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The Mortons: A Novel
Meet the In this family, murder is currency—and business is booming.
The Mortons are a modern day, old-money dynasty with impeccable taste, from their exquisitely crafted cocktails to their expertly tailored vintage garments. They are also stone-cold killers. For the Mortons, homicide is heritage.
They, along with the other legacy crime families, send their progeny to Helshire College, where the legacy kids strategically intermingle with ordinary students from wealthy families. Jessica Morton has always excelled at Helshire, secure in her knowledge that she is the prodigy of her generation. Now, having committed her first kill at her matriarch's behest, it should be Jessica's moment, her honor. But that kill will cut more ways than one, unknotting deep secrets that propel a series of revelations, spanning the Mortons' country estate, the New York City art world, and Helshire itself.
What happens to Jessica when all of her dearly-held certainties face the axe?
Sharp and hypnotic, The Mortons is an epic novel of alliances and power, loyalty and kinship, and the consequences of ruthless ambition.
The Mortons are a modern day, old-money dynasty with impeccable taste, from their exquisitely crafted cocktails to their expertly tailored vintage garments. They are also stone-cold killers. For the Mortons, homicide is heritage.
They, along with the other legacy crime families, send their progeny to Helshire College, where the legacy kids strategically intermingle with ordinary students from wealthy families. Jessica Morton has always excelled at Helshire, secure in her knowledge that she is the prodigy of her generation. Now, having committed her first kill at her matriarch's behest, it should be Jessica's moment, her honor. But that kill will cut more ways than one, unknotting deep secrets that propel a series of revelations, spanning the Mortons' country estate, the New York City art world, and Helshire itself.
What happens to Jessica when all of her dearly-held certainties face the axe?
Sharp and hypnotic, The Mortons is an epic novel of alliances and power, loyalty and kinship, and the consequences of ruthless ambition.
608 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 2026
About the author
Justine Larbalestier
31 books810 followersJustine Larbalestier is an Australian young-adult fiction author. She is best known for the Magic or Madness trilogy: Magic or Madness, Magic Lessons and the newly released Magic's Child. She also wrote one adult non-fiction book, the Hugo-nominated The Battle of the Sexes in Science Fiction (Best Related Book, 2003), and edited another, Daughters of Earth: Feminist Science Fiction in the Twentieth Century.
Her surname has been pronounced in several different ways, but the FAQ on her website says that Lar-bal-est-ee-air is correct:
Q: How do you pronounce your surname? A: Lar-bal-est-ee-air. It can also be pronounced Lar-bal-est-ee-ay or Lar-bal-est-ee-er. Those are all fine by me. Friends at school used to pronounce it: Lavaworm. I have to really like you to let you get away with that one, but.
Larbalestier was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. She now alternates living between Sydney and New York City.
In 2001, Justine married fellow author Scott Westerfeld.
Her surname has been pronounced in several different ways, but the FAQ on her website says that Lar-bal-est-ee-air is correct:
Q: How do you pronounce your surname? A: Lar-bal-est-ee-air. It can also be pronounced Lar-bal-est-ee-ay or Lar-bal-est-ee-er. Those are all fine by me. Friends at school used to pronounce it: Lavaworm. I have to really like you to let you get away with that one, but.
Larbalestier was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. She now alternates living between Sydney and New York City.
In 2001, Justine married fellow author Scott Westerfeld.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 316 reviews
September 4, 2026
Well…this was definitely not my cup of tea.
My biggest issue was something I wish I had known BEFORE I started reading. There were no trigger warnings! (I have provided them instead, at the end of the review.)
There are scenes in this book that I found deeply upsetting and difficult to read. Had I known what I was going to encounter, I would have been better prepared—or possibly made a different reading choice altogether.
I don't like to skip-read, but I found myself doing exactly that. I wanted to get past certain scenes as quickly as possible. At least with movies, I can put a pillow over my eyes until I’m told that it’s okay to look. How does one do that in a print book?
Once that happens to me, it's difficult to connect emotionally with the characters or care about where the story is going. Instead of being pulled into the pages, I found myself pulling away.
I also never became fascinated by the Morton family. I found their world disturbing and increasingly uncomfortable. Whatever creative appeal the premise may have had was overshadowed for me by the darkness and brutality.
The narrative voices (married couple authors), the layers of detail, and the increasingly convoluted storyline added to my sense of being overwhelmed rather than engaged.
Ultimately, this wasn't a book I was able to enjoy. I was uncomfortable, I was unsettled, and I found myself wanting to get through it rather than experience it.
And that's never a good sign for me as a reader.
Please consider other reviews because I suspect I am an outlier here.
⚠️ Trigger warnings: There are scenes involving animal cruelty and death, that I found particularly disturbing. There is also senseless and graphic violence, familicide and murder of relatives, child death, along with severe family dysfunction and emotional manipulation. Readers who may be sensitive to this content should know before picking up this book.
My biggest issue was something I wish I had known BEFORE I started reading. There were no trigger warnings! (I have provided them instead, at the end of the review.)
There are scenes in this book that I found deeply upsetting and difficult to read. Had I known what I was going to encounter, I would have been better prepared—or possibly made a different reading choice altogether.
I don't like to skip-read, but I found myself doing exactly that. I wanted to get past certain scenes as quickly as possible. At least with movies, I can put a pillow over my eyes until I’m told that it’s okay to look. How does one do that in a print book?
Once that happens to me, it's difficult to connect emotionally with the characters or care about where the story is going. Instead of being pulled into the pages, I found myself pulling away.
I also never became fascinated by the Morton family. I found their world disturbing and increasingly uncomfortable. Whatever creative appeal the premise may have had was overshadowed for me by the darkness and brutality.
The narrative voices (married couple authors), the layers of detail, and the increasingly convoluted storyline added to my sense of being overwhelmed rather than engaged.
Ultimately, this wasn't a book I was able to enjoy. I was uncomfortable, I was unsettled, and I found myself wanting to get through it rather than experience it.
And that's never a good sign for me as a reader.
Please consider other reviews because I suspect I am an outlier here.
⚠️ Trigger warnings: There are scenes involving animal cruelty and death, that I found particularly disturbing. There is also senseless and graphic violence, familicide and murder of relatives, child death, along with severe family dysfunction and emotional manipulation. Readers who may be sensitive to this content should know before picking up this book.
July 21, 2026
A coming-of-age story that had a Succession-meets-Ready or Not feel with plenty of dark academia vibes, The Mortons was a unique, page-turning read that was truly impossible to put down. You see, not only did this fittingly dysfunctional family of killers have unsettling rituals and complex dynamics, but their morally gray beliefs, actions, and customs gave the whole book a deliciously unhinged feel. The characters, however, were the reason my eyes were glued to the pages the whole time. Charismatic, disturbing, and thoroughly twisted, their power plays, hidden motives, and kill-or-be-killed ways were the heart of the narrative. Jessica’s arc, though, was the best part of all as her internal conflict grew and she questioned the family’s dogma more and more. An intelligent and loyal individual, her crisis of conscience made this book what it was. Bravo, dear authors, she was quite the memorable character.
So what else did I love? Well, the world building was utterly phenomenal. Sinister, dark, and oozing a gothic vibe, it was both cinematic and chilling. I do have to warn you, however, that if you are going into this book expecting a thriller, you’re most likely going to come away disappointed. With a slow-burning first half and more psychological tension than action, it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting and ultimately felt more like a crime-family saga. That being said, this story definitely had my attention. With shifting alliances, disturbing traditions, and a delicious sense of dry—almost satirical—humor, it was quite the fun, wild ride. So if you want to dive into a character study of some truly f***ed-up personalities, grab this one now. A character-driven read packed with secrets, revenge, and unchecked ambition, I’m now hoping for a sequel. I mean, there has to be after that ending, right? RIGHT?! Rating of 4.5 stars.
Read if you love books that have:
- An old-money aesthetic
- Drama over thrills
- Dysfunctional families
- Dry humor
- Coming-of-age stories
- Dark academia
- Crime-family sagas
- A gothic feel
- Unhinged, morally gray characters
- Unique world building
- Thought-provoking insight
- Secret societies
- Slow-burn suspense
- Ruthless ambition
- A Succession-meets-Ready or Not vibe
SYNOPSIS:
The Mortons are a modern-day, old-money dynasty with impeccable taste, from their exquisitely crafted cocktails to their expertly tailored vintage garments. They are also stone-cold killers. For the Mortons, homicide is heritage.
They, along with the other crime families, send their progeny to Helshire College, where legacy students learn to exercise control over their wealthy peers. Jessica Morton has always excelled at Helshire, secure in the knowledge that she is the prodigy of her generation. Now, having committed her first kill, it should be Jessica’s moment, her honor. But that kill will cut more ways than one, unknotting a series of revelations spanning the Mortons’ country estate, the New York City art world, and Helshire itself.
Thank you Justine Larbalestier, Scott Westerfeld, and Pamela Dorman Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 21, 2026
Content warning: child abuse, physical and emotional abuse, gore, violence, blood, murder, domestic abuse, drug use/abuse, animal death/cruelty, alcoholism, incest, sexual content, death of a parent
So what else did I love? Well, the world building was utterly phenomenal. Sinister, dark, and oozing a gothic vibe, it was both cinematic and chilling. I do have to warn you, however, that if you are going into this book expecting a thriller, you’re most likely going to come away disappointed. With a slow-burning first half and more psychological tension than action, it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting and ultimately felt more like a crime-family saga. That being said, this story definitely had my attention. With shifting alliances, disturbing traditions, and a delicious sense of dry—almost satirical—humor, it was quite the fun, wild ride. So if you want to dive into a character study of some truly f***ed-up personalities, grab this one now. A character-driven read packed with secrets, revenge, and unchecked ambition, I’m now hoping for a sequel. I mean, there has to be after that ending, right? RIGHT?! Rating of 4.5 stars.
Read if you love books that have:
- An old-money aesthetic
- Drama over thrills
- Dysfunctional families
- Dry humor
- Coming-of-age stories
- Dark academia
- Crime-family sagas
- A gothic feel
- Unhinged, morally gray characters
- Unique world building
- Thought-provoking insight
- Secret societies
- Slow-burn suspense
- Ruthless ambition
- A Succession-meets-Ready or Not vibe
SYNOPSIS:
The Mortons are a modern-day, old-money dynasty with impeccable taste, from their exquisitely crafted cocktails to their expertly tailored vintage garments. They are also stone-cold killers. For the Mortons, homicide is heritage.
They, along with the other crime families, send their progeny to Helshire College, where legacy students learn to exercise control over their wealthy peers. Jessica Morton has always excelled at Helshire, secure in the knowledge that she is the prodigy of her generation. Now, having committed her first kill, it should be Jessica’s moment, her honor. But that kill will cut more ways than one, unknotting a series of revelations spanning the Mortons’ country estate, the New York City art world, and Helshire itself.
Thank you Justine Larbalestier, Scott Westerfeld, and Pamela Dorman Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 21, 2026
Content warning: child abuse, physical and emotional abuse, gore, violence, blood, murder, domestic abuse, drug use/abuse, animal death/cruelty, alcoholism, incest, sexual content, death of a parent
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✨ HAPPY RELEASE DAY! ✨
______________
Wow, another surprisingly-perfect-fit-for-me ARC!
What genre is this? I basically kept forgetting it wasn't my usual fantasy cause the Gothic academia vibes worked like magic even without magic!
The ending felt a bit truncated, maybe, but I loved it anyway.
Vibes are exactly what I hoped for when I selected it: Addams Family without the child-safe levity. And all the dire consequences that putting into a more adult and real setting entails.
Absolutely fantastic!
Pre-read
I like the other duotone cover more, but this was the edition I was approved for, so I'll keep it got ARC purposes.
I'll be honest, the premise looks so very cool and I've been intrigued right away, but the wide range of ratings below here has me a bit perplexed. I haven't read any so not to be influencer by them, and I wholeheartedly hope it's just a case of "not everyone's jam" (pls be my jam, though, I hate when I have to rate ARCs low 🤞🏻 )
______________
Wow, another surprisingly-perfect-fit-for-me ARC!
What genre is this? I basically kept forgetting it wasn't my usual fantasy cause the Gothic academia vibes worked like magic even without magic!
The ending felt a bit truncated, maybe, but I loved it anyway.
Vibes are exactly what I hoped for when I selected it: Addams Family without the child-safe levity. And all the dire consequences that putting into a more adult and real setting entails.
Absolutely fantastic!
Pre-read
I like the other duotone cover more, but this was the edition I was approved for, so I'll keep it got ARC purposes.
I'll be honest, the premise looks so very cool and I've been intrigued right away, but the wide range of ratings below here has me a bit perplexed. I haven't read any so not to be influencer by them, and I wholeheartedly hope it's just a case of "not everyone's jam" (pls be my jam, though, I hate when I have to rate ARCs low 🤞🏻 )
August 9, 2026
Most of the book was hovering over a 3, but I loved the ending.
July 27, 2026
4.5 Stars
This was a Strange Book, but very Satisfying. I really Enjoyed It, like got Captivated by it. Deals with an Old Money Family, who know how to dress, speak, use etiquette, and understand the needs of their moneyed peers. The dark academia vibes were fantastic as Helshire College is where the children of this crime family go. Jessica Morton is thought to be the smartest and most ruthless of the new generation of Mortons. Their goal is to access power through loyalty and use murder to achieve this goal. Yet, there are twists and turns that left me reading on. I was never sure who to trust or even what the end goal was going to turn out to be. Excellent, but in the way that horror and creepiness seep in. Suggest, keeping your rabbits well looked after.
This was such an original book. Recommended Read. One of the best books I’ve read this year.
Thank you NetGalley and Viking Penguin for a copy of this book. I always leave reviews of books I read.
This was a Strange Book, but very Satisfying. I really Enjoyed It, like got Captivated by it. Deals with an Old Money Family, who know how to dress, speak, use etiquette, and understand the needs of their moneyed peers. The dark academia vibes were fantastic as Helshire College is where the children of this crime family go. Jessica Morton is thought to be the smartest and most ruthless of the new generation of Mortons. Their goal is to access power through loyalty and use murder to achieve this goal. Yet, there are twists and turns that left me reading on. I was never sure who to trust or even what the end goal was going to turn out to be. Excellent, but in the way that horror and creepiness seep in. Suggest, keeping your rabbits well looked after.
This was such an original book. Recommended Read. One of the best books I’ve read this year.
Thank you NetGalley and Viking Penguin for a copy of this book. I always leave reviews of books I read.
November 24, 2025
I have been thinking about writing this review for days and every time I do I come back to the acknowledgments. There is reference that the people who brought this book to life have read many iterations of it over time. I think maybe that's why it was brought to life.
For me, I am left thinking "What?" Am I supposed to understand what the Mortons are? I do not. Mafia? Evil vampire family? A psychotic family a la Texas Chain Saw Massacre? No clue. And what are they after? Power? Money? Signatures on a blank sheet of paper? Okay. Still no clue.
And there were important (seemingly) parts that were just glossed over. Like, Sebastian was a different, what? Race? Skin color? Culture? I don't know but there's a comment towards the end about how being raised in a different race is difficult. If it was so important, could it have been shown more completely?
I went into this excited for it based on the snippet - "The Mortons are a modern day, old-money dynasty with impeccable taste....They are also stone-cold killers." That's more information than I got from the entire book. And they don't actually seem to kill anyone but themselves. AND they spend a ton of time talking to everyone about what they do. AND empathy-enhancing drugs? Yeah. Not thanks. You lost me.
Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Random House for an advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
For me, I am left thinking "What?" Am I supposed to understand what the Mortons are? I do not. Mafia? Evil vampire family? A psychotic family a la Texas Chain Saw Massacre? No clue. And what are they after? Power? Money? Signatures on a blank sheet of paper? Okay. Still no clue.
And there were important (seemingly) parts that were just glossed over. Like, Sebastian was a different, what? Race? Skin color? Culture? I don't know but there's a comment towards the end about how being raised in a different race is difficult. If it was so important, could it have been shown more completely?
I went into this excited for it based on the snippet - "The Mortons are a modern day, old-money dynasty with impeccable taste....They are also stone-cold killers." That's more information than I got from the entire book. And they don't actually seem to kill anyone but themselves. AND they spend a ton of time talking to everyone about what they do. AND empathy-enhancing drugs? Yeah. Not thanks. You lost me.
Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Random House for an advance digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 9, 2025
This book made me cry. The primal scream is an example of what you’ll be doing while reading it, all the while shocked by how incredible and striking this book is.
I don’t think I’ve ever read something comparable. You’re thrown into something that feels like it should be madness, and yet everything clicks so perfectly, that you find yourself believing in it - the setting, the characters, the stories.
There’s so much this book has to say about love, about forgiveness, about compassion and care. You watch as these things are twisted and mangled, and yet they’re so believable that you feel them like the sharp sting of a knife.
For all we’re told Jessica is the perfect Morton, she comes alive on the page. She feels achingly real, balancing on a tightrope of expectation.
I want to talk about the last line so badly, but won’t for sake of possible spoilers, but the imagery it paints is possibly one of my favorites of late. It’s strangely poetic and yet fits the story itself so well. There is a beauty of the writing in this book, and I wasn’t expecting it. It was a lovely surprise.
I found myself in love with how Jessica experienced New York. Her love for the city, its people, her memories, it was beautiful to read. This is a book I can’t wait to experience again. While it may lose some of its surprise, it won’t lose its magic.
Reading the acknowledgements, I’m so grateful that this collaboration happened. The additions made the book, but they would’ve been nothing without the core ideas. But there is something so singular about this that I don’t think would have been possible without this book across its iterations. It managed to never feel rushed and never feel too long. It was truly as close to perfection as it could’ve been.
Thank you to Viking Penguin for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I don’t think I’ve ever read something comparable. You’re thrown into something that feels like it should be madness, and yet everything clicks so perfectly, that you find yourself believing in it - the setting, the characters, the stories.
There’s so much this book has to say about love, about forgiveness, about compassion and care. You watch as these things are twisted and mangled, and yet they’re so believable that you feel them like the sharp sting of a knife.
For all we’re told Jessica is the perfect Morton, she comes alive on the page. She feels achingly real, balancing on a tightrope of expectation.
I want to talk about the last line so badly, but won’t for sake of possible spoilers, but the imagery it paints is possibly one of my favorites of late. It’s strangely poetic and yet fits the story itself so well. There is a beauty of the writing in this book, and I wasn’t expecting it. It was a lovely surprise.
I found myself in love with how Jessica experienced New York. Her love for the city, its people, her memories, it was beautiful to read. This is a book I can’t wait to experience again. While it may lose some of its surprise, it won’t lose its magic.
Reading the acknowledgements, I’m so grateful that this collaboration happened. The additions made the book, but they would’ve been nothing without the core ideas. But there is something so singular about this that I don’t think would have been possible without this book across its iterations. It managed to never feel rushed and never feel too long. It was truly as close to perfection as it could’ve been.
Thank you to Viking Penguin for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
July 22, 2026
🎧Audiobook Review🎧
First, can we appreciate this cover?! It’s phenomenal! I almost thought it was a fantasy. It’s stunning for sure.
Imagine being raised by a wealthy family that are also trained assassins. This did give me a little bit of Succession vibes.
The story centers around Jessica. We get to understand her schooling and training. The story also focuses a bit on Jessica‘s love life with some romance thrown in. I enjoyed the queer representation as well.
This was slow in parts and especially in the middle. The narration was done well and held my attention.
The Mortons is ultimately a character study about finding out your whole life has been a lie.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to PRH Audio and Viking for the gifted copies
First, can we appreciate this cover?! It’s phenomenal! I almost thought it was a fantasy. It’s stunning for sure.
Imagine being raised by a wealthy family that are also trained assassins. This did give me a little bit of Succession vibes.
The story centers around Jessica. We get to understand her schooling and training. The story also focuses a bit on Jessica‘s love life with some romance thrown in. I enjoyed the queer representation as well.
This was slow in parts and especially in the middle. The narration was done well and held my attention.
The Mortons is ultimately a character study about finding out your whole life has been a lie.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to PRH Audio and Viking for the gifted copies
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was a trip. From the opening chapter you are in a brutal world where anyone in the family can be killed for being incompetent or even just inconvenient. This family rules the world through brutality and accounting as a Mafia-esque organization. The pacing was great in this and the plot was interesting. I do think the final section felt a little forced, but I did enjoy the actual ending. There are a lot of interesting psychological debates in here, like what makes someone so ruthless with no guilt (nature vs nurture). It's a well plotted thriller that kept me engrossed!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!
August 19, 2026
Decent book, didn’t fully keep my attention.
February 3, 2026
I’m really hoping this is the most boring book I’ve ever read this year! I’m struggling to understand why it was published. Is it supposed to show an incestuous family? The story doesn’t make sense, and there’s no real reason for it. I don’t know what the family is all about, and the characters aren’t very interesting. I really need someone to explain why this book was made. I have to stop trying to finish books .
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy of this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy of this book.
September 30, 2026
The aesthetics were on point, Jessica was a great character, and I loved the incestuous romance plot line as much as anybody but it kinda felt the whole time like I was waiting for the plot to start, y’know? The Morton’s, and their aesthetic, themselves carried the whole book.
March 21, 2026
The Mortons is a story that starts off strong with a promising world and an intriguing premise. It leans into familiar tropes like crime family, assassin‑raised‑from‑birth, and a touch of Bonnie and Clyde energy. The first half was a rollercoaster, and I was genuinely engrossed. Even though the opening was a bit slow, the world‑building made up for it. It took me more than five days to finish, which usually means the book and I aren’t clicking, but I pushed through because the setup was so interesting.
The story dives into crime family dynamics and a university setting where the characters are constantly surrounded by death, betrayal, and torture. From page one until the end, I honestly didn’t know who to trust. Unfortunately, the characters felt forced together, and that made it hard for me to fully connect. I was really hopeful when I requested this because the concept felt fresh and exciting, but it didn’t unfold the way I expected.
What I Enjoyed:
• You‑and‑me‑against‑the‑world trope
• Crime family elements never get old
• Academia setting
What Didn’t Work:
• Slow pacing
• Lacked depth in some areas
• I struggled to connect with the characters
Breakdown
Setting: 3⭐️
Characters: 3⭐️
Writing: 2⭐️
Message: 2⭐️
Overall: 3⭐️
Overall, I’d recommend this to readers of crime thrillers who enjoy fresh concepts and promising plots. Even though it didn’t fully meet my expectations, I still enjoyed the experience and the world the authors created. Huge thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Australia, and authors Scott Westerfeld & Justine Larbalestier for my advance copy. My thoughts are entirely my own.
~ JaNnA ~
The story dives into crime family dynamics and a university setting where the characters are constantly surrounded by death, betrayal, and torture. From page one until the end, I honestly didn’t know who to trust. Unfortunately, the characters felt forced together, and that made it hard for me to fully connect. I was really hopeful when I requested this because the concept felt fresh and exciting, but it didn’t unfold the way I expected.
What I Enjoyed:
• You‑and‑me‑against‑the‑world trope
• Crime family elements never get old
• Academia setting
What Didn’t Work:
• Slow pacing
• Lacked depth in some areas
• I struggled to connect with the characters
Breakdown
Setting: 3⭐️
Characters: 3⭐️
Writing: 2⭐️
Message: 2⭐️
Overall: 3⭐️
Overall, I’d recommend this to readers of crime thrillers who enjoy fresh concepts and promising plots. Even though it didn’t fully meet my expectations, I still enjoyed the experience and the world the authors created. Huge thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Australia, and authors Scott Westerfeld & Justine Larbalestier for my advance copy. My thoughts are entirely my own.
~ JaNnA ~
July 22, 2026
LOVED!!!
May 20, 2026
ARC review: The Mortons
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Release date: 21 July 2026
⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Penguin for the early review copy.
Unfortunately this book was a let down for me. The first third started off strong, learning about this ancient family line and their propensity towards murder for their betterment on society gave it a very Succession meets Ready Or Not type of vibes. But once we got to the second third onwards, the book lost me. The characters were not likeable and not in a good way, and parts of the story dragged with the final third just being a bit meh for me.
Publisher: Penguin Australia
Release date: 21 July 2026
⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Penguin for the early review copy.
Unfortunately this book was a let down for me. The first third started off strong, learning about this ancient family line and their propensity towards murder for their betterment on society gave it a very Succession meets Ready Or Not type of vibes. But once we got to the second third onwards, the book lost me. The characters were not likeable and not in a good way, and parts of the story dragged with the final third just being a bit meh for me.
July 30, 2026
Not every book can be 5 stars. For being about an old money murderous family it was kinda boring.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*Thank you to Penguin for a complimentary copy of The Mortons. All opinions expressed are my own.*
A coming-of-age story with dark academia, old money, and a dysfunctional family of killers? The Mortons feels a little like the Addams Family - with grey morals, deadly rituals, and then the small detail that even the family members aren’t necessarily guaranteed to survive each other.
The setting is perfectly gothic, the humour has an almost satirical edge to it, and the plot is addictive enough to make this a difficult book to put down. But beneath all the darkness, the story also offers some surprisingly thought-provoking perspectives on love, forgiveness, loyalty, family, and compassion - and somehow manages to make you think about the concept of care in a wonderfully twisted way.
The characters are complex, and each one comes alive in their own way on the page. But Jessica’s growth arc was what really took my reading experience on its own journey. There’s a gap following the almost-plan to deal with a certain psychiatrist that completely threw me off. I genuinely wondered whether I’d missed something and even flipped back through the pages in confusion. But the further I followed Jessica’s story, the more I appreciated what the author was doing.
The characters are complex, and each one comes alive in their own way on the page. But Jessica’s growth arc was what really took my reading experience on its own journey. Early on, there’s a gap following the almost-plan to deal with a certain psychiatrist that completely threw me off. I genuinely wondered whether I’d missed something and even flipped back through the pages in confusion. But the further I followed Jessica’s story, the more I appreciated what the author was doing.
Since The Mortons is told entirely through Jess’s perspective, what she doesn’t remember or doesn’t know, we don’t know either. Memories are unlocked gradually while she becomes increasingly uncertain of her own beliefs, turning the story into something of a puzzle and making her growth arc even more intriguing to follow.
I also loved how surprisingly poetic the prose could be. There’s something so fulfilling about that quality sitting alongside the ruthless and brutal scenes - it creates a contrast that works incredibly well for this story.
And after that ending, my only real complaint depends entirely on whether or not this gets a sequel.
Only warning: if you’re sensitive to graphic descriptions of violence, the death of both humans and animals, and brutal scenes, this may not be the book for you. There are enough of them that, without those scenes, the Mortons would practically be a short story. But if you’re ready to step into the dark world of this deeply dysfunctional family, the Mortons certainly won’t disappoint.
A coming-of-age story with dark academia, old money, and a dysfunctional family of killers? The Mortons feels a little like the Addams Family - with grey morals, deadly rituals, and then the small detail that even the family members aren’t necessarily guaranteed to survive each other.
The setting is perfectly gothic, the humour has an almost satirical edge to it, and the plot is addictive enough to make this a difficult book to put down. But beneath all the darkness, the story also offers some surprisingly thought-provoking perspectives on love, forgiveness, loyalty, family, and compassion - and somehow manages to make you think about the concept of care in a wonderfully twisted way.
The characters are complex, and each one comes alive in their own way on the page. But Jessica’s growth arc was what really took my reading experience on its own journey. There’s a gap following the almost-plan to deal with a certain psychiatrist that completely threw me off. I genuinely wondered whether I’d missed something and even flipped back through the pages in confusion. But the further I followed Jessica’s story, the more I appreciated what the author was doing.
The characters are complex, and each one comes alive in their own way on the page. But Jessica’s growth arc was what really took my reading experience on its own journey. Early on, there’s a gap following the almost-plan to deal with a certain psychiatrist that completely threw me off. I genuinely wondered whether I’d missed something and even flipped back through the pages in confusion. But the further I followed Jessica’s story, the more I appreciated what the author was doing.
Since The Mortons is told entirely through Jess’s perspective, what she doesn’t remember or doesn’t know, we don’t know either. Memories are unlocked gradually while she becomes increasingly uncertain of her own beliefs, turning the story into something of a puzzle and making her growth arc even more intriguing to follow.
I also loved how surprisingly poetic the prose could be. There’s something so fulfilling about that quality sitting alongside the ruthless and brutal scenes - it creates a contrast that works incredibly well for this story.
And after that ending, my only real complaint depends entirely on whether or not this gets a sequel.
Only warning: if you’re sensitive to graphic descriptions of violence, the death of both humans and animals, and brutal scenes, this may not be the book for you. There are enough of them that, without those scenes, the Mortons would practically be a short story. But if you’re ready to step into the dark world of this deeply dysfunctional family, the Mortons certainly won’t disappoint.
October 29, 2026
This book is a bit rough. For the most part I was intrigued by it, but it's got a couple of glaring issues.
Primarily, what this novel suffers from is a rather dull and straightforward main character. She's often referred to (by herself and others) as a prodigy, but the whole book is told from her POV and yet she never does anything exceptionally clever or demonstrating great competency/proficiency. Anything she's done to earn her prodigy status was firmly in the time before the book takes place; and she doesn't exhibit any significant observation/analysis/critical thinking/problem solving during the course of the novel. So the reader is left having to trust in tell don't show. Especially once you get fairly late in the book That doesn't seem like someone significantly smarter than her peers to me.
I think the Umbrella Academy is a really interesting premise and makes for a rich inspiration, but I struggle with a lot of the believability of the setup in this particular book. There's also very little that happens in the novel, all of the events are mundane & firmly grounded in our reality, so I feel it lacks the originality and appeal of Umbrella Academy.
Overall it felt like the book was mounting to something, but for me the ending was really more of a whimper than a worthwhile conclusion.
Primarily, what this novel suffers from is a rather dull and straightforward main character. She's often referred to (by herself and others) as a prodigy, but the whole book is told from her POV and yet she never does anything exceptionally clever or demonstrating great competency/proficiency. Anything she's done to earn her prodigy status was firmly in the time before the book takes place; and she doesn't exhibit any significant observation/analysis/critical thinking/problem solving during the course of the novel. So the reader is left having to trust in tell don't show. Especially once you get fairly late in the book That doesn't seem like someone significantly smarter than her peers to me.
I think the Umbrella Academy is a really interesting premise and makes for a rich inspiration, but I struggle with a lot of the believability of the setup in this particular book. There's also very little that happens in the novel, all of the events are mundane & firmly grounded in our reality, so I feel it lacks the originality and appeal of Umbrella Academy.
Overall it felt like the book was mounting to something, but for me the ending was really more of a whimper than a worthwhile conclusion.
August 31, 2026
Dark, twisty, think Wednesday Addams meets Harry Potter but without any fun, light hearted moments! Very unique!
Seeing Scott Westerfeld as co-author definitely caught my eye and I’m so glad! I’d love to see more of the Morton’s story. Before or after this story… so many ways to expand! 5 🌟
Seeing Scott Westerfeld as co-author definitely caught my eye and I’m so glad! I’d love to see more of the Morton’s story. Before or after this story… so many ways to expand! 5 🌟
November 9, 2025
✨ Book Review: The Morton’s by Justine Larbalestier & Scott Westerfeld ✨
This book sucked me in completely. From the very first page, I was hooked and didn’t come up for air until the end. I love a good legacy or mob-style story — and this one? Truly one of the best I’ve read.
Larbalestier and Westerfeld build such an interesting, chilling world — one that feels both elegant and brutal. The Morton family is the kind of dynasty that commands your attention, with hearts as cold as ice and rituals that will leave you both horrified and fascinated. Every member of this family feels alive on the page — flawed, complex, and unforgettable.
The pacing is spot-on from start to finish. It never drags, never loses focus — it just tightens its grip the deeper you go. By the time I turned the last page, I was utterly in love with this story, this family, and the dark, glittering world they inhabit.
If you love stories about power, bloodlines, and the haunting cost of loyalty, The Morton’s is one you won’t be able to put down.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
This book sucked me in completely. From the very first page, I was hooked and didn’t come up for air until the end. I love a good legacy or mob-style story — and this one? Truly one of the best I’ve read.
Larbalestier and Westerfeld build such an interesting, chilling world — one that feels both elegant and brutal. The Morton family is the kind of dynasty that commands your attention, with hearts as cold as ice and rituals that will leave you both horrified and fascinated. Every member of this family feels alive on the page — flawed, complex, and unforgettable.
The pacing is spot-on from start to finish. It never drags, never loses focus — it just tightens its grip the deeper you go. By the time I turned the last page, I was utterly in love with this story, this family, and the dark, glittering world they inhabit.
If you love stories about power, bloodlines, and the haunting cost of loyalty, The Morton’s is one you won’t be able to put down.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
August 15, 2026
It was pretty good until the end
August 26, 2026
But the cover is so awesome.
That's the only awesome part. This book had potential and interesting ideas but the ideas never really went anywhere. It needed a lot more polishing before publishing.
And the wardrobe thing, that was weird, dumb and discussed too much. The bunnies as well.
That's the only awesome part. This book had potential and interesting ideas but the ideas never really went anywhere. It needed a lot more polishing before publishing.
And the wardrobe thing, that was weird, dumb and discussed too much. The bunnies as well.
Read
September 25, 2026This was not my vibe. If you enjoy really morbid stuff and complex family dysfunction, it might be for you. I feel like a trigger warning that child murder was embedded throughout the book would have helped me know it was not for me. I did finish it and found the ending kinda? satisfying in a super fucked up way.
August 2, 2026
This book had me drawn in from the moment I picked it up. Murder family, mafia, dynasty all rolled into one. I didn’t know who I should trust the whole read.
October 16, 2026
This blew me away! The twists! The turns! I remained on the edge of my seat for every moment of Jessica’s narration, simply because the stakes were always so high and the story continued evolving.
The concept of the family and estate was also very interesting, how would a crime family of assassins raise children? What skills would they need or value? It’s fairly genre bending, but I couldn’t put it down and thought about the story even away from reading.
Lastly, and most importantly: this was a fun read! Gave me the same reading high as when I read Ninth House books. Just a crazy ride through morally corrupt characters.
The concept of the family and estate was also very interesting, how would a crime family of assassins raise children? What skills would they need or value? It’s fairly genre bending, but I couldn’t put it down and thought about the story even away from reading.
Lastly, and most importantly: this was a fun read! Gave me the same reading high as when I read Ninth House books. Just a crazy ride through morally corrupt characters.
September 11, 2026
The Mortons by Justine Larbalestier and Scott Westerfeld is quite a solid dark academia book. I wouldn't quite call it a favorite of the genre, but the style and tone are amazing. It's so atmospheric! It definitely reminded me that I need to pick up some Scott Westerfeld books that I've missed.
August 17, 2026
What a weird, twisted little book!? I couldn’t look away.
July 27, 2026
A pleasant surprise, provided you can get past all the dead rabbits.
I was expecting something akin to Inheritance Games and other Westing Game derivative YA novels, but this is something else entirely. Far more harsh, complicated, and nuanced, and infinitely better written.
The book has some hints of humor, but it’s largely pretty brutal, and I loved the way the authors humanized the characters without pulling any punches as the bodies pile up. There are certainly some elements of this that mimic Succession, but somehow the authors managed to make it both more brutal and more fun.
If you are a reader who tends to be upset by books that don’t have a clear cut sense of traditional right and wrong, then this is not the book for you. We have a lot of people doing a lot of very bad things and often getting away with them, and the authors (refreshingly, in my opinion) have declined to engage in much moralizing about it. That said, the central characters are not completely amoral, and they adhere to a kind of code that, while too harsh for most of us to ever imagine in reality, makes them very interesting to read about.
Also, I feel compelled to warn readers about the violent deaths of a lot of rabbits (some of which take place on page). I didn’t love this, but even as someone who really hates animal violence in books I found it tolerable enough, and it does at least play an important role in the story.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I was expecting something akin to Inheritance Games and other Westing Game derivative YA novels, but this is something else entirely. Far more harsh, complicated, and nuanced, and infinitely better written.
The book has some hints of humor, but it’s largely pretty brutal, and I loved the way the authors humanized the characters without pulling any punches as the bodies pile up. There are certainly some elements of this that mimic Succession, but somehow the authors managed to make it both more brutal and more fun.
If you are a reader who tends to be upset by books that don’t have a clear cut sense of traditional right and wrong, then this is not the book for you. We have a lot of people doing a lot of very bad things and often getting away with them, and the authors (refreshingly, in my opinion) have declined to engage in much moralizing about it. That said, the central characters are not completely amoral, and they adhere to a kind of code that, while too harsh for most of us to ever imagine in reality, makes them very interesting to read about.
Also, I feel compelled to warn readers about the violent deaths of a lot of rabbits (some of which take place on page). I didn’t love this, but even as someone who really hates animal violence in books I found it tolerable enough, and it does at least play an important role in the story.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
September 27, 2026
Thanks to the publisher for providing an ebook via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
***
Spoilery maybe
This was a dark ride! Loved the dark academia setting, the enthralling writing style and Jessica is a very compelling character!
I'm not sure how I feel about certain things (like the romantic adoptive cousins tension and the non especified deaths) but overall it was an entertaining read!
Check out the trigger warnings for: murder, homicide, violence, child indoctrination, suicidal thoughts, abuse, drug abuse, emotional abuse, nonconsensual drug use, child abuse, animal abuse and animal death, death and gore
***
Spoilery maybe
This was a dark ride! Loved the dark academia setting, the enthralling writing style and Jessica is a very compelling character!
I'm not sure how I feel about certain things (like the romantic adoptive cousins tension and the non especified deaths) but overall it was an entertaining read!
Check out the trigger warnings for: murder, homicide, violence, child indoctrination, suicidal thoughts, abuse, drug abuse, emotional abuse, nonconsensual drug use, child abuse, animal abuse and animal death, death and gore
October 16, 2026
Jessica Morton was born into one of four powerful but secretive families that raise their children to be manipulative and capable of murder. At Helshire College, Jessica is tapped to perform her first kill to become an official member of the family. Even growing up in a secretive family, Jessica is caught off guard by what is being kept from her.
I enjoyed the story and liked the characters. At ties I wanted to know more but the book is already a good length. This is a brutal book at times so not for the squeamish.
I enjoyed the story and liked the characters. At ties I wanted to know more but the book is already a good length. This is a brutal book at times so not for the squeamish.
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