Evan Smoak was taken from an orphanage and raised by Jack Johns, his mentor, to work for a top secret programme. Jack became the father Evan never had. Having left the programme, Evan, who was known as Orphan X, has become the Nowhere Man, an avenger of injustice. An unexpected phone call from Jack sends Evan off on an assignment to protect a teenager who failed the Orphan programme and whom Jack has brought under his protection to keep her free of the clutches of Charles Van Sciver, otherwise known as Orphan Y and Evan's sworn enemy. But this assignment could be the death of Evan, who must stay one step ahead of a deadly enemy.
In Hellbent Gregg Hurwitz has created an effective thriller which reads fluidly yet takes time to consider that the characters are people and not just pieces to be moved around the chess board of an action-based novel.
The Orphan Evan has been sent to retrieve is a teenager called Joey who, having been trained in the Orphan programme and now cut loose, has no idea how to acclimatise to the normal world. This makes for a very interesting dynamic throughout the novel as both Evan and Joey, still grappling with emotions that they are supposed to keep suppressed with regards to forming attachments, take on a father and daughter role (or possibly big brother and little sister). Evan has no idea how to be a father-figure and Joey has no idea how to be a normal teenager. Their relationship, which as well as the repeated assassination attempts by Sciver, lies at the heart of this action-packed story and creates some depth to what might be nothing more than violent, gun-filled episodes, or IT technobabble. Although for lovers of such details, there are plenty of carefully laid out descriptions of the firepower as Evan casts his eyes over bespoke firearms. It is also clear that Evan has access to the type of gadgets only available to someone with eye watering amounts of money. He is, in effect, Jack Reacher, the Equalizer and Ethan Hunt all rolled into one.
The archvillain is certainly a worthy adversary with a weakness, because Van Sciver has a very large chip on his shoulder and a whole army of his own orphans and hired guns to bring Evan down. But Hurwitz stops short of glorifying the action scenes, or creating a sense of voyeurism when it comes to violence. There is violence, make no mistake, but it is handled in a way which makes the reader uncomfortable and aware of its unpleasantness and effects on the victim. Evan is also, despite being trained as a killer, a man with a moral code that sets high standards, particularly when it comes to people being exploited or the innocent hurt.
This is the first Orphan X novel I have read and Hurwitz does a good job in bringing the reader quickly up to speed. But it has made me curious enough to take a look at the others.

This was my first foray in to Orphan X’s territory and I don’t think it will be my last. A very fast paced thriller with excitement all the way. Some of the technology was beyond plausible but seemed to fit in to the style of the novel. Not all of the American slang instantly conveyed its meaning which slowed the pace a little. Altogether a great piece of action packed escapism.

I was hooked and really had difficulty putting it down to sleep. I just wanted to know what happened next.

This is a taut and fast paced thriller in the guns and action genre where there are lots of weapon and advanced technology talk - and lots of amazing deeds by our hero.

Our hero here is OCD, overcompensates, is emotionally retarded and a trained assassin.

Who is ably assisted by by the gutsy, feisty, screwed up foster girl with a genius IQ and quite some way with computers and programming.

This was the first of the "Orphan X" series that I have read but as a result I am eager for more. A pacy thriller with more characterisation than is often the case in this genre. Will appeal to anyone who enjoys Bourne or Jack
Reacher..

Bit of an old premise with our hero twinned with a youngster adept in extreme violence but this is carried off very well. Good action sequences intertwine with self analysis seamlessly plus the ending tantalisingly left open for hopefully the next episode!

Absolutely brilliant!

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book Orphan X, and I must admit, was extremely sceptical that this one would be as good. I am more than happy to admit that I was wrong, think I enjoyed it even more.

I think Evan came over as more caring, and understanding of human nature, more so than in the first two books. He starts to empathise with people, but will this be his downfall.......

Great characters, a story that keeps you hooked, and turning the pages.

Can't wait for the next instalment

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for giving me the chance to read Hellbent in exchange for an honest and unbiased review

In this third instalment of the Orphan x series we find Evan’s character progress, developing more social skills and greater empathy as he learns to relate better to other people.
This story sees him make a new friend and eliminate an old enemy. However, as it ends he realises he faces even greater danger as he uncovers a powerful new opponent, who needs him eliminated.
I found this book returned to the winning formula of the first in the series, with greater emphasis on personal relationships; lots of action and suspense and a great storyline.

I have loved the Orphan X series and this one is great again. It is a very similar theme and pace to the others and a gripping read that kept me hooked throughout. Looking forward to the next one!

I have read the other two books in this series and enjoyed this one. It was exciting and developed orphan x's character from the previous books. Highly recommended.

Although I haven't read any of the previous books in the series I did enjoy reading Hellbent. Not my usual genre but it was an excellent read with humorous touches and fast paced action.

You know you wait for ages for a new heroic main character to come along and then two come along at once. Obviously I'm talking about Evan Smoak being one of them (fyi Isaiah Quintabe is the other) and in this, the third in series, we learn more about him and where he came from as he tries to come to terms with some very hard hitting truths, at the same time trying to stay alive.
As I said, this is the third in series and I would very much recommend that you do read the previous two books first. There is the usual catch-up to be found within this volume but it really only stands up as a memory link as to what has gone before rather than a proper catch up, if you get the difference.
One of the things I really love about Evan is that he is committed to what he believes in. He is dedicated to his new personal of The Nowhere Man and, even with his own, and others' lives in peril, he still answers his phone and helps others.
This time, a lot of the plot is techno based rather than pure action, which we do get more than our fair share of, if you're worried... luckily Evan has a bit of help in that side of things and the two of them rub along more or less on a personal front but, professionally, when the chips are down, they complement each other perfectly. Well, as much as their differences will allow!
It's a lot less repetitive than book two but I was pleased to see that Evan has kept up his numeracy practice as he continues to count - a skill that keeps him alive on more than one occasion. It's also a lot more personal, especially for Evan who has to deal with some pretty heavy emotional stuff right from the start. Then, as things go on, he starts to build up a bigger picture of the Orphan project that he has escaped from. I say escaped, no one ever leaves, which is really the crux of the matter and in this book, we see what happens to others when they tried.
With the first two books, I read them both first and then also listened to the wonderful Scott Brick narrate the Audiobook version. He really brings the story and characters to life and I really can't wait to get my hands on his imagining of this book too.
Characterisation is what really sells this story to me. I don't quite know exactly why but I really believe in Evan as a character and kinda like him as a person too. Probably in a motherly way but, hey, it's all valid! With what he has been through, to come through it all and still be caring and compassionate and with what he does to help others, just touches me so much. Oh that and being a bit kick-ass gung-ho, that helps too! I also like the way he is developing through the series, even considering that quite a fair bit is told as backstory, Evan has remained true to his timeline and the way he is evolving in the present, and indeed learning new skills both professionally and personally, makes him all the more interesting and fulfilling a character. I'd love to shoot the breeze with him over a vodka one day...
Anyway, all in all, a cracking addition to what has catapulted into being one of my favourite series. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Continuing saga of orphan X, not my favourite genre but nevertheless a good read

My thanks to Michael Joseph, Penguin Books and Netgalley for an opportunity to offer my free unbiased review.
My one regret in reading this is that I should have read books 1 & 2 of the series first. Not because it needs it but because I have a quaint habit of usually reading series in sequence.
If you like spoilers or need a plot outline this review is not for you - there are loads of other reviews out there and the books blurb is a good place to start. Let me concentrate on the crafting and plotting. Both are very good and consistent that is they are maintained throughout the volume. The characterisation is also comprehensive and all the characters can live and breath in your imagination. I'll be tracking down books 1 & 2 of the Orphan X thrillers and reading them over easter.

Author ensures that reader is fully immersed in storyline. Great page turner throughout

I love these book so much and Hellbent didn't disappoint in anyway. This time we see Evan an ex employee of a government program seek revenge and for the first time partner up with a female computer wiz Joey.
I have read all the Orphan x series and yet I could still recommend these books as stand alone. Each book reflects back to the Evan's history and the bits we need to know to make each book link. Jack Reacher stand aside because new guy in town, Evan, is taking over with a bang!
Gregg's books always take me away from reality and give a thrilling, exciting action packed read that never fails to fulfil.

This may be advertised as a gripping thriller but not for me. Perhaps the advanced sci-fi stuff is beyond me. The characters did not convince me either. Eventually, far from being unable to put it down, I gave up.

This the third in the series and is a brilliant extension to the first two books. The development of the main character is nothing short of enthralling. The first two books introduced us to a damaged yet focused character but this third took the story line to a whole new level. I would recommend that the books be read in order as the storyline builds brilliantly, this is a fantistic series and the third story is an execelent read. Highly recommend.

Taken from a life of nothing to be trained as a government assassin could be thought of as salvation. But when the same government kills your handler, a figure you took as a father figure, then it becomes a fight for revenge. Orphan X won't stop until he gets his. A bit too formulaic for me. Lots of action, violence and layers. Some character building just didn't grab me.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book. It was a very well written book. The storyline and characters where great. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.