Another installment in the Orphan X series , filled with non stop action as the continued saga of Evan Smoak and Tommy Stojavk brings us to an unanticipated crossroads. Tommy has veered from a long standing code of ethics when he provides weapons to an indiscriminate killer who has no qualms about murdering the innocent. Evan cannot abide by this betrayal and so ends a lifelong friendship which pits the two friends against each other

I guess I am just not the right audience for this book. While it is well written and action packed, it is just too violent for me. This is not simply a tales of righting wrongs and stopping evil forces but instead an emotionally fraught fight between two friends who are now at odds with each other. It seems they are at war with no,peace talks on the horizon.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur books for an ARC in exchange for my review. Readers of this series will be glad to know that the publication date is Feb 11, 2025.

Nemesis, the tenth novel in the Orphan X series, reads a little different than the previous nine, at least to me. This is still a great thriller, with the details of fights and assassinations readers have come to expect. And while all of the books give us glimpses into Evan's background and how his past life led him to become Orphan X and then the Nowhere Man, this book seems to focus on that even more.

First of all, the thriller part. The bad guys Evan is after are "torn from the headlines," young white men who are militia wannabes, and the corrupt sheriff's department that is covering up the murder two of them committed. Evan arrives in the small town that is unhappy with all of the Mexicans living in the nearest next small town over. Once he meets the parents of one of the victims, Evan is dead set on a trail for justice. Or vengeance.

But are the bad guys really bad guys? Evan's friend Tommy, one of a very few friends he has, is staying with the young men, hoping he can turn them away from the prejudice and rage and dead end life they are living, and he tries to stop Evan's plan to kill them all. Because the book is written from both Evan and Tommy's point of view, the reader sees both sides and it isn't always completely clear who is good or bad, who is right or wrong. We see the treatment and events in the lives of everyone, not just Evan, to get a glimpse of understanding into how they became the people they are.

Tommy and Evan are already on opposite sides when the book opens, before we even meet the rest of the characters in this story. Tommy is Evan's weapons dealer, but Tommy has provided weapons to people Evan classifies as bad because they kill innocents. When Evan goes to Tommy's house to discuss this and/or kill Tommy, he finds a crew of assassins waiting to kill him. This sets him off to find Tommy and eliminate him, which leads him right into the wanna be white nationalists. But even here, things aren't necessarily what they seem. Did Tommy hire the killers? Or did someone else?

Once Evan eliminates the first group of assassins, a new group is activated, and we also get part of the story from their point of view. This is the one part of the book I didn't much care for. Moving to the perspective of these killers as they completed their previous mission before taking on the new job, didn't really add much to the story for me. But the chapters about them were short, so it wasn't a major issue.

Joey, Evan's other friend/partner/ward, does show up in the story for all the Joey fans, but her role is fairly small here. Her scenes show that she also is struggling to find her way in a world that seems determined to divide us all into factions.

That seems to be a key point of the book, underlying all of the plotting and revenge and violence that comes with an Orphan X novel. There are plenty of action scenes, and we can read in detail about Evan's almost supernatural fighting skills, but there are also lots of passages about how the past of these characters has created who they are in the present, how the divisions among us maybe shouldn't matter, and how difficult it can be sometimes to know who is our friend and who is our foe.

Another good book in the series. I always think readers should start with the first novel in a series, but if you jump in here you'll actually get all the background you need to understand Evan and his relationships with the people and the world around him.

He has the emotional intelligence of a fruit fly

So Evan Smoak is told by Joey, the teenaged uber-hacker who is his de facto charge/kind of niece/colleague, and she isn't wrong. As an orphaned child he had been selected for inclusion into the Orphan Program, trained in all manner of lethal skills to function as an expendable weapon to be used (by a black ops division of the DoD) to do things that the US government wants (but isn't supposed) to do. As the 24th recruit in a group where each member is known as a letter of the alphabet, he became Orphan X, one of if not the best of the Orphans. Until, that is, he decided to step away from that life and go off the grid, entering the world as a mild mannered importer of...something... by the name of Evan Smoak and living in a (highly enhanced with the ultimate in security measures) condo in LA. His former handlers haven't been able to kill him (yet), and he tries to make peace with the dead bodies he's left strewn behind by becoming someone that people in dire situations with nowhere left to turn can call for help, the Nowhere Man. He was trained to be a killer but also to remain human, and crafting an existence that balances the two has proven challenging if not impossilbe. Two of the people who know him best and are the closest things he has to friends or family, Joey and Tommy (the man who for the last 15 years has procured and crafted the weapons and other tools of the trade that Smoak needs) have all of a sudden turned on him. Joey, attending UCLA at Smoak's insistence and trying to fit it with normal girls her age, has become involved with an activist group on campus and on their behalf is creating digital images for their cause which to Smoak's view could become potentially dangerous propaganda, and Joey doesn't take kindly to his pointing that out. As she rebels and freezes him out, Smoak also is coming to terms with the fact that Tommy has crossed one of Smoak's red lines by selling weapons to someone who used it to kill an innocent person. Smoak goes to Tommy to try to reconcile this breach of his code, and it goes south fast. With Joey refusing to talk to him and Tommy trying to kill him, things are bad enough....but when Tommy responds to an SOS from the son of an old comrade and finds himself sorting out the situation in which the boy and his racist friends find themselves (it involves them having killed innocent people whose only crime was to have been Mexican immigrants) and Smoak finds out, Smoak and Tommy are again on opposing sides of a dangerous situation, and one of them is unlikely to survive.
In this tenth installment of author Hurwitz's Orphan X series (which can be read as a standalone thriller, but those who have read earlier books in the series will have a more nuanced grasp on the relationship between the three principal characters) the reader gets a peek at how Smoak and Tommy first met and bonded, which in turn sets the stage to show why Tommy's betrayal hits Smoak so hard. Tommy heads off to honor his promise to his dead colleague and help a boy in a bad situation, through his actions becoming a more developed figure, while Joey's attempts to fit in to the world of regular college students when she is anything but makes the wisecracking teen more relatable. And then there is Smoak, trying to integrate into a world from which he has always kept himself at a distance and dealing with the fracturing bonds he has with the closest thing he has to a best friend and the young woman who is quasi family. Oh, and as always there are shoot-outs, ambushes, plot twists, and truly nasty villains who should have taken greater pains to either stay off of Smoak's radar or to have taken him down before he knew they wanted him dead. Because there is no greater friend, and no greater enemy, than someone like Evan Smoak. Fans of the series will enjoy this latest effort, especially the expansion of Tommy's character, and readers of authors like Lee Child, Mark Greaney and James Byrne should latch on to this series if they haven't already. My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for allowing me access to a copy of Nemesis in exchange for my honest review. I always enjoy spending a few days with Smoak, and look forward to his future exploits.

I held my breath when I started reading, as #9 left my jaw on the floor. Book #10 took my emotions every where and left me feeling like I was put through the ringer. Evan struggling with the ultimate betrayal, Tommy trying to keep a promise to someone else and other parties are involved. I apologize for not sharing story line, as I believe you can get that from the blurb. I am someone who shares how a book makes me feel and if I would recommend. I HIGHLY recommend this series and that you start at book 1. Be aware each book you will become more invested in Evan Smoak and you won't regret a minute. Thank you for the advanced copy. I freely share my honest thoughts and opinions. #Nemesis #OrphanX #GreggHurwitz #StMartinsPress #MinotuarBooks #NetGalley

This is book 10 in the Orphan X series and Evan is still struggling with who he is.

Its hard being the worlds most feared assassin and also find yourself drawn to care about some people and what happens when they disappoint you. This book really focuses on Evan's code and his best friend Tommy. They aren't sure if they should be killing each other, helping each other or making up.

Answering a call for help Tommy travels to a small racist town to help the son of a long time friend. Evan also travels there to confront Tommy and his sights are also set on two boys that Tommy is protecting.

The ending of this book shook me and I'm not sure where it's going to go from there. But once again this is an excellent installment of this series.

I've always been a promoter of this series because despite the graphic, gratuitous and cartoonish violence, Hurwitz has always had a deep thread of heart running through Evan Smoak, the Orphan X. This time out though I struggled to find it. Evan has gone after Tommy (and we get their origin story), his long time friend who he believes betrayed him by arming a ruthless assassin. Tommy has taken off because he's under threat not only from Evan but also from Janus and the two of them converge in a small town filled with prejudiced awful men who have killed a family, among other things. Meanwhile, Joey who thought she made a friend by making a meme finds herself in the middle of a bigger argument. Evan's righteous anger collides with Tommy's. I almost gave up on this because I didn't see any light in it. I admit to having flipped through the initial fights at Tommy's place and started to do the same with the body of the novel but then I settled back into it. Fans should know that Mia is absent, that there's only a couple of vodka scenes, and that there's flashbacks to Evan's training. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It wasn't the Orphan X novel I hoped for but it is a page turner.

I love this series! This installment focuses more on Tommy Stojack, X's long-time friend and provider of weapons and all things tactical. Meaning this book has so much more of Tommy's no-bullshot way of talking with some of the most colorful language ever (and I don't mean all swearing). Currently, Tommy and X are at odds and can't decide if they need to kill each other or kiss and make up. I was holding out for the latter throughout the book. I won't tell though if my wish came true.

Tommy is called to go sort out a group of teenagers whom he feels compelled to straighten out as he promised the father of one. These idiot kids have got it in their heads that they are in a race war and have gone too far. Tommy has got his work cut out for him with these morons with his own special kind of tough love. And, of course, X thinks they need to pay for their crimes with their lives.

Graphically violent like the earlier books, maybe a little more so in this one. But if you're not squeamish or a skinhead then you should really enjoy this one. This one really needs the back story so if you haven't been following along. I would back up and start at the beginning.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for providing me with an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I am not supposed to like this book. It's high on testosterone, with foul language and way too much gore, all negatives for me. But I like it so much! It was action-packed, with an excellent storyline, great writing, and rich characters. It's not just action, but lots of emotion that pulls in the reader.

Plot summary: Evan, a.k.a. Orphan X, has discovered that his weapons supplier, who is the only person in the world he considers a friend, is also supplying the bad guys. He goes to confront him but gets caught up in a terrible quadru[ple-murder and decides to take action, while also protecting his friend from another threat.

I don't know anything about weapons, but the research looks phenomenal. The descriptions of how Evan, a trained assassin, takes everyone out are riveting. This is the tenth book in the series and the first I'm reading, but everything you need to know is told.

While all the murder and gore is going on, we also get a subplot about Joey, a teenage college student who Evan saved from the Orphan program, and her dog, Dog. Joey is figuring out life and gets herself into some trouble, and Evan comes to the rescue. Orphan V, a.k.a. Candy, makes a showing as well, and it's hilarious.

There are so many parts, but they're seamlessly blended for a great and satisfying story. I skipped over the gory parts, including an entire (short) chapter, and language was limited to the parts where they were I suppose they were needed for accuracy.

As an aside, the author looks exactly like how I picture Evan :)

🤍Book review 🤍

Nemesis
An Orphan X Novel
by Gregg Hurwitz

Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own

Nemesis by Gregg Hurwitz is another thrilling installment in the Orphan X series, packed with action, suspense, and heart.
Evan Smoak, the legendary Nowhere Man, faces one of his toughest challenges yet—going up against his closest friend, Tommy Stojack.
When Evan learns that Tommy may have violated his strict moral code, their conflict escalates into an intense, high-stakes battle.
The story moves at a breakneck pace, filled with incredible fight sequences, sharp dialogue, and deep emotional moments.
Evan’s struggle with his humanity and code of honor adds depth to the non-stop action. Tommy, gruff yet fiercely loyal, is a standout character, and Joey’s subplot adds humor and heart.
Hurwitz’s writing is cinematic, making every scene feel like an action movie.
Nemesis is an absolute page-turner that will keep you hooked until the final scene.
A must-read for fans of fast-paced thrillers and the Orphan X series.

M

Book Review
Nemesis
Gregg Hurwitz
reviewed by Lou Jacobs


readersremains.com | Goodreads


Evan Smoak, aka Orphan X, returns for a highly anticipated tenth high-octane, breakneck-paced thriller. Reading an Orphan X novel is a guilty pleasure, akin to eating dessert before dinner. Evan isn’t a superhero but rather a cross between James Bond and Robin Hood. Although trained as a highly skilled assassin, he refuses to abandon his moral compass and his deeply ingrained desire to retain his humanity.

Evan was a twelve-year-old orphan, rescued from the projects of East Baltimore, only to endure a grueling seven-year training program under the tutelage of his handler, Jack Jones. Jack was the closest thing to a father and family he had ever known. This was all part of a clandestine black ops initiative, the “Orphan Program,” created by the Department of Defense. The program molded a cadre of assassins with unparalleled abilities—both deniable and expendable. Each was sent on solo missions to eliminate high-value targets without backup. As his trainer and a man of principle, Jack knew it was easy to teach Evan to kill but far more difficult to help him retain his sense of humanity—a core theme throughout the Orphan X series.

After a decade of covert assassinations, Evan wanted out. He no longer wished to be a lethal weapon of the government and was one of the few Orphans with an actual conscience. He embarked on his own mission as a pro bono freelancer, helping innocents trapped in impossible situations. He became known to his enemies as The Nowhere Man, remaining on call 24/7 for the desperate, awaiting a 1-855-2-NOWHERE call on his high-tech, untraceable, and indestructible RoamZone phone. Gregg Hurwitz seamlessly weaves this backstory into his latest explosive thriller.

Evan soon finds himself in an impossible situation. His closest friend, Tommy Stojack—a gifted gunsmith and arms dealer who has supplied Evan with weapons, combat gear, and even armored vehicles—has violated one of Evan’s most sacred tenets. Tommy has allegedly provided weapons used in the slaughter of multiple innocents, a violation of Evan’s unbreakable code. When Evan approaches Tommy’s workshop to confront him, he is ambushed by a cadre of skilled killers. Outnumbered, Evan relies on guile and skill to dispatch all but one, who escapes without warning. Hurwitz crafts a cinematic, multi-layered shootout that puts a John Wick film sequence to shame.

Evan soon learns that Tommy wasn’t even there. He had already left town to honor a promise to a deceased war buddy—one that involved helping the man’s troubled son. Tommy finds himself in a rural town rife with racial and economic tensions. The boy is among a group of young men living in a makeshift military enclave, ruled by a belligerent and absentee father who is supposedly working out of town. Tommy quickly discovers their involvement in the deaths of multiple innocent Mexicans. (“We were just trying to scare them.”) With his own brand of hard-edged discipline and justice, Tommy takes it upon himself to bring order to the chaos.

Evan must track Tommy to this desolate town and confront the unfolding crisis. What follows is a series of brutal confrontations, impossible choices, and escalating bloodshed. Prepare for visceral action sequences as the tension builds to an unbearable level.

Gregg Hurwitz proves yet again that he is a master storyteller, carefully unraveling this riveting, high-stakes thriller. With exquisitely plotted twists and deceptions, the violence and action reach a boiling point, culminating in a deeply satisfying conclusion. Each new installment in the Orphan X series reveals further emotional growth in this complicated and flawed man. While this novel can certainly be enjoyed as a standalone, be warned—you’ll likely find yourself compelled to devour the previous books as well.

Personally, I switched between reading on my Kindle and listening to the audiobook, but for the last half, I was completely engrossed in the audio version, narrated by the incredible Scott Brick. A multi-award-winning narrator of over 800 books, with a background in acting and writing, Brick’s nuanced voice inflections brought each character to life in the theater of my mind. He is a natural storyteller with a mesmerizing voice, perfectly capturing the book’s emotion and intensity.

Thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for providing an Uncorrected Proof and Advance Audio Version in exchange for an honest review.

Nemesis is the 10th book in Gregg Hurwitz's exciting Orphan X series. Now I've only read one previous book (well, listened to) in this series - Dark Horse - but just that one and this has made Orphan X one of my favorite series of all time! I've been collecting all the books I've yet to read, since there's a lot of background I missed. However, if you're starting with Nemesis, you won't be totally lost, as this particular story stands alone.

Evan Smoak was formerly a highly trained government assassin, He's survived for years by only having a few trusted confidants and living by a strict code which he calls The Ten Commandments (not to be confused with THE Ten Commandments). However, when he discovers his oldest friend has broken one of Evan's codes, all the rules he has lived by are torn asunder. Tommy Stojack may be Evan's best friend in the world, He's an unparalleled gunsmith who has fashioned most of Evan's weapons and combat gear. Unfortunately, Tommy broke one of Evan's highest commandments, and now Evan must face off against Tommy. In the meantime, Tommy has left town in order to honor a dead friend's request to help his son if necessary. Evan arrives in town with a vengeance while Tommy tries to do everything he can do to help save the son. All this is bad enough, until a threat arrives at the scene which may be even more deadly than the former Ophan X. Will anyone get out alive?

This is one of those books that plays like a non-stop action film in your head as you read. (Unfortunately, if there was such a movie, I wouldn't be able to watch it, as I don't have much of a tolerance for bloodshed!). At around 456 pages, it didn't seem all that long to me, as the pages just flew by. I had a few 1:30 a.m. nights because I didn't want to put the story down. Evan Smoak is a wonderful character. He was trained to be a shadow ops government assassin, having been removed from foster care as a child to learn the art of death. He's broken away from that, and is now the "Nowhere Man", a pro bono assassin for those powerless and terrified; he tells those he helps to give his name to someone else desperately in need of the Nowhere Man. Evan doesn't hesitate to kill when necessary, but has his very own strict moral code. I got a little angry at Evan a time or two when it came to Tommy, but still had to respect his code. I don't know if Tommy appeared in any of the previous books. He's gruff and foul-mouthed, but he couldn't be a more loyal friend and someone who deeply loves his country and those he served with in combat. The man is also funny as hell. He was no lightweight himself when it came to necessary killing. Tommy went to help the son of a former comrade-in-arms who was involved in a killing, and Tommy was the severe but caring papa bear the young man apparently needed. I was thrilled supporting character Joey made an appearance here; she's a 17 year old washout from the Orphan program, and now is a world-class hacker who works for Evan and whom he supports. She has a dog named...wait for it...Dog. Dog, a Rhodesian Ridgeback ,has a lovable personality of his own. Joey has her own independent storyline here, and it was interesting watching Evan try to help her navigate a college women's empowerment group as he's trying to do some really important work. I love the way Joey and Evan fight and make up. The storyline was very thrilling, and the pace never slowed down. The conflict between Evan and Tommy was becoming deadly, as all the while Tommy was trying to help his friend's son and the worthless friends the young man had. Added to this mix was an assassin squad who would make other killers seem quaint. and the final showdown is not to be missed. I hope this series has a long, long life, as the world is always in need of a hero like Evan. Don't let this series pass you by.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Nemesis is the 10th book in the Orphan X Novel series by Gregg Hurwitz. This book can be enjoyed as part of the series or as a standalone mystery!

Wow! Just wow!!! I don’t even know where to start. I think this was my favorite book in the series (so far)!

The author has created such depth in his characters. I really like Evan and found him to be fascinating. The storyline was amazing and well crafted. There was so much depth to uncover and it kept me so engaged.

I highly recommend Nemesis!!!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Nemesis (Orphan X #10) by Gregg Hurwitz
Publisher: St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books
Genre: General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: February 11, 2025

Evan Smoak takes on a very personal opponent when he is forced to confront his best friend, gifted gunsmith Tommy Stojack. But when Evan goes to Tommy's Las Vegas workshop, he is attacked by a group of men. Was Evan the intended target or Tommy?

Tommy has gone to a remote rural town of Calvary to help Hick Jr., the son of a former Army friend. He encounters a ragtag bunch of boys filled with racist hatred which resulted in the deaths of 4 innocents. While Tommy tries to help Hick & his friends, Evan arrives in town seeking vengeance. And they also have to deal with a deadly man named Janus & the 4 Horsemen sent to assassinate Tommy at any cost.

I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the review copy.

What to say what to say what to say. What once was without a doubt my favorite series, a release I looked forward to at the beginning of every year, I truly believe the <i>Orphan X</i> story has run its course. There has been a steady decline in quality since the beginning, but I do not know what it was about <i>Nemesis</i> that I found to be utterly impenetrable. After a few false starts I gave it a go, and I wish I hadn't.

Related, but also unrelated - I find Hurwitz's infatuation with Jordan Peterson and his need to weave him into these stories off-putting.

I had much higher hopes for this book but I think I am Orphan X-d out.

Book 10 in the series.
In this book it become clear that not everything is straight forward, black, and white. Evan struggles with the realization that Tommy, who he considered a long-time friend, does not take it to the high moral grounds by whom he delivers weapons to. Tommy himself deals with the problems of health and aging and tries to safeguard his godchild who is keeping the wrong company. Josephine, the awkward teenager and computer nerd, is trying to fit in as she works her way through college. It is not the best match to make girlfriends. This book is a powerful addition to the previous ones. The inner struggles of the three main characters make this a special story.

Evan Smoak, a former black ops assassin from the Orphan program, continued to uphold the Ten Commandments that guided his actions over the years, even after leaving the program. These ingrained rules, or at least Evan’s interpretation of them, became an integral part of his being. This proved crucial in shaping his life, even though he had gone underground after leaving the program.

Evan found himself in an ethical dilemma. He had a close friend, Tommy Stojack, who had clearly violated more than one of the commandments. This compelled Evan to consider confronting his former best friend, leading to another mission. Tommy, like Evan, had been trained to the highest level, making him a formidable opponent, especially when Evan’s emotions ran high.

Amidst this, Evan’s relationship with his young protege, Joey, a computer genius, was in tatters. The situation weighed heavily on Evan’s mind as he fought battles, all the while determined to seek justice. Evan’s mission had become increasingly intense, all while he questioned whether his actions justified the force he was using.

Nemesis, an exciting addition to Gregg Hurwitz’s thrilling series, further captivated me. I had been invested in the series since reading the first book, and I was thrilled to have access to this audiobook galley. Scott Brick’s narration was exceptional. His matter-of-fact delivery brought Evan’s complex emotions to life, showcasing his humanity amidst the challenges he faced.

Many thanks to Minotaur and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Oh man, I think this one broke me a little bit.
When I finished the last book, and going into this one I could only say NOT TOMMY!!! He can't be on the wrong side of Evan and what he does.

Now not only is the tension ramping up between Evan and Tommy with every interaction they have but Evan is also fighting with Jo.. well Jo is mad at Evan and he is definitely in the right but well she is a teenager trying to not only navigate college and trying to fit in but also her super-intellect that makes it hard for her to connect with other people.

This has the same action and badassery that we are used to in the Orphan X books, with an addition of some heavy emotions with the relationship between Tommy and Evan. We get some flashbacks to how they met and some other moments from past events and it just made me love them both more! From the first page I was engrossed and couldn't put it down until I reached the last page!!

I CAN"T WAIT to see where this series is going next!!

The tenth book in the Orphan X series may be one of the best ones yet. Evan continues his internal struggles with not personalizing his missions, this time its even closer to home. A bit of a different twist on the series but moves it along nicely. Great characters, a fast paced, action packed plot, and some unexpected twists make this a great read. Although it can easily be read as a standalone, I highly recommend starting with "Orphan X" and reading the entire series in order, Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced reader copy.

I love Evan Smoak/Orphan X and he and the gang are back with Evan trying to make sense of the revelation from the end of the previous installment. On that note, none of the Orphan X installments make for good standalones. A reader would miss SOOO much if they weren’t read in order. JMHO I don’t want to say too much because it would truly be a spoiler for those who are reading the series in order and haven’t gotten to the Lone Wolf (#9) yet.

The book summary introduces the two primary storylines; one of Evan and Tommy being at odds with each other, which also alludes to the ending of the Lone Wolf. The other one is of Tommy trying to keep a deathbed promise to a dear friend. The issue between Evan and Tommy is a HUGE one; a total violation of their 15yr friendship that has literally blown up their friendship. Kind of reminds me of that CJ Box quote (sort of) with this small revision:

“Nothing spells trouble like two feuding best friends and a rocket launcher.”

Suffice it to say, if your ex best friend fires a rocket launcher where he thinks you have taken cover in order to take the perfect kill shot at you, there is probably no hope for “working your differences out”. So, it’s game on and Evan chases Tommy across the country in order to get retribution for the hit squad that tried to kill Evan when he showed up at Tommy’s Vegas armory compound to talk to him. In typical Orphan X fashion, Evan took the hit squad down – except one, Janus

The story flips back and forth between Evan, Tommy, Joey, with some of Evan’s chapter flipping back and forth between present-day and back when he first entered the Orphan program and was being trained by Jack, his father figure. There was also a smattering of chapters from the Four Horsemen, who are a team of assassins fulfilling a contract from Janus. Evan tracks down Tommy, who has fled Vegas, and has gone to honor a promise he made to a dying naval buddy, Delmont. Seems Tommy promised Delmont that he would look out for Delmont Jr if he ever showed up asking Tommy for help. Well, more than a decade later, Jr comes calling, asking Tommy to help him out of a jam he’s in. Seems Jr and his white supremacist friends are in trouble for mowing down, in a Charlottesville style terrorist attack, a bunch of Hispanic people attending a quinceanera in a park.

Most of the story has Evan in Nowhere Man mode (taking down murderers of innocents, especially kids) with his sights on Jr and his accomplice, and Tommy trying to teach Jr to account for his actions and behavior (ie. turning himself in). Evan and Tommy sort of come to a “cease fire” agreement on their own issues until a later date. There is also a secondary storyline of Joey dealing with the aftershocks of her involvement with a women’s empowerment group, which has caused some friction between not only Joey and Evan, but also between Joey and a group of female UCLA students that Joey has apparently offended with the work she was doing for the women’s empowerment group. Joey, an Orphan program dropout, and Evan’s quasi little sister, struggles to make friends and the women’s group were the first friends she ever had and now they are upset with her.

The end of the Tommy/Evan storyline comes in typical fashion for the series, in a bunch of intense and scary scenes with a growing body count of the bad guys. Just when I think the story is going to end the way that I wanted it to, the way I was hoping it would, Hurwitz decides to go with an ending that just broke my heart, tears and all! 😢 NO!!! I DON’T UNDERSTAND!!! WHY!!!

The continuing characterization of Evan, Tommy and Joey was so well done, even if I don’t understand some of it. All three of them are outcasts and as such, it was heartbreaking when their relationships with each other became challenged and vulnerable. They’re all they have. Life in Evan’s world will never be the same again. I’m not sure what to make of this installment. Something seems ominous about it going forward. The pacing was steady to fast, and very interesting, even if a little disturbing at times. The writing was good, for the most part, but, again, kind of sad and disturbing at times. I flipped back and forth between the audiobook and the ebook, and the narrator Scott Brick was as phenomenal as ever. LOVE his Evan and Tommy voices!!! I’ve said this before, but it bears mentioning again, Brick is the absolute PERFECT choice for an Orphan X story! I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.6 that I will be rounding up to a 5star review. I want to thank NetGalley and St Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #MacmillanAudio #Nemesis

Superb edition of the Orphan X. Riveting story keeping you glued to the pages. Thrilling and full of action. Great new characters and a bit different story line than the past books. Highly recommended.