I Read Kiss of the Basilisk
Yesterday, I was writing about Emily Henry—today, it’s Lindsay Straube’s Kiss of the Basilisk. What can I say?? I contain multitudes.
With this post, I continue my journey of reading big romance hits outside of historicals. In these posts, I am talking about the relationship between mega popular romances and our beloved historical genre, including which readerships of popular books in other romance subgenres might be fertile ground for the historical.
Want a little taste of my take on this one? “KOTB is actually a lot like a historical. Its story world feels very 18th-century Europe to me, especially in the social dynamics at play and the level of technology (we get carriage smut, for instance). Tem, the protagonist, is low in the hierarchy of her village; she is elevated and ennobled twice over by her competing romances with the Basilisk Prince and the Human Prince. There are magic/supernatural elements to the world (duh, there are basilisks), but the magic system is pretty bare bones; it is not high fantasy. In short, while the fantasy elements were fun, I don’t really think the charm of the work hinges on those pieces, as is the case with ACTOAR and Fourth Wing and presumably many other romantasies. Rather, the interest of KOTB lies, to my mind, in the fact that it is a love triangle where Tem, the protagonist, has sex with both of her male love interests throughout the book.”
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Lindsay Straube's Kiss of the Basilisk offers a compelling fusion of historical romance and fantasy that stands out in the romantasy genre. Set in a world reminiscent of 18th-century Europe, the novel captures the era's social hierarchies and technological nuances, such as the use of carriages, which enrich the narrative and ground the reader in a familiar yet imaginative setting. The protagonist, Tem, navigates complex social dynamics as she is initially positioned low within her village's hierarchy but experiences elevation through her entanglements with two princes—the Basilisk Prince and the Human Prince. This dual romance introduces a captivating love triangle, a classic trope reinvigorated by Straube’s nuanced approach. The presence of basilisks and magical elements introduces fantasy aspects, albeit with a minimalist magic system that does not overpower the romantic and historical elements but rather complements them. Unlike high fantasy novels with elaborate worlds and intricate magic, Kiss of the Basilisk employs its supernatural facets sparingly, maintaining focus on character development and the emotional stakes within the love triangle. This stylistic choice makes the book accessible both to fans of historical romance who enjoy a touch of fantasy and readers who appreciate low-fantasy narratives. The novel's exploration of power, hierarchy, and desire within the constraints of an 18th-century inspired milieu invites readers to reflect on societal structures and personal agency. Tem's relationships illustrate themes of choice and transformation, underscored by the tension and intimacy that drive the story forward. Readers interested in romantasy, historical romance, and fantasy blends will find Kiss of the Basilisk an intriguing read. The book's balance of light magic, social intricacies, and passionate romance sets it apart from more conventional entries in either genre, affirming its appeal across diverse readerships.
