A glamorous media darling, a surprise heiress, and the magical competition of a lifetime.
At sixteen, Honora “Nora” Holtzfall is the daughter of the most powerful heiress in all of Walstad. Her family controls all the money–and all the magic–in the entire country. But despite being the center of attention, Nora has always felt like an outsider. When her mother is found dead in an alley, the family throne and fortune are suddenly up for grabs, and Nora will be pitted against her cousins in the Veritaz, the ultimate magical competition for power that determines the one family heir.
But there’s a surprise contestant this time: Lotte, the illegitimate daughter of Nora’s aunt. When Lotte’s absent mother retrieves her from the rural convent she’d abandoned her to, Lotte goes from being an orphan to surrounded by family. Unfortunately, most of them want her dead.
And soon, Nora discovers that her mother’s death wasn’t random–it was murder. And the only person she can trust to uncover the truth of what happened is a rakish young reporter who despises everything Nora and her family stand for.
With everyone against her, Lotte’s last hope is hunting for the identity of her father. But the dangerous competition–and her feelings for Theo, one of the Holtzfalls’ sworn protectors–turns her world upside down. Incredible tests, impossible choices and deadly odds await both girls. But there can only be one winner.
The Notorious Virtues is a fantastic fantasy that kept me up late into the night turning pages. As a fan of Hamilton's debut, Rebel of the Sands, I was very much looking forward to her newest novel, and my expectations were certainly exceeded. Hamilton's inventive tale of an heiress fighting for her fortune is quite unforgettable.
The novel is the first in a planned trilogy and it artfully sets up a vibrant, clever world, high stakes, powerful magic, and a cast of vivid characters. Walstad, a city where the rulers enjoy outrageous wealth and the impoverished are neglected and maltreated, is a spectacularly intriguing setting. The glitzy haven is brimming with luxury, danger, injustice, and threat of rebellion. Furthermore, the city is surrounded by a magical woods and Hamilton masterfully weaves in the folklore of the forest and the origins of the Holtzfall fortune.
While there are four POVs, the reader most commonly spends time with Honora (Nora) and Lotte. Nora Holtzfall is a rich, spoiled, yet exceedingly clever heiress hoping to solve her mother's murder. Lotte has been hidden away for years, and only learns of her Holtzfall heritage once the Veritaz trials begin. These two girls are very different, and I really enjoyed their interactions as they come to terms with what it means to be cousins in such a dangerous, bloodthirsty family.
There are also hints of romance in this first novel, which I truly enjoyed, and more than a fair share of wit and humour. Moreover, for a novel focused on a competition of virtues, almost every character is morally grey. The questionable integrity, anger, and resentment of the characters makes the story even more compelling and unpredictable. Speaking of unpredictability, the ending of this first in the trilogy is wonderfully unexpected and makes me excited for the future sequels.
I heartily recommend The Notorious Virtues to anyone looking for a new, original fantasy adventure. If you enjoyed The Hunger Games or Brandon Sanderson novels, this book is for you. I had a rollicking time joining Nora, Lotte, August, and Theo.
*I received an e-ARC for free in exchange for an honest review*
Publication Date: April 1st, 2025
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