Justine Larbalestier and Scott Westerfeld have jointly authored "The Mortons," a 454-page novel that explores the dark and twisted dynamics of a fictional criminal dynasty. Set against the backdrop of an elite college known for harboring descendants of notorious crime families, the story centers on Jessica Morton, a 20-year-old member of the powerful and ruthless Morton family.
The narrative opens with the funeral of Peter Morton, a young family member who dies in a college climbing accident. Among the attendees, certain family members display subtle red accents in their attire, signifying that they are "blooded" Mortons—those who have committed murder in service of the family. This tradition underscores the Mortons’ identity as more than just criminals; they are portrayed as a hybrid of figures from literature and pop culture, combining the guile and brutality of crime families with an aristocratic sense of tradition.
Jessica serves as the book’s narrator and embodies the family’s ideal: intelligent, composed, and physically unflinching. Raised within a culture where violence and deception are essential skills, she passed a formative childhood test known as the “mors curiae” or “death of care” by caring for and ultimately killing a pet rabbit named Mister Fluffernutter. This rite of passage, emblematic of the family’s cruel practices, is designed to harden the young Mortons.
The story delves into Jessica’s fraught past, including her role in the violent death of her father, Uncle Max, who killed several family members in a psychotic episode. This event shapes much of the book’s emotional landscape and raises questions about the cycle of violence and trauma within the family.
The college setting, Helshire, serves as a central locale where the next generation of crime dynasties undergo an unconventional education. Legacy students study subjects such as Disruptive Anatomy, Forensic Accounting, and Legacy Chemistry, learning everything from body dissection to financial crimes and poison-making. Non-legacy students, referred to as "ordinaries," are often subject to the Mortons' manipulations. Jessica initially excels in this environment, demonstrating loyalty and merciless efficiency, but her convictions are challenged amid escalating internal conflicts during her junior year.
The novel’s tone blends dark humor, elaborate world-building, and occasional explorations into art and fashion, adding layers to the complex family saga. Secondary characters, including Jessica’s incapacitated mother and an adopted family member named Sebastian, provide additional depth and divergent perspectives within the family structure.
While rich in detail and imaginative in scope, the novel’s extensive world-building sometimes results in inconsistencies, particularly in the family’s moral code and rules governing violence. Some readers may find the graphic depictions of cruelty, especially toward innocent animals and individuals, difficult to reconcile with the story’s adventurous and fantastical elements.
Ultimately, "The Mortons" grapples with themes of inherited violence, loyalty, and the possibility of personal redemption within a legacy defined by darkness. The story’s conclusion hints at a potential continuation of Jessica’s journey toward breaking free of her upbringing, leaving open questions about transformation amid entrenched brutality.