MoodReads - Romance Book Discovery
The Stacks
DiscoverMy ShelvesReading Stats
Sign upLog in
MoodReads - Romantasy Book Discovery

because goodreads doesn't
have a spice filter

Discover

  • Discover Page
  • Reading Stacks
  • Tropes
  • Moods
  • Creatures
  • Spicy Books

Get MoodReads

  • so what is it.
  • iOS App
  • Browser Extension
  • MoodReads Premium
  • Gift a Subscription
  • For Creators
  • Share MoodReads

Go Deeper

  • FAQ
  • Roadmap
  • Request a Feature
  • vs Goodreads
  • vs StoryGraph
  • Who Built This?

The Serious Stuff

  • Values
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Support

get emails when something big happens. no spam, just news.

© 2026 MoodReads. Built by a romantasy reader for romantasy readers.

rattle the stars, bitches.

Cover of Kiss of the Basilisk

Kiss of the Basilisk

by Lindsay Straube

🌶️🌶️mild·Split or Swallow #1
3.3 on MoodReads (4 ratings)3.6 on Goodreads (89,128)

Rate this book

sign in to add to shelves, track reading status, and see your stats

Available on Kindle Unlimited
find similar →
ReportSpoiler settings

Ending

reveal ending

Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?

Basilisk shifter romance that went viral on BookTok for a reason—Caspen is possessive, Temperance is in over her head, and the palace competition framework keeps you turning pages between the absolutely unhinged spice scenes.

Synopsis

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!!

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

First in the Split or Swallow series, originally self-published before Bloom Books picked it up in Feb 2025. Temperance competes in a royal matchmaking ritual paired with Caspen, the Serpent King basilisk shifter, while also catching the prince's eye. The spice is relentless—nearly every chapter—and the CWs are extensive (SA, dubcon, torture, captivity). Readers who want plot with their monster romance may find it front-loaded with smut, but the worldbuilding around basilisk-human politics deepens as it goes. Ends on a cliffhanger.

trope onetrope twotrope threetrope four

Book Details

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.

3.57 ★ (89.1k)

Page CountHow long the commitment is.

528 pages

PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.

2024

Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?

Dark Romance

PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.

M/F

POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).

First Person

Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.

Instant Attraction

CliffhangerEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.

reveal ending

AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

Yes

FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.

Single Narrator (female)

NarratorThe voice in your ears.

Elena Wolfe, Auron Wood

Narrator Count

Dual

TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
captive romancedark romanceforced proximitymonster romancelove trianglecompetition romancevirgin x experiencedbeauty and the beastforced alliance
RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.

darkintensechaoticunhingedtensesteamyferaldangerous

Writing StyleHow the author writes - prose style, dialogue approach, and narrative voice. This is about craft and delivery, not emotional effect.

immersiverawdarkedgyseductive

Story PacingDoes the story sprint or saunter? Fast = you'll miss sleep. Slow = you'll savor every word. Medium = balanced chaos.

fast

Emotional WeightHow much are you gonna cry? Light = fun feels. Moderate = real stakes. Heavy = bring tissues. Devastating = call your therapist.

heavy

Energy RequiredCan you read this on a Tuesday after work, or do you need a full Saturday and three cups of coffee? Low/Medium/High.

medium

VibesOne perfect sentence that captures the essence. Like: 'Fae politics meets forbidden romance with zero chill.'

forbidden desiremorally complexviral booktok sensationmonster x human obsession

Characters

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

FMC ArchetypeWho is she? The female main character's core identity/role. Assassin? Healer? General Badass?

innocent / shelteredsurvivorreluctant chosen one

MMC ArchetypeWho is he? The male main character's core identity/role. Your exact flavor of book boyfriend.

beast / monster MMCpossessive alphaferal/unhingedmorally gray MMCking / ruling monarch

Relationship DynamicsThe interpersonal dynamic between the main characters. How do they relate to each other? This is about character energy and connection style, not plot situations.

possessive love interestobsessive love interestforbidden lovepredator x preycaptor/captivepush and pullexperienced x innocent

Spice Details 🌶️

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
🌶️
Spice Level 2

Spice StyleNot just how much spice, but what kind. Emotional intimacy? Explicit but vanilla? Plot-driven heat? Know your flavor.

animalistic / primalrough / aggressive styleprimal / feral stylepossessive / claiming styledark / taboo stylefrequent explicit scenes

Getting SteamyGentle kinks. Fun but nothing too crazy. The appetizer, so to speak.

praise kinkbegging kinkjealous/possessive during intimacybody worshiptensionanticipationpossessive/protectivetouch starvation

Bringing the HeatFor those who know exactly what they came for. This is where you find your exact brand of chaos. The good stuff.

rough/aggressive intimacybondage/restraintchoking/breath playbreeding/fertility themesexhibitionismpossessivemarkingclaimingdominanceprimal play (hunting/chasing)monster romance elementsmonstrous anatomy
Browse more books by spice level →
This stuff might hit different. No shame in needing to know what's coming. (17)▼
spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
sexual assaultattempted sexual assaultemotional abusegraphic violencekidnappingtorturetraumaviolencedeathcaptivitydubious consentstalkingbloodbullyingclassismwarmisogyny
Browse books by content warning →

World & Setting

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

World TypeWhat kind of world are you stepping into? High fantasy = full secondary world. Urban fantasy = magic in modern cities. Portal = starts here, goes there.

high fantasy

Primary SettingWhere does the story physically take place? Court intrigue = palace. Dark academia = campus. Cozy witch vibes = small town. This is about location, not world rules.

royal court / palaceacademy / campusprison / captivity

Fantasy CreaturesWhat supernatural beings populate this world? Fae courts, vampire covens, dragon riders, or just regular humans doing their best.

monstersshifters

Reading Context

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Emotional PayoffWhat you get for showing up. The catharsis, the growth, the 'I'm a different person now' moment. This is why the hard books are worth it.

obsessedferal brain activatedthe angst deliveredaddictive readvicarious thrill

Best Time of YearSeasonal mood rings for books. Summer romance reads different than winter gothic.

autumn

When & Where to ReadContext matters. Some books are Beach Trip energy, others are 3am Bedtime spiral-reads. Trust.

at nightbedtimecan't sleepvacation

Split or Swallow

Kiss of the Basilisk

#1 Kiss of the Basilisk

Between Two Kings

#2 Between Two Kings

this page is just the start

  • import your Goodreads or StoryGraph TBR. we tag every book with spice, tropes, CWs, mood, all of it
  • tell us a vibe (“enemies to lovers fae, high spice”) and BookMatch finds the book
  • 4,000+ romantasy books searchable by 45 fields
  • book clubs, reading challenges, and a community of readers who get it
free account

Quick Facts

Spice LevelThe heat scale. 0=wholesome, 1=kisses, 2=fade-to-black, 3=tasteful spice, 4=explicit, 5=you need a cold shower. Know thyself.🌶️🌶️mild
PagesHow long the commitment is.528
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.2024
GoodreadsThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.3.57 ★ (89.1k)
EndingEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.reveal ending

SeriesThe series this book belongs to and where it falls in the reading order.

Split or Swallow #1
Similar picks →

My Notes

Loading...

Short Takes

quick 280-character reactions for this book. drop a thought, rate the vibe, keep scrolling.

Sign in to share your take.

Loading...

Book Chat

live reactions, hot takes, screaming into the void about Kiss of the Basilisk

Similar Books

Cover of Feathers So ViciousKU

Feathers So Vicious

Court of Ravens, #1

Liv Zander

🌶️🌶️·multi-POV
dark romancecaptive romanceenemies to lovers
Cover of The RitualKU

The Ritual

L.O.R.D.S., #1

Shantel Tessier

🌶️🌶️·dual POV
dark romancecaptive romancecollege romance
Cover of Her Soul to Take (Souls Trilogy, #1)KU

Her Soul to Take (Souls Trilogy, #1)

Souls Trilogy, #1

Harley Laroux

🌶️🌶️·dual POV
dark romancemonster romanceforced proximity
Cover of Shadows so CruelKU

Shadows so Cruel

Court of Ravens, #2

Liv Zander

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️·first person·✓
captive romancedark romanceforced proximity
Cover of The Never KingKU

The Never King

Vicious Lost Boys, #1

Nikki St. Crowe

🌶️🌶️·first person·✓
captive romancedark romanceforced proximity
Cover of The SinnerKU

The Sinner

L.O.R.D.S., #2

Shantel Tessier

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️·dual POV
dark romancestalker romancecaptive romance
Cover of God of MaliceKU

God of Malice

Legacy of Gods, #1

Rina Kent

🌶️🌶️·dual POV
captive romancedark romancecollege romance
Cover of Rose in Chains

Rose in Chains

The Evermore Trilogy, #1

Julie Soto

🌶️🌶️·first person
captive romanceenemies to loversforced proximity