An interesting take on morality and power. Can people be corrupted or is the tendency already embedded between them. Good storytelling and a nice twist.

I really struggled with this.

The story felt like someone was preaching to me on how to live my life.

It was too long and I just did not like the characters, or there attitudes.

This story was not for me.

this was such an interesting concept of a novel and I really enjoyed reading this. I loved the mystery elements and how there were some horror elements as well, I really enjoyed reading this.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it's something a bit different from the usual in the sci-fi genre. The book is well written and is a good read from beginning to end and made me look at life a little bit differently.. If you like a pschological thriller with a morality twist this is definitely for you

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

It's a tad difficult to put into words exactly what this book was about. One review got it best when they said this book was a combo of self-help, sci fi/fantasy, greed, and science.

What if you could have everything you wanted? but at a price?

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48393785-the-seven-experiments" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="The Seven Experiments" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1570557246l/48393785._SX98_.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48393785-the-seven-experiments">The Seven Experiments</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13894192.Stephen_Kanicki">Stephen Kanicki</a><br/>
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Overall: 4 <br /><br />Cover: 5<br />As any good cover should, the cover on <i>
<b>The Seven Experiments</b>
</i> tells bits and pieces of the story, especially when looking at it after finishing the book. I won't go into it so I don't spoil it for you.<br /><br />Story: 5<br />Here we follow a character whom which the more we read about, the less likeable he becomes. Bear in mind, however, that he had been a prisoner in his mind all his life and that as indefensible as many of his actions become, it's precisely what the author tried to illustrate here; just how dangerous absolute power can be in the hands of an orherwise harmless individual, let alone the Hitlers of this world. I think the illustration was loud and clear. I was so engrossed I read the last half in one sitting, which for me, is saying something.<br /><br />Writing: 4<br />For the most part, the author takes the story along a straight timeline, inserting a flashback here and a daydream there. This is all great but there were points were I felt he lingered just a bit too long in the character's ramblings. Mostly well written, this book still has a lot of the sloppy writing that can accompany a first draft. But that's ultimately the editor's job, to which I'll get to shortly. So this would've been a 5 but got a 4 on sloppy writing and/or poor editing or lack thereof. <br /><br />Editorial: 2<br />I don't know whether the copy I got from Amazon at the time is supposed to be the final product or not. Either way, I would recommend sending it to a good editor for review. I submitted quite a few corrections, but my main goal was to finish and enjoy the book, eventually.<br /><br />All that said, after reading two books by Mr. Kanicki, I look forward to more of his work. Keep it up!
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/38974141-michael-rhames">View all my reviews</a>

Have you ever wondered if those self help books work? Or how about those self help gurus? The novel is about a college professor who salary is at the bottom of the salary levels. He hasn’t got a raise in ages. The college administration has been saying there is no money for raises. Gary is also a minister but gets fired when it is discovered that was the one who borrowed (took) money to pay his taxes. His marriage is becoming rocky due to lack of money. When his friend, a fellow professor Bob retired, Gary was jealous. Gary felt that Bob had everything. Gary had a large house, a gorgeous wife, etc. When Bob invites Gary, he tells him that he can have all this too. All he has to do is these seven experiments with Bob’s guidance. Gary doesn’t believe Bob ‘s explanations until they work for him! Gary becomes more selfish as he accomplishes each experiment. Will Gary be able to understand what his mentor is telling him?

The novel is a page turner. I couldn’t stop reading it as I wanted to know what the experiments were and if Gary could do them successfully. It is a book that made me think what if anyone could do these. What would the world be like? I haven’t decided myself.

****Review****

This book explores spiritual, religious and metaphysics themes woven into an imaginative and frightening narrative.
In some ways I like this book, it gives you something to think about while your reading. I like the way Garry changes and you can see it along the way.
One thing I hated about this book it the cat killing and where it leaves off. I think another chapter or two could of made this story amazing.
Its unique and in a weird way I have started the experiments as well experiments but it appeals to both sides of me. I like the science part and I love the magic part.
I think you should give this book a go but I do warn you if you’re an animal person you will end up hating Garry as much as I do.
I happen to agree with most of what Garry thinks via religion but others may not like what he has to say but good on him for voicing.

What if… you could have it all? Wealth. Health. Youth. Power. A fancy house. A garage full of fast cars. The objects of your desire, immediately available. And what if it could start with something as simple as want? Wanting, and then getting. That’s the lure of this thoroughly entertaining morality tale – one which explores just how far an average person will go when the serpent uncoils and offers a bite of exceedingly enticing forbidden fruit.

Although the premise of The Seven Experiments is pretty straightforward, and it’s delivered in the accessible format of a flat-out page-turner, this is a novel of quiet accomplishment. You might imagine that we’re treading shallow waters with the power of positive thinking, making success manifest through visualisation, but author Stephen Kanicki trawls some satisfyingly murky depths.

Initially it’s easy to celebrate alongside hard-up college professor Gary Miller when the first of the seven experiments seem to be working out for him. He seems to be an archetypal underdog, finally having his day. But Gary soon reveals his sinister side and the people around him start to suffer as his fortunes improve. Fans of Mindhunter on Netflix will be fascinated by how Gary’s character evolves; how his inner sociopath rises to take over the reins.

I absolutely galloped through the pages, transfixed by the awful things unfolding and unable to predict what might happen next. And I adored the cameo appearance by the Prince of Lies himself…

You may find The Seven Experiments listed in the sci-fi or fantasy section, but it’s more like a suspense-thriller which veers into speculative / supernatural territory. The superficial story simply serves as a springboard for a challenging conversation about moral philosophy and the human capacity for greedy self-deception. It’s all very relevant at a time when we’re questioning the ethics of our consumer society.

Just how much is enough? And if you could have it all, but someone else had to carry the consequences, would you hesitate?

A genuinely chilling psychological thriller. Can’t wait to read what Kanicki dreams up next.

9/10

2
<span style="font-weight: 400;"> I saw the cover and was drawn in; it was cool and different and looks like someone hiding behind themselves. <strong>The Seven Experiments</strong> was Sci-Fi and Fantasy category of Netgalley when I picked it up. I know that for sure because when I started reading, I thought I messed up and got something from a self-help section. Nope, it is definitely fiction and it does get to a point when it is a little bit sci-fi and a little bit of a mystery, eventually.</span>

I saw the cover and was drawn in; it was cool and different and looks like someone hiding behind themselves. The Seven Experiments was Sci-Fi and Fantasy category of Netgalley when I picked it up. I know that for sure because when I started reading, I thought I messed up and got something from a self-help section. Nope, it is definitely fiction and it does get to a point when it is a little bit sci-fi and a little bit of a mystery, eventually.

Gary has been married for 27 years; he is a professor and a pastor. Philosophy and religion go hand in hand for him. When we meet Gary, he and his friend Bob are having a theological discussion. We learn that Bob basically has most of the same training as Gary, but he has a beautiful wife, a big house, nice cars and the health that Gary covets. In their discussion, Bob lets Gary know that he too could have all of this in his life too if only he does seven experiments to change his way of thinking and how he lives his life.

For a while, the book seems more like a self-help guide to how to manifest the things you want in your life by the power of positive thinking. Gary is skeptical at first but as the experiments start working, he has more and more buy in to what Bob is offering. It starts to get really strange around experiment three and four and that is when the sci-fi fantasy starts to play into everything.

I will say that the mystery and ending did a lot to make the book better and I’m left wondering if the greater your initial faith, the better the seven experiments work for you. The conclusion of the book leaves the reader open to their own interpretation of what the experiments really are and why/how they worked.

I’m sorry to say that most of this book was not my jam. There are a few reasons for this, the biggest being I did not like Gary at all. I don’t think I’m supposed to like Gary but it is hard to read an entire book on a character that has little to no redeeming qualities. I didn’t like how he saw the woman he married and spent 27 years with or the thoughts he had about her. I didn’t care for the way he thought about his friend’s wife or some of his co-workers for that matter. Then when the experiments really started working my feelings for him just became worse. I think they were supposed to but again hard to enjoy reading about a character you just do not like.

There are also some philosophical and religious debates. While sometimes I find stuff like this intriguing, I think I do better with it in made up worlds where even the religions are made up as well. It is more difficult to be completely impartial when they encompass some religions I already know about.

Is this book for you? Well if you like philosophy, religion and debates on morality, I think it could be. If you love to hate someone you are reading about, this again could be all for you. For me, the premise is really interesting and I did like Gary’s wife; I just struggled with a lot of the content.

The Seven Experiments are a scary look at the combination of self-help, science and 'what-if?'. Struggling professor and minister Dr. Gary Miller is frustrated with his mediocre life - especially when he compares himself to his friend, Dr. Robert Harris, who has just retired, with everything he could want. Then Bob introduces Gary to the Seven Experiments - positive thinking gone wild, especially in Gary's case. The experiments work. They work incredibly well. Now Gary can get everything he desires - but what choices will he make? The novel is an exciting exploration of power, morality, and choice and how those choices change us as our power/influence grows. A rapid moving read and fascinating to the end.

Wow! A paranormal thriller with a kick! Bob and Gary are talking about Bob's house, the sheer number of books Bob owns and his car. Although Bob is retired, he seems to have much more than a retired professor can afford (and, to Gary, a gorgeous wife).

Bob has a secret he calls the Seven Experiments. This, in order to allow for Gary to fulfill his every dream by way of thought processes. What Gary has found out is that through Experiment 6 is that it really works! He doesn't realize at the time the things he may have lost along the way, however.

There are many thoughts and guesses the reader has about Experiment 7 - it is difficult to figure out what this final experiment will be. I leave it up to the individual reader to enjoy this book and see how their own conclusions click with this suspense-filled thriller.

RECOMMEND!


Many Thanks to Black Rose Writing and NetGalley for a great read!

Overall Rating = 3.63

Storyline & Concept = 4
Writing & Delivery = 3.5
Cover Marketability = 4
Editorial = 3

Financially struggling college professor Gary Miller is presented with an amazing opportunity: the ability to have anything he wants. Through what at first seems like an outlandish offer from an old friend, Gary finds riches, bountiful sex, and every imaginable luxury can be his for the taking. By practicing the principals behind the Seven Experiments he can even become godlike. There’s just one catch: all this newfound abundance comes with a heavy price.

Sublime Line: “The philosophy of the self-help movement which insists that anything is possible if one wants it badly enough mingles with the legend of Faust and his deal with Mephistopheles in this thought-provoking paranormal thriller.”