Kiss of the Basilisk (Deluxe Edition): A Split or Swallow Novel (Split or Swallow, 1)

“Say goodbye to the person you were before this book. And once you’ve read it, hand it to your friend so they can read it too.” ⬅️ I mean, THAT is the author’s note!WOW. I can’t believe what I just read—and I LOVED every euphoric, jaw-dropping minute of it. This book set my romantasy bar sky-high. If it’s not this level of unhinged, imaginative, and deliciously bold, I don’t want it.S*x is the plot. In any and every form you COULDN’T even imagine. Every page had me blushing, gasping, and questioning my morals—in the best way. But every scene somehow hit harder than the last—creative, emotional, meaningful... and absolutely unskimmable.But it’s so much more than just spice. Loyalties are tested. Secrets unravel. And at the heart of it all: a world split between humans and basilisks—otherworldly creatures who look like walking sin in human form.The setup? Think The Bachelor, but if the contestants were trained by a "pleasure mentor"… yes, these basilisk mentors teach them how to be good in bed and the human prince chooses his future queen based on their skills. It’s wild. It’s filthy. Nothing is taboo (remember this). And it somehow still gives you all the feels.Please, go in blind like I did—you’ll thank me. If you love romantasy and five-alarm spice that’s actually well-written, this one needs to rocket to the top of your list.5 stars. No hesitation. This is my #1 read of 2025 so far. And book two? I’ll be waiting. FERALLY.

Okay, going into this I truly didn’t know what to expect. I was unaware of how good this could actually be.I feel like they’re such a difference between smut and smut with a plot, and this definitely had a really good plot line. The smut was expected when you look at the description of the book and what the whole point of it is.You have this basilisk literally preparing her for another man, in whatever way pleases him, I know a lot of people didn’t like the amount of space that was in it but when you think about it, it makes sense.I got about halfway through and could not decide who I liked more MMC wise. I love caspen, but I also really love Leo and I think that Tem does a really good job of bringing out the best in both characters as they bring out the best in her.I’m really excited for the second book and selfishly. I really hope it is still along the lines of Why choose.Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5Tropes:🖤 touch her and die🖤 enemies to lovers🖤 shifter romance🖤 why chooseish🖤 smut with a plot

I read half way through the novel and enjoyed it! I’m leaving it here, however, because there are some things I just don’t want to read anymore 😅Spoilers:I don’t like that Tem is basically engaged to Caspen but she keeps pursuing Leo. Don’t get me wrong, I like Leo and shipped them a ton, but it bothered me that Tem and Caspen had that whole fest where they validated their feelings and said they have a special connection and they’re ENGAGED… clearly implying that they’re not teacher/student anymore and that there’s expected MONOGAMY… but she doesn’t seem to think that’s any reason to withhold herself from enjoying Leo? But if CASPEN slept with someone after that point (heck, even before that point) it would’ve broken her heart. I just don’t get it. Yes Caspen is vague and keeps information from her, but she should have told him that she didn’t trust him fully/didn’t want to be engaged yet. Instead she agreed to the engagement, but the second Caspen is distant with her (which is a pattern with him; this isn’t some new form of punishment. She KNOWS he’s not good at communicating, but she ALSO isn’t communicating her questions and feelings and concerns, and instead) she decides to punish Caspen for it.I just don’t like it. I like Leo, but I don’t like that Tem wants to sleep with whoever when it would hurt her if the guys did that to her.It also bothered me, in the beginning, that Tem seemed focused on losing her V card (and earning her family some honor) more than anything else. Caspen and the basilisks are essentially sl*ves?? They’re subjugated by the humans and forced to sleep with them for their royalty’s sake?? That’s messed up but it’s explained away by simply saying basilisks are s*xual beings. But if they’re being coerced, then they can’t give consent. This never seemed to cross Tem’s mind, maybe because she saw basilisks as simpleminded monsters more than beings with their own thoughts and feelings and rights. Which makes her seem… young. Just very naive, like she’s 16 and excited to kiss boys in the dark meanwhile the ‘boy’ she’s kissing is ensl*ved along with his family and has no choice in the matter. Homie is trapped in a CAVE for all of eternity and all she’s focused on is why he won’t stick her so she can be just as experienced as all the other girls. She says that him not ridding her of her V card is ruining her chances in the competition with the prince AKA her livelihood, meanwhile I’m reading it thinking that she shouldn’t feel entitled to HIS intimacy. This isn’t his JOB as her teacher, he’s not getting paid to be there. He’s not getting work benefits and paid vacation and healthcare. He’s FORCED to be there, and all she cares about is HER future and HER chances at a better life.Tem is focused on TEM. She’s not worried about freeing the basilisks or learning if they’re all actually good people/not monsters (or if Caspen is different/special). She hears a voice saying ‘help’ but forgets the second a boy gives her some attention. She’s not worried about Leo’s comments about being punished if he’s with her, or Caspen’s similar comments. I feel like, if she really liked either of them… wouldn’t she be a little more self sacrificing? A little more “I don’t want you to put your life in danger just to be with me, because I love you more than that” but she just doesn’t seem that pressed about it despite it being at the top of my mind.She just wants them; she just wants it all. Part of me is like “go off, queen, collect ‘em all” but another part of me is like… she’s going to potentially be a QUEEN? Since both the guys are princes?? TEM as a queen? When her greatest goals in life are living a comfortable life (valid) and getting boys to like her?? I can’t even tell if she likes THEM as people, or if she just likes that they like HER, you know? It just seems very pre-teen to me. I can’t imagine Tem marrying a prince and becoming a queen when her only concerns are her immediate future and which boy finds her worthy of attention.I’m being a little harsh, but I just can’t fathom how Tem doesn’t seem concerned at all. The basilisks, her potential fiancé, are SL*VES, bro. She HAS to know that there’s no viable future for them, not in the world as it is now, not without some great sacrifice on both of their ends… but she never really pushes for an answer…I just don’t want to read anymore lol. The book kept me interested but I don’t like our MC enough. She’s not focusing enough on the important bits. Tem doesn’t seem ‘strong’ to me, just witty? But sass is construed as strength ig. Wasn’t she trying to win a better life for her and her mom? That was admirable, but it’s thrown by the wayside in favor of Tem focusing on Tem. Not in a girl-boss way, but more in the inherently selfish way all kids are focused on themselves because they’re not really aware enough to focus on others with the same intensity. I don’t want her to be a queen, lol.