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Did I really need to add another series of books to my ever growing TBR? Of course I did! A few years ago, I read Gregg Hurwitz’s novel, They’re Watching, and I thought it was incredible! Since that time, I’ve been collecting his other stand alone novels in my Audible library. I have seen a lot of praise for the Orphan X series over time. I honestly avoided reading it because I am working my way through a few other series of novels and I didn’t want to add another one to my rotation just yet. Well, Orphan X caught my attention the other day when I was scouting for my next Audible selection from my massive ‘not started’ library. I figured that was the universe giving me a nudge to start listening. And I’m so glad I did!

Evan Smoak, AKA Orphan X, AKA The Nowhere Man, began his training as an orphan child to become an assassin. He was part of a secret squirrel program that trained exceptional children in all types of surveillance tactics, combat, tending to one’s own medical needs, controlling one’s mind, and managing relationships. The list goes on and on. To me, Evan’s skills were beyond anything I’ve seen in a James Bond movie. Following a tragic event, Evan leaves the program and uses everything he was taught to disappear and go completely under the radar. He decides to use his unique skill set for good. When he receives a call from someone desperate for help, Evan will do anything to protect them and help them out of their dangerous situation. His routine is disturbed when he learns someone is after him.

I loved everything about this book! Evan Smoak is a fascinating character. He keeps everything close to his chest and really can’t allow anyone to get close to him to protect his identity. So it’s interesting to follow his interactions with other characters he can’t avoid. He’s extremely clever and insightful. Portions of the book focus on Evan’s training during his upbringing which also illustrate his big heart. My favorite trait of Evan’s is that he’s a meditating assassin!

The story is fascinating! The writing is outstanding! Hurwitz provided a nice foundation for the story; I like how he described Evan’s role and his living environment. From there, the story gradually evolved to include the first person Evan is called on to help, to the person after him, and his training. All of these aspects were weaved together perfectly.

One of the book series I am working my way through is Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, which I love. Orphan X has a similar vibe, but yet is so different. If you like Reacher, you will be a fan of Evan Smoak. I’ve already added the rest of the Orphan X series to my Audible wishlist. I’m fully committed to this series!

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A Book And A Dog ( )

I found this to be an enjoyable fast-paced action read although some parts were more drawn out than they needed to be. 3.5/5 ( )

Book source ~ KU Audible

The Nowhere Man. He’s got skills. Mad skills. And he’ll use them to help a person out. But only once. No repeat customers. He’s just living his life to the best of his ability when his past comes knocking. Things are about to get hairy.

Ho-ly Shit. I saw a review for this series on Twitter and wondered how I had never heard of it. I was happy it was listed on Kindle Unlimited but then I noticed something I had no idea about. KU has some books you can get with Audible. WTF?! So I grabbed it and listened on my drive home to North Carolina from Ohio. I have to tell you, it made the trip fly by! I was engrossed from the start. Orphan X is one hell of a rip roaring, action-packed, character driven book that will entertain and surprise. Evan Smoak, the Nowhere Man, is a character that will grab your heart and not let go. I love him. I love him for his skills, his faith in the Commandments taught to him by his mentor, his uncertainty in trying to live like a “normal” person, and his loneliness. He’s a character you can really sink your teeth into. Not in a kinky way or anything. The plot, the world, the writing are all great, but Evan is the reason this book is one of my favorite reads of the year. I said I love him, right? Just sayin’.

The story is awesome, but having Scott Brick do the narrating makes it sublime. As far as I’m concerned he is Evan Smoak. And I’ve listened to two more books since. I know of which I speak. I told my husband about this book and he was all, meh. Then we traveled to Ohio together and I convinced him to listen to book 2, The Nowhere Man, with me. He was hooked from the start. See? I know what he likes even when he’s skeptical. LOL We even listened to Orphan X on the way back home even though I’d already read it. I didn’t mind though. If you’re a fan of books with the likes of Jason Bourne, Jericho Quinn, or Scot Harvath then this should be right up your alley. ( )

Orphan X (Evan Smoak) was taken into a secret programme as a child. He was trained for years as a killing machine and worked off the books for the government, which used him to liquidate unpleasant contemporaries. In the process, he made an enormous amount of money.
But now he works independently for people who live on the fringes of society and need his help. He is the Nowhere Man. When a case is closed, all he asks is that his number be given to a person who needs his help. A young Latina woman asks for his help because a corrupt police officer wants to abuse her very young sister. In this first case, you learn about Evan's methods, as well as flashbacks from his training keep coming. His cover is also important, and we get to know Mia and Peter in the process.
Only, Evan is on the hit list and former other Orphans try to eliminate him. Soon Evan doesn't know who is setting him up and who is sympathetic to him. He must pull out all the stops to survive and most importantly, to protect people he cares about.
A great start to a new series, of which I will read the other books as well. ( )