Weston Ochse is good. It really is a shame that the mainstream has not caught on to his works yet but hopefully that will change before too long. For those lucky, or savvy, enough to have discovered his works, every new story is a treat. When I finally got my hands on his latest novel, “SEAL Team 666,” it did not take long for me to dive right on in. With the clutter of books that fills my reader, computer, and bookshelves, a book that completely jumps the pile is something special. “SEAL Team 666” is one of these special books.
The world faces a constant danger that most are not even aware exists: the supernatural. Recognizing this shortly before the United States was born, a special military team was created to combat the supernatural and keep it from destroying the world (or the country, at least). This team was the best of the best even though its activities were kept secret and a revolving membership came through over the years and centuries. The team is still active today. The team is SEAL Team 666.
Jack Walker is training to be a SEAL. He is pushing his body to the limits to fulfill his dream when, with four weeks of training left, he is pulled out of the class without explanation. He is told that he is now officially a SEAL and assigned to the top secret SEAL team 666 to replace the sniper that was just killed in action (which was detailed in the opening of the novel).
Walker is taken aback by al of this but has no time to think about it as the team is sent out on a mission almost immediately. He gets his first taste of combat against the supernatural when the team encounters a homunculus as it raids an odd sweatshop guarded by Triad enforcers and turning out suits made of tattooed human skin. During the mission, Walker has a strong reaction, almost a seizure, when her first encounters the supernatural.
When pressured to explain what had happened, Walker reveals that he had been possessed by a demon as a child. The team figures that it can find a way to use this to its advantage but is sent off on another mission. An ancient demon has been awakened and is preparing to take over (well, destroy) the world and SEAL Team 666 must track it down and stop it before it is too late.
“SEAL Team 666” is a fast-paced an dun book. The action is heavy and the violence extreme as the team battles monsters and man yet Weston Ochse is a strong enough author that he does not have to rely on gore to keep the reader’s attention. His military background shows as well as the way his characters act in combat is very believable.
Ochse seems to be finding a niche with the military science fiction novel with another novel plus the sequel to “SEAL Team 666” expected within the next year (plus a novella in a military science fiction collection with Gene O’Neill, Gord Rollo, and Michael McBride!) which is good as it will hopefully lead to more commercial success. Ochse is much more than a niche writer, however, and his talent shines through in “SEAL Team 666.” In the midst of all the action is a very human element that sets Ochse apart from his peers. The cover has a quote that the book is like “X-Files” written by Tom Clancy but that sells the book short. Saying it is a mix of Stephen King and Tom Clancy at their best would be closer, but that is not quite right either. I say just call it like it is: a Weston Ochse novel. That in itself is original and a step above the rest, so enough said.
Movie Outlook: Please, somebody make this book into a movie. The book is just screaming to be on the big screen. A strong story, strong male characters and strong (and sexy) women as well, monsters and demons, and even some humor to go with the extreme action has blockbuster written all over it. It would be kind of like G.I. Joe only much cooler. I honestly do not see how you could go wrong with the story and the way it is written seems almost a perfect fit for a movie adaptation. As a bonus, Ochse is writing more so it could be the first of a series. Please, somebody, make this happen.
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