Another fantastic, enthralling read in the Orphan X book series.

Gregg Hurwitz continues to further develop the character of Evan Smoak in his latest book, Prodigal Son.

Hurwitz is a master at writing truly enthralling fight scenes, which create images in your head as if you are watching an action movie. As always, Hurwitz's knack for explaining innovative technologies in an accessible way for his reader makes the story believable and encapsulating.

I will always be on the lookout for the next book in this highly entertaining series.

This was another hit from Hurwitz!! This series keeps getting better and What the hec.... The ending??? I need book #7 ASAP

My sixth book in this exciting, action packed series. Evan Smoak gets a little more personal and this one has a touch of a sentimental side. Don't worry though, there are plenty of pulse-pounding scenes and that page turning action that is a staple in this series.
We learn even more about Evan's past and the author always does a great job of filling in Evan's back story for those who haven't read the series (I highly recommend reading them in order though).

The ending left me breathless, impatient and ready for the next installment!!

I've enjoyed every book in this series, but I think this is my favorite (perhaps so is book 1). Evan is retired, but that is difficult because people still need help. And one request is very close to home. The odds are overwhelming, but since when are they not!?
What made this book stand out to me is the changes Evan is making in his life and personality throughout the series, as he lets people edge their ways into his life. I love his interactions with Joey, and with all his neighbors really, and who couldn't love Peter (although I would have loved to see more of him this book).
And what REALLY made it stand out was just a small chapter in the middle where Evan helps a girl who really needs it. His careful behavior towards her really touched me.

This is a stand out series for sure. I highly recommend it. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review it!

This is my first Orphan X book and I didn't feel like I was missing anything important from prior books. However, after reading this one, I want to read them all!

This is about Evan, also known as Orphan X and the Nowhere Man. There are flashback chapters to his childhood. The entire story is fast-paced and thrilling to read. It was a lot of fun to read, even if it stretches the realm of possibilities (you know, like an action movie would.) My only quibble is that it ended with a cliffhanger. But the main story was wrapped up very nicely.

Many thanks to the publisher for hooking me into another series.

I don’t usually read this kind of book, and I didn’t know it was a series. But I will be reading all of them. Fast paced, things in our present situation .( killer drone bees). I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.

As a massive fan of the Orphan X series. I couldn't wait to see how Evan Smoak, the Nowhere Man, copes with his forced retirement resulting from a deal with the U.S. President where he agrees to cease accepting calls for help as the Nowhere Man in exchange for being allowed to live without constant threats.

As he settles into a semblance of a normal existence, he receives a series of phone calls from someone claiming to be his mother. This sixth book in the series continues to ratchet up the action and the page turning thrills that we have come to expect while adding more of the backstory of his life in the foster home before being accepted into the Orphan Program, an off the books assassin training for the government. Additionally Evan comes slowly to the realization of the cost of the training to his humanity and perhaps the vulnerability of relationships is worth the cost.

But wow! What a cliffhanger, now I don't know how I can wait for the next book.

Gregg Hurwitz has truly found the right recipe for a series about a covert government assassin who now uses his awesome skill set to fight bad guys everywhere. This book - the 6th in the series - adds more background to Evan Smoak, aka Orphan X, aka the Nowhere Man, and brings parts of his personal life that he wasn't even aware of himself into the story.
Evan Smoak is just a really nice guy with the heart in the right place and empatic principles, which often makes his quest to do good among the bad quite complicated.
Hurwitz knows how to craft a nailbitingly exciting (but still somewhat realistic), technologically advanced (but not too nerdy) and funny (not rolling on the floor funny, but understatedly and cleverly funny) story that grabs you from page 1 and doesn't let you go until the very end. That is a rare gift, and a true pleasure to read.
Without spoiling too much, I think the ending of the book leaves no doubt that Hurwitz has another story about Evan Smoak up his sleave...

Prodigal Son” by Greg Hurwitz is part of the “Orphan X” series, but it does not start where the previous book ended. Instead, it goes back in time adding new background information for all readers. Evan Smoak confronts the past he did not even know he had and struggles with a vision of the road not taken. He must reevaluate his life, integrate the past into a now unfamiliar present, and anticipate a complicated new future.
Regular readers find all the familiar characters: Mia, Peter, Joey, Dog the dog, as well as some new ones to complicate Evan’s existence: Veronica, Andre, Candy, and Jacob. In addition to mystery, there is action beyond comprehension, abundant explosions, seven-figure hit men and women, ghost artillery, and innovative technology that readers hope is only fiction.
“Prodigal Son” succeeds because of the superb writing skill of Greg Hurwitz. The book is much more than just weapons, danger, death, and insects. Every word paints a picture; every depiction sets the stage, and every description expands the action. There are no extra words just to fill up the pages. Sensory details pull readers into the action from the boots crunching on broken bits of shattered stained-glass windows and the scent of poinsettias riding the thin breeze, to the sun like a klieg light in the east.
“Prodigal Son” is compelling, exciting, and shocking from the first page to the last. It is hard to write a review without giving away important information because everything is important, but the ending is unexpected, actually everything is unexpected. You s should plan your reading time wisely because once you start reading, there is no stopping until the end. The last page leaves you yearning for the next book.

This is a perfect book for anyone who loves a good action packed, shoot 'em up thriller, with little espionage rolled up into one.

I enjoyed reading this book due the witty writing style along with the plotline. This is the first book of the series that I have read and I didn't feel confused on what was happening. This book could easily have been a standalone book, but now I want to go back at start with book one of the series.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

An action-packed read. The Prodigal son is the sixth in the Ophan X series. I enjoyed the thrilling ride this story took me on and I would love to read the whole Ophan X series. This author has an amazing way of telling the story so you can imagine what is happening in real-time. A great read or series for anyone looking for a thrilling read. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur for my advanced copy.

A great read with lots of action. This was my first book of the Orphan series and I loved it. The writing was captivating and I enjoyed the mystery and adventure. Evan was a strong, complex and fascinating. I also enjoyed the side characters and would love to read more about them. Great writing.
This was a good solid story that reminded me why I love to read. I think anyone would enjoy this because of the family connections and suspenseful story line. I highly recommend it.
Thank you St. Martin Press via Netgalley for the ebook in exchange for my review.

This book is one incredibly intense read. One thing after another, twist and turns, emotional whammies, super geeky tech talk, and an incredibly satisfying ending to the big case.
I came into this with no knowledge whatsoever of the Orphan X series, and I'm walking away an obsessed fan. Hurwitz is a genius at crafting characters and developing them fully within the space of a few pages. It's at a point where a new reader can open book 6 in a series and never feel left out or lost as to who our hero is and what the situation is. Not many authors can manage that.
I suspect the rest of the series is as good as this one, but I'm going to recommend reading Prodigal Son as soon as possible because not only does it have a spectacular case and action, it also packs quite an emotional punch from several angles.
This is definitely a book to read if you're looking for something extremely well-written that will keep you turning pages in anticipation of what could possibly be revealed next.

Many happy thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the read!

What a rush! Absolutely loved this exciting book. I am a sucker for a man with survival skills, a sidekick with hacking skills, a mystery to solve and people to protect. This book has it all.

Evan has some amazing skills. He's the nowhere man. A man that helps people. He protects people and he investigates things. He's recently retired, has a sweet penthouse and enjoying the life he earned. He gets a random call on his private secure phone from a person claiming to be his mother. His orphan brain can't comprehend how this could be possible, but it intrigues him enough to investigate and find out. Veronica has beckoned Evan to her. She has a job for him, protect Anthony Duran. No other explanations, just that Anthony is in trouble and needs help. He soon finds out that the people after him have some serious skills of their own. They are trying to kill Anthony for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Evan has to secure Duran and hopefully find out why they are targeting him. Evan is back in the game. Althoigh no-one can know. He's had a pardon already as long as he doesn't come out if retirement.

This book took me on a ride. I loved the main character, Evan and his entourage of people he allowed in his little circle of life. Joey, the 16 year old hacker, also had some pretty impressive skills. Not for combat, but definitely computer speaking. The technology in this book is scary and intriguing all the same. I know the military have drones they use in unsecured areas to kill people. This takes it to a whole new level. This was my first book I've read in this series, and now ill have to go back and read the rest from the beginning, it was that good!! Obviously a stand-alone book as well, since this was the first I've ever read of Orphan X.
I received this as an ARC from #netgalley for an honest review and am so grateful for the opportunity.

This is book six in the Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz involving the main character Evan Smoak.
Evan Smoak has been given a unofficial Presidential pardon. He is fine with that until he receives a call from a woman claiming to be his mother. The reader experiences the background of Evan as he grows up in the Pride House Group Home and the boys whom inhabit the home. All wishing that the Mystery Man would come by and take them away from their miserable conditions.
Gregg Hurwitz uses the boys in the home to perfection as the reader sees how each boy's character is developed.
Evan is now seen as being vulnerable.

A page turning white knuckled read.

The book ends in a cliffhanger.

Gregg Hurwitz has always been one of my favorite authors. I love this series and Evan Smoak. At the moment, I am having a hard time coming up with words to do it justice.
It moved and touched me in ways it’s almost embarrassingly lifelike. The writing has always been exceptional. This book however reaches in a pulls out words and thoughts you probably never knew where there.. The journey Evan takes the inner battle, Who am I? To be truthful the courage it takes to answer.. To push pass the uncomfortable and do it anyway.
Sigh.. I love it truly love it Add in the battles of corse and it’s down right perfect
I read the ending last night and it kept me awake for a while running it over and over in my head wondering what the first lines of the next book will be.
I can’t wait. The wait is excruciating, I will admit. Like a long lost friend you hadn’t talk to in a while who words make you smile.
I would like to thank you Gregg Hurwitz for continuing to right amazing books and allowing me to go on this wonderful journey with Evan Smoak.

Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an arc copy in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed this book for so many reasons. The first one was how they explained how Orphan X came to be, the multiple point of views really worked and kept me guessing. It was a great way to introduce the characters, both from his past and the ones that would come up later in the novel. Evan was a badass and a great character all around that was very grounded despite never having much nurturing and having to build armor over his feelings. His mother's character brought me a lot of joy, she seemed so casual all the time but also very controlled and it's not often we see a mom with her disposition. In edition to those too, Joey was a delight but I adored Queenie and Declan's relationship and any chapters that featured their point of views. Their union was so apparent and the way they had borderline telepathy, and how she always calmed him down and could sense when he needed it, a great edition to the story. And we cannot forget about Andre, hilarious and relatable, I enjoyed his character a lot.

I love this book not because of the action or scenes of suspense, but how it talks about how we never really leave our child selves behind and how, when we don't take time to heal them, we continue acting like the worst and unparented parts of them. But also about how second chances are possible and that it's never too late to start your life.

This is not typically a genre that I read a lot of, but my dad introduced me to this author and he has become a favorite. This is the sixth in the series and this book lives up to the rest. We all thought that Evan retired at the end of book 5. Surprise, he is back and this time with to help out a friend of woman claiming to be his mother. What? The storyline is terrific and in keeping with his character. Lots of twists and turns along the way. I love a character who is willing to do whatever is necessary to save someone desperately in need of saving through no fault of their own no matter the personal expense. Its an easy gripping read that will keep you at the edge of your seat until the very last page. I am hoping for more in this series.

This was my first Gregg Hurwitz book, and I really enjoyed it.

Having never read any of the Orphan X books, I found the story easy to follow. The flashback chapters helped me understand how the main character, Evan, became Orphan X. This is an action packed, fast moving story that never slowed down. Evan is a very complicated man, and I enjoyed seeing his many sides. The details in this book are incredible. I could almost hear Taps playing. The description of the drones and their capabilities is terrifying. And the cliffhanger at the end.....wow!

I am looking forward to staring at the beginning of this series, and also finding out what happens in book 7.


Thanks to Netgalley, Gregg Hurwitz, and Minotaur Books for this ARC and for introducing me to Orphan X.

Published by Minotaur Books on January 26, 2021

Prodigal Son is the sixth Orphan X novel. Gregg Hurwitz seems to have gained confidence in his material as the series has progressed. The early novels were a bit gimmicky, placing a routine, indestructible thriller hero in two overlapping roles: protector of the weak (along the lines of the Equalizer) and victim of a government plan to turn kids into deadly assassins (along the lines of Jason Bourne). The novels have steadily drifted away from those clichéd themes while developing the hero’s personality in greater depth. Prodigal Son is the best in the series so far and will probably be hard to top.

A man named Andre, working a dead-end security job at an impound lot, watches a man die in a way he can’t explain. The death is caused by an advanced military weapon. Andre doesn’t know that, but he knows enough to flee. Having been the only witness to a killing on U.S. soil committed with secret technology, Andre becomes a high value target of the weapon developer.

None of this should concern Evan Smoak, who has removed himself from the savior business he started while operating as the Nowhere Man. But Andre happens to know Evan’s mother, and Evan’s mother wants Evan to help Andre.

Wait, Orphan X has a mother? Yes, we learned that at the end of Into the Fire. Fans of the series will understand why Evan has some issues regarding his mother, but they reunite in Argentina and Even agrees to help Andre until he decides not to help him until he decides to help him again. Andre and Evan knew each other as orphaned children but Evan, who has an understandable coldness in his soul and an unfortunate superiority complex, views Andre as a loser until Evan’s ward Joey reminds him that compassion has greater value than smugness.

Other series characters return in Prodigal Son, including the formidable Orphan V, the dog who helps Joey embrace her soft side, and the neighbor who would like to be Evan’s girlfriend if he weren’t always running around the world and killing people. All of the collateral characters are growing into their individualized personalities (except fo the dog, who displays the constancy of a dog). I particularly enjoy Joey’s teenage snark. Andre promises to be a good addition to the cast.

It is Evan’s character development that sets Prodigal Son apart from most action novels. There’s plenty of action in a plot that has Evan infiltrating a military base (twice), dodging advanced weaponry, and using controlled violence to teach bullies that their actions have consequences. But the story is enhanced by Evan’s struggles to understand why his mother abandoned him, his recognition of the impact that abandonment had on his controlling and obsessive personality, and his realization that he needs to make some changes if he wants to live his best life.

Not all of Prodigal Son is credible, but that’s a charge that can be lodged against most modern thrillers. I was particularly unwilling to believe that the developer of secret technology for the military so easily consented to meet with Smoak (posing as a tech writer) and gave him a tour of classified projects. On the other hand, various technologies that appear in the story reflect impressive research by Hurwitz. They help the plot seem plausible.

The story ends with a cliff-hanger and with another link to Evan’s past that might be explored in a future novel. This is a series that I will continue reading regardless of cliff-hangers in the hope that Hurwitz can continue writing with the depth he has shown in recent Orphan X novels, and particularly in Prodigal Son.

RECOMMENDED

PRODIGAL SON: An Orphan X Novel
Gregg Hurwitz
Minotaur Books
ISBN-13:978-1-250-79954-8
Hardcover
Thriller

January closes with the publication of a new Orphan X novel, which would be a reason to rejoice at any time of the year. PRODIGAL SON by Gregg Hurwitz is the sixth in this superlative series and is the rarest of books in the sense that it has been written to bring new readers to the Orphan X mythos into the fold while providing for veteran fans answers to questions that have been hanging for some years now. All of the above is wrapped in a pitch-perfect plot shot through with suspense, countless action scenes, and all sorts of recommendations concerning everything from adult libations and sobriety mantras to weaponry of all manner and sorts. There is in other words something for everyone and everyone should read it.

The Orphan X of the piece is Evan Smoak, who on the cusp of adolescence was plucked by a mysterious stranger from a foster home and trained to become one of the most dangerous assassins in the world. Smoak walked away from that life and became the self-styled Nowhere Man --- the title of the first book in the series, by amazing coincidence --- who worked off of the radar to help those in situations where his skills could effectively be brought to bear. Smoak, at the conclusion of INTO THE FIRE, the most recent book in the series, was ready to retire, in part because of a mutually assured destruction deal between himself and the United States government. He was barely out of a job when got a phone call from someone with whom he had never really spoken: his mother.

PRODIGAL SON, after a wild-eyed vignette, picks up where INTO THE FIRE left off. Smoak is tasked by his mother --- a wealthy, enigmatic woman named Veronica --- to help a man he doesn’t know for reasons he does not understand. The man in distress is Andrew Duran, whose life is a hot mess on all fronts. Duran is working the night shift on an impound lot when a man and woman who are (almost) obviously masquerading as government agents recruit Duran to let them know when the owner of a particular vehicle shows up to claim it. The pair dangle enough money in front of Duran to clear up his delinquent child support obligation and a few other things, too. Duran does as he was requested, but only winds up witnessing a murder and having the pair --- they turn out to be a rather twisted brother-and-sister assassin team --- after him as well. Smoak interjects himself into the situation rather quickly, and it is a reunion of sorts, given that he and Duran knew each other at the foster home. They barely have time to renew old acquaintances, however, before Smoak is required to display his wide skill set for the first of many times in order to save them both. Smoak brings the fight to his adversaries, and along the way discovers why the murder that Duran witnessed was committed as well as the research behind a secret weapon that has terrifying potential should it ever be unleashed. Smoak calls in a couple of big guns who have appeared in prior novels for assistance. They are certainly needed. In between the cluster freaks Smoak also discovers quite a bit about his background, including but not limited to why he was put into foster care. By story’s end, Smoak is almost at peace with himself and is making a few tentative steps toward taking the next step of his life’s journey. As the end of PRODIGAL SON demonstrates, it’s almost certainly going to be a long one.

I can almost guarantee you that should you read PRODIGAL SON you will be a fan of Hurwitz for life if you are not already. In addition to the books in the Orphan X series, Hurwitz has written over a dozen stand-alone novels and a raft of graphic novels. You will have plenty of worthwhile reading material to keep you occupied during the interminable days until the next Orphan X book drops, which will hopefully be in one year. Strongly recommended.

Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
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