While reading Seal Team 666 I twice described the book as “US SEALs battle demons”. The first time I did so the reaction was; “sounds awful”. The second time the response was; “my kind of book!”.
Now I’m using the phrase again in this review. It fits.
SEAL Team 666 is the story of an elite US team against demonic horrors. It is an elevator pitch of a plot and, appropriately enough, MGM Studios have purchased the movie rights.
Whether you like the concept there’s no doubt that Weston Ochse (pronounced Weston Oaks) can write well. His first novel, Scarecrow Gods, won a Bram Stoker Award. In 2008 his novella Redemption Roadshow made it to the shortlist for the Bram Stoker Award for Best Long Fiction.
Weston is also a former American intelligence officer. Combine his natural writing skill, tight and concise, with an obvious knowledge of military and military intelligence life and you have a supernatural adventure that feels very real.
In SEAL Team 666 the heroes don’t point their guns at baddies. They point individually named pieces of military equipment, such as Super 90, at beegees. In all likelihood we’d previously read how the SEAL stripped and checked the gun before the mission too.
The adventure picks up with sniper Jack Walker is hauled out of his training-meets-admission test to join the SEALs. He’s gutted even if his shins are about to give in under the pressure of all that running.
It’s not all bad for Jack, though, turns out he’s joining a super-secret branch of the SEALs. He’ll get to serve his country after all. One question is; why did he get picked to join the team?
The action quickly ramps up. Jack’s joining the team just as a demonologist is about ready to don his special armour, summon a possessing spirit and unleash an army of demons.
I found myself powering through Seal Team 666 and enjoying each bite sized chapter.
If I have any reservations about the book at all it is with the hero – Jack Walker. He might be a great addition to the US military but I’m not sure I like him terribly much. He’s had a traumatic childhood, I know, and seems in love with his girlfriend. That said; his affection for his girlfriend is only ever expressed in how she looks. It seems he has a far greater emotional bond to his fellow SEALs in his unit. He needs brotherhood. I suspect what I’m picking up on here are the unique qualities it takes to be a dedicated and successful SEAL and, not surprisingly, these are qualities I find it hard to relate too.
Despite my concerns about Jack Walker I’d happily recommend SEAL Team 666 to any fan of military thrillers or horror and even many sci-fi fans as well. There’s enough tech in this book to give it just a touch of technothriller.
It’s easy to see why the movie studios are interested. SEAL Team 666 has the unusual, it has high action, it has good versus evil and man versus monster. The action ranges across the world and America is threatened by strange forces from beyond the shore.
There’s a sequel due out in October called Age of Blood and it is one to look forward too.
Book provided for review. SEAL Team 666, £7.99, Weston Ochse, Titan Books.
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