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The Virtue Season
The world didn't end all at once but drip by drip...
Manon Pawlak has just turned eighteen - a debutant at the start of The Virtue Season: a process which will result in a match with a suitable genetic mate.
Her best friend, Agatha, has been decommissioned. Her seizures mean that she has been branded with a scar on the crest of her cheek which will forever sit at the corner of her vision, colouring the world in shades of mauve.
This is the story of their ritual year. And the Council is watching...
Manon Pawlak has just turned eighteen - a debutant at the start of The Virtue Season: a process which will result in a match with a suitable genetic mate.
Her best friend, Agatha, has been decommissioned. Her seizures mean that she has been branded with a scar on the crest of her cheek which will forever sit at the corner of her vision, colouring the world in shades of mauve.
This is the story of their ritual year. And the Council is watching...
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 4, 2024
19 people are currently reading
486 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
May 28, 2024
3 Stars
I adore Dystopian books and this being compared as a mix between Bridgerton and The Handmaids Tale made me very excited to read it. Unfortunately although I did like the overall story, it did not live up to my expectations.
The Virtue Season is based in our future where the world has been ruined and very few people remain. To save the human race, a council runs the population and at the age of 20, healthy men and women are matched to marry and have children. However if anyone doesn't have "pure blood" (have disabilities, health issues, mental health issues), they are branded, sterilised and used basically as slaves with no rights. The rules of the council are very strict and the population is completely under their thumb. This is the story of Manon on her "Virtue Season" where she will be matched and her best friend Agatha who suffers from seizures.
I don't want to give much more away so I will leave the summary there. For me, the story was interesting but pretty basic and it generally needed more depth. It is a quick read but I still found myself getting bored at times. I also didn't find anything in the book particularly original and I have definitely read better very similar Dystopian novels.
I also thought this book was a standalone and am confused as whether it is or not as I didn't find the ending to be particularly well rounded. So I guess it will possibly be a duology but I could be wrong!
What I did enjoy were the characters, especially Manon who I found to be a brave, clever and interesting young woman. Her story and the romance made the book for me just hit the 3 star rating. I wish for her character that the story had been better. The writing was decent, easy to read but nothing special.
Overall, I liked the book but it has more faults and less depth than I wanted. I also think there are so many amazing Dystopian books and unfortunately, this just doesn't stand up against the competition. Sadly I wouldn't recommend this book.
Please note that I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
I adore Dystopian books and this being compared as a mix between Bridgerton and The Handmaids Tale made me very excited to read it. Unfortunately although I did like the overall story, it did not live up to my expectations.
The Virtue Season is based in our future where the world has been ruined and very few people remain. To save the human race, a council runs the population and at the age of 20, healthy men and women are matched to marry and have children. However if anyone doesn't have "pure blood" (have disabilities, health issues, mental health issues), they are branded, sterilised and used basically as slaves with no rights. The rules of the council are very strict and the population is completely under their thumb. This is the story of Manon on her "Virtue Season" where she will be matched and her best friend Agatha who suffers from seizures.
I don't want to give much more away so I will leave the summary there. For me, the story was interesting but pretty basic and it generally needed more depth. It is a quick read but I still found myself getting bored at times. I also didn't find anything in the book particularly original and I have definitely read better very similar Dystopian novels.
I also thought this book was a standalone and am confused as whether it is or not as I didn't find the ending to be particularly well rounded. So I guess it will possibly be a duology but I could be wrong!
What I did enjoy were the characters, especially Manon who I found to be a brave, clever and interesting young woman. Her story and the romance made the book for me just hit the 3 star rating. I wish for her character that the story had been better. The writing was decent, easy to read but nothing special.
Overall, I liked the book but it has more faults and less depth than I wanted. I also think there are so many amazing Dystopian books and unfortunately, this just doesn't stand up against the competition. Sadly I wouldn't recommend this book.
Please note that I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 19, 2024
Enjoyed the storyline in the book and really was intrigued and engaged for most of it. However it really began to fall flat and was more of a slow burn the last 25% of the book.
November 7, 2024
This might be more of a me issue than an issue with the book, but this plot just wasn't my cup of tea.
For me it felt like a very generic storyline with too much small town drama and a world that wasn't fleshed out enough.
October 28, 2024
En perfekt bok för att ta sig ur en reading slump! Denna fick verkligen tillbaka mig till mitt ”vanliga” lässchema! Så härligt!
Jag skulle vilja påstå att ”The Virtue Season” som sagt är en perfekt bok att mellanlanda i! Den gick snabbt att läsa, hade en handling som var lätt att följa och en spännande premiss!
I en post apokalyptisk tid, där stora delar är världen fallit offer för havet, håller jordens population på att dö ut. Det finns knappt föda för alla och resurserna är få. Ledarna i landet bestämmer sig för att skapa ett system för att säkerställa reproduktion. Alla som nyligen fyllt 18 år matchas med en genetiskt tillfredsställande match, och har krav på sig att reproducera inom tre år. Alla unga med någon typ av defekt, blir steriliserade och får inte delta i processen.
Vi får följa bästisarna Agatha och Manon. I ett olyckligt missöde drabbas Agatha av spasmer och anfall och blir en ”decom”, alltså utesluten från processen. Hela sitt liv hade hon sett fram att eventuellt att få matchas med kärleken Alsis… Vi får följa Manon, och se snuttar av Agathas liv, när Manon nu ensam får ta del av ”The Virtue Season” och bli matchad med en partner… Men är processen verkligen optimal för reproduktion? Vad döljer ledarna?
Jag tyckte denna boken var såååå spännande! Jag älskar ju allt med dystopi-vibes!!! Detta är L.M. Nathas debut, å hon ska ha en eloge för en väldigt bra första bok!
Jag har några punkter jag skulle vilja ta upp dock hihi! Jag hade lite svårt att sätta mig in i vad vi befinner oss i för tid? Av att förstå har det funnits någon typ av civilisation sedan tidigare, då man kan hitta begravna ruckel lite här och där. Men var befinner sig denna generation? Byborna beskrivs som på en tid innan elektricitet, då man arbetar som bönder, fiskare, snickare etc, med enkel byteshandel emellan varandra. Det finns ingen typ av valuta. Men sen beskrivs det hur forskare forskar om genetisk utveckling, hur man utför operationer som att ”tie the tubes” på kvinnorna… Detta känns som väldigt utvecklade processer?
Jag försökte leva mig in i lite mer ”The Hunger Games” vibes, men den tidsperioden var ju präglad av teknik bland makthavarna. Men ledarnas vapen i denna boken var liksom svärd? Jag fick bara lite svårt för mig att föreställa vilken typ av miljö och tidsperiod vi befann oss i…
Boken var som sagt spännande, men tyckte pacingen var lite off i slutet. Jag tyckte författaren byggde upp historian bra! I slutet gick det dock så snabbt! Det kändes som att på en dag gjorde dem en plan om att bryta traditionen och göra revolt! Dem vågade även berätta för ALLA i byn om deras planer, som alla gick med på titt som tätt. Realistiskt tänker jag att någon är lite feg, då tortyr i boken inte var ovanligt, och angivit denna revolution… Men nej! Alla skulle vara med! Vilket är fint, men det kändes bara lite orealistiskt…
Det gick även så snabbt med hur dem fick hem Agatha, hur Manons pappa dog och hur helt plötsligt Agathas mamma var vid liv??? Ja nä, alldeles för snabbt slut för mig! Jag tycker boken haft så mycket mer potential om vi fått marineras lite mer!
En väldigt fin sak jag vill ta upp är Manons och Agathas relation! Asså så fin, och så realistisk! Vi får ta del av många fina stunder, å mycket skratt! Men när Agatha väl blir utesluten och blir berövad chansen att vara med den pojke hon älskat sen hon var 13, går detta ut över Manon… Agatha kämpar för att inte ta ut sina missöden över Manon, men det är svårt när Manon inte ens vill vara med i processen och tycker det är orättvist. Hon tycker att Agatha ändå kan vara glad över att hon inte tvingas att paras ihop med någon, medan Agatha hatar att Manon inte kan se hur lyckligt lottad hon är över att vara ”flawed” och få skapa en familj… Tjejernas avundsjuka skapar en glipa mellan dem, och de båda kämpar för att inte låta det komma fram!
Jag tycker att författaren skildrade så fint hur jobbigt det kan vara att avundas sina bästa vän och kämpa med sitt egna inre för att inte låta sig påverkas av faktumet att någon annan har det liv man själv vill ha och inte är tacksam över det! Så fina konversationer och tyckte det gav karaktärerna nyans!
En väldigt bra bok med spänning, romans och en lockande premiss! En fyra från mig!
Jag skulle vilja påstå att ”The Virtue Season” som sagt är en perfekt bok att mellanlanda i! Den gick snabbt att läsa, hade en handling som var lätt att följa och en spännande premiss!
I en post apokalyptisk tid, där stora delar är världen fallit offer för havet, håller jordens population på att dö ut. Det finns knappt föda för alla och resurserna är få. Ledarna i landet bestämmer sig för att skapa ett system för att säkerställa reproduktion. Alla som nyligen fyllt 18 år matchas med en genetiskt tillfredsställande match, och har krav på sig att reproducera inom tre år. Alla unga med någon typ av defekt, blir steriliserade och får inte delta i processen.
Vi får följa bästisarna Agatha och Manon. I ett olyckligt missöde drabbas Agatha av spasmer och anfall och blir en ”decom”, alltså utesluten från processen. Hela sitt liv hade hon sett fram att eventuellt att få matchas med kärleken Alsis… Vi får följa Manon, och se snuttar av Agathas liv, när Manon nu ensam får ta del av ”The Virtue Season” och bli matchad med en partner… Men är processen verkligen optimal för reproduktion? Vad döljer ledarna?
Jag tyckte denna boken var såååå spännande! Jag älskar ju allt med dystopi-vibes!!! Detta är L.M. Nathas debut, å hon ska ha en eloge för en väldigt bra första bok!
Jag har några punkter jag skulle vilja ta upp dock hihi! Jag hade lite svårt att sätta mig in i vad vi befinner oss i för tid? Av att förstå har det funnits någon typ av civilisation sedan tidigare, då man kan hitta begravna ruckel lite här och där. Men var befinner sig denna generation? Byborna beskrivs som på en tid innan elektricitet, då man arbetar som bönder, fiskare, snickare etc, med enkel byteshandel emellan varandra. Det finns ingen typ av valuta. Men sen beskrivs det hur forskare forskar om genetisk utveckling, hur man utför operationer som att ”tie the tubes” på kvinnorna… Detta känns som väldigt utvecklade processer?
Jag försökte leva mig in i lite mer ”The Hunger Games” vibes, men den tidsperioden var ju präglad av teknik bland makthavarna. Men ledarnas vapen i denna boken var liksom svärd? Jag fick bara lite svårt för mig att föreställa vilken typ av miljö och tidsperiod vi befann oss i…
Boken var som sagt spännande, men tyckte pacingen var lite off i slutet. Jag tyckte författaren byggde upp historian bra! I slutet gick det dock så snabbt! Det kändes som att på en dag gjorde dem en plan om att bryta traditionen och göra revolt! Dem vågade även berätta för ALLA i byn om deras planer, som alla gick med på titt som tätt. Realistiskt tänker jag att någon är lite feg, då tortyr i boken inte var ovanligt, och angivit denna revolution… Men nej! Alla skulle vara med! Vilket är fint, men det kändes bara lite orealistiskt…
Det gick även så snabbt med hur dem fick hem Agatha, hur Manons pappa dog och hur helt plötsligt Agathas mamma var vid liv??? Ja nä, alldeles för snabbt slut för mig! Jag tycker boken haft så mycket mer potential om vi fått marineras lite mer!
En väldigt fin sak jag vill ta upp är Manons och Agathas relation! Asså så fin, och så realistisk! Vi får ta del av många fina stunder, å mycket skratt! Men när Agatha väl blir utesluten och blir berövad chansen att vara med den pojke hon älskat sen hon var 13, går detta ut över Manon… Agatha kämpar för att inte ta ut sina missöden över Manon, men det är svårt när Manon inte ens vill vara med i processen och tycker det är orättvist. Hon tycker att Agatha ändå kan vara glad över att hon inte tvingas att paras ihop med någon, medan Agatha hatar att Manon inte kan se hur lyckligt lottad hon är över att vara ”flawed” och få skapa en familj… Tjejernas avundsjuka skapar en glipa mellan dem, och de båda kämpar för att inte låta det komma fram!
Jag tycker att författaren skildrade så fint hur jobbigt det kan vara att avundas sina bästa vän och kämpa med sitt egna inre för att inte låta sig påverkas av faktumet att någon annan har det liv man själv vill ha och inte är tacksam över det! Så fina konversationer och tyckte det gav karaktärerna nyans!
En väldigt bra bok med spänning, romans och en lockande premiss! En fyra från mig!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2024
A huge thank you to @scholastic_uk and @lmnathanwriter for this gifted PR box. It was an honour to read this. I highly recommend this book and will pop the pre order link up on my stories.
Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You know that feeling you get when you're truly lost in a book, like you're right there inside the story; this is how I felt reading The Virtue Season.
Manon lives in a world where it is believed that perfection needs to be bred by keeping the blood lines pure. She can state a preference in her Virtue Season but invetibably it will not be her choice. She is scared to love, yet does not want to be bound without it.
The story leads with a stunning prologue full of lyrical prose I was captivated with; setting the scene perfectly. Goosebumps owned my pores throughout. A beautifully-written, propulsive story that kept me hooked.
The Handmaid's Tale is a great comp for this book; I experienced the same helplessness and desperation. I felt Manon's plight: I was right there with her. The conflict and tension was truly compelling. When it got to the preference ceremony I wanted to stop and put the book in my freezer!
Agatha's POV added a real depth to the book. She was fierce and captivating and showed strength through her anguish. I loved how she channeled her strength; it empowered her.
I annotated several paragraphs to look back on. I was taken with both love stories and completely invested. Here are a few of my favourite quotes.
- "Home," I say, wanting Wild Fell to be my home forever, though I know my time in it is coming to an end. But when I am gone, they will have food. And the means to trade. And it is all because of the boy on the water.
- "Love me forever," she told him.
"And before, and in between."
When I read the last page I was already missing the characters. I have questions and I can't wait for more! I've been looking for a new series to obsess over and I think I've found it.
.
.
#thevirtueseason #dystopian
Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You know that feeling you get when you're truly lost in a book, like you're right there inside the story; this is how I felt reading The Virtue Season.
Manon lives in a world where it is believed that perfection needs to be bred by keeping the blood lines pure. She can state a preference in her Virtue Season but invetibably it will not be her choice. She is scared to love, yet does not want to be bound without it.
The story leads with a stunning prologue full of lyrical prose I was captivated with; setting the scene perfectly. Goosebumps owned my pores throughout. A beautifully-written, propulsive story that kept me hooked.
The Handmaid's Tale is a great comp for this book; I experienced the same helplessness and desperation. I felt Manon's plight: I was right there with her. The conflict and tension was truly compelling. When it got to the preference ceremony I wanted to stop and put the book in my freezer!
Agatha's POV added a real depth to the book. She was fierce and captivating and showed strength through her anguish. I loved how she channeled her strength; it empowered her.
I annotated several paragraphs to look back on. I was taken with both love stories and completely invested. Here are a few of my favourite quotes.
- "Home," I say, wanting Wild Fell to be my home forever, though I know my time in it is coming to an end. But when I am gone, they will have food. And the means to trade. And it is all because of the boy on the water.
- "Love me forever," she told him.
"And before, and in between."
When I read the last page I was already missing the characters. I have questions and I can't wait for more! I've been looking for a new series to obsess over and I think I've found it.
.
.
#thevirtueseason #dystopian
July 6, 2024
This is good debut from L.M. Nathan, with a strong message and good morals.
I consumed it really quickly and kept reaching for it - but ultimately the story didn't fully stand out to me who have read similar concepts before. Still a solid read!
I consumed it really quickly and kept reaching for it - but ultimately the story didn't fully stand out to me who have read similar concepts before. Still a solid read!
October 31, 2023
Forbidden romance, meets Bridgerton, meets Hunger Games, plus discussion of bodily autonomy!? Cannot wait to read this!
May 12, 2025
2.75.
I really enjoyed the idea of the book and the main focus but I don’t know…I am sorry
I really enjoyed the idea of the book and the main focus but I don’t know…I am sorry
September 24, 2024
Unfortunately this was more of a 3.5 star read for me, I just didn't find it that exciting. The idea for this book is still really cool!! I just think it kinda fell a but flat? Even though the message this book sends is powerful and original, I just didn't find it that absorbing.
September 12, 2025
The concept at first seemed very nice ! The characters were all correct. But I felt some plotholes sometimes and the last third of the book was kinda rushed, like it wanted to end quickly the main storyline and boom .. cliffhanger for the next book. Not sure I'll read it tho.
October 6, 2024
I can't really put my finger on what about this book just didn't work. Maybe it just came across as a lot of ideas painfully executed badly.
It's an easy read if you overlook how faint the world building is. It also reads like it needs multiple sequels to really do it justice.
It's an easy read if you overlook how faint the world building is. It also reads like it needs multiple sequels to really do it justice.
June 4, 2024
2⭐️
Disappointed with how this one went. It had so much potential and unfortunately Nathan just didn’t get it right.
Disappointed with how this one went. It had so much potential and unfortunately Nathan just didn’t get it right.
June 22, 2024
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
THE VIRTUE SEASON is a dystopia set after a flood where rebuilding the population has led to a world where bloodlines are strictly controlled.
The book explores how society ostracises those with disabilities and mental health troubles. They are forbidden from reproducing, made into servants. At the same time, the negative, hypocritical effects of eugenics is explored - reducing the gene pool by removing these "bad" genes actually weakens the overall pool.
At the same time, the book explores how this sort of "must preserve the population so we survive and have enough people to do the jobs" is used to control people, especially women. The society controls who can go where, what they wear, and has strict chastity rules. I liked that this world had severe consequences and restrictions on both men and women, but the brunt of it falls most heavily on the women.
Most of the book is told from Manon's perspective, but her friend Agatha has a few chapters. I really liked Agatha's perspective - these show what it's like as an outcast and also had the strongest emotions and stakes.
The reason my star rating is low is because I struggled to find the book's stakes, which are key for me to engage. What was Manon risking? Yes, there is the implied "it's a dystopia, it needs to end" but Manon didn't feel personally invested about it, so if she didn't care, it didn't feel like a stake.
Occasionally, she'd internally make comments about how exploitative it was, but it felt resigned and more "this is the world, so what?" It was like she was sleep walking through the world, not really caring whether there was change or not. And then, one chapter from the end, she suddenly ignites a revolution? It was pretty jarring.
While I liked that this didn't go down the typical "this main character is an out and out rebel fighting the system from the start" of dystopia, it also didn't feel like there was anything Manon wanted. She wasn't after anything, which meant there weren't goals to pursue. She went to balls and endured the injustices of her world. And that was it.
I'm not sure if this is the first book in a series or not. It ends in a way that feels like it must be - not everything is resolved and the future of the island is certainly murky. However, I can't find a confirmation one way of another.
THE VIRTUE SEASON is a dystopia set after a flood where rebuilding the population has led to a world where bloodlines are strictly controlled.
The book explores how society ostracises those with disabilities and mental health troubles. They are forbidden from reproducing, made into servants. At the same time, the negative, hypocritical effects of eugenics is explored - reducing the gene pool by removing these "bad" genes actually weakens the overall pool.
At the same time, the book explores how this sort of "must preserve the population so we survive and have enough people to do the jobs" is used to control people, especially women. The society controls who can go where, what they wear, and has strict chastity rules. I liked that this world had severe consequences and restrictions on both men and women, but the brunt of it falls most heavily on the women.
Most of the book is told from Manon's perspective, but her friend Agatha has a few chapters. I really liked Agatha's perspective - these show what it's like as an outcast and also had the strongest emotions and stakes.
The reason my star rating is low is because I struggled to find the book's stakes, which are key for me to engage. What was Manon risking? Yes, there is the implied "it's a dystopia, it needs to end" but Manon didn't feel personally invested about it, so if she didn't care, it didn't feel like a stake.
Occasionally, she'd internally make comments about how exploitative it was, but it felt resigned and more "this is the world, so what?" It was like she was sleep walking through the world, not really caring whether there was change or not. And then, one chapter from the end, she suddenly ignites a revolution? It was pretty jarring.
While I liked that this didn't go down the typical "this main character is an out and out rebel fighting the system from the start" of dystopia, it also didn't feel like there was anything Manon wanted. She wasn't after anything, which meant there weren't goals to pursue. She went to balls and endured the injustices of her world. And that was it.
I'm not sure if this is the first book in a series or not. It ends in a way that feels like it must be - not everything is resolved and the future of the island is certainly murky. However, I can't find a confirmation one way of another.
July 17, 2024
Something a little different for me. It has been quite a while since I read a young adult novel. However, the blurb for this one was just so appealing that I could not resist. Set in a dystopian future, with hints of The Handmaid's Tale, I knew this one was going to be a hit.
I have really enjoyed the experience and have much admiration for an author who can create a setting that appear so realistic and so lifelike. Add the carefully created characters and the fast moving plot and this one really is a winner.
The story opens with a prologue that finds lead characters Agatha and Manon peeping through a window, looking in on the glittering ball that is the climax to the Virtue Season. These two girls will be taking part in the ball themselves in a the future and whilst Agatha is excited about the thought, it is clear that Manon has her doubts.
This is not the world as we know it. It is a land that has been ravaged by nature, with flooding that destroyed the land, followed by blistering heat and raging winds. Everything failed and the population suffered greatly, and then the final flood arrived.
The remaining lands became divided, with wars and death. It was decided that only the healthy can survive and the decommissionings began.
Agatha and Manon find themselves on opposite sides. Agatha's health issues means that she and Manon will not spend their adult lives as friends. They are now different. Manon will be paired with a partner to suit, whilst Agatha will be left to fend for herself.
This is a story told from both points of view, and I have to admit that I did prefer Agatha. I guess I always shout for the underdog, but her journey felt much more of a struggle, more real and more interesting.
Whilst nowhere near as brutal as The Handmaid's Tale, which should be expected for a novel aimed at young adults, this is a extremely well written story of speculative fiction. There are themes and issues that are explored well and most certainly relate to our current world. With a touch of romance to brighten the darkness, The Virtue Season is a story to savour. A quick read for me, but very satisfying.
I have really enjoyed the experience and have much admiration for an author who can create a setting that appear so realistic and so lifelike. Add the carefully created characters and the fast moving plot and this one really is a winner.
The story opens with a prologue that finds lead characters Agatha and Manon peeping through a window, looking in on the glittering ball that is the climax to the Virtue Season. These two girls will be taking part in the ball themselves in a the future and whilst Agatha is excited about the thought, it is clear that Manon has her doubts.
This is not the world as we know it. It is a land that has been ravaged by nature, with flooding that destroyed the land, followed by blistering heat and raging winds. Everything failed and the population suffered greatly, and then the final flood arrived.
The remaining lands became divided, with wars and death. It was decided that only the healthy can survive and the decommissionings began.
Agatha and Manon find themselves on opposite sides. Agatha's health issues means that she and Manon will not spend their adult lives as friends. They are now different. Manon will be paired with a partner to suit, whilst Agatha will be left to fend for herself.
This is a story told from both points of view, and I have to admit that I did prefer Agatha. I guess I always shout for the underdog, but her journey felt much more of a struggle, more real and more interesting.
Whilst nowhere near as brutal as The Handmaid's Tale, which should be expected for a novel aimed at young adults, this is a extremely well written story of speculative fiction. There are themes and issues that are explored well and most certainly relate to our current world. With a touch of romance to brighten the darkness, The Virtue Season is a story to savour. A quick read for me, but very satisfying.
July 21, 2024
💛🌙𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕊𝕡𝕠𝕥𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥🌙💛 (3.5⭐)
𝑽𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒆 𝑺𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒚 𝑳.𝑴. 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏
🌙My thoughts🌙
"Bridgerton meets The Handmaid's Tale with shades of The Hunger Games" I mean...sign me up! (Although I haven't yet read or seen Hunger Games - I know, I know!!)
I was immersed in Nathan's post-apocalyptic dystopian YA world, an imagining of the future that is scarily easy to picture as a reality.
Nathan's characters allow us to explore issues that are very much present in our history, today and no doubt will follow us into the future. "Decoms" are those who are ostracised from society for having "flaws" in order to keep the bloodline of future procreation pure. Representative of those who have had to fight for rights that should be guaranteed for all. I liked the light shone on the distinction between how those with physical and non-visible "flaws" are treated as we see with Manon and Agatha. Also explores topics including a woman's right to choose, totalitarianism and how true love endures in even the darkest of places.
A quote that really resonated and stuck with me "She had a moment of weakness in a lifetime of strength" Giving some profound perspective on MH battles.
We have some classic romance tropes here with friends to lovers, forbidden romance and forced proximity.
As a personal preference, I wanted more oomph from Manon in the chapters leading up to the revolution and would have liked more chapters from Agatha. I finished with SO many questions, although I suspect that is because this may become a series. Overall a decent debut.
Thank you @randomthingstours @scholastic_uk for my place on the tour. Please check out the other posts!
𝑽𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒆 𝑺𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒚 𝑳.𝑴. 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏
🌙My thoughts🌙
"Bridgerton meets The Handmaid's Tale with shades of The Hunger Games" I mean...sign me up! (Although I haven't yet read or seen Hunger Games - I know, I know!!)
I was immersed in Nathan's post-apocalyptic dystopian YA world, an imagining of the future that is scarily easy to picture as a reality.
Nathan's characters allow us to explore issues that are very much present in our history, today and no doubt will follow us into the future. "Decoms" are those who are ostracised from society for having "flaws" in order to keep the bloodline of future procreation pure. Representative of those who have had to fight for rights that should be guaranteed for all. I liked the light shone on the distinction between how those with physical and non-visible "flaws" are treated as we see with Manon and Agatha. Also explores topics including a woman's right to choose, totalitarianism and how true love endures in even the darkest of places.
A quote that really resonated and stuck with me "She had a moment of weakness in a lifetime of strength" Giving some profound perspective on MH battles.
We have some classic romance tropes here with friends to lovers, forbidden romance and forced proximity.
As a personal preference, I wanted more oomph from Manon in the chapters leading up to the revolution and would have liked more chapters from Agatha. I finished with SO many questions, although I suspect that is because this may become a series. Overall a decent debut.
Thank you @randomthingstours @scholastic_uk for my place on the tour. Please check out the other posts!
September 25, 2024
The world didn’t end all at once but drip by drip - ok well that tag line instantly sent shivers up my spine.
Handmade’s Tale level dystopia dread here - imagine a future where the population has become severely limited and a strict council oversees the matching of healthy youngsters to continue rebuilding and populating what’s left.
Manon (complete aside, but one of my favourite French names) is an 18yr old debutant about to start her virtue season - matching her with a suitable mate. Although, anyone that isn’t deemed healthy/‘pure’ enough are classed as unsuitable and will not be matched. That’s Manon’s bff Agatha. This book explores how society ostracises those with disabilities - both physical and mental illness, and by restricting their right to reproduce in this story it essentially becomes eugenics. This is an interesting topic for a YA and I was pleased to see this and the wider ramifications explored for this target audience.
Manon is clever and brave and I really liked her as a character, as well as a few chapters from Agatha who provided a good contrast in terms of thoughts, experiences and personal stakes. I think I would have liked to have read even more from her perspective.
This as a really interesting read for me - I don’t usually gravitate towards dystopia but actually, out of all YA I’ve read recently it has been the most thought provoking, and certainly opens up a wider discussion that I think is important for the target age demographic to think about.
Not sure if this is a standalone or a second book is on the way, but I’m excited to read more for L.M.Nathan!
Handmade’s Tale level dystopia dread here - imagine a future where the population has become severely limited and a strict council oversees the matching of healthy youngsters to continue rebuilding and populating what’s left.
Manon (complete aside, but one of my favourite French names) is an 18yr old debutant about to start her virtue season - matching her with a suitable mate. Although, anyone that isn’t deemed healthy/‘pure’ enough are classed as unsuitable and will not be matched. That’s Manon’s bff Agatha. This book explores how society ostracises those with disabilities - both physical and mental illness, and by restricting their right to reproduce in this story it essentially becomes eugenics. This is an interesting topic for a YA and I was pleased to see this and the wider ramifications explored for this target audience.
Manon is clever and brave and I really liked her as a character, as well as a few chapters from Agatha who provided a good contrast in terms of thoughts, experiences and personal stakes. I think I would have liked to have read even more from her perspective.
This as a really interesting read for me - I don’t usually gravitate towards dystopia but actually, out of all YA I’ve read recently it has been the most thought provoking, and certainly opens up a wider discussion that I think is important for the target age demographic to think about.
Not sure if this is a standalone or a second book is on the way, but I’m excited to read more for L.M.Nathan!
July 17, 2024
Gotta start off by saying that the cover of this is really pretty, it definitely set off my magpie tendencies and looks gorgeous on my shelf. And the blurb really drew me in, no that's a lie it wasn't the whole blurb I was hooked by that first line "The world didn't end all at once but drip by drip" It completely made me need to read this to find out how.
So I really loved the writing style of this, it kind of reads like it's a YA book even though I don't think it is, but that makes sense as the Main characters in it are all 18, and all the adults are really just supporting characters. You know me I love a dual POV book and I really enjoyed getting everything from two contrasting points of view, Manon who's going through everything as a Debutant and Agatha who's been decommissioned and gets a very limited view of proceedings. The only thing about this book is the ending doesn't feel finished, it feels like you've got to the end of a binge-worthy TV series with a massive cliffhanger leaving you eager for series 2. I feel like this is book one in a series and we've laid the groundwork for more from both Manon and Agatha as the fight to change things carries on, a fight which as we leave them in book one feels like an uphill struggle.
I definitely feel like it has strong elements of The Handmaid's Tale in a really good way. It's a dystopian fiction that I've really enjoyed I kept wanting to keep reading it and seeing what happened next, and if it is part of a series I will definitely be reading the rest to see where it takes us.
So I really loved the writing style of this, it kind of reads like it's a YA book even though I don't think it is, but that makes sense as the Main characters in it are all 18, and all the adults are really just supporting characters. You know me I love a dual POV book and I really enjoyed getting everything from two contrasting points of view, Manon who's going through everything as a Debutant and Agatha who's been decommissioned and gets a very limited view of proceedings. The only thing about this book is the ending doesn't feel finished, it feels like you've got to the end of a binge-worthy TV series with a massive cliffhanger leaving you eager for series 2. I feel like this is book one in a series and we've laid the groundwork for more from both Manon and Agatha as the fight to change things carries on, a fight which as we leave them in book one feels like an uphill struggle.
I definitely feel like it has strong elements of The Handmaid's Tale in a really good way. It's a dystopian fiction that I've really enjoyed I kept wanting to keep reading it and seeing what happened next, and if it is part of a series I will definitely be reading the rest to see where it takes us.
July 7, 2024
In a post-apocalyptic world, all eighteen-year-olds participate in a ‘virtue season’ during which they are matched up to create genetic diversity and ensure the survival of future generations. Those who are ‘flawed’ in some way are excluded and sterilised to prevent tainting the gene pool. The story is told from the perspective of two characters: Manon, who fears being matched with someone she doesn’t love and becoming bitter and depressed like her mother, and Agatha who has epilepsy and will not be allowed to marry the boy she loves.
The press release pitches this book as ‘dystopian bridgerton’, which is an enticing hook and I was imagining something similar to ‘The Selection’ but it is nothing like that. A more appropriate pitch would be: ‘The Handmaid’s Tale, but less cheerful’. On the positive side, this book is beautifully written - the prose is lyrical and atmospheric. But the slow pacing and unsatisfactory ending may leave readers feeling frustrated.
The press release pitches this book as ‘dystopian bridgerton’, which is an enticing hook and I was imagining something similar to ‘The Selection’ but it is nothing like that. A more appropriate pitch would be: ‘The Handmaid’s Tale, but less cheerful’. On the positive side, this book is beautifully written - the prose is lyrical and atmospheric. But the slow pacing and unsatisfactory ending may leave readers feeling frustrated.
July 9, 2024
Manon Pawlak is the main character in The Virtue Season. It's a complex and at times, profound YA tale of forbidden romance and about women's rights and enduring love. It's as scandalous as Bridgerton and as dark at times as The Handmaid's Tale and The Hunger Games. It's quite a mashup, but an interesting one all the same that makes this debut quite a compelling read, along with a good style of writing.
It'll make older teens and young adults really think more about the relationships they form, as well as being able to escape into a tale of romance and power. It lures readers into a dystopian readers into a world run by power hungry people who want to create the perfect state. A state where everyone has to be perfect or the unthinkable happens. I won't say what as it would be a bit of a spoiler.
It makes for an interesting, thoughtful read that becomes rather immersive because you want to know how it ends.
It'll make older teens and young adults really think more about the relationships they form, as well as being able to escape into a tale of romance and power. It lures readers into a dystopian readers into a world run by power hungry people who want to create the perfect state. A state where everyone has to be perfect or the unthinkable happens. I won't say what as it would be a bit of a spoiler.
It makes for an interesting, thoughtful read that becomes rather immersive because you want to know how it ends.
June 26, 2024
A book that claims to be a mix of Bridgerton and the Hunger Games?? I'm there! This book definitely has themes from each that I enjoyed!
The dystopian world was brought to life in the story told through the eyes of Manon, an 18 year old girl. I found Manon quite lacklustre as a main character, and I didn't really understand her motives. I thought she was really flat and didn't have any opinions or dreams of her own.
However, I liked the side characters, especially Wick and Agatha. I really enjoyed the chapters told from Agatha's point of view as an outcast. The love story between her and Alsis brought more emotions from me than Manon and Wick's.
I did enjoy this book, but I found it difficult to follow at times. Things happen without any real reason. The biggest one was that Manon seemed disinterested the whole story but then managed to start a revolution in the last few chapters.
The dystopian world was brought to life in the story told through the eyes of Manon, an 18 year old girl. I found Manon quite lacklustre as a main character, and I didn't really understand her motives. I thought she was really flat and didn't have any opinions or dreams of her own.
However, I liked the side characters, especially Wick and Agatha. I really enjoyed the chapters told from Agatha's point of view as an outcast. The love story between her and Alsis brought more emotions from me than Manon and Wick's.
I did enjoy this book, but I found it difficult to follow at times. Things happen without any real reason. The biggest one was that Manon seemed disinterested the whole story but then managed to start a revolution in the last few chapters.
June 26, 2024
L.M.Nathan's hotly anticipated debut YA does not disappoint, combining the harshness of The Hunger Games with the slow burn romance of Bridgerton.
Now in their 18th year, Manon and Agatha should be navigating their Virtue Season together but Agatha, viewed as genetically flawed, has been decommissioned - no longer allowed to match with a suitable mate due to her seizures.
Pragmatic Manon is a great foil for romantic Agatha who continues to state her preference for steadfast Alsis against the wishes of the council. Told from a dual point of view, I particularly enjoyed Agatha's chapters.
Immersive, beautifully written and achingly romantic, I state my preference for this gorgeous dystopian debut.
Thanks to Scholastic for the ARC.
Now in their 18th year, Manon and Agatha should be navigating their Virtue Season together but Agatha, viewed as genetically flawed, has been decommissioned - no longer allowed to match with a suitable mate due to her seizures.
Pragmatic Manon is a great foil for romantic Agatha who continues to state her preference for steadfast Alsis against the wishes of the council. Told from a dual point of view, I particularly enjoyed Agatha's chapters.
Immersive, beautifully written and achingly romantic, I state my preference for this gorgeous dystopian debut.
Thanks to Scholastic for the ARC.
September 1, 2024
I think it was a good story. But I think it just needed a stronger plot line. More action would have been better. The fight back part would have made it better with more planning and more detail. It felt a skimmed through. I honestly just wanted more details on the more interesting parts, more exciting and just generally longer. It just lacked depth and detail in the more exciting parts like Agatha and the ending. I did like the story with Tomie and the love story of wilk and Manon. Overall I love the idea but just a like more longer with details. Nonetheless I still REALLY liked this book. I would have given it a 3 for 3.9 stars but I’ll just give it a 4 since it reminded me of Handmaid’s tale which is my favourite literary book.
July 3, 2024
What an absolute stunner of a book! Bridgerton meets The Handmaid's Tail with shades of The Hunger Games. Nathan has created an amazing world, and I found myself totally lost in it.
I loved Manon's character and was able to connect with her. Another character I really enjoyed was Agatha. Both of the girls' strength grew as the story went on.
Another strength of this book was the writing style. Simple and yet packed with power. I can not wait to see where we are headed in the next book. I highly recommend this book.
I loved Manon's character and was able to connect with her. Another character I really enjoyed was Agatha. Both of the girls' strength grew as the story went on.
Another strength of this book was the writing style. Simple and yet packed with power. I can not wait to see where we are headed in the next book. I highly recommend this book.
July 8, 2024
2.5 stars
Sadly this book just missed the mark for me. I'm not sure if it just felt too young adult for me but I just found myself bored which is something I hate saying.
I'm a fan of dystopian books and honestly the premise of this one is so interesting. It had a good message and was written well but after the 20% mark for me I just found myself losing interest. I wasn't keen on the main character and I felt like at times she didn't care about changing the system, she felt incredibly resigned to the fact that the world was the way it was and there was nothing anyone could do about it and then suddenly at the end she was really into starting a revolution. It was so confusing and really threw me.
I wish I had loved this more but it just wasn't for me.
Sadly this book just missed the mark for me. I'm not sure if it just felt too young adult for me but I just found myself bored which is something I hate saying.
I'm a fan of dystopian books and honestly the premise of this one is so interesting. It had a good message and was written well but after the 20% mark for me I just found myself losing interest. I wasn't keen on the main character and I felt like at times she didn't care about changing the system, she felt incredibly resigned to the fact that the world was the way it was and there was nothing anyone could do about it and then suddenly at the end she was really into starting a revolution. It was so confusing and really threw me.
I wish I had loved this more but it just wasn't for me.
July 11, 2024
The Virtue Season by L.M. Nathan
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is an incredible debut novel from the author L.M. Nathan, The Virtue Season is such a beautifully written book that had me captivated from the start, the scene setting details of this story were unique and incredibly detailed and had you picturing the scene as you read, and it felt like you were there feeling all the emotions within the storyline.
The story is told from the perspective of two characters, Manon and Agatha. I really enjoyed reading Agatha pov as I found it added empowering strength to the storyline.
Towards the end I found it to be a bit slow paced, and left me with questions that weren't answered, But hopefully that's a sign that maybe a second book could be in the pipeline to carry on where it's left off.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is an incredible debut novel from the author L.M. Nathan, The Virtue Season is such a beautifully written book that had me captivated from the start, the scene setting details of this story were unique and incredibly detailed and had you picturing the scene as you read, and it felt like you were there feeling all the emotions within the storyline.
The story is told from the perspective of two characters, Manon and Agatha. I really enjoyed reading Agatha pov as I found it added empowering strength to the storyline.
Towards the end I found it to be a bit slow paced, and left me with questions that weren't answered, But hopefully that's a sign that maybe a second book could be in the pipeline to carry on where it's left off.
May 14, 2025
This is a story set in a dystopian future where young people are "matched" to marry and have genetically "pure" children. If you have a disability or health issue, you get decommissioned, branded and sterilised. The plot did not really intrigue me; I think other YA dystopian novels have done it better. The world-building also wasn't up to scratch. I wanted to know more about what had happened to get to this point. The characters were okay, but I did not really care for them and what they were going through. Overall, not a bad story, I just didn't get along with it.
June 30, 2025
The premise of this story is pretty strong, if not entirely original. However I feel it lacks depth throughout. The characters felt pretty fleshed out, but the world building was lacking and the story only surface deep. Also the ending seems to all happen at once in about 30 pages. It didn't feel likely that a regime entrenched and enforced on a society as it was could be over thrown so easily. Although the ending felt open ended for a follow up - however I'm not sure if this was meant as a stand alone.
March 15, 2025
This was a quick and thought provoking read. The FMC, Manon is wonderfully written: flawed and therefore relatable - she feels real. The dystopia is well constructed, with their society being infuriating and wholly unfair. You can't help but root for a happy ending.
Parts of the story felt a little rushed in places. It felt like the time-line moved just a little too quickly and a little more could have been done with that but on the whole it was a good debut novel.
Parts of the story felt a little rushed in places. It felt like the time-line moved just a little too quickly and a little more could have been done with that but on the whole it was a good debut novel.
July 26, 2024
Does any one know whether LM Nathan will write a part 2? Though I loved the book, the ending really -REALLY- disappointed me (too much left unsaid; too many strings untied).
Overall, however, I've found the plot extremely original. I've also loved noticing how, slowly but surely, most character's behaviors have changed.
Overall, however, I've found the plot extremely original. I've also loved noticing how, slowly but surely, most character's behaviors have changed.
July 27, 2024
this book was pretty good, but i feel as though the revolution just sprung out of nowhere. it felt as though the author had just written it down and gone “yeah, that’s the ticket” without reading it through. i would have also loved for there to have been more of wick and manon - i really liked them as a couple.
overall it was a pretty good book, but the ending just didn’t fit. 3.5 ⭐️
overall it was a pretty good book, but the ending just didn’t fit. 3.5 ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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