Kiss of the Basilisk by Lindsay Straube

Kiss of the Basilisk by Lindsay Straube | A Review

Hi Readers!!!!

Welcome to Quills and Pages. Another day, another tale to unthread—today, we’re peeling back the pages of Kiss of the Basilisk. I have been hearing a lot about this book on social media, so I thought, let's read it. This is book 1 in the Split or Swallow series. So, strap in—here we go!

It comes with a warning!!!

BLURB

THIS BOOK IS NOT SAFE TO READ AT WORK. YOU'VE BEEN WARNED.
Twenty year old Temperance Verus has never been kissed. But that's what the basilisk is for.
Along with thirteen other contestants, Tem must train with a basilisk to learn the power of seduction and win the prince's hand in marriage. When Tem is matched with Caspen, the Serpent King, she realizes she might actually stand a chance. But with tensions rising between the basilisks and the humans, Tem is suddenly torn in two directions. As her bond with Caspen deepens, so does her connection with the prince. And when she uncovers a terrible secret about the royal family, Tem finds herself caught between two neither of which she can survive without.
Guaranteed to make you blush (and then some), Split or Swallow is like if fanfic Draco Malfoy went on the Bachelor and had to compete with a snake. Sounds fun, doesn't it? That's because it is!!

GENRE
Some amalgamation of Fantasy, dark romance, and something 😅

THEME AND TONE
too spiciiiiierrrrr to handle

LANGUAGE AND WRITING STYLE
Okay to Read

CHARACTERS
Simple characters with too much time on their hands

TROPES

☙ Love Triangle

☙ Magical Training/Competition

☙ Forbidden Love

☙ Court Intrigue

☙ Deep Politics

☙ Enemies to Lovers(potential)

☙ Coming of Age

☙ Bonding with the Monster

☙ A war between races is brewing

MY REVIEW
I was not ready for this book. I like to consider myself that I can read anything spicy and it won't stun me (perks of being a dark romance reader) but this book did STUNNED me into speechlessness. I was reading it and I was like WHAT THE WHAT is happening man. And when I would be like taking a breath, thinking okay, everything is fine now we can proceed to the next chapter, and something else more whiplashy, twisty, stupid (not really) type of thing will happen in the next chapter.

To sum things up, it was way too spicy. The angst that I wanted to read about was not there. The one Male lead had no personality at all, even though he is portrayed to be someone dangerous and hot. He was plain as hell....the other main lead showed promise because there is a dynamic to his character. I like him, tho I do not like that type, but I still like him. The female lead has a shortage of brain cells. She cannot think, she cannot make a decision, her whole life revolves around losing her virginity like it's some kind of holy thing she has to do, and comparing herself to the most trashy person in the town. There it is, I said it. She annoyed me so much.

On the whole, the plot is okay; it could have been much more, but it is okay as it is the first book in the series. I am thinking it's gonna be better in the next book, and maybe the Female lead will show more of her character. She has an important role to play in politics. I hope she is up to the task. If you are a lover of heavy spice, this book is for you. GO read!!.

MY RATING
Overall: ★★ | 2 Stars

Plot: ★★| 2 Stars

World Building: ★| 1 Stars

Characters:★ | 1 Stars

Pacing: ★ | 1 Star

Mystery: ★★ | 2 Stars

Ending: ★| 1 Stars

Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶| 5/5 ( it should be 10/10 tho)

Book Cover:★★★| 3 Stars ( I like it)

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