The Code
- Judith D Collins
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
By: Greg Hurwitz
Orphan X #10.5
Narrator: Scott Brick
Macmillan Audio
Orphan X Short Story
ISBN: 9781250429803
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: 09/02/2025
Format: e-book
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
A Short Story
In the latest short story from bestselling author Gregg Hurwitz, discover the teenage missions of Orphan X.
Before he was the feared black ops government assassin Orphan X, operating in the shadows and spoken about in whispers, Evan Smoak was a teenager, undergoing the most rigorous of training. At 17, Evan is sent off by his handler, ex-CIA station agent Jack Johns, to take the most intense U.S. military training course. But that is only part of the challenge before him - Evan has to get there and back, safely and quietly, maintaining operational security. And along the way, facing unexpected challenges, Evan must use everything he's learned since the day he was taken from the foster home in East Baltimore, lessons that Jack Johns has drilled into him, laws of life and death that are to become The Code.
This program is read by AudioFile Golden Voice narrator Scott Brick, winner of the 2024 ITW Thriller award for his narration of the Orphan X book The Last Orphan, and the 2025 Audie Award for his narration of the Orphan X book Lone Wolf.
"Brick devotes attention to every voice.… His accents and inflections boost the listening experience.”
—AudioFile on Nemesis
My Review
Bestselling author Gregg Hurwitz triumphantly returns to his acclaimed Orphan X series, THE CODE. This action-packed and insightful prequel short story delves into the formative years of Evan Smoak. Set against a backdrop of intense training and self-discovery, this gripping tale unveils the intricate development of Evan's moral compass at the pivotal age of seventeen.
Filled with the same heart-pounding action and intricate plotting that readers have come to expect from Hurwitz, this short story not only captivates with its thrilling narrative but also includes an exciting sneak peek of the highly anticipated forthcoming novel, ANTIHERO set to release on February 10, 2026. Prepare to dive deep into Evan's world like never before!
About...
THE CODE provides a fascinating backstory, focusing on Evan's journey and his challenging teenage training, offering insights into his early life as an orphan and the intense lessons he learned from his handler, Jack Johns.
We get a glimpse into the training of the Orphan Program. Foster kids have a particular advantage, tending to be desperate and pliable. Should they die in action, get taken hostage, or wind up murdered, there is no one to miss or mourn them.
They are given no more information than that which they require to follow orders; if they are tortured, they have nothing useful to reveal.
The Orphans are raised in silos separate from one another and the rest of humanity and trained in isolation—no friends, no teammates, no backup. When they are ready to deploy, they operate in areas the US government cannot be and do things the US government cannot do. Technically, they do not exist.
Every Orphan is overseen by handler Jack Johns, a former CIA station chief who yanked him out of East Baltimore's Pride House Group Home at the age of twelve, a semi-abduction Evan was happy to yield to, given the dismal future he was facing.
Jack was tough and the only person who ever treated Evan as if he had any worth. He had become like a father to Evan, reminding him, "The hard part isn't turning you into a killer. The hard part is keeping you human."
My reflections…
In THE CODE, readers are invited to delve into the intriguing origins of the "Code" that shapes Evan's choices, revealing the principles he absorbed throughout his formative years. This foundational set of beliefs ultimately becomes the cornerstone of his identity as the enigmatic "Nowhere Man."
A huge fan of the series since Book #1, it was exciting to learn about the early years. True to the thrilling style of the Orphan X series, the narrative maintains a relentless pace, blending heart-pounding action with profound character insights. This makes it an ideal gateway for both long-time fans and newcomers, allowing everyone to grasp the essence of Evan’s journey.
Rich with emotion and thought-provoking moments, this captivating short story masterfully explores Evan's youth, laying bare the roots of his character while simultaneously offering a glimpse into Hurwitz's latest Orphan X #11 installment, ANTIHERO. It’s a compelling exploration that deepens our understanding of Evan and the intricate world he inhabits.
Special thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for providing a digital advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. I look forward to listening to the audiobook narrated by the fabulous Scott Brick!
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Sep 02, 2025
About the Author
Gregg Hurwitz is the New York Times, #1 internationally bestselling author of 23 thrillers, including the Orphan X series, and two award-winning thriller novels for teens. His novels have won numerous literary awards, graced top ten lists, and have been published in 33 languages. Gregg currently serves as the Co-President of International Thriller Writers (ITW). WEBSITE
