Critic Oline Cogdill shared her review of Gregg Hurwitz’ Antihero. The review was originally published in the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Thanks to Hurwitz’ appearance at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore, there are signed copies of Antihero available in the Webstore. https://tinyurl.com/yeyp84a5
Thanks to Cogdill for this review.
Book review: Gregg Hurwitz’s ‘Antihero’ adds new depth to hard-hitting, high-tech Orphan X mythology
‘Antihero: An Orphan X Novel’ by Gregg Hurwitz; Minotaur; 416 pages; $30
Evan Smoak — the protagonist of Gregg Hurwitz’ highly entertaining, action-packed series — can be considered both a hero and an “Antihero.” Hurwitz continues his high standards of mixing hard-hitting drama and high-tech equipment with an in-depth, at times emotional, character study in “Antihero,” the 11th installment in this popular series.
Evan’s world comes with provocative backstory that Hurwitz continues to build on with each novel, though new readers will appreciate that each can stand on its own. Evan is Orphan X who, at age 12, was trained by the U.S. Department of Defense to be an assassin. From the beginning, his handler told him the hard part would not be making him a killer — it would be keeping him human. The novels explore Evan’s personal battle with his violent nature while embracing his humanity.
To save himself, Evan put himself in danger by leaving the Orphan program to reinvent himself as “the Nowhere Man.” He’s still an assassin, though he doesn’t always resort to killing. Instead, he’s dedicated to helping people who were “being terrorized … who had nowhere else to turn,” completely pro bono.
“Antihero” plunges Evan into his mission, as he is out to rescue Anca Dumitrescu, a young woman who has been kidnapped and is being tortured in the Bronx. He leaves the safety of his high-tech Los Angeles apartment, which is more like a hideout, for the East Coast. Evan’s “mission” puts him back in touch with uncontrollable billionaire Luke Devine, once his target but now a quasi-ally. Politically connected on a global basis, the erratic Luke’s “force field of influence complicated the world.” To contend with Luke, Evan has to become “more complicated himself.”
Hurwitz ladles intense action that erupts immediately from the first line of “Antihero,” as Evan focuses only on saving Anca, heedless of any injuries to himself, while utilizing every ultra-sophisticated machinery available. No matter how out-there those weapons and equipment seem — and these are indeed high-tech — Hurwitz keeps every detail grounded in reality.
The plot’s thriller aspects are balanced by Evan’s personality. His persona as X and Nowhere Man has led to a stoic, solitary existence, often denying himself pleasures and friendships. He still may not exactly have friends, but he has allies, people he cares about and on whom he can count. One person puts a fleet of helicopters and private planes at his disposal — it does help to have wealthy people on your side. A young woman, who is a computer expert and a former Orphan operative, has become Evan’s surrogate daughter, and he genuinely cares about her dog, which he rescued. He knows emotions are “messy,” requiring courage that he’s not sure he has.
Evan knows that feelings are dangerous in his line of work, but the broader danger is that he could lose his soul if he remains unfeeling. He also is learning to give into pleasure. He delights in buying a pair of mega-expensive, “decadent” boots, and it’s the first time he has bought anything because “it caught his fancy.” Readers will cheer this on. He loves exorbitant vodka, so refined it is beyond the highest of top shelves, but he limits himself to the one perfect drink.
In each outing, Hurwitz edges deeper in both action and Evan’s psychological growth. “Antihero” is another stellar adventure.
You can also watch Gregg Hurwitz’ conversation with John Sandford at The Poisoned Pen.