Gregg Hurwitz delivers unmatched vengeance and adventure in Nemesis, the tenth Orphan X installment featuring Evan Smoak. A once premier government death tool, Smoak is back righting wrongs and protecting those who can’t protect themselves.
Hurwitz starts you off on this Orphan X journey with a little historical reverence between Tommy Stojack, Smoak’s armorer, and Evan himself. Brilliantly setup, Hurwitz builds the lore of a brotherly bond the two while returning to Lone Wolf and creating immense depth in the story. What follows is a journey of dedication by a man keeping his word to another on his death bed. While Evan goes to confront Tommy about his shady dealings, he ends up fighting for his life.
Tracking Tommy to a small town of misfit horrors, Smoak learns that there is crime destroying America due to uncontrolled hate. Working to help a tortured Mexican family, battling irresponsible youth, and fighting off the Horsemen, Smoak is tested every way possible. Not only does he have to deal with crooked law enforcement, but learning to understand and strategically move through Joey’s growth into a young woman, which tests his mental and emotional wellbeing.
Hurwitz leaves nothing behind in Evan Smoak’s journey to hell and back in Nemesis. There’s a coming of age moment, one of guilt, sorrow, and forgiveness that X must grow in while being physically tested. His commandments have always guided him, but there is a point where he is about to break forcing him to evaluate his future.
Orphan X has been one of those annual books I always look forward to. Superb writing, extreme violence, and nonstop cation drive Hurwitz’s storytelling and this one is no different. I do get the feeling X is growing older, a maturity that seeps through him in multiple scenes that can transform Smoak into a killer second act. Don’t miss out on this great read.
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