Daydreamer: A Proxy Short Story

Proxy #2.5

by Alex London

While there won't be a third book in the Proxy series, the short story Daydreamer is set after the events of Guardian and should be considered as the grand finale to the series.

Distributed by the author via his newsletter on 14 September 2017.

Genres: LGBT, Young Adult, Dystopia, Ebooks, Short Stories, Science Fiction, Fiction

28 pages, ebook

First published September 14, 2017

About the author

The Short Version:

Alex London writes books for adults (One Day The Soldiers Came: Voices of Children in War), children (Dog Tags series; An Accidental Adventure series) and teens (Proxy). At one time a journalist reporting from conflict zones and refugee camps, he is now a full time novelist living in Brooklyn, NY, where he can be found wandering the streets talking to his dog, who is the real brains of the operation.

The Long Version:

C. Alexander London grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. He's an author of nonfiction for grown-ups (under a slightly different not very secret name), books for teens (as Alex London...see above), and, younger readers. He once won a 12-gauge skeet-shooting tournament because no one else had signed up in his age group. He's a Master SCUBA diver who hasn't been diving in way too long, and, most excitingly, a fully licensed librarian. He used to know the Dewey Decimal System from memory.

He doesn't anymore.

While traveling as a journalist, he watched television in 23 countries (Burmese soap operas were the most confusing; Cuban news reports were the most dull), survived an erupting volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a hurricane on small island in the Caribbean, 4 civil wars (one of them was over by the time he got there, thankfully), and a mysterious bite on his little toe in the jungles of Thailand. The bite got infected and swollen and gross and gave him a deep mistrust of lizards, even though it probably wasn't a lizard that bit him.

Although he has had many adventures, he really does prefer curling up on the couch and watching some good television or reading a book. He enjoys danger and intrigue far more when it's happening to somebody else.

He lives in Brooklyn, NY.

See also C. Alexander London and Charles London

Reviews

[Saimi Vasquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un epilogo y precuela. Epilogo, porque nos muestra que paso despues del final de Guardian, y como estan reconstruyendo la sociedad, ademas de cuanta gente ha sobrevivido. Reaparece uno de los personajes de Proxy, pero en formato "digital", y no encontramos con un Liam que esta arrepentido pero quiere hacer lo mejor.
Precuela, porque el mismo Liam intenta (en su mente) describir su historia y como llego a ser quien era, intentando que cuando se la cuente a Syd, este pueda ver que el nunca quiso ser asi, pero fue lo unico que conocio y lo unico que le inculcaron desde su nacimiento. Y paso por todo lo que paso, fue solo para poder llegar hasta donde esta ahora.
En fin, nos enteramos que ha pasado despues de la contra-revolucion, y nos enteramos del pasado de uno de los personajes mas importantes del libro anterior.
Asi que es un bonito extra que nos deja el autor, un buen cierre para esta saga.

[robbie]

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME ALEX??? WHY WASN'T I ALERTED WHEN THIS CAME OUT??? IM ACTUALLY SHAKING

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25* Conclusion to a lgbt action adventure dystopian.

Liam is the main character is this short conclusion to the series. I still don't really like Liam. He's alright, but I like Syd and Knox a lot more. The twist thrown in was pretty cool, but I still think the main 2 books are better than this.

Proxy, Guardian, and this book all ended in an open ending. This was supposed to be the ultimate conclusion and now I have a new unanswered question. I don't think reading this book is necessary after the 2nd book, but the twist thrown in here was pretty much a cool easter egg for the series.

[nicolas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well damn, I scrambled to read this short story and um… Knox!!! Also Liam and Syd deserve everything I’m glad it ended (??? ish) like this…

[Nicole Duchannes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story makes me indescribably happy.
I finished Guardian this January, and I did not know what to expect from this epilogue, but it certainly was not that. I love all of these characters so, so much, and the peak into their futures and pasts we got here was beyond anything I could have hoped for.
I LOVE KNOX BRINDLE AND I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE HE'S STILL HERE. IN THE PRESENT. IN THE FUTURE. EVERYTHING THAT HE SAID AND DID IN THIS SHORT STORY MADE ME INDESCRIBABLY SAD AND HAPPY AT THE SAME TIME. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!!!!!!
Okay, end rant. I loved seeing my girl Marie rebuilding the world like I knew she would, and I also loved the line "there's no zealot like a convert." I'm not sure if that's a pre-existing expression or not, but I like it.
The detailed look into Liam's past was also very good, though I have to say it made me dislike the Rebooters/Reconciliation even more. Liam's great though, his devotion to Syd is so sweet.
Speaking Of, if there was anything I was dissapointed by in this story it was the fact that Syd didn't wake up until the end. Still, though, I am very happy with where the story had been left- again, indescribably happy.

[fiksbaas · Rating 3 out of 5]

MY BOYS
KNOX. MY LOVE.

[Rebs ✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Proxy and Guardian back in 2014, and it has been a story that has always come back to mind. To this day, it is one of my most impactful reads and I have always remembered it dearly.

Without giving too much away (if you haven't read it), the ending of Guardian had left me a sobbing puddle of snot and tears and on occasion I sometimes go back and re-read the last chapter and give myself all those feelings again (I'm a masochist, sue me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

Daydreamer gave me the closure I so desperately needed and wanted, while still keeping the ending open should Mr. London decide to continue the story (... please continue the story)

It should come to no surprise that I give all the stars to this little piece. hopefully we will see our fearless revolutionaries again.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first read the Proxy series I had no idea there would be a short story coming out one day also. I loved the series, it was a new interesting story with good writing and I liked the characters, but at the end of both books I was left slightly frustrated, because I need a bit more closure than was given. I was afraid this short story would somehow be more of a tease and just make me wish for a third book. Now, while I still wish there was a third book, because I enjoy this story and these characters, I felt like in only 28 pages I got enough closure with still enough interest left in me for what happens next to not just forget about the story.
I wish Syd had woken up earlier, because I really would have liked to hear a bit more of him from him himself, but other than that I was happy to get more of a backstory to Liam and the Resistance/Rebooters, as well as getting to see Marie’s part in building everything up again and Liam (and Marie) caring for Syd. Also, I wasn’t ever expecting to hear more about Knox again, which was what left me frustrated from the end of book 1, so getting the copy of Knox was a nice surprise and he added enough comedy to the story, although Liam managed the comedy quite well also. So, I liked the balance between the jokes, the harsh backstory and the fact that the society was left in a bittersweet state of going from the Old order to the unknown New order of things and how everything was kind of up in the air, but hopeful.
Basically, I had missed the characters and loved that this short story was written!

[Renato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daydreamer is the finale of the Proxy series and short as it is, it was a necessity for me since the ending of Guardian left me really needing more.
A must read conclusion to an awesome story.

[Eriele the Mermaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who needs this story, just subscribe to his newsletter here and you`ll get the link afterwards. It says something like 'if you`re here for the Proxy short story, click here' or something.

----

Thank you, Alex London, for writing this short story and for my making my eyes sweat at that thing they got. I`m too much of a trash for Knox too that I started to tear up when he was mentioned.

Honestly, everyone who loved the duology needs to read this because it would make you happy; this story gives hope and choices that they didn`t have the luxury of in the previous books. So, yes, happiness that everyone deserves. <3

[via · Rating 5 out of 5]

oH MY GOD. KNOX! I just screamed into my pillow!


ANYWAY!

I felt like Guardian left too many questions and loose ends, and this tied some of them together. Like, What happened after? How did the others recover while others didn't? (Although there really wasn't an answer to this as Liam didn't know either, but at least it was addressed?) Even Why is Liam so careful what hand to touch Syd with?

I liked reading about Liam's past because I got to know him as more than Syd's lovestruck bodyguard.

[Sasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a cute and satisfying short story :) I may not get the third book that I crave, but this will suffice....for now :)

[Valeria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that was the closure I was looking for! We really get to know Liam better in this novella, learning how he lost his hand to his first kill. We learn his thought process and get to see his character shine in these few pages, especially when he chooses not to delete Knox 2.0. I grew to really care for Liam, and I was so proud when he chose to keep Knox’s program and save it to show Syd later when he [Syd] was ready. I’m just shocked this wasn’t in “Guardian.” The novella should have be added at the end of “Guardian” as an epilogue! Also, Knox 2.0 was not a development I saw coming. I was flabbergasted to read this—couldn’t believe that, in a way, Knox was back. This made the story an exciting read and I was just as eager to know how this would affect Syd and even Liam. I thought Liam was going to get rid of Knox 2.0. I was so certain he’d be jealous and irritated over something from the past making a comeback to open closed wounds, but the way Liam handled it was admirable, mature, and award-worthy. People should learn from him! Take notes!! He’s really a great guy. I’m glad I read this finale to the Proxy duology. It was worth it

[Alnilan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was AMAZING!!!!! I cried! I love Liam so much and it's wonderful to know more about his life, I'm just so proud of him! Marie also is great and healthy! Knox was a surprise, and a good one, his interaction with Liam made me so emotional because they both love Syd, and they both want what's best for him!!! The ending was amazing, I love Syd & Liam so much, and how they're set on making new stories and WOW. I needed that closure, and I'm happy Syd, Liam and Marie are alive and well!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. It's been years since I read Guardian, but this short story brought all of those feelings back. I absolutely loved it. Liam is such a complicated character and I was mesmerized by his thoughts and his growth. His and Syd's love story is amazing and I wish I could have even more. Being able to "see" Knox again was also a nice surprise. It's definitely hard to deal with, because it isn't really him, but he made me smile.

[Joaquin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, it’s been... I think four years or so, more or less, since I’ve last read Guardian (the second book) and I wasn’t really expecting a follow-up.

Yeah, it’s a good sci-fi duology, but I guess it wasn’t really for me. Yet, I still managed to read through this novella-substitute for a third book.

I’ve forgotten most of the story, so I couldn’t really understand what was happening, but I still remembered a part of the story. It’s a nice novella, nonetheless?

[Noah Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gaaahhh! This is so short and sweeet! OMG, totally worth it. I found out about Liam's past and it was so surprising!!! I cried a bit when his mum died though. And WHO KNEW KNOX WOULD BE IN THIS???? In all honesty, I hope Liam won't delete him. But I wonder what happens next. GAAAHH that's what I said about the last book!!! I want to see them settle down (or up) and live happily ever after!

[Diana Ault · Rating 3 out of 5]

This does give closure on one big point, but opens up something else, kind of random...love the character though, livens things up a bit. ;) The short is kind of meandering and not tight, mostly flashbacks from Liam. It’s good to get more background on him I suppose.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

How am I supposed to let go though... ;___;

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this okay. It was interesting to see Liam’s story, but I really wasn’t a huge fan of his in the book so I wasn’t super invested. I liked the Knox part a lot.

[Xing · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, short story that gives closure to all the relevant characters.

[Clemence · Rating 4 out of 5]

And with this short story, I finish my adventures in Alex London's sequel.
It was sweet and fluffy.
I hope I'm gonna dream the future of Sid and Liam.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Admittedly I’m being greedy and I’m only rating it 3 stars because I want more!!!

[Jacob Funk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty suitable end to a good series. Had some glaring grammatical errors though, but not too distracting.

[adrianadriee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

After I finished Guardian the first thing I wanted to do was to read Daydreamer as the book ended on a somewhat open note. I was so happy when I found Daydreamer and it lived up to my expectations. I love how the entire story was told through Liam’s perspective as it gave a new side to the story. I also love learning about Liam’s background: how he escaped the Guardians and his training with the reconciliation was very interesting! If you finished reading Guardian and you are looking for an additional satisfying ending to the duology, then this short story is for you.

[Diana German · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this!

[Dani -The Spinal Stack]

I-I have no words. Truly, listen Knox was my boy. And that's I have to say on that. Thx