Hellbent (Orphan X, #3) in 2-3-4 Challenge

Feb 01, 2023 Jonetta rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2023-audiobook-challenge, nc-br-digital-library, 3500-2022, audiobook, mystery-suspense-thriller, group-read, 2023-beat-the-backlist

the setup…
Years ago, Evan Smoak broke with the Orphan X program and transformed himself into the Nowhere Man. As that persona, he helps innocents who are in desperate need of help, contacting him on a special line dedicated for that purpose. The next voice he hears on the line, however, has his blood run cold because it’s his former mentor, Jack Johns, the man who brought him into the program, trained him and later facilitated his escape out of its clutches. There’s no time left for Jack as gove the setup…
Years ago, Evan Smoak broke with the Orphan X program and transformed himself into the Nowhere Man. As that persona, he helps innocents who are in desperate need of help, contacting him on a special line dedicated for that purpose. The next voice he hears on the line, however, has his blood run cold because it’s his former mentor, Jack Johns, the man who brought him into the program, trained him and later facilitated his escape out of its clutches. There’s no time left for Jack as government forces close in on him (and ultimately Evan) but he leaves him with a mission: locate and protect his last recruit. Evan is in a race against time and his nemesis Charles Van Sciver, Orphan Y, who is the new head of the program out to find and destroy old rogue members.

the heart of the story…
By now, I’ve formed an expectation that Evan is almost superhuman, able to extricate himself out of every situation but he’s up against powerful resources that are teamed with Van Sciver. The search for Jack’s protégé was fascinating because the clues weren’t easy to uncover but their discoveries were a journey through Evan and Jack’s relationship, revealing even more about this enigmatic man. But this time, it all felt different, as if Evan and Van Sciver were headed towards some sort of showdown. And, the addition of the protégé (who shall remain nameless) added an exceptional level of intrigue and partnership. I was a bit confused in the beginning but at almost the halfway point, this became “un-put-downable.”

the narration…
Scott Brick continues to just sound and feel right in his storytelling approach and how he gives voice to Evan. He’s now who I hear for this series.

the bottom line…
I was expecting just another game of cat and mouse between Van Sciver and Evan but this was so much more. There’s a human side of the Nowhere Man unleashed for the first time and this was no longer a game without skin in it. He’s also doing all of this while helping out another innocent and that project felt hopeless. The culmination of it all was explosive and spectacular, beyond my imagination. I literally couldn’t stop listening until I got to a good place. That reveal at the end? Perfect setup for the next books. 4.5 stars

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Feb 07, 2023 Robin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2023, kindle-unlimited, suspense

Evan Smoak grew up as part of the Orphan Program. His mentor in the program was Jack Johns who became a father figure to him. When Evan decided to break from the Orphan Program, Jack helped him get out. Now the program is being run by Charles Van Sciver, AKA: Orphan Y. His mission is to eliminate any former orphans, including Evan. To do this, Van Sciver uses Jack to get Evan's attention. Jack has contacted Evan, telling him he is in trouble and that Evan should retrieve "the package". Evan does ...more

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Jul 09, 2018 Dianne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own, netgalley, adult-fiction, action-and-adventure, great-dialogue, gritty, anti-hero

Evan Smoak, once part of a deep government “assets” program has broken free, gone rogue and flamed that last spark of humanity into a quest to help those who need him most. He is also a man on the run from the very agency he once served and the big X on his back is neon orange. Every Orphan ever trained is out to take him down and end the legend of Orphan X, including an old rival, the new head of the Orphan program, the only orphan to match his skills.

When a voice from his past, one he thought ...more

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Jan 11, 2018 Carla rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, thriller-suspense, adult-fiction

Evan Smoak has gone through many transitions in his life. He was an orphan in a boys' home, he was taken from there at the age of 12 and trained to become a government assassin known as Orphan X. When he left the program, he became, The Nowhere Man, helping people who have nowhere else to turn. But now Smoak is out for revenge. When the last book ended, Evan gets a call from his mentor, Jack Johns, who he thought was dead. He was very much alive, but before the call ended, he was captured and en ...more

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Feb 12, 2020 Meera rated it really liked it

Shelves: action, 5000-books

I’m glad I gave this series another try. I hadn’t liked the second book but gr friends keep giving this series high ratings so I gave it another try. It was exactly what I was in the mood for: a fast paced plot without too much down time. It was a fun read and am looking forward to the next one.

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Jan 23, 2023 Charlene rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-themes, crime, suspense, series-by-author, group-read, public-library, rated-not-reviewed, follow-this-series, friends-tbr-lists, mystery

At least 4.5 stars

This was another really good read in the Orphan X series.

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