Antihero
- Judith D Collins
- Jan 18
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 19
Orphan X #11
Narrator: Scott Brick
ISBN: 9781250871770
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Minotaur Books
Publication Date: 02/10/2026
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC) (ALC)
In the latest in this New York Times best-selling series, Evan Smoak takes on his most complex mission yet—one where he has to not only protect but also avenge, and find a way to balance vengeance with mercy.
Once a black ops assassin for the government known as Orphan X, Evan Smoak broke with the program and went deep underground, using his operational rules and skills to help the truly desperate with nowhere else to turn.
When Luke Devine, one of the most powerful men in the world has a psychological crisis, Evan flies to the East Coast to meet Luke. While there, he learns of a young woman who was kidnapped off the New York City subway, clearly in danger and in need of aid. With no name and few clues, Evan and his team track down the missing woman, who was assaulted and abandoned. Evan offers his help—and sets out tracking down the young men responsible. But the woman insists that Evan abandon his usual methods—no vengeance and, in particular, no killing. Which will prove no easy feat given the mounting incoming threats from all sides. In a mission that takes Evan from coast to coast, from the poorest corners of society to the richest, Orphan X must figure out a way to protect the innocent, avenge the victimized, and balance justice, with a measure of mercy.
About the Author
GREGG HURWITZ is the author of the New York Times bestselling Orphan X novels. Critically acclaimed, his novels have been international bestsellers, graced top ten lists, and have been published in thirty-two languages. Additionally, he’s sold scripts to many of the major studios, and written, developed, and produced television for various networks. Hurwitz lives in Los Angeles.
My Review
In ANTIHERO Book #11 in the thrilling sequel to Gregg Hurwitz's acclaimed series featuring Evan Smoak (Orphan X), readers are plunged into a gripping narrative where Evan grapples with his most ethically complex mission to date.
Following the tumultuous events of "Nemesis," he finds himself tasked with aiding a young woman who has been kidnapped and assaulted. Uniquely, she implores him to spare her attackers' lives, compelling Evan to reconcile his lethal abilities with a newfound sense of mercy and a transformative commandment.
As he navigates profound grief and external dangers, this journey pushes him to confront his own humanity and the true cost of honoring promises.
About...
The novel begins with Evan Smoak, who operates as the "Nowhere Man" helping the desperate, flying to the East Coast to aid Luke Devine, a powerful man experiencing a psychological crisis.
While on the East Coast, Evan learns of a young woman who was kidnapped, assaulted, and abandoned after being taken from a New York City subway.
Evan and his team, which includes fan-favorite tech expert Joey (Orphan V), track down the young men responsible for the woman's ordeal. However, the victim insists that Evan not kill her attackers, forcing him to find an alternative form of justice.
The core of the plot revolves around Evan's internal struggle to reconcile his past as a ruthless assassin with his developing humanity and the victim's demand for mercy. This mission pushes his moral compass and tests his ability to operate without using lethal force, all while facing threats from the powerful and wealthy individuals involved.
Ultimately, Evan must find a way to protect the innocent, avenge the victimized, and balance justice with a measure of mercy, resulting in a unique and emotionally impactful resolution that challenges his core beliefs. The ending provides a satisfying conclusion to this personal and conflicted mission.
My thoughts...
Fans will delight!
In this gripping narrative, we follow Evan Smoak, the enigmatic former black ops assassin known as Orphan X. This time, he confronts a profound moral dilemma when a victim he seeks to assist implores him to set aside his typical approach of lethal retribution.
The plot unfolds with exhilarating action and unexpected twists, as Smoak navigates the treacherous journey of tracking down her attackers. Throughout this thrilling pursuit, he wrestles with his deep-seated instincts, striving to find the delicate balance between justice and mercy.
The main themes in ANTIHERO revolve around the complex interplay of justice and mercy, the nature of vengeance, and the protagonist's journey toward humanity and connection.
Evan lives by a strict code of commandments to protect the innocent. In ANTIHERO, his moral compass is stretched to the brink, leading to self-doubt as he is forced to operate outside his usual rules, testing the limits of his personal ethics and the redemption he seeks.
My favorite, Josephine "Joey" Morales, serves as the emotional anchor and primary technical support for Evan Smoak. Her presence is crucial to the novel's exploration of Evan's humanity. In Antihero, Joey is seen "spreading her wings," which triggers a new, foreign emotion for Evan: genuine worry for her safety.
The takeaway message of Gregg Hurwitz's clever ANTIHERO is that true justice does not always require lethal vengeance, and that extending mercy, even to the undeserving, can be a more profound act of humanity and strength than simple retribution.
The book challenges the traditional revenge narrative by forcing its antihero, Evan, to find alternative, non-lethal solutions. Redemption is a complex process that requires individuals to continually question and evolve their moral codes. Empathy, connection, and balancing the innate desire for justice with the capacity for mercy is a powerful, transformative journey.
The title ANTIHERO directly refers to the protagonist, Evan Smoak, and the central internal conflict he faces in the novel: challenging his violent nature and exploring the meaning of justice versus vengeance.
The audiobook experience is truly masterful, as always!
I recently had the distinct pleasure of not only reading the book but also immersing myself in the audiobook, masterfully narrated by the talented Scott Brick (a personal favorite). His exceptional voice brings the characters to life, drawing you into a world filled with high-stakes action, moral complexity, and the intricate dance between vengeance and mercy. This combination results in a highly entertaining and compelling listening experience. The collaboration between Gregg Hurwitz, the creator of Orphan X, and Scott Brick is a dynamic duo that fans simply cannot get enough of.
I highly recommend this series, and please do start from the beginning as you do not want to miss a thing!
Special thanks to Minotaur Books, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing me advanced reading and listening copies in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Feb 10, 2026
