I love the idea of astrology magic and The Court of Venus is so good! I didn’t even know I’d be into that until I read it and I am! Keep reading this book review of The Court of Venus for my full thoughts.
Summary
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.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
The Court of Venus swept me away. I love the idea of planetary and astrology magic. It felt unique and fresh while also introducing the idea of transformation magic. While many might tell you this is a story about trials, I’d tell you something different. The Court of Venus is, instead a story about friendship, loss, and mystery. It features two former rivals and friends who come together after all this time to unravel what happened to their best friend. Bianca is thrown into this Tudor style court of vipers. With her transformation magic, and power, she can’t trust where she steps and being entangled with her former rival, the new advisor sparks instant intrigue.
The magical transformations are some of my favorite magic types! I loved how both Bianca and Roland have to unravel their childhood memories, all the misconceptions. It’s a slow burn spark where they have to question their memories and dive back into the past for the truth. I loved the mixture of court politics and courts in general and by the end I was screaming for them! Samantha Hydeson does a brilliant job at weaving this world and making you feel their tension. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this one, but I found myself finding excuses to take walks and listen!
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Find The Court of Venus on Goodreads, Storygraph, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.