Outpost
by Ann Aguirre
Paperback, 320 pages
Publication Date: September 4th 2012
by Feiwel & Friends
ISBN 0312650094
Book Source: publisher
5 Stars
Book Summary from Goodreads: 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.
Crystal’s Review: Ann Aguirre’s book Outpost has landed its self a spot on my list of favorite books that I have read this year. I have not read the first book in this series, Enclave, however that in no way subtracted from my reading experience. After reading this one and loving it I cannot wait to go out and get Enclave so that I can start things from the beginning. I thoroughly enjoyed every character in this book, as I have said before I am a sucker for a good strong female lead and Deuce is easily my favorite female lead of the moment. She is fierce and determined and strong in more ways than one. She does not fit in with the other girls in town but she never lets that change who she is. She knows shes a fighter and she is unwilling to let anyone tell her otherwise. The relationships between Deuce, Fade, Stalker, and Longshot all pulled at my heartstrings, and that is exactly what I want a good book to be able to do. Of course I cannot forget about the mutants, these creepy, foul creatures made for realistically terrifying opponents. I can honestly say I would never want to have to face one of these guys. Their distorted features and their taste for flesh are only two small parts of what make them horrifying, their obvious movement towards more intelligent behavior just throws them over the top in the realm of terrifying creatures. I am excited to pick up the first book and even more excited to see how the author chooses to continue Deuce’s journey.
Content: Mild sexual tension, Graphic violence and violent descriptions.
Recommended age range 12+
Ann Aguirre is a national bestselling author with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, two cats, and one very lazy dog. She likes all kinds of books, emo music, action movies and Dr. Who. She writes urban fantasy (the Corine Solomon series), romantic science fiction (the Jax series), apocalyptic paranormal romance (the Ellen Connor books with Carrie Lofty), paranormal romantic suspense (as Ava Gray), and post-apocalyptic dystopian young adult fiction. 
