Spicy Book Review 🌶️ ✨

Okay, so let's talk about 'Kiss of the Basilisk' by Lindsay Straube. I picked up this book after seeing it everywhere, and honestly, the dark, ornate cover with the figure and a snake immediately drew me in. I was intrigued by the promise of romantasy, especially one that hinted at being 'spicy.' And let me tell you, it delivered on the spice, maybe even a little too much for my taste at times! If you're wondering 'is Kiss of the Basilisk spicy?' The answer is a resounding YES. It's definitely an adult read, and the sensuality is a major component of the story. The original review mentioned it was 'overly sensual, even for an erotic fantasy,' and I completely get that. There were moments where I felt the plot took a back seat to the intimate scenes, which were frequent and quite explicit. For those specifically looking for 'spicy chapters' or a 'spicy chapters list,' you won't have to look far; they're woven throughout the narrative. While I appreciate a good steamy scene, sometimes I felt it bordered on gratuitous, which pulled me out of the immersive experience a bit. It’s definitely a book you read when you’re in the mood for something bold and uninhibited. Now, onto the characters, because this is where my feelings got really complicated. Our protagonist, Tem, was... a lot. The original review said she 'needs to shut up' and that she came across as annoying rather than strong, and I found myself nodding along. Her decisions often felt impulsive, and her internal monologue could be repetitive. However, the love interests, Caspen and Leo, truly saved the book for me. Their dynamic with Tem, and with each other, was captivating. I was fully invested in 'Tem and Caspen' and 'Caspen and Tem' as well as the dark allure surrounding 'Leo Kiss of the Basilisk'. Each prince brought so much complexity and depth, making the love triangle genuinely compelling. Their motivations, their secrets, and their burning desires for Tem kept me turning pages despite my frustrations with her. One of the quotes from the book, 'MY COMPASS POINTS TO YOU. I COULD NOT CHANGE DIRECTION EVEN IF I WANTED TO,' perfectly encapsulates the intense pull these characters felt for each other. And another, 'AM I TO SHARE YOU?', really highlights the tensions within the love triangle. The world-building, involving human and basilisk realms, was intriguing, though I wished for a bit more exploration beyond the immediate romance. Lindsay Straube has crafted a unique premise, even if the execution sometimes felt uneven. It’s certainly a unique read that will make you say 'WTF' at various points, in both good and slightly exasperating ways. Despite my mixed feelings, I, like the original reviewer, couldn't look away. It’s like a guilty pleasure read that you devour quickly. I'm actually on the fence about pre-ordering the second one, hoping Tem grows a bit more, and that we get even more of Caspen and Leo's compelling journeys. So, if you're into dark romantasy, don't mind a truly explicit story, and are willing to overlook a sometimes frustrating protagonist for some truly magnetic love interests, then 'Kiss of the Basilisk' by Lindsay Straube might just be your next wild ride. Just be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions and a significant amount of heat!