Split or Swallow by Lindsay Straube

3.16k reviews for:

Split or Swallow

Lindsay Straube

3.53 AVERAGE

haileylikestoread37's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 47%
The whole book had a plot that reminded me of a sex crazed version of “The selection” but without enough substitute. 

<Spoiler>
I tried to finish and figure out the main characters back story but…the plot twist of “I would have to have sex with your father?” Is what made me put down the put officially. (SA scene and concept that was not needed)
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_starlitstories's profile picture

_starlitstories's review against another edition

4.0
adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
Kiss of the Basilisk by Lindsay Straube

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5  

Genre/Tropes:

Fantasy romance 

  • monster romance 
  • love triangle 
  • forbidden romance 
  • empowerment/ coming of age 

Quick Summary:

Kiss of the Basilisk is a fantasy romance with tons of tension between the main characters who find themselves in a love triangle. Tem is forced into a royal competition and while doing so, she begins to figure out who exactly she is. 

What I Loved:

  • I LOVED Tems character development through the entire story.
  • Lindsay was able to perfectly balance spice and plot within this story. 
  • The relationship between Leo and Tem had me drooling! talk about slow burn! 

Spice Level:  🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 

  • This book is not a fade to black book. If you don’t like spice, this one might not be for you. There was a smutty scene just about every chapter. 

Final Thoughts:

I would 100% recommend this book! I read this book in one sitting. I will definitely be reading the next book Lindsay puts out! Kiss of the basilisk is perfect for fans of monster romance, love triangles and political tension in fantasy! 


marni521's profile picture

marni521's review against another edition

4.0
challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

sarahs_silentlibrary's review against another edition

5.0
adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

lelliie's review against another edition

3.5
Bizzare. Wild. Still not sure what I just read. 
casperjograe's profile picture

casperjograe's review against another edition

3.0
The concept of this book is very….interesting. If you’re wanting a book that’s more smut based and less plot.. Boom. Split or Swallow this one!

celticwitch's review against another edition

3.5
dark emotional mysterious slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

naked_genius's review against another edition

5.0
challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS! This book is completely unhinged! A Basilisk snake shifter gives  spicy seduction lessons to a naive farm girl who is in a competition for the hand of the prince as part of a centuries old truce between the humans and the basilisks. Things of course get complicated, emotions run a muck, long buried secrets come to light, spicy rituals take place, families are reunited and torn apart. This book has it all.

Forget slow burn! This is a super spicy fast burn that heats up in the first few chapters and doesn’t quit. And unlike a lot of fast burns the plot does not take a back seat! Both plot and spice are intertwined and front and center! It will leave you screaming and begging for more! I immediately pre-ordered book 2 the second I finished this.

  One of my favorite spicy fantasy books of all time!
hannah_benz's profile picture

hannah_benz's review against another edition

4.0
adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
semisweetgeek's profile picture

semisweetgeek's review against another edition

3.0
challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated