Being such a sucker for a pretty cover, I have been ogling Bridget Collins' books for a few years. I have The Binding on my tbr but had not actually read any of her work before this. I'm undecided as to whether this has worked in her favour for The Silence Factory.

I usually start with the pros, but in this instance I will start with what I didn't like and that was the main character, Henry Latimer. I've often come across criticisms of male authors writing female protagonists badly. Well this is the same problem but in reverse. Henry reads more like a woman and a rather irritating one who makes the kind of mistakes a weak-minded woman would. He doesn't really redeem himself by the end either. Hence my rating of 3.5, which is good but not great. 

Other than that, I enjoyed the blend of historical, sci-fi with a dash of mysticism. It just falls short of being fully gothic as there are enough likable characters and uplifting moments to keep it slightly aloft and it is this that holds it back in my mind. If it were completely desolate I'd love it more. 😆 That said, I still look forward to reading more of her.