"A fiery and absolutely thrilling coming-of-age high-stakes fantasy murder-mystery where magic and fairytale clash with family privilege and revolution."
Well now, this is one of those beautiful young adult books you can read as an adult without realising the aim of the age range.
Magical fantasy and edgy dark fairytale merge with a roaring 1920’s murder-mystery twist which ensures a familiar feel in an unfamiliar world. Alwyn Hamilton has created the most captivating setting, it’s cleverly done, with the fairytale elements gradually closing in as a noose around the history of this place.
The twisted family politics of the Holztfall’s ensure you never quite know who to trust. The privilege of the family hits like a sledgehammer, and their wealth and entitlement weigh heavily as they are consumed within the battles for top spot. The murder-mystery element sits quietly plotting its way through the book keeping you company and I was on high-alert as I read. I adored getting to know Nora and Lotte, and thoroughly enjoyed the different perspectives of these young women.
I’ve chosen this title as a LoveReading4Kids Star Book as well as Liz LoveReading Pick of the Month because it was such a glittering and unpredictable feast. Thrilling and compulsive, The Notorious Virtues revels in its cutting-edge glamour and dark turbulence.
Highly recommended.

Welcome to the Veritaz Trials.The bestsellingRebel of the Sands author is back with a glittering fantasy thriller duology, featuring a family obsessed with money, power, fame - and magic.
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Welcome to the Veritaz Trials.The bestsellingRebel of the Sands author is back with a glittering fantasy thriller duology, featuring a family obsessed with money, power, fame - and magic.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 was left with nuns as a baby.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Notorious Virtues and determined it is suitable for children aged 15-18 years old
The Notorious Virtues features in the following genres: Featured Books for Young Adults, Recommendations, Star Books, Adventure Stories, Fantasy / Magical, Romance / Relationship Stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Fantasy romance, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Hardback, , Paperback. £8.99, down from the £9.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Notorious Virtues was written by Alwyn Hamilton and published by Faber & Faber
The Notorious Virtues has 497 pages
Yes it is part of The Notorious Virtues series
£8.99, reduced from £9.99. In Stock.