review 1: This book has everything - arranged marriage; strange family members and servants; unholy alliances; greed; jealousy; hope - in a 17th century setting in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Eighteen-year old Nella marries and receives a cabinet to hold miniatures of her new home. Her interaction with the miniaturist is very strange. There is enough mystery to keep you reading and not wanting to put the book down. Very descriptive in foods, clothing, smells, surroundings, which holds your interest. review 2: This book was a complete surprise to me. I'd read some good reviews of it but I didn't really know what it was about and even when I first started it, I wasn't sure if it was something I'd enjoy. Boy was I wrong. This is a fantastic novel with some of the best ch... morearacter development I've seen for a long time. I could go on rambling but I don't think I'd do it justice. Suffice to say this is a surprising and beautiful book which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. less
