When people talk about being tough, maybe that’s all it means— when you’ve got no choices left. You just have to keep going until it’s over.
Gregg Hurwitz
Orphan X
Format:
Audiobook
Note: At the time of this review, the book is available to borrow via Kindle Unlimited with audio included.
Publisher’s Synopsis:
Who is Orphan X?
The Nowhere Man is a legendary figure spoken about only in whispers. It’s said that when he’s reached by the truly desperate and deserving, the Nowhere Man can and will do anything to protect and save them. But he’s not merely a legend.
Evan Smoak is a man with skills, resources, and a personal mission to help those with nowhere else to turn. He’s also a man with a dangerous past. Chosen as a child, he was raised and trained as an Orphan, an off-the-books black box program designed to create the perfect deniable intelligence asset: An assassin. Evan was Orphan X—until he broke with the program and used everything he learned to disappear. But now someone is on his tail. Someone with similar skills and training who will exploit Evan’s secret new identity as the Nowhere Man to eliminate him.
Point of view:
3rd person. Entirely from Evan’s perspective.
Rellim’s Thoughts:
As with most thrillers, it’s hard to explain how much you love them without spoiling anything. Hurwitz’s writing is superb – I was enthralled from the first chapter until the last line. The worldbuilding was as intriguing as the action & suspense. I love that Evan is well trained, but there’s others who are as well – so he’s not operating perfectly or without challenge. It’s hard to know who to trust as a listener and while consistent, Evan is in no way predictable.
I loved the juxtaposition of his “everyday life”, as much as anyone like Evan can have one, with his missions as The Nowhere Man. His relationship with Peter is particularly endearing.
Lots of action, suspense, spy craft, yet layered with an admirable sense of humanity. Twists, turns, and surprises kept me on the edge of my seat. Even knowing there are currently 10 books in the series, I still found myself unsure if Evan would make it out of some situations.
I’m ready to settle in and binge the series.
Narration:
Scott Brick is terrific. He’s a great fit for thrillers and does a fantastic job with all the characters and emotions as well as heightening the anticipation. Great listen.
About the author:
You can connect with Gregg Hurwitz here:
About the narrator:
You can connect with Scott Brick here:
My Favorite Quotes
He had never broken a Commandment and was not about to start now. – Orphan X by @GreggHurwitz #Audiobook narrated by @ScottBrick #Thriller #Suspense
Tweet
Have you ever had sex with an animal? No. Where does loyalty stop? When someone asks you to have sex with an animal. In the corner Jack sprays out a mouthful of coffee. – Orphan X by @GreggHurwitz #Audiobook narrated by @ScottBrick #Thriller #Suspense
Tweet
When people talk about being tough, maybe that’s all it means—when you’ve got no choices left. You just have to keep going until it’s over. – Orphan X by @GreggHurwitz #Audiobook narrated by @ScottBrick #Thriller #Suspense
Tweet
Assessing the genuine in the everyday was his particular blind spot, as he had never lived in the everyday. – Orphan X by @GreggHurwitz #Audiobook narrated by @ScottBrick #Thriller #Suspense
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Jack’s voice came to him: Shot placement trumps all calibers. – Orphan X by @GreggHurwitz #Audiobook narrated by @ScottBrick #Thriller #Suspense
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Rellim Reads 