Nemesis

An Orphan X Novel, Volume 10

By: Gregg Hurwitz

Narrated by: Scott Brick

"Brick employs perfect timing and emphasis to portray Evan and plays him with heart.... Series fans will be eager to tee up this new Hurwitz blockbuster."—AudioFile on Lone Wolf

No greater friend. No deadlier enemy.

The explosive new novel in the New York Times bestselling Orphan X series is flipping the acclaimed series on its head. Find out why series superfans and new listeners alike are calling it a “knockout” (firstCLUE).

Evan Smoak is a highly trained former government assassin who has survived for years by keeping his circle to a few trusted confidants and a strict code he calls “The Ten Commandments.” But when Evan suddenly finds himself at odds with his oldest friend, all the rules he lives by shatter—and the consequences are murderous.

Tommy Stojack might be Evan's best friend in the world. He’s a gifted gunsmith who has created much of Evan's own weapons and combat gear. But now, he has apparently crossed one of Evan's hardest lines and their argument explodes into open warfare. Now Evan has no choice but to track and face down his only friend.

In the meantime, Tommy has left town in order to honor his own promise to help a dead friend's son. While Tommy is fighting to save the son with everything he’s got, Evan arrives with vengeance in mind.

But as deadly as the former Orphan X is, there is an even more dangerous threat about to arrive on the scene. The only question left is will any of them get out alive.

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books.

©2025 Gregg Hurwitz (P)2025 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Nemesis is an excellent turning point in the Orphan X series with great story arcs that embrace meaningful and engaging themes distinct to each character and also opens the door for an even rawer and emotionally beaten Evan like you would never expect by the end of the narrative. Hurwitz throws a curveball that will leave you stunned for the better part of a day when you finally reach the end."—Best Thriller Books

My rating is generous

I almost stopped listening to this book multiple times due to the incessant rambling on and on about.. pretty anything not involving the action of the story.

I find the bloated descriptions of characters to drag on and on, while serving only to reduce them to very shallow caricatures and stereotypes. While the point of the book seemed to be judging those who do precisely that.

The amount of time spent on the actual action and movement of the story seemed very little by comparison.

I don’t want to reveal any plot details, so I won’t elaborate very much.

Evan’s character also continues to approach targets woefully unprepared, and without sound principles. From which sound tactics are derived.

For example, if your ambush permits the target to think, then it’s not really an ambush - it’s a friendly greeting.

And if the targets begin the ambush all crammed together in a single vehicle - then they’d better end the ambush all dead in the same single vehicle. Or your ambush really, really sucked.

I find Evan’s arrogant yapping to his targets to be maddening as well. Just handle your business.

Yapping is the general thing I most dislike about these novels.

Even the most well intentioned kid is a moron. Fine. Do we need to dwell on it?

Tommy’s voice and manner of speaking is cute in small doses, but it feels like what Evan did to Janus having to listen to Tommy for more than five minutes. Although the narrator is awesome at what he does - but he’s just reading what’s already there.

Evan still does not appear to carry any backup weapons. And this guy actually gets captured in the middle of a.. magazine change - while on assignment.

The author’s writing of the actual action I did find to be very good and suspenseful - even if the main character was making nonsensical choices and violating basic principles.

Action is fun and entertaining. Lecturing the reader is irritating. I get it - murdering innocent families is something we should all try to avoid. Fine. Noted. Unless they’re the wrong color of crayon.. wait - that’s not good either. Ok. Also noted.

One of my irritations with authors is writing characters as if all the characters aren’t just aspects of the author. Essentially meaning that all the characters are just saying what the author is thinking - not what the “characters” are thinking.

In this way, the author just indulges his own stereotypes, while pretending they’re different characters. The characters in this book were extremely shallow caricatures, while being presented as deep psychological studies or something.

I’ve always said that empathy is a mental illness. A projection. A delusion. You will never understand people. You don’t even understand yourself.

Much better to let your characters be mysteries. Like real people. Not media stereotypes or author caricatures. Not propaganda puppets.

Two benefits to only writing action, with minimal sermonizing and psych analysis:

(1) Action is a hell of a lot more fun and entertaining
(2) The action ITSELF will give you a glimpse into the character of the characters, WHILE leaving a bit of mystery as to the full scope of their inner motivations - thus presenting them as real people and not as psychological stereotypes and circus caricatures.

This one mistake is most common among authors, and the one I find most irritating. I’ll take nonsensical action in trade for psycho gibberish all day every day.

You CAN’T go wrong with action that keeps moving. Just like in your own life. Do you ideally want to sit around whining to yourself endlessly - or do something else?

Reading a book is no different to me. Less self righteous ruminating, any more action.

The action is itself the explanation. An explanation that will never be fully explained. Just like real life. And the mystery itself adds to the suspense and intrigue. To the fun.

Do you even understand why you do most of what YOU do? Of course not. So the idea that an author’s going to perfectly explain the psychological makeups of his characters is futile. It’s really a reflection of the author’s desperation.. Just let it go, brother..

Of course, if one of the author’s objectives is propaganda, while pretending to hate propaganda - thus implying credibility to his own propaganda - then he has no choice but to use stereotypes and caricatures. This is how you brainwash.

Regardless of motivation - it’s gotdamn annoying. I almost quit listening entirely many times, but instead just keep fast forwarding to get back to the action.

The action was fun and suspenseful. I do feel that as an assassin, Evan is incompetent though. But, heh, that’s real life too. It’s still suspenseful.

I’d just rather listen to incompetent action, then shallow, stereotypical, self righteous sermons and descriptions of people.

I myself practice what I call the “neutral mind”. Not to be confused with the way this phrase may be applied by others, since the phrase itself isn’t unique.

By neutral mind, I mean that I practice observing people and things without forming conclusions or judgments. This is actually very difficult. It’s also the way I’d prefer to read a book. You let things unfold rather than trying to box them in.

I will say that, in a way, the author was also making the statement that people are not as they may first appear. I’m just saying that he did it in the most annoying way possible.

Better way to do it: A character does something horrible. Then the same character does something awesome. But it’s never really explained why the character did either. You may have some idea. Or no idea. Based on the.. action.

Words are part of action too. But overrated in large quantities.

Think of meeting a person in real life who talks about himself - or about anything - for too long, while you tuned out 30 minutes ago, while trying to be polite. That person can’t take a hint. It’s self indulgent and annoying. Whatever their reason for rambling on and on - it’s still an irritating imposition to you..

The reader.

One of the best yet

Great story throughout, one of the best in the series. With the listen. Why do reviews have to 15 words long?

Brilliant!

Brilliant! Another spine tingling journey into the world of the Orphan X. Can’t wait for the next installment of this amazing series.

Another great one!!

I don’t know exactly all the reasons why I am so enamored with this series, but I was hooked since book one. I actually checked at midnight to see if the book was on audible the day of release because I was so excited. I really enjoyed it because it was Slightly different yet still had so many of the elements I love. It kept me engaged, and I felt the emotions of many of the characters which is really cool. Now I just can’t wait for the next one.!!

Best X Yet

How do you write a novel where Orphan X is at odds with Tommy Stojack??? Impossible? No. You do it exactly the way Greg Hurwitz did. I had no idea where this plot would go and the author absolutely delivered the goods. Well done, Mr. Hurwitz. Well done. Scott Brick gives an exceptional performance, especially with so much written from Tommy’s perspective. Can’t wait for the next book.

The good and evil theme - within each character

Loved it. Gregg Hurwitz and Scott Brick are the perfect team. I can’t wait for the next Orphan X book.

Best yet!

Non stop action from very beginning to the very end. The relationships of the younger and older men, amongst themselves and with others is well developed. Multiple characters experience life altering situations and learn valuable lessons along the way. I want more - great book.

I love Orphan X, but this was a hard one

This book was, as always, very well written and well performed. However, it was not necessarily enjoyable. We got deep glimpses into the psyche of both Tommy and X. If for some reason this has popped onto your radar and you’re not a fan of all the previous books, I would take a pass. If you love orphan X, then I know you’ll read it, as did I, however it is a very difficult read.

SO GOOD

I freaking love this series!I love Gregg Hurwitz! I love Scot Brick! It all just works!! This book is amazing. I couldn't wait to get back to it every time I had to put it down!

Amazing yet sad

God I was on pins and needles. I couldn’t wait to where I could listen. 15 mins here hour there. What a story and ending. I felt that last 2 minutes in my heart