Bel Banta Recommends: Fantasy Reads for Every Planet and Zodiac Sign

17 hours ago

3 min read

What does your zodiac sign say about your next read? Bel Banta, author of The Court of Venus, matches the seven traditional planets with fantasy books perfect for every kind of magic.

Her Advantage Front Cover by Hannah Bicknell

I am both an author and a bookseller, and I find these two jobs are in constant conversation with one another. What I read inspires my writing. My writing inspires my reading. And my favorite thing in the world is recommending books, talking about books, adding books to my TBR… you get the idea. I’m sure you are the same.

My debut romantic fantasy, The Court of Venus, is inspired by Tudor England and the astrologers who advised kings. Throughout my research, I discovered that each of the seven traditional planets (Mars, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury, The Sun, and The Moon), felt like characters themselves. They had personalities. Strengths and weaknesses. And in The Court of Venus, they bless magicians with power. Venusborn magicians can read desires, while Mercuryborn can create complex ciphers and new languages, and so on.

I thought it would be fun to recommend fantasy books for each kind of magician in my world. If you’re curious, I’ve also included the zodiac signs ruled by each planet below.

Bel Banta's Fantasy Book Recommendations

The Sun

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang Front Cover

Leo

In The Court of Venus, The Sun is the planet of truth and illumination. The perfect read for a Sunborn (or a Leo) would be Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang.

I don’t want to spoil anything, but this dark academia follows a mage who will do anything to reveal a terrible truth – and it is one of the best books I’ve ever read.

Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross Front Cover

The Moon

Cancer

Emotional, moody, and nostalgic, I think a Moonborn (or a Cancer) would love Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross.

There is so much yearning and pining in this one, and because it takes inspiration from history and myth, it will sweep you away.

Mercury

Heated Rilvalry by Rachel Reid Front Cover

Gemini, Virgo

Mercury is the planet of communication and language, so Babel by R.F. Kuang is the perfect read for a Mercuryborn (or a Gemini or Virgo).

It has a quick-witted cast of characters and a fascinating magic system based around the nuances of translation. You will never think about language the same way after you read Babel.

Jupiter

Gemini, Virgo

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake Front Cover

Jupiter is the planet of abundance and luck, and when Jupiterborn are the right hands to kings, the kingdom overflows with wealth. But sometimes that thirst for knowledge and power can lead them down dark paths.

I’d recommend The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake, which is about six magicians competing for glory and a position in an elite institution, for its enduring themes around ambition and greed.

Venus

Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey Front Cover

Taurus, Libra

Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey is a fantasy classic, and it would be perfect for a Venusborn – and for any Tauruses or Libras.

It has everything a Venusborn would love: political intrigue, courtesans, and danger lurking beneath beautiful surfaces.

Mars

Scorpio, Aries

Mars is the planet of action, impulse, and pain. In The Court of Venus, Marsborns often have to reckon with the violence and hurt they inflict.

The Poppy War series by R.F. Kuang would be the perfect read, as it doesn’t shrink away from the atrocities and horrors of war.

Excited to discover more about The Court of Venus? Keep your eyes peeled for our upcoming Q&A with Bel Banta on 12th November! ✨

About Bel Banta:

Bel Banta is a bookseller, writer, and author of The Court of Venus. 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.