Proxy (Proxy, #1)by Alex London
Published by Speak
Paperback (bought)
YA, sci-fi, dystopia, LGBT
“A life for a life. All debts have to be repaid.”
Knox was born into one of the City’s wealthiest families. A Patron, he has everything a boy could possibly want—the latest tech, the coolest clothes, and a Proxy to take all his punishments. When Knox breaks a vase, Syd is beaten. When Knox plays a practical joke, Syd is forced to haul rocks. And when Knox crashes a car, killing one of his friends, Syd is branded and sentenced to death.
Syd is a Proxy. His life is not his own.
Then again, neither is Knox’s. Knox and Syd have more in common than either would guess. So when Knox and Syd realize that the only way to beat the system is to save each other, they flee. Yet Knox’s father is no ordinary Patron, and Syd is no ordinary Proxy. The ensuing cross-country chase will uncover a secret society of rebels, test both boys’ resolve, and shine a blinding light onto a world of those who owe and those who pay. Some debts, it turns out, cannot be repaid.
Proxy blew my mind. Diverse main character? Stunning world-building? Fast-paced, gripping action? Captivating, can't put it down once start? Proxy has it all, and more.
Proxy is a must read, you don't want to miss it. But be warned, do not finish this one before you have sequel at hands - the end will let you craving for more, needing it more than anything else. Proxy has it all that humanity have faced before: whipping boy system but with a twist of technology, biotechnology especially. It's history mixed with future, as all good dystopians are - and Proxy is one of the best.
First of all, London has created multilayered and stunningly real characters, and there's so many different personas. Syd and Knox are the main characters and they couldn't be different: Syd is orphan, in debt and proxy for a patron, and Knox is that patron, son of the wilthy rich CEO who has seemingly limitless influence over their world. While the main focus is on Syd and Knox's stories and how their lives will collide, there's plenty of intriguing supporting characters as Syd's friend Egan, Mr. Baram, and even Marie, though mainly represented all those female leads who usually narratives YA dystopian stories. The way the characters stayed true to themselves, especially Knox, was amazing, because there also was lots of character developement and revelations of themselves. London truly knows not only how the create characters but how to developed them - that way the story becomes even more realistic as the characters change with the story. Also, let's mention that Syd is not only person of colour, he's also gay, and it's so fresh to see character like him as the main character - especially since Syd doesn't want to be a hero, he just wants to save himself. It's also wonderful how Syd's skin colour or sexuality doesn't define him as a character.
The plot is unbelievably good. There's lots of twists and turns, scheming and trying to save oneself - and how all of it tangles together as revelations are made and how the story develops from there. Proxy isn't good just because of its characters, or writing style (which was flowing and truly enjoyable), or world building, or plot alone. No, it's the whole story within its characters, storyline, idea and how it was presented. Simply stunning, the whole package. Proxy is what I look for a dystopian novel. Also, there's so many quites out there, so many accurate observations.
Proxy is one of those books one need to read to understand how it's builded from bottom to top to be a perfect story of flawed society, rebellion and two boys who just wanted to be themselves. I recommend Proxy to everyone: this is the story you simply need to experience.
Proxy is a must read, you don't want to miss it. But be warned, do not finish this one before you have sequel at hands - the end will let you craving for more, needing it more than anything else. Proxy has it all that humanity have faced before: whipping boy system but with a twist of technology, biotechnology especially. It's history mixed with future, as all good dystopians are - and Proxy is one of the best.
First of all, London has created multilayered and stunningly real characters, and there's so many different personas. Syd and Knox are the main characters and they couldn't be different: Syd is orphan, in debt and proxy for a patron, and Knox is that patron, son of the wilthy rich CEO who has seemingly limitless influence over their world. While the main focus is on Syd and Knox's stories and how their lives will collide, there's plenty of intriguing supporting characters as Syd's friend Egan, Mr. Baram, and even Marie, though mainly represented all those female leads who usually narratives YA dystopian stories. The way the characters stayed true to themselves, especially Knox, was amazing, because there also was lots of character developement and revelations of themselves. London truly knows not only how the create characters but how to developed them - that way the story becomes even more realistic as the characters change with the story. Also, let's mention that Syd is not only person of colour, he's also gay, and it's so fresh to see character like him as the main character - especially since Syd doesn't want to be a hero, he just wants to save himself. It's also wonderful how Syd's skin colour or sexuality doesn't define him as a character.
The plot is unbelievably good. There's lots of twists and turns, scheming and trying to save oneself - and how all of it tangles together as revelations are made and how the story develops from there. Proxy isn't good just because of its characters, or writing style (which was flowing and truly enjoyable), or world building, or plot alone. No, it's the whole story within its characters, storyline, idea and how it was presented. Simply stunning, the whole package. Proxy is what I look for a dystopian novel. Also, there's so many quites out there, so many accurate observations.
Proxy is one of those books one need to read to understand how it's builded from bottom to top to be a perfect story of flawed society, rebellion and two boys who just wanted to be themselves. I recommend Proxy to everyone: this is the story you simply need to experience.
5 of 5 stars (and everything else I can give)
“Guilt. That might have been the only purely human feeling Knox had left.”
Proxy on Goodreads.
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