Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Last Orphan by Gregg Hurwitz Narrator: Scott Brick
Series: Orphan X #8
Published by MacMillan Audio, Minotaur Books on February 7, 2022
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 400
Length: 14 hours, 30 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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As a child, Evan Smoak was plucked out of a group home, raised and trained as an off-the-books assassin for the government as part of the Orphan program. When he broke with the program and went deep underground, he left with a lot of secrets in his head that the government would do anything to make sure never got out.
When he remade himself as The Nowhere Man, dedicated to helping the most desperate in their times of trouble, Evan found himself slowly back on the government's radar. Having eliminated most of the Orphans in the program, the government will stop at nothing to eliminate the threat they see in Evan. But Orphan X has always been several steps ahead of his pursuers.
Until he makes one little mistake...
Now the President has him in her control and offers Evan a deal - eliminate a rich, powerful man she says is too dangerous to live and, in turn, she'll let Evan survive. But when Evan left the Program he swore to only use his skills against those who really deserve it. Now he has to decide what's more important - his principles or his life.
I LOVE the Orphan X series. I recommend reading from the beginning, in order, for the character and world developments. Evan has grown and become more personable throughout the series. He is a support for the people at Castle Heights, especially Mia and Peter, and a parental figure, at least a caretaker for Joey. I was very worried for him starting this book. He violated the terms of his informal presidential “pardon” so now the government could come after him Instead, they want him to be their contract assassin. The pardon was always a fallacy because they could take it back anytime, plus if he was in the normal view, there would be people trying to kill him. He needs to stay hidden.
The Last Orphan starts out at a run and continues at a brisk pace. Evan agrees to look at the guy they want him to assassinate to see if it meets his criteria he uses as the Nowhere Man. He has a frenemy situation with Naomi Templeton but she knows he keeps his word. He looks at the target and also his security team. He talks to the ex-girlfriend but doesn’t get the needed reasons he should die. But he finds out about others possibly hurt. And that does alert the security team to Evan and they start coming after him. He does find some young people who have suffered and died but who caused it?
Evan spends a lot of time and energy to find out who the true villains are. He risks himself a bit much and in the end has to have the help from Candy, Joey and Tommy. He really does have his own little trustworthy band. He and Joey progress and perhaps he will add to his people. But he separates himself from others to protect them. Evan chooses to live life by his own principles.
I look forward to more adventures with anxiety and hope. Evan continues to learn and grow, and help the desperate. He’s getting older though. He does have more people and connections than ever before. Whatever happens, I’ll be there.
Narration:
Scott Brick is a narrator I really enjoy. I am completely settled into his voices for the characters and loved his performance. He does a nice differentiation with all the ages and locations. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Scott Brick
Actor, writer and award-winning audiobook narrator Scott Brick certainly knows how to tell a story, in a way that keeps publishers, best-selling and award-winning authors, critics and the public at large begging for more. Hailed by Audible in 2012 as their most prolific narrator, Brick has narrated almost 900 audiobooks including titles such as: Jurassic Park, the Jack Reacher series, Alexander Hamilton, the Hunt For Red October, The Passage trilogy, In Cold Blood, the Bourne trilogy, Atlas Shrugged, Helter Skelter, Fahrenheit 451 and the Dune series.
Born on January 30, 1966 in Santa Barbara, California, Brick studied both acting and writing at UCLA, and joined the ranks of working professionals upon leaving school in 1989. Lauded by critics for his stage work, Brick spent ten years with the LA-based traveling Shakespeare troupe, Will & Company, appearing in productions of Cyrano, Hamlet, Macbeth and many others, and went on to appear in films such as Hit Parade, written and directed by comic book writer and co-Ben 10 creator, Joe Casey.
During this time, Brick continued writing. Having written hundreds of articles in a variety of genre publications such as WIZARD MAGAZINE, TOYFARE, COMICS BUYER’S GUIDE and CREATIVE SCREENWRITING, Brick was then hired by Morgan Freeman and Revelations Entertainment in 2000 to write the screen adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke’s Rendezvous with Rama, with David Fincher attached to direct. In 2005, he collaborated with author Orsen Scott Card to adapt a collection of the author’s short stories for the stage in a production titled (and printed in hardcover as) Posing as People.
Having just celebrated his 20th Audioversary, Brick’s venture into audiobooks is now considered legendary. To date he’s won over 60 Earphones Awards for his narrating skills, as well as five Audie Awards, five SOVAS Awards for voiceover, and a Grammy nomination for the multi-cast recording of The Mark of Zorro (2011). After recording 250 titles in his first five years, AUDIOFILE MAGAZINE named Brick “one of the fastest-rising stars in the audiobook galaxy,” and proclaimed him a Golden Voice, but it was the WALL STREET JOURNAL that sealed the moniker with a front-page article in November, 2004. PUBLISHERS WEEKLY then honored Brick as Narrator of the Year in both 2007 and 2011. That honor was followed up with another feature in the WSJ in 2019 and a recent appearance on the CBS Sunday Morning news show. And the ultimate distinction – being inducted into the Audible Narrator’s Hall of Fame in 2018. Having now recorded over 900 audiobooks, Brick has no intention of slowing down. He obviously won’t be happy until he’s recorded every book ever published.
Born to make a killer first impression, Brick’s newly completed debut novel, INSIGHT, is bound to leave people gasping for more from this innovative writer who is finally telling his own story. No news on who will narrate the audiobook.
About Gregg Hurwitz
GREGG HURWITZ is the New York Times #1 internationally bestselling author of twenty thrillers including OUT OF THE DARK (January 2019). His novels have won numerous literary awards and have been published in thirty languages. Additionally, he’s written screenplays and television scripts for many of the major studios and networks. Gregg lives with his two Rhodesian ridgebacks in Los Angeles, where he continues to play soccer, frequently injuring himself.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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This sounds like a series I might like. I will have to check it out at some point.
Thank you Mary. I just love it.
I’ve been following your reviews for this series and I know I will love it when I finally start it.
It’s just a great action story with lots of personal growth and moral dilemmas. It’s along the lines of Jack Reacher, or the Equalizer that sort of thing. I really love it.
Fantastic review Anne. i have this series earmarked for audio.
YES! Scott Brick is fantastic and I love these stories.
This sounds thrilling! And I want to get to know Evan, he seems like a very complex character.
Evan is a conundrum. He has such personal growth which is interesting because his past he was taught to have no personal.
I really do want to read this series at some point. It sounds like something that I would really like!
I think it’s amazing fun, lots of action and moral debates.
Sounds like a good series!
It’s a favorite for sure.
I love this series so much! I haven’t read this book yet, but I’m very excited for it. Evan Smoak is such a great character. And his friends! I love them, too. 😀
Exactly. I love him and his friends too.
I’ve heard wonderful things about the Orphan X series. I need to try it someday soon
It’s an adrenaline rush almost start to finish.
This series is on my list to try and I’m pretty sure it’s because of your reviews. 🙂
Thanks Suzanne. It’s like a Jack Reacher or The Equalizer story but much more personal growth in the main character.
I love that you love this series, Anne💜 Didn’t read your review since I’m only up to #4. Enjoying every minute!
Thanks Jonetta. It holds my heart in its hands. I am on edge throughout but it’s so smart. I just love Evan.