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.
The series
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.
Read full series description
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.
The series grows with each new twist, pushing boundaries and exploring what it truly means to wield power, not just over others, but over one’s self. With Split or Swallow, readers are plunged into a narrative that feels both dangerous and intimate, offering a deep dive into a realm where every choice leaves a mark, and every kiss might be your last.
For those who crave intricate world-building, morally gray characters, and romance that’s anything but predictable, Split or Swallow offers a dark, thrilling ride. It's a journey through desire, danger, and deception, where the stakes couldn’t be higher—and no one escapes unscathed.
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