We spoke to author Alwyn Hamilton about her glitzy new YA fantasy thriller, The Notorious Virtues, full of power, money, magic and… murder!
Could you introduce us to your novel, The Notorious Virtues, and tell us a bit about the inspiration behind it?
The Notorious Virtues is 1920’s New York meets Grimm Fairytales. A group of heiresses compete to win their family’s money and magic in a tournament of virtues.
There are so many pieces that came together to make this story. It’s partly inspired by all the folktales of “The King had 3 sons and he sent them on a quest for a McGuffin to decide the heir”.
It’s also inspired by my friend who is a social worker and once pointed out that there is a recurring narrative in fantasy of glorifying a young person’s lost birth parent at the expense of the adoptive parents. It’s very you were raised by peasants but secretly you’re royalty, which is a terrible narrative for adoptive kids or kids in the foster system. She wished that fantasy would include more positive adoption stories. Apparently what I heard was write a story that subverts the narrative of the glorious perfect birth family that makes you special.
The Notorious Virtues has such a fascinating world and magic system, with a long history. Do you have any tips for aspiring writers attempting their own fantasy?
Well since you bring up world, one of the number one mistakes I see aspiring fantasy writers make is feeling like they need to have the whole world built before they start writing the story. Yes, of course you need to know some things, but the world will grow as you write it. No matter how prepared you are, you will inevitably hit something you have to invent on the fly. Don’t let building the world stop you from telling the story. Most of the time it’s an excuse.
Not only is this book a fantasy, but it brilliantly and seamlessly weaves in a mystery, romance, a competition and fairy tales, while also exploring themes of family bonds and power. How tricky was this to do? And was this always the plan or did some elements appear as you wrote the novel?
This book was a built over such a long period of time that I would struggle to tell you what originally was in there and what came in the writing. The character of August is probably the biggest component that came in after I had pitched it. I realized quickly that Nora needed someone to talk to and be her mystery investigator sidekick (August would say she is the sidekick). And I think with him the mystery became a more active part of the book.
This novel is packed full of magic and charms. If you could choose to have one charm yourself, what would it be able to do?
A lot of the charms were born from necessity in the world. I think it got cut in editing, but there was a charm that kept high heels from sinking into the grass at garden parties. I have been to enough outdoor weddings that I would gladly take a charmed shoe!
The Notorious Virtues is told from multiple POVs and there are so many brilliant characters – did you have a favourite to write? And why?
Authors aren’t supposed to have favourites… but my favourite is Nora, also known as Honora Holtzfall, the once heiress apparent trying to win back her place in the family, while also solving her mother’s murder. Nora is such a mix of brains, sass and reckless self-confidence. Writing her, and especially her banter with August, was the most fun.
Could you tell us a little about your writing routine? Do you have a method to plotting and writing your books, or does each book have its own unique journey?
I’ve heard the saying that you never learn to write a book, you only learn how to write the book you’re currently writing (and the next one is a whole new beast). I think that’s true to an extent, but I have always written better in a café than in my house, so I try to have a rhythm of leaving the house.
We cannot wait for the next book in this series! Can you tell us about anything we can expect (more Nora and August scenes please!) or about anything else you are working on?
I feel like if I reveal anything about book 2 a sniper will appear pointed at my head. I am currently writing it, the fairy tale aspect is way bigger than in book 1, lots of fun creatures to see. And after that I have an idea I am so so so excited by. But we’ll just have to wait to see if I sell it!
The Notorious Virtues is out on 27th March 2025 in the UK and published by Faber. It will also be publishing in the US and Canada on 1st April 2025 with Penguin Random House, and will be available in multiple countries worldwide, including France, Poland, Brazil, Spain and Italy.
Alwyn Hamilton
New York Times bestselling author Alwyn Hamilton was born in Toronto and spent her early years bouncing between Europe and Canada until her parents settled in France. She moved to the UK when she was 18 and has been here ever since as an author/bookseller. Her first novel Rebel of the Sands was sold in 14 territories and won the Goodreads Choice Award for best debut. Her fourth book The Notorious Virtues will release in 2025. Follow @alwynhamilton on TikTok.
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