Series: Proxy
Published by Penguin on 2014-05-29
Genres: Action & Adventure, Adolescence, Dystopian, General, Social Issues, Young Adult
Pages: 352
Format: Hardcover
Source: Borrowed From Library
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In the new world led by the Rebooters, former Proxy Syd is the figurehead of the Revolution, beloved by some and hated by others. Liam, a seventeen-year-old Rebooter, is Syd’s bodyguard and must protect him with his life. But armed Machinists aren’t the only danger.
People are falling ill—their veins show through their skin, they find it hard to speak, and sores erupt all over their bodies. Guardians, the violent enforcers of the old system, are hit first, and the government does nothing to help. The old elites fall next, and in the face of an indifferent government, Syd decides it’s up to him to find a cure . . . and what he discovers leaves him stunned.
Yovel Reigns
Guardian by Alex London picks up a mere 6 months after Proxy‘s dramatic end. Knox is gone and Syd, now renamed as Yovel, has seen his individuality sacrificed to a revolution. Â The corporatocracy has been demolished and a new communal reality has emerged. However, shared property and “from each according to his abilities, to each according to his need” doesn’t turn out all sunshine and lollipops.
Shocker, right?
The Harsh Reconciliation
I loved that Alex London portrays the government that grows out of the Rebooter Revolution as equally disturbing as the world that came before it. Brought about by such sudden change, a change that disenfranchised as many as it freed, the Reconciliation, with it’s Council of an elite few and it’s masked Purifies, who are eerily indicative of what power combined with anonymity can produce, has a distinctly 1984 feel to it. Syd’s a puppet, powerless and adrift. Marie’s a good soldier, but becomes disillusioned by the discrepancies between her ideological beliefs and the reality on the ground.  And when they find out that people are dying at an alarming rate, they both know they need to fix the new world they help bring about.
Love In A Hopeless Place
This book features a love interest for Syd and can I just say, “Yay!!!!!”  In Proxy there’s too much going on, and zero opportunity, for Syd to take a chance on love.  But in Guardian, where he’s adored by so many, Syd’s paradoxically even more isolated than he was in Proxy.  Still, I’m glad Alex London decided to throw his character, and us readers, a bit of romance.  Syd’s so emo-tortured in this book, so anyone who falls for him is in for a tough ride and that’s what Syd’s guy gets.  I don’t want to name names, for anyone who wants to discover the romance on their own, but I will say that it’s not a terrible surprise when you do find out who’s been crushing hard-core on our Sydney.  It’s such a bittersweet romance, but one that ultimately saves both Syd and his guy.  Uber-sigh!
A Brave New World
The big bad in this book is all over the place.  I mean seriously, take your pick!  Evil dictatorial council?  Check.  Nefarious, psychopathic henchman?  Yup!  Children of the revolution meting out justice Lord of the Flies style?  Oh heck yes!  It’s not a good time to be anyone buy a sycophantic, yes-man.  Unfortunately, that’s the exact opposite of the characters in this book.  And the tension between who they are and what their world is demanding of them makes for an amazing story!!!
Bottom Line
Fascinating to the very last page, Guardian will leave you wishing Mr. London were writing just one, more book in the series!!
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Very interesting concept with the companies being at the center of the revolution.
Love how ideas of individuality are explored and how it’s also character focused.
Lovely review 🙂
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I was a little confused while reading the blurb and review. I didn’t realize this was a sequel to another book until I looked at the cover again and saw it mentioned on there. The series sounds interesting. I’ll have to check it out!
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I read the first book in this series, but wasn’t sure if I would ever get around to this one. It definitely sounds like I need to, though!
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