Kiss of the Basilisk

Split or Swallow, Book 1

De: Lindsay Straube

Narrado por: Elena Wolfe, Auron Wood

From internet sensation Lindsay Straube comes the first book in the sexy, biting Split or Swallow series, featuring dangerous basilisks, competitive seduction, and a love triangle that could destroy kingdoms.

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. When she uncovers a terrible secret about the royal family, Tem finds herself caught between two worlds, neither of which she can survive without.

Contains mature themes.

©2024, 2025 Lindsay Straube (P)2024, 2025 Tantor Media

Unhinged and addicting

This book just brings me joy. I have read it twice and couldn’t wait to listen to it on audio. Tem’s character development is amazing. I already have the second book pre-ordered. 10/10 for smut with an actual plot you will love.

3.5⭐️

Absolutely love this book. I did get a little bit smutted out. The reading dropped for me when the smut over around the plot. At some point, I was like OK let’s get on with it. But I loved that it was modernized and I hope that we see more open sexuality in the next book.

Temperance is toxic

The way she treated Leo was quite childish. I didn’t care for her character. The fight scenes also felt rushed. Temperance was constantly a damsel in distress her character was weak. It was a decent story.

It was good but too long.

It was good but maybe not has great as I was expecting after seeing the reviews on TT. It was also very long. Also, I think the sex scenes could have been written a bit spicier or better. There was a lot of sex but not sexy.

Torn between two lovers

It felt as if it didn’t go deep enough. Like it’s missing something. What’s Leo going to do with the Kingdom?

FMC personality wasn't adding up

This book was hyped all over BookTok, so the second it hit Audible, I grabbed it. But… why am I so disappointed? I really tried to immerse myself in this world, and while I could accept its traditions, the FMC completely lost me. She comes from a single-mother household, working on a farm, and gets bullied by a local girl who runs a bakery. Instead of standing up for herself against the bullying—or even the people mocking her for smelling like chicken—she stays silent. Yet when she meets men, suddenly she’s full of confidence and demands respect. The inconsistency in her character made her off-putting and exhausting to follow.

The story itself felt like 10% plot and 90% smut. Depending on your taste, that might be a win, but I personally needed more depth. Don’t get me wrong—the smut was fun, and I did find myself wondering if I also need a Basilisk 🤭. But the FMC dragged the story down, and the writing just wasn’t strong enough to balance it out.

Oh, and did I mention she has to sleep with her love interest’s father? Yeah. What the heck. It was bizarre read

The one saving grace? The narration—it was fantastic all the way through. Overall, though, the book just wasn’t for me.

It was great

If you read the description & go into this book without an open mind you're going to be highly displeased. It was great, The second half of the book was a little cheesy but if you're putting yourself in temperance's shoes (main girl) everything is totally normal and it's written well.

Enjoyable and spicy but other thoughts

I enjoyed the first part of this book, the spice is good, sensual, and often. The characters are well done, strong willed FMC, and good MMCs. I enjoyed the story telling as well, though not a duet, the narrator's voice was pleasant and they played all parts of characters well.
At some point it felt like it was becoming too much spice, almost if not every chapter and I won't lie I was becoming a little frustrated with the FMC and her constant back and forth choices. The ending felt a little rushed in my opinion but maybe its to pave for the next book.
Overall, I did enjoy it the majority of the time.

I have sold 30+ of these books and everyone loves it

This book changed my whole life, my standard of books, my perspective of romantasy. I have been obsessed with this book from day one so much so it has become my token identity. I have a blind date shop and i keep a half a shelf just for these amazing books. The ending had me so emotional and the attachment to the characters I havent felt since ACOTAR. Thank you for this masterpiece

I did actually like this book not just for the smut

I loved the overall story! I think it was very well written the spice was spicing! I don’t think there was too much of one thing, but I do love two princes and a girl!!!! Was kind of hoping for all three of them to hook up, but that’s OK. The ending was very happy ending and the epilogue blew my mind so I’m excited to hear the next book.! 5 stars all around