Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

This is a Buddy read for Hellbent by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz starting on August 7, 2024.


Happy Reading!

Looking forward to it!

Folks said Yes to 1/month schedule--and to taking a break for Nov/Dec. So far! We'll see when we hit #4 if we actually want to pause...

Once-a-Month schedule:
1. Orphan X (June 7) [Link]
Short: Buy a Bullet
2. The Nowhere Man (July 7) [Link]

3. Hellbent (Aug 7)
Short: The Intern

4. Out of the Dark (Sept 7) [Link]

--2025--
5. Into the Fire (Jan 7) [link]
Short: The List
6. Prodigal Son (Feb 7) [link]
7. Dark Horse (Mar 7) [link]
8. The Last Orphan (Apr 7) [link]
Short: The Recital
9. Lone Wolf (May 7) [link]
10. Nemesis (Jun 7) [link]

audiobook: no library/subscription copies.
ebook: 1-4 on KU

Spot!! Looking forward to reading this soon.

I have vague plans to stop re-reading with you guys after book 4, because I most look forward to re-reading the initial ongoing storyline... but since you guys are taking a break from September to December, I might choose to continue... I'll decide then... for now, I'm sticking around for at least books 3-4, before becoming a sideline cheerleader...

You know we love your cheerleading, @Iain! Either way, it'll be fun...

Timelord Iain wrote: "before becoming a sideline cheerleader......"

Excellent! I can always use more cheering. :D

Timelord Iain wrote: ""

HELL YES @Iain. It feels like the spirit of Olympics with that gif. hahaha

Oh gods, this is not the first time Iain has used that gif either...

It's my go-to cheerleading gif, if I can find it again each time... I was shown it in another thread, a few years ago...

I started this earlier today, through ch 33 (view spoiler)[and man what a start! I would have liked for Evan to have SOME time with Jack FFS, not have him die immediately! As much as I am enjoying Evan's interactions with Joey I'd have liked at least a book with Jack and Evan working together. I can't wait for Van Sciver to get what he deserves.... (hide spoiler)]

I loved this so much! (view spoiler)[Despite Jack basically dying immediately, Evan going scorched earth on those that killed him was so good! And Van Sciver getting killed this book when I figured he'd be in at least a few more was awesome! The way Evan used him to take out the gang was so smart and then ending up figuring out who is ultimately responsible for all of this and threatening the President? Chef's kiss perfection <3 I hope Joey isn't off at school for too long, between losing her and Mia/Peter (AGAIN) Evan needs her. My favorite part besides Van Sciver dying was the Yo Momma jokes part lol (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ Joey was written as a one book character, and becomes a series mainstay… adds alot to Evan’s character… Hurwitz talks about it in interviews at the back of later audiobooks… (hide spoiler)]

Ann-Marie wrote: "I loved this so much! [spoilers removed]"

So excited to hear this!! Can’t wait to see your spoilers.

I’ll be starting this in a few days.

Ann-Marie wrote: "I loved this so much! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[In my opinion, book 3 is a return to form of book 1, after a bit of a misstep in book 2... and book 4 nails the landing on the original story arc...

It's just what you think it's gonna be, after how book 3 ends... (view spoiler)[Orphan X vs The President... and The President brings Orphan A out of retirement, I think, basically (for all the series says nobody gets to retire)... (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

The difference between this book and book 2 is kinda crazy... book 2 frustrated me so harshly on re-read... (view spoiler)[being ready for Evan to escape captivity 50% sooner... this was basically just non-stop awesomeness, with a couple emotional beats thrown in... (hide spoiler)]

Timelord Iain wrote: "The difference between this book and book 2 is kinda crazy... book 2 frustrated me so harshly on re-read... [spoilers removed]"

I agree about the issues with book 2 but the end made up for a repetitive and slow middle for me.

I’ve gotten started and am up to ch15 (about 20%). Great start. These books are so easy to read!

Same Terry! I got to the beginning of chapter 20 last night. I'm really curious about (view spoiler)[why Van Sciver wants Joey so bad. I can't wait to find out! (hide spoiler)]

I like this plot so far. I'm more into this one then the last and I think it has something to do with (view spoiler)[Evan not being captured and helpless for most of the book. I like when he's being a badass and causing chaos. hahaha (hide spoiler)]

That was definitely the weak point of book 2... it's a common plot device of the genre, but I think it ran for too long...

Timelord Iain wrote: "That was definitely the weak point of book 2... it's a common plot device of the genre, but I think it ran for too long..."

Totally agree Iain!

Ginger wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "That was definitely the weak point of book 2... it's a common plot device of the genre, but I think it ran for too long..."

Totally agree Iain!"

I agree on book 2 and also (view spoiler)[ about the badass being the badass! That’s probably my favorite part of these books so far. (hide spoiler)]

In ch21, I found it hilarious that when (view spoiler)[ Evan and Joey needed a better shotgun, they took it from the police. I would not have thought of that as a good source. (hide spoiler)]

Read this yesterday, and kind of just want to say ditto on Ann-Marie... (view spoiler)[Jack buying the farm was not unexpected--but right away? Adding Joey into the mix was genius though. I love mentor stories--and Evan didn't even really get much time to be in between--he went straight from mentee to mentor... Well, okay, I guess we should count the years we don't get books for. But narratively, it's a straight hop with no space.

Total ditto on the chef's kiss of using one bad-guy to clean out the others... reminds me of the adage: one problem is a problem, two problems might be a solution... Or maybe that's a Miles-ism... (hide spoiler)]

The only thing in the series that grows grating for me, is how often the author has Evan use “do I look scared?” To pre-win a fight…

Nirkatze wrote: "Read this yesterday, and kind of just want to say ditto on Ann-Marie... "

Right? Give us ONE BOOK at least!

Terry wrote: "In ch21, I found it hilarious that when [spoilers removed]"

Right?! That made me chuckle too. 😂

Maybe I'm jaded... it's what Terminator villains do ;)

And I think Jack Reacher?

Timelord Iain wrote: "The only thing in the series that grows grating for me, is how often the author has Evan use “do I look scared?” To pre-win a fight…"

OMG I was thinking about that. Like, haven't we heard this line before? I'm looking at it as more of a running gag...

It didn't start bothering me until book 5-7, I think?... I forget... I think it's eased up in the last few, finally...

I am really enjoying these books. They’re fun and fast reads.

However, does Candy die soon? Cause her constant blow job descriptions and how everybody, even old ladies, stop and gawk at her is so stupid and I’m getting sick of it. It reminds me of that SNL skit where Andy Sandberg was the 11 year old boy paid by HBO to write the sex scenes for Game of Thrones. Like we get it, she’s hot, enough.

Hahaha! Felina, I love that SNL sketch!!!

It’s such a great skit.

And as much as I hate Candy, I LOVE Joey. She’s the man on the computer and she’s funny and I love what she does to Evan. Now I have visions of Evan being a Jack and creating this army of do gooder orphans that go around pounding bad guys and saving trafficked kids that then all become Jacks with their own armies and the world is filled with tough people with skills who protect regular people. Sounds good to me.

And! While I was kind of liking Mia in the last book I’m back to thinking she can go get fucked. She’s always mad at Evan. Who has time for annoying chicks who are always mad about something. Bye!

Evan is gathering a Scooby gang and I’m here for it!!! Squeeeeee


…get lost Candy and Mia.

Candy’s here forever… last book and this book are her “redemption”… even she has limits, aka disposing off excess hookers during missions…

I want to say Hurwitz eases off the descriptions later on but I could be wrong…

I wouldn’t say Candy and Evan will ever be on the same side, but they can respect one a other and work together occasionally… moreso than any other Orphan…

What?! I love this so much. (view spoiler)[ I was trying to figure out what Evans endgame was by drinking that water. It’s freaking brilliant. (hide spoiler)]

And finished. Love it.

Felina wrote: "What?! I love this so much. [spoilers removed]"

Evan is playing 4D chess :D

I was watching an Elon Musk parody video earlier where he bought a pickle burger restaurant and ran it into the ground... and there was a fanboy sidekick that started off saying Musk was playing 4D Chess, which turned into 5D checkers and 6D Connect Four as the antics got stupider... I loved the concept... reminds me of the TV trope about Love Triangles and Love Dodecahedrons...

Yes he is. Ha ha! Love Dodecahedron. Ha ha.

Timelord Iain wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

Woohoo!!! So happy to hear this about (view spoiler)[Joey. (hide spoiler)]

Finished a few days ago but finally getting back on here.

After reading everyone's spoilers, I totally agree.
This one was fun as hell and I loved all of the strategy that Evan uses in this. Especially with (view spoiler)[Van Sciver's orphans & defunct secret service agents taking out the Mara Salvatrucha gang. Fantastic planning on his part.

Also when he used Thornhills's parkour against him. Also f'ing brilliant.

Completely surprised when Jack got killed in the beginning of the book. But at the same time, I liked it.
I feel like Hurwitz is trying to keep me on my toes as a reader instead of doing the same ole same ole. By killing him in the beginning, he's making it known from the beginning that I better buckle up and get ready. :D

And yes, like all of you have said. I can't wait for more Joey!! When she got that box of future letters from Evan, well, it might have made my eyes glisten a bit. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ hahaha (hide spoiler)]

I'm loving this series. It's been so much fun to read!!

Oh man, that end scene (view spoiler)[with the box of letters going into the future was so good!!

Totally want what @Felina was saying--Evan to become a Jack and start a whole foster family of do-good Orphans.... (hide spoiler)]

Nirkatze wrote: "Oh man, that end scene...."

Totally agree!! I loved that part.

Can you imagine an Evan day care?

LOL Yes!! None of those kids would be bullied. "OK kids, when a bully comes up to you, just say, 'Do I look scared to you?'"

Evan & Ksmvr daycare... "Is this war?"

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[No no no no, Jack is dead! Usually revenge turns against itself but we'll see what happens with Evan. Like the man who arrange the guns to Evan said "you have to dig two graves". I knew all the time that the girl was the package but there is still little we know about her. How she met Jack? How is Evan going to keep her safe? I love how fast-pacing this is!!! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[I knew it can't be that easy: just send her on a train and she's safe. I am eager to see what happens when they'll visit the HQ! (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "Same Terry! I got to the beginning of chapter 20 last night ..."

(view spoiler)[I am also super curious about Joey's past! What happened there and why she ended up training with Jack (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21
(view spoiler)[Joey is a real actor, hahah. She have misled police twice already 🤣🤣 (hide spoiler)]