Book Review: Kiss of the Basilisk by Lindsay Straube
Title: Kiss of the Basilisk (Split or Swallow #1)
Author: Lindsay Straube
Genre: Dark Romantasy / Erotic Fantasy
Pages: ~528
he Story
Temperance Verus—Tem—has never been kissed. In her world, that’s not just an awkward fact; it’s a liability. Selected to train among the deadly and divine basilisk shifters, Tem must master seduction itself to win the prince’s heart. But her fate tangles with Caspen—the Serpent King—whose charm is as lethal as his fangs.
As she learns what it means to awaken a basilisk’s desire, Tem finds herself caught in a web of power, politics, and passion. The line between devotion and destruction blurs, and every kiss feels like a test of survival.
This is a story of lust and loyalty, of what happens when love itself becomes venom.
What I Loved
1. The Boldness
Kiss of the Basilisk doesn’t tiptoe. It’s daring, decadent, and filled with heat that borders on mythic. Straube leans into eroticism without apology, creating a story that feels both dangerous and indulgent.
2. The Worldbuilding Twist
Forget vampires and fae—basilisk shifters are the new monsters to fear (and crave). The mythology around bonding rituals and venom-kissed intimacy is fresh and fascinating.
3. The Emotional Intensity
There’s a constant hum of tension—romantic, sexual, political. The push and pull between Tem, Caspen, and the prince keeps the pages turning with feverish momentum.
What Fell Short
1. The Spice Overload
At times, the endless seduction scenes threaten to eclipse the plot. The passion is strong, but I craved more emotional depth between the heat.
2. Familiar Tropes
Tem occasionally slips into the “not like other girls” archetype, and the love triangle feels predictably unbalanced. Still, the execution has enough bite to keep you hooked.
3. Worldbuilding Gaps
With so much focus on the sensual, the wider world—its history, magic systems, and politics—sometimes fades into the background.
My Take
Kiss of the Basilisk is not for the faint of heart. It’s wild, intoxicating, and unapologetically dark. If you love fantasy dripping with lust, danger, and dramatic tension, this one will crawl under your skin and stay there.
For others, it may feel like too much of a good (or wicked) thing—but that’s part of its power. This is the kind of book that divides readers, and that’s exactly what makes it worth talking about.
Final Verdict
✨ 3.8 / 5 stars ✨
Seductive, strange, and unforgettable. A debut that proves romance can be both poison and pleasure.
Live Deliciously Verdict:
If you loved The Serpent and the Wings of Night or Den of Vipers but wanted something darker, stranger, and steamier—add Kiss of the Basilisk to your TBR.