Published: April 12th 2011 By: Macmillan Audio
Genres: Young-Adult, Post-Apocalyptic, Horror, Dystopia, Science-Fiction
Format: Audio Unabridged: Emily Bauer – narrator (7 hrs. 53 mins.) Source: Library My Rating: 4 Stars
Find It: Goodreads || Amazon || TBD
New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20’s. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters–or Freaks–who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight–guided by Fade’s long-ago memories–in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs.
Ann Aguirre’s thrilling young adult novel is the story of two young people in an apocalyptic world–facing dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known.
REVIEW
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I grabbed this from my library. Sure, I’ve wanted to read it for years, but it just fell through the cracks. What’s sad is that I have a paperback copy on my shelf and didn’t feel like picking it up. The good thing is that I got to listen to this while doing housework or cooking, so I got done faster than if I had read the physical book. God bless audio books!
You can pretty much guess the plot for this book, as it screams Population Control and hidden truths. With this first book of the series, I have to say that I am sold on it so far. It’s like The Walking Dead and a mixture of some popular dystopia series. And while I think fans of The Maze Runner and The Hunger Games may enjoy this, it is very different. This book gave hardly any back history for society and why the world went kaboom. I love that it’s set in one of the biggest cities in the world, New York. And the ways of the people have been reduced back to the Stone Age it seems. I hate caveman mentalities, just so you know.
Deuce Deuce (actually one D but I started calling her DD because I think she’s kind of badaxx) turns 15 and everything she’s trained for is about to happen. Not only does she become a huntress, but she gets to not be called a brat and gets to move into her own digs. The thing is, the leaders of this Enclave want their hunters to feel no remorse for killing and providing food for the people. You can’t have a warm heart if you want to remain a citizen of College. If you are a weakness to the tribe, you will be exiled or killed. I hate that there are babies being born with deformities and the leader sees them as a hindrance, and they are killed. Yes, that’s so sick! You are either hunting for food, making babies, or building something. Hunter – Breeder – Builder, that’s it.
Fade is one of the characters I liked, aside from Deuce. He’s the outsider, new to the tribe, so he still has to earn respect. It’s no wonder that he is paired with Deuce as a hunting partner. Killing freaks and food is what they do. Then the freaks start to get smarter and everything changes. I didn’t like how the leaders didn’t take Deuce and Fade seriously about the danger. I wouldn’t call the freaks walkers, though they’re pretty close. No, these diseased, once human, beings are actually pretty smart in terms of tactics. When’s the last time you’ve seen zombies getting smarter?
The narrator actually worked this time for me. And I noticed that female narrators have worked for me in the past with audio books. There is just something about male mimicking females that irks me, but female narrators always get the males voices right. I think that helped me to enjoy this and keep up with what was going on. Lots more going on here, but there is still much to learn about this world. I definitely recommend this book to dystopia and post-apocalyptic lovers.
Glad you enjoyed this one. The Razorland Trilogy is definitely a favorite of mine! Great review and glad the audio worked out so well.
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
I remember really liking this one! I completely forgot about it being a series so thank you for bringing it back to my attention! I thought the whole underground world was really intriguing! Great review!
LikeLike
I really enjoyed it. Not sure when I’ll get to the next book yet, but I will eventually.
LikeLike
I have this series sitting on my bookshelf. Thanks for reminding me I need to start reading them!!
LikeLike
It sat on mine for 3 years! There’s just not enough time in the day to read everything.
LikeLike
I’ve seen this book around but I’ve never really known what it was about. I can see how this would make a pretty good audiobook and the world fascinates me. The only thing that would irritate me is not knowing HOW humanity got to this level.
LikeLike
I’m told that more gets revealed in the next book, so I’m gonna hope it does.
LikeLike
Gosh. I remember reading this book way back when and couldn’t, for the life of me, figure out what to do with it. I mean, on the one hand, I was never bored and in the other, all the suspense couldn’t be good for anybody. Lol.
LikeLike
LOL! There were moments where I had to go back and listen to certain scenes because I spaced out for a minute.
LikeLike
Love your format, way to stress out stuff!
Haven’t read this yet, dystopia isn’t really my genre but there’s a few that I’ve enjoyed. Filing this under someday lol
LikeLike
It took me 3 years to read it, but I really like it. There is a lot of books around in this genre, so it’s understandable about not reading this.
LikeLike
I am unfortunately someone who doesn’t do too well with audiobooks so I probably wouldn’t listen to this but read it instead. I am glad this way could work out for you though, and that you were able to slot in time for it in other ways. I did like the Maze Runner, and it sounds like there are a lot of aspects about this that I would enjoy 🙂
LikeLike
Audiobooks aren’t my normal format, but I can’t help but use them when I’m in need of time. I got a Maze Runner feel when someone said something in this book, and I swear it was phrased the exact same way. Well, that I can remember. It’s still a good book and I’m gonna finish the series soon.
LikeLike
I’d love to try her books! I read her Apparatus Infernum series a year ago that she wrote under the name A.A. Aguirre with her husband, but I’m curious about her YA series.
LikeLike
This is my first book of hers, but I’ve wanted to read it for some time. Her other books as well. Not sure when I’ll get the next book yet, but I’m definitely gonna finish the series.
LikeLike
This is one of those that I have yet to read either and have owned for a very long time. So glad it was such a good listen for you!
LikeLike
Yeah, I just couldn’t pick it up because I didn’t have the time. Audiobooks come in handy in times like this.
LikeLike