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Orphan X #2
En man från ingenstans
Under sin uppväxt i den topphemliga organisationen Orphan inom det amerikanska försvarsdepartementet tränades Evan Smoak till att bli en briljant lönnmördare - tills han en dag hoppade av och blev Nowhere Man, utsatta människors sista hopp.
Att lämna Orphan gör man dock inte ostraffat ... Neddrogad och förvirrad vaknar Evan upp i en luxuös säng, utan en aning om var i världen han befinner sig. Vet hans kidnappare om att deras gisslan är en av världens skickligaste mördare? I sin fångenskap nås Evan av ett desperat rop på hjälp och som alltid agerar han fullt ut när någon befinner sig i verklig nöd.
En man från ingenstans är den fristående fortsättningen på Gregg Hurwitz spänningsladdade bästsäljare Vem är Evan Smoak? Med fängslande karaktärer, klaustrofobiska miljöer och ett språkligt schvung hugger Gregg Hurwitz fast läsaren i ett hårt grepp.
Att lämna Orphan gör man dock inte ostraffat ... Neddrogad och förvirrad vaknar Evan upp i en luxuös säng, utan en aning om var i världen han befinner sig. Vet hans kidnappare om att deras gisslan är en av världens skickligaste mördare? I sin fångenskap nås Evan av ett desperat rop på hjälp och som alltid agerar han fullt ut när någon befinner sig i verklig nöd.
En man från ingenstans är den fristående fortsättningen på Gregg Hurwitz spänningsladdade bästsäljare Vem är Evan Smoak? Med fängslande karaktärer, klaustrofobiska miljöer och ett språkligt schvung hugger Gregg Hurwitz fast läsaren i ett hårt grepp.
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First published January 17, 2017
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About the author
Gregg Hurwitz
304 books6,864 followersGregg Hurwitz is the critically acclaimed, New York Times and internationally bestselling author of 20 novels, including OUT OF THE DARK (2019). His novels have been shortlisted for numerous literary awards, graced top ten lists, and have been published in 30 languages.
He is also a New York Times Bestselling comic book writer, having penned stories for Marvel (Wolverine, Punisher) and DC (Batman, Penguin). Additionally, he’s written screenplays for or sold spec scripts to many of the major studios, and written, developed, and produced television for various networks. Gregg resides in Los Angeles.
He is also a New York Times Bestselling comic book writer, having penned stories for Marvel (Wolverine, Punisher) and DC (Batman, Penguin). Additionally, he’s written screenplays for or sold spec scripts to many of the major studios, and written, developed, and produced television for various networks. Gregg resides in Los Angeles.
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February 22, 2023
The Nowhere Man: An Orphan X Novel (Evan Smoak, Book 2)
by Gregg Hurwitz (Author), Scott Brick (Narrator)
Evan Smoak is doing what he's always done since becoming The Nowhere Man, helping desperate people escape the clutches of evil. Then he is captured and the list of his potential captors is long and deadly. Almost anyone who could have grabbed him and spirited him off to a frozen, mountainous chalet will have unlimited resources. But no one can match Evan's brains and talents. As long as he is alive, he has a chance.
He must escape because there are two people who are depending on him. A teenage girl, sold to the highest bidder, and a boy, who says he's trapped with other boys, with no way out. Evan's situation looks impossible to escape but then this is Evan and I know there are more books after this one...ha ha!
Evan is a man you'd want on YOUR side. But, there is a part of Evan that wants off this merry go round of violence, if only he knew how to let go. It seems unlikely to ever happen, though, of Evan retiring and becoming a normal person. But he's got a humdinger of a predicament to survive before he'll have any more time for "what ifs". This story went way over my gore limit and I'm more into story than action but I still can't stop wanting to keep going on to the next books. What I like best about this series is that the character seems real, even while the series is so over the top.
Pub Jan 17, 2017
This is a Kindle Unlimited audio selection.
by Gregg Hurwitz (Author), Scott Brick (Narrator)
Evan Smoak is doing what he's always done since becoming The Nowhere Man, helping desperate people escape the clutches of evil. Then he is captured and the list of his potential captors is long and deadly. Almost anyone who could have grabbed him and spirited him off to a frozen, mountainous chalet will have unlimited resources. But no one can match Evan's brains and talents. As long as he is alive, he has a chance.
He must escape because there are two people who are depending on him. A teenage girl, sold to the highest bidder, and a boy, who says he's trapped with other boys, with no way out. Evan's situation looks impossible to escape but then this is Evan and I know there are more books after this one...ha ha!
Evan is a man you'd want on YOUR side. But, there is a part of Evan that wants off this merry go round of violence, if only he knew how to let go. It seems unlikely to ever happen, though, of Evan retiring and becoming a normal person. But he's got a humdinger of a predicament to survive before he'll have any more time for "what ifs". This story went way over my gore limit and I'm more into story than action but I still can't stop wanting to keep going on to the next books. What I like best about this series is that the character seems real, even while the series is so over the top.
Pub Jan 17, 2017
This is a Kindle Unlimited audio selection.
October 6, 2020
3.5 stars
A Psychopath and an assassin go head to head. Who will come out on top?
Book 2 of the Orphan X series finds our hero being held prisoner by a psychopath.
After making an uncharacteristic mistake, Evan finds himself the prisoner of a powerful and dangerous criminal. But this crazy man doesn’t know who his prisoner really is, making for a compelling game of cat and mouse, as Evan plots his escape.
There’s a lot of action, a lot of killing, and a lot of repetition. The chapters in which Evan dreamed of Jack were repetitive and got on my nerves. Other chapters felt redundant.
I didn’t love this book as much as book #1. I grew tired of waiting to see if Evan was going to escape, while at the same time constantly thinking back to his training with Jack. I couldn’t wait for him to interact with normal people again. However, the ending got me ready to jump into Book #3, so overall a success!
A Psychopath and an assassin go head to head. Who will come out on top?
Book 2 of the Orphan X series finds our hero being held prisoner by a psychopath.
After making an uncharacteristic mistake, Evan finds himself the prisoner of a powerful and dangerous criminal. But this crazy man doesn’t know who his prisoner really is, making for a compelling game of cat and mouse, as Evan plots his escape.
There’s a lot of action, a lot of killing, and a lot of repetition. The chapters in which Evan dreamed of Jack were repetitive and got on my nerves. Other chapters felt redundant.
I didn’t love this book as much as book #1. I grew tired of waiting to see if Evan was going to escape, while at the same time constantly thinking back to his training with Jack. I couldn’t wait for him to interact with normal people again. However, the ending got me ready to jump into Book #3, so overall a success!
December 17, 2016
Orphan X was one of my favorite thrillers of (technically last year) due to its fast pace and intriguing character Evan Smoak. I immediately connected with his man sass where some found him irritating and condescending. When I found out I'd won a copy of The Nowhere Man on Goodreads I couldn't wait to dive in and see where Evan would take us next, and while this book was good, for me it was slow and heavily padded in a few areas where I felt it could have been shaved down. The plot was a little more unbelievable than the previous book, but that didn't particularly throw me off liking the book. I'd still recommend this book as it was a good installment, but I do hope the next book brings the pace back up to the level Orphan X was known for.
*Thanks Minotaur for my copy!
*Thanks Minotaur for my copy!
September 3, 2020
Uh-Oh… Evan may have just met his match!
Evan Smoak is known as the Nowhere Man. He’s dedicated to helping people who feel hopeless, with no one or nowhere to turn for help. For them, one phone call is all it takes.
But what happens when the tables are turned and someone nabs the Nowhere Man, determined to take away all that he has worked so hard for. His privacy, his anonymity, his money and very possibly his life! Can Evan save himself? Well after all, he is best super hero I know, so...💁🏻♀️
“You can’t start over. All you can do is change direction.”
This is book two of the popular Orphan X series, and though it lacked some of the magic as book one, it was still quite a thrill ride!
Oh, and can I just mention the ending!?😱
Susanne and I are binging the series and already have book three Hell Bent queued up and ready to start!
Evan Smoak is known as the Nowhere Man. He’s dedicated to helping people who feel hopeless, with no one or nowhere to turn for help. For them, one phone call is all it takes.
But what happens when the tables are turned and someone nabs the Nowhere Man, determined to take away all that he has worked so hard for. His privacy, his anonymity, his money and very possibly his life! Can Evan save himself? Well after all, he is best super hero I know, so...💁🏻♀️
“You can’t start over. All you can do is change direction.”
This is book two of the popular Orphan X series, and though it lacked some of the magic as book one, it was still quite a thrill ride!
Oh, and can I just mention the ending!?😱
Susanne and I are binging the series and already have book three Hell Bent queued up and ready to start!
May 16, 2018
It's an indication of how many books I read last year that while Gregg Hurwitz's
Orphan X
, the first novel in his Evan Smoak series, made my list of the best books I read in 2016, I never got around to reading the second book,
The Nowhere Man
, until now, despite the fact that it came out in early 2017. There's even a third book out. I have to catch up!!
The Nowhere Man is a little bit uneven, so it's not quite as good as its predecessor. But when the book clicks, as it does in places and then consistently in the last third or so, you realize what a kick-ass character Evan Smoak is, and that Hurwitz can write both action scenes that crackle as well as scenes which deliver real emotion.
When Evan Smoak (not his real name) was young, a man rescued him from a troubled life and he trained Evan how to kill. When he got older he became the Nowhere Man, the last resort for a person in desperate trouble. No one knows who the Nowhere Man is, but they know if they call him, he will help rescue them from a seemingly helpless situation.
A call from a teenage girl in a desperate situation leads him to the existence of a sex trafficking operation, which abducts vulnerable young women and sends them into the hands of nefarious characters. As usual, Smoak works to cut the operation off at its knees, but as he tries to determine just how deep its roots are, he is abducted by an utterly unanticipated nemesis, who wants something from Evan, and will stop at nothing to get it.
Suddenly, Evan finds himself captured in an unknown location, under guard by a number of trigger-happy mercenaries, and at the mercy of a sadistic, opportunistic individual with unlimited resources and a real inferiority complex. His captors think they've got the best of Evan, but they don't understand just whom they're dealing with—but outsmarting this clan will push Evan to his very limits, physically and intellectually.
"What did it say about him that he was so easily put back together? He'd long thought that it was a positive attribute, a testament to his durability, but now it felt artificial, unhuman. He was rebuildable, a snap-together Lego toy."
As Evan plots his escape, he is haunted by the need to rescue two different people, and he has his own visions of his surrogate father figure, whose death Evan feels responsible for. And then he realizes that those who hold him captive aren't the only enemies he'll have to defeat.
There are some great twists and turns in this book, and I just love Evan's resourcefulness, and the life he has built for himself, even though it is lonely. There were some fight scenes that literally had my heart pumping as I was amazed at the way he and his enemies kept turning the situation. But Hurwitz also showed his ability to create introspective and poignant moments as well, which gave the book—and its characters—real depth.
Parts of the plot really require you suspend your disbelief, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I kept hoping that Hurwitz wasn't going to get totally bizarre with the story. (Close, but not quite.) My main criticism is that I love Evan when he is doing what he does best—rescuing those in need and making those responsible pay. Given that he spends a significant part of this book captured (although slowly enacting his revenge), it tended to dull my enthusiasm after a time.
If you're looking for a great series, pick up Orphan X and prepare to be blown away. The Nowhere Man is definitely worth a read as well, and I'll need to check out the third book in this series (which I've heard is fantastic) pretty soon. There's lots of violence, so those who don't enjoy that should steer clear, but if you're okay with fictionalized violence, get ready for your pulse to rise!!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com, or check out my list of the best books I read in 2017 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2017.html.
The Nowhere Man is a little bit uneven, so it's not quite as good as its predecessor. But when the book clicks, as it does in places and then consistently in the last third or so, you realize what a kick-ass character Evan Smoak is, and that Hurwitz can write both action scenes that crackle as well as scenes which deliver real emotion.
When Evan Smoak (not his real name) was young, a man rescued him from a troubled life and he trained Evan how to kill. When he got older he became the Nowhere Man, the last resort for a person in desperate trouble. No one knows who the Nowhere Man is, but they know if they call him, he will help rescue them from a seemingly helpless situation.
A call from a teenage girl in a desperate situation leads him to the existence of a sex trafficking operation, which abducts vulnerable young women and sends them into the hands of nefarious characters. As usual, Smoak works to cut the operation off at its knees, but as he tries to determine just how deep its roots are, he is abducted by an utterly unanticipated nemesis, who wants something from Evan, and will stop at nothing to get it.
Suddenly, Evan finds himself captured in an unknown location, under guard by a number of trigger-happy mercenaries, and at the mercy of a sadistic, opportunistic individual with unlimited resources and a real inferiority complex. His captors think they've got the best of Evan, but they don't understand just whom they're dealing with—but outsmarting this clan will push Evan to his very limits, physically and intellectually.
"What did it say about him that he was so easily put back together? He'd long thought that it was a positive attribute, a testament to his durability, but now it felt artificial, unhuman. He was rebuildable, a snap-together Lego toy."
As Evan plots his escape, he is haunted by the need to rescue two different people, and he has his own visions of his surrogate father figure, whose death Evan feels responsible for. And then he realizes that those who hold him captive aren't the only enemies he'll have to defeat.
There are some great twists and turns in this book, and I just love Evan's resourcefulness, and the life he has built for himself, even though it is lonely. There were some fight scenes that literally had my heart pumping as I was amazed at the way he and his enemies kept turning the situation. But Hurwitz also showed his ability to create introspective and poignant moments as well, which gave the book—and its characters—real depth.
Parts of the plot really require you suspend your disbelief, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I kept hoping that Hurwitz wasn't going to get totally bizarre with the story. (Close, but not quite.) My main criticism is that I love Evan when he is doing what he does best—rescuing those in need and making those responsible pay. Given that he spends a significant part of this book captured (although slowly enacting his revenge), it tended to dull my enthusiasm after a time.
If you're looking for a great series, pick up Orphan X and prepare to be blown away. The Nowhere Man is definitely worth a read as well, and I'll need to check out the third book in this series (which I've heard is fantastic) pretty soon. There's lots of violence, so those who don't enjoy that should steer clear, but if you're okay with fictionalized violence, get ready for your pulse to rise!!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com, or check out my list of the best books I read in 2017 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2017.html.
August 13, 2017
Gregg Hurwitz must be a very happy man to have comments from Dean Koontz, Tess Gerritsen, James Patterson and Robert Crais on the cover of his book saying things like "Brilliantly conceived" and "A dizzying ride" and "Memorable as hell." He deserves the praise. What a book!
I remember making less than positive comments about Orphan X due to Evan Smoake's obsession with rare Vodkas and growing herbs. Well in The Nowhere Man he has very little time to indulge in these habits as he spends most of the book as a prisoner. That does not stop him from killing lots of people and there is plenty of action all the way through.
The book is indeed "brilliantly conceived" as characters from the first book return, some of them very surprisingly, and the ending cleverly sets the scene for the next book.
I really enjoyed this book and Gregg Hurwitz is going on my list of must read authors.
I remember making less than positive comments about Orphan X due to Evan Smoake's obsession with rare Vodkas and growing herbs. Well in The Nowhere Man he has very little time to indulge in these habits as he spends most of the book as a prisoner. That does not stop him from killing lots of people and there is plenty of action all the way through.
The book is indeed "brilliantly conceived" as characters from the first book return, some of them very surprisingly, and the ending cleverly sets the scene for the next book.
I really enjoyed this book and Gregg Hurwitz is going on my list of must read authors.
June 24, 2021
This is the second book in the 'Orphan X' series. It's best to read the books in order.
*****
Evan Smoak was once part of the government's 'Orphan Program', a secret operation that taught boys and girls to be highly skilled assassins.
Evan, known as Orphan X, began his training at the age of twelve and started doing jobs at nineteen - backed by every kind of cutting edge technology and unlimited access to cash.
After ten years or so, Evan quit the Orphan Program and settled in Los Angeles, where he uses his special skills - and bottomless bank accounts - to help people in dire straits. Calling himself 'The Nowhere Man', Evan carries an untraceable RoamZone phone, where a tormented person can call and ask for assistance.😫
At the beginning of the book, Evan is contacted by 15-year-old Anna Rezian, who's about to be sold into sexual slavery by Hector Contrell.
Evan assists Anna and terminates Hector's operation with extreme prejudice. Evan then discovers that Hector just sent off a 17-year-old girl named Alison Siegler, whose shipping container prison is scheduled to arrive in Jacksonville in sixteen days.
Evan has every intention of being in Florida to rescue Alison, and dispatch her buyer.🔪
Just as Evan is making this plan, he's abducted and locked up in a highly sophisticated 'prison.' Evan's room has a bed, bathroom, desk, fireplace, and patio, as well as custom-made clothes in his size.
There are also surveillance cameras, vents that can pump in knockout gas, and Narco guards outside his room and all over the property.
Evan soon discovers that he's being held by a sociopath who calls himself René. René is a paunchy, balding middle-aged man who's desperate to look and feel young so he can enjoy his opulent lifestyle, including a lavish home, expensive furnishings, priceless art, fabulous food, excellent liquor, attractive lovers, fancy cars, and so on.
René's method of maintaining his 'youth' includes using concealer, hair-filler, lotions, and tonics - as well as infusing himself with youthful blood. To finance all this rigmarole, René kidnaps wealthy people and forces them to hand over their fortunes. 🤑
René somehow learned about one of Evan's secret bank accounts - which contains 27 million dollars -and he plans to force Evan to do a wire transfer. René has badly miscalculated however. He thinks Evan is an arms dealer or drug trafficker, and has no idea that Orphan X is one of the deadliest assassins in the world.
Evan makes excellent use of his training and abilities to kill René's Narcos and bodyguards, but the psychopath just keeps replacing the dead men.
Evan also cleverly discovers his geographical location, and tries to formulate an escape plan - which will have to succeed if he's going to save Alison Siegler.
The story has chapter after chapter about Evan's clever maneuvers - like shinnying up a chimney, palming a poison mushroom, and doing incredible things with a Lexan vault.
There are also innumerable fight scenes, all of which are described in minute detail. For me, a lot of this was repetitive and over-the-top (though I admire author's ability to choreograph Byzantine combat scenes).
In a side plot, Charles Van Sciver - the current head of the Orphan Program - is tasked with hunting down and killing 'retired' Orphans, because they know too much. Van Sciver is especially determined to bump off Orphan X, with whom he has a long history.
So, when Van Sciver gets a cyber-sniff of the extremely elusive Evan Smoak, he sends out sexpot Candy McClure to try to locate/capture/kill Evan. Candy is quite a girl, very confident about her ability to bamboozle men with her voluptuous body. 💋
For me, the most exciting part of the book was the final quarter, where things got REALLY interesting. Nuff said without spoilers.
The story is chock full of action, but has a very thin plot, and isn't as good as the first novel in the series. Nevertheless, I'd recommend the book to Evan Smoak fans. He's a hero worth rooting for. 👍
Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Gregg Hurwitz) and the publisher (Minotaur Books) for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
August 31, 2020
Desperate. Methodical. Powerful.
The tables have turned and this time, it’s Evan Smoak (formerly known as Orphan X) who desperately needs help.
Can I just say NO?! Please don’t hurt Evan, I love him!
Held captive by a vicious man with unlimited resources and a need for money, Evan has to use every weapon in his arsenal to save himself. Lucky for him, his captors have no idea who they are dealing with.
Evan is on a time crunch however as there are people counting on him, people who need his help and failure simply isn’t an option. What he didn’t anticipate however is the arrival of mortal enemies.
My heart was in my throat for much of “The Nowhere Man” (as Kaceey can attest) as I just could not fathom how Evan could escape, battling a myriad of armed guards and dogs too ruthless to describe.
My 5 ft. 2 in., petite little self wanted to jump into the book and do battle to save him! (LOL!)
I think I could win Evan Smaok over that way, don’t you?! (Yes, I know that Gregg Hurwitz is married, but a girl can pretend!) Alas, I digress, while I didn’t think that “The Nowhere Man” was quite as good as its predecessor “Orphan X,” I truly enjoyed it and I absolutely loved the last quarter of the book having had an inkling as to what was going to happen from the very beginning. This is a captivating, compelling heart pounding thriller that completely ramps up the suspense as the novel progresses. The ending really pulls out all the stops and makes me super anxious to read Book 3!
This was a fabulous buddy read with Ms. Kaceey!
Thank you to Gregg Hurtwitz for writing a fabulous character driven thriller!
Published on Goodreads on 8.30.20.
The tables have turned and this time, it’s Evan Smoak (formerly known as Orphan X) who desperately needs help.
Can I just say NO?! Please don’t hurt Evan, I love him!
Held captive by a vicious man with unlimited resources and a need for money, Evan has to use every weapon in his arsenal to save himself. Lucky for him, his captors have no idea who they are dealing with.
Evan is on a time crunch however as there are people counting on him, people who need his help and failure simply isn’t an option. What he didn’t anticipate however is the arrival of mortal enemies.
My heart was in my throat for much of “The Nowhere Man” (as Kaceey can attest) as I just could not fathom how Evan could escape, battling a myriad of armed guards and dogs too ruthless to describe.
My 5 ft. 2 in., petite little self wanted to jump into the book and do battle to save him! (LOL!)
I think I could win Evan Smaok over that way, don’t you?! (Yes, I know that Gregg Hurwitz is married, but a girl can pretend!) Alas, I digress, while I didn’t think that “The Nowhere Man” was quite as good as its predecessor “Orphan X,” I truly enjoyed it and I absolutely loved the last quarter of the book having had an inkling as to what was going to happen from the very beginning. This is a captivating, compelling heart pounding thriller that completely ramps up the suspense as the novel progresses. The ending really pulls out all the stops and makes me super anxious to read Book 3!
This was a fabulous buddy read with Ms. Kaceey!
Thank you to Gregg Hurtwitz for writing a fabulous character driven thriller!
Published on Goodreads on 8.30.20.
August 11, 2018
Nowhere Man by Gregg Hurwitz is a 2017 Minotaur Books publication.
This second book in the Orphan X series picks up pretty much where the first book left off. Evan Smoak is doing what he does best, helping people out of hopeless situations. In this case, a young girl is victimized by an online sex trade operation. But, when she tries to get out of the situation, her family is threatened. This is where Evan steps in. Once order is restored to his client he learns there are more victims of this scheme and he begins an urgent race against time to save a teenager being held in a shipping crate.
But, before he can complete his mission, he is ambushed and held captive by a strange, twisted man only out to drain Evan’s substantial bank account. But, with Evan Smoak, he may have gotten more than he bargained for.
As Evan plays a cat and mouse game with his captors, he learns some shocking information about Jack, his handler, and the man who raised him like his own son.
This second outing is not quite as tight or atmospheric as the first book, but is perhaps even more action packed, with evil, diabolical bad guys and many more fantastical twists and turns.
Now, if you are a stickler for realistic crime thrillers, this one might not be for you, as this set up really does require an ability to suspend belief. But, I am at a point where I don’t know if I really need every book I read to be purely realistic. I’m thinking our insistence on that point could stymie the creativity and imagination that makes fiction our first choice. Besides, this series was never meant to be your normal, run of the mill thriller.
So, buckle your seat belt and fall into Evan’s murky world of rogue government operatives and sociopaths, and allow yourself to jeer at the bad guys and cheer for the good ones. Enjoy the action, the suspense, and the non-stop thrill ride and take a break from hardcore reality for a while!
As the book winds down, and Evan turns introspective, allowing himself to believe he can live a normal life....
We get a little bit of a cliffhanger ending- a ‘to be continued’ kind of thing to ensure readers will tune in for the next episode. I don’t normally like that kind of strategy with books, but I didn’t mind it so much in this situation because it means Evan will be back and may face a challenge more personal than any he’s encountered thus far. Can’t wait!!
This second book in the Orphan X series picks up pretty much where the first book left off. Evan Smoak is doing what he does best, helping people out of hopeless situations. In this case, a young girl is victimized by an online sex trade operation. But, when she tries to get out of the situation, her family is threatened. This is where Evan steps in. Once order is restored to his client he learns there are more victims of this scheme and he begins an urgent race against time to save a teenager being held in a shipping crate.
But, before he can complete his mission, he is ambushed and held captive by a strange, twisted man only out to drain Evan’s substantial bank account. But, with Evan Smoak, he may have gotten more than he bargained for.
As Evan plays a cat and mouse game with his captors, he learns some shocking information about Jack, his handler, and the man who raised him like his own son.
This second outing is not quite as tight or atmospheric as the first book, but is perhaps even more action packed, with evil, diabolical bad guys and many more fantastical twists and turns.
Now, if you are a stickler for realistic crime thrillers, this one might not be for you, as this set up really does require an ability to suspend belief. But, I am at a point where I don’t know if I really need every book I read to be purely realistic. I’m thinking our insistence on that point could stymie the creativity and imagination that makes fiction our first choice. Besides, this series was never meant to be your normal, run of the mill thriller.
So, buckle your seat belt and fall into Evan’s murky world of rogue government operatives and sociopaths, and allow yourself to jeer at the bad guys and cheer for the good ones. Enjoy the action, the suspense, and the non-stop thrill ride and take a break from hardcore reality for a while!
As the book winds down, and Evan turns introspective, allowing himself to believe he can live a normal life....
We get a little bit of a cliffhanger ending- a ‘to be continued’ kind of thing to ensure readers will tune in for the next episode. I don’t normally like that kind of strategy with books, but I didn’t mind it so much in this situation because it means Evan will be back and may face a challenge more personal than any he’s encountered thus far. Can’t wait!!
July 2, 2022
Another good story with Evan Smoak by Hurwitz. This time, our protagonist finds himself captured by one tyrannical, rich, dangerous man. Let’s just say, we all know Evan is incredibly skilled and therefore will not lose a minute making plans to escape. There were alot of moments where the MC dreamt or thought about Jack and I felt like it was too frequent.
Its full of fightings and actions although I didn’t feel like all the chapters were necessary. Nevertheless, you’ll definitely want to pick up book #3 with the ending.
3.5 ⭐️
Its full of fightings and actions although I didn’t feel like all the chapters were necessary. Nevertheless, you’ll definitely want to pick up book #3 with the ending.
3.5 ⭐️
August 25, 2020
4.5 STARS~ Mini-Review
Book two in the Orphan X series
Fast-paced
Action-packed
Very intense and Evan Smoak gets himself into quite the nail-biting situation!!
If you don't mind a bit of a stretch when it comes to this super heroes abilities, it is super entertaining. Evan has a heart of gold and this highly trained assassin kicks it!
The cliff hanger ending has me looking forward to the next titled Hellbent (#3) in this series.
This was a library loan curbside pick-up!
Book two in the Orphan X series
Fast-paced
Action-packed
Very intense and Evan Smoak gets himself into quite the nail-biting situation!!
If you don't mind a bit of a stretch when it comes to this super heroes abilities, it is super entertaining. Evan has a heart of gold and this highly trained assassin kicks it!
The cliff hanger ending has me looking forward to the next titled Hellbent (#3) in this series.
This was a library loan curbside pick-up!
May 14, 2024
I really enjoyed Orphan X, which I found to be a thrilling near future adventure featuring an interesting lead character with a degree of complexity and a smidgen of soul. So I was really looking forward to this second book. For those who haven't yet come across Evan Smoak, the potted history is that he was adopted into an off the books government programme and trained to be an expert assassin. For reasons I won't go into, he’s now out of the programme – but is offering his services to a limited number of needy individuals.
The problem with follow-up books can be that the author uses all the best bits of the character’s story in book one, leaving slim pickings for what follows. Well, for two-thirds of this story, it felt to me that this is exactly what Hurwitz had done. The saving grace is that the final third represents a massive leap back to the quality of book one – there’s suddenly a significant increase in energy and a re-emergence of the type of twisty plot line tricks seen in the earlier tale. Now, I was fully engaged and remained so from this point to the end.
Too little too late? For me, yes. The book just didn't have the instant grab of Orphan X and took far too long to really get going. Maybe there was enough in the final knockings of this one to drag me back to the series for book three, but maybe not.
My sincere thanks to Penguin UK and NetGalley supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The problem with follow-up books can be that the author uses all the best bits of the character’s story in book one, leaving slim pickings for what follows. Well, for two-thirds of this story, it felt to me that this is exactly what Hurwitz had done. The saving grace is that the final third represents a massive leap back to the quality of book one – there’s suddenly a significant increase in energy and a re-emergence of the type of twisty plot line tricks seen in the earlier tale. Now, I was fully engaged and remained so from this point to the end.
Too little too late? For me, yes. The book just didn't have the instant grab of Orphan X and took far too long to really get going. Maybe there was enough in the final knockings of this one to drag me back to the series for book three, but maybe not.
My sincere thanks to Penguin UK and NetGalley supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2023
UPDATE 12/07/23 - Reread and still such an engaging story.
Original Review
3.5 Stars (I decided to round it up to 4 because I really do love Evan!)
Something I noticed in this second book is that the writing is actually very good. I had more time to notice because this story was less engaging than in book one. Don't get me wrong, it was still thoroughly enjoyable but I felt like the 'bad guy' was a little bit cartoonish at times. The action sequences were so brilliant and I will definitely continue on with the series as it is adrenalin filled entertainment.
CW: Extreme violence and torture
Original Review
3.5 Stars (I decided to round it up to 4 because I really do love Evan!)
Something I noticed in this second book is that the writing is actually very good. I had more time to notice because this story was less engaging than in book one. Don't get me wrong, it was still thoroughly enjoyable but I felt like the 'bad guy' was a little bit cartoonish at times. The action sequences were so brilliant and I will definitely continue on with the series as it is adrenalin filled entertainment.
CW: Extreme violence and torture
December 22, 2022
the setup…
Evan Smoak, formerly known as Orphan X when he was part of the Orphan program and now operating as the Nowhere Man, responds to his latest client’s plea for help. She’s fallen into the clutches of human traffickers and after he “resolves” the issue, it occurs to him he may have left other innocents behind. When he locates the lair, he realizes (too late) that he’s fallen into a dangerous trap and is in the fight of his life as he faces formidable enemies who are determined o see his demise.
the heart of the story…
I’d gotten comfortable thinking there wasn’t a situation where Evan couldn’t manage his way out but here it seemed like the challenges were insurmountable. His captor’s end game wasn’t immediately clear and in the meantime, people from his past seemed to be working on parallel paths to find him. There was a new danger around every turn and it was impossible to gauge truth from lies and subterfuge. I got brain camps trying to work through everything until it all became crystal clear.
the narration…
Scott Brick continues to embody this character in a way that works for me. He also brought some scary and sinister qualities to all those baddies in this one. I remain committed to listing to the entire series.
the bottom line…
I never felt like I could take a breath during this story and worried for Evan the entire time. He was in serious trouble and the resolution brought its own twists and surprises. It was exciting, suspenseful and nerve wracking, which was just what I was hoping for. Hang on because this was the bumpiest of rides with a cliffhanger ending!
Posted on Blue Mood Café
Evan Smoak, formerly known as Orphan X when he was part of the Orphan program and now operating as the Nowhere Man, responds to his latest client’s plea for help. She’s fallen into the clutches of human traffickers and after he “resolves” the issue, it occurs to him he may have left other innocents behind. When he locates the lair, he realizes (too late) that he’s fallen into a dangerous trap and is in the fight of his life as he faces formidable enemies who are determined o see his demise.
the heart of the story…
I’d gotten comfortable thinking there wasn’t a situation where Evan couldn’t manage his way out but here it seemed like the challenges were insurmountable. His captor’s end game wasn’t immediately clear and in the meantime, people from his past seemed to be working on parallel paths to find him. There was a new danger around every turn and it was impossible to gauge truth from lies and subterfuge. I got brain camps trying to work through everything until it all became crystal clear.
the narration…
Scott Brick continues to embody this character in a way that works for me. He also brought some scary and sinister qualities to all those baddies in this one. I remain committed to listing to the entire series.
the bottom line…
I never felt like I could take a breath during this story and worried for Evan the entire time. He was in serious trouble and the resolution brought its own twists and surprises. It was exciting, suspenseful and nerve wracking, which was just what I was hoping for. Hang on because this was the bumpiest of rides with a cliffhanger ending!
Posted on Blue Mood Café
November 18, 2021
Whoa, talk about high octane thrills! Evan Smoak is Jack Reacher on speed! Just when you think he cannot possibly get himself out of the impossible situation he has got himself into, he does and then ends up in an even more impossible situation.
Evan Smoak, previously known as Orphan X in a secret government assassins training program, has left the program but still uses is skills as the Nowhere Man to rescue people in dire need of his services. Evan is busy doing just that when he is kidnapped by a crazed madman and his cartel of thugs and swept away to a secure mountain location in a bid to extort money from him. They have no idea who they have captured but soon find out that this is no ordinary man. Evan can't expect any outside help as the only person he ever loved, his trainer and mentor is dead and he is being hunted by the remaining Orphans still working for the government program. But Evan is used to relying on himself and his special skills and has many inventive ways of causing mayhem.
I really enjoyed this sequel to Orphan X and the developing character of Evan as he reflects back on his childhood and training while he fights for his life. Lots of really high octane action, a fantastic finale to the kidnapping and a cliffhanger of an ending that sent me off to find the next instalment. Sure, most of the action is not believable but it is a lot of fun!
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher St Martin's for a digital copy of the book
Evan Smoak, previously known as Orphan X in a secret government assassins training program, has left the program but still uses is skills as the Nowhere Man to rescue people in dire need of his services. Evan is busy doing just that when he is kidnapped by a crazed madman and his cartel of thugs and swept away to a secure mountain location in a bid to extort money from him. They have no idea who they have captured but soon find out that this is no ordinary man. Evan can't expect any outside help as the only person he ever loved, his trainer and mentor is dead and he is being hunted by the remaining Orphans still working for the government program. But Evan is used to relying on himself and his special skills and has many inventive ways of causing mayhem.
I really enjoyed this sequel to Orphan X and the developing character of Evan as he reflects back on his childhood and training while he fights for his life. Lots of really high octane action, a fantastic finale to the kidnapping and a cliffhanger of an ending that sent me off to find the next instalment. Sure, most of the action is not believable but it is a lot of fun!
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher St Martin's for a digital copy of the book
February 10, 2018
This is an intense, action filled thriller, the sequel to Orphan X, that picks up from where it left off. It will probably help if you read the first book to get a handle on this one. Evan Smoak, aka Orphan X and the Nowhere Man, was taken from an orphanage as a child by a secret and covert shadowy government programme. They trained him to be a highly skilled and efficient assassin. Evan eventually managed to escape the programme, but is having to live life under the radar. He has decided to use his specific skill sets for good, setting out to help those who desperately need him. A brutal Orphan from the programme has instigated a hunt for Evan, beginning to get closer to him. Evan has been kidnapped, drugged and imprisoned by a sociopath who specialises in stealing and blackmail. However, it would be a mistake to underestimate Evan, despite being imprisoned, this does not impede his ability to kill a number of bad guys. Evan is determined to save a 17 year old girl in a container. With twists and a cliffhanger ending, this is an entertaining, if implausible, high tech thriller where we learn more of Evan's past history. Many thanks to Penguin Michael Joseph for an ARC.
December 2, 2018
4★
“By design, Evan is hard to gauge. Thirty-something. Fit but not muscly. Somewhere around six feet. An average guy, not too handsome. Addison underestimates him. This happens a lot, by design. The kid’s lips twitch to the side.”
Evan Smoak is back in action. He keeps a low profile, wearing a uniform of black jeans and grey tee-shirts, nothing that will call attention to himself. He needs to be able to slip through crowds unnoticed, and does.
I want his phone! He has a RoamZone mobile phone protected by fibreglass casing and a Gorilla glass screen. Not only is it virtually indestructible, it has an incredible battery that people would pay squillions for. Seems to me the coverage was pretty good too.
Ah, but I’m not Evan Smoak and I don’t answer my phone with ”Do you need my help?” The only people who call him are those who need his help, and only one at a time. As each client (and I use the term loosely, since he’s not paid) is rescued from some dire fate, Evan asks them to find someone else in desperate straits and give them his number.
A frantic young girl calls The Nowhere Man because she needs help. She describes who gave her his number (he makes sure it was his last client), and he’s quick to figure out what’s wrong.
“Given immigration confusion, gang influence, and splintered family trees, disappearances aren’t rare when you’re dealing with broke ethnic girls. They’re a renewable resource.
. . .
Some of the girls are kept. Some are designated for onetime use.”
A lousy fate. We first met Evan Smoak in Orphan X, where we learned about his orphan background and his training as a weapon for Good (I use a capital so you know it’s for the Greater Good, according to the entity in charge – the US government, we think, although their idea of the GG may differ from your own).
In this one, Evan is missing his mentor and father-figure, Jack. The orphan program was disbanded and the assignments stopped, so Evan had gone all lone wolf. He’s determined to save this girl even while he grieves for Jack.
You will especially enjoy this if you’re interested in gadgets and ways of “rigging up a deal”, as my brother used to refer to inventing some device that would do something seemingly impossible (a people-trap was one from our childhood).
“From the outside his Ford F-150 pickup looked like any one of the millions on the roads of America. But with its laminate armor glass, self-seal tires, and built-to-spec push-bumper assembly, it was actually a war machine.”
Evan has many strings to his bow or arrows in his quiver or whatever hackneyed phrase I need here – technology, machinery, guns, science, and the mental strength of a meditating monk. Kind of a MacGyver/007 who practises Kung Fu.
He does meet some lovely (not) folks.
“Aside from the tattoo high on his neck, a missing incisor, and a general air of menace, he seemed pleasant enough.”
How he gets himself into dicey situations doesn’t bear thinking about, and wondering how he’ll get out of them is nail-biting stuff. (We know there’s a book #3, and presumably he is in it!) He tries to keep his distance from vulnerable people, but he’s an old softy underneath and he hurts when they hurt (which is often).
I liked this better than the first one, but I admit to wishing the story would move on from the cold climate he found himself in. Mind you, Evan would have liked to move on from there a bit quicker, too!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted.
“By design, Evan is hard to gauge. Thirty-something. Fit but not muscly. Somewhere around six feet. An average guy, not too handsome. Addison underestimates him. This happens a lot, by design. The kid’s lips twitch to the side.”
Evan Smoak is back in action. He keeps a low profile, wearing a uniform of black jeans and grey tee-shirts, nothing that will call attention to himself. He needs to be able to slip through crowds unnoticed, and does.
I want his phone! He has a RoamZone mobile phone protected by fibreglass casing and a Gorilla glass screen. Not only is it virtually indestructible, it has an incredible battery that people would pay squillions for. Seems to me the coverage was pretty good too.
Ah, but I’m not Evan Smoak and I don’t answer my phone with ”Do you need my help?” The only people who call him are those who need his help, and only one at a time. As each client (and I use the term loosely, since he’s not paid) is rescued from some dire fate, Evan asks them to find someone else in desperate straits and give them his number.
A frantic young girl calls The Nowhere Man because she needs help. She describes who gave her his number (he makes sure it was his last client), and he’s quick to figure out what’s wrong.
“Given immigration confusion, gang influence, and splintered family trees, disappearances aren’t rare when you’re dealing with broke ethnic girls. They’re a renewable resource.
. . .
Some of the girls are kept. Some are designated for onetime use.”
A lousy fate. We first met Evan Smoak in Orphan X, where we learned about his orphan background and his training as a weapon for Good (I use a capital so you know it’s for the Greater Good, according to the entity in charge – the US government, we think, although their idea of the GG may differ from your own).
In this one, Evan is missing his mentor and father-figure, Jack. The orphan program was disbanded and the assignments stopped, so Evan had gone all lone wolf. He’s determined to save this girl even while he grieves for Jack.
You will especially enjoy this if you’re interested in gadgets and ways of “rigging up a deal”, as my brother used to refer to inventing some device that would do something seemingly impossible (a people-trap was one from our childhood).
“From the outside his Ford F-150 pickup looked like any one of the millions on the roads of America. But with its laminate armor glass, self-seal tires, and built-to-spec push-bumper assembly, it was actually a war machine.”
Evan has many strings to his bow or arrows in his quiver or whatever hackneyed phrase I need here – technology, machinery, guns, science, and the mental strength of a meditating monk. Kind of a MacGyver/007 who practises Kung Fu.
He does meet some lovely (not) folks.
“Aside from the tattoo high on his neck, a missing incisor, and a general air of menace, he seemed pleasant enough.”
How he gets himself into dicey situations doesn’t bear thinking about, and wondering how he’ll get out of them is nail-biting stuff. (We know there’s a book #3, and presumably he is in it!) He tries to keep his distance from vulnerable people, but he’s an old softy underneath and he hurts when they hurt (which is often).
I liked this better than the first one, but I admit to wishing the story would move on from the cold climate he found himself in. Mind you, Evan would have liked to move on from there a bit quicker, too!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted.
July 27, 2018
The fun thing about reading novels like this are twofold: One, seeing the hero succeed in helping someone in need because of his special talents, and two, seeing the hero in a dire situation where you genuinely think to yourself—how the heck could he possibly get out of this predicament?
For the latter, trained assassin Evan Smoak, the Nowhere Man, formerly Orphan X, him being in a seemingly-impossible-to-escape situation lasts for hundreds of pages. Just when you think he might get away . . . bam! His entrapment becomes ten times worse. And then worse. And then even more dreadful. And then more intolerable. But you know he’ll somehow succeed because the sequels have already been written.
So you can’t help but keep turning pages to find out how.
Do the plot lines strain the bounds of credulity? Yes. Do they make you wonder what the heck is wrong with the brain of Gregg Hurwitz? They sure do. Was it a thrill ride anyway? Absolutely.
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to review this fun novel.
For more reviews, please visit: http://www.theresaalan.net/blog
For the latter, trained assassin Evan Smoak, the Nowhere Man, formerly Orphan X, him being in a seemingly-impossible-to-escape situation lasts for hundreds of pages. Just when you think he might get away . . . bam! His entrapment becomes ten times worse. And then worse. And then even more dreadful. And then more intolerable. But you know he’ll somehow succeed because the sequels have already been written.
So you can’t help but keep turning pages to find out how.
Do the plot lines strain the bounds of credulity? Yes. Do they make you wonder what the heck is wrong with the brain of Gregg Hurwitz? They sure do. Was it a thrill ride anyway? Absolutely.
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to review this fun novel.
For more reviews, please visit: http://www.theresaalan.net/blog
![Profile Image for Terence M [on a brief semi-hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1712357414i%2F6658001._UY200_CR4%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
March 23, 2022
This audiobook is also known as:
The Nowhere Man (Orphan X #2)
Audiobook - 12:12 Hours - Narrator: Scott Brick
5.0 Stars out of 5.0 for BOTH listens
Review of Second listen: (14/March/2022)
Another stunning re-listen to the second "Orphan X" audiobook! Gregg Hurwitz is really an excellent writer and as it became obvious when I re-listened to "Orphan X, #1", this is is a remarkable series, which seems to improve upon re-listening. I have avoided moving straight on to "#3, Hellbent" because I don't want to take the chance of spoiling the series with a 're-listen binge', but I will be hearing #3 within the next few weeks. All of this is leading up to my first listen to "Orphan X #7, Dark Horse" which arrived from Audible when it was released on 25 February 22.
Review of First listen: (01/May/2019)
I finished listening to "Evan Smoak Orphan X #2, The Nowhere Man" last night and immediately heard the first chapter of "Evan Smoak Orphan X #3, Hellbent". This gives readers an idea of how much I enjoyed "The Nowhere Man".
I will have more to say after I have had a chance to mentally digest and then review the book.
The Nowhere Man (Orphan X #2)
Audiobook - 12:12 Hours - Narrator: Scott Brick
5.0 Stars out of 5.0 for BOTH listens
Review of Second listen: (14/March/2022)
Another stunning re-listen to the second "Orphan X" audiobook! Gregg Hurwitz is really an excellent writer and as it became obvious when I re-listened to "Orphan X, #1", this is is a remarkable series, which seems to improve upon re-listening. I have avoided moving straight on to "#3, Hellbent" because I don't want to take the chance of spoiling the series with a 're-listen binge', but I will be hearing #3 within the next few weeks. All of this is leading up to my first listen to "Orphan X #7, Dark Horse" which arrived from Audible when it was released on 25 February 22.
Review of First listen: (01/May/2019)
I finished listening to "
I will have more to say after I have had a chance to mentally digest and then review the book.
July 25, 2019
OH MAN I LOVE THIS SERIES!! Only 2 into it but it is fast becoming one of my favourites! Absolutely fantastic! Do yourself a favour and read them!
Evan is a former elusive member of the government run “Orphan” program and an elite killer. He leaves the program following the death of his mentor and becomes the Nowhere Man, helping people who need it most. But this time he becomes the one who needs the help when he finds himself prisoner of a psychopath.
WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW I LOVED THIS BOOK! Look, yes I know it was corny and unbelievable a lot of the time, but if you come into a book like this expecting believability you are going to be disappointed. It was non-stop action, blood, guts, violence, gore, and surprisingly a touch of emotion and grit. AND I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!
The Nowhere Man would be ok as a stand-alone, but it will be much better if you read the first one, Orphan X beforehand – Not only is that an amazing book also, but you will get a feel for the character and have a much better understanding of what is going on.
Did I enjoy the audio version?
YES! So awesome! I said the same thing about Orphan X, but it is like an action movie for your ears. I had trouble turning it off!
Would I recommend the Nowhere Man?
Yes, this is one of my favourite series! Action/thriller/adventure fans, if you haven’t experienced it yet, go and grab the first one and sit back and enjoy the ride! Thankfully for me there are a few more to go!
For more reviews check out my:
Blog
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Evan is a former elusive member of the government run “Orphan” program and an elite killer. He leaves the program following the death of his mentor and becomes the Nowhere Man, helping people who need it most. But this time he becomes the one who needs the help when he finds himself prisoner of a psychopath.
WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW I LOVED THIS BOOK! Look, yes I know it was corny and unbelievable a lot of the time, but if you come into a book like this expecting believability you are going to be disappointed. It was non-stop action, blood, guts, violence, gore, and surprisingly a touch of emotion and grit. AND I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!
The Nowhere Man would be ok as a stand-alone, but it will be much better if you read the first one, Orphan X beforehand – Not only is that an amazing book also, but you will get a feel for the character and have a much better understanding of what is going on.
Did I enjoy the audio version?
YES! So awesome! I said the same thing about Orphan X, but it is like an action movie for your ears. I had trouble turning it off!
Would I recommend the Nowhere Man?
Yes, this is one of my favourite series! Action/thriller/adventure fans, if you haven’t experienced it yet, go and grab the first one and sit back and enjoy the ride! Thankfully for me there are a few more to go!
For more reviews check out my:
Blog
August 29, 2021
This was an exciting continuation to the Orphan X series. I enjoyed seeing Evan Smoak develop the tiniest bit more as he continues to operate in his "mission first and only" mindset that has been drilled into him. Evan is going about rescuing those in trouble as usual whenhe is kidnapped by some super-bad guys and held in a remote location. Naturally, he must figure out how to escape, which takes up most of the book.
Please excuse typos./name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
Please excuse typos./name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
September 22, 2020
4.5 stars
Gregg Hurwitz has done it again with the Nowhere Man #2 in the Evan Snoak series it is action packed, has a lull in the middle then BAM that ending wow i never saw it coming, put in a people smuggling synopsis & you have one hell of a read. But has Evan met his match in Hector Contrells who owns the construction called Mcmansion who he controls broke families East up L.A was away from neighbors on a inclined driveway in Chats worth.
Then Evan gets kidnapped the stakes get higher its like watching a game of chess whio will make the next move.
MY THOUGHTS
This was one thrilling read that i had to getr back to at every minute i had the time, it was fast paced but with a lull in the iddle then picked up again , i love Evan's character how he hasevolved in the series his past & present situations he gets himself into looking forward to the next installment which i currently unavailable in Australia at the moment
.
PS You need to read the series in order as you may get a bit lost.
Gregg Hurwitz has done it again with the Nowhere Man #2 in the Evan Snoak series it is action packed, has a lull in the middle then BAM that ending wow i never saw it coming, put in a people smuggling synopsis & you have one hell of a read. But has Evan met his match in Hector Contrells who owns the construction called Mcmansion who he controls broke families East up L.A was away from neighbors on a inclined driveway in Chats worth.
Then Evan gets kidnapped the stakes get higher its like watching a game of chess whio will make the next move.
MY THOUGHTS
This was one thrilling read that i had to getr back to at every minute i had the time, it was fast paced but with a lull in the iddle then picked up again , i love Evan's character how he hasevolved in the series his past & present situations he gets himself into looking forward to the next installment which i currently unavailable in Australia at the moment
.
PS You need to read the series in order as you may get a bit lost.
December 4, 2016
The Nowhere Man was a slow read. I loved Orphan X and was very excited for the sequel. Gregg Hurwitz’s clever and resourceful protagonist Evan Smoak is a highly entertaining character who is prepared for anything and everything he encounters. Hurwitz’s meticulously crafts the descriptions of Smoak’s fortress-like apartment including his safe room which adds to Smoak’s mystique. In Orphan X, Hurwitz created a plot that utilized his main character’s skills and preparation in a highly satisfying manner. The Nowhere Man starts out strong, but soon the plot decelerates and sadly never speeds up again. Smoak tackles too many villains, and I thought he would never escape from the Chateau where he is imprisoned. Some editing down of this section would have been very helpful.
While I love Evan Smoak and am looking forward to the next installment of this series, I felt The Nowhere Man fell a little flat. Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While I love Evan Smoak and am looking forward to the next installment of this series, I felt The Nowhere Man fell a little flat. Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 6, 2017
Evan Smoak is back and what a ride!
He returns in the sequel to the national bestseller Orphan X.
Evan Smoak is the Nowhere Man! When he is reached by the very desperate, he can and will do anything to save them.
In the course of rescuing someone, Evan is captured by a sociopath, drugged, and taken to a remote location which is heavily guarded. He attempts to outwit and overpower his captor at every opportunity which leads to many suspenseful and pulse racing scenes. A game of cat and mouse ensues where we witness him using the numerous skills taught to him as a youngster in the Orphan programme.
An exceptional ending that leaves us wanting more.
Gregg Hurwitz fails to disappoint and I can hardly wait to read his next thriller starring Evan Smoak!
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced readers copy.
He returns in the sequel to the national bestseller Orphan X.
Evan Smoak is the Nowhere Man! When he is reached by the very desperate, he can and will do anything to save them.
In the course of rescuing someone, Evan is captured by a sociopath, drugged, and taken to a remote location which is heavily guarded. He attempts to outwit and overpower his captor at every opportunity which leads to many suspenseful and pulse racing scenes. A game of cat and mouse ensues where we witness him using the numerous skills taught to him as a youngster in the Orphan programme.
An exceptional ending that leaves us wanting more.
Gregg Hurwitz fails to disappoint and I can hardly wait to read his next thriller starring Evan Smoak!
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced readers copy.
August 13, 2018
I loved the first book in Evan Smoak series so I was really looking forward to reading this one. And it is good, it's really good but The Nowhere Man doesn't seem as tight or cleverly crafted as Orphan X. The plot moves at a slower pace and is a bit less believable than in the first book. Overall though it's an intriguing and twisty read and I'll definitely be continuing with the series.
March 12, 2022
4.5 rounded up
Book 2 continues where book 1 left off. However, Orphan X is even in bigger trouble this book. In an effort to take out a child trafficking ring, Evan is captured and held prisoner. This book moves fast and there is so much action that I felt I was in a constant state of reader anxiety. I won’t say too much more other than to say that Evan dies not give up even when things seem down to the bitter end. As each book is read, I find myself liking Evan more and more. Unfortunately, it seems he will never lead a normal life, but is if so bad? I’m definitely continuing on to book 3. I love the good versus bad in these books and how Evan is ridding the world of POS that deserve it.
Book 2 continues where book 1 left off. However, Orphan X is even in bigger trouble this book. In an effort to take out a child trafficking ring, Evan is captured and held prisoner. This book moves fast and there is so much action that I felt I was in a constant state of reader anxiety. I won’t say too much more other than to say that Evan dies not give up even when things seem down to the bitter end. As each book is read, I find myself liking Evan more and more. Unfortunately, it seems he will never lead a normal life, but is if so bad? I’m definitely continuing on to book 3. I love the good versus bad in these books and how Evan is ridding the world of POS that deserve it.
July 8, 2019
Former shadow wars assassin turned pro bono one-man A-Team for those in need, Evan Smoak - the titular Nowhere Man who’s also called Orphan X; jaysis make up your mind, man! - is kidnapped by a vampiric rich dude who only knows Evan has cash that he wants. And then he finds out who Evan REALLY is and things kick up a notch. Gawrsh, however will Evan get out of this scrape?!
Gregg Hurwitz’s second Orphan X “thriller” is about as good as his first which is to say that it’s just an ok read - as you can probably tell from the quotation marks, I didn’t find it especially thrilling.
A lot of that has to do with the rather spare story. Evan’s stuck in a room in an isolated complex for most of the nearly 400 page(!) novel with Hurwitz laboriously documenting his numerous escape attempts. It’s kinda like a literary adaptation of Chumbawumba’s Tubthumping as Evan gets knocked down, gets up again, and so on - it’s repetitive stuff.
The narrative is slow and overlong. Reading extensive action sequences isn’t any more exciting now than it was in the last novel. “Shocking” reveals about certain characters aren’t that shocking mostly because I still haven’t connected to the stoic and distant Evan so I don’t really care about these big life changes. The two people in need of The Nowhere Man are continually mentioned throughout but are dealt with each in a handful of pages at the end very anticlimactically.
The book definitely has some fine moments though. Not all the escape attempts are dull and the final one is pretty damn entertaining. Evil rich dude Rene is a bit of a one-dimensional Thomas Harris-esque character (Mason Verger) but he’s also undeniably interesting and I liked the rogue Orphan, Candy, a lot too.
Like the first Orphan X, The Nowhere Man is a decent action novel with enough fun scenes dotted throughout to never become overwhelmingly tedious. It could definitely do with some trimming though and, like a lot of action stories, it’s not very memorable either. Certainly nothing special - for fans of the genre only.
Gregg Hurwitz’s second Orphan X “thriller” is about as good as his first which is to say that it’s just an ok read - as you can probably tell from the quotation marks, I didn’t find it especially thrilling.
A lot of that has to do with the rather spare story. Evan’s stuck in a room in an isolated complex for most of the nearly 400 page(!) novel with Hurwitz laboriously documenting his numerous escape attempts. It’s kinda like a literary adaptation of Chumbawumba’s Tubthumping as Evan gets knocked down, gets up again, and so on - it’s repetitive stuff.
The narrative is slow and overlong. Reading extensive action sequences isn’t any more exciting now than it was in the last novel. “Shocking” reveals about certain characters aren’t that shocking mostly because I still haven’t connected to the stoic and distant Evan so I don’t really care about these big life changes. The two people in need of The Nowhere Man are continually mentioned throughout but are dealt with each in a handful of pages at the end very anticlimactically.
The book definitely has some fine moments though. Not all the escape attempts are dull and the final one is pretty damn entertaining. Evil rich dude Rene is a bit of a one-dimensional Thomas Harris-esque character (Mason Verger) but he’s also undeniably interesting and I liked the rogue Orphan, Candy, a lot too.
Like the first Orphan X, The Nowhere Man is a decent action novel with enough fun scenes dotted throughout to never become overwhelmingly tedious. It could definitely do with some trimming though and, like a lot of action stories, it’s not very memorable either. Certainly nothing special - for fans of the genre only.
November 3, 2018
My honeymoon with Orphan X is over! This is Hurwitz’s 2nd offering in the series and has little of the charm of the first. In this offering, Evan Smoak is captured, drugged and taken to a remote location. The jailers are a diabolical bunch, but they don’t want to kill Evan—at least not until after he gives them the codes for his off-shore millions. So—much of the plot involves Evan being tortured—escaping—getting recaptured. Again and again. Hurwitz intersperses the action with flashbacks to his abhorrent childhood and training with Jack. It is all pretty violent and grim.
January 6, 2021
This series has surpassed all my favorite thriller/action series. I love Evan Smoak. He is the best action hero I've ever read. I think these books are flawless. Some may disagree, and that's fine. But on the second reread, they are just as fantastic and enjoyable. Even knowing how the book ended, I was still in suspense and it was like I read it for the first time. I didn't ever write my review for the first time because my life exploded, and I couldn't do the review justice at the time. So this is a combo review.
I like how in this book, all the advantages and control that Evan normally has in situations is taken away from him and he's literally imprisoned, and he has to figure out how to get out of that trap. It was so clever to subvert the first book so thoroughly, but Evan still comes out looking like the lethal badass he was in the first book. I think that Hurwitz realized some things about the character since the first book, and the readers are treated to that evolution along with him. Evan feels so three-dimensional, and while he's a legendary figure in this series, he's very human with all the frailties.
I truly love the focus on Evan's relationship with his foster father/mentor/handler. How it has shaped his life thoroughly, and those lessons are integrated into his framework. Jack Johns' voice functions as his Jiminy Cricket, dispensing Jack's spared down, incisive wisdom right in the moments when Evan needs it most, and it definitely comes in handy. Jack has given him a set of Commandments to follow. My favorite is the 2nd Commandment: "How you do anything is how you do everything." I'm not ashamed to say I actually apply this to myself in my daily goings on.
The bad guys in this series are really bad. And I love that while Evan brings a new meaning to the word badass, his villains don't feel like paper tigers that are easily defeated. They are often extremely brutal and physically formidable, but some are also extremely brilliant and tactical thinkers, which requires Evan to use all of his well-honed skills and critical thinking abilities. The twists and turns in the narrative are glorious to behold, and I love how nothing is throwaway.
I keep repeating myself, but this really is a fantastic series. It holds up on reread, and each book gets better, but in a different way.
Definitely the Orphan X series is on my Desert Island Keepers pile.
I like how in this book, all the advantages and control that Evan normally has in situations is taken away from him and he's literally imprisoned, and he has to figure out how to get out of that trap. It was so clever to subvert the first book so thoroughly, but Evan still comes out looking like the lethal badass he was in the first book. I think that Hurwitz realized some things about the character since the first book, and the readers are treated to that evolution along with him. Evan feels so three-dimensional, and while he's a legendary figure in this series, he's very human with all the frailties.
I truly love the focus on Evan's relationship with his foster father/mentor/handler. How it has shaped his life thoroughly, and those lessons are integrated into his framework. Jack Johns' voice functions as his Jiminy Cricket, dispensing Jack's spared down, incisive wisdom right in the moments when Evan needs it most, and it definitely comes in handy. Jack has given him a set of Commandments to follow. My favorite is the 2nd Commandment: "How you do anything is how you do everything." I'm not ashamed to say I actually apply this to myself in my daily goings on.
The bad guys in this series are really bad. And I love that while Evan brings a new meaning to the word badass, his villains don't feel like paper tigers that are easily defeated. They are often extremely brutal and physically formidable, but some are also extremely brilliant and tactical thinkers, which requires Evan to use all of his well-honed skills and critical thinking abilities. The twists and turns in the narrative are glorious to behold, and I love how nothing is throwaway.
I keep repeating myself, but this really is a fantastic series. It holds up on reread, and each book gets better, but in a different way.
Definitely the Orphan X series is on my Desert Island Keepers pile.
January 14, 2019
Forget Rambo, forget Ethan Hunt, forget even Superman for have we have a new hero for you all rolled up in a character, named Evan Smoek in the book Nowhere Man. This is Gregg Hurwitz's second book featuring Evan and a bevy of bad, really bad people. Having met Evan already in the book Orphan X, and knowing if I was ever in big deep dark trouble, Evan would be the man I would call and have frighting for me.
Those of us who know of Evan's past as a child secreted into a super elite killer force of orphans, know that any adventures he becomes involved in are dangerous, life threatening, and a ride into a world of darkness and depravity.
Evan is constantly being chased. He is wanted by the group he withdrew from years ago. They want Evan and will pull out all the stops to get him and eliminate the threat he has become. Evan has been able to hide all while helping one person who is in extreme danger at a time. However, Evan's time as a free man has come to an end. He is captured, wakes up in a place where his abilities are well known by his cruel guards, and the man who controls them. If that is not bad enough, Evan receives a call for help while being held captive. He believes himself capable of helping, but given his circumstances this seems impossible. However, this is Evan Smoek and as he battles the evil that surrounds him, he learns more about himself as well as the man who not only taught him many of his skills, but also has loved him as a son.
Fraught with action and hold your breath thriller scenes, Mr Hurwitz has once again created a story that rolls along seeped with action, menace and peril. I definitely recommend this book to those of us who so enjoy a book where the suspense pours out on every page and where one will find their ample fill of hair raising events. Can't wait to find out where Evan is headed in the next book of this mind blowing series.
Thank you to Gregg Hurwitz who once again had me turning pages in the middle of the night, Minatour Books, and NetGalley for an opportunity to read this spine tingling book.
My reviews can also be seen here: http://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpress...
Those of us who know of Evan's past as a child secreted into a super elite killer force of orphans, know that any adventures he becomes involved in are dangerous, life threatening, and a ride into a world of darkness and depravity.
Evan is constantly being chased. He is wanted by the group he withdrew from years ago. They want Evan and will pull out all the stops to get him and eliminate the threat he has become. Evan has been able to hide all while helping one person who is in extreme danger at a time. However, Evan's time as a free man has come to an end. He is captured, wakes up in a place where his abilities are well known by his cruel guards, and the man who controls them. If that is not bad enough, Evan receives a call for help while being held captive. He believes himself capable of helping, but given his circumstances this seems impossible. However, this is Evan Smoek and as he battles the evil that surrounds him, he learns more about himself as well as the man who not only taught him many of his skills, but also has loved him as a son.
Fraught with action and hold your breath thriller scenes, Mr Hurwitz has once again created a story that rolls along seeped with action, menace and peril. I definitely recommend this book to those of us who so enjoy a book where the suspense pours out on every page and where one will find their ample fill of hair raising events. Can't wait to find out where Evan is headed in the next book of this mind blowing series.
Thank you to Gregg Hurwitz who once again had me turning pages in the middle of the night, Minatour Books, and NetGalley for an opportunity to read this spine tingling book.
My reviews can also be seen here: http://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpress...
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