chaddnolen's review
4.0
4.0
I enjoyed this X entry for the most part. The cartels were a great backdrop and mission (no spoilers) - and I loved seeing the Español sprinkled throughout (without translations) to enhance the atmosphere.
But … give me a break on having not one BUT TWO cartel leaders giving X (an American outsider gringo) the skinny on their full operations on day one.
I enjoyed this X entry for the most part. The cartels were a great backdrop and mission (no spoilers) - and I loved seeing the Español sprinkled throughout (without translations) to enhance the atmosphere.
But … give me a break on having not one BUT TWO cartel leaders giving X (an American outsider gringo) the skinny on their full operations on day one.
erinsabourin's review
5.0
What happens when you are called to help a “bad” man? Are you able to put your morals and tenants to the side in order to help someone you would normally be tasked with stopping? If that wasn’t bad enough his home life is begging to rumble.
These are the problems and questions that Evan Smoak has to face in this novel.
The ending of this novel- I can not wait for his next novel.
These are the problems and questions that Evan Smoak has to face in this novel.
The ending of this novel- I can not wait for his next novel.
milesofpages's review
4.0
#DarkHorse
“Señor Nowhere Man, No one measures up to a myth. But you come close”
I’ve been waiting for Evan Smoak/Drug Cartel crossover, and it was worth the wait. It was hard to cheer for the bad guys or the good guys, because everyone was at fault, or partially to blame. That ambiguity really solidified the theme in the Orphan X books, and I’m glad the series has continued.
Evan Smoak, Joey, Dog, Mia, and all the badassery of the series back better than ever. We all know I started this series because Duncan loves it so much, and now I’m invested. Scott Brick is back with the audio, and as always, hits the dry sense of humor and brutal scenes as natural as they come. I loved listening to the audio, and some of the scenes were very graphic played out on audio. That’s what I expect from this series, and it does make a bigger impact on audio.
Dark Horse is number 7 in the series, but I feel like this is the one that really tugged at my heart. It was really heart wrenching and was on the edge of my seat to hope Anjelina and Aragón would be reunited and have a happy…er ending. I didn’t want anything to happen to her and was waiting for the Evan Smoak save the day Batman signal to come down and Ed everyone up. The ending had me trying to turn more pages (and press play again) to try to magically make the next book in the series pop out because it left me on another great cliffhanger. I cannot wait to see what happens next! P.S. as this is a series, I do not recommend reading this as a standalone because you will need all the backstory.
Thank you so much @minotaur and @macmillanaudio for the gifted copy! Dark Horse is out 2/8
“Señor Nowhere Man, No one measures up to a myth. But you come close”
I’ve been waiting for Evan Smoak/Drug Cartel crossover, and it was worth the wait. It was hard to cheer for the bad guys or the good guys, because everyone was at fault, or partially to blame. That ambiguity really solidified the theme in the Orphan X books, and I’m glad the series has continued.
Evan Smoak, Joey, Dog, Mia, and all the badassery of the series back better than ever. We all know I started this series because Duncan loves it so much, and now I’m invested. Scott Brick is back with the audio, and as always, hits the dry sense of humor and brutal scenes as natural as they come. I loved listening to the audio, and some of the scenes were very graphic played out on audio. That’s what I expect from this series, and it does make a bigger impact on audio.
Dark Horse is number 7 in the series, but I feel like this is the one that really tugged at my heart. It was really heart wrenching and was on the edge of my seat to hope Anjelina and Aragón would be reunited and have a happy…er ending. I didn’t want anything to happen to her and was waiting for the Evan Smoak save the day Batman signal to come down and Ed everyone up. The ending had me trying to turn more pages (and press play again) to try to magically make the next book in the series pop out because it left me on another great cliffhanger. I cannot wait to see what happens next! P.S. as this is a series, I do not recommend reading this as a standalone because you will need all the backstory.
Thank you so much @minotaur and @macmillanaudio for the gifted copy! Dark Horse is out 2/8
lspignese's review
5.0
Thank you to the publisher for the e-ARC of this title.
I particularly enjoyed the ending of this book, but I'm now really struggling with the wait for book #8. As the series has progresses, Evan Smoak's character continues to evolve. This book does that and more. I enjoy the "Orphan X" action of the book, but am also enjoying Eva Smoak's transformation far more than I expected I would. It's a pleasure to see Joey back in this book, and to see her relationship with Evan evolve.
I particularly enjoyed the ending of this book, but I'm now really struggling with the wait for book #8. As the series has progresses, Evan Smoak's character continues to evolve. This book does that and more. I enjoy the "Orphan X" action of the book, but am also enjoying Eva Smoak's transformation far more than I expected I would. It's a pleasure to see Joey back in this book, and to see her relationship with Evan evolve.
rachf_77's review against another edition
4.0
Another great story with a cliffhanger so we know there's another Orphan X book coming! I had to take this book back to the library before I was finished so had to wait until I could get it back again as it had a few holds at the library!
pbarish18's review
5.0
Loved the depth that he gave the new characters, but I think the ending was rushed, even though it perfectly captures Evan’s attempt to balance everything happening
surfybridge's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
xkay_readsx's review
4.0
4.5⭐
Nooo! I usually steer clear from cartel plot, but then my book crush has to get involved, sigh...
Dark Horse doesn't follow up where it left off in book #6, [b:Prodigal Son|53138122|Prodigal Son (Orphan X, #6)|Gregg Andrew Hurwitz|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1590447247l/53138122._SY75_.jpg|79888624]. Evan is fixing his condo and finds contractors near Home Depot. One of the men happens to know someone who's powerful yet desperate and has nowhere else to turn. Aragón's a kingpin in sophisticated drug imports from Eden, Texas, but also a pillar of his community. His daughter, Anjelina is kidnapped by the Leones cartel and taken across the border into Mexico.
Evan precisely plans a one-man raid into the Leones compound to save the girl. This is one of the best heart-pounding exfil that I've ever read. The cartels and sicarios are savages and it's very satisfying to witness their demise.
There's tremendous soul searching in this action thriller. I love that Orphan X is action-packed, but it's never all about cool gadgets and ass-whooping. Hurwitz digs deep into Evan's character book after book. The supporting characters like Joey (another Orphan), Tommy (the gunsmith), or Evan's neighbors at Castle Heights are all well defined, and I love them all.
Just awesome, once again, Hurwitz leaves me hanging with an ending similar to the last time. Gaaah!!
Thank you St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NG for this ARC.
Available 08 Feb 2022!
Nooo! I usually steer clear from cartel plot, but then my book crush has to get involved, sigh...
Dark Horse doesn't follow up where it left off in book #6, [b:Prodigal Son|53138122|Prodigal Son (Orphan X, #6)|Gregg Andrew Hurwitz|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1590447247l/53138122._SY75_.jpg|79888624]. Evan is fixing his condo and finds contractors near Home Depot. One of the men happens to know someone who's powerful yet desperate and has nowhere else to turn. Aragón's a kingpin in sophisticated drug imports from Eden, Texas, but also a pillar of his community. His daughter, Anjelina is kidnapped by the Leones cartel and taken across the border into Mexico.
Evan precisely plans a one-man raid into the Leones compound to save the girl. This is one of the best heart-pounding exfil that I've ever read. The cartels and sicarios are savages and it's very satisfying to witness their demise.
There's tremendous soul searching in this action thriller. I love that Orphan X is action-packed, but it's never all about cool gadgets and ass-whooping. Hurwitz digs deep into Evan's character book after book. The supporting characters like Joey (another Orphan), Tommy (the gunsmith), or Evan's neighbors at Castle Heights are all well defined, and I love them all.
Just awesome, once again, Hurwitz leaves me hanging with an ending similar to the last time. Gaaah!!
Thank you St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NG for this ARC.
Available 08 Feb 2022!
scott_a_miller's review
5.0
Wow. Another great effort by Hurwitz. Evan keeps getting more human, keeps getting better. This mission was un winnable, but he won. Just non-stop, jet fuel adrenaline pumping action but with actual humanity now. I don’t like cliffhangers and this one had a couple. Bring on the next one. Quickly.