Review: Proxy by Alex London
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.
This is one of the books I picked up at NYCC last October. Alex London will be at Book Con this weekend, and since I want to go to a panel he'll be a part of, I wanted to read his book.
I found this to be a enjoyable and fast paced read. The action is non-stop. Just when the characters have gotten away, someone else is right behind them. Some "twists" were predictable, but no less captivating. It was an adventure that kept me turning the page.
I liked the character development for the Syd and Knox along the way. From beginning to end I was engaged with the way their situations and their journey shaped them.
I do have to critique Knox.I did not hate him, but he did annoy me a lot. He got to be less so towards the end. What annoyed me most about him (besides being a spoiled rich kid who let Syd take his punishments for years with indifference because he just wanted to get back at his father) was that he would flirt with Syd. Knox has some nerve! His punk ass stupidity caused lasting damage on Syd! Then Knox tries butter him up to get him to trust him? And what a tease too because Knox is not gay.
Then Knox gets all afraid Syd might "get ideas" when they have to share the thermal blanket. First of all, that is the furthest thing on Syd's mind, especially since he does not even like Knox romantically. Second, Syd should be worried about Knox trying something since he's the one flirting all the time. The best part was when Syd and Marie were messing with him. That got me to laugh out loud.
I like that Syd, the hero/main character of the story, is gay. I don't see many LGBT heros/main characters in Sci-fi/fantasy stories. That aspect of his character, as well as the homophobia he experiences was well written. It didn't feel forced or artificial.
There is also the social commentary aspect of consumerism and advertisers always bombarding customers. Only in Proxy, it's a bit like "The Matrix" where they are biologically always connected. Therefore, in Proxy they always being presented with ads and offers everywhere they go.
One other critique I have was Knox's sacrifice at the end. I am not sure how I feel and keep going back and forth. Not that he did it, but the way it was rushed. I keep trying to figure out if it felt like it came out of thin air or if it makes total sense. On the one hand it's about time Knox grows up and does something for a greater cause than himself. And he owes Syd much more than he could ever give, so I am glad he stepped up. Then again, Syd had been cultivating the virus for 16 years. Knox had his blood transfusion a week ago. Did such a complicated virus really spread in his system that quickly? Did I miss the hints and clues to the mark behind his ear, or was it left out on purpose for a last minute "shocking" twist?
I actually I do have one more thing to add. I very much like Marie, but she was not as developed as Syd and Knox. I hope to learn more about her background and see where her character goes in the next book.
Tomorrow afternoon I am going to a book launch party for the sequel, Guardian. I will post about that event.
3.5 out 5 debts to pay.
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.
This is one of the books I picked up at NYCC last October. Alex London will be at Book Con this weekend, and since I want to go to a panel he'll be a part of, I wanted to read his book.
I found this to be a enjoyable and fast paced read. The action is non-stop. Just when the characters have gotten away, someone else is right behind them. Some "twists" were predictable, but no less captivating. It was an adventure that kept me turning the page.
I liked the character development for the Syd and Knox along the way. From beginning to end I was engaged with the way their situations and their journey shaped them.
I do have to critique Knox.I did not hate him, but he did annoy me a lot. He got to be less so towards the end. What annoyed me most about him (besides being a spoiled rich kid who let Syd take his punishments for years with indifference because he just wanted to get back at his father) was that he would flirt with Syd. Knox has some nerve! His punk ass stupidity caused lasting damage on Syd! Then Knox tries butter him up to get him to trust him? And what a tease too because Knox is not gay.
Then Knox gets all afraid Syd might "get ideas" when they have to share the thermal blanket. First of all, that is the furthest thing on Syd's mind, especially since he does not even like Knox romantically. Second, Syd should be worried about Knox trying something since he's the one flirting all the time. The best part was when Syd and Marie were messing with him. That got me to laugh out loud.
I like that Syd, the hero/main character of the story, is gay. I don't see many LGBT heros/main characters in Sci-fi/fantasy stories. That aspect of his character, as well as the homophobia he experiences was well written. It didn't feel forced or artificial.
There is also the social commentary aspect of consumerism and advertisers always bombarding customers. Only in Proxy, it's a bit like "The Matrix" where they are biologically always connected. Therefore, in Proxy they always being presented with ads and offers everywhere they go.
One other critique I have was Knox's sacrifice at the end. I am not sure how I feel and keep going back and forth. Not that he did it, but the way it was rushed. I keep trying to figure out if it felt like it came out of thin air or if it makes total sense. On the one hand it's about time Knox grows up and does something for a greater cause than himself. And he owes Syd much more than he could ever give, so I am glad he stepped up. Then again, Syd had been cultivating the virus for 16 years. Knox had his blood transfusion a week ago. Did such a complicated virus really spread in his system that quickly? Did I miss the hints and clues to the mark behind his ear, or was it left out on purpose for a last minute "shocking" twist?
I actually I do have one more thing to add. I very much like Marie, but she was not as developed as Syd and Knox. I hope to learn more about her background and see where her character goes in the next book.
Tomorrow afternoon I am going to a book launch party for the sequel, Guardian. I will post about that event.
3.5 out 5 debts to pay.