This did not work well for me, unfortunately. I've tried so many victorian era novels because on the surface it feels like something I would like. In reality, I end up bored a lot of the time.

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I read this as an advance reading copy and was not blown away. The story takes place around 1850 in England and is about two sisters, both with their own deformities, who work in a "sweatshop" doll factory, painting china dolls. One of them manages to get out on her own and make something of her life as a model and lover of an up and coming artist. There is a side story to something happening to one of the sisters, trying not to give anything away here; and I found the side characters more interesting than the main characters in the story. I read the book electronically and it felt very long, as if it could have been cut by a third, without losing anything to the story.

The setting is 1850’s London on the cusp of the Great Exhibition, where carefully curated art and other creative efforts are given the honor of display. It is also a London with vast social inequality and the lower classes whose back bears all the effort with little hope for gain. The portrayal of this bifurcated city is rendered by Elizabeth Macneal in The Doll Factory, a thriller that highlights the challenges of the era. Iris and Rose toil under the supervision of their abusive employer, painting and preparing dolls for sale. They are captives to their life station, both being disfigured and indentured to the work by their parents. There is little expectation for their advancement or possibility of choice. While Rose is resigned to this fate, Iris is more inclined to rebel and follow her artistic dreams. Meanwhile, Albie is introduced as an endearing “street rat” who cobbles together a living by sewing basic skirts for the doll shop and collecting dead curiosities. These last are supplied to Silas, the local taxidermist who mainly sells his works as props for painters or for costume adornment. When Iris rises to the attention of a young and rising painter, she sees this as an opportunity to recreate her life. Still, she is torn between loyalty to her sister and family, personal values, and the potential for excitement and adventure. She agrees to model for Louis in exchange for painting lessons but becomes increasingly enraptured by her benefactor and the art world he inhabits. Meanwhile, Iris has also caught Silas’ eye and the lonely and disturbed man has evil designs of his own for her. The Doll Factory serves as a commentary on how women’s choices and opportunities are predicated on their dependency on men. Iris is traded and bartered as an object, as a doll painter, a model and subject of dangerous erotomania for Silas. Macneal’s novel is thrilling, fast-paced and the setting is painstakingly described to reflect the horrors and despair experienced by the lower classes. It falls a bit short in the romantic scenes, which seem overwrought and unnecessary. There is also a divergent subplot about Louis’ past life that detracts from the main story. Despite this, The Doll Factory will definitely quicken its readers’ pulses while also unflinchingly depicting the beauty and filth that coursed through London at the time.

Thanks to the author, Picador, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Many of the reviews used the term "atmospheric", and that's probably the perfect descriptor for this book. For fans of Victorian/Gothic drama, this book definitely brings the reader into the heart of Victorian London with all its grit, smell, and social order. Iris and Rose are sisters who are apprenticed to a doll manufacturer. They spend their days painting faces on custom made porcelain doll heads. There is little hope for more. Silas is a strange man with a strange occupation -- he's a taxidermist who is obsessed with dead things and then....with Iris.

There are pages and pages of Silas obsessing over Iris, following Iris, dreaming about Iris, imagining conversations with Iris. Iris barely knows he's alive since she's obsessing over Louis. Frankly, the action/story gets lost in the descriptions of London (which are amazing!!) and the "inside the head" musings of the characters. Not surprisingly -- Silas turns out to be more than just a creepy character, but by the time this is actually revealed I was actually a bit bored. I almost gave up a few times, but I kept reading hoping for more. Unfortunately, for me, that never happened. Definitely not my cup of tea, but I can see that others might like it.

The Doll Factory is a fantastic book. Elizabeth Macneal has created a mesmerizing tale that is both eerie and creepy. I love the historical aspects of this book, the author creating a great sense of time and place. This period of time is especially interesting as it shows the hardships and challenges people experienced. The story itself is compelling with vivid detail wrapped up in a psychological thriller. I highly recommend this book.

I have to stop saying I don't normally enjoy historical fiction--I've just been reading the wrong kind. Apparently if it's dark and gritty, I'll actually get through it! This book was a win comparatively, I was completely absorbed into the rich detail and atmosphere of Victorian London, but it's definitely not for the faint of heart (though I've read worse). It's not particularly suspenseful, but definitely delivers once the plot lines come together.

This is a well written, debut novel set in Victorian London against a backdrop of the Great Exhibition. I love reading historical fiction, particularly when they involve settings or events new to me. This novel focused on the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, which was fascinating. I learned too much about taxidermy and unfortunately for my stomach, I had to skim many sections as they were too graphic for my consumption. The character of Silas was very skillfully drawn and the book becomes a thriller, and the tension does not let up until the very last sentence.

I typically have an internal policy to finish every book I start.. but I think this one was just not for me. What I did read seemed like it would be a great book for people who like books about a specific period, with a creepy twist.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Finished in 2 days, which for me is a testament of the story's ability to draw the reader in quickly, and hold my attention. (I'm a meandering reader at times, until the story is able to grab hold).

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I started this book and realized that it is not a genre that I am interested in reading more of. Thank you for this opportunity- the book seemed like a good one for people who are interested in this type of story.

Debut author, Elizabeth Macneal, was a chilling gothic tale set in the Victorian era. It was great read and I couldn't read it fast enough.

An excellent historical thriller. A recommended first purchase for most general fiction collections.

I'm not someone who typically enjoys historical fiction, but this one pleasantly surprised me! I immediately enjoyed the writing style, and connected to a lot of the characters.

I love a good historical fiction novel. One that you can get lost in and this book is exactly one of those. While slow in the beginning, it picked up and finished with an amazing plot twist. I would recommend this to someone who likes a slow burn of a novel and one that can learn some new information during the Great Exhibition.

*Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Had to stop reading this......violent and disturbing. Didn't like the cruelty to animals part. Disturbing!!

The description definitely made me want to read this book. While I appreciated the gothic feel, this novel never really grabbed me.

Nevertheless thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

A page-turner thriller, The doll Factory is set in 1850's Victorian England. A slow build love story with some good suspense and horror thrown in. Iris is our main character who asked to model for a famous artist. London is described like you would read in a Jack the Ripper story. Gritty and gruesome, creepy and stunning to know how England had no rules and no circumstances when a killer was on the loose. An interesting read that lost some steam at the end. I would recommend this to horror fans and those that like more suspense then thrill. Thank you to Elizabeth MacNeal and Atria Publishing and Netgalley for my advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Very well written but very dark. The Doll Factory is one of those novels that you either love and appreciate, or it just does not work for you. For me it was much darker than I prefer my books to be. It just wasn't enjoyable for me. I appreciate the plot and the creepy cast of characters jut a bit on the too creepy side for me.
3 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

2.5 - 3 stars.
Really well written and very darkly depicted.
I had a hard time with the slow burn of the book and because I am not usually into historical fiction, it was harder for me to stay focused and keep reading. Unfortunately, I did not finish the book as I put it down around 47% and so much time went by that I couldn't get back into it. I did not connect with the characters, however, I enjoyed the descriptions of London from that time period.
I wish the author lots of success.
5 stars for the cover art!