Book Review: The Court of Venus by Bel Banta

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The Court of Venus by Bel Banta

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy, Romance

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Tor Books (September 29, 2026)

Length: 368 pages

Author Information: Website

I’m usually quite picky when it comes to romantic fantasy, but The Court of Venus by Bel Banta surprised me. This is a slow-burn romance in the truest sense, with a lot of history and unresolved feelings between our characters before anything starts happening, but I thought it was handled remarkably well. Add in a celestial magic system, a dangerous royal court, and a murder mystery, and there’s a lot to like here.

The story follows Bianca Mortlake, the first Moonborn magician in more than a thousand years. Due to the incredibly rare alignment of celestial bodies at the time of her birth, she possesses a number of magical abilities that are difficult to predict, as the seven planets each grant their own distinct gifts. She is eventually trained at court by Alvion’s royal magician alongside the charismatic yet lofty Roland, her fellow acolyte and a powerful Venusborn magician in his own right. The two of them and the crown prince were once inseparable, but tragedy eventually drove them apart and sent Bianca away from court.

Years later, after building a quiet life elsewhere, Bianca is summoned back to Alvion under troubling circumstances. When she returns, she finds the place falling apart at the seams. The royal family is in shambles, the question of succession has become increasingly urgent, and competing factions have come out of the woodwork, all trying to gain the upper hand. Bianca soon finds herself practicing spycraft, as her status of Moonborn makes her an especially important piece on the board. Using her magical abilities to navigate the court and uncover what is really happening behind the scenes, she discovers there is more happening beneath the surface than anyone wants to admit. And then there is Roland, her old rival, who has once again entered her life. Despite their complicated history, they now find themselves fighting on the same side.

First things first, I don’t often find myself particularly interested in romantic arcs, but to my astonishment, I found this one genuinely enjoyable. There’s real chemistry between Bianca and Roland, and more importantly, I actually believed in the emotional connection between them. There’s a sort of enemies-to-lovers dynamic happening here, but thankfully without the constant snark and one-upmanship that can make that trope exhausting. Instead, there’s a tangible sense of familiarity even underneath all the tension. Their relationship truly feels like it has existed long before the start of the book, with plenty of background to unpack, rather than two characters who suddenly develop feelings because the plot says they should. I liked that the story took its time building those foundations, then letting the intimacy advance from there.

But yes, it’s slow. Frustratingly slow, at times. And yet, I have to say this is one of those rare cases where the process actually works. The story needed time to let Bianca and Roland get reacquainted, allowing them to put the awkward past behind them, so that new and exciting feelings between them can develop and grow. For that reason, it never felt as though the plot was holding back just for the sake of making readers wait. By the time things finally started moving in that direction, it felt much more rewarding than if they had been rushed into a relationship, and I think the results speak for themselves.

I also enjoyed the world-building, particularly the idea of the different magical courts being associated with celestial bodies and having abilities that reflect those associations. The planetary influences give the magic system a distinct identity, and the dangerous alliances and political maneuvering at court made the setting feel like more than just a backdrop for Bianca and Roland’s romance. There’s a lot of potential in this world, with its elements generally complementing each other well. That said, my one complaint involves the vague explanation behind a Moonborn’s abilities. I can accept that Bianca is an unusually powerful magician, but eventually it just felt like she could do almost anything the story needed her to do. Without a firm understanding of how those different powers fit together, many of the magical revelations at the end came across as a little too convenient.

Still, overall, I very much enjoyed reading The Court of Venus. The pacing may not work for everyone, especially if you’re looking for a fast-moving fantasy with a lot of driving force behind the romance, but the combination of court intrigue, cloak-and-dagger mystery, and a celestial-based magic system works nicely give this novel its own identity. Overall, it’s an engaging fantasy romance that I would recommend.