The Notorious Virtues is a sparkling concoction of intrigue and suspense, filled with twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With her trademark lyrical prose, Hamilton has crafted a thrilling story that explores the dark side of wealth and power while celebrating the strength of those who dare to challenge the status quo. This series starter promises to be an unforgettable ride, leaving me eager for what comes next in this mesmerizing world of magic and ambition.

I have been insanely excited about this book ever since it was first announced (4 or 5 years ago? I think?) and having finally got my grubby hands on a copy I can confirm: it is 100% worth the wait. Brilliantly written with twists and betrayals and family and magic, I loved every page and will now patiently (but desperately) wait for the sequel! Please not so long a wait this time though?

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

This book had me hooked from early on. The fairy tale-inspired plot was also rich in illustrations of the evils of capitalism. The despotic family who run the city are also subject to a fairy tale trial of their virtues. The characters are fully fleshed out and you really care what happens. I can't wait for the sequel.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

At sixteen, Honora ‘Nora’ Holtzfall is the daughter of the most powerful heiress in Gammamix; 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 left her 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. Could the balance of power be about to be overturned?

I loved the characters and the multiple POVS, especially Nora and Lotte as they both developed as characters both had very interesting backstories. I also thought that Hamilton wrote each character well and you could tell whose POV you were reading without having to read who it was.

The Notorious Virtues was filled with so many twists and turns! The trials were so interesting to read and I wasn’t expecting anything that unfolded - I truly love Hamilton’s writing and would recommend this to anyone who loves the Thriller and Fantasy genres and also The Inheritance Games series by Jennifer Lynne Barnes

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.

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.

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

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.