I continue to enjoy the Orphan X series as Evan Smoak works through the trauma of his childhood and earlier adventures, gradually transforming from a damaged weapon into something resembling a self-directed hero. In Hell Bent, Greg Hurwitz pushes Smoak's abilities toward the nearly supernatural: his tactical instincts, physical skills, and clever improvisations repeatedly allow him to survive increasingly-impossible situations. I particularly enjoyed the close-combat sequences, where Smoak's movements and decisions feel almost algorithmically precise; Hurwitz makes his mastery of violence convincing.
The novel sends Smoak into a brutal confrontation with a super-villain whose resources are overwhelming. As Smoak fights his way through increasingly desperate circumstances, Hurwitz alternates close-quarters combat with strategic maneuvering, forcing him to solve "big-picture" problems rather than mindlessly overpowering his opponents. The supporting characters and antagonists have well-crafted motivations rather than generic malice. Meanwhile, Smoak's struggle to reconcile the conditioning of his past with the person he is consciously becoming gives the increasingly improbable action humanity.
The escalation is entertaining because Hurwitz embraces the superhero dimensions while retaining enough tactical and psychological detail to make his victories earned. The story arc remains consistent with the earlier novels, yet the increasingly extreme situations demonstrate how far Smoak has evolved from the robot assassin introduced at the beginning of the series. The ending surprised me, and I found its resolution both pleasing and enticing to continue the series.
5/5 Stars
