Piranesi is an apt novel for 2020. The theme of being alone in your own world, in a “House”, a study in solitude, is something we could certainly understand.

Telling the stories, and how they differ, is a main point in this book. Retelling the same passage in either a different way, or a different perspective.

This book has a lot going for it, police drama, corporate intrigue, murder, action, a new kind of tortured super-hero, and the effects on a small community.

The Apocalypse Seven by Gene Doucette tells of seven people wake up one morning and slowly realize the rest of humanity has simply vanished.

Dellaria Wells, Delly, is a hard-drinking thief, about to be evicted from her apartment in Leiscourt. Delly is also a talented fire-witch, but has no idea how to hone her skills. Delly fast-talks herself into a good paying job, protecting a young rich lady from assassination.

The story revolves around Jie and Lilian’s blossoming love, while at the same time Lilian is planning a way to get herself out of the Black Lotus Clan, even considering killing Jie. In the present, Jie, Tian, and the rest are busy protecting the Empire from being overthrown.

The North is rebelling against the Chinese Emperor, intending to secede from the Empire. Last time this happened, Lord Yu and his family were killed for treason, the only survivor was the three year old daughter, Yu Mei, witnessing the murders.

A lord’s safe holds some secret, which the Black Lotus clan has been assigned to break into. But the contents of the safe are not only wanted by the Chinese emperor, but also by other criminal elements.

Half-elf Jie, pre-teen analytical genius Tian, and Yuna are on a mission in China’s slums to assassinate a Triad boss. The boss might know of the existence of the Black Lotus clan, their goals, and tactics. There are two unexpected obstacles, a serial killer is on the loose, and Yuna recognizes her birthplace and family.

The story continues from where the first book, Thorn of the Night Blossoms, left off. A murdered lord, a half-elf who despite having unnatural abilities does not have the gift of analysis, and a fantastical world which merges the old with the new.