This is a gritty, action packed novel. The protagonist is grappling with who he is, where he belongs, and a perceived diminished ability. He sees his world through the lens of a man who has been trained to be an assassin from childhood. He also has to negotiate exploitation of his abilities by those in power while trying to offer restitution to those who are powerless. This is an intriguing read and works as a stand alone. *Occasional strong language and themes of sex, drugs, alcohol and violence are present

5 Orphan Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free
I fell hard for this series. I went through a bit of a marathon of reading the previous books and this Last Orphan touches on all of the emotions and characters that stimulate them.
I will be an Orphan fan always.

In this latest installment, Orphan X is more introspective. We see his growth throughout in accepting family, friends and help. There is plenty of action and thrills but there is a gravitas that was not present before. Orphan X is not infallible or invincible, and this is the novel where he realizes that and accepts it. They keep getting better and better.

This is an Advance Readers Copy I am reviewing from Net Galley. First I want to explain that I should have started at book one in this series. I was confused in the beginning of this book. Orphans who are turned to assassins/killers in the most secretive way was intriguing to me. I love action adventure books. The plot of this book was good. The characters were believable to the point where I could picture them. It was kind of a cross between mission impossible and James Bond without the government interference. I gave this 3 stars because some parts of the book were slow and the dialogue between the main character and a 16 year old girl (who is also trained) was a bit preachy. Overall, this book was action packed with abundance of character to keep you reading. I do recommend reading this series in order. The author's writing was good in that you can imagine the characters and the surroundings. I would recommend this book to a reader who likes action packed stories.

You think the last orphan x book was good? This one is even better.. Amazing story and unable to put down.

Book #8 in this series is probably not the best place to begin. Yes, the author has sort of caught us up here on what came before, but you have to buy into the entire character premise all at once to make this even half-way understandable. I began with the first book and have been a willing follower of Evan Smoak, The Nowhere Man, ever since. This story begins with Evan doing something I never expected him to do, and I found it unsettling. I didn't like *my* imagined Evan Smoak almost showing off in a bar. That was strictly against what I thought Evan was all about. And the character deviations continued far into the plot.

Evan has been evading the notice of the government, which created the original Orphan program, and performing acts of rescue for everyday citizens who find themselves in troubles they can't escape or solve. This time the government has a job for him that he will not be allowed to turn down. His first challenge is to disappear again. The action is fast and furious, and all of these feats of physical prowess have to be taken with full suspension of belief, but that's okay, that's what I signed on for. Now if the character will just get back to being who he used to be! Evan's growing sensitivity is at odds with what he does to solve problems for people and that is on its way to becoming a problem for me as a reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for an e-galley of this novel.

The Last Orphan as with all of Gregg Hurwitz’s books will catch your interest and I'm sorry but you can't put them down so plan on reading instead of doing any work. I'm not going to describe what happens as you can read that on the back cover. What I want you to know is that the Orphan X, Evan Smoak, or The Nowhere Man. The story is one you won't find in several other books. The character of the orphan is hard to describe, he's a killing machine but a broken human who now only wants to do good while he's pursued by the very people who created him. It's authentic and you can't help but feel for him and root for his new goal. He struggles with relationships but is a force to reckon with against the oppressor. The Nowhere Man wants to help those who are in serious life or death trouble and have the odds stacked against them way beyond their control. He is invisible, no one knows who or what he is not even the woman who confuses his senses and her son, a relationship that could also destroy him. His only ally is a sixteen-year-old orphan hacker, Joey. Her skills are beyond most hackers but emotionally she is also broken and heads off to find herself. If Evan knew how to feel he’d know that his strong mental agitation for her is love as a fatherly protector. Evan is someone you will remember long after you have finished the book. He's a conflict of emotions he can't understand emotions and grapples with that while a fierce defender of the oppressed. Gregg Hurwitz is a master storyteller. This isn't my normal genre and I eagerly awaited this newest of the series that is how good the stories are. There is a lot of fighting and killing but all are necessary for his purpose and you will cheer his victories. This book can be read stand-alone. I recommend reading them all. Thank you, NetGalley and publishers Minotaur Books, New York.

I just reviewed The Last Orphan by Gregg Hurwitz. #NetGalley The series continues to not disappoint. Action from the first page to the last, I continue to like how Evan continues to evolve.

I want to think NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read and review this book. I have a been avid fan of this author and series since the beginning, I read and reviewed the last book in this series and did not like it very much. But the book ended on a semi cliff hanger with a teaser of the new book that sounded really promising.

I am sorry to say that promise was not kept. I hate to write a bad review, because I do not have the talent to write anything and the effort it must take to do so is something to be envied. This book is really not worth reading.

Spoiler Alert
The Premise is so bad the only word to describe it is Ridiculous. The President sends a huge special ops team to capture Evan Smoke just so that he can Kill lobbyist, Luke Devine. who is trying to stop a trillion-dollar environmental bill that will not do anything for the environment but will get her re-elected.
The Orphan can re-instate his “fake truce” with the President and all he has to do is kill Devine. He is captured by one of the only two honorable characters in the book, the true-blue FBI Agent Naomi Templeton who willingly tosses out her convictions and loyalty to the law to help him kill the lobbyist. The After escaping from her custody his embarks on a completely nonsensible quest to determine if the lobbyist deserves to die or not,
During second half of the book, he enlists Tommy, the wheelchair bound armorer, Orphan V Candy McClure who in the last several books has had a sole mission to hunt down and kill Evam Smoke Orphan X because he caused her to become badly burned while he was trying to escape from her and the other renegade Orphans. He also enlists his protege Joey who can “hack” into any computer network with just a few keystrokes.

After solving a cold case killing at the Lobbyists mansion, he decides that the Lobbyist does not deserve to die but that all of his security details do, so he spends the rest of the book killing them one by one in increasingly gruesome ways.

Throughout the entire book he thinks about his drunken ex rodeo bronc father trying to decide if he wants to track him down or not

There is no real point to the book. I am sorry to say that this will be my last read in this series.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Evan left the program and decided to help individuals who needed help. When the president asks him to do something, it goes against his principles and what he stands for. He is uncertain of what to do. I enjoyed the orphan x series and can't wait to read the next one.

I feel as though I don't do justice to Hurwitz or his amazing characters because my limited vocabulary won't allow me to express just how fantastic I find his writing, with every book in this series my respect grows; which fascinates me because I was completely astounded from the very first book in this series. His novels only get better as this story progresses, this is a master craftsman and every tales is obviously created with deep love and affection which is shown by the intricate plot and how his writing speaks to me personally. I read these books waiting for the almost inevitable slide of the author simply going through the motions to collect the next paycheck and I'm unceasingly delighted to find that I worry for absolutely no reason because every time I open his novels I am ecstatic to find a magnificent narrative catching me up on the life of a character I've become excessively fond of. It's not a simple thing to read a fiction that moves me from roaring laughter to heartbroken tears; Hurwitz writes with such depths of feeling that it's akin to a roller-coaster ride. Rehashing the story feels like I'm cheating the next reader of the unimaginable joy of discovery, I don't want my poor rendering to diminish the absolute exuberance Hurwitz will impart to the lucky person about to partake upon this magical journey. I especially enjoyed how Gregg shows us all the facets of Evan's personality, his failings right along side his finer qualities, and how he doesn't shy away from those less than pretty traits we all carry. My only problem with this book is that now I'm finished I will have to wait again for another. If this is your first time reading this series PLEASE read these books from the very beginning, it's worth it. I guarantee that you will thank me for it, not as much as you will Gregg though.

I absolutely love the Orphan X series books, and this latest installment didn't let me down in any way! This book can be read as a stand-alone story since there is enough background information to keep you running with X in his latest quest to right a wrong. That said, it is so much more entertaining/enriching if read in order with the rest of the series. This book is a little more personal that the previous ones,. Instead of just being a single-focus soldier, Evan puts more of himself into his interactions with others (dare I use the word relationships?). I like that he takes measure of his mission, and pursues it according to his ethical code: Commandment 6 - question orders. The personal vibe of this book adds to the story. You still have your mission, rag-tag allies, top-notch hi-tech gear, and split-second decisions. And you still have Peter to bring you back down to a reader's baseline. It is a thrilling ride from the start, and you will likely finish it in one sitting like I did because there is no logical stopping point! I highly recommend the book and the series - and I already can't wait for the next one!

Gregg Hurwitz, The Last Orphan is a fantastic read. The book was glued to my face! Simply could not put my phone down! The characters portrayed were finely tuned and showed in my minds eye like I was right there with them. Mr Hurwitz story line was like climbing a mountain with lots of false peeks. You think you’re almost there, you’ve e got it figured out, and then there’s more!!! Loved it!
Thank to Net Galley for letting me read this advanced copy. I’m looking forward to Mr. Hurwitz’s next.

In Orphan X’s latest adventure, Evan investigates the deaths of two beautiful young people whose bodies are found together. The president tries to strong arm him into doing her bidding, while Evan’s relationships with those closest to him are tested.

In this installment, Evan continues to grow as a character. He finds that his advancing age means that the skills he’s always relied upon aren’t infallible. Evan’s dark night of the soul comes early and is shown via a super short chapter. We see how the techniques he recommends to others are a vital part of his own coping mechanisms.

Character is where Hurwitz always excels. The secondary characters from Joey, the young operative who he has taken under his wing, to Tommy, the rough-around-the-edges “Q” to his James Bond, to Candy aka Agent V, nemesis turned ally are nothing short of stellar. Even the tertiary characters such as a young gang leader, a family embarking on a vacation, and a suicidal therapist who has lost her will to make music are memorable. The group of baddies may be big, but each one is vividly drawn. In a most astonishing feat of characterization, Hurwitz gives Evan’s aloe vera plant Vera III a winning personality. Now, that’s a sensational skill!

Evan’s love for premium vodka is at the forefront, which seems to foreshadow future trouble for Orphan X. Instead of enjoying a nip in his downtime, he is shown drinking on the job. This slippery slope seemed to start in the previous installment when he made a habit of drinking with his cartel leader client.

The title “The Last Orphan” worried me as I thought it might harken the end of the series. But there’s still so much to explore with Evan and his wonderful world, which ever expands in delightful ways.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Minotaur Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group, for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley.

Orphan X series is one of my favorites. I've read all eight and I have to say this was my least favorite. It was not as exciting as the past books and seemed to drone on. I hope this isn't the last in the series. I look forward to an improved #9.

My thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

I love this book! It was a fantastic entry in the series! I can't rave enough about how great this book is and how amazing this series. This is a must read for anyone that is a fan of high intense action packed thrillers that will put you on a high intense roller coaster from start to finish.

Easily a 10/10!!

Buy this book!!!

The Last Orphan is the eighth book in the Orphan X series. I have read them all. Governmental agents capture Evan in an exciting chase and told to kill someone. Well Evan has a code, and the killing must be justified. As he goes about investigating, we meet new characters and visit with reoccurring ones. You did have suspend belief on several scenes.
I did enjoy seeing Orphan V, Candy, and hope to have a story featuring her. Joey too!
I really enjoyed it and looking forward to the next one.

The Last Orphan by Gregg Hurwitz

9781250252326

Pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books
Release Date: February 14, 2023

Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Action, Adventure, Violence

Evan Smoak is back in another installment of the Orphan X series. As the Nowhere Man, he helps those that need help but have no resources. The U.S. government has warned him that if he continued is off-the-books work, they would rescind his pardon. Now he is caught in their crosshairs. He was picked up on surveillance cameras when visiting Mia in the hospital after brain surgery. They captured him and offered him a deal. Go after this bad guy and they would forgive his past actions. Evan meets the guy but must decide what is the right thing to do – kill him or spare him.

The book has a fast pace, the characters are well developed, and it is written in the third person point of view. Evan is one of my favorite characters. I love peeking into his life and antics. He realizes that he cannot ever have the simple normal life that so many people complain about as boring. He must always have his guard up. If you like Jason Bourne books, you will enjoy this series.

The Last Orphan by Gregg Hurwitz is the eighth book in his Orphan X series.

Evan Smoak is partaking of some simple human pleasures for their sake alone for the first time in his life. He’s still on the run from the government that made him Orphan X and thus the Nowhere Man. Can he continue to outrun his creators?

Gregg Hurwitz has penned another successful standalone novel in this series. He maintains the series continuity and the excellent characterization throughout. The plot here is compelling, including plenty of political intrigue. This installment focuses on the intrigue more than the violence, though that still remains as an element, with enough action to keep the reader completely engaged. The ending is once again satisfying, leaving the option for future installments. The Last Orphan rates 5 out of 5 stars. I highly recommend it to all readers of action thrillers, especially with political intrigue.

My thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

Thanks to NetGalley , Minotaur publishers, and the author Greg Hurwitz for an outstanding book. It is not something I usually read but I continued. Lots of details that are absolutely set the scenes as if we were there. Evan Smoak was taken from foster care and inducted into a top secre t Cold War program Orphan X.. I didn’t know it was a series so I will go back to the first one. It is a thrilling novel and suspenseful novel. Who does Evan help ? Time to read the book!