Dark Horse: An Orphan X Novel (Orphan X, 7) - book cover
Action & Adventure
  • Publisher : Minotaur Books
  • Published : 08 Feb 2022
  • Pages : 432
  • ISBN-10 : 125025230X
  • ISBN-13 : 9781250252302
  • Language : English

Dark Horse: An Orphan X Novel (Orphan X, 7)

"Awesome and propulsive." ―New York Times

Gregg Hurwitz's New York Times bestselling series returns when Orphan X faces his most challenging mission ever in Dark Horse.

Evan Smoak is a man with many identities and a challenging past. As Orphan X, he was a government assassin for the off-the-books Orphan Program. After he broke with the Program, he adopted a new name and a new mission--The Nowhere Man, helping the most desperate in their times of trouble. Having just survived an attack on his life and the complete devastation of his base of operations, as well as his complicated (and deepening) relationship with his neighbor Mia Hall, Evan isn't interested in taking on a new mission. But one finds him anyway.

Aragon Urrea is a kingpin of a major drug-dealing operation in South Texas. He's also the patron of the local area--supplying employment in legitimate operations, providing help to the helpless, rough justice to the downtrodden, and a future to a people normally with little hope. He's complicated--a not completely good man, who does bad things for often good reasons. However, for all his money and power, he is helpless when one of the most vicious cartels kidnaps his innocent eighteen year old daughter, spiriting her away into the armored complex that is their headquarters in Mexico. With no other way to rescue his daughter, he turns to The Nowhere Man.

Now not only must Evan figure out how to get into the impregnable fortress of a heavily armed, deeply paranoid cartel leader, but he must decide if he should help a very bad man--no matter how just the cause.

Editorial Reviews

"Hurwitz proves to be a master storyteller as he uncouples this riveting barnburner of a thriller. Dark Horse is exquisitely plotted with unexpected twists and deceptions, laced with cinematic fight scenes, brimming with violence and suspense." --Mystery & Suspense

"Excellent...this series just gets better!" --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"One of thrillerdom's most compelling characters... another sure-fire hit." --Booklist

"A crackerjack thriller that briskly enhances the legend of Orphan X." --Kirkus Reviews

"Gregg Hurwitz has outdone himself this time. The many followers of Orphan X will get whiplash from the unexpected turns and surprises. It was only a matter of time until his Evan Smoak took on the drug cartels. That the main villain is a fully rounded character is unexpectedly moving. The action strikes like lightning." --Luis Urrea, Pulitzer Prize finalist for The Devil's Highway


Readers Top Reviews

BilliAm
Another Evan Smoak Thriller! Page turner, finished in 2 days. Fighting evil cartel leader while working to save someone who needs his help.
smartdadeBilliAm
Another thrilling Orphan-X page-turner by Gregg Hurwitz. Unexpectedly, this book reveals more about how Evan is slowly becoming more human. Thank you to the author for another great book that was well worth the one year wait.
SIMATSUsmartdadeB
Each book in this series is a feast to the senses. As X takes on another mission the author holds the reader on the edge of their seat as they go along with him for the ride. The lines blur as he attempts to rescue the daughter of a drug kingpin who has been kidnapped by his rival. It is action packed bordering on gruesome in some scenes. The characters are very interesting and show multiple facets of the human condition. X’s character is changing and growing as he leaves his days in the program behind. Each story gets better and leaves you wanting more.
StevieBSIMATSUsma
I would give 10 stars if possible This latest installment shows the evolving of X where he is not just a cold assassin but a man who has developed strong feelings for Mia Peter and Joey . He even has made a friend ! The pace of the book is frenetic and requires some suspension of belief The insight into the cartels was exciting (as a narcos fan you will love it ) And of course there is a lion( which serious narco would mot have a safari Animal) I don’t know how Gregg does it but his writing just gets better and better and we just keep rooting for X that he will be able to find tru happiness
SirReadalotStevie
Yes, I pre-ordered this book in June 2021, yes I have very much looked forward to this books release, but after this one, waiting for the next will be SO MUCH HARDER. The Orphan X series has always been driven by characters that you want to know, and want to know more about at least for me. But this book is on an entirely different level. The characters both new and old leap off the page in a way that makes you root for them, grieve for them, hate them, or want to be them. If this book was 1200 pages I would have been left wanting more. The Joey/ Evan dynamic continues to evolve, and the action sequences are as always tight, concise and without camp. Not to spoil anything but you see new sides to the books titular hero, as he continues his evolution. If you haven’t read this book, you should. Now. Like right now. Unless you haven’t read the previous books. Start at the beginning, you can thank me later.

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