The Lost Future of Pepperharrow

Book Title: The Lost Future of Pepperharrow

Author: Natasha Pulley

Series: The Watchmaker of Filigree Street #2

Date Started: June 5th 2020

Date Completed: June 10th 2020

Genres: Historical, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance

Quality Rating: Four Stars

Enjoyment Rating: Five Stars

Final Rating: Four Stars

Review:

◆ Thanks to NetGalley for this eBook copy for review ◆

19th Century Japan, international politics, a clockwork octopus, female scientists and theatre owners, and ghosts. Um, yes. Yes, please. I read The Watchmaker of Filigree Street when it came out and, honestly, I don't remember what's happens - only that I loved it and its characters. The Lost Future of Pepperharrow will probably follow a similar fate because I loved it all over again, even though I was unsure what to expect.

A lot happens in this novel, but it did occur me towards the end that there's a lot of characters talking about what might happen to them amongst the actual action. Somehow, that's just as engaging as the actual investigating or peril, in no small part because of Thaniel and Mori's relationship to the supernatural and the tone built up in its vibrant world. There was an edge of puzzle-solving, it felt, reading, and while I don't think the audience is really given a fair chance to solve the mystery before the heroes, it's definitely a satisfying tool to keep them hooked.

From what I can tell, it felt like the history and Japanese culture was authentic, especially reading the notes at the back - Pulley clearly knows her way around Japanese politics and even the language, and it comes through. Of course, it's a fictional story with sci-fi/magical realist influences, but it really felt like the political and historical struggles were real too. In fact, it blended the ghosty science almost seamlessly and utterly believably.

There are great characters all round, but if you know me you'll know I won't be able to miss the chance to praise Pulley's female characters. Like seriously. The three main examples - Six, Thaniel's adoptive daughter; Dr Grace Carrow, Thaniel's ex-wife; and Takiko Pepperharrow (I would presume who the title refers to), theatre owner and [oops, spoilers] - are all vastly different, all flawed and scared of things, and all very strongly motivated and determined. Considering they aren't even the main protagonists, it is an enormous breath of fresh air to get that kind of complexity on the fringes of this epic tale.

Like its predecessor, The Lost Future of Pepperharrow is tender and gentle and badass - and unlike anything I've ever read. Part ghost story, part detective thriller, part literary fiction, threaded together with historical politics, romance and science boarding on steampunk, this book is an absolute delight.