Orphan X! I love this series from Gregg Hurwitz, I do not know how he does it but each book seems even better than the one before! Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for letting me read this book it was absolutely a page turner and very very good!!

This is my first Orphan X book. I know I’m late to the game, but you have to start sometime. I found myself easily picking things up and loving the story even with no previous experience in this world. I do wish that I had more than the minimum experience with the relationships in the series. I may have to go back and read the rest.

This is another brilliant offering in the Orphan X series. It picks up where Lone Wolf ended, Evan preparing to hunt down Tommy for providing weapons to The Wolf. Tommy gets called away when the son of a man who died in his arms calls him for help. The race is on for Tommy to help the boys before Evan comes for him.

What makes this series stand out from others in the genre is the character development of Evan and Joey, the teenage girl he has appointed himself as guardian over. One scene that stands out is Evan’s reaction to holding a baby. It’s beautiful and heartbreaking and hopeful all at the same time. Joey’s realization that she loves Dog the dog and the ramifications of that is just as good.

The action is outstanding as always and even if you see a couple of things coming, the journey there is exhilarating. My only quibble and where this story loses a star from me is a group of assassins known as The Four Horsemen. The violence and suggestion of violence with them is graphic and gratuitous.

Overall this is an excellent action thriller, and I enjoyed it immensely.

Watch out for that ending.

Not family friendly due to profanity and violence.

A very well-written action piece but I think it's too macho for me. I'll probably finish up the other books in the series that I have but that's all I can do. Good, complicated characters, so if you like that intense action, bad-assery, this is for you. Just not for me.

As in many great series, the interactions of the ongoing cast in Orphan X's life have become an enjoyable part of the books, and inevitably an author writes a story where a supporting character becomes part of the problem the hero has to solve rather than being a part of the solution. That's what this book is. The "Nemesis" in the title turns out to be Evan's best friend.

But there's more. In many ways this is Hurwitz's most ambitious book in the series, as he tries to grapple with how America has gone wrong, especially its young men. There's a lot in here about masculinity: the lack of role models, the confusion of strength with violence, the lack of opportunity. But there's also Evan's ward Joey and her ongoing struggle to define her femininity and find her place in the world, as well as the solid people who keep a community going. I'll think of "Nemesis" as Hurwitz's stab at the Great American Novel.

As a result, the action doesn't drive the story; there's no overarching mission, just occasional action sequences. These are, as always, tightly choreographed, imaginative, and exciting.

This is an absolute must read for Orphan X series fans! Evan has continued to evolve throughout the series and in this installment he confronts his biggest challenge to maintain his humanity when he finds that his friend Tommy Stojack has supplied weapons to murderers of the innocent. You know that an author has created characters that have touched readers on an emotional level when you’re riveted to each page hoping that Evan and Tommy will find a resolution that doesn’t result in death for one of them. This is an excellent addition to this entertaining series! Even though each book in this series can be read as a standalone, to really get the most out of the series and have a richer reading experience I’d recommend starting from the beginning and reading the series in order.

This was one of the most heart rending Orphan X books. Tommy Stojak, Evan's oldest friend crosses the line when his armaments take innocent lives and must be stopped. Evan is never more aware of his humanity and all that entails in this book. Another stellar addition to Orphan X, which shows how far Evan has come as The Nowhere Man. 5 stars.

One of the most interesting book in this captivating series. Hurwitz once again shows evolution in both his writing style and the humanity of his iconic character. Absolute must read!

If you thought Lone Wolf was emotional, strap in for Nemesis.

Nemesis is a continuation of Lone Wolf. The two books act as almost a stand alone duology within the Orphan X series. Evan’s reluctant embrace of humanity, both its good and bad sides, is continued and heightened here. You also get a greater insight into the few people he has allowed to get close to him: Tommy and Joey.

Evan is pushed into the closest thing to a real world 2025 situation that he’s faced. A mission with more layers, personalities, histories and emotions than he’s ever had to deal with before.

I don’t know when or how the Orphan X series will end but seeing Evan come back around to being fully human since Jack plucked him from the group home was as beautiful to see as it was painful for him to realize.

I remain eternally grateful to have received another ARC of my favorite thriller series. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins/Minotaur for the opportunity to read and review.

Nemesis is the Tenth installment in author Gregg Hurwitz's Orphan X series. The story flips back and forth between Evan, Tommy, and Joey, with some of Evan’s chapters flipping back and forth between present-day and back when he first entered the Orphan program and was being trained by Jack, his father figure. There was also a smattering of chapters from the Four Horsemen, who are a team of assassins fulfilling a contract from Janus. A man who you will hear more from later in the story. It's inevitable, after all.

At one time, Evan Smoak was a highly successful black ops assassin known as Orphan X, dedicated to a rigid set of operational rules he calls the Ten Commandments. He was the 24th person to go through that program, which includes Candy McClure, whom Evan has a curious relationship with. After breaking with the government program, going deep underground, and remaking his life as the Nowhere Man, helping people who need it the most, Smoak is dedicated to his assassin's Ten Commandments.

But for the first time in his life, those principles have put him on a collision course with the man who might be his best friend in the world, Tommy Stojack. A man who Evan has known for 15 years. 15 years ago, two men were given a coin after saving a Kurdish woman's life because she was intentionally targeted by a toad. It says, ‘No better friend; No worse enemy.’ 15 years later, that friendship is in shatters thanks to the events of Lone Wolf.

If you read that book, which I hope you have, you know that Tommy did something unforgettable that got innocent people killed. Evan has no choice but to confront Tommy, even if it means he has to take on the man who has been his only real friend for 15 years. When Evan goes to Tommy’s shop to confront him after being told to stay away, he’s ambushed by half a dozen men trying to kill him. They were unsuccessful, and Evan wants to kill Tommy even more for what he thinks was intentional.

He firmly believes that there is no hope of repairing the friendship. This might also violate his 4th Commandment: Never make it personal. With Joey's help, he tracks Tommy to a small town where he learns of a tragedy that hit the small town. A tragedy that seems to be so deep that people don't want to talk about it, hoping it will go away. Evan won't let them get away with it.

In the meantime, Tommy Stojack, a gifted gunsmith who has created much of Evan's own weapons and combat gear, has apparently crossed one of Evan's sharply delineated lines, and he knows there will be a fight sooner than later. He gets a call from the son of an Army friend and goes to help his dead friend's son. The kid is in a ton of trouble, spouting racist ideology and taking part in the murder of innocent people.

While Tommy tries to keep himself and his friend's son alive by trying to advise and possibly hold them accountable for their heinous actions, imbecilic views, and senseless decisions, Evan arrives with a vengeance in mind after seeing what happened to a little boy. Trouble soon arrives in the form of the Four Horsemen, who have a contract out for Tommy. It all comes to a head with a violent collision of forces, with the only question being who will survive this deadly encounter of extremely capable operators.

Back in LA, Joey is struggling as well. Getting involved with a so-called women's empowerment group causes friction not only between Joey and Evan but also between Joey and a group of female UCLA students that Joey has apparently offended with the work she was doing. Due to her past, she doesn't have much social experience, and gaining that experience is often painful. Joey is like Evan's little sister and has a dog named Dog. She is a dropout of the Orphan program, but her skills with a computer make her valuable to Evan who ends up dealing with so many different emotions in this book.

I think there's a lot to be worried about after the ending of this book, and I hope I am wrong. It's difficult not to spoil things that happen in this book. Evan's mission over the course of this series has been to help those who need it the most. This is why he's called the Nowhere Man who even some of the villains in this book have heard about. Even though there is a brief mission to save a little girl, most of the story is what happens with Evan, Tommy, and Joey. What happens after this book should be very interesting.

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.

https://www.amazon.com/review/RJK4TRRDKGAMB/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

This is another exciting Orphan X novel! I've been hooked on this series since the first one came out in 2016. This is book #10 in the series and there is a lot going on, some of it is dark and some of it is emotional. The previous books were more about high octane energy, action, and adventure. While that is still present in this story, a lot more of the narrative deals with feelings, relationships, and conflicting emotions.

In addition to a volatile situation that is happening between Evan and Tommy, there is a powder keg situation that they are both drawn into in a small town with major issues. At the same time, a group of lethal assassins are on the loose, and Joey is having a personal crisis of her own.

This is definitely another thrilling book in the Orphan X series, and I will be eagerly awaiting the next one. However, I feel that the story went in too many different directions and spent way too much time and too many words on emotional turmoil for an action-adventure novel.

My sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press-Minotaur Books for the digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Nemesis (Orphan X #10) by Hurwitz is the first of the Orphan Series I've read. Throughout the book, I kept telling myself, I need to read the previous 9 books. Not that this one isn't great as a stand-alone novel. It kept my attention throughout the reading.

Orphan X, the Nowhere Man, Evan to the few friends(?) he has is exceptionally good at killing. A true orphan was trained by the people who work in the shadows, CIA and others to do what no one wants to admit has to be done. Now an independent contractor with a desire to right/fight for the wronged, Orphan X takes on a fight that pits him against friends and makes him question what's next. This is a good book and I will read the next Orphan X novel

Evan Smoak was trained as an elite assassin for a covert government organization but has since left the program after some dark discoveries. Now Evan operates as The Nowhere Man helping the helpless when they have nowhere else to turn.

Each of the Orphan X books has a problem that is solved, but the repercussions of Evan’s decision to leave the Orphan program and his relationships are ongoing and progressive, so it’s best to start the series from the beginning. If you haven’t started this series, you’re in for a treat! Thrilling action, compelling missions interspersed with clever, dry humor make Orphan X one of my all-time favorite series!

I thought this installment had a more serious undertone than the prior stories. The story centers on a tragedy Tommy wades into when the son of a man he served with calls for help. It’s not pretty. Ignorance, hatred and complete idiocy factor in. A situation I could easily see playing out currently in real-life! It’s heartbreaking on both sides. Evan becomes involved, too.

Despite trying to stay off the radar and keep others free from the danger he faces, Evan’s gathered friends. I’ve loved seeing those relationships grow and evolve through the series. However, this installment has one of those relationships on rocky ground! I didn’t know how it’d work out. I was happy and sad by the end! As usual, I eagerly look forward to the next installment!

I alternately read and listened to the audiobook and can recommend either version, but the audios are fantastic! Scott Brick is an excellent narrator, bringing Evan to life. He IS Evan Smoak to me now! His female voices and accents are also well done, and his comedic timing is spot on!

Nemesis AUDIO and print by Gregg Hurwitz is the newest addition in the Orphan X Saga. Evan has to deal with the ups and downs of friendship which is a new world for him when he judges Tommy and deals with what he sees as a betrayal the only way he knows how. He misreads what happens at Tommy’s compound and follows him across country, where Tommy becomes a kind of foster parent for the son of a man he didn’t even like, but had made a promise to. Since Evan is there, he gets involved too, but from a different perspective. Meanwhile he is dealing with the teenage girl issues of his mentee, a girl who he rescued from the program and has set up for a life. She is a computer genius and Evan uses her skill regularly. This time she wants to use it for herself, not being mature enough and worldly wise enough to see the dangers ahead as well as know how teenage girls behave, an area in which Evan has no expertise either.

Evan Smoak is a trained government assassin who has broken away and works for himself. He is slowly becoming human after many years of having it trained out of him. He is violent and opinionated and ready to help whenever and wherever he can. His human relationships are few and difficult for him to manage. His communication skills are even worse. He is an absolutely fabulous character: lovable and righteous. The plot is fast moving and makes sense from Evan’s point of view, if not always to the reader’s who has more information. It is an exciting read and an even more exciting listen.

Scott Brick is the narrator and as always, is the perfect fit. Keeping with the program and staying calm even when things are falling apart. He may read a little faster somtimes, but he is always right there. No better choice.

I was invited to listen to Nemesis by MacMilllan Audio and read it before publication by St Martin’s Press. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #MacMillanAudio #StMartinsPress
#ScottBrick #GreggHurwitz #Nemesis #TheNowhereMan

3.5 stars
What started out as a strong difference of opinion between friends, quickly escalated into unnecessary deaths and personal attacks.
Evan (X) has been good friends with Tommy who has always helped him to outfit his truck with the latest militant upgrades, top level guns and ammo and so much more. But now they are on opposite sides of those guns in a battle neither saw coming. We see X fighting for justice as always and many combatants are set on ending him. His skill far surpasses theirs but he still has Tommy on his mind and does he really want to hurt him? Is it necessary? These questions and more arise while the two fight out their differences.
For as much as I love Tommy, I didn’t feel as connected with this one. However, it was never short on excitement or delving into those deeper life questions. I highly recommend this series to spy suspense lovers or those who love an action packed, quick moving thriller!

Once again, another excellent release in this series, I very much enjoyed it.
I will definitely be recommending same to all of my students. They all need to purchase this title, adding same to their Orphan X series collection(s). A sincere thank you goes out to Mr. Hurwitz for again giving his Orphan X fans another top notch release. My thanks also goes to NetGalley for an advance copy of this title in exchange for my honest opinion.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I LOVE the Orphan X series. I recommend reading from the beginning, in order, for the character and world developments. Evan has grown and become more personable throughout the series. He grapples with his Orphan rules and the feelings for people. I worry for him in every book.

Evan has some real issues with probably the two most important people in his life. One is Joey; the other is Tommy. He found out Tommy supplied the bad guys in the previous adventure. Evan feels betrayed and Nemesis is about that struggle with someone who is the closest to friend he has. He goes to talk to Tommy and it doesn't go well. He tries again and runs into a bunch of assassins. Evan and Tommy are horrible with communication and are at odds a lot in this adventure.

Tommy ends up out of town to try to help the son of an old military buddy. The son has done some horrible things, not meaning to do them but people died. Evan follows him there and is not thrilled with the racist good old boys covering up white boy's crimes. Tommy tries to educate the white boys with some success.

Joey has tried to get in with a girl's group at college. They do a meme to support women and Joey uses her skills to make it go viral. But Evan points out to her that she didn't fully research the issue and when it goes south Joey struggles. Luckily, she has Candy and Evan to help her to better options.

I really appreciated the emotional journeys Evan, Tommy and Joey took here. They are strong people who mostly are alone and follow their own codes. When things go wrong, they question themselves and their codes. They try to fit things into their morality and learn.

Though the number of interconnected stories makes it feel somewhat overstuffed, Nemesis is yet another smart and captivating installment in the Orphan X series. Each book in the series brings a fascinating new challenge for the Nowhere Man—and this one seems to be an all-important turning point in his journey.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery.

Tommy Stojack might be Evan’s best friend in the world. He’s a gifted gunsmith who has created much of Evan’s own weapons and combat gear. But now, he has apparently crossed one of Evan’s hardest lines and their argument explodes into open warfare. Now Evan has no choice but to track and face down his only friend.

As with all Ophan X books, you have a little bit of humor, a good amount of intensity and a large amount of fighting. And no one fights better than Evan. He is tough as nails, lightening quick and he ain’t stupid! I have to say, Gregg Hurwitz can create some amazing fight sequences that get your heart pumping! And the beef between Evan and Tommy will definitely have you stressing a bit!

To say I enjoy this series is an understatement. This is book #10 in this series and yes I have read and enjoyed every one. It is not necessary that you read them in order. But, I would read the first one to understand what all Evan has been through.

I have said this before and I will say this again…the narrator, Scott Brick, is the best in the world. And believe me…he is Orphan X!

Need a fast paced, full of fight scenes, thriller…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest opinion!