I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of The Notorious Virtues from the publisher.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with TNV. I found the characters to all be very distinct, especially the four main POV characters, and didn’t struggle to know who was who at any given time. I think the characters were what really made the book for me. I loved their interactions as they learned who they could trust and built unlikely relationships with one another.

TNV is a twist on the ‘deadly games / tournament’ trope as a group of wealthy teenagers compete to see who will be the heir to their families fortune and magic. The plot largely follows two of these teenagers: with two of the others being largely irrelevant and another more of a side character who exists to irritate our protagonists.

The trials were all reasonably innovative and I really enjoyed that they could pop up at any point in the story. There were times where they felt like more of a side plot to the many other twists and mysteries going on in the background, but I think this helped TNV not fall into the trap of being too stale for me to want to keep reading.

There is a magic system however I think this is one of the weaker parts of the book. It wasn’t explained too well and the difference between innate inherited magic, special gifts and charms that could be used by anyone felt arbitrary to me. There were more than a few occasions that convenient magic and some well-timed run-ins with other characters meant that otherwise deadly situations were avoided.

Overall I really enjoyed my time with the book and can’t wait to get my hands on the next instalment in the series. I think anyone who likes reading about rich teenagers, family drama and deadly tournaments is going to really enjoy this one.

This really gripped me from the beginning

I loved all the characters and this book was so well written and can not wait to see what more the author has to offer

I have some mixed feelings about this book. Although the story was good and for the more part enjoyable, I found myself wishing it would hurry up and get to the end. It's a big story with a lot of political discourse, shoved into a book that felt it should just have been able the family and the magic trials the heiresses had to undergo.
Now that's not to say that the political stuff wasn't necessary, it was important to the world but it was nothing new. Poor people with no magic are mad at rich people with magic and want to turn the tides.
I think perhaps what got me was that some parts were really exciting and some dragged on. It felt like a much longer read than it should have.
So although a bit of me enjoyed this book...another bit was just relieved to reach the end. I don't see me bothering with the sequel.

This was excellent- from the sharp and unpredictable plot to the well observed characters that really made the setting feel real and lived in. It would have been really easy for Lotte to feel boring next to the glittering socialite Nora, or for Nora to seem shallow next to Lotte, but both girls came through strongly and complemented each other perfectly. I loved the romance, too- especially Nora’s. It’s been a while since I’ve read a fantasy book I enjoyed this much, and I eagerly await the sequel and, hopefully, its deeper dive into the magic underpinning the world.

First of all I would like to thank Netgalley and publisher Faber and Faber Ltd for an Earc of this book. This is my honest opinion.
If you love great world building, magic, trials, family secrets and power struggles then this might just be for you.
We follow Nora and Lotte, the former having everything and the later having nothing, until Nora's mother is found dead and Nora suddenly has to compete in the Veritaz Trials with her cousins to determine who will be the next heiress.
Cue trials, power struggles, secrets and mysteries to solve.
This book was great, 5 stars and i need to know what happened, when is the next book??
Look out for this book on March 27th 2025

One of my favourite reads of the year !! Easy 5 stars !! It was a fast paced, page turner that has left me so excited for the sequel. Each character’s POV was had me invested in each of their storylines, and kept me guessing all the way through.

4.5/5⭐️

‚Life is completely fair to those who deserve it‘

When her mother is found dead in an alley, the Holtzfall’s have to find a new heir for their family throne, and Nora will be pitted against her cousins in the Veritaz, the ultimate magical competition for power that determines the one worthy family heir.

I haven‘t heard of this book until I saw this beautiful cover and e-ARC up for request on Netgalley! Thank you so much Netgalley and to the author Alwyn Hamilton for providing this ARC!

The story is told through multiple POV’s. Each character comes from a different background, which made it easy for me to keep them apart. Most of the time, the story picked right back up, whenever there was a POV change. This was so refreshing, as I usually struggle with books that involve a lot of different POV’s, especially when you have to follow more than one or two different story lines. This wasn’t the case for this book.
I loved the way the Author connected and developed the characters relationships. It felt natural and not forced at all. There is some romance in this book which was fitting to the story and heartwarming, I really liked it.

Not only are the Holtzfall’s the wealthiest family in Walstadt, but they are also gifted with magic. They definitely came in handy throughout the story, while the Cousins have to accomplish each of the trials, using their own unique magical gift. It was definitely well integrated!

In the beginning of the book, there was not enough world building in my opinion, as I was confused in what age/time the book takes place in. It became a lot more clear throughout the story.

I really enjoyed this YA urban fantasy novel a lot and would definitely recommend it.
I found this fast paced and adventurous story absolutely entertaining.

I really wanted to like this book but I struggled with it. I felt it jumped all over the place. I get what the author was trying to do but maybe I wasn't in the right mind set to read it. Xx

This is a near perfect fantasy, a glorious concoction of fairytale, 1920 style politics and society, family dynamics, revolution and betrayal, vividly written and expertly plotted. I didn't want to put it down.
A ruling family, descended from the city's founder, rich in both fortune and magic, only one can rule. And, as the only heir to the heir, Nora Holtzfall has always known it will be her . Beautiful and talented, Nora is the city's darling, on the front cover of every newspaper, her partying lifestyle headline material. But when her mother is murdered her status of heir is no longer certain. Now she and her cousins will have to take part in the trials every generation of Holtzfalls is subjected to, the Veritas trials, unexpected, dangerous and designed to see who is most virtuous, who deserves to be heir.
But with Nora also desperate to find out what happened to her mother and with revolt fermenting in the city, this year's trials are going to be more treacherous than ever, in every way.
A brilliant start to what promises to be a stand out series. Highly recommended.

"Well, I must apologise for my absense. The truth is I really, really would just have rather gouged out my own eyes than spend two hours watching Modesty do almost anything"

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I really struggled trying to figure out if I would give this 3.5 or a solid 4 stars.
I've settled on 4, because despite my reservations, I am still thinking about that ending.

This had the potential to be absolutely fantastic.
I am a games/trials girly at heart, and believed this was RIGHT down my alley.

However, the pacing was a little bit confusing, and while all 4 (5 including the historical chapters) POVs were meant to connect, and all told the same story that eventually intertwined; it felt like there were 4 different story arcs happening. It felt very disjointed and I felt like I was bouncing around constantly, not able to really commit to a storyline.

The middle third of the book was just not for me; I struggled to want to pick it up, and very nearly DNF'd it at about 55%.
I'm really glad I did finish it, because the last 25-15% was worth it, and I will be continuing the series.

I just wish some of the other story arcs weren't as convoluted as they were.

Thank you to NetGalley, Faber and Faber, and Alwyn Hamilton for the opportunity to read this eARC.

Rating: 4.5 stars (rounded up to 5)

Thank you so much to the publishers and Net Galley for giving me early access to this book - I did indeed squeal and drop everything to read it immediately.

This is the much anticipated book by Alwyn Hamilton, telling the story of the ever virtuous Holtzfall family. Walstad is a thriving city, where the glamorous Holtzfall ladies rule supreme. But with the Holtzfall heir dead a week prior, the Veritaz Trials are to begin again, to select a new heiress. Will Nora, the original heiress apparent, be able to prove herself most worthy?

This is a multiple POV book, telling the story of Nora Holtzfall, the journalist August hunting for his big break, the country girl Lotte who ends up in the middle of the politics and games, and the knight sworn to protect the Holtzfall line no matter the cost.

This book was truly such a fun read. The 1920’s style atmosphere is very different to Hamilton’s other series, but I felt she pulled off the decadence of the time so well. I loved the complexity of the characters for the genre - and how characters for the most part weren’t one dimensional. I found the Veritaz Trials engaging, and the various magical elements throughout well thought through. I enjoyed all the POVs equally, which is something that rarely happens.

I found the social commentary woven throughout thought provoking, and it really helped drive the story home at points. The Trials themselves were exciting and I found myself audibly gasping when reading certain moments. Overall this was just such a fun read, and makes me think that 2025 is going to be the year of games or survival!

The only issue I have is that this is clearly a series, and now I’m going to have to wait even longer for the next book.

-Ratings & Tropes-
5/5
~Muli POV
~Trials
~Handed down magic
~Fairytale lore
~1920’s vibes

-Quick Description-
The Notorious Virtues is a fantasy murder mystery giving off 1920’s vibes with fairytales woven throughout add in an ancient family trial and a sweet romance and you’ll just be touching the surface of what this book has to offer.

-My Thoughts-
I found The Notorious Virtues entertaining and the enjoyment factor was at 100%. I really loved the magical 1920’s vibes and I'm all for multi POVs and this one is up there with the best.
I found all of the characters to be unique and easy to differentiate and honestly were a joy to read
I haven’t read anything by Alwyn Hamilton before and I can’t believe I haven’t, this will definitely not be the last of her books I read. She is a talented and engaging author.
The story was clever with excellent plotting and I can't wait to read book 2.

-Characters-
~Nora~
Hanora Holtzfall was the heiress heiress until her mother was murdered, now everyone thinks she will become the newest heiress, but that’s not how her Grandmother sees it. She will have to take part in The Veritaz Trials along with her cousins to see who is worthy of the title.

~Lotte~
Living the past sixteen years in a tower once occupied by an immortal who fell in love with a metal girl but has now since moved on and the tower has fallen into disrepair lived Lotte the orphan who was born with a curse to the thoughts of people including the dead.

~Theo~
Theodric Rydder is a sworn knight to the House of Holtzfall. He’s Nora’s sworn protector and like a brother to her.

~August~
Journalist who reported on Nora’s Mother’s murder. He’s young and intelligent and full of banter.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC and a huge thank you to Alwyn Hamilton.
Also reviewed on Goodreads, StoryGraph,Fable and Instagram (post coming soon) @read.with.rue

Fable Review Check out this review on Fable
https://fable.co/review/4749f9fa-37ec-44c9-a5ab-5357e366a973/share

Alwyn Hamilton’s The Notorious Virtues is a dazzling foray into a world of opulence, intrigue, and magic. Set in a society where wealth and power are paramount, the story follows the ambitious Theodora "Theo" Etting, an underdog trying to claim her place in a family rife with competition.

Hamilton crafts an intricate narrative blending high-stakes competition with themes of legacy, privilege, and morality. The protagonist, Theo, is a refreshing voice—resourceful, determined, and deeply human. Her journey is layered with tension as she navigates trials meant to test her worthiness while uncovering long-buried secrets about her family and herself.

The world-building is one of the novel’s highlights, seamlessly combining a glittering social scene with magical undertones. Hamilton’s vivid descriptions bring the setting alive, making it feel immersive and enchanting. The pacing is brisk, with a blend of suspenseful challenges, moments of personal growth, and twists that keep readers hooked.

While The Notorious Virtues thrives on its compelling plot, some secondary characters could have been developed more deeply to match Theo’s vibrancy. Nonetheless, this does not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the book.

Perfect for fans of competition-driven plots, glamorous settings, and morally complex protagonists, The Notorious Virtues is a thrilling start to a new series that leaves readers eager for more

If you wanted a murder mystery with trials in a political fantasy world - this is it!!

The story is told from multiple points of view and the history is dropped in, in the perfect places. There is minimal romance, it's the plot you are here for.

I can already tell this is going to be an epic fantasy series.

I went into this blindly and was very pleasantly surprised to find similarities to powerless, which is one of my absolute favourite books. I would go as far as to say that this is better though. It had absolutely everything I was looking for, I was even impressed with the writing style.

So far, this has been my favourite arc💖

This book is a dazzling fantasy brimming with magic, intrigue, and cutthroat family dynamics. Set in a glittering, 1920s-inspired world where the wealthy Holtzfall family reigns supreme, the story follows sixteen-year-old Honora "Nora" Holtzfall and her unexpected rival, Lotte, in a high-stakes magical competition for power. Amidst dangerous secrets, political unrest, and personal betrayals, the novel weaves a tale of ambition, loyalty, and the lengths one will go to secure their future.

Hamilton masterfully crafts a vivid, atmospheric setting where magic and privilege intertwine, while layering the plot with complex characters and political intrigue. Nora’s journey to uncover her mother’s murderer and navigate her own role within her family’s corrupt empire is captivating, as is Lotte’s struggle to claim her place among relatives who see her as a threat. With dangerous monsters, a brewing revolution, and ancient magic shaping the characters’ fates, the stakes feel thrillingly high at every turn.

For fans of lush, intricately plotted fantasies with sharp family drama, "The Notorious Virtues" is a must-read. This intricately woven tale is the start of a trilogy you won’t want to miss. It’s a story of power, privilege, and survival, with a stunning world and characters that linger in your mind long after the final page.

This was an incredible read from start to finish. It felt like a cross between Powerless and One Dark Window. One family, survived monsters and the elements by showing virtue to an ancient being. He gifted them with magic so they could keep themselves safe. Over times others joined the family and a city was created. Now whenever an heiress is needed they compete in a series of challenges to show who is the most virtues and inherit generations worth of magic. But the ruling family have held control over money and magic for a long time, and the people are sick of being exploited. The book follows a rich young member of the family, an orphan abandoned at a nunnery with a sinful gift and a journalist trying to understand it all. You won't regret reading this. There is subtle romance but no spice and I didn't even miss it. I was so enthralled with the magic system, the background and lore surrounding the family and the civil unrest taking place.

The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton is a captivating fantasy novel that immerses readers in a world of magic, intrigue, and competition. The story follows the journey of a young girl named Honora, who is thrust into a high-stakes contest to prove her worth and claim her family's legacy.

Hamilton's writing is really engaging, bringing to life a detailed world filled with complex characters and intricate plot twists. The novel explores themes of power, ambition, and identity, as Honora navigates the challenges and dangers of the competition.

One of the standout aspects of the book is its strong character development. Honora is a really relatable FMC.

The story is pacey, with a mix of action, suspense, and emotional moments that keep you hooked from start to finish.

Overall, The Notorious Virtues is a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure.

within this book we hear from four different povs of four different characters: nora- id the presumed next hierness of the holtzfall family who was showed as a spoiled girl. lotte- she is a orphan deserted at a convent who discovers shes not only apart of the holtzfall familu but a contender at being the next heirness. theo- he is a knight whose family has been a blood oath to protect the holtzfall family and then there is august- he is ayoung journialist hoping to break a big story so he can have a better life.

it did take me awhile to get into the book, i think the reason for this i because on the surface nora seemed to be so unlikeable. but as i continued reading this book, her character grew on me and i throughly enjoyed getting to know the other main characters better as well. the story had a lot of depth to it and went in directions that i often didnt expect or see coking, this book had kept me guessing until the very end of the book. inside the book there was compilated relationships and challenges that chacters had to face. it was interesting to see the social hierarchy, battles for power, and political atmosphere from the different perspectives, and there were so many intricacues to it all that made it feel like so much more than a typical young adult story. it appears that this book is the first in a series. imhonestly not sure where this story is heading from here, but wherever it is, im looking forward to it.

Alwyn Hamilton is back and better than ever! This was such a blast and so beautifully written. The cast of characters are so well realised (Nora is a particular favourite of mine!) and the world Hamilton has built is so rich and vivid. An absolute 10/10 read with an ending that made me scream and throw the book across the room.