Outpost by Ann Aguirre

Published: Sept 2012

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Pages: 336

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

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.

Review:

I love, love, love this series.  Ann Aguirre has developed such a vulnerable but strong heroine in Deuce, you just can't help but love her.  As she tries to settle down in Salvation, she struggles to fit in with the other women in the town.  She realizes that there is a heirarchy of roles that she has to re-learn in this community, they all do.  There are many elements she must battle - a love triangle she doesn't understand, trying to trust and befriend another female, acceptance in a parent/child role, and establishing her own value in Salvation.

The relationship between Fade and Deuce starts to expand in Outpost.  She finally does talk to him and they both participate in the summer patrols together.  Seeing her open up about her feelings (as much as she can) was incredibly rewarding to see as a reader.  All throughout reading Enclave I felt as though I was yelling at the pages saying - WHAT ARE YOU DOING??  TELL HIM HOW YOU FEEL!!  She is honest and doesn't play games with the boys in her life which is something I like to see.  

Then there are the Freaks.  They are starting to become cunning and manipulative.  They are watching and doing things that exhibit intelligence and working together as a group.  Deuce is smart enough to see the signs and to recognize how this can be problematic for Salvation but will it be too late? 

Something I want to mention is that this book had some brutality that I felt might be inappropriate for a younger audience.  (I'm going to reveal something here so you might want to skip to the next paragraph)...there was beheading and a display of the heads on stakes which I found a bit disturbing.  Also, there was a part of the book which described the Freaks domesticating humans for food.  Sure, we do this with animals such as cows and pigs but the thought of caging humans to raise for meat really bothered me.  It was the second book I've read in a couple months to bring this comparison into a novel and I'm beginning to wonder if maybe I should become a vegetarian...nah, can't do it.  

I could pick this book to shreds.  There are so many themes to discuss but you really do need to read it for yourself.  Miss Aguirre does a fantastic follow-up to book #1.  It had all of the suspense, action and emotion I was looking for in a great read.  I'm hoping that book #3 will live up to its predecessors.  Read it.  Enjoy it.   And then rave about how the Paperback Princesses told you all about it.  :D