The Mortons: The unputdownable new dark academia novel for fans of If We Were Villains and Ninth House

by Justine Larbalestier, Scott Westerfeld

'A TOUR DE FORCE: WITTY, THRILLING AND DELICIOUSLY CRUEL' Lev Grossman

Murder is money, and business is booming.

The Mortons are a modern day, old money dynasty with impeccable taste, from exquisite cocktails and expertly tailored vintage garments to stone cold murder.

Jessica is their golden child, a perfectly crafted apprentice to the Morton legacy. She has always excelled, and now, having committed her first kill whilst at elite college Helshire, she can finally stake her claim as a fully blooded Morton. This is her moment, her honour.

She has trained for this since birth, but in a family built on the bones of their secrets, where failure means erasure, can loyalty always come above care?

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Adult Fiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 21, 2026

About the author

Justine 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.

Reviews

[Morwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 🤞🏻 )

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!

[Janna (Bibliophile Mom) · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 ~

[Elvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Jerry · Rating 1 out of 5]

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.

[Shasta · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Taylor Š · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay but truly… this book needs to include cocktail recipes because every drink mentioned sounded incredible 🍸

Now, onto the actual review.

The Mortons are one of four legacy families who act as fixers for the rich and powerful. To be a Morton means being unfeeling, unquestioningly loyal, and willing to do whatever the family demands. From birth, they’re trained to kill, to endure torture, to inflict it, and, above all, to serve.

We follow Jessica Morton, a prodigy within the family, whose first official assignment is to kill her own cousin, her shadow. That single command sets off a chain reaction that forces Jessica to confront the brutal reality of the family she’s been molded to protect. As cracks begin to form in everything she’s been taught, she’s left with an impossible question: does she truly have what it takes to be a CAREer Morton?

I absolutely loved this one. It dives deep into themes of loyalty, legacy, friendship, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. The writing kept me hooked; I was racing through chapters just to see what would happen next. The inner workings of the Morton family were fascinating in a dark, unsettling way. They operate less like a family and more like a highly polished crime syndicate, and that tension hums beneath every interaction.

The characters felt distinct and deliberate. Each family member had a slightly off-putting edge that made them feel dangerous in a way that fit the story perfectly.

This book is sharp, intense, and absolutely gripping! I definitely recommend picking this one up 📚

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of this book via NetGalley for my consideration. All opinions are my own.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars***

Thank you to Penguin/Julia for this ARC!!

I can’t even gather my thoughts, this book had me hooked.

Okay, so the Mortons are an old money family and they make and keep their money by “incorporating” powerful families, which is basically them signing these families into their debt. They do crazy no-questions-asked shit for them like threatening/killing people who inconvenience these incorporated families. It’s giving John Wick universe mixed with dark academia vibes.

The Mortons are cruel and loyal and they’re willing to cull anyone in the family that can’t live up to that. With that said, the character arc of our MC was CHEFS KISS. Speaking of character, I loved all the characters and their interactions - scenes with Gertie were my fave. I also loved the letters (iykyk) and wish we got more!!! I think I could read an entire book of just short interactions between this cast of characters - Mortons and ordinaries alike.

The Mortons are an old family and with that comes old traditions and they’re wiiilllldd. I’m obsessed with this family, as any ordinary would be 🙂‍↕️ the love and homey-ness of the family estate is beautiful and manipulative; it’s like, of course you’d want to stay in this cruel fucked up family, but you can’t take any of it at face value.

I do feel the ending was a bit weak - the beats were missing meat and potato - and I’m not sure if this book is supposed to be read as a stand alone?? There’s a lot of potential for a sequel/series, but if it’s a standalone the ending is a bit disappointing.

I have so many Thoughts. I can’t wait for July when I can discuss with people!!!!!

[Tabatha · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ 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

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled with this book far more than I expected to, especially after reading the blurb, which sounded like it would deliver a tense, emotionally charged family drama. Instead, I found it difficult to stay engaged with a storyline centred on a family plotting to kill their own members. While dark themes don’t usually put me off, this particular angle felt so extreme and uncomfortable that it pulled me out of the story rather than drawing me in. I kept waiting for a twist or deeper motivation that would make the premise more compelling, but it never quite landed for me.

That said, the writing itself had moments of promise, and I can see why the concept might appeal to readers who enjoy more sinister, morally twisted plots. For me, though, the emotional connection I hoped for just wasn’t there, and the tension didn’t build in the way I expected. I finished the book feeling more disappointed than thrilled, wishing the execution had matched the potential of the blurb.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks Netgalley for an advance copy of this book for review purposes. This was the perfect beach read. I found myself putting the book down, taking a walk, coming back and reading for a while. Jessica and her cousin Sebastian are Mortons (Sebastian is adopted). Their family purpose is to solve problems and integrate people who need help into their family. Sebastian and Jessica and some of their cousins attend the Hellion College. In addition to the Mortons, there are three other families in the world doing the same thing. The Mortons also have a tradition in which each cousin gets a rabbit, cares for it for a year and then kills it. The references to this could be disturbing for some although it is not graphic. Sebastian and Jessica decide that they are going to get out of the family business. They enlist some of the members from the other three families. This would be great for book club. Read this at the beach! Thank me later

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope this book is a hit. It's got a unique premise, a Wednesday-Addams-like voice, and an intricate and well-formed plot that is engaging and clever. At its heart, the book examines, "Do we have to be who our families think we are 'supposed' to be?" but with knives, murderous intent, and wry humor. Larbalestier captures the spirit of growth and self-examination that often accompanies the college years (especially as Jessica spends the summer in the art world, where she is often on her back foot in terms of worldliness and experience).

For all book professionals, the scene near the end, when Jessica is tripped up in the library ("But the book in my hand was not checked out") should make this five stars for that laugh-out-loud moment alone!

The husband-wife writing collaboration, as detailed in the afterword, makes this book extra appealing. Would highly recommend.

[Gabi Staron · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the start you get a glimpse into the Morton family and who they are as well as what they expect of the next generations as well as what it takes to prove to be a Morton and earn the coveted title of "uncle" or "aunt" and the cut throat world that they live in. This book shows the reader what it's like to have a secret society at home through family masked by accounting, old money and old secrets... and the finest cocktail you can think of. When I say I could NOT get enough and had to force myself to put the book down because of all the twists and turns in this book that literally made it feel like you were there with Jessica trying to figure it all out I mean it. If you're looking for a book that embodies what a secret society is as well as following the uprise in wanting the old money aesthetic this is the one for you especially if you love a good murder or a few...

[Quinn Watkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Penguin Random House Aus and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!
My rating - 3.5 stars
I loved the premise of this book and was so keen to get started - university setting, legacy family, modern day dynasty & stone cold killers. I loved the off-putting vibes each character in the family gave, but I do feel like I still didn't quite understand what the true goal and purpose of the Morton family was by the end. The plot itself had some strong moments, especially early on & the writing was easy to get through - I found myself wanting to keep reading just to see where it was all going.
It’s an easy, fairly entertaining read, but the execution didn’t quite match the potential for me. Glad I read it, probably won’t think about it much going forward.

[Anita D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Advanced reader copy review of The Mortons by Justine Larbalestier and Scott Westerfeld

🌟🌟🌟 I liked it
🔥🔥 not-gratuitous sex scenes (f/f and f/m)

I love a good thriller. This book was a lot of fun. I liked that it was a thriller based on a group of mostly younger people. The rich, crazy, powerful family.

I found Jessica frustrating throughout most of the book. She wasn’t meant to be all that likeable, given her family and upbringing.

I got lost sometimes, jumping between the different places and stories.

Thank you to Larbalestier and Westerfeld, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for the ARC. I was not incentivised to read or review.

[Renata · Rating 4 out of 5]

omg it's like The Kingsman Jr. but without the Arthurian stuff and with a more ~dark academia turn to it.

I could not put it down!

it DOES have a LOT of descriptions of cruelty to animals (which I hate obv) but I was compelled to keep reading anyway which says a LOT about the pacing of this.

I think teen readers who like dystopias/thrillers will like this even though it's not actually a dystopia. Or rather it posits that late stage capitalism is already a dystopia, perhaps.

[Emalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very dark academia-secret society-cult-Addams family vibe to this one. I was hooked in at the first chapter, but it really crawled through the middle for me. The characters are compelling and really wack, but they work well for the strange story. Thank you NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for the e-ARC!

[Mon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've spent weeks trying to read this. I'd read a few pages and my eyes wanted to be on anything but the page. I hate Jessica - her arrogance and vague way of narrating. The story doesn't seem to be going anywhere except for how powerful and great her family is.

Thanks to the Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the ARC, but this isn't for me.

[Cari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a Booklist review, and oh boy, it was brutal. It was very well-written and compelling, but it was so hard to read just because of the cruelty of the characters. There were a few plot points that also didn't make sense. In this kind of book, I think it's okay for none of the characters to be likeable (they're all terrible, but that's kind of the point). But for me, that was tough to read.

[Silvia Ligorria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can a stone-cold killer become anything else than what she was raised for? Where does her loyalty rests? What is more valuable? This novel takes us through a journey where choices need to be made but also choices were already made for them. An exciting start and interesting ending, but a slow-burn middle part felt too extensive.

[Library Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two of my favorite authors wrote one intriguing story.
It grabbed me right from the start and was hard to put down.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read full of plot twists. Looking forward to a sequel (or sequels).

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting take on a different family dynamics. Holds the suspense until the very end, and keeps you wishing they chose different paths.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc!

When I tell you, I love this book I mean it. The dark academia setting was perfect. It almost felt like I was reading a version of the Addams family but different.
The betrayals and plot twists were very unpredictable. Another reason why I loved it. This book is the perfect fall read. I would recommend this to everyone to read it!!!!

[Sophie F · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was 2.5 stars. I thought the premise was so interesting and the first 60% of the book was. I could not stop reading it and I was loving it. However, around the 70% mark, the story changed in an interesting way and it made the book unenjoyable. The ending just felt cut off and it needed something else for the story to conclude nicely. There was a problem of too many characters introduced and this didn't allow the main ones to shine and left the story feeling overcrowded but also empty at the same time.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very deep, complicated by characters and this blind family loyalty. Jessica is a warrior, tough and edgy. Peter gone too early in my opinion. The Patriarch is one controlling evil b itch! I think Jessica knew all along she was the prodigy but what happened with her and Grandmother, Elizabeth’s conversation was deep.

The sub characters like Hiromi and Bianca were decent but Faraday was unique. The names were a bit odd too but explained that they reuse them when someone dies young SAD