Book Review: ‘The Lost Future of Pepperharrow’ by Natasha Pulley

YES Admin on 23rd March 2020

“It’s easy to think that nobody could really arrange the world like clockwork.”

Ever since I read ‘The Watchmaker of Filigree Street’ in 2016, I counted the days until the sequel’s release. ‘The Lost Future of Pepperharrow’ does not disappoint.

The book begins three years after the previous book. In Japan, war with Russia looms, and there are reports of hauntings and electrical storms. When Thaniel and Mori travel out to Tokyo, things only get stranger.

Caught between figures from Mori’s past, Thaniel grows increasingly uneasy. Then Mori vanishes, and it falls to Thaniel to find him before the entire country comes under threat.

I adored this book beyond measure. As a sequel, I couldn’t have asked for more. Pulley’s elaborate plotting returns in full force. The story has higher stakes than ‘The Watchmaker of Filigree Street’, but the same emotional heart. Thaniel and Mori’s relationship grows more complex. The side characters are also beautifully drawn.

Because the story is so intricate, it requires your full attention. However, it resolves itself beautifully at the end. I already can’t wait to re-read it!

Rating: 10/10

Genres: fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, romance, lgbt

Book Review: ‘The Watchmaker of Filigree Street’ by Natasha Pulley

YES Admin on 2nd March 2020

“He held the watch a moment longer before setting it on the wooden chair by the bed, the one that served as a table for collars and cufflinks. The gold caught the ember-light and shone the colour of a human voice.”

‘The Watchmaker of Filigree Street’ is one of the best books I have ever read. I am currently reading it for the fourth time!

Set in 1884, the story follows Nathaniel Steepleton, a telegraphist for the Home Office. One night, he returns to his flat and finds a golden watch on his pillow. Six months later, the watch saves him from a bomb. Nathaniel seeks answers from the watch’s creator – Keita Mori, a mysterious, lonely Japanese nobleman.

Meanwhile, Oxford student Grace Carrow is trying to finish her research before her mother can force her to marry. As Grace and Mori’s storylines interlink, Nathaniel must choose between warring loyalties and futures.

‘The Watchmaker of Filigree Street’ is a charming novel which blends history and politics with fantasy and science-fiction. All of the characters are breathtakingly real. Keita Mori is my favourite character of all time, and his relationship with Nathaniel is wonderful.

I liked this book even more when I read it a second time, because it has so many tiny moments of foreshadowing. The story’s complexity made it slightly confusing the first time around, but I still adored it. It also taught me lots about the Meiji era in Japan.

I recommend this book to anybody who likes subtle fantasy and character-driven stories. The sequel is just as good – I will review it soon!

Rating: 10/10

Genres: historical fiction, fantasy, mystery, sci-fi, romance, lgbt