I need the next book ASAP! The perfect YA fantasy with trials, magic, inheritances, hidden identities, betrayal, deception, family conflict, rebellion, a fight for power, and a hint of romance. Written from 4 different POV's, this book is fast paced, easy to follow, and has you hooked from the first page. The characters are easy to love, dynamic, and have plenty of depth and development to them.
*
*
*
The Holtzfalls control all the country's money, magic and power and Nora is the apparent heir to the family's fortune. However, when her mother (the heir) is found dead, she must face her cousins in a round of magical trials to determine who is the most fit to inherit control of the family's assets.

After being abandoned as a baby, Lotte was raised in a rural convent and is shocked to discover she is actually a Holtzfall, but unfortunately most of them want her dead. Determined to maintain a position in her new family, Lotte takes part in the competition to inherit.

Hailing from a long line of knights sworn to protect the Holtzfall's, Theo takes an oath to to protect the ruling family at the risk of his own life. His brother, the sworn personal guard of Nora's mother, would never abandon his position. So when Theo's brother is not found after the heir's death, he must determine which matters more to him, his oath, or his family.

August is a journalist at a local paper, and because he is the first reporter at the scene of the heir's death, he has proof that the death was not just a robbery gone violent. Eager to be the one to print the world-changing story, August secretly works with Nora to try to find the true cause of her mother's death.

All while the trials are occurring, a group of rebellions believe that the Holtzfall's are being selfish with their wealth and magic, and will do anything to end the Holtzfall's reign of power over the country.
*
*
*
Add this to your 2025 TBR now, because this thrilling and engaging fantasy that has you on the edge of your seat until the very last page is going to be the next big YA fantasy series.

This book was great! The magic system was so good! It was explained perfectly and it was not overly complicated. I loved the relationships in this book also!

I really liked the plot and I felt that the author executed this book very well! I found the story very unique.

I liked the magic system, it wasn't overly complex and the author did a very good job in explaining how the magic system worked, I never felt confused or lost.
  I also liked all the little side plots that we had throughout the story, it really helped build the characters and show their true values. 
My favorite thing from this book that I thought the author did a really good job on was the characters and relationships. All of the relationships developed so naturally, and I really loved the growth all the characters had. It was so smooth to read and it really made the book so enjoyable.


Overall I think this book is a very strong start to a series and I can not wait for the rest! Thank you Netgalley for this arc!

This book reminded me of a couple young adult fantasy series put together but with its own twist and world. I enjoyed the back & forth between perspectives and the magic throughout. The twists and turns weren’t shocking to me but the book definitely hooked me in pretty early on. I’m intrigued by the ending and would read a sequel if another was written.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

This ya friendly book was so refreshing. It did take me a while to get into some of the characters as there are multiple povs, but I grew to appreciate them all. The characters were fun, and the folklore added was really interesting to read. The ending took me by surprise. I definitely didn't see it coming.

Lushly written and beautifully detailed, this engaging YA fantasy presents an engaging world, a well-rounded cast of characters, and a fantastic plot! Highly recommended!

I added this book to my Goodreads shelf in August 2020, and since then I have been patiently waiting!!! I was so excited to see it on Netgalley and immediately started it when I got approved. I was a bit worried because since 2020 I've fallen out of YA fantasy a little bit. I should NOT have worried, because Alwyn Hamilton knocked it out of the park!

This is such an interesting and unique fantasy, with a well-constructed world and a VERY well-plotted arc to come. The romances were compelling, the 'sisterhood' plot almost made me weep, and I couldn't put this down!

Truly a new favourite!!

<b>4.5 stars, rounded up because it felt so unique</b>

There’s so much YA fantasy releasing nowadays that it can be hard to find a story that feels unique or brings something new to the table.

I present to you - this book!

This is a succession story, but with the backdrop of magic, a murder mystery, a fairy tale element, and an urban fantasy setting. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading because urban fantasies aren’t my favorite, but I was quickly drawn into the story. There were multiple perspectives, but each of the characters felt very different so it wasn’t hard to keep them separate in my mind. This is also very romance light, which I found to be a pleasant surprise.

The magic system of the book was really interesting. Some of the Holtzfalls have powers but a lot of them use different devices or talismans to hold charms and such. I really enjoyed the character of Nora and her conflict between winning the competition and finding out who murdered her mother. I also enjoyed August the newspaper man, and her relationship with him since they have very different backgrounds. I wasn’t sure about Lotte at first, but she definitely added an interesting element to the story.

There were many twists and turns and a lot of things I didn’t see coming (though there were a couple of twists I was able to predict). Still, this ended up being one of the most unique fantasies I’ve read in a long time and I really enjoyed it. Definitely pick this one up when it releases next March! And the cover is gorgeous too!!

A good and interesting read, like a retelling of little red riding hood, only darker, more sinister, more dangers. A trial is held to see who the next Holtzfall heir is, for are they worthy to hold the ax and keep everyone safe from the "woods". Nora's mother's death begins a new trial to see who the next heiress will be. Nora will compete against her cousins and with the arrival of a new cousin, the stakes have become higher. We mostly follow Nora and Lotte through their adventures, both seeking the truth that has been denied to them. They begin as rivals, but common goals unite them. The more they learn and discover, they see the darkness within their own family. However, The Grims are rising as well, wanting to destroy and takedown the Hottzfalls, doing whatever is necessary to achieve their end goal. No one can foresee the consequences of their actions, for there is a reason the deals were made so long ago. I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I wanted to love The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton more than I did. It was an interesting and unique plot, and Nora is a fantastic character. But I didn't get that same love with the rest of the cast, even with the multiple POVs. I just never connected to them, they didn't have the depth Nora did. It's a slow start, and while I understand the need to explain the world and concept behind the trials, it just took a little too long to get to the point so I almost DNFed. It did eventually pick up so I was invested until the end since there were some fun twists along with just the concept of the magic system. It kept me guessing. But there are some plot holes and especially towards the end it got too convenient and doesn't make sense if you think too hard about it. Overall, it merits a 'fine' rating, but could move up to pretty good with some polishing

Absolutely loved this read. 4.5 stars in total. The writing was amazing and I loved the main character. A super unique plot as well, which is hard to find nowadays in this genre.

I really enjoyed reading this book! I was sucked in immediately and could not stop until the book was over. The plot was interesting and kept a good pace which is something I really look for in a book. Also the characters were unique and there journey kept me enticed the entire time. I will be recommending this book to all of my friends and family.

Loved this book.
This author already is a must buy for me and this book clinked it.
Love the setting of this book. Is it a fairy tale world? Is it the 1920s? Is it a mix of the two? Yes!

I had a difficult time getting into this book. It wasn’t until about 35% in that I actually started caring about what was going on.

Multi-POV was done really well. I was rarely confused by the change from one person to the next. There were a couple of jumps that were rough, but it’s difficult with the voices of that many characters.

Nora - Loved this character from the first page! The presumed heiress with the IDGAF attitude. She was decadent and witty and the most fully realized character. Nora made the book in my opinion.

Lotte - I didn’t like that she has literally been cloistered and never had the autonomy to make a decision on her own her entire life, however in a matter of one paragraph she finds the determination to compete in the contest with the prize being controlling an entire family as the heiress. It doesn’t appear she even knows what the trials are, but “if I have to win to have a family, then I’ll win”. It was just such an unrealistic immediate change. I did begin to enjoy her character arc again as she learned to portray herself a certain way to win favor with people but still developed a kinship with Nora. Love that she won the “Honesty” ring!

Theo - He’s so staid and loyal to both Nora and Lotte. The dilemmas he faced felt genuine, as did his need to do the honorable thing.

August - After getting dragged into Nora’s plight the banter between them was clever, and I enjoyed their relationship progression.

The reveal with the briar pit actually being where the memories were kept and a portal to the Holtzfall house didn’t make sense to me. It was too convenient to be believable. Lotte never once scraped herself on a briar and drew blood to uncover a door the many times she was forced down there? Probably not. And, why would the Holtzfall’s even want a portal to the convent? To me the epilogue didn’t seem very well thought out. The city was freed…the end. Maybe I just didn’t like what the author chose to illustrate how the power balance shifted?

I enjoyed this book very much. I'm a sucker for magical trials or trials of any sort really. The world building was interesting and I liked the characters as well.

This book feels like the next boom in the YA fantasy genre. I rarely read a 5-star fantasy book, but this one has blown everything else out of the water! The character development, plot, political intrigue, family dynamics, and everything in between was absolutely stellar. The only issue I have with this book is that the rest of the series hasn’t come out yet. I’m truly on the edge of my seat, biting my nails, invested deeply into the Holtzfall family. I IMPLORE you, if you enjoy fantasy, to read this one immediately!!

** I received a free ARC copy of this book and I leave this review willingly.

“It was known as the enchanted hour. ”
Here are reasons to read the YA Fantasy book:

Mom’s death - Nora is reeling after she loses her mom, and is determined to find out how she died
Competition - but first she must compete with her cousins to be the new heiress, a role she thought she would receive from her own mother
Another daughter - then an illegitimate daughter named Lotte shows up to compete, but no one knows who her father is
Start of series - In this start of the series full of magic and lore, we see a city torn apart

This book does not come out until June of 2025, but I received it from Bookish First to read and share. There was a bit of hype about this book, and I am a huge fan of stories about games so I was definitely down to read this one. And I was not disappointed. The story was told mostly between 4 points of view, where we discover a lot about the history of this family and those around them. This is a fast paced story, even at almost 500 pages. The ending was intense and so cliffhangery! I cannot wait to read the next one!

This was one of my favorite books I’ve read recently. The author does an excellent job of developing the characters and keeping you guessing on where the story goes next. The Holtzfall family thinks they have have a monopoly on virtues and that they are the rightful rulers of Walstad. The characters go through journeys that challenge that thought and shows that everything is not as it seems. The book does end on a cliffhanger and I cannot wait to read the next one!

I jumped at the opportunity to read an early copy of Alwyn Hamilton’s The Notorious Virtues. I loved the Rebel of the Sands trilogy, so I hoped to see more of Hamilton’s complex characters and interesting world-building. Also, Romantasy has kind of been my genre of late, so I was all-in on this book.

Hamilton’s ability to take characters who aren't immediately likable and transform them into complex, relatable people is a mark of great storytelling. She deftly weaves character development into the fabric of the story so that every twist and turn feels natural. The slow build-up at the start was challenging for me, but when the tension finally hit, it was quite a rollercoaster!

Nora and Lotte are prime examples of flawed, multi-dimensional characters. It's not easy to make readers care for characters who start off somewhat unlikable, but Hamilton does it masterfully. And when the stakes get higher, it's hard not to be swept away by the story's intensity.

I also appreciate the immersive world the author created, with rules that feel both familiar and unique. It’s a balance of character and world-building that keeps you invested in both the people and the place they inhabit.

Once I connected with the story and the characters, I found myself alternating between reading feverishly and needing a break. If the rest of the series follows this trend, I think we’re in for a wild, rewarding ride!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC

I do not know why this was delayed like, five years, but hold *shit* was this worth the wait! I have read over 130 books this year so far and this is absolutely top 5, if not higher.

This book is a beast. It is an intricate, clever, entertaining, and clearly well-planned fantasy that kicks off a trilogy I will NOT be missing. It's set in a magical 1920's style (to me) world with the disgustingly rich Holtzfalls at the centre of the city's power, magic, and status. There are dangerous monsters, jaw-dropping political implications, a revolution brewing in the wings, and an ancient magic that drives the wants and whims of everyone.

Told from four POVS, but primarily from the viewpoint of Nora, the heiress presumptive until a week ago, and Lotte, a girl forced to grow up at a convent. There is something so compelling about each girl and their character arcs. Nora is the typical spoiled rich girl but she is smart and always three steps ahead. Lotte is a country lass with something to prove. For a story so focused on virtues, there was something so deliciously morally corrupt about them at times, and I just loved seeing what they would do next. I enjoyed Nora's and August's storylines the most.

I loved every second of this and I really hope the second book doesn't take as long to publish as this one because I am desperate to continue!