I am not usually a big dystopian reader and I am also not too familiar with the story of Tristan and Isolde so cannot comment on it from a retelling side, but I was absolutely gripped by this from the get go and couldn't put it down.

I am only familiar with the basic premise of Tristan & Isolde so I cannot say how this retelling compares, but it was definitely a fun, interesting and also unexpectedly dark read at times. We follow Isadora who is the daughter of a clan leader in a dystopian setting - while there are remnants of our world, their lifestyle and social norms feel quite medieval. Her people are continuously fighting off attacks from Kingsland, another settlement but with more advanced living standards.

The story is entirely told from Isadora's point of view but we are introduced to Tristan fairly early on where the two cross paths which eventually also leads to Isadora's capture and being brought back to Kingsland. Although I have seen some call this insa love, I would beg to differ. I think, beyond physical attraction, there's certainly more background to these two that needs to be taken into account and I think Isadora wars with herself quite a lot. She is a caring character who fiercely wants to protect her people but who also doesn't want anyone hurt, friend or otherwise. She finds herself in a new environment that shakes a lot of her world views and she has to start questioning many of her convictions whilst also still wanting to protect her people. Tristan appears unexpectedly caring and tender towards her whilst still posing a threat to all the people she cares for. It's complicated, and I think it is really well done.

The dystopian worldbuilding reminds me a little of The Hunger Games [excluding the games] and Station Eleven, with the exception that there's a hint of magic. The magic system is intreresting, albeit not entirey my favourite, it almost felt like it made certain aspects too easy. On the other hand, a lot of the plot and conflict depended on this magic (which I'd also argue felt a little underexplained as to its origins) so it was probably necesary to have it in place.

The side characters were largely interesting although we didn't get to know them all that well beyond Isadora and Tristan. I did nonetheless enjoy some of the unexpected loyalties shown later down the line given that trust was probably one of the biggest conficts in this tale. The two parties are constantly pitched together and there's a bit of a mystery as to how things got to where they are. There was more brutality than I had anticipated - I do think the conflict was well presented, deep rooted and difficult to solve which makes this feel like the stakes are set quite high.

While not perfect, I think this was a gripping and nicely crafted debute and it's nice to see more fantasy and/or dystopian standalones.

I was hooked for the start and i devoured it in one sitting ! I adored how well the dystopian world blended perfectly with the magical element ! And speaking of the characters.. the chemistry and the tension between them were fantastic and I also really really loved how their relationship build up around their loyalties, duty and news feelings.
So yes, i definitely recommend it if you want a fast paced and compelling enemies to lovers!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I've been reading a lot of romantasy books over the last few years and have now got to the stage where if your writing is full of cliches and the characters aren't strong enough to overcome that for me, I will just lose interest. Unfortunately this was one of those books for me. It was fairly obvious what the twist was going to be from the beginning, and neither Tristan or Isadora were captivating enough to make me care about their love story. It was fine, and I'm sure younger readers might find more in it, but not for me.

Enemies to lovers plus dystopian, amazing. Give me 15 of em.
This book was wonderful from start to finish!

I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers and dystopian books, what can I say. I liked getting to know the characters and seeing how their relationship developed. They are from opposite sides of a war and we see as they struggle with this. I would have liked the change from enemies to lovers to have been a bit longer but I still enjoyed it overall.

I thought the magic was interesting and unique and wanted to know more. I thought the pacing was good mostly which made the reading faster but at times it dragged a bit.

I would recommend this book for fan of dystopian books and enemies to lovers. Also it’s good for those who love learning about a unique magic system.

A very quick and easy read, but sadly, that's down to it being very simple and shallow, with no depth to anything - the plot, world building, characters or their relationship.

Honestly, very little made sense to me. Obviously, Tristan's motivations for saving and marrying Isadora are revealed later on, but considering this all happened right at the start, I really didn't understand why the ritual was so intimate. There was this forced closeness that was so unnatural, it was uncomfortable to read about.

The world building was an afterthought, there was no background or any foundation to the current world and situation, only snippets were randomly revealed throughout the story. And calling this dystopian is a stretch.

I also thought the writing style didn't suit a fantasy novel, specifically the dialogue. It was too plain and simple, extremely shallow.

I was also baffled, because in her little internal monologues, Isadora would arrive at conclusions that weren't supported by substantial evidence. I can see what the author was trying to achieve, but we just weren't shown the things she was trying to convince us of.

I don't even know what to say about the romance. It was beyond weak, any feelings just came out of nowhere, again absolutely no depth here, no genuine connection was made between Tristan and Isadora, they just suddenly confessed their love. It was completely unbelievable.

Very disappointed with this one.

Sad to say I had to DNF this one at about 30% :(

I was really looking forward to it but even for a ya book it just read too young for me. Felt much more early teen than YA

There was a big lack of explanation and world building at the start which made it difficult to get invested in the story.
Great potential but not for me this time.

3.75 "Well Maybe some things are worth dying for." I really enjoyed this I was sucked into the story from early on. The bond between the characters I really enjoyed, I liked how they began to share things with one another. I feel like the ending was all quite quick, and we were in the throws of the story from early on so it is quite fast paced. I loved Enola and both maim characters relationship with her.. The FMc was shown how all she knew was a lie and was able to make her own choices I did enjoy this but It was not as good as I was expecting.

I had such a great time with The Enemy’s Daughter! It was fast-paced, addictive, and honestly so different from what I expected — in the best way.

The world is a unique blend of dystopian and magical, and the tension between the warring factions gave everything a high-stakes edge. I really enjoyed watching the dynamic unfold between the two leads — especially as their connection deepened through the magical bond. It made the enemies-to-lovers romance feel extra intense and emotionally layered.

Isadora and Tristan were both compelling characters, and I loved how their relationship developed as they were forced to navigate loyalty, duty, and growing feelings. The romance had its clunky moments, but overall it pulled me in, and I was fully rooting for them.

This book is perfect if you enjoy fast-moving plots, magical bonds, and reluctant allies turned lovers. Hoping there’s more to come from this world!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for providing a complimentary digital copy in exchange for an honest review.*
3.5 stars

This book had a lot of potential and I generally enjoyed the romance.

The book sets a very realistic conflict between the main leads giving them a strong reason as to why they couldn’t be together and were to mistrust one another.

However, the world-building was very minimal and I often felt I needed more information in order to get context. We get answers to these questions as we go, but the set up just wasn’t strong enough to allow us to experience the emotional whiplash Isobella feels.
The characters were distinct but lacked complexity.

The pace was quick and made for an easy read, but I wish there was more pause; more moments of quiet with time for the characters to breathe and process certain events.

I also thought for the most part, the physical intimacy between the couple was handled sensitively (closed door, has emotional role within the relationship) but the bond sometimes felt “game-ifyed” with describing them “unlocking” some new levels of connection when they got closer.

Overall, generally enjoyable read, but I wish it had gotten more editing to flesh it out further. If you are looking for an enemies-to-lovers story, you may enjoy this.

It's safe to say that I devoured this book. I was obsessed with the Tristan & Isolde movie when I was a teenager - I must have watched it at least 100 times.
So when I heard that this was a YA dystopian retelling of Tristan & Isolde, I was sold!
As others have mentioned, there is a lack of world building at the start. I think it does flesh out the world a bit more as you get further in, and it does make sense that it happens this way.
The magic known as "the connection" in the book is definitely interesting, and I would like to know more about it and where it came from.
Tristan and Isadora don't have much time together, and their love is described as insta love, but I don't think that is the case. Certainly not for Tristan, who has been watching Isadora for years and I think falling for her in that time. For Isadora, I think she falls fast, but definitely unexpectedly for her.

This was a solid debut. While I'm unfamiliar with the Tristan and Isolde story, this book did stand in its own very well. I enjoyed the romance between Tristan and Isadora but it did feel insta-love at most times. I would have loved reading more of the political and backgrounds of this story because it felt like we needed more context. Other than that, with what world-building we had, it did a good job of keeping a circle of politics. The dystopian atmosphere were very prominent — which I think helped in easing into the story.

This was my first Tristan and Isolde retelling/reimagining and boy it did not disappoint. I fell in love with he story, the characters, romance… I would give anything to read this book for the first time all over again.

5/5 stars — A thrilling debut YA romantasy that reimagines Tristan & Isolde with magic, war, and unforgettable chemistry

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC! This book blew me away from the start.

Set in a brutal dystopian world where clans fight for survival, The Enemy’s Daughter reworks the classic Tristan & Isolde legend into something fresh, dark, and utterly addictive. Isadora is tough, determined, and willing to sacrifice everything for her clan. Tristan is an assassin who saves her life with forbidden magic — binding their souls in a way that’s equal parts dangerous and intimate.

Highlights:

🌑 Intense worldbuilding with political intrigue and magic that feels alive

🔥 Enemies-to-lovers with slow-burning tension and powerful emotional payoffs

💔 A bond that opens up secrets and vulnerabilities neither expected

⚔️ Action, romance, and stakes that kept me hooked until the last page

The relationship is complex and layered — they’re bound together but also at odds, which makes every interaction crackle with tension and emotion. This debut is a strong, promising start to what I hope will be a long series or duology.

Highly recommend for fans of YA fantasy, reimagined legends, and swoony-but-complicated romance.

“And although I’d argue that we need to study the old world to save lives, these books also hint at a different way of thinking, something that could be considered a slippery slope into the perversions and corruption that led to our continen’s demise. Or at least that was the reason given when a good portion of our books were burned.”

I had a very lovely time while reading The Enemy’s Daughter. I have to admit that I was sold by the Tristan and Isolt’s retelling aspect… But this book manages to free itself from the original story as much as it narrates it.
I loved this world between fantasy and something else, between post-apocalyptic and dystopian –even though I wish the dystopian aspect was a bit more developed.
Isadora is the most central character, and in a world in which women are kept away from almost everything, in the middle of a battle for power in the clans (in which she is the prize), she aspires for more. This is her main motivation in the book, and I love how it evolves a bit during the story, but how she doesn’t completely become someone else for/ because of love. From her loyalty to her clan to her own interests, between what she was taught and what she really wants, she is torn and her impromptu (and necessary) marriage to one of her clan’s enemies in Kingsland doesn’t help (or, does it?).
I loved her path to find freedom, how she understands how her education –and her restricted access to information– built who she is on uneven fundations, preventing her from being able to make enlightened choices. Because, in the end, no matter if a wall keeps us prisoners, without an open mind we can’t ever be completely free.
I ADORED the magical aspect in this story. This is the second book I read this year with a very interesting take about the marital bond, and I enjoyed it more than a lot, as much as I loved the action scenes peppered all around the pages, keeping me entertained, as much as the mystery I wanted to solve, never knowing who I could trust. But in addition to the lovely love story between Isadora and Tristan, I loved the recurring pattern about duty that was so present in the original story too.
All of this made of The Enemy’s Daughter a multifaceted novel, and I loved every single second of this experience.

Thank you to the author and to Harper Fire for the access to the eARC on NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

4.5/5

Solo puedo decir que en general todo está bien. No es un libro donde algo destaque con ganas, es simplemente un bien en todo. Los personajes están bien, la trama está bien llevada y en general el worldbuilding y las vibes son acordes a lo que espera la autora. Al final se nota que es un debut y se nota que es un YA (quizás no mi género favorito- no suelo leer libros de este estilo más juvenil); pero está bien. Yo creo que es un primer paso para una carrera de la autora que no va a ser solo buena, si no que creo que le van a esperar bastantes buenas cosas.
Es un libro en donde se puede conectar tanto con los personajes como con la trama, haciendo que se viva más.
Lo recomendaría? Si. Si quieres volver a sentir esa nostalgia de libros cuando leías con 13/15 años (o yo por lo menos lo hacia lol).

3.5⭐️. I believe this is a debut novel, and there was a lot I liked about it. It’s a YA Tristan and Isolde retelling, where are FMC (Isadora) lives in a settlement made up of five clans, where men lead and women are subservient. Their neighbouring settlement, Kingsland, is believed to be made up of barbarians who constantly attack the clans for food and supplies. As a woman, Isadora isn’t meant to leave the settlement; however, as a healer, she longs to help those most in need and so she goes towards the fighting with the aim of helping wounded soldiers. There she comes across a member of Kingsland, Tristan, who helps save her life using the rare magic when she is shot by a poison arrow. Taken into Kingsland to recover, Isadora starts to realise that all the stories she’d been told about Kingsland may not be true.

This story had a great concept with an interesting world and a unique magic. It was fast paced and Isadora was an easy FMC to get behind - while she’d lived a sheltered life and been taught to be meek, she had an inner courage and strength that drove her to do what she felt was right. However, what primarily prevented me from engaging with this book more was the romantic relationship. There was the briefest of moments when they first met where it felt like it could lead to a great enemies to lovers romance. However, it shifted almost immediately to insta-love. There was no build up, no relationship development and, while I liked both characters, I just couldn’t buy into their love. The other issue I had was the world building. At numerous times, the plot refers to an old world, equated with greed and corruption, which was destroyed several decades ago. This old world appeared to have modern conveniences, such as heating and trams, that had since been lost, with the settlements having now reverted to a more primitive way of life. This was never fully explained, and it felt like I’d missed a prequel novel in which we would have seen the downfall of this world, nor was the magic bond, which only a certain number of people in Kingsland could access. It just left me feeling like there were a lot of unanswered questions and plot holes that the reader is expected to gloss over. If I’d been more invested in the romance, I may have been more willing to let the wider plot go but, as it was, neither aspect quite lived up to its potential. That being said, it was still a super quick, fun and easy read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of this book.

The premises behind this book was intriguing and a great concept for ya. I have read book with a similar vibe before. The atmosphere was good and individually characters were good. For myself personally the story was just not grabbing me and keeping me. The romance was underdeveloped and felt undeserved at times. The world-building was okay. Definitely not terrible but it felt very CW(not in a bad way just gave me a similar impression). Best to say this is written well, but it was just personal preference. I dnfed at 50%

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this eArc! I’ve never been so excited for an arc because I’ve been anticipating this book since I first heard about it back in October!

The Enemy’s Daughter is a debut novel reimagining the story of Tristan and Isolde. It’s set in a dystopian world with magic and centres around the feud going on between the five clans and the Kingsland.

This book was a ride. I never knew where it was going despite being familiar with the original source material. It was twisted and unpredictable and honestly what more could you want from a romantasy?

I loved the characters of Tristan and Isadora and I loved how their romance developed. Despite the circumstances it didn’t feel rushed although I did think a lot of the beginning and the end was dragged slightly more than I would have liked. Saying that, the ending was very tense so it did kind of work.

If you love an enemies to lovers romance with a unique magic system and a mix of characters to love and characters to hate (oh, and it’s he falls first) then you’ll love this book!