Gosh. I read this almost a year ago. I still remember some things very well. The villain is really, really horrible. He's a cruel person, but also a sGosh. I read this almost a year ago. I still remember some things very well. The villain is really, really horrible. He's a cruel person, but also a sociopath. I think the two things in life he really enjoys is making money and hurting people. Lee Child has a way of incorporating some very brutal people into his work. His work feels very noir to me.
The mystery is very good. Jack Reacher is very Jack Reacher. He's a down to business kind of hero who knows what he does well. He is a huge guy and might give the impression of being a thug, but he's also intelligent and an excellent detective. I found it quite interesting that Jack was working as a ditch digger when the book begins. He's that kind of guy who has no problem with taking a job that is very "menial". I like that people often underestimate him. I haven't made my mind up about the romance yet (yeah, I know, a year later). I think it's because I've read some of the books out of order, and my brain doesn't see the happy ending between Jack and Jodie. I am a romance fan, but the romance angle was my least favorite part of the story. I did like seeing the softer side of Jack (if he has one).
My favorite thing about this book was the twisty mystery. I am the kind of reader who likes to guess what's going on the whole time. I thought this one was a gimme, but I was wrong. Very well plotted.
Just a note on the narrator. He was really good. He seems to have a very good time reading this book. He nailed all the characters....more
This wasn't as good as the first two books in the series, but I think I liked it a bit more than The Target. It was interesting to learn about Will's This wasn't as good as the first two books in the series, but I think I liked it a bit more than The Target. It was interesting to learn about Will's backstory and what drives him as a person. Will has a terrible event that occurs to him while he's on a job, and it causes some trauma that impacts his ability to do his job. Around the same time, he finds out that his father has been arrested for murder. Will has to go home to see if he can help his father, and so he does. Basically, the book is really about going back to your past and trying to make sense of it, how it has crippled you emotionally. To be honest, this book reminds me why I am not a small town person. I don't like the idea of everyone knowing me and and my business to that intimate degree. I could feel how awkward and frankly painful it was for Will to revisit his past. The resolution of Will's relationship with his father turned out to be very satisfying at the end, but it took a long time, and I wasn't feeling that connection until near the end of the book.
Baldacci went in a different direction from his other books in the series. This is a mystery more than an action story. Of course, there are some good action moments where Will demonstrates his skills. And I ain't gonna lie, like Will, I was waiting for Jessica to show up. I love Will as a character, and it was good without Jessica, but the two of them shine together. I loved that Jessica was there to support Will, and she seems a lot more open and in peace in this book.
It was interesting to see Will off his game and kind of uncertain about things. I liked the deeper character development. The novel gives the reader time to get to know Will, which wasn't necessarily the case with the first three books.
This book reminded me oddly of Agatha Christie. The idea that such evil could lurk beneath such a banal facade is pivotal to this story. I don't want to spoil it, but my goodness, the killer is truly awful. I guessed who the killer was, but I still feel that the reveal was done very well, that had some textures and layers I didn't expect, and there were some nice twists and turns getting to the end. ...more
I have loved Cameo from the start. Something about the air of tragedy about her appealed to me. To me, she is the Xhex (BDB) Arayal (Elder Races) analI have loved Cameo from the start. Something about the air of tragedy about her appealed to me. To me, she is the Xhex (BDB) Arayal (Elder Races) analogue from this series. If you know, you know. I always love them. My girl crush type is the stern, somewhat hardened female warrior beauty with the tough armor around her soft heart. At first, she seems like she'd rather beat you up then talk to you, or she's maybe just a little standoffish, or just all business. And for some reason, they always have black hair and gray/green/silver eyes. I would throw Michonne and Okoye in there too.
So when I knew Cameo was getting a book, I was like, heck yeah. And good news is, I love this book. I see that her and Kane are really good friends and that's good for both of them. I admit I liked her with Torin, although I totally see why they didn't work together. When that didn't turn out, I wondered who she would end up, and I didn't expect it to be a guy like Lazarus at all. So Lazarus isn't the kind of hero I typically gravitate to. He's arrogant, rude, on the surface kinda sleazy, and all the things I'm like, "no thanks" about generally. But, but, wow, the way he melts for Cameo and absolutely falls head over heels for her, it was a joy to read. This king would legitimately hand his crown over to his queen. Watching him fold for her turned me into mush. Now, I love them as a couple. I really want to do a reread because this is one of my top five from the series. I'm probably going to get dragged for this but I much prefer Lazarus to William. I think it's because Lazarus at heart really isn't a selfish person like William is. But this review is not about William bashing.
Poor Cameo. I feel like her demon is one of the worst because she makes everyone so sad. That must be awful to be so isolated. That's why I love how much Lazarus loves on her.
To me, Lazarus and Cameo are a power couple. I might to make some fan art of them. I love a big strong man who loves his tough strong woman.
The story is good, and I had no complaints, but I mainly fangirled over Camazarus when I read this. Obviously five stars!...more
Another book I was really excited about reading. I mean....killer mermaids! I have been fascinated, in love with, obsessed with mermaids since I was sAnother book I was really excited about reading. I mean....killer mermaids! I have been fascinated, in love with, obsessed with mermaids since I was single digit aged. I read The Little Mermaid countless times. I've drawn many, many, many mermaids. I do think of mermaids as beautiful, but there is also an alienness to them. And it's not such a big stretch to think of them as predators for me. Clearly, this book was waiting for me to read it.
Yeah, so it was a very good book. Mira Grant takes her time telling the story and introducing characters. It makes it more excruciating when they start dying. The narrative is written almost like science journal entries and reports, and that makes the horror even more visceral, in my opinion. Grant created a variation of the mermaid that feels unique There were times where I was genuinely scared when I listened to the audiobook. It reminds me of that claustrophobic feeling I get when I think about being trapped in a spaceship with a xenomorph. The deep sea is not unlike space, especially when one is extremely deep in the ocean. Humans are highly dependent on technology to keep us alive. Conversely, the predators have adapted to those extreme environment and we become disadvantaged and vulnerable when we enter their territory.
This story is about human hubris, fear, pride, longing, loneliness, despair, ambition, anguish of failure, and the fallout of broken relationships and lost loved ones. Grant never lets the reader forget the personal stakes here, and the story always goes back to the emotional component. In that way, the deaths don't feel gratuitous because every one leaves a vacuum behind.
Of course, such a story has to have an Ellen Ripley, and Tori is very capable in that role. What I like the most is she's not a gun-toting badass, necessarily. But a woman who rises to the occasion when she's called to it. It was nice to see a queer romance spotlighted between lead characters, and there is no question of the chemistry together.
I guess I should talk about what I was disappointed about. Arguably, some of the characters were just kind of written off without much ceremony, despite the build-up, which was rather bizarre to me. But mainly, it was really just the ending. It felt too abrupt and rather anti-climactic. I mean, there was amazing tension that Grant very carefully built, and the end was sort of a letdown. I believe that she is planning for a very large story and this is the beginning, although I can't fathom how that will play out. I don't know what's going to happen in the next book, what challenges the survivors will face, but I'm interested in finding out....more
I am conflicted about this book. It was good, but not on the level with the others in the series for me. I get that it was an intro into the vampire wI am conflicted about this book. It was good, but not on the level with the others in the series for me. I get that it was an intro into the vampire world so that Julian's book could be next. But compared to the other books, it's definitely weaker. Does that mean I didn't like it? No. I did like it. Thea Harrison can't write a bad book.
She writes a compelling story. No doubt. She put a lot of time into worldbuilding and explaining the way the Nightkind demesnes works. We knew a little about it from Caris' book Serpent's Kiss, and from tidbits in other books, but we are invited in with this book. Some aspects reminded of Mercy Thompson and how she writes about vampires. They form their own little demesnes, where a powerful vampire has humans that he feeds from but also gives a longer life to. They pledge a certain amount of time to the vampire and can leave when they want (if I remember correctly). They actually have to interview for it, because there are only so many slots, and being a vampire attendant, can confer healing, strength and long life to the person who agrees to the relationship. Of course, there are many rules and being part of a vampire's household is quite a commitment. Tess auditions to join Xavier's household out of desperation. She's actually repulsed by vampires and doesn't do a good job of hiding it. But she is fleeing a deadly foe, so being in a vampire household will confer protection onto her. Xavier picks up on her fear (he's a predator after all), but he's also intrigued with her, and Xavier has a softspot for vulnerable people. He agrees to take her in. The book is about their relationship and that is a way to show more about the Nightkind. Tess is 100% human, so that definitely makes her stand out in the series. Grace from Oracle's Moon didn't count because she's an Oracle, so even though she's human, she's empowered.
While I found that interesting, and I liked Xavier a lot, I wasn't that drawn into the romance. My favorite parts were the rest of the story, finding about how Xavier was as a human and why he became a vampire. He has a reputation for being absolutely terrifying, and it's well-earned. But he's also very kind, so that was an interesting dynamic. I found Tess okay. I didn't dislike her. I just wasn't super interested in her. But I do like them as a couple.
The action was really good and the vampire intrigue was pretty great. If you like movies like Underworld or Blade, you would like this aspect of the book because there is a lot of vampire soap opera and hijinks. There are some really kick-ass action scenes that I absolutely loved. Watching Xavier tear off that gentlemanly demeanor and let the beast out was really entertaining. There's another thread that connects the books but I won't go into that because I don't want to spoil anything.
While I can't give this one five stars, it was a good book. I think writing my review gave me food for thought and I realize I liked more about it than I thought I did. It just doesn't measure up to the other ones on the romance scale. I do love me some Xavier. I'm a sucker for the gentlemanly type who is absolutely deadly. If I have a type, it's that. I think he's such a nice contrast to the Wyr and also to Julian, the Nightkind king. They tend to be quite hothead, but Xavier has an immense amount of self-control that is really appealing....more
This is a duology with two novellas in the series. I cheated and read this out of order because I've been wanting to read Seramela's story since she wThis is a duology with two novellas in the series. I cheated and read this out of order because I've been wanting to read Seramela's story since she was introduced in Storm's Heart. I mean, I love Medusa, and I think of her as sort of a tortured heroine figure. I'm glad that Thea Harrison did her justice with "Devil's Gate."
Seramela is not like Medusa, but she is a Medusa species. Seramela seems like someone I would get along with and could be good friends with. I loved how Harrison explains the species and their characteristics. I do a lot of mythological and folklore art and Medusa has been a subject I'm gone back to multiple times. This story inspired me yet again to do more Medusa pieces. Duncan is the perfect hero for Seramela. I liked him from the beginning because he seemed like a cool guy. He's pretty darn droolworthy with his cultured Scottish accent and his protective but respecting of Seramela's capabilities and independence. He seems easy going but he has some intriguing depths, and boy he can handle himself. They are so well-matched, each with unique strengths. Although this was short story, there's a lot to love about it, and I was very satisfied with how it concludes. I do hope to read more about this couple that is shaping up to be one of my favorites. They are so romantic together. I really did sigh while I was listening to some of the scenes. I have to say that Thea Harrison's books are very beautifully romantic. I think that romance has changed somewhat where it's become more about chemistry and scorching hot and descriptive sex scenes, which is not bad, I just want to feel that there is a deep and enduring connection and I like to see that before they end up in bed together. The payoff was so great when the finally did go to bed together because it was more than obvious how they felt about each other. Along with the romance, the storyline is well developed and plotted. The thread running through is about a deck of tarot cards with preternatural power associated with them. The story begins with Duncan and Seramela's story and continues with Xanthe and Aubrey's story.
I was surprised to see that Aubrey was the hero in the second story, "Hunter's Season. " I became acquainted with him in Storm's Heart, as he is the Chancellor of Adriyel. I know that he doesn't look old, but I thought of him as being older. Technically, he's lived a long time because Dark Fae do live long lives. Eventually, I saw him as looking kind of like Hugo Weaving as Elrond from the Lord of the Rings movies. So to me this is a May-December romance. I don't know that it actually was meant to be though. I do love unrequited love stories, and this qualifies since Xanthe has been in love with Aubrey for ever. It's also a sort of forbidden romance in that Xanthe is just a soldier/assassin, and Aubrey is very highborn and highly placed in the aristocracy. It also counts as a cabin romance and a nursed back to health romance. So a lot of the tropes I enjoy in one book. I liked it a lot. Not as much as "Devil's Gate," but it's still really romantic and a very good story with a satisfying conclusion.
***It makes me sad about how (view spoiler)[Niniane and Tiago can't get married and have children because of the politics of her being Dark Fae Queen and him being Wyr. (hide spoiler)]
I strongly recommend this series if you like paranormal romance, fantasy romance, or fantasy with romance....more
It took me a while because of school, work, everything, but I finished reading this about two months ago ??? (Time is running together right now. My wIt took me a while because of school, work, everything, but I finished reading this about two months ago ??? (Time is running together right now. My writing teacher said we're living in an atemporal reality right now with COVID-19, and I get what she means). The whole design is very innovative. The illustrations use glitch motif and tons of small sequential panels where one small detail changes. You really have to pay attention when you read this book. In some ways, the colors didn't appeal to me as much. They were not dull colors, but they lacked vibrancy. I do think that was intentional. I read this book as a commentary on depression. Scott Free has had a very difficult life, and it's completely weighing down. His cumulative trauma has become almost too much for him. Additionally, he is living two parallel lives (or three I guess). Scott is the son of the Highfather, the leader of New Genesis who went to live on Apokolips, which is ruled by Darkseid. They traded sons as part of a truce to avoid war. Unfortunately, Scott was tortured and abused by Granny Goodness, discovering that he has an uncanny ability to escape any trap he was put into. This trait helps him to survive horrendous circumstances, but he carries mental/emotional scars as an adult. He ends up falling in love with one of Granny Goodness' Furies, Big Barda. They escape together and get married.
Scott and Barda now live on Earth, but they have ties to both New Genesis and Apokolips that won't let them move on. The book is about Scott processing this, his past trauma, and navigating a hopeful future, despite the heavy weight of his trauma and responsibilities.
I believe that the writer, Tom King, and the illustrator, Mitch Gerads's individual processes come together into a seamless creation. The art, as I have indicated earlier, reveals the tone and the internal thoughts and feelings of Scott very clearly. I had a lot of empathy for him, and I loved his strong relationship with Barda. I could identify with that feeling of being trapped, and helpless by circumstances, and being weighed down by things you can't change. I think that this book could be helpful to show how insidious depression can be, and how some people may seem functional, but they aren't really okay, they have just learned to cope with their anxiety, fear, sense of hopelessness, and that things won't change or get better.
I appreciate the artistic techniques, although I wish the panels were a bit larger, because they were harder to read for me, with my bad eyesight. I think the glitch effect was well done and innovative. The writing is good as well. I'd recommend this book....more
This was a weird but strangely satisfying book. I have never read anything like it. It has a bit of a trash factor to it. It's seamy and greasy and grThis was a weird but strangely satisfying book. I have never read anything like it. It has a bit of a trash factor to it. It's seamy and greasy and gritty and the characters are completely over the top. It's completely over the top and sort of unfolds like an exploitation movie meets a 1980s tv movie of the week. I think that's a compliment. Jessie is something else. I kinda dig her.
Read this one for a quick romance fix back in the early part of the year. I enjoy Kati Wilde's books. They are pretty raunchy but also very romantic. Read this one for a quick romance fix back in the early part of the year. I enjoy Kati Wilde's books. They are pretty raunchy but also very romantic. Her characters have a lot of depth for such short books. The low fantasy setting stands out for paranormal romance. I always really feel the love between her characters and the strength of their emotions. Mara has to win a life or death competition. Strax took a vow that he'd make sure that no one won. But his feelings for her got in the way. Their relationship turns from an adversarial one to a relationship full of intense, powerful love that makes both of them count the cost of vows made and what they have to give up to achieve those goals. Wilde is channeling Robert E. Howard's Conan series, so she she doesn't pull her punches with the barbaric violence or the arcane dark sorcery despite the sweet, and heartfelt love story. The ending is very sweet....more
This was a group read for the Goodreads Action Adventure Aficionados group, and my library happened to have the audiobook, which was excellent. I honeThis was a group read for the Goodreads Action Adventure Aficionados group, and my library happened to have the audiobook, which was excellent. I honestly was somewhat underwhelmed. I liked the concept and I think Nola was an interesting character. Nola has a Lizbeth Salander feel, or if you've read any of the Informationist books by Taylor Stevens, she also reminds me of Vanessa Michael Monre. Zig was fine. I mean I liked him. He just didn't have enough charisma as a lead character for this book. I feel like this needed to be Nola's book. He was a very humane and sincere guy and I liked him. My heart broke for how he lost his daughter. I am glad he was able to get a little closure by the end of the book. I hope that Zig and Nola stay in each others' lives. I did like that Zig is a mortician. You just don't see lead characters who are morticians much. Or maybe it's just me.
I have never read Brad Meltzer, but I think I was expecting his writing to have more action. To me, the action scenes didn't have enough tension and punch to them. I didn't feel like I was there and it didn't feel cinematic to me. The action scenes were functional to me. The villains were a bit on the cardboard side except for Nola's stepfather. He was rancid. I almost expected him to be a molester, but he was just physically and mentally abusive and really twisted.
I admit that I was also rereading Orphan X around this time, and that book makes others pale in comparison. Maybe that's why I didn't feel too blown away by this book.
I think the storyline about Harry Houdini was pretty cool. It was a nice twist. I liked the background about Houdini and his determination to debunk the Spiritualist movement, which I had learned about before I read this from watching a history show. Although the reveal felt forced, and I'm not sure I am convinced that the person who turns out to be the mastermind has the smarts and the capability to pull it off. That person is a bit too lazy and basic to be the criminal mastermind behind everything. I didn't buy it, to be honest.
I kind of think that the narrators weren't into as much either. I mean Scott Brick and January LaVoy are both excellent narrators for other audiobook series that I have read and really got sucked into. In this book, they seemed more functional. I do think that January LaVoy did nail Nola's cadence pretty well.
I wasn't excited about this book. I'm not sure I would be that invested in reading a whole series about Zig unless Nola shows up in the books. I would definitely read a series about Nola....more
“Vengeance” is exciting and intense, incorporating magical historical fantasy and monster horror with themes of family, loyalty and friendship. Meticu“Vengeance” is exciting and intense, incorporating magical historical fantasy and monster horror with themes of family, loyalty and friendship. Meticulous worldbuilding is fundamental to this story of brothers fighting monsters lurking in the dark. This book is for readers who enjoy distinctive magic systems and well-described, often gory fight scenes. A highlight is the strong familial love between the brothers reminiscent of the Winchester brothers from the television show “Supernatural,” with Corran as the older, protective brother, and Rigan as the gifted, sensitive younger brother. At 544 fast-moving pages, “Vengeance” is definitely worth the investment.
The Valmonde brothers lost their livelihood as undertakers, their family and their freedom in a battle against an evil ruler and his bloodwitch, who used monsters to consolidate their power in the first book, “Scourge: A Darkhurst Novel.” Now outlaw monster hunters, they realize the enormity of the practice of calling creatures from another dimension for weapons against the economies of rivaling rulers. A practice that hurts the people more than the rulers. A formidable presence from beyond awaits being called through to their world if the sacrifices continue. The brothers Valmonde and comrades face the fight of their lives against supernatural and natural foes.
I really hate that I didn't write my review sooner. I have forgotten some parts of the book, but I definitely enjoyed it. The ending wraps up the storI really hate that I didn't write my review sooner. I have forgotten some parts of the book, but I definitely enjoyed it. The ending wraps up the story nicely, but it did feel a little anticlimactic. Maybe I'll relisten to this story so I can write views to give them justice. For me now, Loki is forever Tom Hiddleston and this Loki doesn't sound cute or as mesmerizing. He's got some appeal, but in this book he's definitely chaotic and very villainous in his motivations.
**I will always remember listening to this book when I was driving home from a late class in a snow storm. I had to dig out my driveway to park my car. Isn't it funny how memory can be so tied to events in your mind?
I'm giving it a four stars because I don't remember being blown away by the conclusion. Although overall the series is really excellent. I love the diversity and representation and how the overall message is inclusivity. As with the Percy Jackson series, Riordan does an incredible job of reinterpreting the Norse myths in a way that is accessible, but also preserves the essence of the source material. He is really funny as well....more
I am so in love with this series. Sometimes you are afraid that new books in the series cannot live up to the hype, but with this series, that definitI am so in love with this series. Sometimes you are afraid that new books in the series cannot live up to the hype, but with this series, that definitely has not happened for me. I love these books so much, I have reread all the first four at the time of this review. I have the other books, and I am waiting for a good time to dive back into this series. I strongly recommend the audiobook. Scott Brick is brilliant at narrating the books. For me, he's how Evan Smoak sounds.
It's not like Evan doesn't have challenging situations to deal with. It's just that he's just that damn good at what he does. And like the Hulk, you really don't want to get on his bad side.
There are parallel missions running. One in which Evan is tracking his ultimate prey, the President (you heard me right), and helping a young man who has been subjected to the most horrific situation imaginable. I just absolutely love Evan. He's scary as hell, but only if you deserve it. He's the guy you want to have your back, because he will watch your back but good. Maybe it's sadistic of me, but I love watching him rain down the fires of God on the bad guys. What I also love is that while Evan learned to be the perfect killer, his mentor Jack also taught him what love and loyalty is, and that caring man comes out in the choices he makes throughout the book.
Each scene is meticulously plotted and beautifully written. I so want to see this on the big or small screen. One of my favorite scenes is a huge spoiler, but reading it for the second time was just as fantastic as the first.
This is the best action/adventure/thriller series I've read. I love me some Matt Reilly and Scarecrow, but the Evan Smoak series has surplanted it in my mind (sorry Matt, I still love you!) If you haven't read this series, what are you doing? Do yourself a favor and pick up Orphan X right now....more
*I never got a chance to write a review for the first time I read this back in 2018, and I reread it in the fall of 2020, so this review counts for bo*I never got a chance to write a review for the first time I read this back in 2018, and I reread it in the fall of 2020, so this review counts for both reads.*
For lack of a better term, the Nowhere Man, Orphan X, goes nuclear in this book. He has his reasons. He suffered from the loss of someone very important to him many years ago, and managed to move on wit his life. And just when he got that person back, they were stolen away from him. And Evan is about to burn it all down and get his revenge. Along the path, he gets a mission from his old mentor, Jack Johns to save the package. The package turns out to be a teenage girl who is a failed Orphan. Someone is eliminating all the Orphans, and the only one who can stop them is Evan. This book is all about that process.
If you've been following my reviews, you know how much I adore this series. Orphan X is a legit badass. He is officially my book husband. I won't lie. Hurwitz ups the ante to another level from the second book, The Nowhere Man. In each book, more is revealed about Evan, and also Evan has to evolve, as the saying goes, "Adapt or Die." Evan's been using his skills as an elite assassin to help others in need, and everything he learned from his years under Jack's tutelage, his time as an operator, and his years hiding in plain sight and operating pro-bono as the Nowhere Man comes into play. Things are very personal in this book, which violates one of Evan's commandments, "Don't make it personal." But isn't it always person if someone is out to wipe you and people like you off the face of the earth? The good news is Evan's temporary relationship with the young girl Joey is another opportunity for him to grow and he goes from being Jack's mentor to acting as mentor, and it's not a stretch to say, surrogate father to a troubled young girl who is brilliant beyond her years and has suffered in ways that only Evan can grasp.
As with the first two books, the action is fantastic. Hurwitz appears to plot them out very well, and while obviously I am no expert, seems well versed in the tactical gear that Evan and the other professionals use. The scenes are paced in a good rhythm. Plenty of characterization, dialogue-filled, pathos-laden scenes, with the high octane moments right where they belong. What I love is how Evan lives out one of Jack's sayings, "the gun isn't the weapon, you are." Evan is the kind of guy, not unlike John Wick, that you should be very afraid of, even if you locked him in a room with nothing more than a rubber band and an eraser. Even so, Evan has moments where he's out of his element, and I loved how Evan is completely at sea in dealing with a teenaged girl. As a woman who was once a teenage girl, I can verify they are something else. Also, I loved the collaboration between Evan and Joey, who is a high tier hacker. The villains are extremely formidable, many of them elite assassins who went through the same training as as Evan, plus their spymaster has all the tools that the NSA can provide, along with a very high up official who is giving him orders. In other words, this is not going to be at all easy for Evan. He needs all the skills available to him, and a little help from his few friends/allies. At this point, I think it's fair to give a shoutout to one female villain who stands out in the crowd, Candy McClure, Orphan V is just as lethal as Evan is, and her character arc is very compelling as this series goes along.
Readers who have been following the series from the beginning will be very satisfied with the direction of the story about the Orphan program and where it's going. This book ends in a way that is like closing an arc, but at the same time, it's pretty clear that everything is not over.
I can't hype this series enough. It's even better on reread. Scott Brick is a fantastic narrator. His voice is such a powerful instrument to convey the character of Evan, and every other character, and Hurwitz's beautiful description is so expertly delivered through his work as a narrator.
Okay so I read this on CD back in 2019 and I never got around to writing my review. I did a reread on Audible a few months ago, so this is a dual reviOkay so I read this on CD back in 2019 and I never got around to writing my review. I did a reread on Audible a few months ago, so this is a dual review.
My life is so blessed by this series. Evan Smoak is the hero I always wanted in my life. This is not an overstatement. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a bit obsessed with assassin fictional characters. I don't mean the type who kill just anyone for enough money, I like the ones who have some code they adhere to. Well Evan was taken out of a boy's group home at the age of twelve and "adopted" by his handler Jack Johns, who became his surrogate father that Evan adored as only a young child can adore their parental figure. He also taught him to be a formidable agent, to withstand untold pain, to learn how to kill in more ways than you could dream of, to be able to operate in any situation and realize that if you screwed up, you were on your own. And Even followed orders faithfully until he began to see that he wasn't necessary working for the good guys. So Evan dropped off the Orphan program radar and tried to live a 'normal' life and also became The Nowhere Man.
His story is expertly told in the first book (I have read the first three books, and I have the fourth one ready to start, hopefully this summer). Although each book manages to give readers a piece of the Evan Smoak puzzle, this book introduces a character that is surely beloved by many (including myself). It's told by flashback and also in present day. The excellent writing reveals a lethal weapon who also happens to be a deeply principled, conscientious man. He manages to be both an a way that in beautifully integrated. I love the idea of his work as The Nowhere Man. Think "The Equalizer" and you get a starting reference for Evan's practice, also he's a lot more brutal to the bad guys. But it's a way that is very easy to co-sign on. He is truly helping the helpless, the people who can't rely on the system or the police to help them. The folks who fall through the cracks.
There's a lot to love about this story, but one of the things I really loved other than the flawless character building, is the well-plotted narrative. Even though it takes some things that are pretty familiar to those who enjoy action suspense books, tv and movies, it's done in a way that feels innovative. There's plenty of gun play and description of weapons, but Hurwitz always makes it clear that the most deadly weapon is the mind. I think that it's easy to think of guns as a show of machismo and strength, but being well-armed doesn't always make you the hero or the strongest person. Evan has to do a lot of thinking and plotting to get out of the many sticky situations he encounters in this book. He deals with a fair amount of bullies and I think there is welcome commentary about that and how one can use their strength to protect others versus preying on helpless people.
At first I wasn't sure I liked the storyline about Mia and Peter, but then I realized how important it was to the evolution of Evan's character, and then I realized how much a piece of the puzzle their relationship with Evan was. The concept of him juggling all the aspect of his life at the same time really rang true although I'm hardly an assassin who is pretending to be an ordinary joe and who also helps people deal with unsolvable problems.
The action is on point and perfectly paced. The dialogue is authentic, and runs the gamut depending on the situations the characters are in. Hurwitz is very good at crafting characters of all sort, from the main character of Evan, who is perfectly nuanced and dimensional, to the incidental characters. Each interaction serving the story.
Some notes about the Audiobook: Scott Brick is a fantastic narrator. His voice is such a fine instrument. I believe he has nailed Evan Smoak and he transmits him brilliantly in the narration. He also does an excellent job at the other characters. He transmits the menace of the bad guys and the vulnerability of the people that Evan helps. As well as the distinctive supporting characters, including young Peter and Tommy Stojack, Evan's armorer. I think that Scott Brick really sold these books to me, to the point that I have to listen to the audiobooks now, even though I know eventually I will read them as prose as well.
The Orphan X series is now become a point of comparison for me that I use for other action suspense series, and that's a good thing in most cases, except when I read a book that doesn't measure up. I definitely recommend this book and the entire series....more
This series has surpassed all my favorite thriller/action series. I love Evan Smoak. He is the best action hero I've ever read. I think these books arThis series has surpassed all my favorite thriller/action series. I love Evan Smoak. He is the best action hero I've ever read. I think these books are flawless. Some may disagree, and that's fine. But on the second reread, they are just as fantastic and enjoyable. Even knowing how the book ended, I was still in suspense and it was like I read it for the first time. I didn't ever write my review for the first time because my life exploded, and I couldn't do the review justice at the time. So this is a combo review.
I like how in this book, all the advantages and control that Evan normally has in situations is taken away from him and he's literally imprisoned, and he has to figure out how to get out of that trap. It was so clever to subvert the first book so thoroughly, but Evan still comes out looking like the lethal badass he was in the first book. I think that Hurwitz realized some things about the character since the first book, and the readers are treated to that evolution along with him. Evan feels so three-dimensional, and while he's a legendary figure in this series, he's very human with all the frailties.
I truly love the focus on Evan's relationship with his foster father/mentor/handler. How it has shaped his life thoroughly, and those lessons are integrated into his framework. Jack Johns' voice functions as his Jiminy Cricket, dispensing Jack's spared down, incisive wisdom right in the moments when Evan needs it most, and it definitely comes in handy. Jack has given him a set of Commandments to follow. My favorite is the 2nd Commandment: "How you do anything is how you do everything." I'm not ashamed to say I actually apply this to myself in my daily goings on.
The bad guys in this series are really bad. And I love that while Evan brings a new meaning to the word badass, his villains don't feel like paper tigers that are easily defeated. They are often extremely brutal and physically formidable, but some are also extremely brilliant and tactical thinkers, which requires Evan to use all of his well-honed skills and critical thinking abilities. The twists and turns in the narrative are glorious to behold, and I love how nothing is throwaway.
I keep repeating myself, but this really is a fantastic series. It holds up on reread, and each book gets better, but in a different way.
Definitely the Orphan X series is on my Desert Island Keepers pile....more
My sister and I listened to this on Audiobook a few years back and I never got to write a review. So we started a re-listen together, but we never gotMy sister and I listened to this on Audiobook a few years back and I never got to write a review. So we started a re-listen together, but we never got to finish it because our schedules are not at all the same. I ended up finishing listening to it by myself. I loved this book. It was a huge departure from the Twilight series, which I also loved. It was a good idea for Meyer to go in a different direction with her writing, and I found it refreshing.
The Chemist was something completely unexpected. I didn't know much about the story, but I did want to read it because I do appreciate Meyer's writing. And this genre (thriller/suspense) is another area of reading that I highly enjoy. I also liked that the lead character who goes by Alex is a unique kind of character. She's lethal (and I mean literally), but not in the Black Widow kind of way. Her stock in trade is using chemistry to achieve certain goals, hence the name of the book. She's on the run, and the book goes into details about why, even though I won't in this review. But let's just say she got betrayed by her employer. She's been living by her wits for years now, and she's very good at keeping herself alive. When she gets contacted by her former employee, that's when everything changed.
Because I am a romantic at heart, I loved the romance that is part of the core of the book. I mean, it's not the point of the book. The book is about Alex's character arc, about her reclaiming her life and discovering the ability to love and to trust others. I don't think she had that before everything started, not really. Even so, the romance was sweet and very appealing to me. I liked that the romantic angle didn't compromise who Alex was or try to fit her into a specific role that we assume for women in our society, nor for the person she becomes involved with. Their individual curves and angles fit together very well.
While I think the action could have been better described, and even though there are some really edgy aspects to the story and content, Meyer shows a lot of restraint. I would like to see her push that and get more descriptive if she wants to lean into the thriller/suspense elements. I have to confess that I am hugely impacted by the fact that I have glommed the Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz and it's reset my standards for action/thriller stories. I know that not every author has the same way of writing and I respect that. I like that each writer is unique. I am very pleasantly surprised that Meyer choose to write this book and take a huge left turn from the Twilight series. I think that she has something good here. That's the only reason why I would critique some of the thriller/suspense elements. I think that this genre really needs showing and immersing the reader in the action as it occurs.
I did feel that the use of pronouns was excessive (sentences tended to start with "she" way too much, a weird pet peeve I admit), and that made for a very clunky start to the book. Despite that, I found The Chemist very well-written and compelling. I am glad that there are plans to make a tv show out of the book. I will watch the hell out of that show. I'm excited to see who the cast. Since Alex is described as having some Asianness to her features, I hope they cast an actress who is Asian or at least part Asian. I hope they don't change the romance, because it was a big appeal for me.
Notes on the Audiobook Narration: The narrator has a pleasant voice and she brings Alex and the other characters to life really well. I think she nails Alex and also does a great job with the male voices. I think she could be a little more dynamic, but I'm being nickpicky, to be honest.
The flaws withstanding, I loved this book so much, I have to give it five stars. Those who really don't like Stephenie Meyer won't like the book, so don't read it if you hate her or Twilight. If the story appeals to you as a thriller/suspense book, it's worth a try. Those who want more Twilight, this isn't it. It's something else and uniquely wonderful....more
I was very pleasantly surprised by the first book in the series, Free Agent, so I was glad that I had access to the audiobook for this next book. ThisI was very pleasantly surprised by the first book in the series, Free Agent, so I was glad that I had access to the audiobook for this next book. This book had a slightly different feel as an audiobook. The narrator is really good. She give Marissa a lot of attitude. I also like the way she characterizes the other characters. Liam sounds extra yummy and adorable. Marissa comes off as a tough cookie, but she is very caring and loyal to her friends and loved ones, a driving force to her actions.
I feel like the body count was pretty high in this book compared to the first, and there's an overall cavalier attitude about death and dying. I supposed that's to be expected, considering the business and the overall state of affairs.
I am a sucker for the fairy tale theme, and I appreciate how naturalistic this is to the overall story. In this world, fairy godparents, princesses, evil queens, and all manner of supernatural being are part and parcel.
This novel provides more insight into the mysterious Grimm and his background. I would definitely read these books in order because otherwise one would be lost. This book picks up where the first book left off.
If you can grab the audiobook, I recommend it....more
I'd been waiting for Torin's book from practically the beginning. I love his character. I was a little unsure about things would go with Keeley Cael. I'd been waiting for Torin's book from practically the beginning. I love his character. I was a little unsure about things would go with Keeley Cael. But wow, I really loved them together. I wish I had written my review sooner, since I forgot some things. But I do remember being so engaged with the story. It was great to see Torin finally get his happy ending. It must have been very hard to see all his comrades find their mates and be all alone, destined never to have a special someone because of his Demon of Disease. I loved that Keeley was the type of heroine who would have her man's back and vice versa. I love when the couple is equally matched in a lot of ways. If I'm honest, Torin reminds me of Zsadist and a bit of John Matthew from The Black Dagger Brotherhood, and Keely reminds me of a combination of Nix and Regin from Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series. It's probably a big part of why I like them so much. The fact that Keeley is so ancient was a great part of this story. She had some knowledge about things that made her a great asset, but also it's a nice change from a lot of stories where the hero is much older and has more experience of the world than the heroine. I loved their own romance, but also how it fits into the ongoing story and progresses the narrative.
This series turned out to be one of my all time favorites. It's giving me happy feels to think about my glom, even though 2020 was just an awful year. If I ever decide I just want to reread some of my favorite books from the series, I'll definitely be rereading this one....more
Oh I really liked this one. My heart wants to give it five stars, even though logically I know it's not perfect. I rated it highly because I loved KanOh I really liked this one. My heart wants to give it five stars, even though logically I know it's not perfect. I rated it highly because I loved Kane and Josephina together and I rooted intensely for them both. I'm a sucker for down on their luck lead characters. Kane is played as kind of a joke from the moment he's introduced into the Lord of the Underworld storyline. He's possessed by the Demon of Disaster, and every thing that could go wrong does to him. And let's just say you don't want to be too close because his bad mojo will catch you in its crosshairs. He's kind of like a walking Final Destination movie. But in this book, you really get to see how tragic his story is. My heart really hurt for Kane. I think that's why I loved him with Josephina, because she's introduced as an equally downtrodden, tragic heroine. Her family literally wants her dead and she's been on the run. She's literally begging for her death at this point because she's been taught by her family that she doesn't deserve to live. It's just awful. My heart gets sad just thinking about it. I knew I was really going to like them as a couple.
However, some truly awful, crappy stuff happens to Kane in this book. This one comes with trigger warnings. I was really shocked as a matter of fact. It goes to quite a dark place for Kane. I have a feeling that won't work for some people and I respect why. The trauma he goes through would really be a source of discomfort for some who would read this book. I would recommend avoiding it if you haven't read it and you have some issues with that content. Although Showalter doesn't go into great detail, the idea of what happens to him is very distressing, and the reader has to go through his journey of recovering from it. I definitely felt for him and wanted him to have some peace, and I wanted Disaster to leave him alone.
Josephina is like a fairy tale heroine, and that's probably why I gravitated towards her. She is a really sweet soul and anyone who wishes ill for her is a terrible person. I was really glad that she had Kane in her corner protecting her. She needed a protective knight and she found one. I loved the direction that Showalter went in this story that was quite different from the other books, and it really fit the story.
Showalter sometimes does this thing where stuff happens in her books, and it's so glossed over, I'm like 'huh?' There was a moment like that about another ongoing subplot in the story, and I didn't like it that much. It was kind of random and should have been more impactful than the way she wrote it. That's probably the main thing I didn't like about this book. Otherwise, despite the fact that this book has some really dark themes that might be distressing for some readers, I really enjoyed this book. While some might think this was a filler book in the series, I really loved this story for Kane and Josephina.
While Torin is my all-time favorite, Aeron is my second favorite, Cameo is number three, Kane is my fourth favorite of the Lords of the Underworld....more
Danielle The Book Huntress
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