejas y si la Aldea de Salvacion se va a salvar realmente.
Aqui vemos un poco mas de la vida dentro de la aldea, y comenzamos a conocer realmente como actuan los Freaks, pero tambien tenemos un sentimiento de familia, apoyo y confianza vistos desde el punto de vista de alguien que jamas lo tuvo. Realmente fue bastante entretenido y emocionante de leer, esperaba muchas de las cosas que pasaron, pero algunas otras no y eso lo hizo interesante.
Cuando comence a leer esta saga esperaba que fuera parecida a muchas de este estilo, donde la joven resulta ser la elegida y logra conseguir la libertad de todos, pero, aunque es todo eso, la forma de contarlo es diferente y entretenida, lo que hace de esta historia mucho mas interesante de leer que otras del genero. Asi que pors supuesto quiero terminar la serie, quiero saber que va a pasar con los zombies, como van a terminar las parejas y si la Aldea de Salvacion se va a salvar realmente.
Want to read
May 3, 2012September 2012? Really?? Fml. Well, I wish I woulda waited to read Enclave.. the anticipation is killing me!
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I like the cover :]
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I like the cover :]
May 31, 2012
I won this ARC through a contest on the author's website.
This book begins where Enclave left off. Deuce & Co. (Fade, Stalker and Tegan) are now adjusting to life in the topside town of Salvation. Men and women in Salvation stick to their roles...and Deuce is not a fan. She isn't a girly-girl; she's a fighter. As each member of the group works to fit in, we see them growing up in a more traditional sense. All of them have been through so much that they are wise beyond their years. However, relationships and matters of the heart are new to the group.
Deuce believes that the population of Salvation is living too soft and not taking the dangers of the Freaks/Muties seriously enough. With the support of her mentor, Longshot, Deuce is able to join the town's guard. We see Deuce attempt to reconcile her tough Huntress nature with her own feminine nature. She grasps the importance of relationships and even cultivates a few within Salvation.
I was shocked (though, not completely) with some of the revelations near the end of the book relating to the Freaks/Muties. Deuce & Co. have made it this far. They have no shortage of courage or determination. I loved how the book ended. It was a slightly more positive note and we see the close-knit group band together. Tegan surprised me with her resilience after the horrors of her time with the Wolves. Fade and Stalker are not-quite opposites and I am incredibly curious to see how they manage their tentative truce.
This book begins where Enclave left off. Deuce & Co. (Fade, Stalker and Tegan) are now adjusting to life in the topside town of Salvation. Men and women in Salvation stick to their roles...and Deuce is not a fan. She isn't a girly-girl; she's a fighter. As each member of the group works to fit in, we see them growing up in a more traditional sense. All of them have been through so much that they are wise beyond their years. However, relationships and matters of the heart are new to the group.
Deuce believes that the population of Salvation is living too soft and not taking the dangers of the Freaks/Muties seriously enough. With the support of her mentor, Longshot, Deuce is able to join the town's guard. We see Deuce attempt to reconcile her tough Huntress nature with her own feminine nature. She grasps the importance of relationships and even cultivates a few within Salvation.
I was shocked (though, not completely) with some of the revelations near the end of the book relating to the Freaks/Muties. Deuce & Co. have made it this far. They have no shortage of courage or determination. I loved how the book ended. It was a slightly more positive note and we see the close-knit group band together. Tegan surprised me with her resilience after the horrors of her time with the Wolves. Fade and Stalker are not-quite opposites and I am incredibly curious to see how they manage their tentative truce.
March 5, 2013
I had so much hope for this book after reading (and immensely enjoying) Enclave, only to be quite disappointed.
Let me start with what I think is the biggest flaw of this book. Stalker. In my mind, I keep seeing all the violence on his tab. (Oh how the rape was so not subtly implied!) There's just no redemption nor restitution for such a grave transgression. Comparing him to Fade is a really bad idea. Making him a 'potential' love interest is just downright creepy. Every moment Deuce spends with him makes me cringe. And while I still enjoyed the dynamics of the Fade - Deuce “partnership�, the Fade - Deuce - Stalker love triangle made my skin crawl. It also pains me to notice how the once ferocious Fade turned into this sappy Edward Cullen clone. It's like seeing Hamlet standing in as Romeo. It's probably the other characters Tegan, Momma Oaks, Edmund, Longshot and the Freaks who saved the story from a train wreck.
The storytelling is just not as great as the first installment either. It didn't draw me in the way Enclave did. (I apologize for the comparison for I cannot help it.). Furthermore, there were parts that seem inconsequential to the story. Don't get me wrong, I still think the premise of Outpost was awesome, but the elements of the book just didn't come together the way the first book did.
While fans of Ann Aguirre and the Razorland series might still find this book amazing, it just didn’t do it for me.
However, I am giving Outost 3 stars, because I loved Enclave, and I am hopeful that somehow the third book will redeem the blunders of Book 2.
Let me start with what I think is the biggest flaw of this book. Stalker. In my mind, I keep seeing all the violence on his tab. (Oh how the rape was so not subtly implied!) There's just no redemption nor restitution for such a grave transgression. Comparing him to Fade is a really bad idea. Making him a 'potential' love interest is just downright creepy. Every moment Deuce spends with him makes me cringe. And while I still enjoyed the dynamics of the Fade - Deuce “partnership�, the Fade - Deuce - Stalker love triangle made my skin crawl. It also pains me to notice how the once ferocious Fade turned into this sappy Edward Cullen clone. It's like seeing Hamlet standing in as Romeo. It's probably the other characters Tegan, Momma Oaks, Edmund, Longshot and the Freaks who saved the story from a train wreck.
The storytelling is just not as great as the first installment either. It didn't draw me in the way Enclave did. (I apologize for the comparison for I cannot help it.). Furthermore, there were parts that seem inconsequential to the story. Don't get me wrong, I still think the premise of Outpost was awesome, but the elements of the book just didn't come together the way the first book did.
While fans of Ann Aguirre and the Razorland series might still find this book amazing, it just didn’t do it for me.
However, I am giving Outost 3 stars, because I loved Enclave, and I am hopeful that somehow the third book will redeem the blunders of Book 2.
July 7, 2017
Razorland continues to be a solid and entertaining series. Deuce is a great character; a strong and confident young woman who strives to know herself better and to grow in her changing environment. As was the case in , Outpost deals with several complex personal issues in a frank and forthright manner. The lack of angst and drama for the sake of drama in this series is refreshing. The excitement comes from the action in the story, not from unnecessary emotional games.
I'm also loving the length of these books. They are well paced and without sections that feel simply like filler. It seems as if in recent years the page counts of YA Spec Fic books are getting bigger (although that certainly isn't limited to YA), and like so many things, more isn't necessarily better. I've been reading this series straight through without feeling any story fatigue or other signs that it is starting to go on longer than it probably needs too.
So, off to finish the last book of this quite excellent series!
I'm also loving the length of these books. They are well paced and without sections that feel simply like filler. It seems as if in recent years the page counts of YA Spec Fic books are getting bigger (although that certainly isn't limited to YA), and like so many things, more isn't necessarily better. I've been reading this series straight through without feeling any story fatigue or other signs that it is starting to go on longer than it probably needs too.
So, off to finish the last book of this quite excellent series!
April 6, 2022
3 stars
I really enjoyed Enclave, however, this one didn't live up to my expectations.
I really enjoyed Enclave, however, this one didn't live up to my expectations.
April 18, 2021
I bobbled the idea of coming back to this trilogy for a while after finishing Enclave (book one), but I finally checked the second installment out of my library.
Pros: it's a fairly gritty, dark setting especially considering its YA genre. I appreciated the author separated from the tropey-ness of a badass heroine who only knows savagery and fighting in the second one and started to give her a softer side as she developed relationships, particularly with her foster parents. That was a nice growth.
Cons: the YA trope is strong in this series. Some tropes I don't mind, but two that pet my peeves are 1) love triangles and 2) one dimensional anything-you-can-do-I-can-do-better heroines. Fortunately Ann Aguirre let off the gas a bit for the latter in this installment. Our fearless heroine still has a healthy dosing of the woe-is-me-I'm-so-undervalued-and-better-than-all-these-boys attitude, but it tempered slightly. The first is still going strong.
Little character irks grated on me a bit. For example, the main character woefully looks at her poor fingers where a sewing needle has left tiny marks as she hopelessly struggles to deftly maneuver a tiny pokey through soft cloth. This is. Not. Hard. You kind of have to be an inept moron to struggle so much with a sewing needle. Soldiers sew their own patches on successfully all the time. Farmers can sew their own buttons on most of the time. I think you can manage. This is one of those overused tropes badass heroines fall back on all the time.
The character is teased and looked down on mercilessly in school by younger children because she doesn't know the meaning of the word hubris. But then she drops protuberant and harangue casually into her inner monologue, among other impressively articulate words. It's noticeably inconsistent throughout the book.
I'm a big enough fan of post-apocalyptic, zombie stories that it balances in the end.
I'd rate this a PG-13 for violence and gore, some discrete adult themes, and very mild swearing.
Pros: it's a fairly gritty, dark setting especially considering its YA genre. I appreciated the author separated from the tropey-ness of a badass heroine who only knows savagery and fighting in the second one and started to give her a softer side as she developed relationships, particularly with her foster parents. That was a nice growth.
Cons: the YA trope is strong in this series. Some tropes I don't mind, but two that pet my peeves are 1) love triangles and 2) one dimensional anything-you-can-do-I-can-do-better heroines. Fortunately Ann Aguirre let off the gas a bit for the latter in this installment. Our fearless heroine still has a healthy dosing of the woe-is-me-I'm-so-undervalued-and-better-than-all-these-boys attitude, but it tempered slightly. The first is still going strong.
Little character irks grated on me a bit. For example, the main character woefully looks at her poor fingers where a sewing needle has left tiny marks as she hopelessly struggles to deftly maneuver a tiny pokey through soft cloth. This is. Not. Hard. You kind of have to be an inept moron to struggle so much with a sewing needle. Soldiers sew their own patches on successfully all the time. Farmers can sew their own buttons on most of the time. I think you can manage. This is one of those overused tropes badass heroines fall back on all the time.
The character is teased and looked down on mercilessly in school by younger children because she doesn't know the meaning of the word hubris. But then she drops protuberant and harangue casually into her inner monologue, among other impressively articulate words. It's noticeably inconsistent throughout the book.
I'm a big enough fan of post-apocalyptic, zombie stories that it balances in the end.
I'd rate this a PG-13 for violence and gore, some discrete adult themes, and very mild swearing.
July 29, 2017
Everything is different now that Deuce and the others have arrived at Salvation and she's finding it hard to fit in. She's not comfortable with the way they expect girls to dress nicely and learn useful skills like cooking and sewing and the town just don't know what to make of her tomboyish ways. It's also hard being treated like a child and expected to go to school when she's spent so many years fending for herself and helping to protect others in her role as a hunter. Things start to look up when she proves she has the skills to be one of the town guards and is given a job helping to protect the farmers during the summer harvest but as the Freaks continue to get smarter and prove a far greater danger than ever before she's going to have her work cut out for her.
I'm so glad I've finally made a start on this series, it's one I'm really enjoying and I loved seeing how much Deuce grew as a character in this book. What I love about her is that she accepts that she doesn't know everything and she's willing to ask questions and learn what she needs to. She also knows where her strengths are though and she refuses to let anyone put her in a box just because of her gender. I had to admire her for standing up for what she wanted when it would have been so much easier to go along with the town folk's expectations for her. I felt sorry for her as she struggled to find her place though, Tegan found it so much easier to fit in and preferred to spend time with new friends because Deuce and the others reminded her of a difficult time, Fade is still jealous and is also keeping his distance so the only one it seems like she can really rely on is Stalker.
I'll admit I was worried in the first book that it might turn into a dreaded love triangle but I'm convinced now it's not going to happen. Stalker is obviously interested in Deuce but it's very clear she only has feelings for Fade and I can't imagine that changing any time soon. I wasn't at all keen on Stalker's character in the first book - let's face it he's done some horrific and pretty unforgivable things! - but he actually really grew on me in this book. At least he's willing to admit the things he did wrong and he wants to make amends for them and who knows how we would have acted if we'd been born in his shoes. I think one of the things I like most about Deuce is how self aware she is, she recognises that she acts in certain ways because of the way she was raised but she wants to learn and do better and she recognises a similar quality in Stalker. As much as Stalker has grown on me I'm still 100% on team Fade though! I was irritated with him for pushing Deuce away at the beginning of Outpost but he's been through a lot and his insecurities were showing. When it comes down to it he always has Deuce's back when she needs him the most and I love seeing them fight alongside each other.
This series is quite brutal and it doesn't shy away from the violence of post-apocalyptic life which makes it feel very believable. There is always plenty of action and I've flown through both books so far so this series certainly didn't suffer with second book syndrome. Ann Aguirre has kept the pacing tight and it's clear she has a solid plan on where the series is going from here. After that ending I'm very interested to see what happens to all the characters next and I'm very glad that I don't have to wait a year for the next book to release before I can read it!
I'm so glad I've finally made a start on this series, it's one I'm really enjoying and I loved seeing how much Deuce grew as a character in this book. What I love about her is that she accepts that she doesn't know everything and she's willing to ask questions and learn what she needs to. She also knows where her strengths are though and she refuses to let anyone put her in a box just because of her gender. I had to admire her for standing up for what she wanted when it would have been so much easier to go along with the town folk's expectations for her. I felt sorry for her as she struggled to find her place though, Tegan found it so much easier to fit in and preferred to spend time with new friends because Deuce and the others reminded her of a difficult time, Fade is still jealous and is also keeping his distance so the only one it seems like she can really rely on is Stalker.
I'll admit I was worried in the first book that it might turn into a dreaded love triangle but I'm convinced now it's not going to happen. Stalker is obviously interested in Deuce but it's very clear she only has feelings for Fade and I can't imagine that changing any time soon. I wasn't at all keen on Stalker's character in the first book - let's face it he's done some horrific and pretty unforgivable things! - but he actually really grew on me in this book. At least he's willing to admit the things he did wrong and he wants to make amends for them and who knows how we would have acted if we'd been born in his shoes. I think one of the things I like most about Deuce is how self aware she is, she recognises that she acts in certain ways because of the way she was raised but she wants to learn and do better and she recognises a similar quality in Stalker. As much as Stalker has grown on me I'm still 100% on team Fade though! I was irritated with him for pushing Deuce away at the beginning of Outpost but he's been through a lot and his insecurities were showing. When it comes down to it he always has Deuce's back when she needs him the most and I love seeing them fight alongside each other.
This series is quite brutal and it doesn't shy away from the violence of post-apocalyptic life which makes it feel very believable. There is always plenty of action and I've flown through both books so far so this series certainly didn't suffer with second book syndrome. Ann Aguirre has kept the pacing tight and it's clear she has a solid plan on where the series is going from here. After that ending I'm very interested to see what happens to all the characters next and I'm very glad that I don't have to wait a year for the next book to release before I can read it!
June 9, 2013
Reading Outpost gave me an entirely new outlook on , a book I liked but struggled with somewhat. I really liked this one, though, and I have a much better understanding of the society the author created, as well as an appreciation for what she did with the first book. I need to go back and reread that one sometime with this new perspective...but in the meantime, I'm forging straight ahead to !
July 16, 2024
Read first and reviewed in 2013*** I breezed through 'Outpost', the sequel to 'Enclave', in a matter of hours and I wish I could go with Deuce and her friends on her next frighteningly dangerous journey through freak-infested territory by devouring 'Horde' right now. It doesn't happen so often that I am that contented with a second/middle volume.
I suppose, I definitely could do without the love-triangle - although it's not a very sharp-angled or annoying one, since the heroine's preferences are pretty clear and remain that way. Another tiny blotch is the occasional use of words which Deuce with her cut-off-from-topside-life-and-civilization-background should not know yet.
The rest has been almost perfect: The post-apocalytic setting, the action, the mystery of the fast evolving zombie freaks, the extraordinarily wonderful heroine, her clashes with an equally strict, but completely different society - world, even - from what she is used to that do not cause her to cower or back down, but also do not tempt her into gloryfying her former life as a Huntress in the College enclave; plus I liked the the accute picture of how circumstances and good or bad experiences form or damage people and how important and necessary second chances can be.
I suppose, I definitely could do without the love-triangle - although it's not a very sharp-angled or annoying one, since the heroine's preferences are pretty clear and remain that way. Another tiny blotch is the occasional use of words which Deuce with her cut-off-from-topside-life-and-civilization-background should not know yet.
The rest has been almost perfect: The post-apocalytic setting, the action, the mystery of the fast evolving zombie freaks, the extraordinarily wonderful heroine, her clashes with an equally strict, but completely different society - world, even - from what she is used to that do not cause her to cower or back down, but also do not tempt her into gloryfying her former life as a Huntress in the College enclave; plus I liked the the accute picture of how circumstances and good or bad experiences form or damage people and how important and necessary second chances can be.
March 25, 2012
I think I enjoyed this one a bit more than Enclave. It was interesting to follow Deuce as she settled into Salvation and struggled with the different roles she was expected to take on. From Huntress/adult to school girl/child, she never completely compromised and for that, I adore her.
And Fade? Plenty of swoony lines. I loved his reactions to Deuce when she wore dresses and curled her hair. That his love seemed to grow more when he saw that side of her and that he never tried to get her to change just endeared him to me.
The only downside to getting this ARC is that now I have to wait even longer for the final book.
And Fade? Plenty of swoony lines. I loved his reactions to Deuce when she wore dresses and curled her hair. That his love seemed to grow more when he saw that side of her and that he never tried to get her to change just endeared him to me.
The only downside to getting this ARC is that now I have to wait even longer for the final book.
October 30, 2020
Buena continuación a pesar de la poca acción y la angustia innecesaria
Refugio de Ann Aguirre serie Razorland libro 2
Mà humilde opinión:
El mundo de Dos ha cambiado desde que los lectores la conocieron en Enclave.
La superficie ya no es segura, los engendros cada vez son más inteligentes. Observan. Planean.
¿Qué destino les espera a Dos y a los suyos si ya no queda ningún lugar libre de tal amenaza?
Refugio, toma lugar dos meses después de lo que ocurrió en Enclave.
Contrario al primer libro que era sobre la supervivencia con un ritmo rápido en la historia, Refugio tiene romance y se centra en las relaciones con menos acción, lo que lo hizo más lento.
Por qué lento? A lo largo de los capÃtulos fue repetitivo enumerando todas las diferencias de Douce, una y otra vez.
Me resultó interesante leer la convivencia y la dinámica de la comunidad de Salvación pero esto se puso un poco pesado hasta que finalmente se arman equipos para cuidar las cosechas dónde trae un poco más de acción y emoción.
Todos los personajes tienen mejor desarrollo y transitan un notorio cambio.
Tegan encuentra su lugar seguro como hija adoptiva de un doctor pero al mismo tiempo me resultó poco agradecida con Douce cuando la hace a un lado al comienzo hasta que después se da cuenta que ha hecho mal. Ella quiere normalidad pero su faceta aventurera o feroz sale cuando deja de lado su vida tranquila y se une para ayudar a pesar de los peligrosos Freaks.
Deuce me volvió un poco loca en este libro, sus constantes pensamientos en conflicto y su lucha de emociones.
Me molestó mucho cómo la rechazaban en la escuela, la gente de Salvación que la juzgaba por su comportamiento 'salvaje' y lo machistas que eran algunos hombres.
Fue interesante verla cambiar y su adaptación con su familia adoptiva.
Me alegró que encontrara una que la quisiera. Mamá Robles y Edmund eran queribles. Estar con ellos la ayudó a ver las cosas de otra maneras. Lo de por qué no cocinaba al gato me hizo reÃr pero a veces no sabÃa si hacerlo con muchos de sus pensamientos sarcásticos.
Pero no cambió para mà el hecho de que no puedo conectar totalmente con ella, me parece fuerte y valiente pero el que no pueda mostrar su vulnerabilidad me sacó de quicio. Me hubiera gustado que se enojara o discutiera alguna vez.
Stalker nunca me gustó y nunca lo hará, si bien aquà se disculpa con Tigan por lo que le hizo y luego apoya a Douce y es leal, no puedo perdonar su pasado.
Fade me gusta pero fue un quebradero de cabeza para mà muchas veces porque daba un paso bueno adelante con Douce y tres malos atrás. Era angustioso ver cómo la lastimaba, sobretodo al final. Entendà lo terrible que le pasó cuando lo secuestraron los Freaks pero por qué alejar a Douce?
Si bien me alegró que Douce escogiera a Fade, el triángulo amoroso siguió, no me gustó que ella besara a Stalker dos veces no me importa la situación y que no dejara de sentirse culpable por no elegirlo. Una vez que Fade habla y aclara todo con Douce comienzan realmente su historia de amor, la sentà dulce, inocente y dolorosa también pero luego queda en nada dejándome descontenta!
Pensamiento aparte...
Me gustaba tanto el personaje que ayuda a los chicos hacia el final de Enclave, el que los lleva a Salvación que sentà mucho su muerte.
Lo que no puedo terminar de entender son a los Freaks. Se da un poco más de explicación sobre su existencia. Sin embargo, hay de nuevo vaga información de porqué están evolucionando.
Refugio, tuvo sus altibajos con el drama innecesario y su ritmo lento pero fue una buena continuación.
February 13, 2017
I really enjoyed this one. It kinda reminded me why I love YA so much. I can't understand why I don't see more people reading it. It was even really sad at times and that ending promises great things for the next instalment.
April 11, 2025
This book was a lot better than the first one. There's a lot more character depth, the same amount (possibly even more) action, and a great conflict.
Salvation has both good and bad qualities too which I love as no place will always be 100% perfect. I loved how Duce was able to open up and experience their society and build connections with her guardians there, as well as growing closer with Teagan, Stalker, and Fade.
However, I felt like the book was a lot more repetitive than it needed to be. I understood some parts as the author was trying to use past examples to show how Duce has changed but omg it was used so much I wanted to shake her and tell her to be quiet sometimes because like... WE GET IT DUCE... YOUVE CHANGED... MOVE ON PLS ðŸ˜
But ignoring the repetitive content, we see Duce get a little bit of karma for her somewhat misogyny in book one, and I like how that changed her. But the attempted assault... uhh could've gone without it tbh...
BUT AGAIN... I really liked this book a lot better than the start of the series, and I can't wait to finish it!
Overall rating: 4.75
Book 1: Enclave
Salvation has both good and bad qualities too which I love as no place will always be 100% perfect. I loved how Duce was able to open up and experience their society and build connections with her guardians there, as well as growing closer with Teagan, Stalker, and Fade.
However, I felt like the book was a lot more repetitive than it needed to be. I understood some parts as the author was trying to use past examples to show how Duce has changed but omg it was used so much I wanted to shake her and tell her to be quiet sometimes because like... WE GET IT DUCE... YOUVE CHANGED... MOVE ON PLS ðŸ˜
But ignoring the repetitive content, we see Duce get a little bit of karma for her somewhat misogyny in book one, and I like how that changed her. But the attempted assault... uhh could've gone without it tbh...
BUT AGAIN... I really liked this book a lot better than the start of the series, and I can't wait to finish it!
Overall rating: 4.75
Book 1: Enclave
June 18, 2015
The second book is doing a bit better than the first one, the writing and the story is good enough to keep me turning page and wanting to know what will happen in the end. I also like how the heroine and her personality is developed.
However I don't really like the romance, and I think the author overdid the 'women being suppressed due to gender discrimination and superstition' issue a bit too much. I mean, hey! there're mutants surrounding the safe town and women are still not supposed to fight alongside men? Hey! Guess what? Women want to live too!
However I don't really like the romance, and I think the author overdid the 'women being suppressed due to gender discrimination and superstition' issue a bit too much. I mean, hey! there're mutants surrounding the safe town and women are still not supposed to fight alongside men? Hey! Guess what? Women want to live too!
October 10, 2015
I read the first book because I saw it recommended next to the Hunger Games. This isn't the same, but I like dystopian stuff so whatever, i read it. I read the first one and didn't really care much for Outpost's description (Deuce has to be trained to be a proper lady and start school? SIGH...), but after about a year I wanted to read something easy and fun, so I bought this book.
I felt like this book didn't need to exist. WAIT! Keep reading.
It was like everything that happened in this book was so drawn out, kind of cliche, and in the end we were left in the same place as the beginning. What's the point of that? Okay, now we know the Freaks are getting smarter, but what else? Deuce (I hate her name so much omg) has rekindled her flame with Fade after the end of Enclave, Tegan is recovering, Stalker is...whatever. (Stalker has literally done nothing to make me like him but i feel like the author is trying to force me to like him)
Thankfully, the whole school thing doesn't last long. I don't think this community, if it was a real place, would actually force her into school for a measly 6 months. I think they'd make an acception to this group of capable kids. (btw: 15??? I wish they were older. 15 is so young.) But whatever, the point is that there isn't much focus on her schooling, so I was thankful.
So they head out to do summer patrol and I Aguirre does a good job with the Freaks because I actually do feel grossed out by them. I think I'd rather die than live in this world where everything's so terrible, which is props to the author for making me shiver at the thought of this invented world. I like that Deuce is really showing these guys up, that she's actually teaching them a lesson, and I like her relationship with Longshot. I don't get why this community is so narrow minded and sexist. Why would culture revert to that? That's not a main issue i had though, so I won't go on about it.
Ok so then we have them do lots of training and sitting around after the Freaks set up a nasty warning with dead bodies etc etc. I loathe the other men for not taking a proper watch at night when they let Freaks sneak into camp not once but TWICE!! How dumb can you be. You'd think you'd keep your eyes open for the safety of your town and family and for your OWN LIFE!!!
What I hate most, though, is how Deuce constantly tries to make Stalker seem like a great guy. "He did all the awful stuff because he knew no other way". Ok, I'm sorry, but I will NEVER forget that Stalker is a rapist. The readers are in the 21st century, probably mostly female, and no one in their right mind is going to easily accept what Stalker has done. Yet Deuce tries to convince us (well, the author tries to convince us) that Stalker's a great guy considering. Ohh he was poor and grew up to be like this, wah wah. Nope. I hate him anyway. Also his personality is just not interesting? He's trying to get with Deuce constantly and is too forceful and can't take a hint. Worst of all, I feel like it's being set up that he and Tegan are going to fall in love. I might just vomit everywhere if that happens.
Then there's Fade. Aww, Fade, my favourite. I like that he and Deuce get the chance to have some privacy without being on guard. So I have no complaints there....but after he's captured and tortured and he just...becomes another person? And doesn't talk? I was cursing out loud because that is just really dumb. I think Fade, as a soldier whose seen a lot of death, should be handling this better. I think he would talk about it, try to get over it, not just shut down. I feel like his actions went against what we knew about his character already. Maybe I misjudged him.
and it ends right where we left off the last book, really. Fade, Tegan, Deuce and Stalker on a journey together. Fade and Deuce not talking to one another. I was really angered by that because their relationships haven't grown. They appeared to be very close but then it dissolved again. Even Stalker STILL wants Deuce!!! Ugh.
What I WISH happened was that they found solace at Salvation, the attacks happened quickly, the nonsense about school and dresses was forgotten and they went straight to summer guard because the threat was that big already. Then, halfway through the book, they must journey. Fade is scarred (mentally) but at least TALKING to Deuce, who he SHOULD BE TALKING TO BECAUSE SHE'S THE ONLY ONE WHO WILL UNDERSTAND, and Stalker keeps apologizing to Tegan and he distances himself from her and never touches her.
And at the end of Outpost, what I want to happen is for them to reach some other settlement where the group uncovers some big secret, some plot-turning element that we didn't know about. Like how the Freaks were created, how infested the world is, how we can fix it. Something devastating. And the third book would be about them trying to either cure the Freaks or eliminate them so the world can start over.
I know I used a lot of caps in this review, and maybe I sound harsh, but I get very riled up. I think this book was a fun quick read, but maybe I should have waited for the 3rd one to come out so i could have read all three in one go. Now I have to wait a year for the final book, feeling like I've just left off where I was at the end of the first one, which really sucks. I don't look forward to the third one because I feel like this one was so anticlimactic. I'll probably read it anyway UGH.
2.5 stars because it was what I expected it to be. Some easy YA dystopian. But it also frustrated the hell out of me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2017
This never gets old. And sums up the Outpost.
But if you are happy with no action except for lame excuses to despair which of the two should be the lucky one set in a kind of post-apocalyptic setting, the Outpost should satisfy you. Under one small condition. Well, maybe two. Firstly, you accept the premises set by Aguirre. Secondly, you are happy with feminist rants akin to Disgraceling.
I still think that Outpost, just like its predecessor, sports one of the most imbecilic world-buildings. In fact, at present it is nearly hand in hand with Sanctum. Having said this, I am forced to admit that it makes sense if you agree with the bizarre logic of the Outpost:
1. That a society which survived a biological warfare (not induced by women in any way but rather by a nihilist lifestyle) would reset itself to 19th century style of gender appropriation. Nowhere in the book does Aguirrestate explicitly, strike that, implies or alludes that the plague was brought by a female scientist. To the contrary, we learn that it was gender neutral catastrophe. Why then would the society go all patriarch again? it just does not make sense; evolution does not work backwards. You cannot erase things. Look at dolphin: even when you put a mammal into the water, it does not grow gills.
2. That a society in a constant and imminent danger would opt for full-fledged ambience of a Victorian picnic. Aguirre describes the folk of Salvation as soft, unwilling to fight, convinced of their own safety, a little bit cowardly even. I fail to understand how would they be this way when they are forced to live behind the walls because of the Freak infestation. Even if their situation is better than those living underground or in the ruins of Gotham, they still have a slow burning war to deal with. Go read accounts of those who had lived in the Wild West. Or learn about the Jewish settlements. Or about any preferred minority living in a hostile environment. They do not exhibit the traits you find in Salvation. I find the fact that the citizens of the town do not respect or understand the importance of those who guard, and scout and fight for them not plausible. They do not see the danger? Really? And I am supposed to believe this just because. Me thinks not.
3. That while you think you are reading a dystopia, in fact, it is a book about a teenage outsider setting in a small American village. You might expect intrigue, evil government, oppressive system, battles and plot twists. Instead, you get school drama, first kisses, sleepovers, village festivals, and wagging tongues.
Feminism in the Outpost is tiring. And a little bit funny. Reading the book, I had the feeling that the author tries to push at the open doors. It would be the same if somebody had a protagonist ranting vehemently that the Earth is round. Really. At the same time, Deuce the Feminist is unbelievably sexist herself (referring to her best female friend per "submissive Breeder", really?). She is the Huntress, because women have proven to be as good as men. At the same time, the fact that there were no "Buildresses" in the enclave does not bother her even one iota. Only "feminine trappings" and "house full of brats" made her hands clammy. As opposed to killing. Killing is fine. No PTSD here. That is for men, naturally. It is not that I have something against people who are predisposed to be professional soldiers, and I accept that Deuce was designed as this kind of personality. Sadly, the author did not manage to explain why her heroine would think that learning something else aside from fighting is detrimental to her femininity.
But then, several statements in the book made me think that Deuce might be less of a "feminista", more of an incurable narcist aka. the Chosen One. She Who Knows Best. She Who Alters the Orbits of the Stars. She Who Is Beyond And Above the Law. Oh, I can see what is coming in the grand finale...
Where is my vomit bag?
--
Other books in the series:
Book 1: Enclave
Book 3: Horde
But if you are happy with no action except for lame excuses to despair which of the two should be the lucky one set in a kind of post-apocalyptic setting, the Outpost should satisfy you. Under one small condition. Well, maybe two. Firstly, you accept the premises set by Aguirre. Secondly, you are happy with feminist rants akin to Disgraceling.
I still think that Outpost, just like its predecessor, sports one of the most imbecilic world-buildings. In fact, at present it is nearly hand in hand with Sanctum. Having said this, I am forced to admit that it makes sense if you agree with the bizarre logic of the Outpost:
1. That a society which survived a biological warfare (not induced by women in any way but rather by a nihilist lifestyle) would reset itself to 19th century style of gender appropriation. Nowhere in the book does Aguirre
2. That a society in a constant and imminent danger would opt for full-fledged ambience of a Victorian picnic. Aguirre describes the folk of Salvation as soft, unwilling to fight, convinced of their own safety, a little bit cowardly even. I fail to understand how would they be this way when they are forced to live behind the walls because of the Freak infestation. Even if their situation is better than those living underground or in the ruins of Gotham, they still have a slow burning war to deal with. Go read accounts of those who had lived in the Wild West. Or learn about the Jewish settlements. Or about any preferred minority living in a hostile environment. They do not exhibit the traits you find in Salvation. I find the fact that the citizens of the town do not respect or understand the importance of those who guard, and scout and fight for them not plausible. They do not see the danger? Really? And I am supposed to believe this just because. Me thinks not.
3. That while you think you are reading a dystopia, in fact, it is a book about a teenage outsider setting in a small American village. You might expect intrigue, evil government, oppressive system, battles and plot twists. Instead, you get school drama, first kisses, sleepovers, village festivals, and wagging tongues.
Feminism in the Outpost is tiring. And a little bit funny. Reading the book, I had the feeling that the author tries to push at the open doors. It would be the same if somebody had a protagonist ranting vehemently that the Earth is round. Really. At the same time, Deuce the Feminist is unbelievably sexist herself (referring to her best female friend per "submissive Breeder", really?). She is the Huntress, because women have proven to be as good as men. At the same time, the fact that there were no "Buildresses" in the enclave does not bother her even one iota. Only "feminine trappings" and "house full of brats" made her hands clammy. As opposed to killing. Killing is fine. No PTSD here. That is for men, naturally. It is not that I have something against people who are predisposed to be professional soldiers, and I accept that Deuce was designed as this kind of personality. Sadly, the author did not manage to explain why her heroine would think that learning something else aside from fighting is detrimental to her femininity.
But then, several statements in the book made me think that Deuce might be less of a "feminista", more of an incurable narcist aka. the Chosen One. She Who Knows Best. She Who Alters the Orbits of the Stars. She Who Is Beyond And Above the Law. Oh, I can see what is coming in the grand finale...
Where is my vomit bag?
--
Other books in the series:
Book 1: Enclave
Book 3: Horde
June 26, 2017
**Possible (mild) spoilers for Enclave**
Wow, even a week after finishing this book, I’m still having a difficult time putting my thoughts into coherent sentences. There is no Middle Book Syndrome to speak of here. Outpost is all fast-paced action and unpredictable plot twists. But after the insanity in Enclave, I shouldn’t have expected anything less. And legions of Ann Aguirre fans are probably shaking their heads at me, thinking, “I could’ve told you so.�
I love that in Outpost, we get to see more of the world top-side and how those survivors are living, as opposed to the glimpses we got in the ruins and in the tunnels in Enclave. Now that Deuce and her companions have been whisked away to Salvation, literally and metaphorically, we get to see the type of life the adult survivors have created for themselves. The amount of time spent expanding upon all facets of Deuce’s world � new and old � never seemed cumbersome or tedious, and it served to help characterize the townsfolk and explain why some of them felt as they did toward Deuce. The brief history lessons show the reader that, although the citizens of Salvation have majorly regressed, the setting is North America in the probably not-so-distant future. Something horrific has plagued the country, resulting in the creation of the Freaks…or Muties as the citizenry of Salvation tends to call them. In other words, it was not always this way, and we most likely brought this destruction upon ourselves.
Deuce is finding her new life in Salvation rather difficult to acclimate herself to. She has to learn how to navigate friendships, family and love, as well as keep a low profile where some of the townsfolk are concerned, which is easier said than done. Deuce is an ace with her knives, but she’s a novice with her heart. She undergoes more of an emotional journey than a physical one in this novel, and it shows in the growth of her character. But the good people of Salvation do not see things in this respect; they feel that a woman should not wield weapons, nor should she do a man’s work, for fear of bringing the wrath of God down upon them all.
And then there’s the matter of Fade. I was glad that these two found each other down in the tunnels. Deuce is the yin to Fade’s yang; he’s the light to her darkness. They are drawn to each other as opposites often are, but because of some misunderstanding, they keep their distance from each other in Salvation. If you’ve seen other reviews, you’ve probably read tales of a love triangle, and yes, the outline for it is there. But I’m still not convinced it exists. Stalker has made his feelings more than clear to Deuce, but Fade is the one who taught Deuce how to love and be kind, and her heart belongs to him. I maintain that Stalker is simply there to complicate matters. Well, that, and the fact that he’s a pretty badass zombie killer himself.
This novel had me pondering a lot of things where the end of days are concerned. Would people’s religious beliefs change, for better or worse, should the end of the world prove near? How many of us would resort back to the ways of old? What if it meant the difference between life and death? Would we go back to persecuting those who did not believe the same, just to ensure our own survival?
I loved Outpost even more than I enjoyed Enclave, which is saying a lot. Outpost is such an explosive continuation to Deuce’s already exhilarating story; I was so emotionally and physically drained after finishing this book. I guess I’m not as ready for the Zombie Apocalypse as I’d previously believed. *sigh* It appears that I have a lot more preparations to make�
Thanks to Macmillan for providing an ARC for review!
My full review and other related media can be found at .
Wow, even a week after finishing this book, I’m still having a difficult time putting my thoughts into coherent sentences. There is no Middle Book Syndrome to speak of here. Outpost is all fast-paced action and unpredictable plot twists. But after the insanity in Enclave, I shouldn’t have expected anything less. And legions of Ann Aguirre fans are probably shaking their heads at me, thinking, “I could’ve told you so.�
I love that in Outpost, we get to see more of the world top-side and how those survivors are living, as opposed to the glimpses we got in the ruins and in the tunnels in Enclave. Now that Deuce and her companions have been whisked away to Salvation, literally and metaphorically, we get to see the type of life the adult survivors have created for themselves. The amount of time spent expanding upon all facets of Deuce’s world � new and old � never seemed cumbersome or tedious, and it served to help characterize the townsfolk and explain why some of them felt as they did toward Deuce. The brief history lessons show the reader that, although the citizens of Salvation have majorly regressed, the setting is North America in the probably not-so-distant future. Something horrific has plagued the country, resulting in the creation of the Freaks…or Muties as the citizenry of Salvation tends to call them. In other words, it was not always this way, and we most likely brought this destruction upon ourselves.
Deuce is finding her new life in Salvation rather difficult to acclimate herself to. She has to learn how to navigate friendships, family and love, as well as keep a low profile where some of the townsfolk are concerned, which is easier said than done. Deuce is an ace with her knives, but she’s a novice with her heart. She undergoes more of an emotional journey than a physical one in this novel, and it shows in the growth of her character. But the good people of Salvation do not see things in this respect; they feel that a woman should not wield weapons, nor should she do a man’s work, for fear of bringing the wrath of God down upon them all.
And then there’s the matter of Fade. I was glad that these two found each other down in the tunnels. Deuce is the yin to Fade’s yang; he’s the light to her darkness. They are drawn to each other as opposites often are, but because of some misunderstanding, they keep their distance from each other in Salvation. If you’ve seen other reviews, you’ve probably read tales of a love triangle, and yes, the outline for it is there. But I’m still not convinced it exists. Stalker has made his feelings more than clear to Deuce, but Fade is the one who taught Deuce how to love and be kind, and her heart belongs to him. I maintain that Stalker is simply there to complicate matters. Well, that, and the fact that he’s a pretty badass zombie killer himself.
This novel had me pondering a lot of things where the end of days are concerned. Would people’s religious beliefs change, for better or worse, should the end of the world prove near? How many of us would resort back to the ways of old? What if it meant the difference between life and death? Would we go back to persecuting those who did not believe the same, just to ensure our own survival?
I loved Outpost even more than I enjoyed Enclave, which is saying a lot. Outpost is such an explosive continuation to Deuce’s already exhilarating story; I was so emotionally and physically drained after finishing this book. I guess I’m not as ready for the Zombie Apocalypse as I’d previously believed. *sigh* It appears that I have a lot more preparations to make�
Thanks to Macmillan for providing an ARC for review!
My full review and other related media can be found at .
January 9, 2013
Wow, such an amazing book. A word of caution, there's going to be a lot of adjectives in this review! =) This book has got everything. It's exhiliratingly adventurous, crazy romantic, and very thought-provoking. And the ending is so heart-warming. Really fantastic. I love Deuce. She's an unbelievably courageous heroine. Probably one of the most gutsy characters out there. But to her, her moral code doesn't leave her with much of a choice. Her philosophy is so rich and practical.
“Is he the reason you're so set on fighting?�
“No,� I said slowly, “I think it's the other way around.�
He studied me as if I held all the answers to the mysteries of the universe...I'd never seen such a look, full of melting tenderness and absolute adoration.
God, I love Fade. There's just that something about him that's so strong and beautiful. He's one of those characters that can pretty much say anything and I think its sexy and masculine and swoon-worthy.
Deuce is still very much on edge even though she lives in safety within the town walls. Her foster parents are kind but most of the townspeople are not. Deuce doesn't trust easy and resists the town's efforts to domesticate her. She does resign herself to some of their traditions though. The problem is that the townspeople see Deuce and her friends as children. Whereas, where she comes from, she's a highly-respected adult. There's also the fact that she is female, and the townspeople expect her to act like one. She has a very aggressive attitude and so she's an outcast. Tegan and Fade make more of an effort to blend in.
Deuce doesn't realise that the people close to her want her regard and affection. It's nice to see her opening up and learning to love. Yes, she can be terribly barbaric, but she's also noble, compassionate and selfless. I really loved her simplicity and her plain wisdom. She doesn't understand society's concepts such as birthdays, sleepovers, and education.
Stalker and Deuce are alike in many ways and that's why Deuce gravitates towards him. She doesn't want to converge with town life, neither does he. Deuce believes that Stalker's like her because they were both bred for violence. She wants to fight and protect and kick ass, just like she's been trained to do. Okay, sometimes it seems a bit bloodthirsty, but Deuce believes that its her job to protect people and she can't just sit back and let others do the protecting when she's perfectly capable. While Stalker and her are of one mind concerning lifestyles, they most certainly don't agree on their relational status. Stalker's still got a crush on Deuce. And him and Fade are still having this silent fight over her. Fortunately, it doesn't take Fade long to win. Stalker proves to be surprisingly gracious about Deuce's decision though you can see how it hurts him. In this book, Stalker became much more admirable.
Fade really loves Deuce and he's very protective over her but he doesn't (or can't) mollycoddle her. Though he absolutely can't stand the mean things people say about her. He's such an interesting character. While he's obviously the dark and broody type, he follows Deuce around like a puppy dog. She makes him so vulnerable because he cares for her so much. I think the author tried to show that in many ways Deuce is much stronger than Fade.
“Is he the reason you're so set on fighting?�
“No,� I said slowly, “I think it's the other way around.�
He studied me as if I held all the answers to the mysteries of the universe...I'd never seen such a look, full of melting tenderness and absolute adoration.
God, I love Fade. There's just that something about him that's so strong and beautiful. He's one of those characters that can pretty much say anything and I think its sexy and masculine and swoon-worthy.
Deuce is still very much on edge even though she lives in safety within the town walls. Her foster parents are kind but most of the townspeople are not. Deuce doesn't trust easy and resists the town's efforts to domesticate her. She does resign herself to some of their traditions though. The problem is that the townspeople see Deuce and her friends as children. Whereas, where she comes from, she's a highly-respected adult. There's also the fact that she is female, and the townspeople expect her to act like one. She has a very aggressive attitude and so she's an outcast. Tegan and Fade make more of an effort to blend in.
Deuce doesn't realise that the people close to her want her regard and affection. It's nice to see her opening up and learning to love. Yes, she can be terribly barbaric, but she's also noble, compassionate and selfless. I really loved her simplicity and her plain wisdom. She doesn't understand society's concepts such as birthdays, sleepovers, and education.
Stalker and Deuce are alike in many ways and that's why Deuce gravitates towards him. She doesn't want to converge with town life, neither does he. Deuce believes that Stalker's like her because they were both bred for violence. She wants to fight and protect and kick ass, just like she's been trained to do. Okay, sometimes it seems a bit bloodthirsty, but Deuce believes that its her job to protect people and she can't just sit back and let others do the protecting when she's perfectly capable. While Stalker and her are of one mind concerning lifestyles, they most certainly don't agree on their relational status. Stalker's still got a crush on Deuce. And him and Fade are still having this silent fight over her. Fortunately, it doesn't take Fade long to win. Stalker proves to be surprisingly gracious about Deuce's decision though you can see how it hurts him. In this book, Stalker became much more admirable.
Fade really loves Deuce and he's very protective over her but he doesn't (or can't) mollycoddle her. Though he absolutely can't stand the mean things people say about her. He's such an interesting character. While he's obviously the dark and broody type, he follows Deuce around like a puppy dog. She makes him so vulnerable because he cares for her so much. I think the author tried to show that in many ways Deuce is much stronger than Fade.
October 23, 2015
Razorland
is turning out to be one of my favorite series. I am usually disappointed when it comes to the second book in a series. They all seem to fall flat and lose some of the spark the first book had. Not with this series. I enjoyed this book more than I did Enclave. The action is intense. You learn a lot more about the characters, and you see Deuce become more vulnerable yet stronger too.
Deuce is trying to come to terms with Salvations rules and finds herself in a new world of challenges that she has to face. She is huntress stuck in a gender stereotypical world. Deuce wants to wear pants and fight. They want her to put on a dress and sew. Though she is faster and fiercer when it comes to hand to hand combat then the men, they still think she should know her place and stay out of their way. So once again Deuce has to prove her worth and feels like she isn’t accomplishing anything by being forced to go to school.
The relationship between Deuce and her adoptive family is confusing for Deuce. She has never had what they are offering her so she doesn’t know how to intercept it. I enjoyed seeing their relationship blossom into a family. With the help from Mama Oak’s and Edmund, Deuce learns what it’s like to love and to have parents.
Tegan and Deuces friendship is a bit strained as well as her relationship with Fade. Tegan is trying desperately to fit in with the town, their rules, and the other kids in town. Deuce isn’t having so much luck. Seeing this Tegan wants to distance herself from Deuce so she isn’t seen in the same light as Deuce is.
It’s pretty quiet between Deuce and Fade for a large part of the beginning. Fade is convinced that Deuce is involved with Stalker and Deuce seems to think that Fade might be with Tegan. There is jealousy on both ends. Eventually when they do come together it’s all butterflies and fireworks. But soon things take a dive again making this relationship a rollercoaster of emotions right down to the last page.
Stalker is shown in a new light in this book. At least the author tries to show him in a new light. I still have trouble liking this character. I see where his actions may have been a result of live or die standards, but it still doesn’t make the actions OK. So I am still on the offense when it comes to him.
The action in the book is super intense. The new things we learned about the Freaks blew my mind. The cliffhanger is achingly awesome. It left me playing out scenarios in my head as to how it all will end. I am dying to get my hands on the last book in this amazing trilogy, Horde . If you loved Enclave, you will definitely love this one.
Deuce is trying to come to terms with Salvations rules and finds herself in a new world of challenges that she has to face. She is huntress stuck in a gender stereotypical world. Deuce wants to wear pants and fight. They want her to put on a dress and sew. Though she is faster and fiercer when it comes to hand to hand combat then the men, they still think she should know her place and stay out of their way. So once again Deuce has to prove her worth and feels like she isn’t accomplishing anything by being forced to go to school.
The relationship between Deuce and her adoptive family is confusing for Deuce. She has never had what they are offering her so she doesn’t know how to intercept it. I enjoyed seeing their relationship blossom into a family. With the help from Mama Oak’s and Edmund, Deuce learns what it’s like to love and to have parents.
Tegan and Deuces friendship is a bit strained as well as her relationship with Fade. Tegan is trying desperately to fit in with the town, their rules, and the other kids in town. Deuce isn’t having so much luck. Seeing this Tegan wants to distance herself from Deuce so she isn’t seen in the same light as Deuce is.
It’s pretty quiet between Deuce and Fade for a large part of the beginning. Fade is convinced that Deuce is involved with Stalker and Deuce seems to think that Fade might be with Tegan. There is jealousy on both ends. Eventually when they do come together it’s all butterflies and fireworks. But soon things take a dive again making this relationship a rollercoaster of emotions right down to the last page.
Stalker is shown in a new light in this book. At least the author tries to show him in a new light. I still have trouble liking this character. I see where his actions may have been a result of live or die standards, but it still doesn’t make the actions OK. So I am still on the offense when it comes to him.
The action in the book is super intense. The new things we learned about the Freaks blew my mind. The cliffhanger is achingly awesome. It left me playing out scenarios in my head as to how it all will end. I am dying to get my hands on the last book in this amazing trilogy, Horde . If you loved Enclave, you will definitely love this one.
September 5, 2012
Deuce and her friends may be free from the claustrophobic tunnels of the enclave but life is no less confining for her in Salvation, a town that doesn't appreciate the hunter skills which she has honed and perfected.
Outpost is very much a character driven novel. I find it fascinating watching how Deuce, Fade, Tegan and Stalker develop in a world where adults have manipulated & abandoned them. Now in Salvation the adults try to save a childhood for the four that has long past. These kids have lived through and survived things that the adults will never understand. The residents know of the Freaks but they have a sense of normalcy with schools, enough food to eat and even families. They "breed" for love, a concept that is completely foreign to Deuce.
Deuce is one of my all time favorite female characters. She is totally bad ass and knows that the people of Salvation don't understand the severity of the threat from the Freaks. On the other hand she has a bravado that only a teenager can have, thinking they know everything and have seen everything. She's right to an extent, but there is still so much more to learn. The wonderful thing about Deuce is that she's willing to admit when she's wrong, share in the responsibility and ask for help when she needs it.
The relationships between the four friends shifts throughout. Salvation is just that - salvation to some but to others it's a false sense of security. The emotions are raw and tender as these children - and yes, I think that's what gets to me the most about this series, is that they are children - try to navigate something as simple as a touch or a kiss while fighting for their lives.
I know the tendency is to focus on the romance and you will be richly rewarded on that front, but I'm pleased that Aguirre also pays attention to Tegan and Deuce's relationship. I think we tend to overlook friendships between girlfriends at times and I love the awkwardness and loyalty between these two girls.
Now for the real threat. The Freaks. There were a few scenes in the beginning of Outpost that almost…almost…had me sympathizing with them. Or at least maybe humanizing them a tad. But then, holy sh*t! I don't think I've ever been that creeped out before. My heart hurt by the end of Outpost. I was put through an emotional wringer, spit out and sprinkled with a dash of hope.
I just can't even fathom what's coming next for my favorite rag tag group of survivors.
The name of the final book in the Razorland trilogy is Horde so yeah�..my imagination is working overtime.
Disclosure: I was a beta reader for this book.
Outpost is very much a character driven novel. I find it fascinating watching how Deuce, Fade, Tegan and Stalker develop in a world where adults have manipulated & abandoned them. Now in Salvation the adults try to save a childhood for the four that has long past. These kids have lived through and survived things that the adults will never understand. The residents know of the Freaks but they have a sense of normalcy with schools, enough food to eat and even families. They "breed" for love, a concept that is completely foreign to Deuce.
Deuce is one of my all time favorite female characters. She is totally bad ass and knows that the people of Salvation don't understand the severity of the threat from the Freaks. On the other hand she has a bravado that only a teenager can have, thinking they know everything and have seen everything. She's right to an extent, but there is still so much more to learn. The wonderful thing about Deuce is that she's willing to admit when she's wrong, share in the responsibility and ask for help when she needs it.
The relationships between the four friends shifts throughout. Salvation is just that - salvation to some but to others it's a false sense of security. The emotions are raw and tender as these children - and yes, I think that's what gets to me the most about this series, is that they are children - try to navigate something as simple as a touch or a kiss while fighting for their lives.
I know the tendency is to focus on the romance and you will be richly rewarded on that front, but I'm pleased that Aguirre also pays attention to Tegan and Deuce's relationship. I think we tend to overlook friendships between girlfriends at times and I love the awkwardness and loyalty between these two girls.
Now for the real threat. The Freaks. There were a few scenes in the beginning of Outpost that almost…almost…had me sympathizing with them. Or at least maybe humanizing them a tad. But then, holy sh*t! I don't think I've ever been that creeped out before. My heart hurt by the end of Outpost. I was put through an emotional wringer, spit out and sprinkled with a dash of hope.
I just can't even fathom what's coming next for my favorite rag tag group of survivors.
The name of the final book in the Razorland trilogy is Horde so yeah�..my imagination is working overtime.
Disclosure: I was a beta reader for this book.
December 12, 2023
Zombies, the future, Huntress, romance, young adult.
4 stars haha
4 stars haha
January 15, 2018
This book was so good. I liked it even more than Enclave and Enclave rocked. Ann Aguirre's ability to keep you on your toes and having you stress the hell out because you just want everyone to be okay. I can't wait to start Horde which is what I'm going to do RIGHT NOW.
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