Dark Horse (Orphan X, #7) in 2-3-4 Challenge

Oct 22, 2023 Jonetta rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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

the setup…
Evan Smoak is recovering from the devastating attack on his penthouse six months ago and a chance encounter with a migrant worker has him considering a new Nowhere Man mission. But Aragón Urrea is no innocent, a drug kingpin in Texas who operates outside of the cartels and supports his community in the most positive of ways. His only child, daughter Anjelina was kidnapped at her quinceañera by the brutal Leones cartel, led by Raúl Montesco or El Moreno, the Dark Man. There’s no depth t the setup…
Evan Smoak is recovering from the devastating attack on his penthouse six months ago and a chance encounter with a migrant worker has him considering a new Nowhere Man mission. But Aragón Urrea is no innocent, a drug kingpin in Texas who operates outside of the cartels and supports his community in the most positive of ways. His only child, daughter Anjelina was kidnapped at her quinceañera by the brutal Leones cartel, led by Raúl Montesco or El Moreno, the Dark Man. There’s no depth to his depravity and Aragón is desperate and helpless. Though Evan struggles with his moral code in helping a man like Aragón, the pull to rescue Anjelina is stronger.

the heart of the story…
While the rescue mission is at the center of everything, Evan’s personal development is the real heartbeat of this story. He’s learning how to be in relationships with people, especially Mia Hall and her 10-year old son Peter, as well as his ward Joey. It’s new territory for him and the resolutions aren’t always black or white. That’s tested even more with the mission as siding with Aragón doesn’t feel right either so he’s grappling with having to let go of some of the hard lines he’s constructed for himself. This was the most compelling aspect of the story as his turmoil was fascinating.

the narration…
Scott Brick continues to deliver outstanding storytelling and voice distinctions. He will always be Evan in my mind and ears.

the bottom line…
I know I seem to say this a lot but this felt like the most dangerous endeavor Evan has ever taken on. These men were brutal and disgusting as life was meaningless to them. There was a staggering twist about midway that added further complications. I was overwhelmed by the skirmishes and life inside the cartel, just wanting that to be over. It was a bit too dark so I was grateful for the moments where Evan was being tested ethically, morally and emotionally. Still loving the series but this one was hard. 3.5 stars

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Sep 27, 2023 Robin rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2023, suspense

Evan Smoak has been busy rehabing his apartment after a bomb exploded. When his phone rings, he knows it is time to get back to work. The call is from Aragon Urrea, a Texas businessman who begs the Nowhere Man to help get his daughter back. Angelina Urrea was kidnapped by a rival drug cartel and taken to Mexico. Evan must infiltrate the cartel and save Angelina from their insane leader.

The seventh book in the series isn't as good as the rest. The first half of the book suffered from too much des ...more

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Apr 01, 2022 Meera rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: action, 22fav

This had a slower pace than I am used to from the Orphan X series but I enjoyed it. It was of course completely unbelievable but that is part of the enjoyment. At least for me. I also liked how it had some twists.

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Feb 21, 2022 Carla rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, audio

Evan Smoak is Orphan X, but he is also the Nowhere Man. He is trying to give up his vigilante life of helping the hopeless, especially after his last case almost got him killed and destroyed his base of operations, but he still gets a call. It is from a man who is sometimes a good man and sometimes a bad man, but his daughter, 18 year old Anjelina, has been kidnapped by a worse man who does despicable things. Aragon Urrea is a kingpin of a major drug-dealing operation in South Texas. He's also t Evan Smoak is Orphan X, but he is also the Nowhere Man. He is trying to give up his vigilante life of helping the hopeless, especially after his last case almost got him killed and destroyed his base of operations, but he still gets a call. It is from a man who is sometimes a good man and sometimes a bad man, but his daughter, 18 year old Anjelina, has been kidnapped by a worse man who does despicable things. Aragon Urrea is a kingpin of a major drug-dealing operation in South Texas. He's also the patron of the local area—supplying employment in legitimate operations, providing help to the helpless, rough justice to the downtrodden, and a future to a people normally with little hope. Evan reluctantly agrees to help and once again has to come up with a plan to save someone, but he will put himself in extreme danger as well, penetrating an impregnable fortress of a heavily armed, deeply paranoid cartel leader. Once again he calls on Joey for support as well as others that he trusts to save not only the young woman, but also the man she loves.

Gregg Hurwitz took this story up a level in the treatment of human beings. There was discussion of trafficking, human slavery, killer drugs, prostitution, feeding humans to lions and a lot of killing. I think I might be getting a bit too old for this. Having said that, it was an exciting story with a lot of action. I did find this one a bit slower at times, while Evan built up trust with El Moreno, the head of the Leones. With some cringeworthy activities, Evan had to pretend to approve, while also trying to convince El Moreno he was setting up drug smuggling routes for the family. Once again, Evan finds himself up against many, many well-armed bad guys, but manages to save the day. There was a light hearted side with Joey overseeing the refurbishing of Evan's apartment. Velcro wall anyone?? Another storyline involves Mia, the single mother of Peter, and friends of Evan Smoak's, that brings out the more human side of this over the top character. Overall, this is fast paced, action adventure story with great characters and stories and I recommend it if you enjoy that kind of story. If you're a person who shies away from books with violence, this will not be the book for you. Once again Scott Brick does an excellent job of narrating this story, and he is definitely the voice of Orphan X. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own. ...more

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Aug 29, 2023 Charlene rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: series-by-author, group-read, adult-themes, follow-this-series, parenting, differently-abled, black-ops-navy-seals, suspense, public-library, rated-not-reviewed

The longest Orphan X book so far, I think. How the Nowhere Man got himself into and out of the midst of Cartels and non-cartels in Texas and Mexico would take a long time to tell. It was a good read, as Evan worked out his code of morality, commandments and actions in this story.

He also had more personal -- i.e., emotional -- interactions with Joey and with Mia and her son Peter. A work in progress is our Evan Smoak!

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Sep 06, 2023 Sharon Kallenberger Marzola rated it really liked it

Shelves: audio-whispersync, review-needed, buddy-read

Another great story. There is a good mystery always. I'm worried about Mia and the ending is a setup for the next book. It has me nervous.

Review will follow shortly. ...more

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