Prodigal Son: An Orphan X Novel

Prodigal Son: An Orphan X Novel

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  • Create Date:2021-01-27 04:18:03
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
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  • Author:Gregg Hurwitz
  • ISBN:9781250252289
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Summary

Notes From Your Bookseller

Evan Smoak, central character in Gregg Hurwitz's Orphan X series, is perfectly situated to hang with Jack Reacher and Jason Bourne。 And, not unlike ANOTHER favorite—James Bond, Smoak has his signature drink as well。 Fast, fun and furious writing here as Evan Smoak gets pulled back into "the life。" Luckily, that life is saving the lives of others。 "Thank you Orphan X" is what you'll be shouting as you read Prodigal Son

Forced into retirement, Evan Smoak gets an urgent request for help from someone he didn't even suspect existed—in Prodigal Son, the next New York Times bestselling Orphan X book from Gregg Hurwitz。

As a boy, Evan Smoak was pulled out of a foster home and trained in an off-the-books operation known as the Orphan Program。 He was a government assassin, perhaps the best, known to a few insiders as Orphan X。 He eventually broke with the Program and adopted a new name—The Nowhere Man—and a new mission, helping the most desperate in their times of trouble。 But the highest power in the country has made him a tempting offer—in exchange for an unofficial pardon, he must stop his clandestine activities as The Nowhere Man。 Now Evan has to do the one thing he’s least equipped to do—live a normal life。

But then he gets a call for help from the one person he never expected。 A woman claiming to have given him up for adoption, a woman he never knew—his mother。 Her unlikely request: help Andrew Duran—a man whose life has gone off the rails, who was in the wrong place at the wrong time, bringing him to the deadly attention of very powerful figures。 Now a brutal brother & sister assassination team are after him and with no one to turn to, and no safe place to hide, Evan is Duran’s only option。 But when the hidden cabal catches on to what Evan is doing, everything he’s fought for is on the line—including his own life。

Editor Reviews

10/26/2020

In bestseller Hurwitz’s engrossing sixth Orphan X novel (after 2020’s Into the Fire), former black ops assassin turned crime-fighting vigilante Evan Smoak is lured out of retirement by an unlikely individual: his mother。 Given up when he was a newborn—and eventually recruited into the top-secret Orphan Program, where he was trained to be a government operative—Smoak is initially skeptical about his mother’s sudden appearance。 But the man she asks him to help turns out to be Andre, a kid he knew from childhood when they lived in a Baltimore group home。 After witnessing a murder while working at an impound lot, Andre has disappeared, and Smoak soon becomes entangled in a grand-scale conspiracy involving cutting edge military technology。 The pacing is breathtakingly brisk throughout, and the action is relentless, but the real hook is how much Smoak has matured emotionally, particularly in regard to his love interest Mia Hall, a district attorney who lives in Smoak’s building, and Joey, his 16-year-old hacker protégée。 This series continues to impress。 Agent: Lisa Erbach Vance, Aaron Priest Literary。 (Jan。)

Publishers Weekly

About the Author

GREGG HURWITZ is the New York Times bestselling author of the Orphan X books, including Into the Fire。 Critically acclaimed, his novels have graced top ten lists and have been published in 22 languages。 Additionally, he’s written screenplays for and sold scripts to many of the major studios, and written, developed, and produced television for various networks。 Hurwitz resides in Los Angeles。

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Reviews

Aqswr

Origin stories aren’t always captivating even if the character is; they can be hit or miss。 With PRODIGAL SON, author Gregg Hurwitz provides readers with ample backstory while delivering a fast and furious thriller in real time。 Our hero is working on a retirement that doesn’t quite fit him。 Out of the blue he is contacted by someone claiming to be his mother。 Why now, after all these years, has she appeared? In an effort to learn more, his past comes roaring to life in more ways than he could imagine。 Whoever said retirement was peaceful didn’t know Evan Moak。 This book is an excellent addition to the series and fans will love it。 While it could stand alone, it is best when read with at least one of the other books。 There are clever appearances and references to characters from other episodes。 I loved this book and eagerly await the next。 Orphan X remains one of my favorite series。 I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley。

Linda McCutcheon

"Are you as terrible as you say you are?""I can be," he said。。。"Good," she said。 "Kill every last one of them。"This conversation happens after an emotional moment between our hero Evan and the mother who gave him up when he was a week old。 Not a typical family for the Prodigal Son by Gregg Hurwitz。This book is the 6th in the Orphan X series but is easily a stand alone novel。 I have not read the previous books but I am saving up to get them ASAP after reading this intense thrilling drama。We get a "Are you as terrible as you say you are?""I can be," he said。。。"Good," she said。 "Kill every last one of them。"This conversation happens after an emotional moment between our hero Evan and the mother who gave him up when he was a week old。 Not a typical family for the Prodigal Son by Gregg Hurwitz。This book is the 6th in the Orphan X series but is easily a stand alone novel。 I have not read the previous books but I am saving up to get them ASAP after reading this intense thrilling drama。We get a lot of background information about Evan Smoak and how he was recruited as a young boy from a foster home then trained as an assassin for a secret government organization。 He is known to a select few as Orphan X and very good at his job。 After turning against the program and becoming the Nowhere Man that helps desperate people with nowhere to turn he is given a pardon for abandoning the government on the condition he retires。But how can he stay retired after a call from someone claiming to be the mother he never knew and begging for help。 Her "friend" has witnessed a murder and now has a target on him。 There are many engaging characters along the way including a very evil villain with an "endgame" weapon。 A mix of Batman, The Equalizer and Jason Bourne makes this novel a non stop action thriller with heart。 Be warned there is a huge cliffhanger but once you enter Evan's story you will want to keep reading it。I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley for a fair and honest review。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more

Monika

Who is in mood for a spy action-thriller? Happy Pub Day to PRODIGAL SON。 If you love action films/books, you’d enjoy this book, its a definite hit!! 4。25 ⭐️ A soldier, an Orphan X living outside law, taught to kill but to remain human。 The mother who’d birthed him。 Two childhood acquaintances; one in the wind, one locked in a box。 What are the threads that weave them together? I haven’t read the other books in this series, but I believe events in #ProdigalSon happens after the retirement of Orph Who is in mood for a spy action-thriller? Happy Pub Day to PRODIGAL SON。 If you love action films/books, you’d enjoy this book, its a definite hit!! 4。25 ⭐️ A soldier, an Orphan X living outside law, taught to kill but to remain human。 The mother who’d birthed him。 Two childhood acquaintances; one in the wind, one locked in a box。 What are the threads that weave them together? I haven’t read the other books in this series, but I believe events in #ProdigalSon happens after the retirement of Orphan X。 It starts off by introducing the acquaintances and giving the readers a brief background about Evan and Orphan X program。 The story moves so fast just like an action film and trust me, I could visualise the upper cuts and knockouts!! The writing is so entertaining and truly made me realise how much I missed reading action-thrillers! Despite reading the 6th book first, I could notice the rounded character development and the author has put in a lot of research hours in terms of tech and underground details - there are sensors, robotics, drones, illegal tech testing, Area 6 Military Base and stuffs。 All the things you would see in #JamesBond film, its there in this story too。 The Orphan X program has its own Ten Commandments for crying out loud!! 😲 The one thing I loved the most is Evan and Joey’s relationship。 It was so pure and beautiful ☺️ and just when I thought everything came to an end。。 a fudging robotic fly appears 🪰 (cliffhanger ending, but it doesn’t ruin the reading experience)。 。。。more

Tom Thompson

Love this series。 It gets better with every book。

Robin

Not a book I would typically read。 Well developed characters that make you root for a happy ending for all involved。 Left shortly after his birth, Evan Smoak was left at a home for unwanted children。 Now his past is coming to haunt his future。 He is known as the Nowhere Man but has been asked to help a childhood friend so he will also have a future。 Little did he know that friend had more of a connection。 Not having read the other books, I was able to enjoy the story that was being told。

Shannon | readwithhugo

Happy pub day! A huge thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this book。 I was a bit dubious when it mysteriously showed up on my doorstep, but I ended up loving this book。 Prodigal Son is the 6th book in the Orphan X series, but I was able to read it as a standalone novel because the author was able to gently explain the background of the series to the reader without it feeling overwhelming or forced。 I genuinely had a lot of fun reading this book; it was the kind of page-turnin Happy pub day! A huge thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this book。 I was a bit dubious when it mysteriously showed up on my doorstep, but I ended up loving this book。 Prodigal Son is the 6th book in the Orphan X series, but I was able to read it as a standalone novel because the author was able to gently explain the background of the series to the reader without it feeling overwhelming or forced。 I genuinely had a lot of fun reading this book; it was the kind of page-turning, action-packed espionage thriller that I adore and end up tearing through in a day or two。 I love a badass weirdo main character and I’m now eagerly awaiting the 7th book in the series。 It’s safe to say that this author has a new fan in me。 。。。more

Reeca Elliott

Evan, or Orphan X, or Nowhere Man, has been in retirement。 Now, out of the blue, he receives a call for help。 This call came from someone he had no idea existed…his mother。 This stirs up more feelings than he expected but he has to reel them in to save Andrew Duran。Andrew has gotten himself in a mess and he has no idea how he got there。 My heart went out to Andrew from the first paragraph。 He is a guy with a heart and just pure bad karma。 And the mystery surrounding Andrew and Evan kept me fasci Evan, or Orphan X, or Nowhere Man, has been in retirement。 Now, out of the blue, he receives a call for help。 This call came from someone he had no idea existed…his mother。 This stirs up more feelings than he expected but he has to reel them in to save Andrew Duran。Andrew has gotten himself in a mess and he has no idea how he got there。 My heart went out to Andrew from the first paragraph。 He is a guy with a heart and just pure bad karma。 And the mystery surrounding Andrew and Evan kept me fascinated。 And how does Evan’s real mother fit in…must read this to find out。I love the Orphan X series。 No, I have not read them all and I need to fix this soon, especially after reading this novel。 I love Evan。 There is not a better strong, silent type than this character。 Plus…。he is smart and he can fight! The fight scenes in a book are usually ones I kind of skim。 But not when it involves, Evan。 He truly takes no prisoners。Need a quick, fast paced thriller…oh boy! You do not want to miss this one。I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review。 。。。more

Dennis DeBalso

An assassin trained from childhood to believe that he was an orphan, finds out he was wrong。

Dotty

Great book, never read this author before, I’m now a fan。 Will be reading more。 A right on book, with stuff that is going on today。

Lisa

I received an e-ARC of Prodigal Son from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review。 Gregg Hurwitz's Evan Smoak is Jason Bourne meets James Bond meets Batman。 The Orphan X series is a fast paced, action packed, spy novel thrill ride starring a vigilante with a moral code。 Prodigal Son is no exception。 I found myself pulled back into the world of Evan Smoak and the Nowhere Man from the first pages。 Hurwitz has a talent for making his characters relatable and sympathetic and ensu I received an e-ARC of Prodigal Son from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review。 Gregg Hurwitz's Evan Smoak is Jason Bourne meets James Bond meets Batman。 The Orphan X series is a fast paced, action packed, spy novel thrill ride starring a vigilante with a moral code。 Prodigal Son is no exception。 I found myself pulled back into the world of Evan Smoak and the Nowhere Man from the first pages。 Hurwitz has a talent for making his characters relatable and sympathetic and ensuring the reader is heavily investigated in the outcome of Evan's exploits。Potential spoilers for previous books - Prodigal Son probably could be read as a standalone novel as Hurwitz does an excellent job weaving information revealed in previous entries of the series back into the storyline, however, the entire series is outstanding and continues to improve with each entry so I highly encourage any interested potential reader to read the full series from the beginning for full enjoyment。 Evan Smoak, former black ops assassin and formerly known as vigilante hero The Nowhere Man, is retired。 Having been granted a presidential pardon for his off the books operations, the condition was that he end his vigilante work as the Nowhere Man。 Of course, Evan is having issues settling into retirement。 What is a former assassin with OCD and a penchant for ensuring justice to do with endless time on his hands? When Evan receives a call from a woman claiming to be his mother and asking him to help someone, Evan wants to know more - is the woman really his mother? Why has she reached out now? Who does she want him to help and why? These questions and Evan's search for the answers to them set him down a dangerous path where technological advances in warfare collide with Evan's past。 Prodigal Son is a fast paced, action packed thrill ride that brings Evan's past full circle。 It's the best of the Orphan X series so far and I am excited to read the next in the series。 Five well deserved stars。 。。。more

Bam cooks the books ;-)

*4-4。5 stars! This is the sixth book in the Orphan X series and it's a very exciting thriller with assassins and an evil mastermind。 Evan Smoak had agreed to retire but someone from his past calls on him to handle one more problem。 He breaks one of the first rules of his training: Don't make it personal。 Evan's OCD and his developing relationships with friends and neighbors are often amusing and, at times, heartbreaking as he tries to figure out how to be a 'normal human being' in the world。 Thi *4-4。5 stars! This is the sixth book in the Orphan X series and it's a very exciting thriller with assassins and an evil mastermind。 Evan Smoak had agreed to retire but someone from his past calls on him to handle one more problem。 He breaks one of the first rules of his training: Don't make it personal。 Evan's OCD and his developing relationships with friends and neighbors are often amusing and, at times, heartbreaking as he tries to figure out how to be a 'normal human being' in the world。 This thriller has lots of action, cutting edge modern technology and an explosive cliff hanger ending that leaves the reader wanting more。 I certainly hope Gregg Hurwitz is busy writing book seven!!I received an arc of this new thriller from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review。 Many thanks for the opportunity。 。。。more

Kathy

4。5 stars。

Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review。 All opinions are my own。]I enjoyed this latest mission for Evan。 I loved the way the story pushed him to reconsider his childhood (with some fascinating flashbacks and nice twists)。 It was the personal story that really grabbed me in this one。 And, as always, Evan's scenes with Joey were my favorites。 The plot Evan is trying to foil is scary as all get out for the future of the world, and includes [I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review。 All opinions are my own。]I enjoyed this latest mission for Evan。 I loved the way the story pushed him to reconsider his childhood (with some fascinating flashbacks and nice twists)。 It was the personal story that really grabbed me in this one。 And, as always, Evan's scenes with Joey were my favorites。 The plot Evan is trying to foil is scary as all get out for the future of the world, and includes the usual level of violence。 The ending was STUNNING。 Series fans will be frantically hitting the pre-order button for book 7 after that。 (Language, violence, alcohol addiction, vaping, TW: rape and sexual assault, child abuse) 。。。more

Jean Kolinofsky

Evan Smoak was taken from a foster home and trained as an assassin in the Orphan Program。 Now he uses his training to help people who have nowhere else to turn, taking on the title of the Nowhere Man。 Threatened by the government for unlawful actions, he was granted clemency on the condition that he retire。 Ignoring repeated calls, he finally answers his phone to tell the caller that he is no longer available to help, but the caller identifies herself as the mother he never knew。 She needs his h Evan Smoak was taken from a foster home and trained as an assassin in the Orphan Program。 Now he uses his training to help people who have nowhere else to turn, taking on the title of the Nowhere Man。 Threatened by the government for unlawful actions, he was granted clemency on the condition that he retire。 Ignoring repeated calls, he finally answers his phone to tell the caller that he is no longer available to help, but the caller identifies herself as the mother he never knew。 She needs his help to save Andrew Duran, a man who was at the wrong place at the wrong time。。Against his better judgment, Evan agrees to find Duran and is surprised to discover that he once knew him as Andre at the foster home。 Duran witnessed a murder and is being hunted by the assassins。 Now Evan is up against the wealthy head of a company developing drones for the government that act as a swarm and have the intelligence to act independently once they are committed to an objective。 It was one of these drones used in the murder。 With no ethics to guide their actions, this is a program that must be stopped。Evan has never known family。 His friendship with his neighbor Mia and her son have given him a look at what he could have if he stays retired, but as the Nowhere Man he never had the feeling of warmth and caring that family provides。 In finding his mother, he begins to question his relationships。 We get a glimpse of Evan’s history and his mother fills in some of the gaps that help explain how he became the man that he is。 Now he just has to survive his latest job to benefit from his personal reflections。 Gregg Hurwitz’s Orphan X series just gets better with each book and his finale will have you wanting more。 I would like to thank NetGalley and St。 Martin Press for providing this book for my review。 。。。more

Jill

I loved this book。 You can’t help but like the main character I can’t believe it ended like it did。 I must have more。

C。E。 Albanese

I LOVED this book。 I predict by the end of 2021 it will likely rank as my #1 favorite thriller。 Gregg Hurwitz is a master storyteller。 And this book was "amaze-balls。" I LOVED this book。 I predict by the end of 2021 it will likely rank as my #1 favorite thriller。 Gregg Hurwitz is a master storyteller。 And this book was "amaze-balls。" 。。。more

D。K。 Hundt

Evan Smoak, a。k。a。 Orphan X was a government assassin until he eventually broke ties with the program and became The Nowhere Man—helping the most desperate。 That is until the highest power in the country offers him an unofficial pardon; however, he must cease his activities as The Nowhere Man。As Evan tries to settle into early retirement, he gets a call for help from a woman claiming to have given him up for adoption—his mother。 Her one request, help a man by the name of Andrew Duran, whose life Evan Smoak, a。k。a。 Orphan X was a government assassin until he eventually broke ties with the program and became The Nowhere Man—helping the most desperate。 That is until the highest power in the country offers him an unofficial pardon; however, he must cease his activities as The Nowhere Man。As Evan tries to settle into early retirement, he gets a call for help from a woman claiming to have given him up for adoption—his mother。 Her one request, help a man by the name of Andrew Duran, whose life is upside down after he finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, bringing him face to face with a team of assassins。 PRODIGAL SON, the first book that I have read by Hurwitz, is Book Six of the Orphan X Series, and one of the best Mystery-Tech-Thrillers I’ve read in a while, centered around characters I genuinely care about and never-ending tension that had me on the edge of my seat until literally the very last word。 Please tell me Book Seven will be released soonish!Needing to know more about Evan, Joey (I love her!), and how these cast of characters happened to converge together, I will be delving into Books One through Five of this series in what I hope will be the near future。 PRODIGAL SON - HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! Scheduled To Release On – January 26, 2021 (Subject To Change) Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for loaning me an eGalley of PRODIGAL SON in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more

Zeb Kantrowitz

After having been one of the most successful members of the "Orphan" operations group who spent their time killing off spies, dictators and drug kingpins, Evan Orphan X had been retired。 He had been involved in a situation where he ended up saving the current President。 He was given a pardon but he had to swear that he would "retire"。X gets a call on his 1-800-4Nowhere phone from a woman who says she is his mother。 X was dropped off as a baby and ended up in an orphan home。 One day a man showed After having been one of the most successful members of the "Orphan" operations group who spent their time killing off spies, dictators and drug kingpins, Evan Orphan X had been retired。 He had been involved in a situation where he ended up saving the current President。 He was given a pardon but he had to swear that he would "retire"。X gets a call on his 1-800-4Nowhere phone from a woman who says she is his mother。 X was dropped off as a baby and ended up in an orphan home。 One day a man showed up at the Home looking for 'special' boys。 X wasn't one of them, but managed to get himself recruited。 He had no idea who he was or who his family was。 This call could be a trap。 When he meets her she's able to prove she's his mother and immediately tells him she needs him to rescue someone she knows。 All this leads to some discoveries X may have wished he never found out。 。。。more

Barbara

3。5 starsIn this 6th book in the 'Orphan X' series, Evan Smoak protects the life of an impound lot worker who witnessed a crime。 The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the series is beneficial。*****When Evan Smoak was a spindly twelve-year-old living in an orphanage - where he slept on the floor between bunks - he was 'rescued' and placed in a black ops program that trained orphans to be highly skilled assassins。 Evan was dubbed Orphan X。After doing his assassin job for many 3。5 starsIn this 6th book in the 'Orphan X' series, Evan Smoak protects the life of an impound lot worker who witnessed a crime。 The book can be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the series is beneficial。*****When Evan Smoak was a spindly twelve-year-old living in an orphanage - where he slept on the floor between bunks - he was 'rescued' and placed in a black ops program that trained orphans to be highly skilled assassins。 Evan was dubbed Orphan X。After doing his assassin job for many years, Orphan X left the black ops program and set himself up as 'The Nowhere Man', a badass who helps people in trouble。 When a person in dire straits is given Evan's number by a former client, the call goes to Evan's uber-encrypted RoamZone phone, which he answers with the phrase "Do you need my help?" The 'help' always involves Orphan X killing people, so it's frowned on by the authorities。 Evan's controversial work puts him the sights of government assassins until Evan makes a deal with President Victoria Donahue-Carr。 POTUS grants Evan an unofficial pardon with the stipulation that he has to give up being the Nowhere Man。In accordance with his deal, Evan stops answering the RoamZone phone。 However one caller is very persistent, phoning again and again。 When Evan finally responds, the caller claims to be his mother, who gave him up as an infant。 The woman, whose name is Veronica LeGrande, has a mission for Evan。 Veronica implores Evan to protect a man called Andrew Duran, who's the target of assassins。 Duran was working at a Los Angeles impound lot when he was visited by two people claiming to be U。S。 Marshals。 The supposed marshals coerced Andrew into informing them when a man named Jake Hargreave was coming to pick up his battered truck。 Duran complied, and when Hargreave showed up at the impound lot, he was killed。 Duran - who saw the murder - was targeted as well, but managed to escape。 Now the killers are after him。When Evan meets his mother, he experiences all kinds of emotions。 Evan longs for the connection, but is angry that Veronica abandoned him to a miserable life in a downtrodden orphan asylum。Evan has flashbacks to the institute, where he was housed with a bunch of 'lost boys' who were always clawing for food, space, and the chance to get out。 This is the first time we get a clear look at Evan's childhood, and his acceptance into the Orphan Program, and it helps us understand the direction his life took。In any case, Evan agrees to protect Andrew Duran, who's an impoverished alcoholic living in a hovel above a Chinese restaurant。 Duran scrimps and saves to provide child support for his 11-year-old daughter Sophia, but is too embarrassed by his circumstances to actually SEE the girl。 Moreover, Duran is so depressed he doesn't even want Evan's help。Evan forges on regardless, and gets assistance from his 16-year-old protégé Josephine (Joey), who's one of the best computer hackers in the world。 Evan discovers that Jake Hargreave was killed because he was about to expose a controversial government program involving killer microdrones that mimic dragonflies。 Proponents of the scheme are determined to go forward, and will kill anyone who gets in the way。 They're now after Duran and his protector Orphan X。 As always in this series, there's plenty of action, including hand-to-hand fighting and skirmishes with (almost) surreal advanced weaponry, some of which is provided by Orphan X's friend Tommy Stojack - who's on the cutting edge of weapon design。 Beautiful former Orphan V, Candy McClure, helps Evan as well。We also get to see Evan's fortress penthouse apartment, which has a secret surveillance/computer/weapons room; a parachute to jump off the building; and a freezer room filled with expensive vodka。When Evan isn't actively pursuing his mission he shows his softer side, which includes looking after the welfare of Joey and her pooch Dog; visiting his neighbor Mia and her 9-year-old son Peter; attending the moving party of an elderly Jewish woman in his building; chatting with the doorman; and so on。 Most of this is very difficult for Orphan X, whose upbringing gave him no facility for social interactions。There are plenty of twists in the story, and a dramatic finale that has me anxious to read the next book in the series。 Thanks to Netgalley, Gregg Hurwitz, and Minotaur Books for a copy of the book。You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer。blogspot。com/ 。。。more

Kathleen Gray

Up front- I'm a fan of this series and this is a terrific installment。 Evan Smoak- aka Orphan X aka the Nowhere Man- is out of the business of killing people and trying to figure out the rest of his life when he gets a call from his。。。。mother。 The mother who abandoned him to the foster care system which led to his involvement with the Orphan program now wants his help for Andre, another of the boys from his foster home。 Andre is down on his luck to say the least, especially after he sees the mur Up front- I'm a fan of this series and this is a terrific installment。 Evan Smoak- aka Orphan X aka the Nowhere Man- is out of the business of killing people and trying to figure out the rest of his life when he gets a call from his。。。。mother。 The mother who abandoned him to the foster care system which led to his involvement with the Orphan program now wants his help for Andre, another of the boys from his foster home。 Andre is down on his luck to say the least, especially after he sees the murder of a man by a mysterious method。 This latest installment in the long running series sends Evan back to action and along the way to enlightenment about his past。 His 16 year old protogee Joey, a computer whiz, helps out as he winds his way through the military industrial complex to find answers。 This introduces seriously scary tech but in a way that makes it understandable。 If you haven't read the series, know that there's graphic violence (and creative methods of mayhem)。 Evan is a terrific character (as is Joey) and here he's rounded out quite a bit as his interior ice melts a bit。 It's well plotted with terrific storytelling。 AND, there's enough back story that new readers can jump in and enjoy it。 Thanks to Edelweiss fror the ARC。 A great read and no spoilers from me but that ending。。。。。。。。 。。。more

Kim Fox

Wow!! This was my first Gregg Hurwitz novel, and it won't be my last! Such a fast paced book! Great characters, great story, great plot。。 I feel like I just ran a race!! And that ending。。。WOW!! Now I need to read his backlist! Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review! Wow!! This was my first Gregg Hurwitz novel, and it won't be my last! Such a fast paced book! Great characters, great story, great plot。。 I feel like I just ran a race!! And that ending。。。WOW!! Now I need to read his backlist! Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review! 。。。more

Justin

It's not a surprise that I am a fan of the Orphan X series and this is another solid entry into the sada。 While Evan claims to put out "I just want to enjoy retirement" vibes, he clearly can't step away from his true calling as The Nowhere Man。 Throughout the book, the stakes become both increasingly heightened and much more personal。 As per usual in this series, it's a non-stop thrill ride, that leans heavily into drone warfare and the implications of nanotechnology and AI。 Definitely worth a r It's not a surprise that I am a fan of the Orphan X series and this is another solid entry into the sada。 While Evan claims to put out "I just want to enjoy retirement" vibes, he clearly can't step away from his true calling as The Nowhere Man。 Throughout the book, the stakes become both increasingly heightened and much more personal。 As per usual in this series, it's a non-stop thrill ride, that leans heavily into drone warfare and the implications of nanotechnology and AI。 Definitely worth a read。 It's a clear 4。5 stars, only brought down by the gigantic cliffhanger at the end。 I need book 7 like yesterday。 ARC from NetGalley。 All opinions are my own。 。。。more

Tessa (Talks Books)

How could I not have known about the Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz before now? I have been missing out on the action-packed techno-thriller of my dreams, and it's time to rectify that situation。What I LoveI always enjoy cool and scary technology and the people who know how to create it and use it。 In this regard, Prodigal Son does not disappoint with its military-grade drones that have been programmed to make ethical decisions。 How scary is that?My favorite character, Josephine "Joey," knows How could I not have known about the Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz before now? I have been missing out on the action-packed techno-thriller of my dreams, and it's time to rectify that situation。What I LoveI always enjoy cool and scary technology and the people who know how to create it and use it。 In this regard, Prodigal Son does not disappoint with its military-grade drones that have been programmed to make ethical decisions。 How scary is that?My favorite character, Josephine "Joey," knows her way around a computer and is a freshman in college at the tender age of 16。 Like Orphan X, Joey was in the foster system until she was offered a position in the same program that rescued Evan from foster care。 She is smart, sassy, and is every inch the sixteen-year-old who acts like she's 25。 And, she makes the perfect partner for her intricately layered father-figure and guardian, Evan。Evan and Joey are both merely sublime in their development。 Though both are extraordinary, their very human flaws and proclivities make them feel as real as my next-door neighbors。 They are sympathetic, engaging, and part of a more in-depth emotional story running alongside the mystery plot。 This layer with the powerful theme of family and family ties brings this story to a whole new level in techno-thrillers—a mix of stories that will have me coming back every time。I also love the respect toward women and the empowerment of women shown so overtly through the novel with Evan and how he treats the female characters。 He is a knight in shining armor when the situation calls for it。 Add to that a female president, an ultra-smart Joey, and a kickass Candy, and you have a cast of female characters that are enviable in all the right ways。Lastly, I enjoyed the fight scenes, and I don't think I have ever said that before。 Evan is an inventive and creative fighter that demanded I not speed through those scenes and instead stop, slow down, and admire his ingenuity as he took on impossible odds and won。To Read or Not to ReadYes, you should read this book, but be warned, you are going to want to stop everything and read the rest of the books in the series, as I do。 。。。more

Mark

One of the masters of adventure, Gregg Hurwitz, is back with this the 6th in the successful Orphan X series, you can read as a stand alone but increasingly l think you need to know the previous stories to fully appreciate the newer onesEvan is also back ( of course he is the leading man ) and with him some of the characters we have previously met and a host of new ones in this book which for me veered more to his private life than any previous book, we learnt about his pre Orphan X life and the One of the masters of adventure, Gregg Hurwitz, is back with this the 6th in the successful Orphan X series, you can read as a stand alone but increasingly l think you need to know the previous stories to fully appreciate the newer onesEvan is also back ( of course he is the leading man ) and with him some of the characters we have previously met and a host of new ones in this book which for me veered more to his private life than any previous book, we learnt about his pre Orphan X life and the complex Veronica, his Mum and also I felt saw way more of his emotional side, we met more of the real Evan, the story wrapped around all this is as always fast paced, hi tech and thrillingWhich altogether when you’re a fan of his books as well as addicted to the series make for a near perfect 461 pages of brillianceRoll on Book 710/105 Stars 。。。more

Laura Rash

Another outstanding addition to the Evan Smoak series。 Never disappointed。 Thanks to Minotaur Publishing for this early copy for review。

Phaedra

what a fun addition to the Orphan X series。 Really enjoye the latest adventures of Evan Smoak

Wayne Van Cleve

Reading this series requires one to accept an assassin who's a "swell guy"。 I can do that。 I enjoy the action and let the contradictions slip by。 However, this entry swerves into soap opera too often。 I'm not really interested in Evan's mommy issues。 I don't need to justify how a sociopath killer can be a good guy。 This story has pretty good villains and suitably far fetched technology。 Unfortunately, the bad guys get less wordage than dysfunctional family drama。 Reading this series requires one to accept an assassin who's a "swell guy"。 I can do that。 I enjoy the action and let the contradictions slip by。 However, this entry swerves into soap opera too often。 I'm not really interested in Evan's mommy issues。 I don't need to justify how a sociopath killer can be a good guy。 This story has pretty good villains and suitably far fetched technology。 Unfortunately, the bad guys get less wordage than dysfunctional family drama。 。。。more

Bruna (bruandthebooks)

Well… this book was pretty intense。 It’s like watching a very intense action movie - like Die Hard? Sorry, I don't know much about action movies!This is the book #6 of the Orphan X series。 I read it as a standalone book and it was no problem for me。 But it's the kind of book I think you’d enjoy even more if you’ve read the whole series。3。5 starsEvan was raised to be a killing machine, and he’s great at it。 As he decides to retire, he gets a call from a woman he’s never met before, asking to help Well… this book was pretty intense。 It’s like watching a very intense action movie - like Die Hard? Sorry, I don't know much about action movies!This is the book #6 of the Orphan X series。 I read it as a standalone book and it was no problem for me。 But it's the kind of book I think you’d enjoy even more if you’ve read the whole series。3。5 starsEvan was raised to be a killing machine, and he’s great at it。 As he decides to retire, he gets a call from a woman he’s never met before, asking to help Andrew。 The woman is his mother。She has some explaining to do。 Why did she leave him at a foster care home? Who is his dad? And who the heck is Andrew and why does he need Evan’s help?Mysterious murders, house explosions, lots of fighting and action, and several plot twists。 It’s definitely intense。 Thank you St。Martin Press for the gifted copy。 。。。more

Richard

8/10This was a great outing into the now "retired" Orphan X looking into his past and doing what he does, helping those who have no helpers。 After 6 outings now I can firmly say that this series is very enjoyable in a number of ways; the writing, the characters, the humor lying just beneath the surface。 It all adds up to good fun, which is what you want from a series like this。 Some efforts are stronger than others but this is up there with the best in the series。This entry marked a change for t 8/10This was a great outing into the now "retired" Orphan X looking into his past and doing what he does, helping those who have no helpers。 After 6 outings now I can firmly say that this series is very enjoyable in a number of ways; the writing, the characters, the humor lying just beneath the surface。 It all adds up to good fun, which is what you want from a series like this。 Some efforts are stronger than others but this is up there with the best in the series。This entry marked a change for the series as an overarching plot from the previous books came to a close in the last outing so things feel fresh for Evan, nice and retired and getting to grips with what retired people do。 Only he's not retired from a desk job so life doesn't stay quiet for long。 There are some nice flashback scenes which flesh out the characters and the world further which was a nice addition and didn't feel like it detracted from the main story。 Evan as a character is nicely done and has developed over the series but not too much so he's not recongnisable, his budding relationships make him seem all the more relatable and vulnerable but you know underneath he's a badass。 I highly recommend the series and I had fun with this one, probably one of my favourites in this series。 Things are left on a somewhat of a cliffhanger so I'm keen to see what happens next in this series。 Thanks to NetGalley for the copy for review 。。。more

Deborah

The Orphan X (Evan Smoak / Nowhere Man) series by Gregg Hurwitz is a must-read for me。 His latest, Prodigal Son, takes readers on a slightly different 'journey'。 Although Evan has supposedly retired from helping the helpless - a promise he made to the US President because of collateral damage from memory - here he gets a request from someone he just can't refuse。Although this felt a little long, I really loved the non-case-related stuff happening in this book。 In some ways this is one of my favo The Orphan X (Evan Smoak / Nowhere Man) series by Gregg Hurwitz is a must-read for me。 His latest, Prodigal Son, takes readers on a slightly different 'journey'。 Although Evan has supposedly retired from helping the helpless - a promise he made to the US President because of collateral damage from memory - here he gets a request from someone he just can't refuse。Although this felt a little long, I really loved the non-case-related stuff happening in this book。 In some ways this is one of my favourites in the series in that respect。Read my review here: https://www。debbish。com/books-literat。。。 。。。more

Shelly

Orphan x, the nowhere man, is Evan Smoak。 An incredibly trained, never defeated, assassin-for-hire。 Once a fostered young man, never adopted, found his way into a secret society— his only way out of the dead-end life he was trapped within。 He was taught to be an assassin extraordinaire。This story is part of an adventure/thriller good-versus-evil deadly series。 The techy gadgets & drone warfare mentioned in this book would also make for an exciting on-screen experience。 Great characters & Great c Orphan x, the nowhere man, is Evan Smoak。 An incredibly trained, never defeated, assassin-for-hire。 Once a fostered young man, never adopted, found his way into a secret society— his only way out of the dead-end life he was trapped within。 He was taught to be an assassin extraordinaire。This story is part of an adventure/thriller good-versus-evil deadly series。 The techy gadgets & drone warfare mentioned in this book would also make for an exciting on-screen experience。 Great characters & Great cliff hanger too!Thank you to Gregg Hurwitz Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more