The start of what looks to be an amazing new series
935519
We barely have made a dent in the new year, and already we have a candidate for one of the best books of 2016. It is ORPHAN X by Gregg Hurwitz. Some words about Hurwitz: He seemingly has been incapable of writing badly since he first came out of the gate, well over a decade ago, with THE TOWER. He has written thrillers, graphic novels, film and television screenplays, and scholarly nonfiction works (which we will not hold against him). However, none of that will prepare you for ORPHAN X, which will keep you reading all night and through the day. What a great ride it is.

Orphan X is the code name for Evan Smoak, a product of what was known as the Orphan program. During a brief prologue, we meet Evan, the 12-year-old lad who is to become Evan Smoak, also known as Orphan X. Evan, at the cusp of adolescence, is leaving an impoverished life at the Pride House Group Home in East Baltimore in the company of Jack Johns, who has selected him for the Orphan program. The narrative then flashes forward a quarter-century to the adult Evan, who in the books present is the basis for the legend of someone variously called The Nowhere Man or The Man with No Name.

Evan is very much a quiet but deadly angel who intercedes on behalf of those who are without power or control of their own lives. Meanwhile, he lives a seemingly quiet life in a penthouse condominium where his neighbors believe he is a highly paid consultant of some sort or another. Evan picks his own assignments, if you will, secure in his anonymity and the knowledge that he has left his life in the Orphan program behind.

However, all of this explodes when Evans attempt to help a woman troubled by insurmountable gambling debts goes wildly wrong. The result? Both he and the lady find themselves being chased after by a very skilled and determined team of pursuers. As the narrative unfolds, it alternates with flashbacks to Evans past, which delve into his training, including the rules --- ones that Evan refers to as the Ten Commandments --- which, under the careful supervision of Johns, led him to develop the skillset that he possesses. They also reveal Evans gradual disenchantment with the Orphan program, which was designed by the United States in the 1990s to develop a highly skilled group of solo, offline covert spies or assaulters performing missions as cutoff men, operating with totally plausible deniability and funded via a black budget washed through a minor cabinet department. When Evan left the Orphan program --- a major no-no --- he thought he had covered his tracks well.

The sins of the past, though, are manifesting themselves in Evans present. Furthermore, his efforts to empower the powerless are about to blow back on him in ways that he never expected. By the end of the book, much that has been hidden will be revealed, while some additional surprises undoubtedly will echo beyond its startling and exciting conclusion.

ORPHAN X is the start of what looks to be an amazing new series. Surprises and suspense abound throughout, while the plot is peppered with major and minor characters who stick in the memory whether present from first page to last or only for a few paragraphs. Hurwitzs mad screenwriting chops are at play here as well; the narrative unfolds with such cinematic brilliance that one can almost see and hear the action exploding off the page. Jump onto this series now. Youll thank me later.

Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
755370
This appears to be the start of a new series by Hoytthat is, the immediate problems of the story are resolved at the end, but there are tons of loose ends and the fact that its labeled  Magical Empires on the cover suggests that Hoyt intends to tie at least some of them up in future books. Maybe the central characters of this one will be central to follow-ons, or possibly some of the minor charactersor new ones will take over central roles. The two central characters (though as I recall others took on the POV occasionally) are Seraphim Ainsling, the Duke of Darkwater and one of the most powerful magicians in Britannia, and Nell Felix, who was a foundling raised on our world who at the beginning of this book has found herself in Britannia (a parallel world where magic is powerful but that is socially and technologically stuck at about the level of our Regency periododd how many books Ive recently read either set in our Regency or in a more magical version of it). Anyhow, Darkwater is targeted by an assassin, whom he fends off and kills in the process, and the local law forces want to try him for murder even though it was self-defense. But the odds of getting justice are about as slim as they would have been in our Regency for even a peer who had the enmity of high crown officers, so he and Nell (who arrived at his home shortly after the death) find themselves first sent to another parallel world where all magic is confined to a priesthood, and then jumping themselves out to our world. And the adventures fly thick and fast; I don't want to spoil anything, so Ill just say that its fast-paced, reasonably logical, and with a reasonably satisfactory windup.
2284136
VEILED MAGIC was an interesting start to what I hope will be a new series. The premise was very intriguing and while the plot moved along a bit slowly, that's to be expected at the introduction to a new paranormal world due to all the world building. And let me say that it was a very interesting world. There's a plethora of various supernatural characters, factions, and magical angles and when you add that into the rather unique plot, I was pretty hooked and intrigued from the start. I found it particularly interesting how only some of the supernaturals were public knowledge, yet everyone else was still in hiding. And it's not a recent "outting" either. So it was entertaining if not slightly baffling that the rest of the secrets were so well kept.

Not only the main character, Donata, but the entire cast of supporting characters were full of depth as well, or at least at the beginning. Unfortunately while I was impressed early on with the characters, they didn't seem to progress much further in development past where they started. I would have hoped for more growth especially if this isn't a series starter but a stand alone. As far as the romance, I do wish it had of been ramped up just a bit rather than being overly toned down as it was, especially when you consider it seems to almost be a triangle. But again if this is to be a series, that makes a bit more sense. Both men have their merits, but I think by the end there was a clear path/choice for Donata.

Overall this was a decent start to hopefully a new series. There's just so much room for growth and potential that it would be a shame to end it with just this book. So here's to hoping it continues.
796260
Not quite as good as her others, but it is the first in a new series and shows great potential.
771490
This book really is a great start to a very promising series (I HOPE!)
In fact my review is based in the assumption that there will be a series, it just can not end here!
Don't want to give too many spoilers to ruin the read.

There has been a lot of fascinating groundwork laid out here.
SOme really great characters in Ky, CAssia, and Xander.
The society has been predicting every move everyone makes.
Everyone does what they are supposed to do, says what they are supposed to say and wear what they are supposed to wear.
They are told who they are supposed to marry and when they are supposed to die. Everything is predicted and figured out for optimum efficiency..

CAssia has her match banquet to find out who is her perfect Match.  When she finds out her match and gets the info to take homethere is a "mistake" because it shows her 2 perfect matches.
BOth people she knows.
One match that is "predictable"  and one that isn't.
This turns Cassia'a world upside down and starts to open mysteries in what Cassia and others thought was a predictable safe life.
This book really is a slower  paced book, there is not a lot of action but there is a lot of info laid out for a a series.
The author has crafted the world fairly well and this is a great little hook and left me wanting more.
This book is like a teaser for a great series!
3325347
Beautiful Maids All in a Row is the first book in a promising new series.

Two years have passed since former FBI profiler Iris Ballard witnessed her husbands brutal murder. Feeling responsible for his death, Iris is barely scraping by teaching at the local college, existing on a diet of vodka and candy bars. When her former partner, and one time lover, Luke reaches out asking for Iriss help, Iris accepts the chance to consult on the Woodsman serial killer case. Not only is this case a chance for Iris to make some money, it also gives her the opportunity to redeem herself. Iris eventually gets caught up in a game of cat and mouse with the Woodsman, putting her life at stake.

Beautiful Maids All in a Row is a solid read. For the most part, it is fast-paced and full of action. I really got sucked in once Iris began going toe-to-toe with the Woodsman. I will definitely be on the lookout for the Next book in this series.
3152909
A brilliant start to what has the potential to be one of the next big series.

The story starts with a high profile and horrific murder. The lead character, police officer Ray Schiller starts the story having spent the night in jail for brawling. On release he is straight on the case. His chief would rather be rid of him but Ray is the best they've got.

Throughout the book we meet a mix of chracters from High Flying Exec's to Small Town Folk and they are all a good fit for the story. Each possible suspect could be the murderer.

The author does a good job of making all the characters, and situations they find themselves in realistic and puts in two twists - one at the end which leads things towards the second book, and, more importantly, one in the middle that hits like a train and changes lots of things for everyone.

In Ray Schiller we have a leading character who doesn't hold back and who, due to being separated from his wife and children, is not in a good place in his life, but comes across as a generally good guy and a hell of a good cop.

I am looking forward to the next in this series and also to reading this book again.
4775739
Wonderful debut fantasy novel, and the start to what I hope will be a grand adventure. Kova does a fantastic job with setting up a world and characters that I cannot wait to see more of.

The book has a somewhat slow start (only reason I did not give it five stars), but once it gets going IT GETS GOING. I am entranced by this world and these characters - especially Prince Aldrik. Kova did a wonderful job of crafting him into someone who is both a "bad boy" but also a character that the reader can sympathize with. The magic is intriguing and well thought out, and the history of the world as well.
3984826
This book series has great potential , and I myself is looking forward to the upcoming books to this series.
2828009
The characters are intense and complex. The storyline is amazingly well thought out and full of details. This is an amazing start to what promises to be a fantastic series that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
3513584
The iron ship is a fantastic start to new series. It takes the time for the reader to get to know the fascinating Kressind family without being too long winded or wordy. The author reveals their personalities through dialogue and plot. The foreshadowed menace of the Twin is mysterious and intriguing, and the more mundane evils are petty and cruel and just as interesting. I look forward to reading the next one.
1357751
Although it often felt rushed, this was a fascinating start to a new vampire series. I like the setup and background given, and I especially like the idea that vampires are as versatile as humans. This means the vampires in subsequent books may very well have different traits or powers, thus giving readers varied reading experiences. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
1871538
This is a great start of a new series, set in the already famous Foundation and Robot Sagas. (Extra words)
2519709
This is the beginning of something wonderful. The characters are well defined with room left for growth. The characters and their relationship to each other is interesting and intriguing enough to make me want to read more to see where they go. The magic system is different from anything I've read before. Overall I would recommend it to my friends who like Urban Fantasy.
2758561
Echoes in Book One of The Pria Chronicles  by Shannon Rieger and it is a great start to what I think is going to be an amazing series. In this series Michael is a 17-year-old boy that has had special powers since he woke up in a hospital when he was 6. His powers give him the ability to see the echoes of others, and creatures that others cant, for example he can smell when someone is a good person if they smell rotten he knows that they are a bad person. He had some issues adjusting to these powers but Henry, his talking cat that knows his secrets, helps him through the problems as they come up. Henry is hilarious and the way that Michael describes people, things and situations is great. At school he sees a girl named Avery and instantly falls in love with her because her echoes are beautiful, the problem is that Avery has a boyfriend and despite all of his attempts to hate him, he just can not hate Greyson, because his echoes are to pure.  When Michael starts to see bad things around Avery, he does not know if they are truly there for her but he will do anything to protect her, just in case.
I think this book is just great! It really is very different from other books in this genre and I think the entire series will prove to be just as good. I am looking forward to reading all of them and learning more about Michael and Henrys life. I highly recommend you grabbing a copy and getting lost in a magical world of supernatural creatures, feelings and emotions. You will not be disappointed.
472719
This is a great start to a series with tons of potential. I would have liked to see it integrate the concepts and core issues of the remainder of the series more, but it was gripping enough that I went immediately to the second in the series. For that reason I give it 4.5 stars - an amazing read.
2300378
Born in Blood is the first book in The Sentinels series by Alexandra Ivy, and it is a good solid start to this new series. It follows Duncan, a tough homicide detective working a new case, and Callie, a talented necromancer who's been brought in to find out the victim's last thoughts. Duncan and Callie have worked together before, so there is already an abundance of sexual tension from the beginning but this case just ends up speeding things along for the two of them.
  Duncan and Callie have a lot to work through in this book because although normal humans know how different high-bloods are, high-bloods all have different supernatural powers, and they're willing to use them for their powers they are still a long way from accepting them as equals in society. Most people call the high-bloods freaks, so the main characters have a lot of prejudice against them from the get go. Combine that with a mad man killing people and trying to raise the dead and they are definitely up against some major adversity.
  Born in Blood had an awesome plot and some hot chemistry between the two main characters. The world building was unique and I am excited to read more because there could be so many different kinds of supernaturals in further books, so it has some awesome potential. Overall it was a very entertaining read that was very well written, one that didn't slow down from beginning to end, and I will be waiting for the next Sentinels book to come out.

***Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review***