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alice_otaibi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
It was okay. I feel it should have been a novella not a full length novel, for the main plot was good but the side stories felt like unnecessary detail, in fact is felt like TOO MUCH! and some what chaotic.
Sadly it was a case of Men-Writing-Women, it was not the worse I've read in relation to that, but still it's sad because the author is actually good.
Sadly it was a case of Men-Writing-Women, it was not the worse I've read in relation to that, but still it's sad because the author is actually good.
libwinnie's review against another edition
4.0
Evan Smoak dispenses some serious vigilante justice, but ends up fighting for his life against an unknown power. Lots of action, lots of suspense, lots of cool spy technology. Not generally a fan of this genre, but this book is well-written and the characters are well-developed and sympathetic.
judy_bagley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
froggiefatale's review against another edition
4.0
i never thought myself a lover of thrillers/action books, especially not in the way of dramatic spy murder killer guys, but mr hurwitz has created a complex and lovable character in mr evan nowhere man and the only thing stopping me from reading the whole series is waiting on my library to get them all. every single character is enjoyable to read about, the scene descriptions are lovely, and all the dramatic gadgets, gizmos, and fights are so fun! :-) would recommend.
jbeen21's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you to the Goodreads First Reads giveaways program for a hardcover copy of Gregg Hurwitz’s thriller, “Orphan X.”
The book began with a promising premise: twelve-year-old Evan, an orphan, was recruited into a top-secret assassin training program, his identity unknown by all but his handler, Jack. Under Jack’s tutelage, Evan mastered martial arts fighting techniques, weapon-handling, vodka appreciation, and the intricacies of world cultures. He left the Orphan Program as an adult, moved to Los Angeles and put his skills to use as a freelance bad-guy-killer, requiring only that the potential victims he freed from danger pass his super-top-secret phone number onto someone else in deep trouble.
As the book progressed and Evan became personally-invested in a dangerous job with an untrustworthy character, I quickly lost interest. The plot was predictable and thin, with few surprising twists or character developments. Evan was a bland, forgettable protagonist. The minor characters in Evan’s apartment complex were stereotypical (frazzled single mom; nosy old people). And the excessive descriptions of weaponry, vodka types, and apartment décor weighed down what should have been an action-rich story.
I appreciate the opportunity to try a new series, but this first Evan Smoak book just didn’t excite me. Maybe NEXT TIME, Mr. Hurwitz.
The book began with a promising premise: twelve-year-old Evan, an orphan, was recruited into a top-secret assassin training program, his identity unknown by all but his handler, Jack. Under Jack’s tutelage, Evan mastered martial arts fighting techniques, weapon-handling, vodka appreciation, and the intricacies of world cultures. He left the Orphan Program as an adult, moved to Los Angeles and put his skills to use as a freelance bad-guy-killer, requiring only that the potential victims he freed from danger pass his super-top-secret phone number onto someone else in deep trouble.
As the book progressed and Evan became personally-invested in a dangerous job with an untrustworthy character, I quickly lost interest. The plot was predictable and thin, with few surprising twists or character developments. Evan was a bland, forgettable protagonist. The minor characters in Evan’s apartment complex were stereotypical (frazzled single mom; nosy old people). And the excessive descriptions of weaponry, vodka types, and apartment décor weighed down what should have been an action-rich story.
I appreciate the opportunity to try a new series, but this first Evan Smoak book just didn’t excite me. Maybe NEXT TIME, Mr. Hurwitz.
elwoodradley's review against another edition
4.0
Really well written and entertaining high-tech thriller. As someone who has experience with firearms both professionally and as a hobby, I can’t tell you how refreshing it is for an author to call a magazine a magazine, and not a clip. Lol. Will definitely be continuing this series.
sh543's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Addiction, Violence, Death of parent, Blood, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Confinement, Kidnapping, Rape, and Adult/minor relationship
nickorchard's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lefttorread's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good book, had exciting twists and I loved the characters. I could imagine a really exciting action film made from this book. The reason it gets 3 stars is just because the book itself is not for me, for some reason I didn't connect with it but that's not the authors fault, it was very well written and I think a lot of people would enjoy this read.
rlwaite's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great read, and was hard to put down once I started. I just have one little bittie complaint. Hurwitz includes lots of seemingly factual descriptions of fighting and weaponry, apparently doing his research well. How come nobody (Hurwitz, his proof readers, his editors etc.) knew that a college student does not pay anything on student loans while enrolled in college? I know my complaint is trite, but I would not expect such a well researched book to contain such a glaring error.