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.

The first book, Kiss of the Basilisk, draws readers into a world where power is seductive, and every choice leads down a path of temptation and ruin. Here, ancient rituals, dark romance, and high-stakes competition collide. Temperance must navigate a brutal contest to claim the prince’s hand, all while training with a basilisk bound by unspoken secrets. It’s a place where human and basilisk relationships blur the lines between mastery and manipulation, and each interaction could be her last.

Straube’s writing is as sharp and intoxicating as the creatures she weaves into her world. Her characters, flawed and complex, grapple with love, betrayal, and the cost of ambition in a kingdom where every betrayal carries a heavy price. The series' dark romance and slow-burn tension hold a mirror to the harsh realities of survival in a world where even the smallest act can tip the scales between life and death.

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.