I picked this book from the bookstore not knowing it was the second part of a series, yet I could follow the plot well except for some parts about the miniaturist that left me a bit confused. I liked to have that the story was told from both Nella's and Thea's perspective and enjoyed the setting of Amsterdam in the beginning of the 1700s. The story was well paced, just the Walter storyline was annoying me a bit. All in all, the novel got me intrigued to read the prequel as well and I would recommend reading it.