Mainstream Review: The Miniaturist By Jessie Burton

The Miniaturist By Jessie Burton
Published August 2014 Ecco an imprint of HarperCollins

"There is nothing hidden that will not be revealed…"

Set in seventeenth century Amsterdam-a city ruled by glittering wealth and oppressive religion-a masterful debut steeped in atmosphere and shimmering with mystery, in the tradition of Emma Donoghue, Sarah Waters, and Sarah Dunant.

On a brisk autumn day in 1686, eighteen-year-old Nella Oortman arrives in Amsterdam to begin a new life as the wife of illustrious merchant trader Johannes Brandt. But her new home, while splendorous, is not welcoming. Johannes is kind yet distant, always locked in his study or at his warehouse office-leaving Nella alone with his sister, the sharp-tongued and forbidding Marin.

But Nella's world changes when Johannes presents her with an extraordinary wedding gift: a cabinet-sized replica of their home. To furnish her gift, Nella engages the services of a miniaturist-an elusive and enigmatic artist whose tiny creations mirror their real-life counterparts in eerie and unexpected ways . . .

Johannes' gift helps Nella to pierce the closed world of the Brandt household. But as she uncovers its unusual secrets, she begins to understand-and fear-the escalating dangers that await them all. In this repressively pious society where gold is worshipped second only to God, to be different is a threat to the moral fabric of society, and not even a man as rich as Johannes is safe. Only one person seems to see the fate that awaits them. Is the miniaturist the key to their salvation . . . or the architect of their destruction?

Enchanting, beautiful, and exquisitely suspenseful, The Miniaturist is a magnificent story of love and obsession, betrayal and retribution, appearance and truth.

You can purchase your copy of The Miniaturist on

AMAZON / B&N / Ecco

~ My Review ~

** Copy received from the publisher (Ecco an imprint of HarperCollins) in exchange for my honest review **

I want to start by saying that I am extremely selective about my historical fiction. Since I am by no means a history buff, nor a history enthusiast, I often find it taxing to read a work of historical fiction. However, The Miniaturist had such a delectably interesting synopsis, with its talk of a mysterious craftsman and a household blanketed by secrets, that I became genuinely excited to read it. 

And yes, The Miniaturist is technically historical fiction, but it is so much more than that. The plot is strong and multidimensional, taking you through its layered story in such an eloquent way. Jessie did a superb job recreating 17th century Amsterdam with remarkable period detail. She has allowed her readers to be immersed in the culture and time period without overshadowing any part of the story-line. In other words, I was so engrossed in The Miniaturist that, "this is historical fiction," never crossed my mind. This world and its characters--much like the figures in Petronella's cabinet--meld so well, you cannot imagine trying to place them anywhere else. 

From front to back of this book I had such affection for Petronella. Her character never wavered for me. In fact all of the characters living in these pages were well constructed, each with their own unique presence. Watching the growth and interaction between the members of the Brandt household was truly intriguing. The only part of the Miniaturist that confused me was the magic element of the Miniaturist herself. When you are first introduced to this prominent figure, you are given the allusion that she holds the answers and know all that Petronella seeks. In fact she even appears prophetic, bestowing gifts of just the right miniatures and pulling back the curtain on well protected secrets. I even went as far as to think she would grow in her role to savior of the household, by the end of the book. However, she remained a mystery, not quite living up to her significance. 

There was a lot of hype built up behind this book, and I can understand why. Although, some aspects could be more fleshed out, this story is shocking and intense. Jessie Burton is definitely an author to look out for and I will be waiting for her second novel with anticipation!

Its A Book Birthday! Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel By Sara Farizan (GIVEAWAY)

Today is the release of Sara Farizan's newest YA novel, 

Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel! 

I am so excited for this book! This is Sara's second novel published by Algonquin Young Readers. You can read my review HERE, as well as my review of her stunning debut novel, If You Could Be Mine, HERE. Both books are in the LGBT genre, targeted at young adults. However, if you love contemporary romance, these are stories you don't want to miss. Comparative to her first novel, Tell Me Again is a bit more light-hearted in nature. I adored it, and my hope is that you will too! To help celebrate this important release day, I got to ask Sara some questions about her life as an author and about Tell Me Again. And to sweeten the deal even more, Algonquin YR was awesome enough to send me an extra finished copy to giveaway to one of my lucky readers! So make sure you scroll all the way down to enter for your chance to win! Giveaway is International!

High-school junior Leila has made it most of the way through Armstead Academy without having a crush on anyone, which is something of a relief. Her Persian heritage already makes her different from her classmates; if word got out that she liked girls, life would be twice as hard. But when a sophisticated, beautiful new girl, Saskia, shows up, Leila starts to take risks she never thought she would, especially when it looks as if the attraction between them is mutual. Struggling to sort out her growing feelings and Saskia's confusing signals, Leila confides in her old friend, Lisa, and grows closer to her fellow drama tech-crew members, especially Tomas, whose comments about his own sexuality are frank, funny, wise, and sometimes painful. Gradually, Leila begins to see that almost all her classmates are more complicated than they first appear to be, and many are keeping fascinating secrets of their own.

You can purchase your copy of Tell Me Again on

AMAZON / Algonquin YR

A Special Interview with Author Sara Farizan

Congratulations on the release of your second YA novel! Both of your books really spoke to me, as I am sure they will to many of your readers. Tell Me Again stars the young Leila, a girl struggling with her identity and the trials of high school. I’m interested to know how much of your personal high school experiences went in to the writing of this novel?

I went to a private school in New England and I was very silly like Leila is. But I definitely didn’t have a Saskia or a Lisa and none of the hijinks that happened in Tell Me Again happened to me. I was actually a lot more outgoing than Leila. I was school president and involved in a lot of school activities and definitely didn’t talk or think about my sexuality as deeply until I graduated. I was involved in theater like Leila is, but I didn’t fart as publically like she does. My farting was always discreet. Tee Hee

When I reviewed If You Could Be Mine, I stated what a bold lady I thought you are. You have brought a unique and confident voice to YA Lit. What was your biggest inspiration when choosing to write in the LGBT genre? 

For me it was very important because writing these stories made me personally feel better. I didn’t know they would be published. I also write in this genre because I think it is imperative that young people have more stories that have protagonists that are not like ones we have typically seen. 

In my opinion, YA is in need more books like yours to reach readers who may be confronting their own differences. What is the main thing you hope readers take away from Tell Me Again? 

That people aren’t always what they appear to be. That friendship is a great source of love. And I hope readers have fun when they read it. It’s hopefully an enjoyable read.

One of my favorite things about reading your novels has been the cultural aspect. Can you tell us a bit about how your cultural up-bringing has influenced who you are as a writer? 

There’s a lot of great storytelling in Iranian literature/culture and in American literature/culture, particularly in New England. I think it’s so interesting how different story telling is between those cultures and how similar it is too. It also taught me a lot about perspective and how one group of people interpret events versus another. And I also learned that people are layered and more than just one thing.

I am definitely a sucker for romance, and I just adored Leila’s relationship (I won’t say with who, No Spoilers!) If you could pick your favorite literary romance of all time, which would it be? 

Oh gosh. Romance makes me blush. It’s also too mushy. (Haha) Probably Nick and Norah from Dashiell Hammett’s the Thin Man.

And I have to ask—because I can’t wait for you to write a new book—do you have anything in the works? 

I am really trying but need a bit more guidance for this new story I am working on. I don’t want to jinx myself, but hopefully I get a handle on this new one. It’s set in a restaurant and that’s all I can say. I hope I can keep writing for as long as possible and readers are still interested. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to be on my blog today! And a BIG Happy Book Birthday :D Sara’s publisher, Algonquin Young Readers has been awesome enough to provide me with an extra FINISHED copy of Tell Me Again How A Crush Should Feel! So, let’s celebrate! Enter using the Rafflecopter below, and get your chance at a copy at this fabulous book!

Giveaway Time (INTL)!

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Sara Farizan is the daughter of Iranian immigrants, and grew up feeling different in her private high school; not only because of her ethnicity but also because of liking girls romantically, her lack of excitement in science and math, and her love of writing plays and short stories. So she came out of the closet in college, realized math and science weren’t so bad (but not for her), and decided she wanted to be a writer. She is an MFA graduate of Lesley University and holds a BA in film and media studies from American University. Sara has been a Hollywood intern, a waitress, a comic book/record store employee, an art magazine blogger, a marketing temp, and an after-school teacher, but above all else she has always been a writer. Sara lives in San Francisco, California, but Boston, Massachusetts, will always be home. She has a cool sister, loves Kurosawa films, eighties R&B, and graphic novels, and thinks all kids are awesome.