Narrator: Andrew Sweeney
Title: Proxy
Series: Proxy #1
Publication: 2013
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Length: 8 hrs, 41 mins
Source: Audiobookjukebox
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.
Syd lives a life of pain because he unfortunate to have Knox as a patron. For every mistake his patron makes, he pays the price. Two years left on a contract placed upon him at birth, Knox does something that leads to someone death and will change both boys' future. Knox is the rich brat that can't seem to stay out of trouble in his privileged life. Even when forced to watch his proxy receive his punishment, he appears aloof and uncaring. Syd is looking at losing the rest of his life to this warped system, so he decides to make a run for it but he needs help that leads him straight to the heart of all his troubles...Knox. Thinking that Syd is out to harm, though he would be justified, he refuses to cooperate at first but once he learns that his father has an interest in Syd, Knox embarks on an act of rebellion that will lead them on a dangerous adventure.
It took me a moment to figure out what was happening but once the pieces of the world came together everything began to make sense. I do know that I wouldn't want to live in this world because being a proxy sounds horrible. I couldn't imagine taking the punishment for someone because I was poor and they were rich. This idea makes people detached and inhuman. Knox in particular is delusional, self-absorbed and absolutely irritating, even after learning more about his life; he still comes off as arrogant. Syd's innocence is endearing. He has no family and his life has been hard and considering what Knox has put him through, he would be justified in doing harm to Knox but he doesn't.
Sweeney does a good job of voicing all the characters. He uses his tone give distinction between both male and female characters. I would listen to him again. The sound production is clear and it translates fine from the print version. Overall, the story is interesting and this is definitely a boy book.
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