This is a dystopian read that is SO good. It’s just that premise hits a little close to home, cause it’s something that can happen to humanity. Where something so cataclysmic happens that society regresses into something primal. This was like a dystopian Romeo & Juliet, but BETTER. You follow Isadora, who struggles in her clan because of the fact she’s seen lower, for the simple fact, she’s a woman. She is fiery and bright, since she simply wants peace for her clan and the opposing enemy from the Kingsland. I loved it all so much, the story keeps you on your toes.

Also the arrow in the outline between them on the cover ?! Such an AMAZING little detail! The cover is just *chef’s kiss*

~3.75 ⭐️

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this book!

I went into this book a little blind, I knew it was dystopian but the cover felt very sci-fi to me so I wasn’t sure what to expect exactly! The world building/setting really reminded me of Mary E Pearson’s “Kiss of Deception” - very similar vibes with our world but years and years away and some sort of very light and mysterious magical elements. So if you loved that series like I did, I’d give this a shot!

But getting more into it… The FMC’s feelings for the MMC didn’t feel super justified for me 🤷‍♀️ I understand why the MMC saved her and had feelings for her and it was easier for me to see him falling for her - I love a he falls first scenario 🥰 But the FMC barely knew him during their whole little courtship/marraige of convenience scenario! So it was really hard for me to buy into her falling for him so quickly 😓 but as I read on I was able to buy into the romance more and more!

The only other spot that felt a bit off for me was her dad’s speech - I think it felt a little too like on the nose? Not that I agree with him/that ideology AT ALL, but it felt a little too obvious/thrown in your face 🤷‍♀️ I think I just would’ve appreciated a little more subtlety/nuance.

Ignoring that and the near-insta love, I did enjoy this! There were several moments that I thought were really heartwarming between the two MCs. And some of the twists were fun and emotional! By the end, I thought the story was wrapped up really well too!

All in all this was a fun standalone!

Isadora lives in a community far from the edge of the civilization that previous generations enjoyed. They don't have electricity, running water, or any of the modern comforts her parents lived with before the bombs dropped. This is the only life she's ever known. So when her hand in marriage is offered to the one who brings down her clans biggest threat, she's not expecting it to trigger a series of events that may be her entire world's downfall.

*****

I'm a huge fan of Tristan and Isolde, so being offered to read this as a fantasy romance version immediately piqued my interest. I wouldn't actually say this is a fantasy though, as how the leads get their "magic" connection is assumed to be tied to gene mutation from nuclear bombs - which makes this more of a sci-fi/dystopian world instead. Either way, this one was captivating right out of the gates, although it took me a bit to realize we weren't in a pre-industrial world, but a post-war one.

Once that was settled, I was immediately drawn to Isadora - a brilliant and curious woman in a society that didn't allow her to be either. Her exposure to how others lived before the bombs dropped and in current day was so interesting to watch be revealed. Her reactions were visceral as she was torn between what she thought she knew, and what she was discovering.

I do wish we had more relationship development that didn't rely so heavily on the "connection". It was the entire reason she felt drawn to him, and it felt unbalanced when he very clearly was all in. That left a bit of a slower place in the middle of the book as she sorted herself out, but the latter quarter is full of action, twists, and scenes that had me tearing through it. I loved the main twist, and how everything she thought she knew turned on it's head. I didn't see it coming to that degree, and it had me hooked from there on out.

Overall this one was an interesting and captivating read, with beautiful writing that drew me in. I only wish it had been spread over a duology so we got a bit more world building and more explanation into the magical connection!

*****

Thank you to the author, Melissa Poett, for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a wild ride and I couldn't put it down! If you enjoy the romance of Tristan and Isolde and the world building of The 100, then pick this book up. The Enemy's Daughter is a YA dystopian story that centers around a romance. The romance between the main characters Tristan and Isadora is full of tension and yearning. It's meant to be enemies to lovers but felt more like insta love for me. There's a magical connection between special family lines that allows partners to communicate, share memories, and more. Tristan and Isadora end up with this connection as a life saving method during conflict so how much of their feelings for each other is swayed by this connection was a question for me. However, I was living for it. There were parts that had me GASPING so loud my husband in a different room heard me. The dystopian world building could have used more depth though. It's a quick glaze of history about bombings and toxic environments and clan-based communities. The conflict between the survivor communities drives the tension between Tristan and Isadora. Again though, the story is focused on the romance. Like I said, I couldn't put it down because it was an enjoyable read.

First off, that COVER. Art. Pure art.

The book itself absolutely matched up to my expectations going in! I wanted a unique reimagining of the Tristen and Isolde story. A love that felt earned and fought for. Characters that weren't cookie cutter.

I also got some unexpected surprises, like how intriguing the world building was. It harkened back to the 2010’s heyday of dystopian, but with the beautifully romantic writing I’ve come to expect of the 2020’s. The writing was stellar and the pacing was quite good as well.

I’m now very obsessed with the myth that The Enemy’s Daughter pulls from and I need more!

Readers, if you want the love child of Fallout meets Divine Rivals in a retelling of Tristan & Isolde, then may I introduce you to The Enemy’s Daughter. In a world ravaged by war, reclaimed by nature, and threatened by a tentative boundary between two peoples; our star-crossed lovers meet and have difficult decisions to make. Isadora, our naïve but courageous FMC lives within the Clan lands; a series of families who seem to live in a barbaric manner; shunning old ideologies of science and medicine in favor of strength and viciousness. Isadora’s whole life has been limited by her family despite her knowledge and desire to be a healer on the front lines of the supposed war between the Clans and the Kingsland. Tristan, our charming and brooding prince of Kingsland, has been seemingly captured by Isadora when she dares to venture past her family’s boundary. A poisoned arrow, a tenuous lie, and a magical bond are the final pieces that set Isadora and Tristan’s story into motion.

As Isadora is taken to the Kingsland, she learns that they’ve managed to preserve the old way of life: electricity, hot water, functioning governments, trading, and even a hospital. As she is forced to learn of her own world view’s inconsistencies, she’s also left to battle the town’s wary inhabitants that don’t trust the violence of the Clans. Meanwhile, Tristan and Isadora form an unbreakable magical bond (no spoilers how or why cause its wonderfully entwined) and find that possibly between the two of them, they can bridge the gap between their two polarizing worlds. A budding romance, a change to her way of life, and the lies built in her world all come unraveling throughout and I was thoroughly pleased; another well done and refreshing retelling to my library!

Thank you to Melissa Poet and Quill Tree Books for a review copy.

This was an interesting story.
I thought the world building was interesting but honestly I just had much higher expectation for this book than what was delivered.
While I may not have enjoyed it I’m sure other people might.

This book feels like the quintessential YA fantasy. Although it is more so considered a dystopian because of the time frame it was in it felt more fantasy to me. If you mix 2010s dystopian with some recent YA fantasy, this is what you get, and it was a great time.

With the description I gave above I usually wouldn’t love it but this fell very close to what I want to be reading and what I enjoy. It felt like everything I didn’t love was combated by something I loved, for example, I’m not the biggest fan of forced marriages, but this book combatted it with a better representation of slow-burn than I’ve seen a lot of other books have. (It's not the true slow burn I love, but it’s definitely better than a lot of ones I see out there now)

I was rooting for all the characters, and especially loved Tristan. I think their relationship was really cute and was perfect for a YA audience.

One thing I wish was better was the descriptions of it being in a dystopian world. It wasn’t until the last 10 percent did I actually realize the world was meant to be dystopian and not a fantasy world. Just a little bit more description of the setting could have helped.

Overall a really solid book that I would recommend to anyone who is interested in the synopsis!

(Thank you to Netgalley and Quill Tree Books for an early copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!)

Tropes:
⚔️Enemies to lovers
⛓️She kidnaps him
🔒Forced proximity
🎭Faking relationship
💙He falls first
💍 arranged marriage

Thank you to NetGalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn’t influence my review. Guys this book is crazy good. The world-building was wonderful and the book drew me in from the first page. The tropes delivered, and I don’t wanna spoil so I’m not gonna say anything. But the MMC is so perfect!

This was a really good YA dystopian, BUT did feel a little long and drawn out to me - I was surprised when I saw it was only about 370 pages. I didn't think it was groundbreaking, but I loooved the characters, I felt like they were really realistic and this would be a great read for young people to learn about propaganda, the influence of family, etc. Overall, looking forward to more from this author!

*I received this book (Via eArc by Netgalley) for free from the Publisher ( HarperCollins Children's book ) in exchange for an honest review*

I absolutely loved The Enemy’s Daughter by Melissa Poett. It’s one of those books that sticks with you long after you finish it. I’ve always been fascinated by the myth of Tristan and Isolde—it’s my favorite from the Anglo-Norman tradition—and this story felt like such a beautiful, modern reimagining of that legend. What really drew me in was the mix of fantasy and dystopia. The world Poett created was dark, layered, and completely immersive, and yet the emotional heart of the story—the forbidden love, the loyalty, the heartbreak—felt true to the original myth. It was gripping, romantic, and haunting in the best way. Honestly, I didn’t expect to get so invested in the characters, but I found myself really rooting for them. The chemistry was intense, and the stakes felt real. Poett did such a great job making an old story feel fresh and relevant.

Release date: MAY 6, 2025 rating: 4/5

She's determined to be free. He's out to avenge his father.

It's a world that feels hauntingly like our own yet set after a time when civilization and comforts were all but destroyed. Isadora longs to break free from the box that her father and the clans he leads has trapped her in. She wants the chance to learn and apply old world ideas, and she certainly doesn't want to be a prize to be won.

The pacing was well-thought out, the revelations perfectly placed, and the romance realistic without being over the top. Worth a read and a ponder.

➸ 4.5 ⭐️

The Enemy's Daughter was fast paced and addictive and I could not stop reading.

My biggest gripe with this book is actually what I enjoyed most about it—the pacing. Do I wish it was about 40 pages longer so the build up in the beginning was better? Sure. But reading this after just finishing 2 pretty dense, slow paced romantasy books was the perfect timing. This is exactly what I needed and I loved every minute of it.

Melissa Poett has created a unique dystopian world that was really easy to fall into. From the very beginning, I was drawn into the story and its world, eager to explore it further. I cared about the characters and what happened to them and I found myself often holding my breath in anticipation for what was coming next.

Both MCs have my heart.
Isadora was such a relatable heroine—she was kind and good, passionate, a dreamer. And she possessed a sort of quiet strength, though she also knew her way around throwing a knife so there is that 😂
Tristan was giving me some serious Dorian (ToG) vibes and I loved him from the minute he showed up on the page.

The romance was my fav part even if everything between the MCs happened relatively fast—from the moment Tristan and Isadora met to when she was struck with the poisoned arrow and everything changed between them was only less than 24 hours. Now, the things revealed much later in the book explain Tristan behavior, why he decided to save Isadora and the actions it took to save her, and though their relationship did develop over time, because of the pacing I can't say it was a slow build. Still, that didn't bother me much since I loved the MCs and their chemistry right away. There was tension, there was conflict and angst and as I said I only wish the book was longer.

The magical bond was such a great way to build the trust between them. I loved the way there were multiple levels to it depending on how open and close the characters were in a relationship. It was a unique spin on something we've seen before.

The last few chapters were wild and emotional and I could not read fast enough. I was at the edge of my seat, screaming, crying, throwing up 😂 I'm not even kidding, I wasn't sure where the story was going to go since it's a Tristan and Isolde retelling and I was bracing for the worst the whole time.

The Enemy's Daughter gave me Heartless Hunter vibes with its enemies-to-lovers, fast-pacing and high stakes.
If you are in mood for something like this based in a fantasy dystopian world you should absolutely check this one out.

Can't wait to read more by MP!

I NEED EVERYONE TO READ THIS RIGHT NOW!!! The Enemy’s Daughter had me gripped by the throat from the first chapter and kept me enthralled until the very end. I think this book is going to be my whole personality now. The tension!!! The angst!!! The magic tying between Isolda and Tristian gave their connection and romance a whole new level for me. I also love a man who’s a simp for his woman, so I rooted for Tristian so hard!!! Seriously, I couldn’t stop reading this and I wish I could read it again for the first time. A perfect YA romance and a unique retelling that is a must read!

Thank you to Quill Tree, NetGalley, and the author for sending me an early copy!

*Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for this eARC; the review is my own.*

I probably could have finished this book in two days if I'd had the opportunity to just sit and read it. The book was very fast paced, and I had difficulty putting it down. Right from the start, I was pulled into the story and the world, which I wanted to know more about. I cared about the characters and was invested in what happened to them.

I loved the relationship between Isadora (18) and Tristan (20) and how it developed throughout the book. Already curious and quietly rebellious, Isadora flourished when she was freed from the restraints she had grown up with. Her acceptance of truth outside of what she had been previously taught was gradual but solid. I loved how persistent Tristan was in making sure she was protected but not stifled. Honestly, I just adored Tristan. Don't worry, his immediate willingness to save her life is explained. Other characters I really liked were Freia and Enola.

In some ways, The Enemy's Daughter examines human nature in the same way that William Golding's Lord of the Flies does. It explores how different types of people could react in an end-of-the-world scenario, as well as how those people would interact with each other when resources are scarce and governments have fallen.

Having finished the book, I still have a few lingering questions. For example, what led to the bombings the took place 37 years prior to the start? How much of the world was affected? What exactly causes the connection (all they had were theories)? Although it would have been nice to have all the answers, not having them didn't impede my enjoyment of the book.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what else Melissa Poett writes in the future.

The Enemy’s Daughter is a YA fantasy dystopian that follows Isadora, an 18-year-old healer and the daughter of the leader of the five clans. After the five clans start a war with their rival settlement, Kingsland, Isadora’s world is quickly turned upside down and she finds herself magically bound to Tristan, a Kingsland assassin.

I enjoyed this book! I found this story to be compulsively readable. It’s fast-paced, with snappy chapters that made it hard to put down once I started reading it. To me, it just felt like classic™️ YA. It made me very nostalgic for 2010s YA dystopia/fantasy. If you liked the quick pacing and high drama of a book like Heartless Hunter, I think you’ll probably have fun with this one too. The Enemy’s Daughter also has this cat-and-mouse setup between Tristan and Isadora in the first half which I found to be the strongest, most intriguing element.

Though I enjoyed reading this story, it did feel like it was lacking a little something. I thought the glimpses of the dystopian world that we got were really interesting, and I would have appreciated more description there. I also think there was a lot of potential in that cat-and-mouse dynamic between Tristan and Isadora, but it wasn’t drawn out enough.

There is also one issue I had with the worldbuilding. We find out that Isadora’s father is essentially an incel and that her community is just… some incels who started a commune so they could control women. What’s missing is a true understanding of the intersectionality of oppression. You hear her father talk about the “natural order” of things, but he is solely concerned with women. There’s no discussion of race or homophobia and transphobia (which you also see in the incel community). There is also a strange Christian persecution undercurrent to this book… It isn’t a major point, which is why it didn’t really tamper my enjoyment of the book, but the backwards community of misogynists that Isadora comes from also despises religion, whereas Tristan’s community, which is supposed to look like a feminist utopia by comparison, is also vaguely religious. At one point, Isadora’s father claims that they use Kingsland’s “theology” against them because they are too peaceful, and the community was founded because someone had a “vision” of this safe place existing for them. Isadora even has this part in her inner monologue where she says something akin to “we aren’t allowed to be independent thinkers or practice religion” in the same breath. These mentions are brief and not elaborated on, so I wouldn’t say it feels intentional. But it ultimately feels unrealistic and makes whatever commentary the book is going for fall flat.

The Enemy's Daughter is a fast paced and romantic dystopian YA read.

Isadora is a member of the clans, and the daughter of the Saraf. The clans are constantly fighting against the Kingsland people, and her father offers a challenge - whoever takes out the Kingsland leader will be betrothed to Isadora. But a series of events goes awry, and Isadora finds herself taken captive by the Kingsland men, including Tristan, the son of their fallen leader. An enemy in a strange land, Isadora is treated kindly and exposed to technology and practices from the old Republic before the bombs fell. Isadora begins to wonder if what she has been told all her life is a lie, and if staying in Kingsland with Tristan might be a better option, even if it means betraying her family and clan.

I really enjoyed this reimagining of the Tristan and Isolde story. Set in a dystopian future, we have two young people from different walks of life and a forbidden love story. Since the book is a standalone, the romance felt like it moved a little fast, but appropriately paced for the length of the story. I did enjoy seeing how Isolde struggled with remaining loyal to her clan, while reconciling what she learned about the Kingsland people. Her kindness and caring showed through though, and she and Tristan make a good couple. The ending was fast paced and exciting, and left me on the edge of my seat. Overall, this was a quick read, and as a standalone, felt just right in terms of story and pacing. I really enjoyed it, and I look forward to more from this author.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and to HarperCollins Children's Books - Quill Tree Books for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. I was really excited about a retelling of Tristan and Isolde but I didn’t think that the setting itself worked to capture their dynamic. I think this book really needs to be pitched as a dystopian rather than a fantasy or a Romantasy, as that is how Enemy’s daughter reads. I think if it were marketed that way I would’ve gone in with clearer expectations and I do think there’s an audience for this book within the romantic dystopian genre. While I really appreciate the social and political commentary present within this book I felt as though it were a little on the nose, Isolde seemed already very aware of her clans wrongdoings and so it seemed a little surface level when she tried critiquing her clan to the narrator.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. The Enemy's Daughter was a unique dystopian story, and I had a great time reading it. I won't lie, the cover is what originally pulled me in, but the story kept me SAT. It had an interesting magic system, and the romance was well executed. The bond between them was unique too, I liked that it wasn't a "fated mate" bond, but a more....realistic approach? more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads for release. 3.75 stars.

Thank you NetGalley, Melissa Poett and Harper Collins for a copy of this book in exchange of a review.

I absolutely loved this mix of dystopian setting and romance!

The magical bond between the two characters was so precious, I just couldn’t stop shiping them all the way 💞

It is not totally an enemies to lovers since he is her enemy but she’s not really his (in fact he wants to protect her). I think they’re more enemies in the principal because their clans are rivals.

I loved the dystopian setting and the story was so easy to follow (very fluid writing).

In all I had such a great time reading it.