In the landscape of YA fantasy, few novels manage to blend sophisticated world-building with genuine emotional stakes quite like Alwyn Hamilton’s The Notorious Virtues. This standalone novel marks a compelling departure from Hamilton’s beloved Rebel of the Sands trilogy, trading sweeping deserts for opulent mansions and revolutionary battles for deadly family politics. The result is a tightly crafted tale of privilege, betrayal, and the true price of power that will leave readers both enchanted and unsettled.
The Glittering World of Walstad
Hamilton crafts a sumptuous setting in Walstad, a society where magic and money flow exclusively through the veins of the elite. The world-building shines brightest in its intricate magic system, where family bloodlines determine magical abilities and societal standing. The author’s prose sparkles when describing the glamorous façade of high society.
The city of Frell feels vivid and lived-in, from its gleaming penthouses to its seedy underbelly, creating a believable backdrop for the cutthroat drama that unfolds. Hamilton excels at creating sensory-rich environments that pull readers directly into scenes—you can practically smell the perfume at exclusive galas and feel the chill of marble floors in abandoned hallways.
Characters: Complex Pawns in a Deadly Game
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its multifaceted characters who defy easy categorization:
- Nora Holtzfall – Privileged yet perpetually an outsider, Nora’s journey from sheltered heiress to determined investigator feels authentic and earned. Her sharp wit masks genuine vulnerability.
- Lotte – Perhaps the novel’s most compelling character, the convent-raised illegitimate daughter thrust into deadly high society navigates her new reality with a fascinating blend of naivety and unexpected resilience.
- Theo – As one of the Holtzfalls’ sworn protectors, his conflicted loyalties and growing feelings for Lotte create genuine tension that elevates the romantic subplot beyond mere convention.
- The Extended Holtzfall Family – A masterclass in creating memorable antagonists, each cousin competing in the Veritaz has distinct personalities, motivations, and methods that keep readers guessing.
Hamilton demonstrates remarkable skill in revealing character through small, telling details—from the way Nora organizes her closet to Lotte’s fascination with indoor plumbing after convent life. Even minor characters receive thoughtful development, creating a rich tapestry of personalities that populate this treacherous world.
Plot: A Deadly Competition with Higher Stakes
The plot unfolds with the precision of a well-played chess match:
- The mysterious murder of Nora’s mother sets everything in motion
- The announcement of the Veritaz competition creates immediate tension
- Lotte’s arrival as the unexpected contestant upends family dynamics
- The dual narratives of murder investigation and magical competition intertwine seamlessly
- Escalating dangers and betrayals drive the narrative toward its conclusion
What elevates the plot beyond standard YA fare is Hamilton’s willingness to explore genuine moral complexity. Characters make difficult choices with real consequences, and the line between villain and victim blurs repeatedly. The pacing occasionally falters in the middle sections, where certain training sequences for the Veritaz competition feel somewhat repetitive. However, the final third of the novel accelerates with breathtaking momentum toward a conclusion that feels both surprising and inevitable.
Themes: The Weight of Legacy and the Cost of Power
The Notorious Virtues explores several interconnected themes with nuance:
- Inherited Privilege vs. Personal Worth – Both Nora and Lotte struggle with questions of deserving their place in society
- Family as Both Shelter and Threat – Blood connections prove to be both protective and deadly
- The Performance of Identity – Characters navigate the gap between public personas and private selves
- Power as Corruption – The magic system serves as a perfect metaphor for how power warps those who possess it
Hamilton never resorts to heavy-handed moralizing, instead weaving these themes organically through character choices and consequences. The novel asks difficult questions about what we owe to family legacy versus what we owe to ourselves—questions that resonate well beyond its fantasy setting.
Writing Style: Elegant Prose with Occasional Flourishes
Hamilton’s writing remains consistently engaging throughout, balancing elegant description with snappy dialogue and moments of genuine wit. Her prose shines particularly bright in:
- Evocative sensory details that bring scenes vividly to life
- Sharp, revealing dialogue that advances both character and plot
- Effective use of dual perspectives that complement rather than repeat information
- Tense action sequences that maintain clarity while building suspense
Occasionally, metaphors feel slightly overworked, and certain emotional revelations could benefit from more subtlety. However, these minor stylistic issues never detract significantly from the reading experience.
Room for Improvement: Where the Magic Falters
Despite its considerable strengths, The Notorious Virtues isn’t without flaws:
- Pacing Inconsistencies – The middle section occasionally drags, with training sequences that could be tightened
- Worldbuilding Gaps – Some aspects of Walstad’s broader political structure remain underdeveloped
- Predictable Romantic Elements – While the central romance contains genuine emotion, certain developments follow familiar YA patterns
- Uneven Secondary Character Development – A few key secondary characters deserve more depth than they receive
These criticisms, however, reflect the high standard Hamilton sets rather than fundamental weaknesses. Even when following familiar YA fantasy conventions, she executes them with style and emotional intelligence.
For Fans of Magical Intrigue and Deadly Politics
The Notorious Virtues will particularly appeal to readers who enjoyed:
- The court intrigue of Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy
- The magical competitions in Stephanie Garber’s Caraval
- The family politics of Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen series
- The moral complexity of S.A. Chakraborty’s City of Brass
Hamilton carves her own distinctive niche within this tradition, bringing fresh perspectives to familiar tropes and creating characters whose fates genuinely matter to readers.
The Verdict: A Captivating Tale of Magic, Murder, and Ambition
The Notorious Virtues showcases Alwyn Hamilton’s evolution as a storyteller. While her Rebel of the Sands trilogy demonstrated her skill with action-packed adventure, this new offering reveals her equally impressive command of intimate character studies and intricate plotting. The novel delivers both visceral thrills and emotional depth, keeping readers invested from the ominous opening to the satisfying conclusion.
With its lush world-building, complex characters, and thoughtful exploration of power and privilege, The Notorious Virtues earns a solid four stars. Despite minor pacing issues and occasional predictable elements, Hamilton has crafted a captivating tale that lingers in the mind long after the final page. This sophisticated blend of fantasy, mystery, and romance proves that Hamilton remains one of YA fantasy’s most versatile and compelling voices.
In a genre often filled with formulaic offerings, The Notorious Virtues stands out for its willingness to explore the darker corners of ambition and the true cost of getting what you want. Readers will find themselves questioning where their own loyalties would lie in the treacherous world of the Holtzfalls—and whether any prize is worth the price these characters must pay.
For fans of Alwyn Hamilton’s work, this standalone novel represents both a continuation of her strengths in character development and a fascinating evolution of her storytelling approach. While different in setting and tone from her desert-inspired trilogy, it maintains her signature blend of magic, political intrigue, and characters facing impossible choices in a world where power corrupts and family can be your greatest strength—or deadliest weakness.
