I received this book for free from the in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Series: Proxy #1
Published by Penguin on 2013-06-18
Genres: Action & Adventure, Action and Suspense, Adolescence, Dystopian, General, LGBT, Social Issues, Thriller, Young Adult
Pages: 379
Format: Hardcover
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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.
Dystopian Thrill Ride
Proxy by Alex London starts off with the main characters, Knox and Syd, isolated from one another and only peripherally aware of one another. Sure, Knox knows who Syd is; and he should! Syd’s the poor schlup who’s been taking the medicine (frequently in electroshock form) for Knox’s criminally bad choices. And Syd sure knows about Knox and his careless, reckless ways, even if he’s never set eyes on him. But then Knox finally does something beyond the pale and his nighttime joy ride in a stolen car turns deadly. And Syd’s left to take the punishment.
Add to this that there’s something brewing in Syd, a growing awareness that he needs to escape the financial shackles of the world he lives in. Throw in a “causegirl” who wants to shake the system up, and who believes Syd’s the key, and this story is one to bet on!
The 1%…
This book will definitely hit a nerve with readers. It certainly hit one with me! Even though I think Alex London wrote it before the whole “Occupy Wall Street” movement took off, he was obviously tapped into the growing, powerful discontent with the microcosm of super wealthy that we have in the US today. And he harnessed that energy for one amazing book!
And The Rest Of Us
I loved the way this novel shows a view into what a future could look like if commerce and the free economy were valued more than human dignity. The world Alex constructs is entirely believable, because I’ve heard grumblings of it in the news and on the talk shows already. “People only value what they have to pay for.” “The free market is the ultimate arbiter of true value.” It’s true, that from certain lights, the economic system of the US, any many similar countries around the world, is a crucible in which the chaff is burned away from the wheat. And yet….I don’t think anyone would recommend living in the world that Alex London has constructed by taking that idea to it’s disturbing end.
Down To Brass Tacks
This book intrigued me from the get-go. The characters and the situations they’re thrown into are gripping and relatable and make this book a fabulous page turner. I love Syd, this sweet, real boy. I love Knox, the ultimate survivor and Marie the girl who grew up with the luxury of becoming an idealist. I found their interactions and the world that Alex London created absolutely fascinating. And the ending? Kick-ass!
Bottom Line
Fast-pasted action, filled with characters who leap off the page and make you want to alternately kiss or slap them, Proxy by Alex London is a book not to be missed!
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I also found the premise of this book thought provoking. And I don’t consider it unlikely to happen in the future. I don’t think it will happen because people are generally not there yet, but I wouldn’t be overly surprised if one time we did value money over human dignity.
It’s a really interesting book 🙂 I’m a new follower of your blog and happy to see we read some of the same books.
Cecilie recently posted..Review: The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski
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Just a question: Why doesn’t Knox know Syd better? I thought part of the point of proxies was that it disciplined the royal/rich kid because his/her friend was getting hurt…no? Okay. Still love the premise of this. Isn’t he the author we met at the Penguin party?
Mary @ BookSwarm recently posted..Mini-Swarm Reviews: It’s a mystery!
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