The beginning of this book really makes you despise Nora in particular while introducing three other characters that almost feel irrelevant to the plot that it appears the author is setting. However, once the Trials start and all of the characters start to interact with each other, it feels like the book sets better into its plot.

Don't walk into this book expecting a nice, happy, wrapped-up ending. It won't give you that. But taking a moment to think about the layers beneath the veneer of the story reveals quite a bit.

This one had a very slow start for me. I almost gave up because the pace just crawled. However, I’m glad I stuck with it because it became an enjoyable read. The more I got to know of Nora, the more I wanted from her. I liked that even though she is essentially the “pampered princess,” she cares for others. She also listens to others, mainly August, and she changes her views, which I super appreciate.

While I understand all the varying perspectives, I didn’t really care about the others all that much. I liked Nora because she had depth. The competition doesn’t really take center stage here, which could be disappointing for some people. But the progressing storyline helps to move the story forward, making it an overall enjoyable read.

I was immediately sucked into this book and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Viking Books for Young Readers for the review copy!

The magic system was so cool and unique, I really loved how it pulled in the folk tales of how the Veritaz trials came to exist. And that in order to achieve all of the power, they had to risk losing their magic by competing.

The murder mystery, the competition, the romance, and the way Nora and Lotte have to work together all comes together into a great time.

I haven’t read Hamilton’s previous series, but from what I know about it, it seems to be set in the same universe. I’m interested to pick it up now and see what Easter eggs I find.

DNF at 5%. I really was so intrigued by the first chapter of this book—the premise is great, enjoyed the writing. But then I hit the next few chapters and I lost steam. There are several POVs, then we get a story within a story right away, and I was just overwhelmed by the info dumping. I may pick it up again when I’m more in the mood for something like this.

I had high hopes for this book and it was okay the plot was a bit confusing for me in the beginning and the character development was slow.

Thanks for the publisher and NetGalley for a copy to honestly review.

Nora Holtzfall is thrown into a deadly competition after her mother’s murder. The Veritaz isn’t just a set of magical trials—it’s a high-stakes battle to control the future of the Holtzfall legacy. Money, magic, and status are all on the line. Nora is smart, bold, and determined, and I was immediately pulled into her story.

The added POVs—Lotte, Theo, and August—layered the story nicely. Each character brought something different to the plot. Lotte’s quiet strength, Theo’s loyalty, and August’s outsider perspective gave the story depth without overwhelming it.

The world feels sharp and glittering. It’s fantasy meets high society with 1920s flair. Think magic rings, vintage vibes, and power plays behind every smile.

The pacing dipped a bit in the middle. Some scenes dragged where I expected more urgency, especially with the Grims pushing from the outside. Still, the tension builds back up by the final trial.

This book is a solid 4 stars. It didn’t fully knock me off my feet, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The family politics, the glamour, the danger—I’m hooked. I’ll be first in line for book two.

If you love morally gray characters, family rivalries, and magic systems tied to personality and choice, this one’s for you.

I received a digital review copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was excited to read this book because I loved Hamilton's Rebel of the Sands trilogy.

The story is an intriguing mix of magic, murder mystery, and political intrigue. The Holtzfall family hosts a magical competition called the Veritaz, where the family heir is determined. After Nora's mother is found dead in the streets, Nora, who was once comfortable in her role as Heir, suddenly finds herself competing against her cousins for the title. The competition intensifies when a long-lost cousin named Lotte appears, drawing attention from all sides. As Nora uncovers the possibility that her mother's death was a murder, she teams up with an unexpected ally to solve the mystery. Along the way, Lotte learns about her father's identity and navigates the challenges of the Veritaz trials and the complexities of her powerful family.

I gave this book 3 stars because it took me some time to get into it. However, I enjoyed the multiple storylines and am always in favor of a good betrayal! The magic system is fascinating, especially the concept of using charms to channel magic. The ending left me wanting to know more about the story, so I will definitely be looking for book 2.

Why Did I Read?

I really enjoyed Alwyn Hamilton's Rebel of the Sands (and never finished the series, I really need to get on that) and when I heard about her latest, I knew I had to read it! Magical trials and family shenanigans - yes, please!

My Thoughts:

The Notorious Virtues has a fascinating premise. Long ago, the Holtzfall family, with the aid of a magical being in the forest, carved out a safe spot for themselves in the forest. It spread, turning into a city, all under their protection. Generations later, the family magic and power is passed down to the next deserving heir who has to prove themselves with a number of trials testing various virtues. However, the poorer circles chafe under the Holtzfall rule and rebellion is brewing.

We have a couple different main players in the story - Nora, the previous heiress until her mother was murdered, Lotte, who had no idea she had a family, and Theo, a loyal knight protecting the family. I thought all the different POVs worked really well together with multiple threads of the plot that kept me turning the pages.

Due to the premise of Nora's mother's murder, there is a slight murder mystery vibe tied with the other plot points of navigating both family secrets and the Veritaz trials. I thought the trials testing virtues was really unique and really interesting especially as there was no set time or anything for when one may start. You didn't know, for the most part, if one was happening until you were in it.

I was also very invested in Nora and Lotte's fates. Nora seems like an empty headed socialite but she is anything but. Lotte is thrust into a world she never knew but handles each new thing so well and adapts so fast. I was so immersed into their stories, I didn't want to put it down!

The fairytale like snippets of the world this is set in were really fascinating and I think there is so much more to discover. The world is so cool with the way the magic is set up, the charms and magical connections and social hierarchy. I truly loved all the aspects of this story! Now my problem is, I want the sequel like now and I discovered there isn't even a synopsis for the next book yet! Ahh!

In Short...

The Notorious Virtues features a great cast of characters with POVs that will keep you rooted to the book. The magical world the story is set in is unique and fascinating with a story that will keep you on your toes. There are twists and turns and is such an exciting new release from Alwyn Hamilton! I highly recommend if you like competitions, family secrets and an exciting fast paced plot!

When the heiress is found dead in suspicious circumstances, a new heiress must be chosen. In a world where an heiress is chosen, Honora must compete in trials in who will be the next heiress. In another point of view, cursed orphan Lotte, portrayed as the outsider, always paying for others sins and seemingly forgotten until her absent mother returns to tell her who she truly is.

Underneath it all, this is a tale of classism. Honora is defiant and proud, Lotte was cold and selfish but still leaves you feeling sorry for her situation, Theo was nostalgic and very much a do-gooder, and August was the investigative reporter who is obviously building something more with Honora than just a story. It was too many point of views. Each character feels like the fantasy stereotypes, but they are written well for the most part. Lotte was confusing as a character, and she was almost different from every chapter till closer to the back half of the book.

If you want story and world building in your fantasy, this is the one. It was still building until about 100 pages. I went into this wanting it about the trials but it’s really not. It’s really just a mystery of what happened to the former heiress and those involved. I wish the trials had been more of the focus and more fantasy creativity had been applied.

There was a lot in this journey, too much, especially for a first in a series. A lot of moments would have been better saved and developed for future installments, for a more streamlined story. I think this left me intrigued enough to continue this series.

Overall, I liked it. I liked the characters I was supposed to like and I cared about the trials. There were some good overall lessons about classism and governance. However, the world development was lacking. A random word that was made up as part of the magic system would pop up with little context. Too many extra characters were tossed in with very little background or purpose. I also thought it was an interesting choice to talk about alcohol so much in a YA book. It was seriously like another Holtzfall family member.

I really enjoyed this start to a new series! I really liked that Hamilton gave readers multiple points of view to understand what was happening in the different spaces. I’m super interested in the next book in this series to see where Hamilton takes this story. The ending really provided a twist that I don’t think anyone saw coming!

Thanks for the chance to chance to read this early!

The Notorious Virtues is based on a single premise: that virtue is important. The Holtzfall family has been demonstrating this for centuries, ever since a single virtuous ancestor was rewarded for his virtue; that reward has been being passed down through the generations ever since. Only those descendants who demonstrate a significant virtue will be given the opportunity to be the next inheritor. However, that demonstration may only be skin-deep; the Veritaz trials only measure the potential heir's virtue at that moment in time, with no consideration for their ongoing behaviors - which have all the plots and intrigue one would expect from the potential heirs to a widespread and wealthy dynasty.

This novel is told from multiple viewpoints, with Honora (Nora) and Ottoline (Lotte) being the primary narrators as well as primary contenders; two secondary characters, Theo and August, also narrate some chapters. This can occasionally get confusing, especially early on when trying to keep straight which characters are which, and which ones know what, but following the chapter titles, which are names, helps with that. The use of magic is widespread in Walstad, mostly with charms but occasionally, and somewhat confusingly, without - something which apparently only the Holtzfalls can do. Still, this is a fast-paced and engaging story, appropriate for teens and adults, with a rather unique take on the competition necessary to win the Veritaz trials.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for an e-Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review*

A hunger games style trials between family members to win the chance to be Heir of a magic filled family where only the Heir gets all the magic of the generation. Count me in!! Not to mention there are fairy tales waved in that were said to make the Holtzfall family who they are and their Knights who they are as well, if they like it or not.

To be honest there were some characters i did not like when i first met them but as things went on they became some of my favorite characters.

There was a lot going on all at once revolving around the past, present and future that kept me distracted at times so i didnt catch clues to the things. With everything going on I had so many questions towards the end.

Would i recommend this to a friend or family member? Yes

Would i buy this book or read it again from library? Yes

Do i have interest in reading the rest of the series once it comes out? Yes

A thousand years ago, the virtuous woodcutter Honor Holtzfall struck a deal with a magical entity to carve out a place of safety in the deep, dark forest. Subsequent generations proved their worth via perilous trials and so ruled their glittering metropolis. The current crop, though, is spoiled and greedy. The murder of the last Holtzfall heiress kickstarts a new trial, which freshly-orphaned Nora is favored to win. Until her long-lost cousin Lotte, raised by vengeful nuns, appears. Both girls evolve rapidly as they face the trials, social unrest, and their numerous family secrets, growing into the strong, empathetic, determined young women they'll need to be in the inevitable sequel. Thanks, Netgalley.

Okay, definitely going for IG vibes with a twist (IYKYK)

I am not a big "historical" (if you call it that?) fan, so the 1920's era didn't appeal to me. I think the writing was really well done. Would I continue the series? Possibly. I think now that the "worldbuilding" is done, I'd consider moving on in the story.

Unique, dazzling magic and an inheritance at stake will draw you into “The Notorious Virtues”! An almost heiress, a forgotten orphan, a loyal knight, and an aspiring journalist all have a part to play in this story. This thrilling book is everything all at once. Mystery, betrayal, a high-stakes competition, budding romance - I couldn’t put this book down!

For those who love:
💠Inheritance Competition
💠20s Era
💠Political Intrigue
💠Multi-POV
💠Unique Magic System
💠Rich Family Dynamics
💠Fast-Paced

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

The Notorious Virtues is the first book in a new YA fantasy trilogy, If you love inheritance games, give this one a shot. It started a bit slow for me but the ending was wonderful. I can't wait to read the next one.

I love a book series set around a game. I thought they were actually going to be in an arena, but it turns out the trials come to them when they least expect it. I liked both Nora and Lotte. Theo and August were interesting characters, but i feel like they fell off toward the end. There were definitely things I suspected, but there were still some twists and turns. I'm looking forward to reading the next book. I see there are three books. I'm curious to see how she stretches it across two more books because I could easily see this as being a duet.

Full disclosure, I've known Alwyn for a while now. I loved Rebel of the Sands. I was skeptical of this one. 1920s is not my style and it didn't really sound like something I'd love BUT it's Alwyn and I needed to at least try it. But I was BLOWN away by how absolutely amazing this book is. It's one of the best things I've read in a while and I've been on a good streak! All four POV characters are fantastic and while everything I needed happened, she also surprised me at multiple points with some of the twists and turns! Also, not forgiving her for the ending (at least not until book 2, which I need yesterday!). Can't say much more without descending into spoilers but I thoroughly recommend this book! It's definitely 1920s vibes without that being its whole thing - the adventure takes over a lot of what could've been that way. Absolutely in love.

Although I had read the plot of the book before requesting it and found it interesting, I was not quite sure what to expect from the book itself having never read anything by the author. In fact, the beginning turned out to be a bit difficult: it took a while for the book to interest and intrigue me.
The strangest thing is that at first I didn't like the multi pov and I cant't really say why since I'm used to reading books with multiple points of view in the third person and, indeed, I prefer them to books narrated in the first person; plus here the change of point of view is very sharp and signalled at each chapter since the ‘title’ is the name of the character whose perspective we read. Who knows what didn't convince me at the beginning, I still wonder now.
Another somewhat negative point for me is that the twists and turns or big secrets of the book were a bit predictable because I had already guessed almost everything as the book unfolded, so I wasn't particularly surprised.

On the other hand, I really enjoyed the descriptions of the parties and dresses; the time in which it is set, the 1920s, always fascinates me (is this Chloe Gong's fault? Yes, but not only that).

Finally, although neither of the two protagonists really entered my heart, I really appreciated their construction and characterisation because they are far from perfect and embody well the aspect I like about ‘morally gray characters’, namely the pursuit of self-interest. Both Nora and Lotte, in fact, think that their own goal is ‘best’, the most ‘right’ and the only one that really matters and, even if at times they question the world and the environment in which they grew up and their own character, they continue on their way.
The change in them towards a more positive moral characterisation and as classic heroines is subtle and gradual and I think it will be better seen in the sequels, if not at the end of the series when a comparison can be made between the beginning and the end.
Obviously I don't mind this story arc of improvement and growth at all and in fact I'm really curious to see it.