3.5 stars

This book surprised me honestly, I went into it completely blind and I devoured it in one night. I hope we get a sequel to it to develop their relationship more and the towns. I would’ve preferred more world building and I do think the angst and tension could’ve lasted more than a few chapters but I honestly did enjoy the book.

i don’t think they should’ve called this dystopian when it was mostly just fantasy romance.. i was trying really hard to find dystopian-ish elements. i guess it is a post apocalyptic work, but how we got there is never explored, and no one seems concerned about it either. it’s mostly just white men fighting over our fmc, Isadora.

the romance is a huge part of the book, but i didn’t like it much because it’s insta-love and i couldn’t really care how they ended up together.

the writing itself is good, no complaints there, but the plot just didn’t pull me in.

an okay read, i don’t know what else to say. if you like insta-love romance and a bit of political drama, then go for it!

Unfortunately this story fell flat for me, I just couldn't get immersed in the world and the characters were predictable and one dimensional.

Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for approving me to read this book early, I’m rating it 4.5 stars.

I’m obsessed with the setting of the story, the unique plot and the enemies to lovers doing its thingggg.

The author definitely did hurt my heart and points, but I lowkey loved it. The story flows really well in this dystopian/post apocalyptic world as we meet two warring groups, the story follows the FMC and we get to see where she fits in this world and how her future changes from one moment to the next with catastrophic consequences.

A retelling of the famous play. The cover is beautiful. It's enemies to lovers where it's petty or they banter a lot. They're sworn enemies to the point of forbidden love. I am obsessed.

Thank you, Net Galley and Quill Tree Books for an ARC of this amazing book!
I was in love with this world from the first page. Nowadays, there are not many dystopian authors who are still writing dystopian. Melissa Poett? She is a legend. This book was such a banger that I had to take several breaks, not out of boredom but because I was in shock and had to stare at the fake cameras there for a minute.
Let me say that Isolde and Tristen are unmatched.
It's been 37 years since the republic was destroyed. Two settlements fight over the unaffected land and resources. The five clans, and the Kingsland.
The five clans-though smaller, attacked the brutal Kingsland leader and killed him, resulting in an oncoming war.
Isadora (Our MC) an eighteen-year-old healer risks her life to help injured soldiers. But when she stops an attack from Tristan, a Kingsland assassin his soldiers shoot her with a poisoned arrow. Isadora lies dying Tristan offers to save her life by using a rare magic.
Isadora is then unknowingly bound to the mysterious Tristan.
Let's start with our MC who is amazing! She was a strong MC for sure! And unlike most dystopian YA novels she wasn't annoying!!!!!! I hate an annoying MC who I can't get behind, but Isadora was amazing! I understood where she was coming from in her decisions and thought processes. Let's not forget the amazing MMC (drumroll please) ... TRISTAN!!!!! Their dynamic was so unique and adorable had me blushing and kicking my feet multiple times!
The writing was very immersive I felt like I was Isadora! The plot twists were perfectly executed, and I can't believe I had the honor of reading this as an ARC!!!!
This is my honest review, I am not biased toward this book for any reason I just genuinely loved it!
I will 100% recommend it to all!

ARC review

“The Enemy’s Daughter” by Melissa Poett is reimagining of Tristan and Isolde's story set in a dystopian world woven with magic.

Thank you HarperCollins UK for the advance digital copy of the book (via Netgalley).
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

Isadora is the daughter of a clan leader that offered her as a 'prize' to the man that manages to kill the enemy, the leader of Kingsland.
She is wounded by a poisoned arrow and Tristan, an assassin from the Kingsland, saves her life using a rare magic that binds them together.
Through this magic they can share memories, emotions, pain and wounds.

I liked the world building, the magic and the romance.
The connection between Tristan and Isadora is enhanced by magic, but they are attracted to each other from the start.
This is not a slow burn and they turn from enemies to lovers after she finds out that her father lies to her about Kingsland.

The story is beautifully written and even if there is only one POV (Isadora's), we get to know Tristan well through his actions.
They are both well developed characters and I especially liked the way Isadora acted.

If you like books with fantasy, magic, romance and strong heroines, you will like this book.

I just finished The Enemy’s Daughter, and I’m still trying to catch my breath. This book was NOT what I expected. A dystopian retelling of Tristan and Isolde? With magic, war, and enemies-to-lovers romance? Sign me up.

The story follows Isadora, the daughter of a ruthless clan leader, who’s basically been raised to hate the Kingsland,the enemy. But when she’s fatally wounded by a poisoned arrow, Tristan, an assassin from the Kingsland, saves her life using a rare magic that binds them together. And by “binds,” I mean they’re suddenly sharing emotions, memories, and a lot of unresolved tension.

First off, the world-building is chef’s kiss. It’s set in a post-apocalyptic world where two factions, the clans and the Kingsland, are locked in a brutal war. One side clings to tradition, while the other salvages old-world tech. The contrast is fascinating, and the political intrigue adds so much depth to the story. I will say, though, I wish we got a little more backstory on how the world ended up this way. But honestly, I was too invested in the characters to care much.

Speaking of characters—Isadora and Tristan? SWOOOOOON! Isadora is a healer, smart and brave, but also painfully naive thanks to her upbringing. Watching her unravel the lies she’s been fed and question everything she knows was so satisfying. And Tristan? Oh, Tristan. Brooding, morally gray, and way too charming for his own good. The way he falls first and hard for Isadora had me kicking my feet. Their magical bond is such a cool twist on forced proximity. Imagine being mentally linked to your enemy and feeling their emotions? The angst! The pining! The tension!

The Enemy’s Daughter was a wild ride. Perfect for fantasy romance fans craving high stakes and swoony tension.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the opportunity to read The Enemy’s Daughter by Melissa Poett in exchange for an honest review.

( Potential Spoilers )

I went into this novel unfamiliar with the tale of Tristan and Isolde, and I feel that actually enriched my experience. The story stands on its own with an imaginative setting, well-paced plot, and deeply compelling characters.

The worldbuilding is done in a really interesting way, you get hints of what came before (the Republic, old technology, the poisonous land), but it’s not over-explained. That vagueness actually worked for me, as it gave room for imagination and kept the focus on the characters and the story unfolding around them.

Isadora was such a great main character to follow. She’s brave and determined, but also soft and thoughtful, her interest in medicine, reading, and wanting to help others made her really easy to root for (also, she's got some mean knife-throwing skills 🗡️). And then there’s Tristan, the enemy assassin who ends up saving her life using rare magic. Their connection binds them in a way that’s both emotional and magical, and I really liked how it played out. While I was expecting more of a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers arc, it leaned more into forbidden romance (which happens to be one of my favourites, so no complaints here!). What's more forbidden then saving the enemy of your clan 😉

One thing I really appreciated was the lack of miscommunication. Thanks to the magical bond they share, they’re forced to face their feelings and truths head-on, which made their relationship feel more genuine and less frustrating than some romance plots. Melissa I love you for this!

The themes around how women are treated in the clans compared to Kingsland genuinely made my blood boil at times, but in a good way. It added depth and realism to the world, and although it was frustrating to read, I think it was done purposefully and thoughtfully by the author.

that ending? Did not see it coming.

Highly recommend this if you’re into:

➼ Forbidden Romance
➼ Political Intrigue
➼ Touch of Magic
➼ A Strong, Clever FMC
➼ He Falls First

Overall, I this book was such a pleasant surprise. If you love forbidden romance, strong heroines, magic, and stories with emotional weight, I’d absolutely recommend The Enemy’s Daughter. I’m really looking forward to seeing what Melissa Poett writes next!

Enemies to lovers is one of my all-time favorite tropes, so I went into The Enemy’s Daughter with high hopes—and no real idea what to expect. I purposely dove in blind, excited to see how the story would unfold.

The book leans into several familiar and beloved tropes: arranged marriage, forced proximity, rival clans, and a heroine caught between love and loyalty. Isadora’s complex relationship with her father—and the betrayal that unfolds—is a strong emotional thread. Watching her uncover the truth about his role in the ongoing conflict was one of the more compelling aspects of the plot.

The stakes are high from the start: Isadora is already betrothed to another man, the winner of a brutal competition held with the goal of assassinating the enemy clan's leader. The prize? Her hand in marriage and a future seat of power. This adds another layer of tension, especially as she begins to question everything—including the man she's promised to.

The world-building, however, didn’t quite hook me. Set after a devastating war, the story follows two fractured communities trying to rebuild. One side has regressed to a more medieval existence, while the other has salvaged old technology and lives in relative comfort. There’s a simmering hatred between them, and constant accusations about who truly started the war. While the setup had potential, it felt a bit flat and didn’t fully capture my imagination.

The romance had its sweet moments, and I enjoyed the magical bond shared by couples in Kingsland. That said, the development felt a little rushed. There wasn’t enough of the “enemy” dynamic I was hoping for—very little hate or emotional tension before the love story unfolded. It lacked the slow-burn intensity I associate with standout enemies-to-lovers stories.

Overall, The Enemy’s Daughter was a decent read with an interesting premise and emotional moments, but it didn’t leave a strong impression. Enjoyable, but not especially memorable.

Quando ho richiesto l'arc di questo libro non avevo minimamente idea che si trattasse di un romanzo distopico e ne son rimasta un po' perplessa, sopratutto per i primi capitoli, che son stati decisamente un po' lenti. Ma una volta che la storia ha preso il ritmo e gli eventi hanno cominciato a muoversi, la storia si è fatta interessante molto in fretta ed ha iniziato ad acchiapparmi tantissimo!

Non posso parlare molto della trama e dei personaggi perchè sarebbe spoiler qualsiasi cosa io dicessi...infatti il bello della storia sta proprio nelle incomprensioni e nel non essere a conoscenza della verità. Tutto questo fa immedesimare il lettore moltissimo nella protagonista, Isadora, a cui sono state inculcate alcune informazioni che ben presto comprenderà quanto fossero false e sbagliate.

La storia è costruita abbastanza bene e per essere il suo romanzo di debutto devo dire che ha fatto un buon lavoro, ma arrivata quasi alla fine mi aspettavo un cliffhanger e che questo fosse solo il primo libro di una serie. Sono rimasta allo stesso tempo delusa, per il fatto che non potrò leggere altro di questi personaggi, e allo stesso tempo abbastanza soddisfatta perchè il finale non mi è dispiaciuto.

Il libro è sicuramente uno YA perchè non c'è spice a parte qualche bacio. Può quasi essere paragonato a Hunger games come livello di spice, è praticamente inesistente. Attenzione però ci sono molte scene di battaglia e alcune scene possono essere un po' cruente. Consiglierei inoltre all'editore di inserire un messaggio di content warning riguardo al fatto che questo libro può causare attacchi d'ansia. A me è capitato più volte durante la lettura.

La storia comunque ha delle mancanze molto evidenti. C'è stato l'inserimento di un elemento magico che non viene minimamente spiegato come funzioni o perchè esista. Viene giusto detto che potrebbe essere un intervento divino o una modifica genetica in alcune persone a causa delle bombe che hanno devastato il paese. Questa ipotesi all'acqua di rose non è minimamente soddisfacente. Va spiegato e sopratutto vanno esaminati in dettaglio le varie sfaccetatture del potere.
Inoltre quello che vediamo del mondo è molto ristretto e la tecnologia pre-bombardamento non si capisce bene a che periodo appartenga (sopratutto ho trovato strana la tecnologia a vapore che si intravede nell'epilogo).
Insomma ci sono delle lacune nella costruzione dell'ambientazione che io ritengo molto importanti e che sarebbero dovute essere corrette dall'editore.
Inoltre non ho apprezzato molto il modo in cui Isadora una volta ottenuta la verità da Tristan, si sia completamente innamorata di lui senza pensarci due volte. E' stato un tantino troppo immediato. Avrei voluto una cosa più graduale, in cui imparavano entrambi a fidarsi l'uno dell'altra.

Ma nel complesso la storia è accattivante e i personaggi davvero molto interessanti. Ho iniziato ad immaginarmela come serie tv molto facilmente, anche perchè non necessita di alcun effetto speciale, ne di ambientazioni particolari. Non mi dispiacerebbe vederla realizzata in carne e ossa!
Spero seriamente l'autrice continui a scrivere perchè ha potenziale. Deve solo fare più attenzione nel dare tutti i dettagli necessari (le consiglierei di andare a leggere i consigli di Sanderson, se non l'ha già fatto, quando si crea un sistema magico).

Lo consiglio caldamente, perchè mi ha tenuta attaccata alle pagine mantenendo sempre accesa quella tensione che si crea tra storia e lettore, quando gli eventi ti fanno mancare il fiato!

Grazie davvero Netgalley per avermi permesso di leggerlo in anteprima!


----------------------------

When I requested the arc of this book I had no idea that it was a dystopian novel and I was a little perplexed, especially for the first chapters, which were definitely a little slow. But once the story got working and the events started moving, the story became interesting very quickly and started to grab me a lot!

I can't talk much about the plot and the characters because it would be a spoiler whatever I said... in fact the beauty of the story lies in the misunderstandings and in not knowing the truth. All of this makes the reader identify a lot with the protagonist, Isadora, who has been instilled with some informations that she will soon understand how false and wrong they were.

The story is constructed quite well and for being her debut novel I have to say that she did a good job, but when I got almost to the end I expected a cliffhanger and that this was only the first book in a series. I was both disappointed, for the fact that I won't be able to read anything else about these characters, and at the same time quite satisfied because I didn't mind the ending.

The book is definitely a YA because there is no spice apart from a few kisses. It can almost be compared to Hunger Games in terms of spice level, it is practically non-existent. Be careful though, there are many battle scenes and some scenes can be a bit bloody. I would also recommend the publisher to insert a content warning message regarding the fact that this book can cause anxiety attacks. It happened to me several times while reading.

However, the story has some very obvious shortcomings. There was the insertion of a magical element that is not explained in the slightest how it works or why it exists. It is just said that it could be a divine intervention or a genetic modification in some people due to the bombs that devastated the country. This bland hypothesis is not satisfactory in the slightest. It needs to be explained and all the various facets of the power need to be examined in detail.
Also, what we see of the world is very limited and it is not clear what period the pre-bombing technology belongs to (especially I found the steam technology that can be glimpsed in the epilogue strange).
In short, there are some gaps in the construction of the setting that I think are very important and that should have been corrected by the editor.
Also, I did not really appreciate the way in which Isadora, once she obtained the truth from Tristan, completely fell in love with him without thinking twice. It was a little too immediate. I would have liked something more gradual, in which they both learned to trust each other.

But overall the story is captivating and the characters are really very interesting. I started to imagine it as a TV series very easily, also because it does not require any special effects, nor particular settings. I would not mind seeing it realized in reality!
I seriously hope the author continues to write because she has potential. She just needs to be more careful in giving all the necessary details (I would recommend her to go read Sanderson's advices, if she hasn't already done so, when creating a magic system).

I highly recommend it, because it kept me glued to the pages, always keeping alive that tension that is created between story and reader, when events take your breath away!

Thank you so much Netgalley for allowing me to read it in preview!

ARC REVIEW

I really liked the "post-apocalyptic" atmosphere. It's the first time I've read something like that. The way the duality of the territories is portrayed seems very clever to me on the author's part. Although for me it was a little predictable, I still liked the way the story was told, the relationship between the protagonists, the enemies to lovers, the mistrust and all the accidents and misunderstandings that happened.

I'm in love with Tristan, if he's the villain then why is he so cute? 🫣🫣🩷🩷 ifykyk, well, I really liked the story, and how the FMC becomes aware of the lies and betrayals that surround her, although she is suddenly naive. But I can't blame her, it's the "education" she received from the sexist and misogynistic place where she grew up. OOOOUUUHHHH I love that it also has a little magic touch 🫰🏼🙂‍↕️

thank u Net Galley and the author for letting me read this amazing Arc ❤️

An incredible book with high stakes, the most delicious banter and a gripping plot!

I loved...

❤️ The MCs. Their opposite characters created so much tension and the chemistry was unreal.

❤️ I loved the magic and the twists. At first I was like...gosh this is a lot in the first chapters but I was instantly won over once I understood the reasoning (no spoilers)

❤️ So so easy to read and root for the FMC. I loved the references to things happening in current society. Very well done.

This book completely stole my heart. It’s sharp and charged with that kind of aching, poetic tension that only the best enemies-to-lovers stories deliver. The writing is lyrical without ever losing its bite. Every scene is soaked with longing, and the emotions sneak up on you in quiet, devastating ways. This is the kind of romantasy that reminds you why you love the genre. It’s not just magic and war and impossible love, it’s about finding pieces of yourself in the person you were taught to hate. I absolutely adored it.

I absolutely devoured this book. Arranged marriage trope wow chefs kiss can’t go wrong with that trope honestly. The writing was brilliantly formed. The tension between the two characters I absolutely loved that they had to learn to build trust with each other. I’ve already preordered it on Waterstones I loved it that much big fat five stars from me !!!

A dystopian retelling of Tristan and Isolde with magic, war, betrayal, and an enemies-to-lovers romance? That’s exactly what caught my attention in the synopsis. It’s my first time reading a retelling of this myth, and even though the book had a few weaknesses, I still found it really addictive.

We follow Isadora, a healer caught between two warring factions, and Tristan, an assassin from the enemy’s side. Their fates become magically intertwined after he saves her life… and of course, things get very complicated.

The first thing I loved was the author’s writing style. It’s solid YA, and for a debut novel, I found it fluid and super addictive. I was hooked from the very beginning.

I really enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers romance, even though it leans more toward a “he falls first” trope. Since it’s a standalone, the slow burn isn’t that slow, but I’ve read romances that developed way faster, so I was actually quite satisfied with how this one unfolded. The magical bond between them added a nice tension to their dynamic.

There are strong themes at play here—manipulation, modernity vs. tradition, women’s place in society, and the freedom to choose.

That said, I wish the worldbuilding had been more developed to better anchor the dystopian context. It really only gives you the bare minimum, which left me wanting more. The secondary characters were a bit neglected too, as the story focuses almost entirely on Tristan and Isadora. It’s a shame, because there was potential to flesh out their personalities and relationships. I also found the ending a little rushed.

It’s yet another book that, in my opinion, suffers from “standalone syndrome,” BUT the core of the story was solid and I had a great time reading it. I flew through the book in two days, so I’d still recommend it as a quick, low-pressure read!

Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC!

Post Instagram planned for Tuesday 6th May.

🥀THE ENEMY'S DAUGHTER🥀

Inizio con il ringraziare netgalley per l'arc di The Enemy's Daughter, uno standalone che mi ha rubato il cuore.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5!

🥀TRAMA🥀
Isadora è la figlia del Saraf e, che lo voglia o meno, la sua mano è stata promessa all'uomo che riuscirà a uccid3re Farron, il leader di Kingsland. Tutti si aspettano che a trionfare sarà il brutale e crudele Geralt,
ma con grande sorpresa di Isadora, è Liam, il suo amico d'infanzia, a tornare con il corpo di Farron.
Forse le cose non stanno andando poi così male... Sposare il proprio migliore amico è sicuramente più rassicurante che finire tra le braccia di un bruto sanguinario.
Tutto, però, cambia quando durante un conflitto tra il clan e gli uomini di Kingsland Isadora si imbatte in un soldato nemico. La nostra protagonista riesce a catturarlo con l'intento di portarlo al cospetto del padre, ma Isadora è una guaritrice e non potrebbe mia avere la m0rt3 di qualcuno sulla coscienza. Proprio quando sta per liberare il suo prigioniero viene accerchiata dagli uomini di Kingsland. Uno dei soldati la ferisce con una freccia intrisa di un veleno senza antidoto.
Se vuole sopravvivere dovrà sposare proprio l'uomo che ha catturato nel bosco: Tristan, il figlio di Farron, il nemico giurato di suo padre. Quello che Isadora non sa è che il suo "sì" la legherà a Tristan in un modo che non avrebbe mai creduto possibile.
Può l'unione tra due nemici cambiare le sorti di una guerra che sembra non avere una fine?
Può l'amore sbocciare tra due persone così diverse?

🥀IL MIO PARERE🥀
The Enemy's Daughter è un retelling di Tristano e Isotta in chiave distopica. Questo libro riesce a tenere il lettore sulle spine fino all'ultima pagina, lo costringe a domandarsi in continuazione chi abbia ragione tra i clan e Kingsland.
Mi sarebbe piaciuto sapere qualcosa di più sulla situazione del mondo che precede l'inizio della storia, ma in fin dei conti sono soddisfatta così. La trama ruota attorno ai nostri protagonisti, ai loro sacrifici e al loro desiderio di costruire un futuro di pace.
La cosa che più mi ha colpito di più è il legame magico tra Isadora e Tristan 😍 Non voglio farvi spoiler, ma vi dico solo che l'ho trovato molto originale e romantico.
Mi sono rivista tanto nella protagonista, nel suo continuo voler mettere in dubbio le parole degli abitanti di Kingsland... Dopotutto perché avrebbe dovuto credere alla loro versione?
Ho amato la lealtà al proprio clan e ho amato ancora di più mentre, proseguendo la sua avventura, ha iniziato a porsi delle domande, arrivando a capire che non tutto è bianco e nero e che, a volte, le persone che amiamo di più sono quello che ci fanno soffrire maggiormente.
Isadora dovrà continuare a mettersi in gioco e lottare per ciò che più brama: la pace.
Se vi piacciono i cinnamon roll, allora vi prenderete una cotta per Tristan. Mi sono innamorata di lui nell'esatto istante in cui si è fatto catturare da Isadora 🤭. La dolcezza e la premura con cui tratta la protagonista vi farà desiderare di essere al posto di Isadora. Vorrete rifugiarvi tra le braccia di Tristan, essere il soggetto dei suoi disegni, il suo ultimo pensiero prima di dormire... Già, Tristan è il fidanzato libroso perfetto!
Ma il nostro MMC non è solo questo. No, Tristan è un giovane uomo che ha conosciuto il dolore e porta nel cuore il peso del lutto, è un ragazzo diventato grande troppo presto, è una guida per la sua gente, un guerriero, un figlio che vorrebbe solo riabbracciare il padre. È impossibile non empatizzare con lui.
Ora prendiamoci un istante per parlare dello stile ✒️
L'autrice è molto brava a farci entrare nella mente di Isadora. Attraverso il suo pov ci permette di vivere le sue emozioni e i tanti dubbi che le aggrovigliano l'anima. Inoltre, grazie al legame che la unisce a Tristan, possiamo anche sentire sulla nostra pelle tutte le sensazioni che quest'ultimo prova.
Cosa dovete aspettarvi da The Enemy's Daughter?
Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, marriage for survival, lies, rivals clans, dystopian world, kind MMC, smart FMC, magic bond, he fall first and hard.
Se vi piacciono tutte queste cose allora dovete dare una possibilità a questo libro 😍

🥀SPICY🥀
The enemy's daughter è uno YA, non troviamo scene esplicite, ma la tensione tra i protagonisti non manca 😏 La parte romance è davvero chef's kiss 😘 Sì, lo ammetto, in più di un'occasione ho invidiato Isadora. Tristan è una green flag ambulante e ho sempre avuto un amore speciale per i protagonisti maschili dolci e dal cuore gentile.

🥀CONCLUSIONE🥀
Mi sento di consigliare ? Assolutamente sì! Raramente leggo dei distopici, ma The Enemy's Daughter mi ha tenuta incollata alle pagine dall'inizio alla fine. Vi dico solo che l'ho divorato in un paio di giorni... E non mi dispiacerebbe avere una piccola novella con Liam come protagonista 🤭.
Spero che un giorno una casa editrice italiana si metta una mano sul cuore e decida di portate nelle nostre librerie la storia di Isadora e Tristan. Nel frattempo, io di sicuro recupererò The Enemy's Daughter anche in cartaceo 😍!!

The Enemy’s Daughter ⚔️💘 3.5⭐️

“Two strands woven together will always be stronger than one”

Absolutely loved some of the quotes in this book, and this being one of them.

Firstly I LOVE the cover design and the illustrations on the chapter pages.

We’re introduced to the our FMC Isadora, she is a healer and part of the Hanook clan, amongst others which are Maska clan (ruthless warriors), Cohdor clan (woodworkers), crop farmer clan and then the rancher clan. There’s a lot of world building and information provided within the first 20 pages however Melissa’s writing makes it really easy and straightforward to understand.

Terrible occurrences are happing in Isadora’s clan, raids in the night mercilessly, torturing and beheading animals. The Saraf (Isadora’s father) has the idea it’s to do with the enemy and the leader of that clan is Farron. So her father is making a contest to assassinate Farron and the winner gets to marry her as their prize by bringing unity back to the clans by marriage.

Really easy to read and imagining everything in your head whilst the plot continues. My only issue is that there isn’t enough depth in the plot itself for me.

MMC Tristan, absolutely gorgeous and such an emotional character to connect with. I really loved him throughout the book.

The mental bond is really unique, we’ve read about the mental bonds in fantasy’s before but it’s not as connected as this magic is which I love.

“I’m your prisoner, Tristan. And to some extent I always will be. Everything you said and did was tainted by mistrust because you held the keys to my cage”

There’s heartache, passion and forbidden romance throughout which I adored. I just felt for me it was lacking the depth that I would have loved which is a shame because it’s been one of my highly anticipated reads.

Things I LOVED

💘 ENEMIES TO LOVERS
⚔️ ROMANTASY
💘 FORBIDDEN ROMANCE
⚔️ MAGICAL BOND
💘 TRISTAN & ISOLDE RETELLING
⚔️ CLANS

Thank you so much Harper Fire & Melissa Poett for the E-ARC 💘

5⭐️

Big thanks to NetGalley as always, for the ARC of The Enemy’s Daughter by Melissa Poett in exchange for an honest review.

This book completely pulled me in—I couldn’t put it down. If I could give it 6 stars, I would. It had everything I love: real enemies-to-lovers tension, forbidden romance, the dystopian setting, layered characters, and so many twists that I never knew what was coming next.

Isadora is the kind of protagonist you root for immediately—strong, kind, but not perfect. And Tristan? Let’s just say he’s the kind of morally gray character who keeps you guessing in the best way. Their dynamic was so compelling. The connection between them is intense, dangerous, and messy in a way that feels believable and earned.

What I loved most was that this isn’t just a romance wrapped in fantasy—it’s a story with real stakes, clever worldbuilding, and emotional weight. The plot moves fast, but it still finds time to explore big questions about trust, loyalty, and how far you’re willing to go for the people you love.

If you’re into fantasy with tension, heart, and characters that feel real, The Enemy’s Daughter is a must-read. I’m already hoping there’s a sequel—I need more of this world!

I had heard of Tristan and Isolde briefly but I hadn't read about it or any retellings of it so my mind was open going into this one.

I started this and was instantly entranced by the world, learning the history of the Clans and the Kingsland.

You are thrown straight into the story of Isadora who is the daughter of one of the clan leaders - he is a ruthless man who shows Isadora no care or love. She hates her life and wants more for herself.
She is a healer and wants to help her people in any way she can.

When we meet Tristan he is trying to attack her clan and she gets in the way of a poisoned arrow. She is on death's door and Tristan must make a swift decision to let her die or persuade Isadora into a marriage so that he can use a "connection" to ease her suffering but also take on some of it himself.

As the story progresses you see Tristan and Isadora share their deepest secrets, feelings and memories together through the magical bond. I found this part of the story the best as it makes you feel like you are a part of a secret between them. No one else can tell or see that they are speaking telepathically. When they shared pain and emotions you could see their relationship developing.

The world is so immersive and fast paced. There seemed to always be a battle or secrets being spilled. I feel like this book has so many different facets to it that you would discover something new with every read of it.

This book had a true "enemies to lovers slow burn" romance for me. A lot of books are marketed as such and very rarely is it written in a way that I feel drawn in but this had me turning each page hungry for more. Tristan and Isadora's relationship is so complex and multi-layered and when you see it build and break at times you just hope the ending fits the journey they share. It did - in more ways than one. The battle at the end had so many twists and turns I was exhausted!

The Enemy's Daughter is Melissa Poett's debut YA romantasy and I hope she writes more.

Thank you to the publisher Harper Fire for sending me a proof copy to read. All opinions are my own.