Orphan X, a.k.a. the "Nowhere Man," has been a favorite character over the course of several books (this is the tenth in the series). I've loved every single installment, and (no surprise to me!), this one follows the same pattern. There's just something about watching Evan Smoak - who I'd describe as a nearly super-human Jason Bourne - grow up and (in his own way) prosper.

An escapee from the government "X" program that made him what he is - a practiced assassin who now plies his trade for the good of humankind, if you will, Evan lives in a highly fortified mansion with all the bells and whistles he can find (or buy or create). Many of his high-tech goodies (a.k.a., weapons) came from his good friend Tommy Stojack. But when Evan learns that, at least in his own mind, Tommy has betrayed him, all bets are off. Now, he's out to get his former best bud and render him, well, dead - or at the very least, seriously incapacitated).

He gets some help from his young protegee, Josephine (a.k.a., Joey), who's a computer whiz to put it mildly. But even with her in his corner - well, at least when she's not mad at him - it's hard to keep him out of serious trouble. His tracking down of Tommy quickly turns into a battle for their very lives, prompting Evan to double efforts to find Tommy, who in turn has promised to find and protect the wayward son of someone to whom he owes a big favor.

Uh, oh - do readers get a sense that something's gotta give? It's kind of hard to miss, although the details turn out to be quite an exciting reading experience, albeit with a bittersweet ending.

As for me, I loved it - and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for once again allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.

I always look forward to the annual Nowhere Man installment! I have to go with the audiobook option as Scott Brick is the voice of Evan Smoak, for me. I liked that this book examined the fallout between Evan and Tommy after events in the previous book. I didn’t always like the back and forth POVs, though it was illuminating to be inside Tommy’s head for once!
I’ve enjoyed how the past few books in the series have focused on Evan’s personal growth and interpersonal relationships.
The only real complaint I have is that it will be a year until we find out what happens next!
*Thanks to Minotaur books, MacMillan Audio and Netgalley for the advance audiobook copy

Gregg Herwitz continues the hot streak for Evan Smoak in the latest Orphan X novel, Nemesis!

Nemesis starts strong with Evan’s conundrum stemming from the previous book when he discovered his gunsmith Tommy Stojack provided weapons to the Lone Wolf. This kicks off the duel between Evan and Tommy, a man he met years ago and one whom Evan has leaned on to utilize his weapon resources and as a friend. Wracked by his sense of justice stemming from the Ten Commandments he grew up on to become Orphan X, Evan hits a crossroad. He realizes Tommy must pay for his hand in the Lone Wolf’s treachery.

Nemesis starts strong by building the connection between Evan and Tommy, even by providing extra depth for Evan as he advises Joey, in her own albeit drastically low stake concerns. However, Joey provides a beating heart to Evan’s struggle of taking down Tommy even if Evan doesn’t want to admit killing a friend will be difficult.

The story sets up a subplot of Janus, who is a deliciously evil villain you as a read wants to see meet a devious ending. Janus wants to take out Tommy and even uses The Four Horseman, his infamous heavy hitting assassins, for his dirty work.

The story provides a complex layer as Tommy ends up as a quasi mentor for an old acquaintance’s son. This is where the story hits a bit of a snag. While in its own way, the story aids in adding tension and purpose to the head on collision in wait between Evan and Tommy, I felt the story meanders a bit. While the themes and storylines complement the spaghetti western duel, the story tapers off in pacing and plods around before we find out why Evan has a place in this small town mess between an innocent Mexican family and Hick and his cronies aided by corrupted law enforcement.

Gregg Herwitz knows how to write, no question there. His writing style and voice are clear and evident, even if a bit methodical and sterile, though I mean that in the best way. It’s punchy without being wordy, meaningful without over exaggeration. You read it and it pulls you in, page turn after page turn.

The ending hits hard. Each moment in the last forty to fifty pages lands well and makes up for the meandering of the middle section. How things play out between Evan and Hick, Evan and Janus and his Four Horseman, and most importantly Evan and Tommy, the ending is one of the best I’ve read in awhile. I’m not one to cry at reading books, especially thrillers despite my love for them, but the end scene plunked my heartstrings hard.

Additionally, I may be harder given the previous success of the series. But given Herwitz strengths as a writer and with the series overall, Nemesis is not the strongest outing for Orphan X. Nor is Nemesis a bad outing by any means.

Overall, Nemesis is a fantastic outing, despite the moments of lost focus given the story’s unconscious slow burn in the middle. The ending hits the emotional depths and the action in a perfect crescendo. I rate this 4 stars out of 5.

Evan has a conflict with a long time friend which forces him to re consider the relationship. The story shows more of Evan’s thinking and past. There were a few surprises in the book that I didn’t anticipate. Plenty of action and suspense. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

Ten books in and I am still awed by Orphan X. The author is brilliant at plotting a story that ensnares the reader. X faces his biggest conflict since he has been the Nowhere Man. The characters in this story are so vivid you can picture them clearly. The story is told from the voice of several characters and X gives readers a lot of background insight on his upbringing. The author describes each setting in great detail. The ending of the story is both surprising and the best part. If this is your first book in the series, welcome to the X phenomenon. This is a story, once again, not to be missed.

Orphan X is back, and it made me so happy to read this latest book.

What's not to love about this serious? Evan Smoak is like a Robin Hood that takes out the bad guys instead of robbing the rich. It would be easy for every book to have a similar plot, but Gregg Hurwitz makes an effort to show that Evan isn't a two dimensional character, but one that continuously grows personally as he transitions from self appointed loner to someone who has to navigate personal relationships. While confident and self assured in his work, Evan is awkward and naive about relationships.

Nemesis Continues this development as he navigates his relationship with his best friend Tommy Stojack. In Evans world a disagreement between friends means you plot to kill each other. The book does a great job of showing how Evan is dealing with this conflict, and leaves you on the edge of your seat as to how it's going to be resolved. Oh, and there's also dealing with the bad guys!

Nemesis is a thrilling, enjoyable read and I loved every word of it!

This was definitely a different Orphan X than we've previously seen. I was skeptical of the direction he was headed at the beginning, but as the book went on, I was sold. Orphan X has a VERY strict set of parameters for how he thinks things should be seen and he has to work through a lot in this installment to make sure things go the way he thinks they should. The back and forth with Tommy was an interesting angle, and Joey making Evan feel some things he's not sure how to deal with add an interesting storyline. And what Orphan X book wouldn't include a big plot twist/cliffhanger to keep you wanting more???

Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book. #Nemesis #NetGalley

This was a very different Orphan X. Evan and Tommy, his long-time armorer, get violently sidewise of one another. As the story unwinds, we get to learn the backstory of their relationship which is interesting. The downside is it turns out that Tommy is quite the redneck and he and his cronies have unbelievably foul mouths. It is so bad, I nearly stopped reading out of utter disgust and revulsion which is HIGHLY unusual for me as I almost always press on through books I have a problem with. In the end, I decided the language was calculated to give us a visceral knowledge of these characters, so I give it a halting pass, but you have been forewarned. Too bad there is no VidAngel for books. I liked the story. I hated the excessive profanity, so dropped my usual 4 star rating to 3 stars.

Mr. Gregg Hurwitz outdid himself! I have been a fan of this series from the beginning. This installment ranks at the very top.

Evan Smoak, also known as the Nowhere Man, continues to grapple with the grey areas of life and relationships. A cold-blooded, trained assassin finds structure and discipline in Commandments that guide his every move. What happens when those Commandments conflict with what is right by those closest to Orphan X?

A must read for fans of the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC.

Evan Smoak has always lived by a ridged set of rules. Rules he refuses to break. So when Tommy Stojack, Evan’s best friend, crosses a line he goes to confront him, only to end up on the wrong side of an ambush. Evan survives, naturally, but that only leaves him further enraged and dead set on getting some payback. That is just the start of this explosive adventure. There is so much happening in this one you may just need to take some notes, lol. No, seriously there are many moving parts in this story, and incredible author that he is Hurwitz has them working together like the finest Swiss watch. This is a brilliant ballet of action and adventure. Every time one of these books come out I’m left asking the same question, how have these stories not been made into movies yet? This is the tenth of the Orphan X novels, and while I really believe they can each be read as a standalone, you’ll want to read them all. I’d like to thank St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Nemesis.

At first I wasn't sure I was going to like the direction this book was taking, but oddly, this might be my favorite Orphan X book. The 10th installment showed a new side to Evan, and provided a few more insights into Tommy and Joey.

I have so enjoyed watching the evolution of Evan through the course of the books and I like where he's headed. And that ending (no spoilers here), floored me! I can't wait to see how Evan deals with that in the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for this earc

Ugh. This books. I’m going to say one thing. Evan cried in this one 😭 I honestly can’t get over that.

Tommy’s and Evan’s friendship in this one??? Pain and tears. Joey doing something stupid and learning from it??? Pain and tears.

And I was missing Mia and Peter. I really hope we’ll see them in the next one. I can’t let go of the hope that Evan will find his way back to them.

This story wasn’t my favorite. For a lot of different reasons. But I’ll still be continuing with this series because after this ending, I’m not sure if Evan ever be same.

Evan aka Orphan X aka the Nowhere Man finds himself under fire when he visits Tommy, his friend and weapons supplier. Soon the men find themselves on opposite sides of a new situation which quickly becomes deadly. Meanwhile, Joey deals with the consequences of a bad decision.

NEMESIS isn’t the first Orphan X book to exceed 400 pages, but it is the first one to feel long to me. Maybe it’s all the exposition as the characters work through their emotions or perhaps it’s the huge cast or the multiple baddies that Evan needs to deliver his special kind of justice to. So many baddies that some slither away and others get a super short send off.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed getting into both Evan and Tommy’s heads and sympathizing with both of their perspectives on their feud. There’s also plenty of Joey, vodka, and fantastic action scenes. Each of the new characters are beautifully constructed. Many of the issues raised by the storylines are timely and few of my favorite characters from the Orphan X universe make brief appearances. Seeing Evan and Tommy’s “meet cute” fifteen years earlier in the prologue made their feud somehow even more tragic.

I look forward to seeing where Hurwitz takes the series next.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Minotaur, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group, for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ready to see a very different side to our Orphan X?
Evan Smoak, known to the rest of the world as Orphan X and The Nowhere Man, lives by a certain set of rules and values. Near the top of that list is loyalty. So when Evan feels betrayed by his best friend, Tommy Stojack, he finds it necessary to end the friendship in the most permanent of ways. It’s an unthinkable war between the two friends.

To say the least, Evan has not lived an easy life as Orphan X. Now, facing his Nemesis may be the hardest challenge he’s ever faced.

It’s time for Evan to do some deep soul searching, questioning everything. It’s a fight he never wanted or saw coming. Will the Nowhere Man come out the same by the end?

He isn’t the only one questioning his own beliefs. Joey is struggling as well, trying to find her place in a society fueled by social media and hatred. At age seventeen she is learning some valuable life lessons.

This is book ten of the series. And it’s a new favorite. I love a book that’s not only action-packed but does a deep dive into the character's souls. Gregg Hurwitz delivers big time on both. I feel like I got to see a side of Evan and Joey they’ve managed to keep hidden from themselves and each other.

What’s next for our favorite superhero? I can’t wait to see where Gregg Hurwitz takes Evan (and Joey) next!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press

I adore this series and it just keeps getting better and better! The revelation at the end of Lone Wolf carries over into Nemesis with X questioning everything. Is Tommy a good guy? How can X help Joey "be normal"? Figuring it out becomes an exploration of everything Evan was raised to believe. But first, why is Tommy protecting the teens who broke Jack's Eighth Commandment: Never Kill a Kid. And who's after Tommy? All of this and more action than ever!

Thanks NetGalley!

I mean, what can I say? It’s Orphan X! Still love this series as much at book 10 as book 1. This is a great extension of the series and revisiting the same characters. Always a fan! Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

Everytime I read an Orphan X book, I think, "this is the best one, can't wait for the next one." This book left me feeling different. It's so incredible, so perfect, so complete, that I just don't know how Gregg Hurwitz can do it again!! I will be the first in line to read it, and see, though! This is a 5 star times 2, edgy, emotional, perfect story. Pre-order, rush out to get it, and plan your day to read until your finished, you will not be able to put it down!

This is by far my favorite series. Action packed and witty. Can't wait until next year for the next installment!

The evolution of Evan Smoak continues here when no greater friends become no greater enemies.

The conflict brewing deep within our favorite assassin adds even more depth to a fully drawn character. I cannot wait to see where this arc ends up! New dimensions tangle intentions and blur lines.

Evan battles multiples enemies as well as himself in this high octane, action packed addition to our favorite series!

Anticipating the next!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of Nemesis. It’s always a treat to have an Orphan X book and, once again, Mr. Hurwitz has delivered an action-packed story. Evan finds himself in major conflict with his armorer and friend, Tommy Stojack for supplying weapons to The Wolf, a psychopathic female assassin who Evan faced on his last mission. He and Tommy find themselves in a kill or be killed face-off throughout the story, held off in pursuit of other matters.

In addition, there is a large cast of characters, some of whom earn Evan’s seeking of his form of justice, and then those who are pretty reprehensible. Tracking all of these characters got a little unwieldy at times. As always, his protege, Joey, provides grounding for Evan and the relationship is one of the things I enjoy about the books.

As much as I like the series and Mr. Hurwitz’ story-telling, I do have some some qualms about this one. The level and forms of violence were over the top for me. It’s tough to close your eyes when reading a book. He can choreograph a scene but, in some cases, it was too much. I still liked this entry in the series but it was not my usual 5 star.