Proxy by Alex London
4/5 stars
Philomel Books, 2013
380 pages
YA Science-Fiction
Scheduled to release June 18
Source: Received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book was sent to me for possible review by the publisher and I entered it with very little expectations. It hadn't been much on my radar probably because it is darker, more action-packed, and less romantic than my typical read. Regardless I still quite enjoyed myself.
In the future, wealthy Patrons can do whatever they want but someone always pays. That someone is a Proxy, owing a blood debt from childhood that they may never be able to repay. Knox and Sydney have been entwined like that for years. When Knox crashes a car and kills his passenger, he sentences Sydney to a lifetime of servitude. But there are still a few tricks up his sleeve and Sydney ends up taking Knox hostage as they run for their lives, looking for a jubilee, a way to crash the system and forgive all debts, upending the entire system.
First I wanted to mention that Sydney's name is Sydney Carton as Proxies draw their names from old literature. If you've read A Tale of Two Cities, this name is so appropriate and once I made that connection, I pretty much squealed with glee. I'm not really sure how I feel about him-Syd is an okay guy whose brains I admired but who I wasn't as warm and fuzzy about as I have been for other MCs. I do know how I feel about Knox though; I hated him. He is such a selfish jerk. Luckily over the course of the novel, Knox grows up a little and becomes almost tolerable. There are quite a few other characters but I don't want to go in to them for fear of spoilers.
As for the plot, I love the idea of a futuristic story about a whipping boy who could end society as they know it by invoking an event from Old Testament times. That's just such a cool plot line to me. This book was almost non-stop action with every chapter spurring you on to the next one until you finished it. The book ends pretty abruptly but I found it satisfying. This is the beginning of a trilogy so rest assured that your lingering questions should be answered in books to come.
Content: There is a lot of violence and drug use-I don't remember there being any language.
Overall: I liked this one and thought it was pretty cool but I'm not in love with it or anything. Craving more dystopia? Love lots of action? Give this one a try.
Other Opinions:
Forever Young Adult
Jen Ryland/YA Romantics
My 5 Monkeys
This wouldn't be my typical kind of book either but it does sound interesting. I like the link with literature too. If this system existed in our world I could definitely see certain "celebrities" making use of it.
ReplyDeleteI could definitely see people doing this (maybe Justin Bieber, for example?)
DeleteAgree -- I had no idea what to expect and all the futuristic stuff was a little much for me at times. But I loved the relationship that developed between the two guys.
ReplyDeleteYou can find me here: Jen @ YA Romantics
I thought it was so unique-a little flirty but also growing into a good solid friendship.
DeleteI love the sound of the plot and I always like action-paced stories. I think I will like his one :) Great review!
ReplyDeleteMel@thedailyprophecy.
It was pretty good-hope you like it!
DeleteI think this is one that I would really like. I am hoping that I can read as soon as it come out. Great review.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
Hope you can get to it too-worth a look!
DeleteGreat review :D Glad you mostly enjoyed this book. Wish there had been romance, but yeah. It does sound like an amazing book :) I do love the sound of the plot ;) Thank you for sharing your honest review. <3
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting on my WoW. <3
Love, Carina @ Carina's Books
Romance probably wouldn't have really fit but as someone who really likes romantic books, I always crave that element.
DeleteThis one sounds really good and I think I'd enjoy reading this. That's cool that the Proxie's names are drawn from classic literature! Great review:)
ReplyDeleteDanna
I actually wish we could have met more Proxies to find out their names (the only one I remember is Atticus Finch who is a very minor character).
DeleteI'm glad that you liked this one, girly! I love the idea of it, just like I love the classical names thing. That's awesome! Character development just makes it all the better. ;) Awesome review, girl! I know what you mean about not exactly being wowed, though. Dystopia is just nearly all the same. o.O
ReplyDeleteThis one felt more SF than dystopia to me although I may not be entirely 100% sure about the distinctions between the two. I'm definitely interested in the sequel.
DeleteI want to read this one, if only because I want to understand the reasoning behind the proxy system. It makes no sense to me and that's kind of what I love about Dystopians--good ones, anyway. They take a concept that is entirely counter-intuitive and make it completely logical. I'm also intrigued by the idea that Knox is semi-reformed. I love that! The MC's shouldn't be the only ones with character arcs.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to remember how it reached that point but I can't quite remember-hope the explanation satisfies you.
DeleteThis is an e-galley I have to read as well! Your review was good!
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy this when you get to it!
DeleteI'm on the fence about this book, mostly because I think it would irritate me. The character Knox sounds so awful. I'm intrigued though, and I like that you mentioned it has a lot of action.
ReplyDeleteKnox is awful but he's supposed to be-it's not like the author intended for him to be likable and then majorly failed.
Delete