Review: Better than Enclave.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 18, 2014
Despite being a Novella, Endurance read like a full length book. When I finished Enclave I was surprised to find that my edition had Endurance included. Naturally, I didn't want to wait so I started it immediately after finishing Enclave and boy, am I glad that I did. Endurance filled in so many burning questions that I had after finishing Enclave. Primarily what happened to those left underground after Deuce and Fade were exiled.What I liked best about Endurance was that it followed my two favorite characters Thimble and Stone. I loved getting to see how each of them dealt with Deuce leaving considering they both essentially betrayed her as judgement was handed down by the Elders. I also enjoyed seeing the duo struggle with the fact the two of them have undeniable chemistry despite Enclave rules dictating that a pairing between them could simply never happen. It's forbidden romance and isn't that really the best kind?Another thing that I liked was the Action. From beginning to end I was glued to the story. It wasn't necessarily pulse pounding but I was certainly biting my lip with each turn of the page knowing it might be either characters last. Something bad takes place in the Enclave and I was terrified that one or both of them might not make it through the night. Most shocking of all is it's not just the Ferals who cause it.Speaking of the Ferals, I felt they were much more menacing in this tale. I could finally see why the inhabitants of College were afraid of them. I am still left wondering how exactly they made it out of the underground but I guess that will come in the next book. I have my suspicions though.Lastly, I really liked that we were able to see more from what happened in the past. Those poor survivors thought they were smart hiding underground but the joke was on them. Had they known it would end up their tomb I'd wonder if they'd have still taken the risk in the first place? In that respect I did see similarities to a video game called Fallout but did I really care? No. Also I did sort of wonder how the pressurized doors still worked. Wouldn't they need electricity?The only real downside to Endurance was the fact that it was over too soon. I could've followed Thimble and Stone to the ends of the world and been content doing so. It's not really the stories fault, it is a Novella after all and despite its length I was satisfied from first to last page. It's mainly that I know in the next book these two beautifully amazing characters will be relegated back to the background so Deuce and Fade can once again take center stage. As an aside, I also dislike that this is compared to The Hunger Games. If anything the story is comparable to The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan.Final ThoughtsIn the end I highly enjoyed Endurance. In fact, I have no problem saying that I enjoyed it even more than Enclave. Thimble in my eyes would of been a more interesting protagonist to follow than Deuce. She has vitality and charisma despite her disability that's infectious and it doesn't hurt that I find her an adorable companion for Stone. With that being said, I'll be rating Endurance by Ann Aguirre ★★★★.*Copy purchased. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated in an which way  for providing them.