Kiss of the Basilisk
From internet sensation and Amazon bestseller Lindsay Straube comes the first book in the sexy, biting Split or Swallow series, featuring dangerous basilisks, competitive seduction, and a love triangle that could destroy kingdoms.
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. When she uncovers a terrible secret about the royal family, Tem finds herself caught between two worlds, neither of which she can survive without.
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Lindsay Straube
Lindsay Straube never set out to write about seductive serpents and crumbling kingdoms—but somewhere between late nights in Portland cafés and binge-watching subtitled dramas, the world of Split or Swallow was born. With her debut novel, Kiss of the Basilisk, Straube invites readers into a lush, dangerous realm where alliances shift like quicksand and love is often the deadliest gamble.
In Kiss of the Basilisk, readers meet Temperance Verus, a woman thrust into a brutal competition where basilisks—deadly, sentient creatures—serve as both guides and threats. Straube’s writing stands out for its rich emotional undercurrents and razor-edged wit, exploring themes of power, identity, and forbidden desire. Her characters aren't just fighting for survival—they're battling their own darkest instincts.
Split or Swallow
In the Split or Swallow series, trust is a dangerous game, and love is a gamble with life and death. Temperance Verus, a sharp-witted, emotionally scarred young woman, enters a world where basilisks—serpent-like creatures with intelligence and deadly power—are more than mere beasts. They are mentors, rivals, and threats, forcing those who engage with them to confront their deepest fears and desires.
Split or Swallow consists of two books and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
