Novella Review: Proxy by Mindee Arnett

Author: Mindee Arnett
Series: Avalon 0.5
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult
Publication Date: December 3, 2013


If you need something stolen from any star system in the Confederation, you need look no further than the Shades. Jeth Seagrave and his band of teenage mercenaries have been making a name for themselves for being able to steal anything—and for disappearing before anyone is the wiser.

Their latest job, a jewel heist on Grakkus, should be no different. But when Jeth's boss replaces a key member of his crew just before takeoff, and Jeth discovers a betrayal within his own ranks, he begins to suspect that not everyone is going to be coming back from his job alive.

Proxy is an action-packed introduction to a world like nothing readers have seen before.




Review
Proxy is a prequel Novella to a book called Avalon releasing early next year. In Proxy we learn a little bit about the world Jeth and his sister Lizzie live in and also what sort of work they do as members of the Shades crew.

What I liked about this Novella was how it set the world and the people within it without divulging too much about the characters in the process. For instance we learn that the Shades are compiled primarily by Teenagers and that by 20 most age out of the group. However, we don't learn the specific reasons why this is so. Another thing we learn about is Jeth's relationship with his sister. She's the greenhorn of the operation and Jeth definitely isn't happy about this. Yet, Lizzie is kept quite mysterious. We know she's tech savvy but not really how she became so since it seems Jeth is away from her quite a bit. Also it is implied she is favored by their boss Hammer but is it out of a Father's type love or are more sinister machinations afoot?

Another thing I liked about Proxy was the pacing. The suspense was kept all the way through while still providing plenty of action and drama in the process. This is certainly a credit to Mindee Arnett's writing as I never found myself bored while reading this even while being waylaid by technical jargon that could of easily killed the pacing of the story. 

Lastly, I liked the characters. Jeth seems like a cross between Dean Winchester and Peter Pan. He's the older brother, the protector always looking out for Lizzie. Yet, by being older he knows his time with the Shades is limited and so he needs to seize life by the balls so to speak and make the most out of his time in the here and now while he can. I also liked Celeste. While the novella has absolutely zero romance I think that Celeste and Jeth might become something later on. Of course maybe I'm wrong and just seeing something that doesn't exist. 

Final Thoughts
If you like Science Fiction mixed with action, adventure and a tiny bit of drama then I'd highly suggest picking this Novella up and giving it a go. After reading Proxy I am looking forward to Avalon when it releases.  Speaking of which the Novella comes with a chapter preview and it is just as good if not better than Proxy. I can't wait to see more from this cast of characters. With that being said, I will be rating Proxy by Mindee Arnett ★★.

 *Copy reviewed received as a gift. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated in an which way  for providing them.

Want to learn more about this book or Author? Click the links below!
Mindee Arnett:
Twitter / Tumblr / Website / Facebook

Lastly, If you'd like to win an Arc of Avalon and a $25 Giftcard you may do so by Clicking Here!
Giveaway ends December 9, 2013.

Comments

  1. I have this to read too, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. I love your "Dean Winchester-Peter Pan" comparison! Can't wait:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was afraid nobody would know who Dean Winchester was, lol. I hope you enjoy this one as well.

      Delete
  2. Haha...I love that character comparison! I wasn't sure after that excerpt you posted, but your review has me excited again. :) It sounds like all this novella did was add to the mystery of the story, and I think that's exactly what I needed to get my attention.

    ReplyDelete

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