Rating:  4.5

Contemporary Assassin Thriller 

In reading dark action thriller series, this series popped up.  While not LGBTGIA (and with no sex scenes at least here) , I decided to see what the comments were about.  

It’s a terrific read.  High quality action, great execution of characters, well written plot lines with a thoughtful flashback history. That last is interwoven between current events and past important moments in a manner that will keep the reader engaged and add the necessary depth to the characters and arc to keep everything gripping and suspenseful. 

While I have seen the element or plot of orphans being trained as assassins in other books and series, Greg Hurwitz’s character of Evan or the Nowhere Man, is a excellent example of the kind of character that makes this trope so compelling.  With his presence, believable backstory, and the strength of personality that Hurwitz is able to provide him with, he’s someone who moves the narrative forward powerfully with his singular voice and outlook.

I enjoyed the suspense, several of the characters felt more memorable than others, perhaps because of their situations, but the secondary characters cast are fleshed out nicely too.

I’m looking forward to seeing more of this series and characters in the following story.

Orphan X:

Orphan X #1

The Nowhere Man #2

Hellbent #3

Out of the Dark #4

Into the Fire #5

Prodigal Son #6

Dark Horse #7

The Last orphan #8

Lone Wolf #9

Nemesis #10

Buy link

        Orphan X: A Novel (Orphan X, 1)

    

Blurb

“Brilliantly conceived and plotted … Read this book. You’ll thank me later.” — David Baldacci

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.

“Excellent…A smart, stylish, state-of-the-art thriller…might give Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books a run for their money.”―The Washington Post

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.

• Publisher: Minotaur Books (January 19, 2016)
• Publication date: January 19, 2016
• Language: English
• Print length: 386 pages