[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
Summary
For years, Evan has used the skills the Orphan program gave him to help people in desperate need of his talents as the Nowhere Man. But the US government didn’t like that. They said he could have a pardon for all he’s done – under orders and under his own conscience – if he stopped being the Nowhere Man. But he didn’t. And they have hunted him down.
Now he has a new offer – help the President by taking out a problem and his pardon agreement will be reinstated. But X is working on his own terms – he needs to check the guy out for himself. But what he finds isn’t what he expected.
Review
I read this series for two reasons:
One, my husband loves it. I read one of the early books for a family challenge a few years ago.
Two, I love the series characters.
But these books are often dark and super violent. So they don’t always click for me. I’ve even skipped a couple along the way. This one really only worked for me about 60% of the time. Most of the scenes with the villain fell flat. He was annoying. I hated him, but not in a “he needs to pay”/someone needs justice sort of way. More in a “when can we get back to the good stuff?” way.
Honestly, EVERY OTHER THING in the book (other than the violence/gore/icky bits) was a delight – Joey, other old friends, Evan’s personal growth. Even the scenes with the governmental powers that be who were coercing Evan were brilliant. Emotionally, I felt like I was reading two different books – one laugh-out-loud-funny and smart and sharp while the other was flat, bland, and colorless. I’m not sure if the author was trying to create a sort of Moriarty character here, (which I don’t enjoy in Sherlock Holmes either – although the recent Enola Holmes movie did an amazing job with the character) but it did not work for me.
I think there’s a lot here for series fans to enjoy. I bookmarked many perfect moments as I read. Readers who really get into the villainous interchanges here will find this to be the full package. But if the villain falls flat for you too, this may be an “only okay” addition to the series. Newcomers should not start here. I think this book only has a chance of being satisfying if you’ve read enough of the previous 7 stories. Context matters here. (Language, sex, sexual references including references to sexual assault, gore, violence)
Rating: ♥♥♥½*
*♥♥♥½ = Good+
Yep, my other two colleagues shared my opinion, of nearly not finishing the book. ridiculous capture. in and out of the villains house at will. Lost my support, EVAN.
Joey, Candy and Dog should head out on their own.
The first half of the book was a 1, the 2nd half a 5. So it gets a 3. Long been one of my fave characters, halfway through I was thinking, time to kill the character, then Gregg redeemed it. Left the potential for me to come back again . The beginning was just too cartoonish. The scenes where orphan gets captured, ludicrous, and eventual escape. The way he treats Joey. He never really connects with Peter , Mia. Best character in book is Candy , she always steals the scenes . Then eventually he gets back to being Orphan X and all is good. But is it?
I think I cheered when Candy showed up – you are right. She steals every scene!