DELUXE EDITION—a gorgeous hardcover featuring gilded gold edges, illustrated endpapers, and 8 full-page interior illustrations

The Court of Venus is an ensnaring romantic fantasy in which a moon-blessed magician is summoned back to the deadly magical court she thought she had escaped; where power is determined by the stars—and the closer you are to the king, the more likely you are to die. Perfect for fans of The Knight and The Moth, The Familiar, and A Darker Shade of Magic.

In Alvion, magicians have always ruled beside kings. Blessed at birth by one of the seven planets, their abilities are miraculous and extremely rare. Magicians born under Jupiter influence luck. Saturnborn can speak to the dead. Venusborn read the desires of the living.

At the moment of Bianca Mortlake’s birth, the stars and planets aligned just so, making her the first Moonborn magician in over a thousand years. A sorcery so rare that even the history books cannot say what she is capable of.

After a childhood training under the realm’s most powerful magician—and alongside a most insufferable Venusborn named Roland—Bianca lives a quiet life far from court. Until a chilling missive arrives in the night, summoning her back.

A mad and deadly court awaits. Two queens have met the executioner’s blade, and one wrong move could see any of them next beneath its steel. As power is pulled between ruthless royals and courtiers like the tides by the moon, Bianca must rely on the last person she would ever want to—the infuriatingly alluring Roland.

Because something is terribly wrong in Alvion. And only this moon-blessed magician and her oldest rival can save the court—and each other—from the dark fate they see written in the stars.

The Court of Venus

*rivals to lovers

*courtly intrigue

*magic tournament

*slow burn

*murder mystery

*she falls first, he falls harder

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.



Praise for this book

"Decadent, gripping, and romantic, The Court of Venus pulled me into its orbit and refused to let go. With both my new favorite magic system and love interest, this is a stellar debut."—Allison Saft, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Dark and Drowning Tide

“A stunning and irresistible rivals-to-lovers story full of political intrigue and featuring a fascinating magic system, The Court of Venus is rich, lovely, and powerful!”—Sarah Beth Durst, New York Times bestselling author of The Spellshop

“Enter The Court of Venus and prepare yourself for delicious schemes and machinations. Full of heart and wonderfully entertaining!”—Kristin Cashore, New York Times bestselling author of the Graceling Realm books

“Brimming with yearning and set against a glittering world of celestial inspired magic, high stakes, and Tudor worthy intrigue, The Court of Venus shines. …The celestial, courtly dopamine hit to the heart I didn’t know I yearned for.”—Rachelle Raeta, author of These Immortal Truths

“Readers will delight in a lushly imagined court ruled by magic, intrigue, and desire, full of characters to both loathe and long for. Banta has created a world to sink into, where emotions run almost as high as the stakes for those trying to change destiny.”—Laura R. Samotin, author of The Sins On Their Bones

“The Court of Venus dazzles with a wholly original celestial magic system, irresistible slow-burn heat, and twisty court intrigue that grabs you by the throat. A compulsively readable romantic fantasy that shines as dangerously—and seductively—as the moon itself. Wildly imaginative, wickedly addictive, and impossible to put down!”—Jean Kwok, New York Times bestselling author of Dominion

“Lush, evocative magic set in a world of conflicting allegiances with a slow burn that devours. A must read.”—K.A. Linde, New York TImes bestselling author of The Wren in the Holly LIbrary

"The Court of Venus is a rollicking tale powered by a unique blend of astrology and magic. Bianca is a wonderful protagonist, navigating the turbulent intrigues of a royal court with grit and ingenuity. Romance, mystery, action—The Court of Venus has it all, including dragons!"—Louisa Morgan, author of The Faerie Morgana and A Secret History of Witches

"Banta's fantasy debut sparkles with celestial-inspired magic, dangerously seductive court intrigue, and a burning romance at its core that grips you from the first page to the last. Utterly immersive and gorgeously written, The Court of Venus is one of the best political fantasies I've read in years."—Lenora Woods, author of Roll for Romance

“Scintillating magic meets decadent court intrigue in Bel Banta’s glittering debut.Balancing both epic stakes and a tender romance, The Court of Venus is both thrilling and intimate—as striking as a constellation in the night sky.”—Chelsea Abdullah, award-winning author of The Stardust Thief




About the AuthorBel Banta is a bookseller and writer. She graduated from the University of Virginia and lives with her partner and two cats in Brooklyn. Some of her very favorite things include video games, coffee, and walking around the city listening to movie scores.
Title: The Court of Venus
Author(s): Bel Banta
ISBN: 9781250437143
Copyright 2026
Release Date: September 29, 2026
Publisher: Tor Publishing Group
Countries: United States, Canada | Learn more about available countries
Language: English
Format: None available | Learn More about our supported formats
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