the setup…
Evan Smoak is recovering from the devastating attack on his penthouse six months ago and a chance encounter with a migrant worker has him considering a new Nowhere Man mission. But Aragón Urrea is no innocent, a drug kingpin in Texas who operates outside of the cartels and supports his community in the most positive of ways. His only child, daughter Anjelina was kidnapped at her quinceañera by the brutal Leones cartel, led by Raúl Montesco or El Moreno, the Dark Man. There’s no depth to his depravity and Aragón is desperate and helpless. Though Evan struggles with his moral code in helping a man like Aragón, the pull to rescue Anjelina is stronger.
the heart of the story…
While the rescue mission is at the center of everything, Evan’s personal development is the real heartbeat of this story. He’s learning how to be in relationships with people, especially Mia Hall and her 10-year old son Peter, as well as his ward Joey. It’s new territory for him and the resolutions aren’t always black or white. That’s tested even more with the mission as siding with Aragón doesn’t feel right either so he’s grappling with having to let go of some of the hard lines he’s constructed for himself. This was the most compelling aspect of the story as his turmoil was fascinating.
the narration…
Scott Brick continues to deliver outstanding storytelling and voice distinctions. He will always be Evan in my mind and ears.
the bottom line…
I know I seem to say this a lot but this felt like the most dangerous endeavor Evan has ever taken on. These men were brutal and disgusting as life was meaningless to them. There was a staggering twist about midway that added further complications. I was overwhelmed by the skirmishes and life inside the cartel, just wanting that to be over. It was a bit too dark so I was grateful for the moments where Evan was being tested ethically, morally and emotionally. Still loving the series but this one was hard.
Book Info
- Release Date: February 7, 2022
- Series: Orphan X #7
- Narrator: Scott Brick
- Audio Length: 15 hours, 7 minutes
- Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Blue Mood Café 
This is not a book I’ll be reading but it’s definitely one I would buy for others. Wonderful review as always Jonetta.
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Thanks, Jodie💜 This most definitely isn’t a series in your wheelhouse!
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Great review, Jo. I also thought this might be the end of Evan Smoak. It was a nail biter for sure.
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Thanks, Carla💜 If I hadn’t known there was at least one more book…
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Fab review Jo, glad you’re still loving the series, even though this was a tough listen at times!
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Thank you, Nicki💜 It was really, really hard. These guys were truly depraved.
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While the emotional ride is sometimes hard I just love these so much. It’s a great combo of personal and world development and action.
Anne – Books of My Heart
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I just had a tough time with how awful El Moreno treated the women around him. It cut deep because it rang authentic.
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I love it when the narrator becomes the character. It feels like part of the experience to listen to that specific narrator. I never recovered from the fact that they changed narrator for the Thursday Murder Club series….
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Oh, no!!! I’m behind so I wasn’t aware. Just Googled and learned she had a filming conflict. You’re right…once you get attached to a great narrator in a series, it’s hard to go with the change. William Kent Krueger’s narrator for his Cork O’Connor series is David Chandler and he had to use someone else for several of the books because of conflicts. He’s since gone back and re-recorded those books!!! For me, Chandler is Cork.
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Great that he re-recorded the ones he missed! That is dedication.
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This one was quite dark but I loved the way it ended. Excellent review!
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Thanks, Tessa💜 It was thought provoking and insightful.
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Fab review! I really need to continue this series ASAP… The second book was on my October TBR, but between the slump and the ARCs there won’t be time. xD This sequel does sound very dark though!
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Thank you, Yvo💜 This is one of those stories where the darkness affected my enjoyment but the other aspects were so compelling it raised my appreciation.
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