In an extraterrestrial laboratory full of scientific and cultural researchers, an alien species called the Sel devote their time to understanding the universe and looking for other forms of life. Liuani has been tasked with researching a newly discovered species—Humans—who are less developed than her own but whose history has taken a similar trajectory. The more she learns about how human biology and culture is structured, the more excited she gets to finally meet one in person. At the same time, Liuani’s friend Rysal is working on a mysterious project that is taking up more and more of her time. Liuani grows concerned for her friend, but she soon realizes the terrifying implications of the new technology Rysal is developing.
Meanwhile, in a Sel city, detective Asuun investigates a murder that he soon discovers is connected to many serial killer cases from the past 500 cycles (a little more than two average Sel lifetimes). Each of the killers, all from different backgrounds, murdered their victims in a similar manner. Within two cycles of each murderer’s death in prison, a new series of killings began. Suspecting otherworldly influence, Asuun delves into the evidence from the first few cases and learns that not only did the killers deny their crimes, they also had no memory of committing them at all.
When Asuun and Liuani cross paths about three-quarters of the way through Brett Mumford’s THE 7TH PRELIGHT, a compelling twist pulls the story in a different and thrilling direction. Both of these two main characters maintain their sense of curiosity throughout the book, driving the plot forward. Their urgency to discern and comprehend the history and culture of Humans—for the layered reasons of stopping a serial killer and preparing for Humans’ impending interstellar flight inventions—reflects the empathetic nature of the Sel species as well as the inquisitiveness and determination inherent in the individual characters. It is a joy to witness the objective, scientific lens focus, not only on the biology of humans, but also on the development of culture across time, such as the changing reasons for violence as society developed and the appearance of motifs like spotting UFOs in different regions around the world.
As a species, the Sel have many similarities with Humans that Liuani acknowledges and finds fascinating in her research. Mumford intertwines world-building seamlessly into dialogue, introspection, and action, revealing aspects of Sel life that are necessary to propel forward the captivating plot, such as the length of a Sel lifespan, as they are needed instead of info-dumping. The story pieces together the pace of an exhilarating mystery-thriller with the atmosphere of a thought-provoking science fiction novel to produce a one-of-a-kind narrative. While the pace and frequency of revelations speeds up toward the book’s conclusion to amp up suspense, the abrupt cliffhanger ending involving Liuani’s friend Rysal, though explosive and exciting, is disappointing as it leaves some questions unanswered and some of the characters’ goals and desires unfulfilled while hinting at revelations just about to be discovered.
Part hard science fiction novel, part forensic murder mystery, Brett Mumford’s fascinating THE 7TH PRELIGHT is a truly unique story about alien life and a love of learning for the sake of empathetic understanding.
~Aimee Jodoin for IndieReader