Proxy by Alex London

Pages: 379
Intended Audience: Teens
Genre: Dystopian / Science Fiction / Thriller
Notes for Parents: There’s mild language and a fair bit of violence.

The Back Cover

Syd’s life is not his own. As a proxy he must pay for someone else’s crimes. When his patron, Knox, crashes a car and kills someone, Syd is branded and sentenced to death. Syd and Knox realize the only way to beat the system is to save each other, so they flee. The ensuing cross-country chase will uncover a secret society of rebels, test the boys’ resolve, and shine a glaring light onto a world of those who owe and those who pay.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

The description is a bit misleading, but it gives you the general idea. This is the first book in a series.

What’s good?

This science fiction thriller is fast-paced and packed full of action. Set in a dystopian society where the rich pay the poor to shoulder the consequences of their misdeeds, the novel’s world building is unique and imaginative. The plot moves rapidly and while the storyline is fairly complex, it’s well organized and easy to follow. Characterization is well-done. The main character is likeable, and the supporting characters are imperfect but realistic. Many ethical questions and social issues are subtlety explored without overpowering the main adventure of the story.
Best Part: The orphans’ names – Sydney Carton, Atticus Finch, Tom Sawyer...

What isn’t good?

Materialism and barbaric practices in a technology-soaked world where the rich prevail and poor do not has been a trending storyline for a while. However, while the premise is getting old, the world itself is original and beautifully constructed. There’s a fair bit of “techno” speak that gets confusing at times, but it’s never to the detriment of the story. Finally, why was “the secret” kept a secret for so long? What were the rebels waiting for? Hopefully this question is answered in subsequent volumes because it was a glaring question I had through most of the novel.
Worst part: Nigeria? Detroit? A map would have been useful.

Recommendation þþþþo

I liked it. The feel of the story reminded me of Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies, only darker and more brutal. Syd, the main character, was instantly likeable and Knox, who was self-centered and blissfully unaware of the world’s problems, had a sincerity about him that allowed for redemption. The story was exciting and fast-paced. Recommended.

London, Alex. Proxy. New York: Speak, 2013.