by Ann Aguirre
Part of Razorland
First published 2012
Deuce finds herself trapped between two worlds in the settlement called Salvation. The townsfolk treat her like a child who needs guidance, but she knows only the brutal skills of a Hunter from her underground life. The other girls reject her because fighting is all she understands. Her partner Fade keeps his distance, leaving her more isolated than ever. Desperate to prove herself, Deuce volunteers for the summer patrols that protect farmers in the fields. What should be straightforward guard duty becomes something far more dangerous. The Freaks have evolved beyond mindless monsters. They observe the settlement. They wait for the right moment. They coordinate their moves. These creatures want to destroy Salvation completely, and the town may need someone with Deuce's unique background to survive what comes next.
Genres: science-fiction, dystopia, survival, adventure, action, young-adult
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, gritty, intense, suspenseful
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, forced-proximity, found-family, outsider-protagonist
Setting: Salvation, underground
317 pages · Paperback · Square Fish
Content warnings: gore, violence