Review: Antihero by Gregg Hurwitz

 

Antihero (Orphan X #11) by Gregg Hurwitz

Publication Date: February 10th 2026 by Minotaur Books & Macmillan Audio

Pages: 416

Audio Book Length: 14hrs 12min

Narrator: Scott Brick

Source: Publishers

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Evan Smoak was trained as an elite assassin for a covert government program, but after uncovering its darkest secrets, he walked away. Now he operates as the Nowhere Man, helping the helpless when they have nowhere else to turn. One of the reasons I love this series is that justice usually wins, bad guys get what’s coming to them in the most satisfying ways, something I wish happened more often in real life.

 

Evan’s abilities never cease to amaze me. Even when he’s backed into a no‑win situation, he finds a way through. And every time he delivers his signature line, “Look at me closely. And ask yourself: Do I look scared?” I know a well‑deserved smackdown is coming, and it always puts a smile on my face.

 

Each Orphan X book has its own mission, but the fallout from Evan leaving the program and the evolution of his relationships continues to build, so it’s best to start from the beginning. If you haven’t begun this series, you’re in for a treat: high‑stakes action, compelling missions, and sharp, dry humor make Orphan X one of my all‑time favorites.

 

The case in Antihero was tough. I was enraged over what happened. Evan had a tough time managing his reactions. He wanted to go nuclear and it was confusing for him since he’s never had so many emotional ties. The need to protect and destroy was overwhelming.

 

Joey continues to feel like a niece or daughter to him, and her desire to take on a bigger role complicates things. I’m thrilled with how Candi has been stepping up, and something revealed about her has me excited. Naomi Templeton is an intriguing new-ish addition, and I wonder if there might be something there for Evan. I like Mia, and I was happy to see her soften toward him, but I still don’t know how it could ever work.

 

I alternated between reading and listening, and both formats are excellent, the audiobooks are truly fantastic. Scott Brick is Evan Smoak to me now. His accents, male and female voices are excellent. His comedic timing is spot on!

5 Stars

Book Description:

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.