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This is a Buddy Read for Orphan X by Gregg Andrew Hurwitz starting on June 7, 2024.


Happy Reading!

Finally! I am going to read it this time around!

I have the same great plan :D

Looking forward to it!

Folks said Yes to 1/month schedule--and to taking a break for Nov/Dec. So far! We'll see when we hit #4 if we actually want to pause...

Once-a-Month schedule:
1. Orphan X (June 7)
Short: Buy a Bullet

2. The Nowhere Man (July 7) [Link]
3. Hellbent (Aug 7) [Link]
Short: The Intern
4. Out of the Dark (Sept 7) [Link]

--2025--
5. Into the Fire (Jan 7) [link]
Short: The List
6. Prodigal Son (Feb 7) [link]
7. Dark Horse (Mar 7) [link]
8. The Last Orphan (Apr 7) [link]
Short: The Recital
9. Lone Wolf (May 7) [link]
10. Nemesis (Jun 7) [link]

audiobook: no library/subscription copies.
ebook: 1-4 on KU

Here to cheerlead from the sidelines... maybe Brian & Soo will join in (the cheering)...

Woohoo!

Was going through next month's BR for some planning and was like oh, I've been wanting to read this... Looks like I've already decided I was going to read it lol

Ha ha. @Emily. I do that to.

I started this as an eye read. My library has them in audio but only later in the series so I put in for this one on my kindle. I’m quite enjoying it. It will probably take me the whole month. Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ I can’t wait until Evan murders that monster. Sex traffickers are the most evil people imaginable. (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 17 and OMG I am loving this book so far! (view spoiler)[I am loving the flashbacks to Evan's past and I can't wait to find out how he ended up doing what he is doing now. Is he a cold-blooded killer? Yes. Do I love him so far? Also yes lol (hide spoiler)]

I’m 17% in and not liking Mia very much. (view spoiler)[ She forces Evan to drive her to get Peter, gets oil in his truck, complains about the windows and very clearly makes judgmental comments on his lifestyle (him going to buy vodka). Then makes him wait around while she takes calls. It’s fucking rude. I had thought the author was setting that up as a love connection but now I’m hoping he doesn’t. (hide spoiler)]

Mia is the romantic interest of the series� but it’s fraught, given Evan’s backstory� and honestly doesn’t get alot of page time� too much dangerous stuff is going on most of the time�

Since I have time, I’m gonna re-read, I think�.

Timelord Iain wrote: "Mia is the romantic interest of the series� but it’s fraught, given Evan’s backstory� and honestly doesn’t get alot of page time� too much dangerous stuff is going on most of the time�"

I am all for Team Mia & Peter! Too bad they are not featured prominently going forward.

Through chapter 40 (view spoiler)[and things are not looking great for Evan. The Orphans that are trying to kill him have been one step ahead of him so far, obviously this is a decently long series so I fully expect that he will prevail in the end but it is tense! And how did he get to what he is doing now? His adoptive "father", John I think, is no longer in the picture? Was he horribly murdered and that is what set Evan on this course? He just had a dream where John was bloody but I have been thinking this may have been the case for a while now. If it turns out John is somehow alive and he is the one that set Orphan 0 and Candy on Evan I will be so mad! (hide spoiler)]

I am loving it and I have plans this afternoon which I am now resenting because it will delay me finishing until tonight lol

I love Peter. Mia can eat a bag.

I hate when plans mess up reading time.

They feature a fair bit in the first 5-6 books... they've been a bit AWOL lately, for various reasons... Peter is great, I don't remember Mia being a problem in the first book, but she has her ups and downs...

I think there's backstory with Peter's father, and she's seen plenty of stuff as a district attorney... but this is just me spitballing off the top of my head... been a few years since I read books 1-7... been following new releases yearly for about 3 years now... me & Brian & Soo when she's around, in the Vagabond thread...

Ann-Marie wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Mia is the romantic interest of the series� but it’s fraught, given Evan’s backstory� and honestly doesn’t get alot of page time� too much dangerous stuff is going on most of ..."

Pfft... book 1 isn't dangerous ;)

Wait until you get to the artificially intelligent nanorobotic drones in book 7 or 8 :D

Also, Evan's anti-gravity bed................

Timelord Iain wrote: "Ann-Marie wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Mia is the romantic interest of the series� but it’s fraught, given Evan’s backstory� and honestly doesn’t get alot of page time� too much dangerous stuff is..."

I am sure things just escalate as the series progresses. Is it like Silo with the nanobot thingies? I will be finishing shortly.

Timelord Iain wrote: "Also, Evan's anti-gravity bed................"

That actually sounds terrible to me....

Recent years have been influenced by the rise of AI in the media... both Orphan X and Gray Man have had 1-2 AI plotlines...

Bed: fits with his OCD, but I don't quite know the logistics... assume it's a metal bedframe / platform beneath the mattress...

Didn't he say powerful magnets with a tether to the wall to avoid any movement? I feel like that would cause so many jump scare falling nightmares, no thank you!

Finished and I loved it! (view spoiler)[I knew the katana in the truck was likely to come into play and boy did it! That scene alone was worth reading the book for, so well-done! I was glad Jack is still alive but is he a good guy? I hope so but I imagine future books will address it. I was not sad that whatsherface died, good riddance to her I say! Very much looking forward to the next :) (hide spoiler)]

Nirkatze wrote: "Looking forward to it!

So far just the first book has been scheduled, so we can decide if we want to do this as a once-a-month or to pick up the pace book-club style.

Once-a-Month schedule:
1. [b..."

You missed that 1-3 includes free audio on KU... whispersync is cheap too, at least on book 1 (book 1 is $3.50 on June sale, but $2.66 with whispersync and KU)

Just realize Audible sale has started that we've been waiting for... SITEWIDE...

Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[It's still a bit unclear what Evan does. Well he seems to help people in danger but who pays him. Haha, the bed designed in Finland, where is my bed like that then xD (hide spoiler)]

Felina wrote: "Ha ha. @Emily. I do that to.

I started this as an eye read. My library has them in audio but only later in the series so I put in for this one on my kindle. I’m quite enjoying it. It will probabl..."

(view spoiler)[And think how that monster is propably a cop!! (hide spoiler)]

Started my re-read... the narration for the vodka scene sounded wistful... not sure how it felt in text...

The rest, I can see why Felina has problems... I guess I just wasn't as bothered by it... in general, (view spoiler)[it seems like this first book wants to show how overworked Mia is, and still grieving the loss of her husband and adjust to her new normal... I forget how long it's been since his death, but she definitely has alot going on, with a high stress job, adopted son, and the Homeowners Association... (hide spoiler)]

And remember the rule of spy shows/movies/etc: (view spoiler)[if you don't see a dead body, don't assume anything... and even if you DO see a dead body, don't assume anything :D (hide spoiler)]

Timelord Iain wrote: "And remember the rule of spy shows/movies/etc: [spoilers removed]"

I wasn't surprised at that revelation, I just hope it ends up a happy, welcome surprise rather than a bad one!

My interpretation of Evan/Mia: (view spoiler)[it's more about accentuating the differences between his OCD tendencies and her messy life, and the compromises that will be needed if they're ever gonna work... (hide spoiler)]

Candy: (view spoiler)[is an easier and obvious romantic interest, if you've ever watched any spy shows/movies...

She returns in future installments, having survived the acid bottles in the closet she was thrown into... her back is disfigured, tho... or heavily scarred... (hide spoiler)]

Wait her name is Violet? How did I miss that reveal????

Ann-Marie wrote: "Wait her name is Violet? How did I miss that reveal????"

I dunno why I said Violet... it's Candy (had to do a google to remember), I had a complete brain misfire on that... I'm pretty sure it's mentioned in the story, before/after the Orphan aspect is revealed... I think I was mixing up something from the McDonald's food bag scene...

That's what I remembered but with a group like that she could have had another name lol

She's named like a stripper, but in the context of the series she's more of a Femme Fatal with some messed up ideas of fun...

Give it a couple books... this series is kinda bonkers, even for the spy thriller genre... I think... I've only really read a half dozen vigilante/etc thriller series...

But book 5... with a plot like that one, you'd think it was a series finale type deal...

Okay this book was really good. Just the change in genre i needed i think! Did not want to put it down (view spoiler)[ i was CONVINCED the "Top Dog" was Jack... nice to see i was right about him being alive though xD (hide spoiler)]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "Okay this book was really good. Just the change in genre i needed i think! Did not want to put it down [spoilers removed]"

Totally agree with all of this!!!

Top Dog is Toppest Dog, I'd say that's the mystery of the first couple books... takes Evan a bit to figure out who is after him/them and why...

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[I love how he helps people and is only asking them to give his number to the next. I am still curious to know how he gets money then. That monster is dead now 😃 (hide spoiler)]

Felina wrote: "I’m 17% in and not liking Mia very much. [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Haha, wow you have so strong opinions about Mia :D But I agree about her comments on his lifestyle. I hate comments like that! (hide spoiler)]

Starting! Just at the very beginning--I really like that whole list of characters in the dedication... especially since I recognized 95% of them...

Ann-Marie wrote: "Through chapter 17 and OMG I am loving this book so far! [spoilers removed]"

Really enjoying so far--up through Chapter 19 (view spoiler)[And really starting to wonder about how the past and present connect. The person on the phone saying "Next time" just like Jack. Then the contact with the other Orphan... is that going to be the antagonist?

I really like the setup--like the list in the dedication--the trope of a mysterious secret agent lone wolf trying to help the people who most need it by working outside the law. Sad to read y'all's comments that the romantic interest is 1) annoying some of y'all and 2) largely sidelined. Would like to see more connection there. Though honestly, I'm more team Peter than team Mia myself... I'll take a surrogate parent connection over a romantic one any day. (hide spoiler)]

Nirkatze wrote: "Starting! Just at the very beginning--I really like that whole list of characters in the dedication... especially since I recognized 95% of them..."

The dedication was epic, happy you are enjoying it too :)

Finished! Really enjoyed it! Loved the twists and turns and ultimate conclusions. Great breath of fresh air... (view spoiler)[though also really reminds me (as many books do) of a comparison Lois McMaster Bujold made in one of the Vorkosigan forewords... about male romances v. female romances--male romances (like James Bond) ending with the woman dead, and the man ready to move on to new physical love, while female romances usually end with a marriage, and start of new life... Seeing Evan sleep with one woman and then turn around and kiss another was a bit disconcerting.

I loved Peter and his balloon messaging system. Smart kid... part of me wonders if he will end up getting kidnapped at some point, or even end up in Orphan training...

Was glad to see that my instincts about that other Orphan dude were correct... was surprised to see Jack alive, but that was only because I didn't read all the comments yet--if I'd seen @Iain's "movie rules apply" note I'd've known! Dittoing Ann-Marie--I am curious what side Jack is truly on at this point... why was Evan targeted in the beginning? It's all a big tangly Borne Identity-style mess of conspiracy...

I'm now wondering which book Evan saves the President in. The President has to get involved at some point. (hide spoiler)]

I'm guessing the positive feedback means folks want to continue? Shall we keep the day and go 1/month? If folks say aye, I'll schedule through Oct.

I think you're confusing Jack (view spoiler)[the man that trained Evan with the other Orphan from the orphanage that became a trained killer with a different training regimine, and he met on a job, and just killed a guy in a bar and shot a dad through his son's eye socket?

Unless I'm terrible at remembering plot details already, Jack didn't reappear in this book after the gunshot in the car garage that allowed Evan to flee the program, but could have survived maybe and faked his death to free Evan and escape the other Orphans / Big Boss out to get him... (hide spoiler)]

Book 2 reminds me of Jack Reacher book 2...

Chapter 17
(view spoiler)[He has another person to help now, tough situation. A professional group tried to kill her and they have her father. I am curious to see how they can save her father and solve this situation. (hide spoiler)]

Ann-Marie wrote: "Through chapter 17 and OMG I am loving this book so far! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I wouldn't say he's a cold-blooded killer, with all that talk about feeding the both wolves and I feel like they would have succeeded with it (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 19
(view spoiler)[Nooo, they killed her father 😱 (hide spoiler)]

Nirkatze wrote: "Ann-Marie wrote: "Through chapter 17 and OMG I am loving this book so far! [spoilers removed]"

Really enjoying so far--up through Chapter 19..."

(view spoiler)[What person on the phone said that? What do you mean with "the contact with the other Orphan"? I am taking them all as lonely & isolated, not having a contact with each other. I am wondering if I have missed something (hide spoiler)]

Johanna wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "Ann-Marie wrote: "Through chapter 17 and OMG I am loving this book so far! [spoilers removed]"

Really enjoying so far--up through Chapter 19..."

[spoilers removed]"

I don't remember when it happens but (view spoiler)[there are more orphans than just Evan. (hide spoiler)]

Ann-Marie wrote: "Johanna wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "Ann-Marie wrote: "Through chapter 17 and OMG I am loving this book so far! [spoilers removed]"

Really enjoying so far--up through Chapter 19..."

[spoilers removed..."

(view spoiler)[Yeah he's X and there are more of them (23). But they don't know who the others are and are't allowed to contact them (hide spoiler)]