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

I enjoyed this novel. But, the incessant inserting of woke content did not even flow. It was pointless. It was distracting. Especially, when a mom goes woke with her NINE year old son. Yes, everyone knows you are enlightened. This has been one of my favorite series, but quickly losing steam.

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.

I'm afraid Hurwitz is becoming more of a philosopher than an action author. Previous Orphan X novels have often forced me to lay down the book and take a deep breath because of their intensity. Not "Dark Horse'. I was able to set this this book aside while I read a couple of others, and was seriously tempted to drop it all together. This book could easily shed thirty five pages of non-plot related philosophical ramblings and been better for it. The secondary characters such as Joey are taking away from the basic "no where man" premise. Joey is going through teen angst and X's interactions with her are actually becoming annoying. His dealings with the HOA honcho are totally without merit except as fill. Evan was better off and a far more interesting character when it was only him and him alone.

I have enjoyed the previous Evan Smoak books even if they do resemble comic books. Dark Horse, which shares its plot about the abduction of an adored teenage daughter with an earlier Tim Rackley book (which was written with much more care), is different. Now, at the ~40% point, the book seems to revolve around the snotty, oh-so-cutesy child computer genius who is irritating to the point of insanity. This goofy, arrogant child seems to be the heroine of the book, which indicates to me that the target audience is thirteen year old girls. She and the the generally childish tone of the book are so irritating, in fact, that I intend to delete several other Hurwitz books which I have bought and not yet read. Over the years I have bought hundreds of Kindle books. Naturally I have disliked some of them but this is the first one I have actually returned. As Hurwitz’s books become sloppier (he seems to crank out one every few days) and increasingly juvenile, it is time for me to give up on this writer for whom I had such high hopes years ago. Harvard and Oxford? What a waste.

I would give 10 stars if possibleThis 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 beliefThe 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

I love this series. I think the series was more raw (which I love) and kept you on the edge of your seat until the last two books. This is not to say that Prodigal Son and Dark Horse don’t do this as well, but to say, those two books are more cerebral than the previous books in the series. Although this review is about Dark Horse, Prodigal Son is where the shift started. I thoroughly enjoy(ed) each book. I have listened to this series multiple times (3 or more) with the exception of the latest, because I just finished it this morning. I find that with each listen, I enjoy them more than the previous listen. Dark Horse is a little slower, and it takes a bit, for it to go where I am used to going in the story. It’s still enjoyable though. This one is probably the most unrealistic, because of some of the interactions in the book with the cartel leadership. I will say, I do employ a large helping of suspension of disbelief in some portions of this book. I anxiously awaited this one, and of course, anxiously await the next. Gregg Hurwitz is a brilliant writer, and as previously stated, I love this series. There’s a lot more that I could say, but I don’t want to spoil any aspect of the book. I enjoyed Dark Horse, but a bit less than the previous books in the series.

This one isn't nearly as tightly written as the other books in this series. Previous books got right to the point. This one doesn't. It's not lean and mean like the previous books. There's a lot of verbiage that doesn't add much to the story. In fact, it's downright aggravating. I skipped through a lot of it. This series has been a favorite of mine, but this book misses the mark. It simply does not meet the standards set by previous books in this series. So sorry I preordered. Won't make that mistake again.

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.

Being an assassin for hire, Evan Smoak can’t easily lay claim to the moral high ground. So when a man of somewhat dubious character seeks to engage Evan to bring back his kidnapped daughter, Evan doesn’t overthink his decision.And then there is the kidnapping itself. In order to fulfil his mission, Evan must penetrate a drug cartel. And Evan is a man who doesn’t do things by halves. Throughout the book, we see a very human side of Evan. Never too busy to take a break from close combat to listen to the concerns of those around him. But this doesn’t overshadow the very visceral and highly orchestrated violence that Evan brings to the game.Plenty of sassy dialogue, richly imagined settings and always a smattering of humour to create a fully rounded offering. Oh, and then there is the ending. Just have to see that for yourselves I’m afraid.

Agree with the comment by another reviewer on Joey, snotty, oh-so-cutesy child computer genius who is irritating to the point of insanity. That part of the book made this a terrible book. I hated her, plus the mixing of his lifestyle and the interactions with 'normal' life and people was poorly written. This writer is beginning to phone it in, plot twist was crowbarred in and single dimension drug dealers, do not know if i will bother with the next one, have read all the others. There are better writers of this genre out there, such as S Leather and T Wood.

The author never fails to amaze me.I am amazed that i have never seen a review in the newspapers.One issue however with the delivery parcel/envelope.The book was covered in glue that had been used to seal the cardboard envelope.30 minutes later i had managed to scrape the glue off with minimal damage to the cover.Whoever packed it,thanks for nothing.Excellent book as usual.

Once again, Gregg Hurwitz has pulled it off with Orphan X and his need to help those in trouble.Absolutely fantastic books which I pre-order every time!

Brilliant as ever, X is the very best hero..Makes Reacher look childlike...guns, electronics, explosives and terrific action sequences what a hero!