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Orphan X (Orphan X, #1)

Gregg Hurwitz

Discussion: THE SEVENTH FLOOR

Why we're reading this: Nowhere Man is an assassin focused on helping people who are in trouble and he functions like a covert op…more
[close] Nowhere Man is an assassin focused on helping people who are in trouble and he functions like a covert operations specialist with an intelligence background.

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THE SEVENTH FLOOR

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* WELCOME TO 2021. What Spy Novels are on your radar?
By Samuel , Director · 32 posts · 163 views

last updated Dec 30, 2021 08:31PM

* WELCOME TO 2020 What spy thriller novels are on your radar?
By Samuel , Director · 65 posts · 143 views

last updated Dec 22, 2020 11:02PM

What Members Thought

May 22, 2020 Danielle The Book Huntress rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020-action-adventure-aficionados-c, in-disguise, desert-island-keepers, library-checkout, spy, favorite-series, own-audiobook, favorite-or-autobuy-author, 2020-dhasg-challenge, bodyguard-protector

Okay so I read this on CD back in 2019 and I never got around to writing my review. I did a reread on Audible a few months ago, so this is a dual review.

My life is so blessed by this series. Evan Smoak is the hero I always wanted in my life. This is not an overstatement. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a bit obsessed with assassin fictional characters. I don't mean the type who kill just anyone for enough money, I like the ones who have some code they adhere to. Well Evan was taken out of a Okay so I read this on CD back in 2019 and I never got around to writing my review. I did a reread on Audible a few months ago, so this is a dual review.

My life is so blessed by this series. Evan Smoak is the hero I always wanted in my life. This is not an overstatement. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a bit obsessed with assassin fictional characters. I don't mean the type who kill just anyone for enough money, I like the ones who have some code they adhere to. Well Evan was taken out of a boy's group home at the age of twelve and "adopted" by his handler Jack Johns, who became his surrogate father that Evan adored as only a young child can adore their parental figure. He also taught him to be a formidable agent, to withstand untold pain, to learn how to kill in more ways than you could dream of, to be able to operate in any situation and realize that if you screwed up, you were on your own. And Even followed orders faithfully until he began to see that he wasn't necessary working for the good guys. So Evan dropped off the Orphan program radar and tried to live a 'normal' life and also became The Nowhere Man.

His story is expertly told in the first book (I have read the first three books, and I have the fourth one ready to start, hopefully this summer). Although each book manages to give readers a piece of the Evan Smoak puzzle, this book introduces a character that is surely beloved by many (including myself). It's told by flashback and also in present day. The excellent writing reveals a lethal weapon who also happens to be a deeply principled, conscientious man. He manages to be both an a way that in beautifully integrated. I love the idea of his work as The Nowhere Man. Think "The Equalizer" and you get a starting reference for Evan's practice, also he's a lot more brutal to the bad guys. But it's a way that is very easy to co-sign on. He is truly helping the helpless, the people who can't rely on the system or the police to help them. The folks who fall through the cracks.

There's a lot to love about this story, but one of the things I really loved other than the flawless character building, is the well-plotted narrative. Even though it takes some things that are pretty familiar to those who enjoy action suspense books, tv and movies, it's done in a way that feels innovative. There's plenty of gun play and description of weapons, but Hurwitz always makes it clear that the most deadly weapon is the mind. I think that it's easy to think of guns as a show of machismo and strength, but being well-armed doesn't always make you the hero or the strongest person. Evan has to do a lot of thinking and plotting to get out of the many sticky situations he encounters in this book. He deals with a fair amount of bullies and I think there is welcome commentary about that and how one can use their strength to protect others versus preying on helpless people.

At first I wasn't sure I liked the storyline about Mia and Peter, but then I realized how important it was to the evolution of Evan's character, and then I realized how much a piece of the puzzle their relationship with Evan was. The concept of him juggling all the aspect of his life at the same time really rang true although I'm hardly an assassin who is pretending to be an ordinary joe and who also helps people deal with unsolvable problems.

The action is on point and perfectly paced. The dialogue is authentic, and runs the gamut depending on the situations the characters are in. Hurwitz is very good at crafting characters of all sort, from the main character of Evan, who is perfectly nuanced and dimensional, to the incidental characters. Each interaction serving the story.

Some notes about the Audiobook:
Scott Brick is a fantastic narrator. His voice is such a fine instrument. I believe he has nailed Evan Smoak and he transmits him brilliantly in the narration. He also does an excellent job at the other characters. He transmits the menace of the bad guys and the vulnerability of the people that Evan helps. As well as the distinctive supporting characters, including young Peter and Tommy Stojack, Evan's armorer. I think that Scott Brick really sold these books to me, to the point that I have to listen to the audiobooks now, even though I know eventually I will read them as prose as well.

The Orphan X series is now become a point of comparison for me that I use for other action suspense series, and that's a good thing in most cases, except when I read a book that doesn't measure up. I definitely recommend this book and the entire series. ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Feb 17, 2016 Larry rated it it was amazing

In a year of great thrillers, "Orphan X" ranks at the top. It is complex, as are the characters in it (save a couple of the villains0. Like Nicholas Petrie's "The Drifter," it has a lot of heart, too. The action, not all of it physical, is nonstop in nature. The writing is first-rate. There are too many ways to spoil the book to go into any detail, but the book reveals a lot about the human side of plausible deniability. ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Jan 06, 2016 Ed rated it liked it

Evan Smoak, code named Orphan X, has trained since boyhood to function as a highly skilled government assassin. After losing his control officer and surrogate father, he successfully exits the grid. To atone for past sins, he uses his "unique set of skills" to help people in danger but finds himself in the cross-hairs of a mysterious group intent on killing him.

I thought Evan's overly detailed Tom Clancyesque "tradecraft" explanations slowed down the book's forward motion while the basic plot, ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 11, 2016 Nick Brett rated it liked it

A fast paced thriller with plenty of familiar nods but nicely put together. “Orphan X” was part of a Government sanctioned programme but he now goes it alone trying to help people out when they are desperate (think Equalizer!). Our hero has isolated himself from social circles and is OCD about maintaining his cover and privacy. In this as we grow to appreciate his talents and skills we also see him allowing a couple of people to get close. As enemies appear to come at him from all sides, he find ...more

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Jan 21, 2021 Dawn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

One of the Best!

Enjoyed getting to know Evan and his world. He is a hero, hero. Will love reading the rest of the series. We found out how he became Orphan X and some of those chasing him.

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