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.

"Your oath or your blood. Which do you value more?"

Nothing gets me more excited than a new Alwyn Hamilton book... but make it a fantasy thriller and you've got me UTTERLY hooked.

The Notorious Virtues introduces us to a world of dazzling glitz and glamour, where everything is a competition within the Holtzfall family... even before the real competition starts. The death of the long standing heir brings trials and tribulations which test the younger generation of the Holtzfall's to see who is the most worthy and virtuous of becoming the next heir.

I absolutely loved the tension and high stakes that Alwyn brought to this book; I truly felt like I was reading a murder mystery soap opera with there being so many plot twists and new developments which we (the reader) learn alongside the characters. The multiple POVs from Nora, August, Lotte and Theo created such an exciting story, where we don't know who to trust, nor who we should root for.

If you love murder mystery within a fantasy setting, magic trials and competition, secret heirs, rich girl x poor boy, rebellion and uprising with a strong sense of betrayal, all set in a 1920s feel world... then you must read The Notorious Virtues, because I promise you'll love it just as much as I did.

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

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

I can recognize that this book is good, but it just didn't stir a wild passion in me.

I'm a girlie who loves the 1920s aesthetic, especially when paired with themes about the greediness of the rich and classism. But for some reason it just didn't connect with me with this book. I had a hard time picturing this city, and even though I love worldbuilding through media (Here it's the newspapers), it still didn't give me a clearer image of the world. Also, I feel like the charms weren't explained well enough? It's not really explained where magic outside Holtzfall's inheritance came from. Maybe it was explained and I missed it, but I feel my point still stands if the explanation failed to leave any impact on me.

As for the characters, I liked them well enough. Lotte was my favorite, but Nora and August had some fun banter. Not enough for me to care at all about their romance, but I can see people loving it. Lotte's heavily implied romance with Theo tightroped along the edge of nope after the middle half due to the question of Lotte's parentage; luckily, it was cleared up, and the romance didn't really get the time to go anywhere by the end, which is fine by me. The four POVs between all aforementioned characters almost feel balanced, but August's feels the less developed out of all of them to me.

I dunno, I really wanted to like this one. I can tell that Hamilton was cooking with the themes with the book, but it just didn't enthrall me. I think if I was endeared more to the character, I would feel stronger. But as of now, I can only feel like I can shrug and say, "It's good," and move on with my day.

this was a phenomenal read. following the hortzfall family, it unravels covered up mysteries alongside the veritaz trails which are magically fuelled to find the next heiress.

I loved Nora and Lotte through this as they both developed immensely as characters but additionally both had very interesting and unique backstories. with its 'battle for it all' element it reminds me of the brothers hawthorne series and with how this ends im sure we will get a continuation to find out what truly happened in those final trails and what came of the remaining hortzfalls.

with rebels in the form of the grims, we do have organised violence but it makes for an intriguing political subplot that runs alongside the hortzfalls main story.
overall, i loved this and cannot wait to read more from this author.

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.