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pbgurczak123's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.0
jillyrabb101's review against another edition
3.0
Growth
Who doesn't love some character development? Some internal reflection and post-traumatic growth? Tis another good read. Well done once again.
Who doesn't love some character development? Some internal reflection and post-traumatic growth? Tis another good read. Well done once again.
drereadsalot's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dawn_marie's review against another edition
3.0
Gregg Hurwitz’s Dark Horse (Orphan X #7) is a vast improvement over #6 (Prodigal Son) and sees a return (of sorts) to what made the first volumes of the series so entertaining.
Picking up approximately six months after the events of Prodigal Son and the drone strike that demolished his penthouse, the reader finds Evan Smoak (the aforementioned Orphan X) refurbishing said penthouse. As an aside, how is it that a penthouse can “explode” and no one, not one single person shows, the slightest concern that the penthouse was destroyed, allowing the refurbishing to go on as if nothing happened? During the refurbishment, Evan used a crew of day workers to complete “unsanctioned” upgrades and installations. It is one of these workers who passes Evan’s Nowhere Man number to a cartel leader (Aragon Urrea) whose daughter (Anjelina) has been kidnapped by a rival cartel (the Leons), thus setting the stakes and action for the rest of the novel.
The portrayal of the Leons was cartoonish at best: drug addled cartel leader (Raul Montesco) impulsively engages in/threatens ruthless acts (i.e., murder, disfigurement, rape, torture) for his own entertainment while the equally drug addled followers egg him on. Of course, Montesco lives in a tacky gilded palace where women are mere chattel and non-cartel members are play things to be terrorized; but of course the cartel members all carry large guns, sort drugs, and are too busy fighting for number one status that the miss the very obvious thing happening in front of them. Ugh! So bad! The inclusion of the Leons is a plot device that showcases Evan’s badassery (even if it was dialed up to impossible - even for a former member of an uber secret government sanctioned wet work specialist) as he rescued Anjelina.
I found Evan’s interactions with Urrea extremely fascinating and the most engaging feature of the story. Evan and Urrea are reflections of each other; both men are neither wholly good nor are they wholly bad, engaging in illegal/illicit activities and committing some horrendous and vile acts (sometimes for very good/valid reasons), while at the same time they strive to make “good” choices (i.e., helping the helpless, taking care of the community) and strive to be “better” human beings ~ perhaps as a way to atone for the “bad” they’ve done. This is a theme – Evan’s struggle to maintain his humanity/become connected to the world while engaging is some pretty evil-looking behavior – that permeates the series and is one of the things I find most appealing/engaging.
While Joey has always been a surly, moody, mouthy character (she is, after all, a sixteen-year-old who washed out of the Orphan program who was never allowed to just be a kid) she has always been professional when it comes to Evan’s missions. This time around her surliness and teasing veered into meanness territory and her passive-aggressiveness during the mission could have cost Evan his life; to say nothing of the obnoxiousness being dialed up to eleven. Also, for someone who has generally been attuned to others’ emotional state, especially Evan’s, she was uncharacteristically rude and insensitive to Evan. Her behavior seemed completely out of character for her.
While the novel was generally entertaining, I found everything Castle Heights and Mia, especially Mia tedious. What is the point? To show that Evan has difficulty dealing with people or non-mission situations? We already know that; it is demonstrated every time Evan finds himself in a situation where he can’t shoot, beat, or trick his way out. Is it to show that Evan desperately wants to retain his humanity? We learn that every time he struggles with morally grey decisions/actions that crop up during his missions? Do we really need Mia ~ boring, cookie cutter, generic Mia ~ to tell us that Evan keeps things inside and doesn’t allow himself to feel connected to any one or any thing when Evan’s actions show us this is the case? Everything related to Castle Heights and Mia feels forced and ham-fisted and greatly deter from the novel's flow and enjoyment . . . the conflicts that these side and annoying characters bring up in Evan are handled much more efficiently with his memories of Jack and his interactions with Joey, Tommy, and whomever he encounters on his mission. I found myself skimming Castle Heights and Mia sections.
I hope future installments feature less emo, mopey Evan and more mission centric Evan who works to deal with his inner demons.
I found it odd that the whole “Evan learned the name of his father” cliffhanger from book six was not addressed here . . . literally, Evan was “nope, not going to deal with it”. As is typical in Mr. Hurwitz’s other Orphan novels, this one ends with a cliff hanger.
With the exception of Castle Heights and Mia, the novel was a fast paced, action packed, sometimes brutally violent read that I enjoyed.
Picking up approximately six months after the events of Prodigal Son and the drone strike that demolished his penthouse, the reader finds Evan Smoak (the aforementioned Orphan X) refurbishing said penthouse. As an aside, how is it that a penthouse can “explode” and no one, not one single person shows, the slightest concern that the penthouse was destroyed, allowing the refurbishing to go on as if nothing happened? During the refurbishment, Evan used a crew of day workers to complete “unsanctioned” upgrades and installations. It is one of these workers who passes Evan’s Nowhere Man number to a cartel leader (Aragon Urrea) whose daughter (Anjelina) has been kidnapped by a rival cartel (the Leons), thus setting the stakes and action for the rest of the novel.
The portrayal of the Leons was cartoonish at best: drug addled cartel leader (Raul Montesco) impulsively engages in/threatens ruthless acts (i.e., murder, disfigurement, rape, torture) for his own entertainment while the equally drug addled followers egg him on. Of course, Montesco lives in a tacky gilded palace where women are mere chattel and non-cartel members are play things to be terrorized; but of course the cartel members all carry large guns, sort drugs, and are too busy fighting for number one status that the miss the very obvious thing happening in front of them. Ugh! So bad! The inclusion of the Leons is a plot device that showcases Evan’s badassery (even if it was dialed up to impossible - even for a former member of an uber secret government sanctioned wet work specialist) as he rescued Anjelina.
I found Evan’s interactions with Urrea extremely fascinating and the most engaging feature of the story. Evan and Urrea are reflections of each other; both men are neither wholly good nor are they wholly bad, engaging in illegal/illicit activities and committing some horrendous and vile acts (sometimes for very good/valid reasons), while at the same time they strive to make “good” choices (i.e., helping the helpless, taking care of the community) and strive to be “better” human beings ~ perhaps as a way to atone for the “bad” they’ve done. This is a theme – Evan’s struggle to maintain his humanity/become connected to the world while engaging is some pretty evil-looking behavior – that permeates the series and is one of the things I find most appealing/engaging.
While Joey has always been a surly, moody, mouthy character (she is, after all, a sixteen-year-old who washed out of the Orphan program who was never allowed to just be a kid) she has always been professional when it comes to Evan’s missions. This time around her surliness and teasing veered into meanness territory and her passive-aggressiveness during the mission could have cost Evan his life; to say nothing of the obnoxiousness being dialed up to eleven. Also, for someone who has generally been attuned to others’ emotional state, especially Evan’s, she was uncharacteristically rude and insensitive to Evan. Her behavior seemed completely out of character for her.
While the novel was generally entertaining, I found everything Castle Heights and Mia, especially Mia tedious. What is the point? To show that Evan has difficulty dealing with people or non-mission situations? We already know that; it is demonstrated every time Evan finds himself in a situation where he can’t shoot, beat, or trick his way out. Is it to show that Evan desperately wants to retain his humanity? We learn that every time he struggles with morally grey decisions/actions that crop up during his missions? Do we really need Mia ~ boring, cookie cutter, generic Mia ~ to tell us that Evan keeps things inside and doesn’t allow himself to feel connected to any one or any thing when Evan’s actions show us this is the case? Everything related to Castle Heights and Mia feels forced and ham-fisted and greatly deter from the novel's flow and enjoyment . . . the conflicts that these side and annoying characters bring up in Evan are handled much more efficiently with his memories of Jack and his interactions with Joey, Tommy, and whomever he encounters on his mission. I found myself skimming Castle Heights and Mia sections.
I hope future installments feature less emo, mopey Evan
Spoiler
(which I fear is only going to be ramped up next volume as Mia’s brain surgery means she may forget Evan – ugh – )I found it odd that the whole “Evan learned the name of his father” cliffhanger from book six was not addressed here . . . literally, Evan was “nope, not going to deal with it”. As is typical in Mr. Hurwitz’s other Orphan novels, this one ends with a cliff hanger.
With the exception of Castle Heights and Mia, the novel was a fast paced, action packed, sometimes brutally violent read that I enjoyed.
vanibhoo's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-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? No
3.75
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
A MASTER STORYTELLER!
Greg Hurwitz returns with a favorite series (Orphan X), DARK HORSE, with the famous leading man. This seventh installment in the series may be Evan Smoak's (Nowhere Man) most emotional, challenging, and dangerous case yet.
Full of heart, action, and thrills. Since the first book, I have been a fan and would not miss an episode.
If you have read the previous books in the series, you know Orphan X was a government assassin for an Orphan Program. After leaving the program, he changed his name to The Nowhere Man to help those in need with a devoted phone number. 1-855-2-NOWHERE - A way to give back on his journey to redemption.
"When the devil wants to dance with you, you better say never."
—Immortal Technique
Hurwitz has cleverly pitted Evan against a complex man who darkly resembles himself with a mix of good and evil.
This time around, he comes in contact with a South Texas drug lord, Aragon Urrea. His eighteen-year-old daughter, Anjelina, has been kidnapped by the Mexican cartel.
He is on the fence, trying to decide if he wants to help this criminal. However, even though this man is evil, he also helps people in need, somewhat like his past.
Aragón Urrea is a complicated man. This mission is very personal for Evan. Should he get his daughter back? This is a question he often has asked of himself. So we have the "Dark Man" (kidnapped the daughter), Aragon, and Evan. This Dark Man is highly dangerous, and he has the girl.
DARK HORSE delves into the underbelly of humanity with drug pins, drugs, opioids, cartels, and the big and greedy pharmaceutical companies.
Evan has to do a lot of soul-searching about his past and present while involved in this adrenaline-fueled suspense thriller that packs a punch. Evan has kept people at a distance and tried not to allow himself to love or care.
Evan has maintained his humanity since the beginning despite his arsenal of lethal skills, as confusing as it sometimes is for him, which makes you root for him.
As always, I love Mia (neighbor) and the district attorney and single mother to Peter he has been involved with, who faces a life-threatening surgery. They are not aware of his past. There are also others in his life, such as the hacker, Joey (recruit), that has become like a daughter.
Lines are blurred. Evan has learned to keep up his wall. Those who need to be saved. What would they think of his past?
Evan is pulled in with struggles from evil and good and its extremes. His dark past and the people he has learned to care for. He also has OCD tendencies, antisocial behavior, and his need to have control over his world, but at the same time, he has to separate business and personal struggles in his life.
Due to its complex emotions, which are deeply felt, this series sets itself apart from other crime action series. Beautiful prose, Hurwitz keeps this series fresh with engaging content while adding to his leading man's action, suspense, and deeply felt emotions.
This series appeals to a broad audience, both male and female readers. You learn to care about Evan and hate to see him struggling with his extreme emotions. Another cliffhanger looks like there will be more Orphan X, and I look forward to the next MISSION in this superb and gripping series!.
As always, Scott Brick delivers an outstanding performance as the audiobook narrator. Spellbinding and engaging—highly recommend.
Any reader who enjoys intelligent crime thrillers with substance, both plot and character-driven; Greg Hurwitz's Orphan X has it all!
A special thank you to #Minotaur #MacmillanAudio and #NetGalley for an ARC e-book and audiobook.
Blog Review Posted:
#JDCMustReadBooks | @JudithDCollins
My Rating:
Greg Hurwitz returns with a favorite series (Orphan X), DARK HORSE, with the famous leading man. This seventh installment in the series may be Evan Smoak's (Nowhere Man) most emotional, challenging, and dangerous case yet.
Full of heart, action, and thrills. Since the first book, I have been a fan and would not miss an episode.
If you have read the previous books in the series, you know Orphan X was a government assassin for an Orphan Program. After leaving the program, he changed his name to The Nowhere Man to help those in need with a devoted phone number. 1-855-2-NOWHERE - A way to give back on his journey to redemption.
"When the devil wants to dance with you, you better say never."
—Immortal Technique
Hurwitz has cleverly pitted Evan against a complex man who darkly resembles himself with a mix of good and evil.
This time around, he comes in contact with a South Texas drug lord, Aragon Urrea. His eighteen-year-old daughter, Anjelina, has been kidnapped by the Mexican cartel.
He is on the fence, trying to decide if he wants to help this criminal. However, even though this man is evil, he also helps people in need, somewhat like his past.
Aragón Urrea is a complicated man. This mission is very personal for Evan. Should he get his daughter back? This is a question he often has asked of himself. So we have the "Dark Man" (kidnapped the daughter), Aragon, and Evan. This Dark Man is highly dangerous, and he has the girl.
DARK HORSE delves into the underbelly of humanity with drug pins, drugs, opioids, cartels, and the big and greedy pharmaceutical companies.
Evan has to do a lot of soul-searching about his past and present while involved in this adrenaline-fueled suspense thriller that packs a punch. Evan has kept people at a distance and tried not to allow himself to love or care.
Evan has maintained his humanity since the beginning despite his arsenal of lethal skills, as confusing as it sometimes is for him, which makes you root for him.
As always, I love Mia (neighbor) and the district attorney and single mother to Peter he has been involved with, who faces a life-threatening surgery. They are not aware of his past. There are also others in his life, such as the hacker, Joey (recruit), that has become like a daughter.
Lines are blurred. Evan has learned to keep up his wall. Those who need to be saved. What would they think of his past?
Evan is pulled in with struggles from evil and good and its extremes. His dark past and the people he has learned to care for. He also has OCD tendencies, antisocial behavior, and his need to have control over his world, but at the same time, he has to separate business and personal struggles in his life.
Due to its complex emotions, which are deeply felt, this series sets itself apart from other crime action series. Beautiful prose, Hurwitz keeps this series fresh with engaging content while adding to his leading man's action, suspense, and deeply felt emotions.
This series appeals to a broad audience, both male and female readers. You learn to care about Evan and hate to see him struggling with his extreme emotions. Another cliffhanger looks like there will be more Orphan X, and I look forward to the next MISSION in this superb and gripping series!.
As always, Scott Brick delivers an outstanding performance as the audiobook narrator. Spellbinding and engaging—highly recommend.
Any reader who enjoys intelligent crime thrillers with substance, both plot and character-driven; Greg Hurwitz's Orphan X has it all!
A special thank you to #Minotaur #MacmillanAudio and #NetGalley for an ARC e-book and audiobook.
Blog Review Posted:
#JDCMustReadBooks | @JudithDCollins
My Rating:
stevem0214's review against another edition
4.0
The Orphan X series is a great shoot 'em up series. If you're looking to tear apart the plot and piece it all back together, don't bother...you're gonna be disappointed. But it you're looking for a thrill ride and a good characters, you've found the right place. These books are just fun! In this one Evan takes on a horrible cartel...for a slightly less horrible bunch that you find yourself pulling for.
fotoshopguy52's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Some fine passages with good action, intrigue and well-needed comic relief, but not as gripping as previous versions. Also, way too much graphic violence at the end of the book. I can't help but get the feeling that this series has almost run its course, so I would not mind the next novel (assuming there is one) to be the final chapter, and after reading the Epilogue, I could easily see that being the case.
hedread's review against another edition
4.0
Will Orphan X succeed in the latest mission? Another thrilling read.
cojack's review against another edition
4.0
Another fun entry for this series. I like that Hurwitz is dedicating less page space to explaining/describing every piece of machinery, weaponry, technology, etc. He continues to mine the concept of family, commitment, love, and generational pain...but really it's all about the mission and how he's going to get out of the seemingly inescapable situations he finds himself in. The cliffhanger at the end of the previous book wasn't explained here at all, and it looks like it might be picked up in the next book. Anyway, this is page-turning fun. I like the audiobooks, but the narrator (Scott Brick) really ramped up the melodrama in this one and took it over the top too many times. I laughed at out loud at some serious moments just because he almost sounded like he could be a Simpsons' character.
ETA: Hurwirtz made Joey far too annoying in this book. Barely tolerable. Such a waste because she’s a great foil for Evan.
ETA: Hurwirtz made Joey far too annoying in this book. Barely tolerable. Such a waste because she’s a great foil for Evan.