SEVEN - X

SEVEN - X:  written by Mike Wech;
media source: Kindle ebook.
Rating:  4 out of 5 stars.

This novel is not simply a tale of good verses evil, but rather the battle with one's own darkness.


Eddie Hanson is determined to find out the truth behind the disappearance of a death row prisoner: Annette Dodson.  The tip he receives takes him to a behavioral health institution located in the middle of no where, just outside of Dell City, Texas.  In order to get the story he wants, Eddie willingly commits himself to the center while he does video entries and writes journals to document his findings.  But what Eddie finds there is not what he expected.  Are the things he is experiencing true or an illusion (or rather delusion) created by those who run the facility?

Eddie begins to see and hear things that cannot be explain, although those running the center try to explain it as demons attacking and possessing those living there and trying to gain access to Eddie as well.  They believe they are "helping" people like Annette Dodson by commanding the demons out of their bodies.  They believe the criminals were possessed by these demons at the time of their crimes and have no recollection of the horrors they have committed.  Eddie is skeptical about this and begins to believe everyone there is being drugged, himself included.

**Disclaimer ** This novel will chill you to the core.  I have read numerous novels that have dealt with the occult and demonic possession, but never have I read a book like this one.  If you have an active imagination, do not read this at night before bed.

Mike Wech does an excellent job with this novel.  He has excellent use of various languages such as Latin, Hebrew and Greek.  Rather than generically having the demons speak completely in English, he has them speaking languages they would be more familiar with.  Having this element in the novel, this characteristic of the demons, adds to the chill factor of the novel.  Another aspect that makes this a superb novel is much of the Biblical references don't come from the pastor or other members of the facility staff and occupants, but rather the demons themselves.  Portraying that even demons and the fallen have knowledge and understanding of the Bible making it easier for them to deceive.  One thing that I personally enjoyed was the underlying theme of once a demon is exorcised, it returns with 7 of it's buddies. This continues until the host is left worse than ever.

Throughout we hear of Ose and references are made to a leopard, but there is the feeling that not enough was done with either one.  I would have liked to see more use out of Ose and his desire to capture Eddie's soul.  There didn't seem to be too much development with the demonic characters just a few references to their actions and possessions, but we don't see the true nature of their evil.  Ward E is still left a mystery, possibly to be explained in another novel?  I wanted to see more of the spiritual battle that was supposed to be happening between the demons and those at the center, the Pastor included.  He wasn't as much of a major character as I feel he should have been.

With all that being said, I cannot believe this is Mr. Wech's first novel.  It was fantastically well written and kept me on the edge of me seat.  I didn't want to put it down!  I look forward to reading more from this talented author.