It was quite a slow start, and I found the lack of resolution of some of the mysterious elements a little disappointing but overall I did enjoy the book. The last quarter was the strongest, with a much faster plot as well as some character development. 

Having finished this book I'm not sure how I feel about it. The book had a lot of hype around it, which I am always wary of as it often drives high expectations from me that books sometimes don't live up to. But I have found myself coming to the end of the book and finding it somewhat lacking. This is a shame as historical fiction isn't a first choice of mine but this started out enjoyable and I was left with a good feel for the setting without being overburdened. The characters were interesting and you got to know them well and I got vested in their journey through the book but I felt the emotional tie to them was somehow lacking? There were a number of good twists which I didn't see coming though which I did enjoy. But I felt the character of the miniturist was never really explored. There is lots of mystery around them but it felt like that thread if the story just wasn't finished off. 

This was SUCH a good book - full of unexpected discoveries that make you pause your reading marathon for a while to process it all. It also makes you feel like you're trying to solve family mysteries in 17th-century Amsterdam. Odd I know, but such a page-turner. Also, THERE IS A SECOND ONE youhou! (I have not read it yet, but hey: that's a happy surprise).

I really enjoyed this book.
I bought it on a whim years ago (probably because of its cover, which is LOVELY), so I was more than pleasantly surprised when I started it this month.
The plot is thick through and through, talk about a tense ride! I thought I wouldn't be able to like the characters, but in the end, I really ended up rooting for them.
It is dark, and very descriptive, so bear that in mind and look for TW (gore, blood, injuries). There's also homophobia and xenophobia and enforced religion in public affairs...
I liked how it shows the reader a peek into Amsterdam's life all those years ago, and how merchants were so important, the secret workings of their houses, what kind of deals they made and society had to accept, etc.

I enjoyed this book but would not recommend it. It is a solid piece of historical fiction but a bad mystery novel. I feel like the miniaturist part (oh, the irony) was actually unnecessary, and the story did not gain anything from it. 

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