Romantasy Bookstore

Kiss of the Basilisk (Standard Edition): A Split or Swallow Novel by Lindsay Straube

$18.99 USD

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Standard Edition • “Survival demands submission… and desire is the most dangerous game of all.”

From internet sensation Lindsay Straube comes a searing romantasy where the palace’s prettiest tradition hides teeth. Think matchmaking ritual + magical creature bonding + a dangerously magnetic partner who is absolutely not here to play by court rules.

The vibe

Temperance Verus has never been kissed—which is… not ideal when she’s chosen for the palace’s most watched matchmaking ritual. Each year, a select group is invited to bond with the realm’s magical basilisks and train in charm, poise, and influence. The prize is supposed to be simple: win the prince’s favor and earn a life of privilege.

Tem expects gowns, etiquette, and rules. What she doesn’t expect is her assigned partner: Caspen, the Serpent King—commanding, mysterious, and anything but safe. As he pushes her to unlock strength she didn’t know she had, Tem is pulled into something deeper and stranger than royal approval… something powerful enough to change what she thought she wanted.

Tropes & tags

Romantasy / palace ritual
Magical creature bonding (basilisks)
Dangerous mentor/partner dynamic
Awakening power / hidden strength
Court politics + secrets
“This bond changes everything” tension

Perfect for readers of:

Dark-leaning romantasy with heat and intrigue
Deadly court games and ritualized selection stories
Powerful, mysterious MMCs (Serpent King energy)
Heroines who discover they’re not meant to be “chosen”—they’re meant to choose

Not all bonds are built for the court… and some secrets are meant to break them.

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