Follows Nora Hotzfall and the other young members of a prestigious family living a world ruled by magic, who find themselves pitted against an unknown rival in the fight to become the rightful heir to their family's fortune

Nora Holtzfall is the daughter of the most powerful heiress in Gamanix; her family controls all the money - and magic - in society. But there's a surprise rival in the form of Ottoline, aka Lotte, the illegitimate daughter of Nora's aunt, who was left with nuns as a baby. But in the wider society of Gamanix, revolution and the threat of change to the traditional ways are afoot but for the family, they are only focused on winning .

Definite shades of The Inheritance Games in the premise with a plucky outsider character new to the family here, but it draws on a well crafted, epic and imaginative, fantasy world and with dense plotting hat really draws you in with a compelling mix of family skulduggery, magic & mystery.

Worth a try

Another fantasy book, but at least this had an original storyline.

The main storyline revolves around Honora, a very wealthy, spoiled and self-centred heiress, whose world destructs when her mother is murdered. Ottaline is rescued from a life of abuse in a convent in a small town, because she is related to Honora.

Because of the death of Nora’a mother, Nora, Lotte and the rest of the Holtzfall cousins have to face trials, the winner of which will inherit the title of heiress.

There is magic, there is rivalry, there is a detailed and interesting backstory, there are hints of romance.

This was an intriguing book and is worth reading.

Huge thanks to the author and Faber & Faber. This is my unbiased review.

Review:
Introducing us to a world of opulence, magic, and intrigue, The Notorious Virtues centres on Nora, a strong teenage FMC who is thrust into a fierce competition to determine her powerful, magical family’s next heir. Contestants must navigate a treacherous landscape of political machinations and societal expectations as well as showcase their magical abilities.

Hamilton crafts a vivid setting teeming with lavish parties, dark secrets, and a magic system uniquely tied to virtues such as ambition, truth, and loyalty. Nora emerges as a multifaceted protagonist—cunning and rebellious, yet vulnerable—making her journey compelling. The narrative delves into themes of privilege, power, and identity, which makes the plot both a thrilling ride and a critique of elitism.

Although the large cast of characters and intricate politics make this a complex read, the story’s momentum builds steadily and ends in a way that will have you eager for the next instalment!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Blurb:
At sixteen, Honora 'Nora' Holtzfall is the daughter of the most powerful heiress in Gamanix; her family controls all the money - and all the magic - in the entire country. But when her mother is found murdered in an alley, the family throne and fortune are up for grabs, which means Nora will be pitted against her cousins in the deadly Veritaz trials to determine the rightful inheritor.

But there's a surprise rival in the form of Ottoline, aka Lotte, the illegitimate daughter of Nora's aunt, who was left with nuns as a baby. Thrown into the Veritaz, she is suddenly surrounded by a hostile family she never knew she had.

But as the Holtzfalls wage their battles of privilege, something bigger and more sinister bubbles beneath the surface, and revolution is in the air.

Incredible tests, impossible choices, and deadly odds await both girls. But there can only be one winner.

I got so drawn in to this book, I just couldn’t stop thinking about it!

The story centres around Nora, Lotte, Theo and August: the expected heiress; the lost heiress; the knight sworn to protect them and the journalist writing scathing critiques of them (and helping to investigate who may be trying to harm them on the side).

The plot is packed with romance, intrigue, rebellion, murder, trials of character, bonds of family and friendship, wolves and monsters… there is so much going on and it all twists and turns, connected in unexpected ways. And then there are the underlying themes of change vs. tradition, dictatorship vs. communism, the good of the few vs. the good of the many. Plenty to think about beneath all the surface action.

Alwyn Hamilton has taken classic fairytale fodder, tropes and characters and brought into them a more modern sensibility, to craft something new and exciting and very compelling. I just couldn’t stop reading and HOWLED when the book ended the way it did, with my favourites gone and the bigger issues still unresolved.

I need the next part of the story ASAP – I need to know whether they can make it out of the woods and find some form of Happy Ever After. I will be watching this series with eager anticipation, as you can probably tell!

I do love a fairy tale inspired story and The Notorious Virtues does not disappoint. As it turns out, this is the first in a series, and whilst ending on somewhat of a cliffhanger, it felt an appropriate place to do so. I need the next book…NOW!

Told from multiple viewpoints, which works well to keep the reader on top of what is happening, this story at is heart is about family. The family in question being the powerful Holtzfall’s, who own and hold all the power in Walstad. The matriarch leader, Mercy, uses her power and magic to control the family and keep the traditions alive…but as the younger generation prepare and endure the trials to decide the next heir to the fortune, they start to uncover deep secrets and infighting. Whilst searching for answers and trying to outmanoeuvre each other, the girls must also be prepared for trials to win a chance to be heiress. These trials are undisclosed (but linked to the virtues) until they happen and can be anything from troll attacks, helping others or not being tempered in stressful situations.

The history of the family and the traditions they keep, including that of their sworn knight protectors, the Rydders, is told in chunks interspersed throughout the main storyline and is their own origins fairy tale, linked to an immortal being in the woods and an honest, hardworking woodcutter who asks no more than to be able to cut wood to help his family survive the winter. How the family has changed these ideals and their use of magic over the generations enables themes of capitalism, dictatorship, family secrets, resistance, betrayal and rebellion. As one of the characters whose point of view is shared with us is a journalist, we also see the power of the press being used to manipulate how individuals and situations are perceived by the general population.

All this sounds heavy, but believe me, this story is anything but. It is fast paced, builds intrigue, suspense and unforeseen twists, whilst also maintaining a fairy tale-esque style.

The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton is Book 1 in a new series, and I have to say - wow, what a strong and powerful start! This book has everything you could want - clever plot twists, multiple POVs, deadly trials, and family betrayal. And if you’re thinking that sounds like a lot for one book, just read it. Then you will see how well-written and harmoniously everything comes together. And that ending? It will definitely surprise you!

Nora's mother, the most powerful heiress in Gammamix, has been murdered, bringing a battle for supremacy for the throne.... Nora does not automatically inherit and has to stand against all of her cousins for the right; at stake is a country, a throne, money, and magic. A bigger picture is already taking place. How far will they go to get the throne, and who is going to be in the running....

A fantastic start to this series, and I just burned this book. I've never read Hamilton's work, but I am waiting for the next in the series
Brilliant
Five stars, you need a lot of imagination to pen works like this, Bravo ]

A high-stakes magical competition, shifting alliances, and a tangled web of family secrets make The Notorious Virtues a gripping start to a new fantasy series. The novel follows two young women—Nora, a privileged heiress with everything to lose, and Lotte, an outsider thrust into a world that wants her gone—as they navigate the ruthless Veritaz, a deadly contest to determine the next leader of their influential family.

Both protagonists are compelling in their own right: Nora, used to the spotlight but struggling to find her place, and Lotte, determined to survive despite the odds stacked against her. Their contrasting perspectives add depth to the story, especially as they uncover buried truths about their family and the dark forces at play.

While the worldbuilding is rich and intriguing, the novel takes its time establishing the rules of its magical system and political landscape. A clearer introduction to these elements earlier on would have made it easier to fully immerse in the story from the start. However, once the pieces fall into place, the tension and intrigue take hold, making it difficult to put the book down.

With its blend of mystery, romance, and fierce competition, this first installment lays a strong foundation for what promises to be an intense and thrilling series. Fans of cutthroat magical contests and intricate family dramas will find plenty to enjoy.



📖 Book Recommendation: A Hunger of Thorns by Lili Wilkinson – This dark and immersive fantasy follows a young woman seeking to reclaim her lost magic in a world where power is controlled by those who hoard it. With secrets, danger, and a deeply personal journey, it offers a similarly compelling mix of high stakes and rich worldbuilding.

📺 TV Show Recommendation: The Gilded Age – While not a fantasy, this historical drama captures the intense rivalries and shifting power dynamics within a wealthy, high-society family. It mirrors the cutthroat competition and intrigue of [Book Title], with characters navigating ambition, betrayal, and shifting loyalties in a visually stunning setting.

The first thing to know, because it isn't mentioned in the blurb, is that this is (probably) the first in a series, in that it doesn't end. It reaches a stopping point, but it's definitely not finished, and there's several threads still going strong. However it's not a complete cliffhanger either, I'll give it that.

Look at that amazing cover! It's so beautiful, and every time I look at it I spot something new hidden in the design. The US version is very similar, just in different colours.

This was an interesting read! Having the main characters be descended from a literal folk hero was an interesting choice. I would have liked to get the rules of the world a bit more quickly, but we got there in the end. Parts of the story almost made me think of Batman, mostly the parts where Nora and her 'rakish young reporter' were investigating the dark underbelly of the city.

Having the four different points of view was clever as it meant we saw all levels of the society, from Nora's priviliged position to Lotte's deprived childhood and Theo's insight into the machinations of the powerful. There were a few twists I didn't see coming as well, which is great! The magic is well used, not a get out of jail free card, but just right to keep the tension and excitement going. The idea of the Trials is very clever as well.

Nora and Lotte felt convincingly different, but they shared the same spine and conviction that things could be better. Theo's problem, as so often in this kind of novel, could have been solved by talking, but then the story would have been much shorter.

Overall, if you like action, magic, found family, twists and turns and a not-totally-complete story, this is the one for you.



Book Recommendation: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes – Another high-stakes competition for inheritance, filled with twists, secrets, and a protagonist out of her depth.

Movie Recommendation: The Prestige – If you want something with cutthroat rivalries, deception, and a touch of magic, this film fits the bill.

(AD-PR REVIEW)

"Power is only power when you use it"

Thank you to faberbooks and thewritereads for this finished copy in return for a review and a place on this blog tour.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.75

My thoughts:

I finished this book earlier today so my thoughts are still fresh, but I really enjoyed this one. I didn't know much going into this one but the writing was so refreshing to read and I loved the multiple perspectives of this book. The perspectives follow Nora, Lotte, Theo and August who are four characters intertwined in each other's lives when Nora's mother and heiress to the Hotzfall empire, Verity Hotzfall is found dead.

Lotte is the hidden child of Grace Hotzfall who is brought in to compete in the Veritaz Trials, in order to find the next Heiress.

I really enjoyed the family dynamics, world-building and magic system. The 1920s vibe of this book was done well and the world-building with class representing the circles reminded me of Ketterdam from Six of Crows.

There are certain critiques made regarding the class system where capitalism is evident. It helped certain characters develop more by questioning the rich and lavish lifestyles they were brought up in whilst the systems of power were keeping wealth and class inequality intact. This in turn leads to the idea of protest and rebellion to be explored in this book.

The cold and callous nature of the family, doing anything for fame, money and fortune very much reminded me of the family dynamics from movies such as 'Knives Out' and 'Ready or Not', just overall with the cutthroat and ruthless demeanours and relationships between each and every family member.

By far, Lotte was my favourite character. She was so interesting and fun to read about. Her slow friendship and gaining family through Nora was super cute to read about. Untangling the history of her paternity was also super interesting.

The romance was super cute. Both couples had their moments. The banter between August and Nora was so fun to read.
I'm super excited for the second book!!

For this spotlight stop on the Write Reads tour I’m sharing my initial impressions after having read the prologue and first chapter.

The story pulls the reader in straight away, as we follow Nora walking early one morning to her Grandmother’s house, after a night out. Although fairly simple plot-wise I already have half a dozen questions about the story having learned that Nora’s mother was murdered and Nora stands to be the new heir to her grandmother’s fortune. To secure her position as heiress she must compete in something called the Veritaz trials. Nora’s family are obviously important as they’re guarded by knights. So, why was Nora’s mother killed? What do the Veritaz trials involve? (I get the impression they could be dangerous), just how powerful and influential is Nora’s family? How do the Knights fit in? And, who or what is the Huldrekall?

I’m finding the storytelling immersive, the plot compelling and am already warming to Nora who like all rich people doesn’t carry cash, so paid for her newspapers with a cherry sized diamond ring! I can’t wait to read the remainder of this fantasy thriller….

Okay admit I was a bit bored starting The Notorious Virtues and nearly Dnfed it. That was until Alwyn introduced so much action by using so many different genres and then throughout adding a Fairy Tale which I totally loved. It also had a political story which I normally do not enjoy but this was so well done coupled together with quests to gain an inhertiance. I now have to mention the cliffhanger oh boy so many questions that need to be answered and I am so getting the sequel,

So it you like Fantasy, Mystery and Magic then this will be your perfect read.

For all the above reasons The Notorious Virtues receives 5 big fat stars.

The Notorious Virtues begins after the murder of Verity Holtzfall, the heiress of Walstad. Honora had been used to getting everything she wanted as the next heiress, but following her mother’s death, he future is no longer set in stone, and it’s her own cousins that now stand in her way. In complete contrast to Nora’s life, Lottie has spent her entire life in a convent, where she is treated terribly, but her entire world is about to change when she discovers her true identity; a Holtzfall heiress.

I found the plot of the story super enjoyable. Because of the trials, it gave me strong The Inheritance Games vibes but with a magical twist, and with the addition of the Grims it had so much more danger and chaos. Alongside this, there is also the investigation into the murder of Verity Holtzfall, which throws it’s own challenges into the mix. I was completely immersed into the world of the Holtzfall family, and I never wanted to leave.

The characters are all so different, and each brings something special to the story. I loved how the Holtzfalls’ all had very different personalities, but also had their own magical gift which they used in their own way. Nora was my personal favourite though. She was unapologetically herself at all times, and despite not fitting in with her cousins, she totally owned it. I also enjoyed the relationships between each Holtzfall and their protectors, particularly the growing relationship between Lottie and Theo.

I would say that the intense final few chapters had me on the edge of my seat, but the truth is, The Notorious Virtues had me this way from the very beginning. This story could have ending in so many different ways, and I really wasn’t sure which way it was going to go until it happened. Despite wrapping up the storyline nicely, the ending of the story sets you up perfectly for another book in the series.

With family feuds, danger, excitement, and an abundance of magic, this book has absolutely everything. Honestly, I didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did, but it is easily one of my favourite books of the year so far, and I can’t wait for the story to continue.

I give The Notorious Virtues a 5 star rating!

Alwyn Hamilton's Rebel of the Sands trilogy was instrumental in getting my reading mojo back post-university, so when I saw she was having a new b0ok out I knew I had to get my mitts on it ASAP! Bright Young Things mixed with magic, mystery, fairy tales, and murder, The Notorious Virtues grabs you from the outset and doesn't let you out of its grip even as you turn the last page - I'll be chomping at the bit to read the sequel to see what becomes of the world of Gammanix and our morally grey cast of characters! Lots of parallels can be drawn to class/power struggles throughout history, and I know it'll be beloved by adults and teens alike!

An heiress and a long-lost daughter compete for the right to lead their family, and the city under its control.

Nora has grown up as the Heiress, knowing she is destined to follow in her grandmother's footsteps and lead their family - and the city they rule over. But when her mother is murdered, Nora is no longer the heir-apparent, and must compete against her cousins in the dangerous Veritas Trials in order to retain her birthright. The Trials, which have claimed the life of more than one Holtzfall, will test virtues such as honesty, unity and patience, and only those deemed worthy will be able to enter the magical forest surrounding their city to hunt for the axe that will allow them to lead.

Lotte has grown up in a convent - orphaned and cursed - until a lawyer and a guard appear on her doorstep with an impossible truth - she is a Holtzfall heiress, and has been summoned to compete in the Veritas Trials to earn her place in a family that has denied her existence for seventeen years.

Nora and Lotte meet as competitors, caught up in a world of political unrest, murder investigations, and dark family secrets. Helped by loyal guard, Theo, and young reporter, August, they must uncover the hidden truths about their family's past and confront the darker side of life in the city, where magic and money are scarce, and rebels are using the current unrest to make their own bid for power.

With a 1920s-inspired world and a brilliant cast of characters, The Notorious Virtues pulled me in from page one and didn't let go. I loved the way fairytales and folklore are woven through the narrative, adding glitz and glamour to a city simmering with tension and injustice. All four POV characters - Nora, Lotte, Theo and August - were equally intriguing and I enjoyed following each of them in turn. I cannot wait for book two - I'm desperate to return to this world and its characters and find out what they do next.

Hamilton drops you into the action from the get-go. This is both a blessing and a curse, depending on the reader. For some, like myself, it will hook you in right away, immediately making you crave more, wanting to know what happens next. Others may struggle with the subsequent infodump that comes with being thrown directly into the action. That said, Hamilton does a good job of pacing the initial bombardment of information and the continued revelations and story development throughout. This is one of those few books I would say might have benefited from being slightly longer.

The story follows several points of view, from Honora as mentioned above and Lotte to love interests in Theo and August, as well as an interesting supporting cast of secondary characters. Writing a book with this many points of view is a feat in itself, and Hamilton manages to do so quite well.

The Notorious Virtues shows off its fairytale roots. It gives a magical Gatsby told by Grimm. Hamilton ties the story together masterfully, leaving a genuinely edge-of-your-seat cliffhanger.

Spoiled heiresses competing for power while revolution boils in the underbelly of the city. Then you have secret daughters, murder cover-ups, magic-powered weapons and electricity, glitz and glamour sparking with class injustice and rebellion. And all set on the border of a mysterious magic forest no one can enter except during the heiress’ trials? I’m obsessed.

Reminiscent of The Legend of Korra, The Great Gatsby, the Brothers Grimm, and Anastasia. Hamilton takes some of the best YA tropes and creates a gem of a book.

The Notorious Virtues might just be one of the best young adult titles I’ve read in a long while. I already knew that I enjoyed Hamilton’s storytelling after Rebel of the Sands, but this book solidified her as one of my favourite YA authors.

I had such high hopes with this book going in, but the further I read, the more struggled and found that I didn’t care. So much so that, on several occasions, I was tempted to quit (but I didn’t because I was reading this for a blog tour and I kept hoping that something would happen that would change everything).

I didn’t care for the characters, the world or the magic system, because it never felt explained. And because these were never explained, I never found an “in”.

This wasn’t for me. Hopefully, it is for you.

So we’ve got sixteen-year-old Nora Holtzfall who is basically royalty in Walstad. Her family's got all the money and all the magic in the country, but despite being in the spotlight 24/7, she's always felt like she doesn't quite fit in. Then BAM! Her mom turns up dead in some alley, and suddenly the family fortune is up for grabs.

Enter the Veritaz – this crazy magical competition to decide who gets to be the next big boss of the Holtzfall empire. But this year there's a wild card: Lotte, the secret illegitimate daughter nobody knew about, who's been chilling in some convent until her mom randomly decides to pick her up. Poor girl goes from orphan to having a whole family... except most of them want her six feet under.

Meanwhile, Nora figures out her mom didn't just die – someone straight-up murdered her. With backstabbers everywhere, her only ally is this hot-shot reporter guy who absolutely hates everything her family stands for. And Lotte? She's desperately trying to figure out who her dad is while dealing with this insane competition and catching feelings for Theo, one of the family's bodyguards.

Okay so let me get straight to it: this book dumps A LOT on you at first. Not gonna lie, I almost gave up with all these characters and their messy backstories and this whole Roaring 20s-but-with-magic world that'll have you scratching your head going "wait, what?" But stick with it because the last part totally makes up for the slow burn!

The characters are actually pretty awesome – I got super invested in Nora and August's stories.
The competition itself? So cool! It's not just about being brave or smart; the contestants have to be honest and work together too. These challenges pop up randomly and everyone experiences them differently. THIS is where the book gets unputdownable! You get to see everyone's inner demons come out, and the drama is chef's kiss.

Fair warning though – it ends on a massive cliffhanger. The whole competition isn't even finished, just "paused" until book two. Super frustrating! But honestly? Still worth reading. You'll just have to join the rest of us impatiently waiting for the sequel!

A superb fantasy action adventure that will have you on the edge of the seat right from page one. A must read that is highly recommended.