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Orphan X #11
Antihero
Not yet published
Expected 10 Feb 26In the latest in this New York Times best-selling series, Evan Smoak takes on his most complex mission yet―one where he has to not only protect but also avenge, and find a way to balance vengeance with mercy.
Once a black ops assassin for the government known as Orphan X, Evan Smoak broke with the program and went deep underground, using his operational rules and skills to help the truly desperate with nowhere else to turn.
When Luke Devine, one of the most powerful men in the world has a psychological crisis, Evan flies to the East Coast to meet Luke. While there, he learns of a young woman who was kidnapped off the New York City subway, clearly in danger and in need of aid. With no name and few clues, Evan and his team track down the missing woman, who was assaulted and abandoned. Evan offers his help―and sets out tracking down the young men responsible. But the woman insists that Evan abandon his usual methods―no vengeance and, in particular, no killing. Which will prove no easy feat given the mounting incoming threats from all sides. In a mission that takes Evan from coast to coast, from the poorest corners of society to the richest, Orphan X must figure out a way to protect the innocent, avenge the victimized, and balance justice, with a measure of mercy.
Once a black ops assassin for the government known as Orphan X, Evan Smoak broke with the program and went deep underground, using his operational rules and skills to help the truly desperate with nowhere else to turn.
When Luke Devine, one of the most powerful men in the world has a psychological crisis, Evan flies to the East Coast to meet Luke. While there, he learns of a young woman who was kidnapped off the New York City subway, clearly in danger and in need of aid. With no name and few clues, Evan and his team track down the missing woman, who was assaulted and abandoned. Evan offers his help―and sets out tracking down the young men responsible. But the woman insists that Evan abandon his usual methods―no vengeance and, in particular, no killing. Which will prove no easy feat given the mounting incoming threats from all sides. In a mission that takes Evan from coast to coast, from the poorest corners of society to the richest, Orphan X must figure out a way to protect the innocent, avenge the victimized, and balance justice, with a measure of mercy.
416 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 10, 2026
18 people are currently reading
8858 people want to read
About the author
Gregg Hurwitz
304 books6,835 followersGregg Hurwitz is the critically acclaimed, New York Times and internationally bestselling author of 20 novels, including OUT OF THE DARK (2019). His novels have been shortlisted for numerous literary awards, graced top ten lists, and have been published in 30 languages.
He is also a New York Times Bestselling comic book writer, having penned stories for Marvel (Wolverine, Punisher) and DC (Batman, Penguin). Additionally, he’s written screenplays for or sold spec scripts to many of the major studios, and written, developed, and produced television for various networks. Gregg resides in Los Angeles.
He is also a New York Times Bestselling comic book writer, having penned stories for Marvel (Wolverine, Punisher) and DC (Batman, Penguin). Additionally, he’s written screenplays for or sold spec scripts to many of the major studios, and written, developed, and produced television for various networks. Gregg resides in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
September 15, 2025
When hope is lost, there is Evan Smoek, helping the lost, the troubled, the needy, and definitely smoking the evil.
In book eleven, Evan is called to the home of Luke Devine, one of the powerful men in the world where he encounters a young woman who tells him of her inability to help a young woman on a train. The woman, Anca, is experiencing a seizure and at her worst is kidnapped by a a bunch of thugs and taken to a place where she is brutalized and photographed for the evil world to see.
Evan and Joey are able to track her down and travel to NY where she had wandered the streets disheveled back to her apartment while no one tried to help her.
“Mercy is the stuff you give to people that don`t deserve it.” – Joyce Meyer
Both Evan and Joey will help her and both are set to extract revenge on those who not only attacked a helpless young woman but also left her alone to try and salvage herself. However, Anca makes Evan swear he won't kill these awful thugs.
Evan does what Even does as he protects Anca and discovers that within him is that empathy he believed himself to be bereft of. It's somewhat of a turning point for Evan as he finds himself caring and loving Joey and Anca, worried for them in this cruel world and continuing to avenge the poor and those hurt by the scum that walk among us.
(As I read the story, I couldn't help but think of our current events, especially that beautiful Iryna Zarutska with not a person trying to intervene, or help her in her final moments. My heart is broken thinking of her and Charlie Kirk, one murdered because of a skin color, and the other because of opinions. Hopefully, there are may Evans out there who are ready to stand up to evil in all its forms.)
In book eleven, Evan is called to the home of Luke Devine, one of the powerful men in the world where he encounters a young woman who tells him of her inability to help a young woman on a train. The woman, Anca, is experiencing a seizure and at her worst is kidnapped by a a bunch of thugs and taken to a place where she is brutalized and photographed for the evil world to see.
Evan and Joey are able to track her down and travel to NY where she had wandered the streets disheveled back to her apartment while no one tried to help her.
“Mercy is the stuff you give to people that don`t deserve it.” – Joyce Meyer
Both Evan and Joey will help her and both are set to extract revenge on those who not only attacked a helpless young woman but also left her alone to try and salvage herself. However, Anca makes Evan swear he won't kill these awful thugs.
Evan does what Even does as he protects Anca and discovers that within him is that empathy he believed himself to be bereft of. It's somewhat of a turning point for Evan as he finds himself caring and loving Joey and Anca, worried for them in this cruel world and continuing to avenge the poor and those hurt by the scum that walk among us.
(As I read the story, I couldn't help but think of our current events, especially that beautiful Iryna Zarutska with not a person trying to intervene, or help her in her final moments. My heart is broken thinking of her and Charlie Kirk, one murdered because of a skin color, and the other because of opinions. Hopefully, there are may Evans out there who are ready to stand up to evil in all its forms.)
November 2, 2025
Antihero by Author Gregg Hurwitz is a gut wrenching, action packed, heart stopping thriller. The eleventh book in the Orphan X series and quite possibly the most anguish filled book to date, the story grabbed me by the throat on the first page and never let go. I devoured this book in one sitting as there was never a time I felt I could hit pause and walk away in peace. Carve out alone time to read this one as it'll come for you like a long black train.
The government raised and trained Orphan X to be a Black Op assassin, a lethal machine that performed upon command, no questions asked. Leary of decisions made by his superiors, he grabbed the first opportunity to go solo and disappeared underground. When he resurfaced, X aka Evan Smoak had reinvented himself as the Nowhere Man, a lethal, mysterious, emotionless man on a mission to get vengeance and justice for victims of violence who have nowhere else to turn. The Nowhere Man lives by a stringent set of commandments, one of which is number four, "Never make it personal". A rule he finds increasingly difficult to adhere to after being summoned to the lair of Luke Devin who's suffering a psychotic break and in need of Evan to keep an eye on volatile world events until he recovers. While there, Evan learns of a woman repeatedly brutalized and violated by soulless thugs after having been kidnapped from the subway in New York City. Vowing to find the woman and annihilate her tormenters, X leaves Joey in charge at Devine's and returns to the city. After locating the battered, traumatized woman, Evan is speechless and unable to comprehend when she tells him justice belongs to a higher power, not humans. Standing her ground, she extracts a painful promise from Evan that leaves him struggling with a deluge of emotions he isn't trained to decipher or manage. For the first time in his life, the Nowhere Man faces the dilemma of completing his mission while keeping his promise as he grabbles with conflicting emotions within, including the realization that there are people in his life he cares for. With that knowledge comes the paralyzing fear of losing them. With time running out and X's enemies converging on him from every direction, he’s left vulnerable and off-balance, conditions foreign to him that prove life threatening as he repeatedly ignores the commandment to never make it personal.
Antihero is a major turning point in the life of Orphan X aka The Nowhere Man as he maneuvers a minefield of foreign emotions that conflict with his rigid training and mission. His disgust for the vile lowlifes that attack innocents propels him to use deadly force to prevent them from doing it again and yet his newly found humanity demands he find a way to balance the scales and avenge victims by inflicting pain, not final judgement. The developing relationship between X and Joey is heart touching, almost a father/daughter thing with Joey spreading her wings and Evan worrying about her safety. Another foreign emotion for him. As always, the pace is insane, increasing with each new revelation and shocking turn, and the tone is dire, at best.
Author Gregg Hurwitz has raised the bar high in Antihero gifting readers a masterfully written, gripping story that exposes unfamiliar, deeply buried layers in Orphan X. Readers are sucked into the action as the Nowhere Man learns to navigate his emotions and conduct missions in a new, less permanent manner while staying true to his training and commandments. In spite of all the brutality and violence in this book, there's an undertone of hope, respect, faith, and trust woven throughout. Antihero will be a favorite among fans of the series as well as readers who favor high action, take no prisoners’ thrillers. A 2025 favorite for this reader, and one of the author’s best to date.
Many thanks to Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press for a complimentary arc of this title for review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own. This title is scheduled for release on February 10, 2026. My review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is now available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
The government raised and trained Orphan X to be a Black Op assassin, a lethal machine that performed upon command, no questions asked. Leary of decisions made by his superiors, he grabbed the first opportunity to go solo and disappeared underground. When he resurfaced, X aka Evan Smoak had reinvented himself as the Nowhere Man, a lethal, mysterious, emotionless man on a mission to get vengeance and justice for victims of violence who have nowhere else to turn. The Nowhere Man lives by a stringent set of commandments, one of which is number four, "Never make it personal". A rule he finds increasingly difficult to adhere to after being summoned to the lair of Luke Devin who's suffering a psychotic break and in need of Evan to keep an eye on volatile world events until he recovers. While there, Evan learns of a woman repeatedly brutalized and violated by soulless thugs after having been kidnapped from the subway in New York City. Vowing to find the woman and annihilate her tormenters, X leaves Joey in charge at Devine's and returns to the city. After locating the battered, traumatized woman, Evan is speechless and unable to comprehend when she tells him justice belongs to a higher power, not humans. Standing her ground, she extracts a painful promise from Evan that leaves him struggling with a deluge of emotions he isn't trained to decipher or manage. For the first time in his life, the Nowhere Man faces the dilemma of completing his mission while keeping his promise as he grabbles with conflicting emotions within, including the realization that there are people in his life he cares for. With that knowledge comes the paralyzing fear of losing them. With time running out and X's enemies converging on him from every direction, he’s left vulnerable and off-balance, conditions foreign to him that prove life threatening as he repeatedly ignores the commandment to never make it personal.
Antihero is a major turning point in the life of Orphan X aka The Nowhere Man as he maneuvers a minefield of foreign emotions that conflict with his rigid training and mission. His disgust for the vile lowlifes that attack innocents propels him to use deadly force to prevent them from doing it again and yet his newly found humanity demands he find a way to balance the scales and avenge victims by inflicting pain, not final judgement. The developing relationship between X and Joey is heart touching, almost a father/daughter thing with Joey spreading her wings and Evan worrying about her safety. Another foreign emotion for him. As always, the pace is insane, increasing with each new revelation and shocking turn, and the tone is dire, at best.
Author Gregg Hurwitz has raised the bar high in Antihero gifting readers a masterfully written, gripping story that exposes unfamiliar, deeply buried layers in Orphan X. Readers are sucked into the action as the Nowhere Man learns to navigate his emotions and conduct missions in a new, less permanent manner while staying true to his training and commandments. In spite of all the brutality and violence in this book, there's an undertone of hope, respect, faith, and trust woven throughout. Antihero will be a favorite among fans of the series as well as readers who favor high action, take no prisoners’ thrillers. A 2025 favorite for this reader, and one of the author’s best to date.
Many thanks to Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press for a complimentary arc of this title for review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own. This title is scheduled for release on February 10, 2026. My review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is now available on my blog Cross My Heart Reviews.
October 1, 2025
Great continuation of X’s story! There was a bit more humanity in his character this time - good to see some growth and him able to care for others more than his precious aged vodka 😉 But that makes him unique!
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review!
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review!
August 21, 2025
4.75 Stars ⭐️
I am such a big fan of this series. I think I fell in love with Evan Smoak from the very beginning and it has been so wonderful to follow along as he is slowly beginning to learn how to care about those he considers his friends. Emotions are not something he was ever taught. In fact, it was the exact opposite - emotions could be deadly - and seeing him try to counter these life long behaviors has not been easy.
I'm also thrilled to be able to say that Mr. Hurwitz is back with another fantastic book. Unfortunately, the last book felt "off" to me and I had a hard time with some of the actions and behaviors of our favorite characters. That is NOT the case for Antihero.
This time, Evan and Joey travel to New York at the request of a character that we have previously met - Luke Devine. While there, they learn about a woman who may have been kidnapped from a subway car. The woman, Anca, suffers from a debilitating illness that causes her to have seizures up to 6 times a day. She has a laminated lanyard that she wears around her neck to inform people about what to do if and when she has a seizure. Unfortunately, she is completely at the mercy of total strangers while she is completely incapacitated and this time, the worst happens.
One thing that really hit me with this book was how unbelievably evil people can be. It was hard at times experiencing that level of vile and cruel behavior from the "bad guys". It is NOT easy to read. We also see that Evan is not immune to the horror of the things that Anca is put through and that makes things worse.
One of the absolute best things about this book was the exponential development of the friendship that Evan and Candy McClure (Orphan V) had tentatively started over the last several books. It was amazing to see the two of them figure out how to function completely out of their element as they dealt with the aftermath of Anca's situation. Watching their level of compassion and then confusion when dealing with Anca's completely foreign world view made me laugh. Anca makes Evan promise that he is not going to kill the bad guys and both Evan and Candy can not understand this. Anca completely believes in the concept of a higher power being the one who will judge and not them, so Evan makes sure that they only promise not to kill, and both he and Candy agree that maiming is still on the table.
We also get to see major development in the relationship between X and Joey. Their relationship is so beautiful. Two very broken people who have decided to trust each other, even though everything they have been taught, and everything that they have experienced in life has taught them the exact opposite.
Mia and Peter also make an appearance, and even though I'm not sure how I feel about those events, I LOVE seeing Peter interact with Evan. This book was jammed packed with major emotional upheaval for Evan and let's just say that it is not an easy road.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This book will be out for publication on February 10, 2026.
I am such a big fan of this series. I think I fell in love with Evan Smoak from the very beginning and it has been so wonderful to follow along as he is slowly beginning to learn how to care about those he considers his friends. Emotions are not something he was ever taught. In fact, it was the exact opposite - emotions could be deadly - and seeing him try to counter these life long behaviors has not been easy.
I'm also thrilled to be able to say that Mr. Hurwitz is back with another fantastic book. Unfortunately, the last book felt "off" to me and I had a hard time with some of the actions and behaviors of our favorite characters. That is NOT the case for Antihero.
This time, Evan and Joey travel to New York at the request of a character that we have previously met - Luke Devine. While there, they learn about a woman who may have been kidnapped from a subway car. The woman, Anca, suffers from a debilitating illness that causes her to have seizures up to 6 times a day. She has a laminated lanyard that she wears around her neck to inform people about what to do if and when she has a seizure. Unfortunately, she is completely at the mercy of total strangers while she is completely incapacitated and this time, the worst happens.
One thing that really hit me with this book was how unbelievably evil people can be. It was hard at times experiencing that level of vile and cruel behavior from the "bad guys". It is NOT easy to read. We also see that Evan is not immune to the horror of the things that Anca is put through and that makes things worse.
One of the absolute best things about this book was the exponential development of the friendship that Evan and Candy McClure (Orphan V) had tentatively started over the last several books. It was amazing to see the two of them figure out how to function completely out of their element as they dealt with the aftermath of Anca's situation. Watching their level of compassion and then confusion when dealing with Anca's completely foreign world view made me laugh. Anca makes Evan promise that he is not going to kill the bad guys and both Evan and Candy can not understand this. Anca completely believes in the concept of a higher power being the one who will judge and not them, so Evan makes sure that they only promise not to kill, and both he and Candy agree that maiming is still on the table.
We also get to see major development in the relationship between X and Joey. Their relationship is so beautiful. Two very broken people who have decided to trust each other, even though everything they have been taught, and everything that they have experienced in life has taught them the exact opposite.
Mia and Peter also make an appearance, and even though I'm not sure how I feel about those events, I LOVE seeing Peter interact with Evan. This book was jammed packed with major emotional upheaval for Evan and let's just say that it is not an easy road.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This book will be out for publication on February 10, 2026.
August 18, 2025
Anka is a young woman who suffers from seizures. She’s paralyzed by fear of them happening when no one friendly or kind is around to help her.
Her biggest fear is realized when she begins to suffer from a seizure on the subway as four masked men enter her subway car.
Fading in and out of consciousness, Anka realizes she’s been abducted. When she finally awakens, her body is broken and her spirit shattered. She’s been violated.
Evan is called in to help locate the men and bring them to justice. His justice. But this time, things aren’t as clear cut for X. Humanity (his humanity) continues to gnaw at the edges.
As the novel progresses, we see Joey and Candy and other regular characters.
Heart-plundering action sequences and characters written for the big screen, Hurwitz never disappoints. Antihero is another fantastic book in the Orphan X series.
Thank you to St.Martin’s press for sending the ebook for my honest review.
Her biggest fear is realized when she begins to suffer from a seizure on the subway as four masked men enter her subway car.
Fading in and out of consciousness, Anka realizes she’s been abducted. When she finally awakens, her body is broken and her spirit shattered. She’s been violated.
Evan is called in to help locate the men and bring them to justice. His justice. But this time, things aren’t as clear cut for X. Humanity (his humanity) continues to gnaw at the edges.
As the novel progresses, we see Joey and Candy and other regular characters.
Heart-plundering action sequences and characters written for the big screen, Hurwitz never disappoints. Antihero is another fantastic book in the Orphan X series.
Thank you to St.Martin’s press for sending the ebook for my honest review.
November 19, 2025
This was a very hard read.
The degradation that this woman goes through will hit you in your heart and your stomach! I felt sick reading it.
However, it's also a very good read. As usual, our Orphan X is showing more and more heart and humanity - I adore him. We also got to spend time with some of the people around him and their characters just keep getting more and more real to me.
The story itself is exciting and had me wanting a whole lot of righteous vengeance.
While I'm not 100% certain that this would work as a standalone for someone new to the series (there's quite a bit of background you need to know), fans of the series should be very pleased.
Can't wait until the next book!
* ARC via Publisher
The degradation that this woman goes through will hit you in your heart and your stomach! I felt sick reading it.
However, it's also a very good read. As usual, our Orphan X is showing more and more heart and humanity - I adore him. We also got to spend time with some of the people around him and their characters just keep getting more and more real to me.
The story itself is exciting and had me wanting a whole lot of righteous vengeance.
While I'm not 100% certain that this would work as a standalone for someone new to the series (there's quite a bit of background you need to know), fans of the series should be very pleased.
Can't wait until the next book!
* ARC via Publisher
August 26, 2025
Five stars with some reservations. "Antihero" is hands down my favorite book in the series and marks the pinnacle of the series so far. My hesitation stems from the deeply disturbing and unsettling evil of the antagonists. However, these characters lay the groundwork for the profound exploration and deeper understanding of Evan, Josephine, and Candy. Chapter 44 left me shattered with its poignant pain, while Chapters 49 and 50 were equally exceptional. The amplified contrast between humanity's best and worst, and the protagonists' struggle to grapple with the consequences of their choices, is incredibly profound with Hurwitz excelling at dissecting and distilling the essence of human strength in the face of confrontation.
September 13, 2025
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books
Dark, harsh and haunting, Antihero is Orphan X’s most infuriating and shattering mission to date. It’ll rip you apart inside as it hits you with a barrage of emotional gut-punches. Gregg Hurwitz delivers a masterful novel that threatens to murder the Fourth Commandment: never make it personal.
This is one hell of a novel that blends raw emotion with quiet reflection. A story that mixes exhilaration with heartache in a way that’s impossible to shake. Antihero is a book that cannot soon be forgotten and promises to stick with you for a very long time. It’s a must read and perhaps Gregg Hurwitz’s best work to date.
Dark, harsh and haunting, Antihero is Orphan X’s most infuriating and shattering mission to date. It’ll rip you apart inside as it hits you with a barrage of emotional gut-punches. Gregg Hurwitz delivers a masterful novel that threatens to murder the Fourth Commandment: never make it personal.
This is one hell of a novel that blends raw emotion with quiet reflection. A story that mixes exhilaration with heartache in a way that’s impossible to shake. Antihero is a book that cannot soon be forgotten and promises to stick with you for a very long time. It’s a must read and perhaps Gregg Hurwitz’s best work to date.
November 21, 2025
This book continues the Orphan X series and like the others is an engaging read. The basic plot is twofold in dealing with Luke Devine and his control over what is happening in the world and the porn industry. He is seeking four males who take an unconscious woman and make a porn film, but she doesn't want them killed.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Goodreads, Net Galley, Amazon, and my fiction book review blog.
I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Goodreads, Net Galley, Amazon, and my fiction book review blog.
September 25, 2025
I was given an early copy of Antihero from NetGalley for an honest review.
We see Evan fly out to New York to assist Luke Devine and once there, he quickly learns of a mysterious girl in trouble. Joey, for the first time, is in the field with Evan and because of the nature of the mission, really throws Evan and impacts him.
The mysterious girl, Anca, seems to impact Evan more than previous missions. For the first time, he is not abiding by a couple of his Commandments. His personality seems to be forced to change even more than in the past during this mission. He has to examine how he acts and we see him catching himself more than once, examining how he needs to act for the best outcome.
Throughout this, his phone is still ringing for help. Thankfully, these are quickly resolved and he is able to refocus again.
I struggled with this novel, only because of the nature of Anca's attack. I loved seeing how Evan was affected. I enjoyed how he was willing to change, to adapt, to be kind to her. We see a gentler side of Evan.
And even amidst all of that, we still see Evan being Orphan X. Recognizing threats and acting to alleviate the threat.
Without ginving a spoiler, the scene with Dirty Pete was written so well. How Evan was feeling, how he adjusted, how he fought, grabbed me and did not let go.
If this is not your first Orphan X novel, you will appreciate that there are many characters from past stories that make appearances. You will really appreciate the growth of Orphan X and I look forward to seeing how this changes him in the next story.
We see Evan fly out to New York to assist Luke Devine and once there, he quickly learns of a mysterious girl in trouble. Joey, for the first time, is in the field with Evan and because of the nature of the mission, really throws Evan and impacts him.
The mysterious girl, Anca, seems to impact Evan more than previous missions. For the first time, he is not abiding by a couple of his Commandments. His personality seems to be forced to change even more than in the past during this mission. He has to examine how he acts and we see him catching himself more than once, examining how he needs to act for the best outcome.
Throughout this, his phone is still ringing for help. Thankfully, these are quickly resolved and he is able to refocus again.
I struggled with this novel, only because of the nature of Anca's attack. I loved seeing how Evan was affected. I enjoyed how he was willing to change, to adapt, to be kind to her. We see a gentler side of Evan.
And even amidst all of that, we still see Evan being Orphan X. Recognizing threats and acting to alleviate the threat.
Without ginving a spoiler, the scene with Dirty Pete was written so well. How Evan was feeling, how he adjusted, how he fought, grabbed me and did not let go.
If this is not your first Orphan X novel, you will appreciate that there are many characters from past stories that make appearances. You will really appreciate the growth of Orphan X and I look forward to seeing how this changes him in the next story.
August 25, 2025
Just when you think the author can't top the last book, he puts out another banger! This one was one of my favorites. I love how X continues to have more "real" feelings and enjoy seeing how he learns how to process them. I'm also intrigued by his ever evolving relationship with Joey, and really all the women in his life. Watching X learn how to be a person is very entertaining. After finishing this one, I wonder if X will continue down the road to discovering more humanity or will something else bring him back to the X of old? I can't wait to find out and eagerly await the next in the series!
Thanks to St.Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and Net Galley for this ARC! #antihero #netgalley
Thanks to St.Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and Net Galley for this ARC! #antihero #netgalley
September 11, 2025
In this suspended moment, a perfect X.
November 27, 2025
Evan Smoak is still doing new things in Antihero - Book 11 in the Orphan X series from Gregg Hurwitz.
"Evan helps a girl that was assaulted and abandoned. When he sets out to track down the men who hurt her, she insists that Evan doesn't kill any of them. Evan must figure out how to balance justice with a measure of mercy."
After the ending of the previous book, you had to wonder what direction Hurwitz was going to take Orphan X. I love that he continues to allow Evan to change and grow. He actually goes on a date in this book and dances. There's an unexpected moment with Candy. Evan is surprised by a victim's strength. There is still lots of action that we expect in an Orphan X book. And when he discovers a business that's monetizing video of assaults, he goes nuclear with Joey's help.
There are many uncomfortable moments with the morally bankrupt characters profiting off of the victimization of others. Hurwitz is frank with his treatment of it but never glosses it over.
Another great fast-paced Orphan X story.
"Evan helps a girl that was assaulted and abandoned. When he sets out to track down the men who hurt her, she insists that Evan doesn't kill any of them. Evan must figure out how to balance justice with a measure of mercy."
After the ending of the previous book, you had to wonder what direction Hurwitz was going to take Orphan X. I love that he continues to allow Evan to change and grow. He actually goes on a date in this book and dances. There's an unexpected moment with Candy. Evan is surprised by a victim's strength. There is still lots of action that we expect in an Orphan X book. And when he discovers a business that's monetizing video of assaults, he goes nuclear with Joey's help.
There are many uncomfortable moments with the morally bankrupt characters profiting off of the victimization of others. Hurwitz is frank with his treatment of it but never glosses it over.
Another great fast-paced Orphan X story.
August 31, 2025
Evan Smoak is back with a new case. Only this time, the person needing help doesn’t want Evan to kill. He ends up tracking a woman that disappeared from a New York subway. He travels coast to coast to find the men who did unspeakable things. Warning to readers: there are some chapters that may not set well with you. Still a great story and classic Evan with even more character development.
August 26, 2025
This entire series is just complete perfection.
If you’ve never read an Orphan X book, I highly recommend you do so.
Thank you (times a million) to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
If you’ve never read an Orphan X book, I highly recommend you do so.
Thank you (times a million) to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
November 1, 2025
ANTIHERO: AN ORPHAN X NOVEL by Gregg Hurwitz
Publication: 2/10/2026 by Minotaur Books
Page Count: 416
Audible Version by Macmillan Audio
Narrated: Scott Brick
Duration: 13 hours
He’s back! Evan Smoak, aka Orphan X returns for a highly anticipated eleventh high-octane breakneck-paced thriller. This is truly a guilty pleasure , akin to eating dessert before dinner. Evan isn’t a superhero, but rather a cross between James Bond and Robin Hood. He’s a highly skilled assassin, but with a moral compass and a highly honed desire to retain his humanity. Evan was a twelve-year-old boy, rescued form the projects of East Baltimore, only to undergo a seven-year grueling training course under the tutelage of his handler, Jack Jones. Jack was the closest thing to a father and family he had ever known. This was part of a clandestine black ops, “Orphan Program,” created by the Department of Defense. It created a cadre of assassins with unparalleled abilities that were both deniable and expendable. Each was sent out on a mission to destroy a “high-value target” without backup. As his trainer and a man of principle, Jack knew it was easy to train Evan to kill, but hard to have him retain his sense of humanity. Eventually, Evan wanted out after a decade of covert killing, no longer wishing to be a lethal weapon of the government. He embarked on his own program as a pro bono freelancer, helping those innocents, who found themselves in an impossible situation. He became known to his enemies, The Nowhere Man, remains on call 247 for the unfortunate, awaiting a 1-855-2-NOWHERE call on his high-tech, untraceable, an indestructible Roam Zone phone.
In this action-packed eleventh adventure he is summoned to the ultra-high tech lair of Luke Devin. Devin is a world class influencer and problem-solver of epic proportions. However, he is presently in a psychotic break-down and summons Evan to his side to temporarily take over his duties of managing volatile world events. Evan has also just learned of a devastating situation. An innocent young woman, in the throes of a seizure on the New York subway system, had been kidnapped and brutally beaten and raped by a group of soulless thugs. He had to takeover from Devine and at the same time find this victimized woman and seek out the animals to mete out justice. After finding the location of the woman with the aid of high tech surveillance equipment , he found it necessary to foster her physical and emotional care, and still abide by her highly principles values. He would’ve preferred to seek out these animals and kill them to prevent further victimization. She insisted that they should not be killed. Evan faced the dilemma of his life, completing his mission to eliminate their further potential threat and yet abide the wishes of the victim. All going against his usual methods fostered by his rigid training. How to balance the scales of justice and avenge the victim without eliminating these animals. This exposes emotions and actions very foreign to his usual missions.
Hurwitz proves to be a masterful storyteller, as he uncouples this riveting barnburner of a thriller. This tale is exquisitely plotted with unexpected twists and deceptions, laced with cinematic fight scenes, brimming with violence and suspense. Each sequential tale of Orphan X reveals the emotional growth in this complicated and flawed man. This eleventh installment can certainly be enjoyed and devoured as a standalone, as Hurwitz seamlessly supplies any necessary backstory. Be warned, fellow readers… you will be forced to quench your thirst and gobble up the previous novels.
I personally switched back and forth between reading on my kindle and listening to the audio version. But, for the last half, I couldn’t tear myself away from the audio, narrated by the amazing Scott Brick. Scott is a multi-award-winning narrator of over 800 books, with a background as an actor and writer. His wonderful voice inflections brought the multiple characters to life in the “theater of my mind.” He is a natural storyteller with a mesmerizing quality that reflects the ongoing emotion and passion of the book.
Thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for providing an Uncorrected Proof an Advance Audio version in exchange for an honest review.
Publication: 2/10/2026 by Minotaur Books
Page Count: 416
Audible Version by Macmillan Audio
Narrated: Scott Brick
Duration: 13 hours
He’s back! Evan Smoak, aka Orphan X returns for a highly anticipated eleventh high-octane breakneck-paced thriller. This is truly a guilty pleasure , akin to eating dessert before dinner. Evan isn’t a superhero, but rather a cross between James Bond and Robin Hood. He’s a highly skilled assassin, but with a moral compass and a highly honed desire to retain his humanity. Evan was a twelve-year-old boy, rescued form the projects of East Baltimore, only to undergo a seven-year grueling training course under the tutelage of his handler, Jack Jones. Jack was the closest thing to a father and family he had ever known. This was part of a clandestine black ops, “Orphan Program,” created by the Department of Defense. It created a cadre of assassins with unparalleled abilities that were both deniable and expendable. Each was sent out on a mission to destroy a “high-value target” without backup. As his trainer and a man of principle, Jack knew it was easy to train Evan to kill, but hard to have him retain his sense of humanity. Eventually, Evan wanted out after a decade of covert killing, no longer wishing to be a lethal weapon of the government. He embarked on his own program as a pro bono freelancer, helping those innocents, who found themselves in an impossible situation. He became known to his enemies, The Nowhere Man, remains on call 247 for the unfortunate, awaiting a 1-855-2-NOWHERE call on his high-tech, untraceable, an indestructible Roam Zone phone.
In this action-packed eleventh adventure he is summoned to the ultra-high tech lair of Luke Devin. Devin is a world class influencer and problem-solver of epic proportions. However, he is presently in a psychotic break-down and summons Evan to his side to temporarily take over his duties of managing volatile world events. Evan has also just learned of a devastating situation. An innocent young woman, in the throes of a seizure on the New York subway system, had been kidnapped and brutally beaten and raped by a group of soulless thugs. He had to takeover from Devine and at the same time find this victimized woman and seek out the animals to mete out justice. After finding the location of the woman with the aid of high tech surveillance equipment , he found it necessary to foster her physical and emotional care, and still abide by her highly principles values. He would’ve preferred to seek out these animals and kill them to prevent further victimization. She insisted that they should not be killed. Evan faced the dilemma of his life, completing his mission to eliminate their further potential threat and yet abide the wishes of the victim. All going against his usual methods fostered by his rigid training. How to balance the scales of justice and avenge the victim without eliminating these animals. This exposes emotions and actions very foreign to his usual missions.
Hurwitz proves to be a masterful storyteller, as he uncouples this riveting barnburner of a thriller. This tale is exquisitely plotted with unexpected twists and deceptions, laced with cinematic fight scenes, brimming with violence and suspense. Each sequential tale of Orphan X reveals the emotional growth in this complicated and flawed man. This eleventh installment can certainly be enjoyed and devoured as a standalone, as Hurwitz seamlessly supplies any necessary backstory. Be warned, fellow readers… you will be forced to quench your thirst and gobble up the previous novels.
I personally switched back and forth between reading on my kindle and listening to the audio version. But, for the last half, I couldn’t tear myself away from the audio, narrated by the amazing Scott Brick. Scott is a multi-award-winning narrator of over 800 books, with a background as an actor and writer. His wonderful voice inflections brought the multiple characters to life in the “theater of my mind.” He is a natural storyteller with a mesmerizing quality that reflects the ongoing emotion and passion of the book.
Thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for providing an Uncorrected Proof an Advance Audio version in exchange for an honest review.
August 27, 2025
Evan Smoak, also known as Orphan X and the Nowhere Man, is back in rare form as he’s called in by Luke Devine, a man he’s dealt with in the past who wields enormous power and wealth, to rescue him as he has fallen recklessly out of control due to both stimulant overdosing and a tyrannical rage. Luke has also summoned Orphan X to help a haunted young woman he’s hired for sex who witnessed, but failed to do anything to prevent, an epileptic young woman being kidnapped by a gang of teens off a subway car while in an epileptic episode.
Orphan X has both to wrest control from Luke as well as go on a hunt for the kidnapped girl. He brings along Josphine, a teen Orphan from the government assassination program that trained him, and who’s he informally adopted as a kind of niece. Orphan X needs her brilliant tech skills alongside him, but it’s the first time she’s been out in the field and that he has brought her along on one of his missions. He’s wary of both bringing her into Luke’s world of danger and exposing her to both sexual abuse the teens have perpetrated in order to sell views on porn sites.
In searching for the kidnapped girl, Evan relies on Josephine to tap into both Luke’s elaborate computer spy network and leverage his extensive personal connections with people in power. When he finally located the girl, she asks something of him in tracking down her assailants that confounds him. She’s very religious and thus it’s critical to her that Evan show mercy and not to kill them. Evan, who usually does away with the bad guys, has to pivot strategically to honor her request while also dealing with danger on all sides.
Fortunately the ever-resourceful Orphan X finds a way to make this work, elegantly and decisively, while hold firm to his moral compass of delivering justice.
An amazing 11th outing for Orphan X by Hurwitz!!
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.
Orphan X has both to wrest control from Luke as well as go on a hunt for the kidnapped girl. He brings along Josphine, a teen Orphan from the government assassination program that trained him, and who’s he informally adopted as a kind of niece. Orphan X needs her brilliant tech skills alongside him, but it’s the first time she’s been out in the field and that he has brought her along on one of his missions. He’s wary of both bringing her into Luke’s world of danger and exposing her to both sexual abuse the teens have perpetrated in order to sell views on porn sites.
In searching for the kidnapped girl, Evan relies on Josephine to tap into both Luke’s elaborate computer spy network and leverage his extensive personal connections with people in power. When he finally located the girl, she asks something of him in tracking down her assailants that confounds him. She’s very religious and thus it’s critical to her that Evan show mercy and not to kill them. Evan, who usually does away with the bad guys, has to pivot strategically to honor her request while also dealing with danger on all sides.
Fortunately the ever-resourceful Orphan X finds a way to make this work, elegantly and decisively, while hold firm to his moral compass of delivering justice.
An amazing 11th outing for Orphan X by Hurwitz!!
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.
September 5, 2025
I'll be honest—those early pages with the drugged-up thugs nearly lost me. But once Hurwitz gets Evan Smoak into his real mission, the story found its footing and evolved into something more meaningful than just another action-packed mission.
This isn't your typical Orphan X rampage. When Anca, the assault victim Evan wants to help, looks him dead in the eye and tells him he has no right to kill for her—that he's not a hero but an antihero—it's like watching someone pull the rug out from under everything we thought we knew about the Nowhere Man. She makes him promise not to kill her attackers, and watching Evan wrestle with that promise? Pure gold. This is moral complexity rather than black and white thinking and fundamentally challenges everything the Nowhere Man represents.
This moral tension becomes the novel's greatest strength. Evan's character development feels genuine as he grapples with concepts beyond his usual black-and-white worldview. Hurwitz skillfully shows us a man learning that "there is no weakness in emotion" and that his rigid code must evolve.
What got me most was seeing this unstoppable killing machine completely fall apart during a simple dinner date with Mia. The guy who can handle any life-or-death situation can't manage small talk over pasta. That scene alone is worth the price of admission because it shows just how broken Evan really is beneath all that deadly competence.
The author's exploration of vulnerability versus vengeance gives real depth to what could have been just another thriller. When Evan realizes his code "weighed more now" and creates a new commandment—"If you feel more, you have to feel more"—it represents genuine character growth that feels earned rather than forced.
Hurwitz succeeds in crafting a story that questions the very nature of heroism and justice. This isn't just about whether Evan will complete his mission, but whether he can evolve beyond the limiting confines of his own moral certainties. The result is a thriller that entertains while genuinely challenging both its protagonist and readers to consider the complex shades of gray between justice and vengeance.
A big thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
This isn't your typical Orphan X rampage. When Anca, the assault victim Evan wants to help, looks him dead in the eye and tells him he has no right to kill for her—that he's not a hero but an antihero—it's like watching someone pull the rug out from under everything we thought we knew about the Nowhere Man. She makes him promise not to kill her attackers, and watching Evan wrestle with that promise? Pure gold. This is moral complexity rather than black and white thinking and fundamentally challenges everything the Nowhere Man represents.
This moral tension becomes the novel's greatest strength. Evan's character development feels genuine as he grapples with concepts beyond his usual black-and-white worldview. Hurwitz skillfully shows us a man learning that "there is no weakness in emotion" and that his rigid code must evolve.
What got me most was seeing this unstoppable killing machine completely fall apart during a simple dinner date with Mia. The guy who can handle any life-or-death situation can't manage small talk over pasta. That scene alone is worth the price of admission because it shows just how broken Evan really is beneath all that deadly competence.
The author's exploration of vulnerability versus vengeance gives real depth to what could have been just another thriller. When Evan realizes his code "weighed more now" and creates a new commandment—"If you feel more, you have to feel more"—it represents genuine character growth that feels earned rather than forced.
Hurwitz succeeds in crafting a story that questions the very nature of heroism and justice. This isn't just about whether Evan will complete his mission, but whether he can evolve beyond the limiting confines of his own moral certainties. The result is a thriller that entertains while genuinely challenging both its protagonist and readers to consider the complex shades of gray between justice and vengeance.
A big thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 12, 2025
While some book series lean heavily on a formulaic approach to their protagonist's journeys, Gregg Hurwitz continues to take Evan Smoak to new and increasingly human levels. After the incredible and emotional journey the Nowhere Man took in Nemesis (Book #10), Evan's evolution continues as he grasps what it means to have human connections in our world while encountering his darkest post-Orphan chapter yet. And Candy's phone call is the highlight of the book. It's an amazing credit that a series in double digits is this well realized.
August 14, 2025
Initial thoughts: I've been reading Orphan X novels since 2018, time flies. I've been saying this for the past three books or so, but it truly just gets better and better. Woke up to an email from St. Martin's with a NetGalley and you bet I ran to download it, spent my entire day reading, all other plans abandoned. We've been seeing Evan grow significantly for several books now, but what I loved about this one in particular is how we also see the growth of him coming to terms with his relationships, the fact that there are people in the world he cares about.
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RTC
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC.
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RTC
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC.
September 15, 2025
X and Joey have quite the job this time. X will struggle more on this job to help and do what is right by his rules. He may get help from a few friends. Read this to see what is happening.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read
October 19, 2025Oh my God you are going to make me wait till February 😭😭😭 to read it . I can’t wait to read it 🙏🏻👍🏻❤️ my 5 stars will come after I read the book.
October 15, 2025
Orphan X is back! “Antihero”, by Gregg Hurwitz, is the eleventh outing for Evan Smoak, ex-government assassin Orphan X who now goes by the title of Nowhere Man, a vigilante helping those who have been wronged by the powerful and have no place else to turn.
We start with a couple of violent scenarios to open up the action, one has the Nowhere Man save a fifteen-year-old kid from a ruthless street gang, the other, much darker, has a woman experiencing an epileptic seizure on a NYC subway just as a gang of boys decide to take her and sexually assault her.
But there was a witness to the girl in the train, who was unclear of the outcome but is now wracked with guilt. Luckily for her, she is heading out to “visit” Luke Devine, one of the most powerful and richest people in the world, who also happens to know the Nowhere Man. Luke is going through a bit of crisis himself; afraid of losing control he reaches out to Smoak to take him down off the ledge. Evan, along with Joey who wants to play a more active role as she is getting older, heads on out to Luke’s and quickly takes over.
Upon hearing the story of the subway attack, Evan leaves Joey in charge and pursues leads to find and assist the victim. Her name is Anca Dumitrescu, a pious and religious girl who won’t allow Evan to pursue her attackers without extracting a promise – no one is to die. Can Evan stop the bad guys without the violence that defines a large part of who he is?
And these really are some pretty bad guys; they kidnap and sexually assault girls, filming the action to upload and sell on the internet. Going deep into his support network, including Orphan V (Candy) for victim support and protection, drug kingpin Aragon Urrea’s money, Luke Devine’s money and power, and even his sworn enemy Naomi Templeton of the FBI, Evan has to come up with a new way of stopping the evil before more girls get hurt again.
Very little Nowhere Man in this chapter, more about Evan Smoak and his emotional growth as a human. Joey continues to grow up as well and opens up a whole new set of problems and issues. Mia and Peter have faded into the past, with only a brief interlude and a bittersweet farewell (for now?). Although there’s plenty of action and mayhem, this is a deeper and more introspective look at the violence that defines Evan and the effect on his life and those around him. When confronted with a genuinely good person, Evan has to ask himself if he is a good person as well, and maybe he doesn’t like the answer. Not sure if this is what I am looking for from this series, but hopefully the Nowhere Man plays a more active role as Evan continues to grow.
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
We start with a couple of violent scenarios to open up the action, one has the Nowhere Man save a fifteen-year-old kid from a ruthless street gang, the other, much darker, has a woman experiencing an epileptic seizure on a NYC subway just as a gang of boys decide to take her and sexually assault her.
But there was a witness to the girl in the train, who was unclear of the outcome but is now wracked with guilt. Luckily for her, she is heading out to “visit” Luke Devine, one of the most powerful and richest people in the world, who also happens to know the Nowhere Man. Luke is going through a bit of crisis himself; afraid of losing control he reaches out to Smoak to take him down off the ledge. Evan, along with Joey who wants to play a more active role as she is getting older, heads on out to Luke’s and quickly takes over.
Upon hearing the story of the subway attack, Evan leaves Joey in charge and pursues leads to find and assist the victim. Her name is Anca Dumitrescu, a pious and religious girl who won’t allow Evan to pursue her attackers without extracting a promise – no one is to die. Can Evan stop the bad guys without the violence that defines a large part of who he is?
And these really are some pretty bad guys; they kidnap and sexually assault girls, filming the action to upload and sell on the internet. Going deep into his support network, including Orphan V (Candy) for victim support and protection, drug kingpin Aragon Urrea’s money, Luke Devine’s money and power, and even his sworn enemy Naomi Templeton of the FBI, Evan has to come up with a new way of stopping the evil before more girls get hurt again.
Very little Nowhere Man in this chapter, more about Evan Smoak and his emotional growth as a human. Joey continues to grow up as well and opens up a whole new set of problems and issues. Mia and Peter have faded into the past, with only a brief interlude and a bittersweet farewell (for now?). Although there’s plenty of action and mayhem, this is a deeper and more introspective look at the violence that defines Evan and the effect on his life and those around him. When confronted with a genuinely good person, Evan has to ask himself if he is a good person as well, and maybe he doesn’t like the answer. Not sure if this is what I am looking for from this series, but hopefully the Nowhere Man plays a more active role as Evan continues to grow.
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
August 22, 2025
What a ride! I loved this one and could not put it down. This author has found a way, even in his 11th book in this series, to continue to develop deeper character psyche, evolve yet stay true, and even grow in the literary landscape of the writing style. I literally had to look up the definition of some words. This is no ordinary action thriller, it is intelligent and poignant.
This latest installment of the series (similarly to Nemesis) is truly for the fans who are here for the balance of emotions, humor and a thrilling ride. This story picks up shortly after the events of the previous book with unwanted emotions weighing heavily on Evan Smoak. This time Orphan X is working with Luke Devine as a temporary ally but for the good of everyone else. Meanwhile, Joey is asking for more involvement in missions. Evan must also find and save a woman who has been victimized horribly. And, like any Orphan X novel, people are also after him. The main character that Evan is trying to help is so unique, helpless yet strong, vulnerable yet independent and I liked her and will remember her more than other “victims” in the past novels.
Evan and Joey’s relationship development is one of the main reasons I love this series and keep reading it. Their relationship makes me happy and hurt at times. I ache and tear up when they miscommunicate (probably my own father issues). Some other beloved characters show up in this installment and things that unravel truly made my heart rate rise. I love Candy McClure and Joey Morales and will always need them in my Orphan X books! This book also had dark, disturbing content, which I believe led to a bigger display of Evan’s humanity. Evan’s humanity is an ongoing theme of the Orphan X books but I think this one dove deeper and potentially created a new path for him.
Ultimately, those who read this series are going to love this one. Intelligent, thrilling, emotional, suspenseful, romantic (yea I said it), heartbreaking, frustrating and intensely satisfying. Those who have not started this series need to put Book 1 at the top of their TBR reading list!
Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this E-ARC
This latest installment of the series (similarly to Nemesis) is truly for the fans who are here for the balance of emotions, humor and a thrilling ride. This story picks up shortly after the events of the previous book with unwanted emotions weighing heavily on Evan Smoak. This time Orphan X is working with Luke Devine as a temporary ally but for the good of everyone else. Meanwhile, Joey is asking for more involvement in missions. Evan must also find and save a woman who has been victimized horribly. And, like any Orphan X novel, people are also after him. The main character that Evan is trying to help is so unique, helpless yet strong, vulnerable yet independent and I liked her and will remember her more than other “victims” in the past novels.
Evan and Joey’s relationship development is one of the main reasons I love this series and keep reading it. Their relationship makes me happy and hurt at times. I ache and tear up when they miscommunicate (probably my own father issues). Some other beloved characters show up in this installment and things that unravel truly made my heart rate rise. I love Candy McClure and Joey Morales and will always need them in my Orphan X books! This book also had dark, disturbing content, which I believe led to a bigger display of Evan’s humanity. Evan’s humanity is an ongoing theme of the Orphan X books but I think this one dove deeper and potentially created a new path for him.
Ultimately, those who read this series are going to love this one. Intelligent, thrilling, emotional, suspenseful, romantic (yea I said it), heartbreaking, frustrating and intensely satisfying. Those who have not started this series need to put Book 1 at the top of their TBR reading list!
Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this E-ARC
August 29, 2025
Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley
A mistaken identity attack in an East Los Angeles bodega leaves fifteen-year-old Lesandro Candella beaten and running for his life. A close encounter with a Ford F-150 allows his pursuers, members of the vicious Trinitarios gang, to catch up with him.
But the gang members are in for an unexpected discovery: Evan Smoak, aka Orphan X, aka the Nowhere Man, is the driver of the truck . . . and now Lesandro’s rescuer. After calling the authorities and making swift work of disabling the five gang members, Orphan X vanishes.
It isn’t long before Evan finds himself caught up in the case of Anca Dumitrescu, victim of a vicious gang assault. But she’s exacted a promise from Evan: he will find her attackers, but there will be no vengeance; he will not kill them.
Can Evan find justice for Anca and, as she’s insisted, find a way to equate his justice with mercy?
=========
Although “Antihero” is the eleventh in the author’s Orphan X series, the book has sufficient backstory to be read as a standalone for readers new to the series. Strong characters populate the telling of this often-disturbing but compelling tale, bringing readers everything they’ve come to expect to find in an Orphan X story.
Grabbing readers from the outset, the unfolding story keeps readers guessing as Evan finds himself struggling with a new experience: feelings. Throughout the story, readers are pulled into the eternal struggle between good and evil as the unfolding events lay out both the best and the worst of humanity. Readers will struggle along with Evan with the depravity of Anca’s attackers; they will chuckle as Evan tries to deal with Joey’s desire to be taken more seriously.
Readers who enjoy an action-packed thriller with unexpected revelations, intelligence, emotion, suspense, a story filled with characters to care about will find much to appreciate in this unputdownable tale of challenges and triumphs.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#Antihero #NetGalley
A mistaken identity attack in an East Los Angeles bodega leaves fifteen-year-old Lesandro Candella beaten and running for his life. A close encounter with a Ford F-150 allows his pursuers, members of the vicious Trinitarios gang, to catch up with him.
But the gang members are in for an unexpected discovery: Evan Smoak, aka Orphan X, aka the Nowhere Man, is the driver of the truck . . . and now Lesandro’s rescuer. After calling the authorities and making swift work of disabling the five gang members, Orphan X vanishes.
It isn’t long before Evan finds himself caught up in the case of Anca Dumitrescu, victim of a vicious gang assault. But she’s exacted a promise from Evan: he will find her attackers, but there will be no vengeance; he will not kill them.
Can Evan find justice for Anca and, as she’s insisted, find a way to equate his justice with mercy?
=========
Although “Antihero” is the eleventh in the author’s Orphan X series, the book has sufficient backstory to be read as a standalone for readers new to the series. Strong characters populate the telling of this often-disturbing but compelling tale, bringing readers everything they’ve come to expect to find in an Orphan X story.
Grabbing readers from the outset, the unfolding story keeps readers guessing as Evan finds himself struggling with a new experience: feelings. Throughout the story, readers are pulled into the eternal struggle between good and evil as the unfolding events lay out both the best and the worst of humanity. Readers will struggle along with Evan with the depravity of Anca’s attackers; they will chuckle as Evan tries to deal with Joey’s desire to be taken more seriously.
Readers who enjoy an action-packed thriller with unexpected revelations, intelligence, emotion, suspense, a story filled with characters to care about will find much to appreciate in this unputdownable tale of challenges and triumphs.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#Antihero #NetGalley
October 20, 2025
🌟 Thank you to Minotaur Books for the ARC of Antihero! This was my first time stepping into the Orphan X series, and wow, it was intense, emotional, and so much more layered than I expected.
Even without knowing Evan’s full history, I was able to connect with his struggle here. He’s a man built for vengeance, forced to choose something softer, and watching him navigate that friction between violence and mercy was unexpectedly moving. I didn’t need the previous books to feel the weight of what he’s carrying, or how much it costs him to protect someone without destroying her enemies.
This story pulled me in with its pulse-pounding suspense, but it stayed with me because of the heart. Anca’s trauma isn’t sugar-coated, it’s raw and brutal, and the way Evan responds, how he learns to sit with her pain instead of erasing it with violence, showed me a side of thriller heroes I don’t often get to see. 🖤🕊️
🗝️ What I Loved
• Evan’s emotional growth, even I could see how much he’s evolving
• Joey! Her dynamic with Evan brought a fresh energy
• Action scenes that stopped my heart, especially the Dirty Pete fight 😮💨
• Real-world echoes and moral complexity woven into the plot
• That balance of found family + justice that hit hard
🚫 What Didn’t Work for Me
• I felt a little behind at first since I haven’t read the earlier books
• The assault storyline was difficult to read, emotionally heavy
• Some side characters blurred together a bit for me as a newcomer
• Evan’s internal narration can feel a little distant, though maybe that’s the point
By the end, I understood why so many people are devoted to this series. Antihero is a sharp, dark, emotional thriller that doesn’t just ask whether a killer can change, it shows us what it costs him to try. If you’re new to the world of Orphan X, this might hit you like it did me: like a punch to the chest… and maybe a second one to the heart 💥💔
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Even without knowing Evan’s full history, I was able to connect with his struggle here. He’s a man built for vengeance, forced to choose something softer, and watching him navigate that friction between violence and mercy was unexpectedly moving. I didn’t need the previous books to feel the weight of what he’s carrying, or how much it costs him to protect someone without destroying her enemies.
This story pulled me in with its pulse-pounding suspense, but it stayed with me because of the heart. Anca’s trauma isn’t sugar-coated, it’s raw and brutal, and the way Evan responds, how he learns to sit with her pain instead of erasing it with violence, showed me a side of thriller heroes I don’t often get to see. 🖤🕊️
🗝️ What I Loved
• Evan’s emotional growth, even I could see how much he’s evolving
• Joey! Her dynamic with Evan brought a fresh energy
• Action scenes that stopped my heart, especially the Dirty Pete fight 😮💨
• Real-world echoes and moral complexity woven into the plot
• That balance of found family + justice that hit hard
🚫 What Didn’t Work for Me
• I felt a little behind at first since I haven’t read the earlier books
• The assault storyline was difficult to read, emotionally heavy
• Some side characters blurred together a bit for me as a newcomer
• Evan’s internal narration can feel a little distant, though maybe that’s the point
By the end, I understood why so many people are devoted to this series. Antihero is a sharp, dark, emotional thriller that doesn’t just ask whether a killer can change, it shows us what it costs him to try. If you’re new to the world of Orphan X, this might hit you like it did me: like a punch to the chest… and maybe a second one to the heart 💥💔
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 11, 2025
Falling in love with Evan Smoak—better known as the Nowhere Man—has been an effortless journey. I have devoured every installment in Gregg Hurwitz’s Orphan X series, relishing the steady evolution of this complex, morally conflicted hero. While this latest entry could function as a standalone, readers who have imbibed the earlier novels will find far greater resonance and emotional depth in this action-charged thriller.
The story begins when a young epileptic girl, Anca, is brutally assaulted by several men on the subway, while bystanders look away. Evan is summoned by a powerful man to intervene—not only to bring justice to the perpetrators but to rescue Anca from the long shadow of trauma. What follows diverges from the series’ typical arc, offering a deeper exploration of Evan’s inner turmoil as he grapples with profound ethical questions. Anca, devoutly religious, extracts from him a promise not to kill her assailants. For a man trained as a lethal weapon, this demand ignites an intense moral struggle—an examination of vengeance, mercy, and the boundaries of justice.
Running parallel to this narrative is the subplot involving Josephine, Evan’s young assistant, whom he brings along on her first assignment. His instinct to protect her collides with his perfectionism and relentless drive to complete the mission. Their dynamic reveals a new facet of Evan’s humanity—his capacity for care and fear amid a world built on precision and control.
Gritty, unflinching, and emotionally resonant, this novel plunges readers into the darker recesses of human nature while illuminating the possibility of redemption. It will provoke anger, sorrow, and reflection in equal measure. Hurwitz once again delivers not only an adrenaline-fueled story but a meditation on what it truly means to do right in a world steeped in wrong.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review
The story begins when a young epileptic girl, Anca, is brutally assaulted by several men on the subway, while bystanders look away. Evan is summoned by a powerful man to intervene—not only to bring justice to the perpetrators but to rescue Anca from the long shadow of trauma. What follows diverges from the series’ typical arc, offering a deeper exploration of Evan’s inner turmoil as he grapples with profound ethical questions. Anca, devoutly religious, extracts from him a promise not to kill her assailants. For a man trained as a lethal weapon, this demand ignites an intense moral struggle—an examination of vengeance, mercy, and the boundaries of justice.
Running parallel to this narrative is the subplot involving Josephine, Evan’s young assistant, whom he brings along on her first assignment. His instinct to protect her collides with his perfectionism and relentless drive to complete the mission. Their dynamic reveals a new facet of Evan’s humanity—his capacity for care and fear amid a world built on precision and control.
Gritty, unflinching, and emotionally resonant, this novel plunges readers into the darker recesses of human nature while illuminating the possibility of redemption. It will provoke anger, sorrow, and reflection in equal measure. Hurwitz once again delivers not only an adrenaline-fueled story but a meditation on what it truly means to do right in a world steeped in wrong.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review
November 12, 2025
A new mission has Evan Smoak questioning his emotional relationships with women. Evan (AKA Orphan X and the Nowhere Man) has notoriously had all emotion trained out of him, along with his ability to read social cues, so his responses are fraught, even more so when it comes to women.
The catalyst for all this is the tracking down of those responsible for kidnapping an epileptic woman, Anca, gang raping her for hours, filming it, and posting it on a porn site. Being a devout catholic, Anca makes Evan promise not to kill anyone during her lectures on morality, promising that they will receive justice at the right time.
Meanwhile, Evan has to deal with his sidekick Joey, the hacker supreme who is graduating from teenage girl to young woman and demanding to join him in the field. He rekindles his relationship with Mia, his neighbor in L.A., having to figure out how to behave on a date with her. He has to collaborate with his nemesis Naomi Templeton, the ace secret service agent, in tracking the bad guys. And be finds himself in close quarters with Candy McClure, Orphan V, another former nemesis who has also had all emotion trained out of her.
All of which alters the Gregg Hurwitz action mix. It's almost as if he listened to me when I said that his books are awesome until they devolve into extended action sequences in the last act. There is one such sequence at the start and another after the halfway point. But otherwise, Evan takes Anca's advice and takes the bad guys down with a minimum of violence and vengeance.
Action fans may not like it, but I loved it. Evan's evolution as a character, as a human being, is excellent, as is the development of the other characters, especially Anca. There are serious questions on morality tackled along the way. And the takedown of the porn industry is chilling.
The catalyst for all this is the tracking down of those responsible for kidnapping an epileptic woman, Anca, gang raping her for hours, filming it, and posting it on a porn site. Being a devout catholic, Anca makes Evan promise not to kill anyone during her lectures on morality, promising that they will receive justice at the right time.
Meanwhile, Evan has to deal with his sidekick Joey, the hacker supreme who is graduating from teenage girl to young woman and demanding to join him in the field. He rekindles his relationship with Mia, his neighbor in L.A., having to figure out how to behave on a date with her. He has to collaborate with his nemesis Naomi Templeton, the ace secret service agent, in tracking the bad guys. And be finds himself in close quarters with Candy McClure, Orphan V, another former nemesis who has also had all emotion trained out of her.
All of which alters the Gregg Hurwitz action mix. It's almost as if he listened to me when I said that his books are awesome until they devolve into extended action sequences in the last act. There is one such sequence at the start and another after the halfway point. But otherwise, Evan takes Anca's advice and takes the bad guys down with a minimum of violence and vengeance.
Action fans may not like it, but I loved it. Evan's evolution as a character, as a human being, is excellent, as is the development of the other characters, especially Anca. There are serious questions on morality tackled along the way. And the takedown of the porn industry is chilling.
November 27, 2025
It would be so easy for Hurwitz to let this series slip into a predictable pattern. And honestly, even if he did, I’d probably still show up for the ride because the action scenes are always so sharp and vividly written, and Evan’s skillset is endlessly fun to follow. But what keeps this series feeling fresh is how each new book peels back another layer of Evan as a person. He’s not just a one-man action machine anymore—he’s slowly becoming more social, more empathetic, and more aware of his own limitations.
Antihero really leans into that growth. This time, Evan is trying to help someone who doesn’t want his particular brand of help—someone whose ethics and worldview clash pretty hard with his. Their conversations nudge him into questioning the way he’s always operated, and watching those cracks form in his rigid approach is surprisingly compelling.
What struck me most, though, is just how much Evan’s world has expanded. In the early books, he was alone, by choice - cut off, relying on no one. Now he’s surrounded by people he not only works with, but actually cares about. People he counts on for practical support and, yes, even emotional support. Seeing him navigate this messy, unfamiliar territory of relationships is fascinating, and it adds so much depth to who he’s becoming.
And don’t worry—there’s still plenty of classic Evan Smoak mayhem. The fights, the gadgets, the precision-tuned action beats—they’re all still there. But now the story hits harder because Evan has more to lose, more to protect, and more to learn. His evolution makes the whole series feel richer and more human.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review!
Antihero really leans into that growth. This time, Evan is trying to help someone who doesn’t want his particular brand of help—someone whose ethics and worldview clash pretty hard with his. Their conversations nudge him into questioning the way he’s always operated, and watching those cracks form in his rigid approach is surprisingly compelling.
What struck me most, though, is just how much Evan’s world has expanded. In the early books, he was alone, by choice - cut off, relying on no one. Now he’s surrounded by people he not only works with, but actually cares about. People he counts on for practical support and, yes, even emotional support. Seeing him navigate this messy, unfamiliar territory of relationships is fascinating, and it adds so much depth to who he’s becoming.
And don’t worry—there’s still plenty of classic Evan Smoak mayhem. The fights, the gadgets, the precision-tuned action beats—they’re all still there. But now the story hits harder because Evan has more to lose, more to protect, and more to learn. His evolution makes the whole series feel richer and more human.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review!
December 8, 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Welcome to book 11 of the Orphan X series featuring Evan Smoak, AKA the Nowhere Man, aka THE Orphan X.
One of the most powerful men in the world is becoming more mentally unstable and uncontrollable by the minute. Can anyone possibly step up to rein him in and potentially save the world from collapse? Well, that would be Orphan X. During this mission, a young woman approaches Evan with a story of a girl who was kidnapped off a train in New York in broad daylight comes into Evans’ radar.
Now finding her is just the beginning. Easy peasy.
Next up, it’s time to track down those responsible and deliver his own brand of justice. But this woman doesn’t want Evan to kill them. She knows they’ll get what they deserve in the next world.
Can Evan hold back his finely-tuned instincts and NOT kill?
Whew, the subject matter is sad, heavy, and all too real. Pulling the curtain back, some of the darker realities of where our world is today is exposed. Our author handled the telling perfectly.
This is one of my favorite series. Essentially, I’ve watched Evan grow up and mature. As he takes on more responsibilities in his personal life, he is becoming more human, dare I say more sensitive. I enjoy seeing this side of Evan.
But don’t worry, if action is your jam. Evan has not lost his tough side either, and has his fair share of dispensing his particular brand of punishment in this latest release.
✍️ Gregg Hurwitz
📄 400 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: February 10 2026
📈 5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Thriller, suspense, series book #11
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books
Welcome to book 11 of the Orphan X series featuring Evan Smoak, AKA the Nowhere Man, aka THE Orphan X.
One of the most powerful men in the world is becoming more mentally unstable and uncontrollable by the minute. Can anyone possibly step up to rein him in and potentially save the world from collapse? Well, that would be Orphan X. During this mission, a young woman approaches Evan with a story of a girl who was kidnapped off a train in New York in broad daylight comes into Evans’ radar.
Now finding her is just the beginning. Easy peasy.
Next up, it’s time to track down those responsible and deliver his own brand of justice. But this woman doesn’t want Evan to kill them. She knows they’ll get what they deserve in the next world.
Can Evan hold back his finely-tuned instincts and NOT kill?
Whew, the subject matter is sad, heavy, and all too real. Pulling the curtain back, some of the darker realities of where our world is today is exposed. Our author handled the telling perfectly.
This is one of my favorite series. Essentially, I’ve watched Evan grow up and mature. As he takes on more responsibilities in his personal life, he is becoming more human, dare I say more sensitive. I enjoy seeing this side of Evan.
But don’t worry, if action is your jam. Evan has not lost his tough side either, and has his fair share of dispensing his particular brand of punishment in this latest release.
✍️ Gregg Hurwitz
📄 400 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: February 10 2026
📈 5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Thriller, suspense, series book #11
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books
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