You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by bzzkolla
The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton
3.0
Thank you NetGalley and Faber & Faber for this eCopy to review
I recently finished reading The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton, and I found it to be an intriguing read. The story is set in the opulent world of Walstad, where magic and money flow through the veins of the elite. The plot centres around the Veritaz Trials, a deadly competition among the Holtzfall family members to determine the next heiress after Verity Holtzfall's mysterious death.
Nora Holtzfall, is a privileged yet perpetually outsider heiress who must navigate the treacherous waters of high society while uncovering dark secrets. Alongside her is Lotte, an illegitimate daughter raised in a convent, who brings a fresh perspective to the cutthroat world of the elite. The trials test various virtues like bravery, honesty, and temperance, adding layers of intrigue and suspense to the narrative.
Hamilton's world-building is impressive, creating a vivid and sensory-rich environment that pulls readers into the glamorous yet perilous world of Walstad. The characters are multifaceted and well-developed, with each cousin competing in the Veritaz having distinct personalities and motivations. Nora's journey from sheltered heiress to determined investigator feels authentic, and Lotte's resilience and naivety make her a compelling character.
I normally enjoy multiple points of view, however this time the number of narrators sometimes made the story feel disjointed, and I felt the magic system was not fully explained.
Overall, The Notorious Virtues is a captivating fantasy novel with strong characters, political scheming and intricate world-building.
I recently finished reading The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton, and I found it to be an intriguing read. The story is set in the opulent world of Walstad, where magic and money flow through the veins of the elite. The plot centres around the Veritaz Trials, a deadly competition among the Holtzfall family members to determine the next heiress after Verity Holtzfall's mysterious death.
Nora Holtzfall, is a privileged yet perpetually outsider heiress who must navigate the treacherous waters of high society while uncovering dark secrets. Alongside her is Lotte, an illegitimate daughter raised in a convent, who brings a fresh perspective to the cutthroat world of the elite. The trials test various virtues like bravery, honesty, and temperance, adding layers of intrigue and suspense to the narrative.
Hamilton's world-building is impressive, creating a vivid and sensory-rich environment that pulls readers into the glamorous yet perilous world of Walstad. The characters are multifaceted and well-developed, with each cousin competing in the Veritaz having distinct personalities and motivations. Nora's journey from sheltered heiress to determined investigator feels authentic, and Lotte's resilience and naivety make her a compelling character.
I normally enjoy multiple points of view, however this time the number of narrators sometimes made the story feel disjointed, and I felt the magic system was not fully explained.
Overall, The Notorious Virtues is a captivating fantasy novel with strong characters, political scheming and intricate world-building.