Read and Reviewed: Blog tour: The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton

Wednesday, 2 April 2025

Blog tour: The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton

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.

A high-stakes magical competition, shifting alliances, and a tangled web of family secrets make The Notorious Virtues a gripping start to a new fantasy series. The novel follows two young women—Nora, a privileged heiress with everything to lose, and Lotte, an outsider thrust into a world that wants her gone—as they navigate the ruthless Veritaz, a deadly contest to determine the next leader of their influential family.

Both protagonists are compelling in their own right: Nora, used to the spotlight but struggling to find her place, and Lotte, determined to survive despite the odds stacked against her. Their contrasting perspectives add depth to the story, especially as they uncover buried truths about their family and the dark forces at play.

While the worldbuilding is rich and intriguing, the novel takes its time establishing the rules of its magical system and political landscape. A clearer introduction to these elements earlier on would have made it easier to fully immerse in the story from the start. However, once the pieces fall into place, the tension and intrigue take hold, making it difficult to put the book down.

With its blend of mystery, romance, and fierce competition, this first installment lays a strong foundation for what promises to be an intense and thrilling series. Fans of cutthroat magical contests and intricate family dramas will find plenty to enjoy.

📖 Book Recommendation: A Hunger of Thorns by Lili Wilkinson – This dark and immersive fantasy follows a young woman seeking to reclaim her lost magic in a world where power is controlled by those who hoard it. With secrets, danger, and a deeply personal journey, it offers a similarly compelling mix of high stakes and rich worldbuilding.

📺 TV Show Recommendation: The Gilded Age – While not a fantasy, this historical drama captures the intense rivalries and shifting power dynamics within a wealthy, high-society family. It mirrors the cutthroat competition and intrigue of [Book Title], with characters navigating ambition, betrayal, and shifting loyalties in a visually stunning setting.