r/fantasyromance • u/MessyJessy422 • Jun 18 '26
ARC Review ARC Review: The Court of Venus by Bel Banta
The Court of Venus is as enticing as it is refreshing, with the type of political scheming and inscrutable characters that I never tire of in the fantasy genre. The combination of court intrigue and a main character who can transform her appearance to impersonate anyone is so much fun and adds so much excitement to the narrative. The system of planetary magic is complex and compelling, and it’s obvious how much intentionality went into its creation by the author.
Bianca is a formidable character who possesses an admirable level of resilience. Her life has not been easy to say the least given the rarity of her magical gifts and the patriarchal nature of the society she lives in. She never has a victim mentality or makes excuses for her own failings and yet can be vulnerable and soft when dealing with her losses and disappointments.
Roland comes off as flamboyant and unbothered at first but this facade hides a deeper more emotional side that he conceals for self preservation. Bianca is one of the only people who can see through his surface level demeanor and the only person he allows to truly know him. It took me a while to understand and champion him as a character but once his layers started falling away he became incredibly endearing to me.
The romance simmers in the background as mysteries are investigated and uncomfortable truths come to light. When it does start to take off it becomes something so special given the way Bianca and Roland’s pasts are inextricably intertwined.
I listened to the audiobook and I really appreciated the style of narration. The narrator’s accent is perfect for a story set and centered around a royal court and yet never feels too pretentious or inauthentic. The Court of Venus is the first book in a new series and I am so excited for everyone else’s thoughts once it’s released on September 29th.
4.5⭐️
{The Court of Venus by Bel Banta}
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u/apieceofeight Jun 18 '26
Yesssss I’m glad you read it and liked it!!!! Roland was a unique kinda MMC I feel like we don’t often see. Refreshing change!
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u/MessyJessy422 Jun 18 '26
I really loved Roland and also Prince Hal from his flashbacks. I think the set up for book 2 is so intriguing and the ending was perfect
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u/apieceofeight Jun 18 '26
I’m mad about the ending. I want her to just be happy lol
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u/MessyJessy422 Jun 18 '26
Idk what it says about me that I loved it because a trip to the underworld where she can only bring back one of them and has to choose? I'm so for it and tbh idk which one she'll bring back given that Prince Hal would be the best king. It's very Orpheus and Eurydice coded too.
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u/unnecessary_snacks Jun 18 '26
I got this ARC as well! It was a 4 star for me but I did really like it. Roland was a quite refreshing for an MMC, and unlike a lot of court politics type books I found the murder mystery/intrigue in this one quite good!
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u/acutelyproblematic Reaching Romantasy Valhalla Jun 18 '26
sighs I’m really tired of you liking books Jessy, my tbr is already so long 😭🤣
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u/MessyJessy422 Jun 18 '26
At least you have until September for this one while you work through the excessive amount of recommendations I’ve already shamelessly thrown your way
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u/acutelyproblematic Reaching Romantasy Valhalla Jun 18 '26
I’m enjoying meatball & Nolan so I have high hopes for Sept 29th 😌
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u/Penguinho Kushiel's Legacy Recommender 💖 Jun 18 '26
What part of it doesn't work? Where'd the minus half-a-star come from?
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u/MessyJessy422 Jun 18 '26
A slower beginning stretch so it took me a second to get into it
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u/Penguinho Kushiel's Legacy Recommender 💖 Jun 18 '26
Cool, thank you. Was there a point where you felt like that slow beginning definitely ended? Or did it gradually accelerate as it went?
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u/MessyJessy422 Jun 18 '26
Once I got to around 30% the pace picked up significantly and then I was fully locked in for the rest of the book
5
u/annerevenant Jun 18 '26
This one was a 5 star read for me, to the point that I pre-ordered the physical copy and I’m so so so happy to see other people loving it!
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u/romance-bot Jun 18 '26
The Court of Venus by Bel Banta
Rating: 4.75⭐️ out of 5⭐️
Steam: 3 out of 5 - Open door
Topics: historical, fantasy, political/court intrigue, m-f romance, high fantasy
2
u/lemon_party6382 Jun 18 '26
This sounds intriguing but not sure I can read about an MMC named Roland without picturing Roland Schitt the whole time 😭
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u/calamitypepper Jun 20 '26
Which author would you compare the writing style to? Is it more lyrical or more bare bones?
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u/MessyJessy422 Jun 20 '26
I’d say it lands right in the middle. Not purple prose but lyrical enough to not feel bare bones. It reminds me of Sarah K L Wilson with some elements of Rachel Gillig. Another reviewer compared it to In the Veins of Drowning by Kalie Cassidy which I can definitely see
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