Nightmares and Dreamscapes discussion

Buddy read for Nemesis, the 10th book in the Orphan X series. We're starting at the beginning of September.

Join if you would like too and please use spoilers.

**check the "notify me when people comment" so you can get updates if you decide to join**

I’m probably more nervous about this one than any of the others based on how the last one ended.

Terry wrote: "I’m probably more nervous about this one than any of the others based on how the last one ended."

Me too!! I’m almost afraid to pick this one up because I don’t want to know. 🤷🏼‍♀️😂

I’ve made it up to ch 6, and man, I’ve already been holding my breath!

Terry wrote: "I’ve made it up to ch 6, and man, I’ve already been holding my breath!"

Awesome to hear. Just getting started and can’t wait to find out why you’re holding your breath! 🙌😂

I got to the beginning of Chapter 2 last night. I think what I liked the most so far is how we get to see how (view spoiler)[Tommy & Evan first met at the convention in Vegas. I loved all of that!

I also love how GH just gets right into the plot with Evan rescuing Neva from being killed for her liver. So good! (hide spoiler)]

I am a huge Orphan X fan, (even have a digital copy of the latest one). I might stop by here and there to see how you all are enjoying it. :)

Char wrote: "I am a huge Orphan X fan, (even have a digital copy of the latest one). I might stop by here and there to see how you all are enjoying it. :)"

Please do Char!! I love this series and especially geeking out about it. I can't believe Terry and I are almost caught up. We buddy read this one fast. :D

Ginger wrote: "I got to the beginning of Chapter 2 last night. "

I totally agree! (view spoiler)[ I love getting that backstory. It actually paints a different picture for how I’ve viewed Tommy. A little more of a badass.

And that first mission with the girl - he was top dog even when he was distracted, haha. (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "Char wrote: "I am a huge Orphan X fan, (even have a digital copy of the latest one). I might stop by here and there to see how you all are enjoying it. :)"

Please do Char!! I love this series and ..."

Absolutely Char, always fun to have more Evan Smoak love!

I remember being on pins and needles starting this one, because of the situaton with Tommy.

Char wrote: "I remember being on pins and needles starting this one, because of the situaton with Tommy."

Absolutely! It’s tearing me up.

I feel the same! I'm up to the beginning of Chapter 11 and have no idea what's going to happen. I feel sick with dread on this one.

Ginger wrote: "I feel the same! I'm up to the beginning of Chapter 11 and have no idea what's going to happen. I feel sick with dread on this one."

I’m at the same spot. Funny, (view spoiler)[we’re only 90-something pages in, and the body count for Evan is 12+ already, haha. He’s stepping up his game! (hide spoiler)]

Evan is such a badass. lol

He totally is. I was trying to get another book reader last night at one of my book clubs to pick up this series. I'm an Evan Smoak pusher! hahaha

Terry wrote: "I’m at the same spot. Funny, [spoilers removed]"

That whole moment in (view spoiler)[Tommy's garage was crazy. They couldn't use guns because they would blow up the place and everyone in involved. Watching Evan use his other talents to kill was awesome and I was tense the entire time. hahaha (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "I’m at the same spot. Funny, [spoilers removed]"

That whole moment in [spoilers removed]"

That part was really well written I thought. The tension was so very well felt.

So the last page of ch14 is something else, I thought. Everything feels different and that was quite the motivating speech he was making to himself.

Terry wrote: "So the last page of ch14 is something else, I thought. Everything feels different and that was quite the motivating speech he was making to himself."

I thought the same. The plot of this one is tough and I’m hoping that (view spoiler)[Tommy & Evan make up! 😭 (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "So the last page of ch14 is something else, I thought. Everything feels different and that was quite the motivating speech he was making to himself."

I thought the same. The plot of ..."

Me too, but I’m worried that is just wishful thinking at this point, though!

I made it up to the start of ch25. I know that GH is trying (view spoiler)[ to get us to feel good about Tommy by being in his head as he’s trying to help these kids and being nice to the others around, but each time I start to, I remember that he essentially double crossed Evan by selling weapons to the bad guys, and I jump back to being angry and siding with Evan. Don’t know if I’m supposed to feel that way or not 🤷🏼‍♂️. (hide spoiler)]

So, I have a prediction now. (view spoiler)[ My guess is that Evan is going to end up helping Tommy with the kids with the idea that they’ll finish up their business afterwards, but something is going to happen to Tommy before they get to it, even though Evan will save him along the way. (hide spoiler)]

Terry wrote: "I made it up to the start of ch25. I know that GH is trying [spoilers removed]

So, I have a prediction now. [spoilers removed]"

I think that might be a good prediction! I don’t think (view spoiler)[Evan is going to kill Tommy. I hope!
He might end up dying from one of these stupid punk kids or one of the four horsemen. Holy hell, they sound scary!! (hide spoiler)]

I got to the beginning of Chapter 28.
In chapter 27, it just about (view spoiler)[broke me, especially since his son was killed in battle. Tagging and putting shit like that on a gold star family’s house just pisses me off.
I hope Tommy can do something to make these kids realize what they are doing and saying is so bad. (hide spoiler)]

This book feels so HEAVY! HEAVY!! 😫

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "I made it up to the start of ch25. I know that GH is trying [spoilers removed]

So, I have a prediction now. [spoilers removed]"

I think that might be a good prediction! I don’t thin..."

Same spot now.

Yeah, any time the bad guys (gals) go by (view spoiler)[ the Four Horsemen, it can’t be good! And they seem to have no names - creepy as well. (hide spoiler)]

Yes, ch27 brought the emotions up for sure! And what I just said in my last comments (about (view spoiler)[ my feelings about Tommy (hide spoiler)]) just went out the window!

I agree, definitely HEAVY!

Terry wrote: "Yes, ch27 brought the emotions up for sure! And what I just said in my last comments (about (view spoiler)) just went out the window!..."

Yes!! Tommy is (view spoiler)[trying to do the right thing but also wants to save these kids. I'm not sure if he can but I like where GH is going with the plot on redemption themes.

I think it's all going to depend on whether Evan doesn't kill this gang of dumbassess or they just can't be saved to quit generalizing all minorities and letting hate drive their choices. (hide spoiler)]

Yes, so HEAVY! hahaha

Haha, gang of dumbasses is so true!

I made it to ch 32, and loved these lines when he’s talking to Tommy: (view spoiler)[ ‘It wasn’t stubbornness. Evan knew that. He was simply what he was. A hunter of humans. The monster sent to kill monsters. ‘ (hide spoiler)]

Terry wrote: "Haha, gang of dumbasses is so true!

I made it to ch 32, and loved these lines when he’s talking to Tommy: [spoilers removed]"

Got to the same spot last night.
Yes!! Amazing lines and so true. (view spoiler)[He is what he is, and I love that he just accepts this about himself. (hide spoiler)]

I love this series!

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "Haha, gang of dumbasses is so true!

I made it to ch 32, and loved these lines when he’s talking to Tommy: [spoilers removed]"

Got to the same spot last night.
Yes!! Amazing lines an..."

Me too!


I probably shouldn’t be, but I’m a little surprised at this point on (view spoiler)[ Evan’s inflexibility with these boys. I thought he’d cave a little when Tommy was pressing him, but he doesn’t seem to be. I’ll be surprised if he actually takes down Hick, maybe those two brothers or even Red, but not Hick. (hide spoiler)]

Just finished ch36 (view spoiler)[ and more tears in my eyes, and not from what I would ever predicted before picking this one up. (hide spoiler)]

Terry wrote: "Just finished ch36 [spoilers removed]"

Yes! So tough and Tommy is trying to do all he can for these boys. This book and his part in the book makes me weary. 😂

I got to the beginning of Chapter 48. A lot of the topics in this book are so spot on with what’s going on in America.

Even with Joey’s (view spoiler)[issues of thinking she’s helping but is just a pawn in the shit show that’s social media. As one of the most amazing hackers out there, you would have thought that she had thought this out before putting out the antagonist Islamic meme.
But at the same time, she’s 17! She’s like the dumb boys in Calvary. 😂 (hide spoiler)]

Oh yeah, in Ch 38, Evan says, (view spoiler)[our favorite line in the series.

“Look at me closely. And ask yourself. Do I look scared?”

It’s so damn corny but I also love it! Hahaha (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "Oh yeah, in Ch 38,

That’s part of what makes this series fun, I think. I like in ch 50 (view spoiler)[ how Tommy makes his own play on that very saying. Very much had me smiling. (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "I got to the beginning of Chapter 48. A lot of the topics in this book are so spot on with what’s going on in America.

Even with Joey’s

Yeah, I kinda feel like this book has a little bit of a different tone in terms of that stuff. Not in a bad way mind you, just a little different. Both Tommy and Evan looking at things in a different light.

Terry wrote: "Ginger wrote: "Oh yeah, in Ch 38,

That’s part of what makes this series fun, I think. I like in ch 50 [spoilers removed]"

Right?! I liked how he used this same phrase on Vic. Oh yeah, Vic (view spoiler)[is a sumb!tch! Now I get why Red is the way he is and so messed up. (hide spoiler)]

Terry, I finished on the plane. 🫣😂 It was over 4 hours and I just couldn’t quit reading! hahaha
This was amazing with how it ended and I’ll put some spoilers down later today after the first day of this conference.

I love this series!!

Ginger wrote: "Terry, I finished on the plane. 🫣😂 It was over 4 hours and I just couldn’t quit reading! hahaha
This was amazing with how it ended and I’ll put some spoilers down later today after the first day o..."

Awesome! I should be finished by tomorrow. This last part has been great!

I ended up finishing tonight. So, I thought (view spoiler)[ I was prepared for the chance that Tommy might die, but it turns out I was not prepared for that at all. Especially the way it ended up going down. 😫😭 (hide spoiler)]

Terry wrote: "I ended up finishing tonight. So, I thought [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, I was prepared for that too but I was not ready (view spoiler)[or saw that he would die from health reasons!! Did that crusty ass have a heart attack?! That’s my guess.

He was so unhealthy and his nicotine addiction was off the charts.
How Evan broke down when he found him had me crying on the plane! OMG hahaha

This book was so good in so many ways, and I was so happy with how all the plot threads were resolved.
I loved how Evan did not kill Hick after all. How Joey handled the meme issue and Evan knows he’s got to let her figure it out in all the good and bad ways, while still being there for her. Like a parent. 🤷🏼‍♀️ (hide spoiler)]
When the book ended, I didn’t want it to end! I just sat there dumbfounded.

I also like how Tommy (view spoiler)[ended not being tied to the Wolf after all. Janus getting branded by their coin was perfect! (hide spoiler)]

Ginger wrote: "Oh yeah, in Ch 38, Evan says, our favorite line in the series.

“Look at me closely. And ask yourself. Do I look scared?”

It’s so damn corny but I also love it! Hahaha"

I freaking LOVE when he does that!!!

I'm so glad you guys enjoyed this as much as I did. i love listening to these on audio, but the last few books I have read instead of listening. I thought the series might begin to be formulaic, but it really hasn't so far.
The villains are always so different-from drug dealers, (that are now friends, lol), terrorists, dog thieves, whatever...I have never gotten bored.

They’ve been so much fun. I’ve loved these characters too. GH has been great at bringing out all of the emotions.

Ginger wrote: "Terry wrote: "I ended up finishing tonight. So, I thought [spoilers removed]"

Yeah, I was prepared for ..."

Yeah, (view spoiler)[ I was certainly not expecting him to survive all of that crazy crap and then die sitting at his workbench either. I agree, I’m sure it was a heart attack. He was due after treating his body like he did. But I think I was hurting as much as Evan when it happened. I was actually relieved with Evan’s reaction.

You mentioned it, but I couldn’t have been more relieved when Tommy explained how his stuff ended up with the Lone Wolf and these other bad guys. And how he gave all that money to wounded warriors which explained the money transfers Joey had found. They were both just too bone headed stubborn to talk about it in the beginning, just like two guys like this would be. (hide spoiler)]

I really enjoyed this one a lot. So many issues dealt with and so many emotions. I really feel like GH has hit his stride with these books and I hope they keep on coming!

GH has really has hit his stride with this series. I completely agree Terry!

Char, I also never get tired of this series. I keep thinking it will be similar to a previous book but it’s not. The bad guys, like you said, end up being different and the plot reflects that as well.

Another thing that I mentioned in my review, GH never gets too preachy or political in the books. His common sense approach to the specific approach really works and I can see all parties being a fan of this series!!