Orphan X

An Excellent Distraction

I've recently gone through several suspense/thriller type books lately that had good reviews and found them to be completely dissatisfying with unreliable characters, messy plot holes, and lazy writing. As such, I've been skirting away from this genre for a bit. However, this book had such high ratings, I was curious to give it a go even though suspense and thrillers aren't usually my go-to reading for a distraction. In my experience, most of the most popular writers of this genre tend to write protagonists with egos that make them absolutely hateful to me. Evan Smoak, while certainly not humble, maintained enough humanity to make me like him and want to root for him.

The story is good. The writer clearly did his homework in the research department. There was one technology the writer included with microchips the size of sand particles that were activated by digestive juices and I thought that it sounded absurd and made-up only to find from a google search that such technology does actually exist and even operates in the way the author described. It gave me a lot more respect for the author and for the plot. An author that takes care with the research definitely shows in the writing and it went a long way in making the story more enjoyable for me.

The story has a lot of graphic violence in it. If you're sensitive to high body counts and violence, this won't be the book for you. However, somehow it did not seem to be gratuitous as it was definitely all in the interest of furthering the plot and creating suspense.

Perhaps the ending wrapped up slightly more "happily ever after" than I had anticipated but I didn't feel dissatisfied with the ending. One of my pet peeves is a story that ends without wrapping up all the story lines and this book accomplished that wrap up without having to drag us along through excess fluff to accomplish it.

While suspense and thriller isn't my usual cup of tea, I definitely will be checking out this author again. And, I must admit, I found myself getting excited and having a hard time hitting the pause button during the height of the action in this book. As far as suspense and thrillers go, this is one of the best I've read.

250 people found this helpful

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional

This is my favorite of Hurwitz’s books that I’ve read. Within the usual need to suspend disbelief required of action thrillers, the characters feel real and Evan Smoak emerges as a hero to invest in. His commitment to help those in genuine trouble with all the skills needed to succeed makes for exciting reading when he takes on some really really dangerous opponents owning the same skills. What adds the human dimension is the supporting cast of his neighbors in his apartment building who only know him as an importer of industrial cleaning supplies and expect him to act as a normal neighbor should - attending owners association meetings and watching kids in an emergency. This adds a messiness to his life that is not entirely unwelcome, but his previous experience has never prepared him for. His advice to a neighbor child being victimized by a school bully (take out his knees) causes a big problem with the mom and school.

The central conflict Evan needs to solve is who is after his latest client. Nothing seems to add up but he can’t quite figure out why. Distracted by the above mentioned messiness, he struggles to maintain an emotionless detachment using his 10 Commandments that govern all decision making. The most sacred of the commandments, “Never let an innocent die”, is in jeopardy as danger comes from multiple directions, placing multiple innocents in danger at once – how to choose who to save? How this plays out is both exciting and emotionally satisfying. I don’t get invested in too many character series, but this is one I am eager to revisit.

165 people found this helpful

Stellar Start to a Masterful New Series

This is among the best thrillers I've ever read!!! It hooked me from the very start and didn't let go... Finished it in one sitting even though that meant losing a night of sleep... Simply couldn't put it down... The hero is unique and will be mentioned in the same breath as genre icons and stalwarts immediately.... The pace and plot are simply excellent. The characters are drawn w/ magnificent clarity and effortlessly have you invested from the outset. It's a wonderful adventure fraught w/ superior intensity, great introspection, and deft and timely action... There's some aptly placed and clever humor to go along w/ this total package as well... Put simply it is an outstanding work that will appeal to any reader, especially those enjoying the mystery thriller genre... The narration surpasses excellent as usual and makes the total experience one to inspire awe in the reader... I'd give it 6* if allowed... This series will be talked about and enjoyed by all, and is certainly worth the credit and a sleepless night...

114 people found this helpful

Masterpiece of suspense! Magnificant!!

The day will come when Evan Smoak, Orphan X, reaches the same level of recognition and following as Mitch Rapp, Jack Reacher, Jack Ryan, Jonathan Quinn, and Jason Bourne. Orphan X is that good and Evan Smoak has the same potential as those characters. Gregg Hurwitz's concept is new and different, even unique. Orphan X is the start of a new series.

This wonderful novel was narrated by Scott Brick who is the best. His narration is, as always, flawless.

VERY, VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Orphan X is a must listen.

113 people found this helpful

It was good

What made the experience of listening to Orphan X the most enjoyable?

The story was good, it kept me entertained. Believable? No. It was like Batman, but not really

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

I TRY really hard to like Scott Brick, but it's really HARD for me to listen to him. Didn't pay attention to who the narrator was until it was downloaded and then I was, "shoot." But it wasn't tooooo bad.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Nope

Any additional comments?

Not may favorite author, but the book was not that bad, but nowhere near GREAT.

4 people found this helpful

Smarter than Reacher, deadlier then Bourne

If you could sum up Orphan X in three words, what would they be?

Thrilling, Entertaining, Awesome

Who was your favorite character and why?

Orphan X, he is smart, OCD, antisocial and yet amazing

Which scene was your favorite?

The ending

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, lots...

Any additional comments?

Amazing performance by Scott Brick

47 people found this helpful

Gripping from the beginning to the very las word.

This is one of those books that leaves you wanting more. Evan Smoak is a bad ass hero... you cannot help being drawn in and wanting more. More of what has shaped his life, more of his continuing efforts and more of what lays in his future. This is a page turner, you will find it difficult to put this book down.

44 people found this helpful

Not for us

Would you try another book from Gregg Hurwitz and/or Scott Brick?

Probably not. Would need to be highly recommended by someone familiar with this book.

What could Gregg Hurwitz have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Hard to comment without giving away things that might ruin it for others.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

We gave the performance 3 stars, and that is very high considering the content.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Good to great start, but for us it just lost it as it went on.

3 people found this helpful

Great book

If you are a fan if Jack Reacher, here is another series that you may like. Evan Smoak is a man cloaked in mystery. The reader discovers that at the age 12, Evan went away with a man and was trained as a killer. He was part of a government project called Orphans and he was Orphan X. He went off the grid after refusing to kill a fellow Orphan. He now helps people who cannot help themselves and is known as the Nowhere Man.
He lives in a penthouse in LA. He interacts with fellow tenants but truly is a man alone.
All of the sudden, Evan feels he is being set up but he doesn't know why or who.
The story got a little bogged down toward the end, but on the whole and enjoyable listen with an interesting premise.

Scott Brick was outstanding with the delivery of the story

15 people found this helpful

Best Book by Hurwitz

Fast action from the beginning. The main character is great. The bad guys are bad.
This is a Must Listen. The narration by Brick is superb.

17 people found this helpful