🕶️ Book Review: The Code: An Orphan X Short Story by Gregg Hurwitz (Kindle Edition, The Broken Doll Series)
A lean, high-intensity origin story that dives deep into the making of a legend—Gregg Hurwitz delivers a gripping prequel that explores the brutal training and moral foundations of Evan Smoak, long before he became Orphan X.
🧠 Overview
Published in September 2025, The Code is a 55-page novella that expands the Orphan X universe by taking readers back to Evan Smoak’s teenage years. Before he was a feared black-ops assassin and vigilante hero, Evan was a 17-year-old foster kid plucked from East Baltimore and thrust into a world of elite covert training.
Under the guidance of Jack Johns, a former CIA station chief and Evan’s handler, Evan is sent to complete one of the most grueling U.S. military training courses. But the mission isn’t just about physical endurance—it’s about surviving the journey there and back, maintaining operational secrecy, and applying the life-or-death lessons Jack has drilled into him. These lessons form the foundation of “The Code”—a personal creed that will define Evan’s future as both assassin and protector.
🔍 Key Themes & Highlights
- 🧠 Moral formation: The novella explores how Evan’s ethical compass is shaped by Jack’s teachings
- 🥷 Survival and secrecy: The tension lies not in flashy action but in stealth, discipline, and psychological grit
- 🧬 Character origin: Fans of the series will appreciate the deeper insight into Evan’s early transformation
- ✍️ Hurwitz’s signature style: Tight prose, sharp pacing, and emotionally grounded storytelling
“Evan must use everything he’s learned since the day he was taken from the foster home in East Baltimore—lessons that Jack Johns has drilled into him, laws of life and death that are to become The Code.”
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 4.03/5 from thousands of readers
- 📖 Fans praise the story’s emotional depth, character insight, and clean execution
- 🧾 Some wished for more action or a longer format, but most found it a satisfying addition to the Orphan X canon
- 💬 “A brilliant glimpse into Evan’s past. You see the boy behind the assassin—and the man he’s destined to become.”
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At 55 pages, it’s a quick read—best enjoyed as a character study rather than a full thriller
- 📚 Series tie-in: Works as a standalone, but richer if you’ve read other Orphan X novels
- 🔞 Mature themes: Includes violence, trauma, and covert operations—recommended for adult readers
🏁 Final Verdict
The Code is a taut, thoughtful origin story that adds emotional weight and moral complexity to the Orphan X saga. Gregg Hurwitz proves that even in a short format, he can deliver suspense, character development, and thematic resonance. For fans of the series—or newcomers curious about what makes a hero—it’s a compelling and essential read.
