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The Infected #1
Proxy
Because sometimes you have to be the one to make a difference.
About this book:
Brian Yi knew what it meant when he showed up with super-powers one day.
He was Infected.
Doomed to be hated and reviled for simply existing.
A monster.
But Brian is special, a rare Infected person willing to fight for those that can't, not uncontrolled or insane. In fact, thanks to his power of taking the place of those about to die and the bizarre overriding sense of self-sacrifice he suddenly develops, he doesn't really get a choice in the matter.
Now he has to either fight for the IPB - a government organization designed to contain the Infected threat - or end up lobotomized, living the rest of his days in a psych ward.
In the end though, he knows there's only one real option: save all he can.
Even if it kills him.
Because the world is about to change, and the only thing standing between the lives of millions and certain death, is one man with the unlikely power to take a victim's place, when there is no other hope left.
Proxy
About this book:
Brian Yi knew what it meant when he showed up with super-powers one day.
He was Infected.
Doomed to be hated and reviled for simply existing.
A monster.
But Brian is special, a rare Infected person willing to fight for those that can't, not uncontrolled or insane. In fact, thanks to his power of taking the place of those about to die and the bizarre overriding sense of self-sacrifice he suddenly develops, he doesn't really get a choice in the matter.
Now he has to either fight for the IPB - a government organization designed to contain the Infected threat - or end up lobotomized, living the rest of his days in a psych ward.
In the end though, he knows there's only one real option: save all he can.
Even if it kills him.
Because the world is about to change, and the only thing standing between the lives of millions and certain death, is one man with the unlikely power to take a victim's place, when there is no other hope left.
Proxy
483 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2012
78 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 9, 2017
i loved it
July 24, 2012
Wow! I have to start with that. The book is long but it will pull you in quickly. I found myself wanting to read because there was always something coming or needing to be resolved. It is a pretty dark world and the author does not pull any punches. Fights are violent and descriptive. The part about suicide will make you feel all the hopelessness our hero has. He sees no way out and it is a powerful moment in the book. I do not want to give to much away so everybody should just read it!
December 13, 2015
An ok read.
August 20, 2017
Another case of just-too-long. At nearly 500 pages it was quite a good treat, but some content wasn't strictly necessary. Our main character, Brian, is actually a fat asian kid - and when I first read that, I was like - whot? Did I actually read that right? He's not just some white teen hero? He's actually fat in a young adult novel? It shouldn't suprise me - but it did. I blame clichés. Our hero - and he's a hero in the purest sense, even with all the killing and bleeding - is essentially a poor soul that can't help being a hero and just does it with every fiber of his being, due to his "mode". A mode is something those Infected have, and it's their primary emotion. His is self-sacrifice to help others. So he essentially can't help but be a hero. But he still, and that was really great to see, not perfect. Not even close to it. He kills (not always in a clean, proper way), he is traumatized (happens very early on, so no spoiler) and thus has some problem dealing with the object of his trauma, too. The other characters aren't perfect either, except those portrayed fully evil: Like a certain character who at least gets to redeem himself in the next book, and the object of his trauma. That was sort of annoying, but the rest of the characters are interesting and well fleshed out, so it's not that bad. I actually loved the dialogues in this one. No proper sassiness, but adorable bantering, flirting and kidding around. Although I have to admit a glossary with all characters would have been nice, there were just that many. (500 pages girls and boys!)
I didn't like the world this was set in. And don't get me wrong, it was set in our world with a bit of an original twist (infected with modes - seriously, that bit with the modes is great), but the people in it? At least half were ignorant bigots and quite hostile to every Infected. I wanted it to seem fake and not take it seriously. Could I? No. Because frankly, I know how refugees are treated, especially after crimes were committed by them. (It's not as people born and living in their homeland don't commit crimes as well, there's just a bad apple everywhere). Now multiply the crimes and make them truly horrible, as well as the offenders superpowered and nearly unstoppable - and the situation discribed in the books could match reality very well. It made the world too real and then it's just not as fun anymore.
The plot was well-structured, I would have preferred more fore-shadowing though, as some events felt a bit random. Some content could have been stripped easily, it would have made the book lighter and feel less all over the place. No spoilers though, sorry! Just to add a non-spoilery example though, let's mention here Brian's first trip outside and the event with the female character causing it. Was that truly necessary? It just felt really depressing and wasn't that important overall.
Also, if you didn't realize by now, attention for younger readers: This is a dark story occasionally with self-isolisation, bigotry and trust issues. I wouldn't recommend it for any younger teens, to appreciate this book it might be good to be at least an older teen. But if you like darker story with imperfect characters, give this one a go. It's really well written.
I didn't like the world this was set in. And don't get me wrong, it was set in our world with a bit of an original twist (infected with modes - seriously, that bit with the modes is great), but the people in it? At least half were ignorant bigots and quite hostile to every Infected. I wanted it to seem fake and not take it seriously. Could I? No. Because frankly, I know how refugees are treated, especially after crimes were committed by them. (It's not as people born and living in their homeland don't commit crimes as well, there's just a bad apple everywhere). Now multiply the crimes and make them truly horrible, as well as the offenders superpowered and nearly unstoppable - and the situation discribed in the books could match reality very well. It made the world too real and then it's just not as fun anymore.
The plot was well-structured, I would have preferred more fore-shadowing though, as some events felt a bit random. Some content could have been stripped easily, it would have made the book lighter and feel less all over the place. No spoilers though, sorry! Just to add a non-spoilery example though, let's mention here Brian's first trip outside and the event with the female character causing it. Was that truly necessary? It just felt really depressing and wasn't that important overall.
Also, if you didn't realize by now, attention for younger readers: This is a dark story occasionally with self-isolisation, bigotry and trust issues. I wouldn't recommend it for any younger teens, to appreciate this book it might be good to be at least an older teen. But if you like darker story with imperfect characters, give this one a go. It's really well written.
December 7, 2013
Enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the rest of the series. Not as good as the other series Young Ancients but just as enjoyable. Hope the author writes more to that series and I look forward to reading the rest of this one.
Hard to put the book down and its usually a good sign that I like a book when i completely ignore the outside world and read not answering the phone or txt's. I did not even check email for 7 days while reading 12 of P. S. Power's Young Ancients series. Few authors hold my attention that well. I stayed up for sometimes 24 hours straight in order to read his books cover to cover. I was so completely engrossed the only thing that broke me away was an work opportunity to make some quick money doing some Computer stuff.
Hard to put the book down and its usually a good sign that I like a book when i completely ignore the outside world and read not answering the phone or txt's. I did not even check email for 7 days while reading 12 of P. S. Power's Young Ancients series. Few authors hold my attention that well. I stayed up for sometimes 24 hours straight in order to read his books cover to cover. I was so completely engrossed the only thing that broke me away was an work opportunity to make some quick money doing some Computer stuff.
December 2, 2014
I'm really enjoying the whole series so far. Definitely a must read. I ended up picking up P.S. Power's first book during a author meet. I really enjoyed hanging out and chatting for the event and picked up the book then. I didn't get a chance to read it until about six months later and now I just can't stop reading the whole series. I love the writing style, the unique story and how everything is put together. Just awesome!
December 30, 2016
This is a really good book (but you will need to suspend belief even more than most superhero type books - think Batman) and I do not hesitate to recommend it, the only thing that spoils it is too long in the sense it feels drawn out. Could do with a good editor. I will continue with the series, I notice later books are shorter.
June 5, 2013
This series is really well done. Having each book focus on one of the main characters adds a layer to the story line than keeps the reader fully engrossed, while at the same time watching the main plot line play out from a different perspective from book to book.
October 24, 2024
This was horrible at times, at the reality that it would portray if real, and awesome all the time.
Update: 11/24/2015
Two years later and I had the urge to re-read at least the first book in the Infected series and it is still as awesome as I thought when I first read it.
Update: 11/24/2015
Two years later and I had the urge to re-read at least the first book in the Infected series and it is still as awesome as I thought when I first read it.
August 5, 2014
Read this book. I rarely give 5 stars, I'd give this one 6, best book I've read this year. Well, tied with Magic Breaks i guess. But its really really good.
April 19, 2022
A little confusing at first, but it picked quickly.
June 22, 2020
Totally biased rating but this work is a wonderful star for the series, as any work of Mr. Power it has a big range of interesting characters with an unique twist into the genre. Nice pacing, well though plot, and rich characters. There is a harsh critique to the law enforcement entities although this year such a theme is controversial this isn't the only work of the author where he states such a feelings regarding it. The MC is just great the experience he is put through is gruesome but needed, his character evolution is rich and enjoyable, this is the type of guy that make you root for him no matter how little chance he actually has of winning. I think this is an interesting deconstruct of the Superheroing theme, although not with a heavy emphasis in it.
March 4, 2023
Narration from the confused point of view of a determined young man
So, I’m not sure why I read this entire book. It definitely wasn’t the premise. I think being inside the main characters head felt sort of surreal. The thinking process was pretty consistent with our hero seeming to be unable to understand others actions. Maybe it was the consistency that did it, making it feel like I was actually experiencing another individuals ‘way of thinking’ that feels like it might even be real. It looks like the next book will be prom a different perspective and if the author can pull this off again, but different, I might come back and add some stars.
So, I’m not sure why I read this entire book. It definitely wasn’t the premise. I think being inside the main characters head felt sort of surreal. The thinking process was pretty consistent with our hero seeming to be unable to understand others actions. Maybe it was the consistency that did it, making it feel like I was actually experiencing another individuals ‘way of thinking’ that feels like it might even be real. It looks like the next book will be prom a different perspective and if the author can pull this off again, but different, I might come back and add some stars.
June 22, 2025
an amazing book that kept me up all night!
Couldn’t put it down, just too good a read. A great story about a man who is only a hero because he’s forced to swap places with someone about to be killed! No special powers other than that and really just the average American weight class (fat) so not well prepared to survive… Not at the start of the book.
But they built the Book up, making him both more powerful of a regular person while making him face greater challenges.
Then the end came with a very sudden event that isn’t so related to the earlier of the book and DEMANDS you read any sequels!!!
Couldn’t put it down, just too good a read. A great story about a man who is only a hero because he’s forced to swap places with someone about to be killed! No special powers other than that and really just the average American weight class (fat) so not well prepared to survive… Not at the start of the book.
But they built the Book up, making him both more powerful of a regular person while making him face greater challenges.
Then the end came with a very sudden event that isn’t so related to the earlier of the book and DEMANDS you read any sequels!!!
March 6, 2025
Actually, I had a problem putting it down.
I know this get said a lot, and I know it's really not true for all readers or most stories, but for me, and some stories it is true. Fire starter by Stephen King was my first experience with a story that pulled me in that close. This story hit many of the key tones for me.
I know this get said a lot, and I know it's really not true for all readers or most stories, but for me, and some stories it is true. Fire starter by Stephen King was my first experience with a story that pulled me in that close. This story hit many of the key tones for me.
November 29, 2025
Unexpectedly fascinating
It created a whole world mindset that made you think differently about things... had a gripping story line yet made you care about the characters. Many types of people would like this book
It created a whole world mindset that made you think differently about things... had a gripping story line yet made you care about the characters. Many types of people would like this book
June 3, 2020
Could not for the life of me get into this book
December 30, 2024
Fascinating world, great writing!
I really enjoyed this story. I am thrilled there are eight more books to read, and the series is complete
I really enjoyed this story. I am thrilled there are eight more books to read, and the series is complete
February 15, 2015
i dont generally like P S Power. the writing style and dialog tends to be a bit immature. the same applies to this book. having said that, this book took me by surprise. it was really good, and the concept of Brian Yi and his powers were totally unique. very original story
August 7, 2013
A lot of bigotry, otherwise a good book.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews