Natasha Pulley’s second outing with her enigmatic characters, Thaniel Steepleton and Keita Mori, in “The Lost Future of Pepperharrow” is a complex tapestry of mystery, historical finesse, and spectral intrigue set against the vivid backdrop of late 19th-century Japan. Following the critically acclaimed “The Watchmaker of Filigree Street,” Pulley challenges herself and her readers with a deeper delve into her unique blend of historical fiction, fantasy, and steampunk nuances.

“The Lost Future of Pepperharrow” transports the readers to 1888 Japan—a world teetering on the brink of nationalism, where the supernatural sews a chilling trail through daily life. Pulley’s Japan is atmospheric, brimming with the tension of political change and the mysterious allure of a country steeped in deep cultural lore. Here, Thaniel Steepleton, now a seasoned translator, alongside the ever-enigmatic Mori, revisits old haunts and new mysteries, with Tokyo’s British legation presenting its own ghostly mysteries.

Thaniel’s narrative begins intriguingly as he’s tasked with uncovering the source of the legation’s hauntings. The narrative cleverly intertwines with Mori’s journey, taking readers from the bustling life of Tokyo to the stark, unnerving quiet of a labor camp in northern Japan. As the plot thickens with Mori’s disappearance, the introduction of Takiko Pepperharrow adds a new layer to the storyline, linking past relations and present dangers.

Pulley excels in her atmospheric descriptions and the meticulous crafting of her settings. The subtle integration of steampunk elements with the spectral makes for a reading experience that is both innovative and haunting. The cultural and historical research is palpable on every page, breathing life into a period of Japan’s history marked by its openness to innovation but also its internal conflicts.

However, “The Lost Future of Pepperharrow” sometimes succumbs to the weight of its own ambitions. The plot, rich and densely woven, at times feels convoluted. Readers new to Pulley’s work might find themselves lost within the multiple threads and the complex relations drawing from the prior novel. For those enchanted by “The Watchmaker of Filigree Street,” this sequel offers a fulfilling continuation, deepening character backstories and their complexities. Yet, it demands attention and patience, as the multitude of subplots and spectral encounters can overwhelm.

Character development is a strong suit; Thaniel and Mori’s relationship, explored with sensitivity and depth, offers poignant insights into love, duty, and personal discovery. New characters, such as Takiko Pepperharrow, add intrigue but also raise new questions, sometimes at the expense of fully resolving existing mysteries.

In conclusion, “The Lost Future of Pepperharrow” by Natasha Pulley is a bold sequel that offers a rich narrative and a deep, immersive world. It captivates and challenges, weaving elements of mystery, history, and the supernatural into a formidable narrative thread that will delight fans of her first novel and attract those who appreciate literarily rich, complex historical fantasies. However, newcomers should be prepared for a narrative that demands both concentration and a willingness to embrace its sprawling, spectral complexity.