lucy_qhuay's review against another edition
4.0
Hell's bells! This can't end like that! Hurry, 2014! I need Guardian right now!
Review to come.
novelsinpieces's review against another edition
4.75
I stayed until 12 am just to finish this. It was worth it.
I'd thought that this would be one of those dystopian stories that has a predictable ending, but it never really crossed my mind. I was actually too engrossed in Syd's significance that I forgot about what happened to Knox as well.
[Probably spoilers ahead.]
I loved everything about this book. From how it was written to how it ended. This was a read that was worth it.
I'd thought that this would be one of those dystopian stories that has a predictable ending, but it never really crossed my mind. I was actually too engrossed in Syd's significance that I forgot about what happened to Knox as well.
[Probably spoilers ahead.]
Spoiler
I had thought that Knox was as worthless as a sewer rat at the Valve, but he turned out great and that made me tear a bit at how he still was cheeky and confident. Marie, well, to be honest, I thought she was worthless from the start. Knowing that she was privileged and thought about changing the system. But in the end, she turned out... okay. The portrayal of the people at Valve, the smugglers, etc. made them so antagonistic and I liked it. Made them ruthless and cold. How I did not expect that something would happen to Egan.I loved everything about this book. From how it was written to how it ended. This was a read that was worth it.
lillianhong's review against another edition
4.0
I would gladly give this book a 5 out of 5, if not for just one "flaw." I feel that Syd, Knox, and Marie should've went on a longer adventure. They should've been through more trials and obstacles, more time to fight and bond with each other. The adventure they went through did not feel like it had enough time and pressure to shift the mood from "strangers running together" to "friends helping each other." If the book was much, much longer, I would give it the 5 it deserves.
ssjonoyoung's review
5.0
What just happened I can't even right now. I'm just in shock. This storyline did not go where I was expecting. Action packed, fast paced and generally filled with awesome characters. Loved it.
dmpphoto's review against another edition
3.0
I have to admit that something just didn't click with me in this novel. The concept is interesting but I think it could use some fleshing out. The world building didn't quite work in my opinion because the characters didn't expand on the culture or atmosphere instead they kept rehashing the same aspects... I get it the guardians are pretty. The characters themselves felt very flat and predictable which didn't make them very likable. Overall the book was entertaining and I read it rather quickly. Theres a lot of potential here so I'm not giving up on the series, I hope they are able to capitalize on said potential in the upcoming books.
theladydoor's review against another edition
4.0
I had never heard of this young adult dystopian novel (a real genre in its own right now) until attending BookCon earlier this year. The con itself was a bit of a mess with too many attendees, too few organizers who knew what they were doing. But I was able to walk away with quite a few freebies, and was also able to attend a few great panels, one of which was a Q&A with Veronica Roth and Alex London. I loved this panel so much, and was surprised that I had, since the Divergent trilogy had left me slightly disappointed. But the reason I loved it was the incredible rapport between the two authors, and the way they talked about their writing processes and the depth of thought that went into crafting their characters. I was immediately intrigued by London's discussion of Proxy and I was determined to read it as quickly as possible.
Alas other books got in the way, and I wasn't able to procure a copy of Proxy until months later, but as soon as I cracked it open, it sucked me in and I was blown away. First of all, London created a fantastic, yet utterly chilling and believable future in which the poor are held in crushing debt to the rich, so much so that young, poverty-stricken people are forced to be Proxies for wealthy Patrons, and have to take punishment for the misdeeds those Patrons commit. One of the protagonists, Sid (short for Sidney Carton, as orphans are named after literary characters) is such a Proxy for Knox, a brilliant yet spoiled Patron. In this world, debt is impossible to avoid and dangerous to have, and the human body is completely upgradeable and even able to be hacked.
I must admit, I found the technological aspects of the novel a little difficult to picture and process. How can data be in the blood? But that was easy to ignore in favor of the captivating way in which London wrote the action sequences in the book. There wasn't a dull moment in the book, and the ending was shocking and satisfying in a way which is not common in YA literature nowadays. Yet it still left me gasping to read the sequel, which I will hopefully be picking up from the library very soon.
Alas other books got in the way, and I wasn't able to procure a copy of Proxy until months later, but as soon as I cracked it open, it sucked me in and I was blown away. First of all, London created a fantastic, yet utterly chilling and believable future in which the poor are held in crushing debt to the rich, so much so that young, poverty-stricken people are forced to be Proxies for wealthy Patrons, and have to take punishment for the misdeeds those Patrons commit. One of the protagonists, Sid (short for Sidney Carton, as orphans are named after literary characters) is such a Proxy for Knox, a brilliant yet spoiled Patron. In this world, debt is impossible to avoid and dangerous to have, and the human body is completely upgradeable and even able to be hacked.
I must admit, I found the technological aspects of the novel a little difficult to picture and process. How can data be in the blood? But that was easy to ignore in favor of the captivating way in which London wrote the action sequences in the book. There wasn't a dull moment in the book, and the ending was shocking and satisfying in a way which is not common in YA literature nowadays. Yet it still left me gasping to read the sequel, which I will hopefully be picking up from the library very soon.
francisopal's review against another edition
4.0
Full review: https://bookpeopleteens.wordpress.com/2018/09/27/ttbf-teaser-alex-london/
A queer dystopian adventure set in an American future that seems far too possible. Packed with action and emotion, Proxy truly was a rollercoaster ride, finishing off with a twist ending that leaves you hungry for the sequel. While the originality of the proxy/patron system is in no doubt, it was never truly explained, and the end of the book I was still confused by the concept. The relationship between the three main characters was unique, confusing, and not clear-cut like so many YA relationships are. This made the book feel a bit more grown-up, which I liked. Overall, an interesting and original explosion into a never before seen sci-fi future. Rating: four/five
For fans of: [b:Feed|169756|Feed|M.T. Anderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327891005s/169756.jpg|163928] by M.T. Anderson, [b:Legend|9275658|Legend (Legend, #1)|Marie Lu|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1501368160s/9275658.jpg|14157512] by Marie Lu, [b:Scythe|28954189|Scythe (Arc of a Scythe, #1)|Neal Shusterman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1456172676s/28954189.jpg|49179216] by Neal Shusterman
Favorite quotes:
- “Destiny is just the inevitable result of choice, from the choices that came before us to the choices we make. They are a river that can only flow in one direction.”
- “He wondered if anyone really ever changed, or if stuff just piled on and on, covering up, but never erasing all the different parts. How deep would you have to dig to find who you started out as?”
- “It's not easy to throw your life away, even for a good reason, even when it's the right thing to do. It was simple enough. Debt or no: Syd did not want to die.”
A queer dystopian adventure set in an American future that seems far too possible. Packed with action and emotion, Proxy truly was a rollercoaster ride, finishing off with a twist ending that leaves you hungry for the sequel. While the originality of the proxy/patron system is in no doubt, it was never truly explained, and the end of the book I was still confused by the concept. The relationship between the three main characters was unique, confusing, and not clear-cut like so many YA relationships are. This made the book feel a bit more grown-up, which I liked. Overall, an interesting and original explosion into a never before seen sci-fi future. Rating: four/five
For fans of: [b:Feed|169756|Feed|M.T. Anderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327891005s/169756.jpg|163928] by M.T. Anderson, [b:Legend|9275658|Legend (Legend, #1)|Marie Lu|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1501368160s/9275658.jpg|14157512] by Marie Lu, [b:Scythe|28954189|Scythe (Arc of a Scythe, #1)|Neal Shusterman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1456172676s/28954189.jpg|49179216] by Neal Shusterman
Favorite quotes:
- “Destiny is just the inevitable result of choice, from the choices that came before us to the choices we make. They are a river that can only flow in one direction.”
- “He wondered if anyone really ever changed, or if stuff just piled on and on, covering up, but never erasing all the different parts. How deep would you have to dig to find who you started out as?”
- “It's not easy to throw your life away, even for a good reason, even when it's the right thing to do. It was simple enough. Debt or no: Syd did not want to die.”
user_906242's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75