This book was amazing. It was a bit slow at the beginning but about halfway through it really picked up and I was racing through it. I found myself with very strong feelings abut most of the characters, either really rooting for them or against them. I cannot wait for the next book to be able to continue the story!

Mixing fairy-tale and folklore with a more modern fantasy twist, The Notorious Virtues is a fun read of family politics and duplicity. Magic, civil unrest and the opportunity to grasp the 'throne', with cousins pitted against each other to prove their worth.

Nora and Lotte are strong female leads, dealing with maternal loss and alienation in isolation until they learn to trust each other. All that they have ever known is thrown into question as their world gradually dissembled revealing long hidden secrets.

With a sprinkling of romance thrown in for good measure, this is a captivating YA read.

What an amazing fantasy .....a whole world unlike ours. There does remain, of course, greed, thirst for power, abuse of that power. With an extra dash of magic and majesty, this place is unfair (of course, it is based on human nature, after all). The family in charge of everything, has all the wealth and power and so many terrible secrets that not even they know them all. The knights, sworn to protect the family for life, do so without question. Now date decrees that a new heiress must be judged by deadly trial, and named. But the peasants are revolting and rotten truths are clawing their way to the surface. I'm ready for the next book!

Alwyn Hamilton knows how to write that's for sure.
This fantasy novel weaves its spell from its opening page to its last tantalising scene.
Characters leap from the page and the twists and turns of the unfolding tale are cleverly paced throughout the narrative..
How refreshing too, that Nora and Lotte are the resourceful heroines, both a little flawed, but both solid gold when they need to be.
The two would be heiresses would seem to be pitted against one another as they struggle to gain the rings they need throughout the traditional trial set to find the true heir to the Horstfall dynasty headship.
What unfolds, however, is a much cleverer story altogether and to reveal any more would do great disservice to anyone wishing to read the book for themselves
August, the journalist is an enjoyably sparky foil for Nora but, sadly, Theo, set up perhaps for Lotte, is a little too two dimensional, in this part of the series at least There is obviously more to come in the Horstfall saga and more secrets perhaps to unravel.
I am very much looking forward to Alwyn Hamilton's next instalment
Thank you to NetGalley and Faber for an e arc of this title for which. I have given my honest opinion

I really, thoroughly enjoyed this tale of a magical contest between family members to become the next Heir of a dynasty. Secrets, betrayal, magic, class, capitalism, romance, magical beings, tests, wooden rings - I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this, and think it was well worth the wait from its initial announcement. but I really, really hope it doesn't take quite as long to get the second in the series - I can't wait to find out what happens to the girls next!

Loved this book and can’t wait to read more.

Nora is a great lead, I was totally with her from the start. Some great twists along the way too, a compulsive read.

I started reading this book with no knowledge of what was to come and I have been left absolutely captivated by this story of an amazing blend of fantasy, political intrigue, and family drama.
This story is multi-pov and was written seamlessly. It shows four different people from four varying backgrounds living different lives that somehow overlap and intertwine: a knight bound by oath, a reporter just trying to get his next best story, a girl rich from her heritage, and a secret cousin who has only ever known the countryside, just being brought to light for the notorious Veritaz trials.
Unlikely friendships blossom, betrayals from those least expected, new love, and murder. No one could predict what would happen.
Hamilton details such invigorating world-building that I haven't read in years, so immersive and descriptive you could've been right there with the characters walking through Walstad, inside of their minds as each of their thoughts tick.. The stark contrast between the opulent lives of the upper crust and the struggles of the Grims adds depth to the story. Each new revelation only leads to more questions for the characters, and you; each and every word draws you in further. And the ending just killed me, leaving so much room for interpretation and theories on what happened, hopefully, a big enough gap for a potential follow-up in this series.

With a fresh take on an urban fantasy complete with trials eerily reminiscent of the Hunger Games, The Notorious Virtues was a surprisingly fun read about magic that is passed down a bloodline and won by the worthiest.
Things I enjoyed:
The characters were well written - even when I didn't like them, I understood their motivations and enjoyed reading about them. Nora and Lotte, especially, stood out to me from the very beginning.
The novel method of trials was refreshing to read about.
The multiple POV style also pulled in some political commentary about the distribution of magic being related to classes and how weighted votes maintained power within the upper classes, which I didn't expect to see in a YA-ish book and which supplemented the narrative very well. There was also underlying thematic notes about the role of media in maintaining appearances and how the royals would be nice to beggars only during Trial season, just because they hoped to gain something, that was pleasantly satirical.
THAT ENDING. Alwyn Hamilton knows how to leave us hanging.
The one thing I didn't like:
There was one character of Asian-equivalent ancestry who was important to the narrative but was mainly referred to as an "exiled desert princess" and similar exotic terms that just felt...odd. Considering the book was about power inequalities and the difficulty of maintaining status for non=royals, this bit felt very out of place.
All in all, though, I enjoyed this and encourage you to give it a read.

Was not expecting to like this so much! What an amazing book! Cannot wait for a physical copy to read over and over again

A brilliant new series from Alwyn Hamilton - a magical world with a glamorous 1930s feel, grown from a fairytale that is a thousand years old - the story of a virtuous woodcutter, his mercy to a powerful fae being and the rewards he and his descendants, the Holtzfalls, reap as a result. Nora and Lotte Holtzfall with their brave knights battle the Grims - a sect who want magic and power to be shared equally with all of society, while they also fight for survival within their own powerful family who will not even stop at murder to become the Heiress - the one who holds all magic and all power in a series of magical trials. It's a brilliantly original story with excellently written characters that drag you into their lives and leave you wanting more! I cannot wait for part 2!

I wasn’t expecting the Great Gatsby x Grimm Fairy tale would grip me so much. I loved all the characters from the very beginning and the writing was wonderful. The glamour and magic felt familiar and fresh all at the same time.
The lore created in the book was fascinating by itself and then have a magic tale woven around it was incredible, I could not put this book down and can’t wait to own a physical copy.

A creative potion of magic, trials, and ancestry, I really enjoyed this frolicking combination of folklore and storyline. The story felt fresh, the characters believable and un-stereotyped, and the pace was good. Nora is expected to inherit control of her families fortunes - money and magic. Except when her mother is murdered, all is up for grabs and she must now compete with other family members in her generation for what should be hers. There is a good amount of secrecy, mystery, lies and bravery. A lovely young-adult novel.

It’s been a while since I’ve read something a little different and this was such a breath of fresh air!

Featuring fairytale elements, interesting characters, great world building and an incredibly creative magic system, this book really does pull you into the action as it unfolds on the page.

The Notorious Virtues takes a few familiar tropes (deadly trials, family feuds and political struggles) but presents them in a 1920s, industrial age kind of setting, which you don’t typically see in fantasy novels. The changing POV’s kept things moving at a good pace so there was never a lull in the story.

This should be on every fantasy lovers TBR for 2025!

This is my book of the year, and I'd have to read something really spectacular to unseat it. This book is Hamilton at her finest. I want the rest of the series immediately. The world was so well-drawn, the pacing is fantastic and I have nothing bad to say about this book. If I could rate it ten stars I would.

This was just an interesting read. It caught me and held me with the fast paced scenes and interesting mystery and dialogue. A very nice introduction to this author, I am looking forward to I hope the next book in this series as the ending did leave the reader in a cliff hanger.

I gave this 4.5 stars in my review, really liked it a lot. I’ve pasted the majority of it below and will be promoting it on my Instagram and goodreads tomorrow, and amazon when I’m able to.

‘Old money spoilt entitled rivals in high-stakes trials to compete for the dominant rule of a city, where their winning personality traits (if they have them) is what earns their right to continue through the trials.

It’s got sublime magic use that is just wholeheartedly believable. I need a charm that cools my drinks, because nobody likes warm champagne, my darlings 💅🥂

The characters are diverse, likeable, and all have their own major purpose to play which isn’t totally guessable. There’s a side plot which ties up nicely with the main trial, everything comes together with a twist that kept me predicting the end until close to finishing anyway. Ends on a cliffhanger that I now need the sequel 😅

The only reason I didn’t give this 5 ⭐️ is because the characters all live and act like their in their 20s, but they’re 16, so it’s technically YA but it doesn’t feel right for the characters or the story.’

Thank you for allowing me to advance read this book, and if you would consider me in the future, I would be happy to arc read your future novels.

What a book. I always love Hamilton's writing style, and this did not disappoint. An inheritance trial for all the money and all the magic.

Consistent, interesting magic system, fun characters, and great twists. I'm obsessed with the dynamics of the characters, especially Nora and August. The worldbuilding is informative and quickly allows you to picture where you are without feeling disjointed. I love how convoluted the family is. Also, strangely excited to see what those three get up to together next book!

I will say I wish there was some more information about the magic system is accessed. I am aware that the amount someone has is class based and a political issue, I mean were charms always a thing? How did they learn to use charms? How do people in present times learn how to use them - is it passed down through families, common sense, or taught in schools? Had some other notes, but as (I am hoping) this is the first book in the series, I will wait patiently for more answers to come.

Also think there is a spelling error on page 158? First sentence in the paragraph: "When the party had ended hours ago, the would-be assassin had still 'be' sprawled in the grass." 'Be' --> 'been'.

Review has no spoilers:

I can honestly say that reading this fantasy thriller was a breath of fresh air in the streams of fantasy romances out there.

I’d recommend it if you’re looking for a good plot twist, that keeps you guessing and want a break from the usual hot and steamy that is currently in abundance.

I instantly took a liking to the main character Honora ‘Nora’ as she doesn’t present herself as a weak doe, but is highly intelligent and strong-willed young woman.

My only issue with the book, is that it leaves you wanting more and I don’t think I’ll survive waiting years for another instalment… if we’re lucky enough to get one!
I cannot believe that the book ends as it does without more to come, which is the only reason for the mark down!

This book is excellent! I was immediately captivated by the premise and this corrupt world of magic and power. Nora and Lotte are fantastic MCs and the twists and turns along the way kept me turning the pages obsessively. I'll now wait not so patiently for the sequel because after that insane ending I really want to know what happens next!

This YA fantasy novel, the first in a new series, is a traditional tale for the 21st century. The story, told from multiple points of view leads us through a tale of murder, mystery and magic.

I loved the well-defined characters - Nora was my favourite - who were bel1evable and kept the story moving. Despite being a lengthy tome, I didn't feel bored at any point or wish that the book was shorter.

I haven't read any of Alwyn Hamilton's books previously, but on the strength of this will be going back to read more.