Kneel Before Me
From New York Times bestseller Lindsay Straube comes a prequel in the sexy, biting Split or Swallow series.
Daphne never meant to want him—
the monster who could destroy her…
and the only one who never would.
Now they're both caught between
Their duties and their love.
Daphne Verus never planned to compete for the prince.
Now she's expected to trade the safety of her village for the caves beneath the mountain and be trained by Kronos Seneca—a basilisk who could overpower her, bite her, turn her to stone…but who also sees her better than anyone ever has and wants her despite himself.
The only rule between them is the one she sets: no sex.
She's spent her whole life giving herself to men who didn't deserve it. Kronos is a monster by nature. But he honors her word when no one else ever has, and that is the most dangerous thing about him.
Because if Daphne lets herself feel, she might discover she's capable of love after all.
And if Kronos claims her, he risks destroying everything—including his own chance at the crown.
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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.
