awesome idea. i'm a huge fan of the tristan/isolde story so the idea of doing a fantasy twist to it was an awesome one and I loved this! 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Thanks to NetGalley & Quill Tree Books for the arc!

**1.5 stars** I was drawn from this magnificent cover and was severely disappointed. But props need to be given to the cover that is beautiful art.
Inspired by Irish folklore, Tristan & Isolde, we follow our main female character, Isadora–an 18 year old healer risking her life to help the injured soldiers in battle. Set in a dystopian world, following the destruction of the Republic, there are now two settlements; the five clans and Kingsland, grasping for control over the other. Following a valiant battle, the leader of Kingsland is dead. Isadora goes on her own only to run into our mmc, Tristan. Who we later find out is the former leader’s son. After dire circumstances, the two find themselves interwoven and in Kingsland. Isadora now has to formulate a plan to escape the haunches of the enemy territory and return to her home. But she finds herself revealed to the truth and is unsure about everything she’s ever known.

I wanted to dnf this book at 20% but I managed to finish this one pretty easily, hence the half star rating. Right off the bat, we are thrown into the action. There was never a time where we got a detailed explanation of the destruction of the Republic. No foundation, no idea when or where this story took place. I would have loved to read more on the Republic or why it fell in the first place but we are barely given a reason. So many plot holes, it was generally a mess. The names the author uses in this book were all over the place. So you have no idea where they are. (Liam, Farron, Annete, Caro, Freia, Enola, Teag, Vador, to name a few)

Since this is marketed as dystopian, we can only assume this is set in the future, however, they seemed to have completely lost any sense of anything modern. So far as to go back into arranged marriages for the good of political gain, and have women be no part of anything that only a man can easily do. (But their pants still have zippers?) I really didn’t understand the feminist angle. Especially when this contributed nothing to the story. Not to mention Isadora is an 18 year old HEALER and learned from a textbook but no modern medicine exists anymore in her land? But the enemy territory has surgeons in hospitals? Make it make sense.

On top of the lack of world building, there were barely any physical descriptions of these characters. Other than if they’re younger or older than Isadora, we have no picture of what all of these characters look like. I had to refer to the cover for our two main characters. Since this is a standalone, I’ve been noticing that authors tend to be very vague when writing in certain genres like dark fantasies, dystopian, romantasies, and others within this realm.

After reading the author’s note in the beginning, I was very excited. But shortly after reading the first sentence of chapter 1, I knew I was going to be disappointed. This is marketed as YA and will give you butterflies and the feels. Neither of which I felt. This could appeal to some? Especially if they are new to reading. But I will credit the fact that this was fairly easy to get through.

Cute and full of promise, but ultimately not for me. The writing itself is excellent but the execution left me with a lot of questions about the worldbuilding, etc.

I loved this! The growth in Isadora was top tier! My favorite sub-genre of books is when a young woman realizes that the system she thought she knew is actually the most oppressive force in her life. The romance was beautifully done.

LOVED THIS! such a fantastic YA fantasy, authentic characters, propulsive plot and intricate world building, I really loved the writing style it was so easy to digest and enjoyable, can't recommend to fantasy fans enough!

So so interest!!!!! The characters were well fleshed out and the writing style was very easy to get through. I’m always a sucker for books in this genre. I’m so happy I was given the chance to read this!!!!

The clans have called a contest to take the head of the Kingsland's leader and Isadora is the prize. Marrying her will secure their position as the next Saraf, leader of the clans. While Isadora resents being used as a pawn in her father's scheme, she will play her part to unite the clans against their enemy. But after the contest is completed, things take a turn for Isadora. Not only is she saved from death by a Kingsland soldier, the magic he used to save her has forged a connection between them. The closer they grow, the more information they can learn from the other's mind. Can Isadora fight her attraction to protect her people or will she grow closer to her enemy so she can bring information back to her people and her betrothed? "The Enemy's Daughter" is a dystopian romance loosely based on the legend of Tristan and Isolde.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the e-ARC of "The Enemy's Daughter" in exchange for my honest review.

This was a very cute silly little story. I did like the first half a little bit more as it felt more on the realistic side of things and then Tristen's and Isadora's relationship felt like it changed overnight when she got to Kingsland. Also, um it would have been nicer to know how this "bond" worked. Was it an after effect of the fallout? I guess I just had too many questions by the end and I wish we had more of a slower build on Isadora and Tristen's relationship. The going from being strangers to being in love was a little too unbelievable.

That being said, I had a great time and this is a nice and quick guilty pleasure read.

DEVOURED.

Yesterday afternoon I opened this book with curiosity, immediately became enthralled with its bewitching words, obsessively read into the night, failed the battle against sleep, woke up with admitted ire towards daylight savings, quickly forgave it when I realize I had another free day of reading. I finished by noon, and all in all: I could hardly put this one down. I didn’t want to until my eyes gave in. The Enemy’s Daughter came to impress, and it accomplished just that.

That is how much I loved this book, how I craved it even as I was reading. It’s an absolute keeper.

In a world being rebuilt from the ruins of destruction, a fight between factions — five clans and the Kingsland — results in the death of the latter’s leader, heightening tensions and issuing a power struggle. The daughter of one of the faction leaders, Isadora, goes to tend to injured soldiers when she stops an attack from a young man from the Kingsland. She must decide whether to turn him in or let him go. For at her heart she is a healer. Before her choice can be realized soldiers from Kingsland subdue her with poison. A poison meant to kill until Tristan surprises them all by calling upon a magical bond of his people to save Isadora’s life— and bind her life to his. What follows is a journey into a world Isadora knows little of, is fascinated much by, and questions the answers she thought she once knew. This new world houses a boy whose heartbeat she can’t help but match with her own, resetting them on a much unexpected path.

Isadora is a marvelous heroine. Her heart is kind and courageous, a heart that longs to see peace and heal wounds. Her perception of the world is limited to what she was taught, so being thrust into the world of Tristan forces new perspectives, unexpected questions, and heartbreaking realizations. It changes her irrevocably, but no change is greater than what arises in her heart with knowing Tristan. Tristan may not have a POV, but his presence is paramount. He becomes as layered and complex a character as Isadora. We get to know his grief, strengths, vulnerabilities, and just how deep and faithful his love is. Both Isadora and Tristan serve this narrative in equal merit, elevating the story as a whole. And this includes their love story.

Ah, the romance! It’s beautifully written. I most appreciated how the magical bond plays a major part in the love story. That connection heightens and strengthens the value of emotional intimacy between Isadora and Tristan. It’s clear the two are physically attracted to one another, but it’s that dive into the emotional connection tethering one to the other that truly takes my breath away. I was captivated by the love story. That said, I did feel it was initially rushed into, and I missed having slower pacing to develop that early courtship-like stage before delving into that “I’m in love” stage. Truthfully, when I feel this way towards a romance it reflect on my rating, but I find I’m okay letting this bit go. Because while this remains a quibble, by book’s end I was all in for the love story. I felt the chemistry, yearning, desperation, and the selflessness that is born of the love between Tristan and Isadora. It may not have been perfectly paced, but it was perfectly felt.

The world-building fascinates! I don’t want to give much of it away, but for me it is a completely unexpected, surprisingly experience. And I wholly immersed myself in this environment. The setting is important, as it comes into play with heightening tension between the brawling factions. I wish I could say more, but this something to experience first hand!

You know you’ve found *the* book when you’re reluctant to turn that final page. I didn’t want to say goodbye to these beautiful leads I met and loved, not yet! Not now! Nevertheless, every story comes to an end, but the memory of this one will forever have me wanting to begin it all over again and again. And that's exactly what I'll do.

If Melissa Poett ever wants to write a novella or bonus epilogue to further expand on how we leave this story, I’ll be first in line to grab my copy. This is truly an incredible read. I will be preordering, scouring for all the editions, and keeping this as one of my crown jewels on my shelves.

One final note, I will like to shout out to the synopsis for providing the exact amount of intrigue needed to reel readers in, while keeping much under wraps to leave one awe-struck! This book kept me engaged from beginning to ending.

Thank you HarperCollins Children’s and NetGalley for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

This is a solid debut. It is firmly YA and the plot is pretty straightforward as a Tristan and Isolde retelling. As such, apart from the dystopian setting (which I thought was developed and established quite well), there isn't really anything new or entirely unpredictable. But it was very sweet and enjoyable with a classic feel to it. It felt very much like a story I would have fallen completely in love with when I was younger. I would easily and happily recommend to any young readers looking for something romantic.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books for the advanced copy!

This was such an interesting take on a long held classic tale. The world was built well and I liked the dynamic between all the characters but especially the MMC and FMC.

The Enemy’s Daughter is a gripping dystopian reimagining of Tristan and Isolde, perfect for fans of YA fantasy. Set 30 years after the fall of the Republic, it follows Isadora, an eighteen-year-old healer who risks her life to protect her clan from Kingsland, a settlement she believes to be dangerous. When she’s shot with a poisoned arrow, Tristan saves her using his magic, and she’s forced to heal in Kingsland, bound to him.

As Isadora plans to escape, her growing feelings for Tristan and the freedom she experiences blur her original mission. The story is packed with tension, romance, and a unique magic system that kept me hooked. While it may not be groundbreaking, it’s an enjoyable, entertaining read for anyone craving more dystopian romance.

I was actually unfamiliar with the Tristan/Isolde story before reading this book, but I don't think that took away from the story. The backdrop for this story is absolutely fascinating. We are following Isadora 37 years post a nuclear war event. This means that her parents generation remembers the pre nuclear war that they are interacting with the remnants of and how that compares to present day. While Isadora is from the clans that are quite primitive, our MMC Tristan is from the "Kingsland" that the clans are aware are much better off. Very quickly they are forced into a situation by which they save one another from almost certain death, but end up being bonded in the process.

This is a closed door YA standalone romance, and how I wish it was so much more than that. This world has so much potential...but save for being served as a backdrop, not much else is explained. Why is there a lore? What is up with this weird bond that they have? They have traders, does that mean there are other pockets of civilization outside of Isadora's and Tristan's areas? Instead we get a sort of enemies to lovers insta romance that did not feel super believable. This book occurred over the time span of a few days and Isadora changed her world view so quickly that it took me out of the story. Now, I did love how Isadora's parents had a role in this story, and there were parts of the romance that were very entertaining.

I think if you enjoyed shows like "The 100" or "Revolution" (I know this is a call back but those were the vibes) and don't mind surface level worldbuilding because you're there for the romance - I think you'd enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publisher for the ARC.

A retelling of Tristan & Isolde that grips you from the beginning and doesn't really let go. The tension is high from the opening and keeps the pressure going as you turn each page. Filled with romance that has a foundation of the ancient story, hints of modern enemies to lovers renditions, and a dusting of some of your favorite couples in stories you love (for me it was Reylo). The action and politics keeps you engaged and on the edge of your seat. The world building is detailed and you really feel the differences between the two sides and all the strife each of them has wrought. At first the sudden plunge into one sided romance had me confused, but it's explained in more depth later and it warms your heart.

This was my first time reading a Trystan and Isolde retelling and I loved it! The romance was so good! And I could not put this book down!

interesting concept, but underwhelming execution.

the prose is honestly really pretty for a ya romantasy (or maybe i've just read really bad romantasy books). everything flowed well, and it was a pretty quick read. the non-romance plot was also quite intriguing. two rival colonies in a post-apocalyptic world fighting for resources, but it turns out one side is delusional and killing their own soldiers for propaganda? isadora being captured and her scrounging around the house for secrets to take back to her clan? fascinating.

the problem starts with the romance. there's very little actual development. the story depends on you crediting the whole relationship to the magic "connection" between tristan and isadora. and this isn't enemies to lovers. it's enemies, but one side has been in love the whole time, to lovers. now, personally, i've never had a problem with the latter trope the same way others in the book community seem to, but you can absolutely tell the only reason this happened was to pretend they have actual chemistry by throwing in a random "i've loved you for the past five years 😋" moment without any real work. also, my biggest pet peeve in heterosexual romance is when they glorify the girl taking her husband's name, and while it's annoying in normal situations, it's even worse here because she's his HOSTAGE and she's from a freakshow talibanesque culture where women are quite literally prevented from going to school or even just outside. blah blah blah, it's one line, not that serious, blah blah, i do not care. that single line will make me hate a romance book every single time. and this is supposed to be about feminism too, so it's even worse.

and the worldbuilding? worldbuilding was nonexistent. the most generic explanation of the founding of the two settlements. there was a war in the usa and people died? from radiation perhaps? and that's it. it makes somewhat sense because isadora knows nothing about anything (not her fault, to be fair, growing up governed by the taliban will do that to a girl) and it's entirely written from her perspective, but tristan or enola or someone else should have elaborated. and there are no explanations of where the "connection" comes from. is it a side product of radiation? and the whole thing with tristan's dad being an oracle? there are some innovative ideas in this book, but there are zero details to go with them. honestly, this is so embarrassing to say as a professional male-disliker, but maybe this should have been from tristan's perspective instead.

as for the feminism theme, it was very underwhelming. partly because of the romance, partly because of the disney style corny antagonist reveal at the end, but either way, it was meh. i won't lie and say it wasn't realistic, however. the united states becoming uninhabitable because of a nuclear war, and then andrew tate & co starting an anti-science, anti-plumbing, anti-medicine colony because the normal colony actually likes women, and they don't want to collaborate with them for better survival rates because fuck women is a strangely realistic-probably-happened-in-an-alternate-universe idea. it's still ridiculous, however, especially combined with how everything else in this was executed.

The Enemy’s Daughter by Melissa Poett is a wonderful read. Poett creates a great world filled with interesting characters. The world building sets you into a world that was decimated by bombs and two types of people. One type that goes back to the old ways of living (living off the land, hunting/gathering.) The other type has found a way to make a civilization that has electricity and running water. The main characters are from opposite sides of the spectrum and it’s great to see the differences in beliefs and upbringing. When reading the love seemed to come awfully quick, but as you read you begin to understand how this comes about. A great upper YA Tristan and Isolde inspired read.

Summary:
Isadora’s clan is fighting a war against a kingdom that has murdered many of their family members and friends. Isadora is a healer and after a bad skirmish runs out to help aid the soldiers. But instead of getting to the battle she runs into Tristan who is from the other kingdom. Determined not to let him harm her family she takes him hostage. But unfortunately she ends up on the wrong end of a poisoned arrow shot by one of his guards. In order for her to survive Tristan offers his magic but it comes with some strings attached. Now that Tristan and Isadora are magically bonded, Isadora needs to figure out what the real truth is and who is the real enemy.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publisher for the ARC.
I was gave an ARC and this is my unbiased and honest opinion.

This book was utterly captivating from start to finish. As someone studying medieval literature, the promise of a Tristan and Isolde retelling with a fantasy/sci-fi twist is what drew me in and I am so pleased by the delivery. Such a fascinating world with very real (and very charming) characters, I couldn’t put the book down. I actually had to force myself to take breaks just so I could relish in the story before its end. And the ending! So perfectly tied together, I just wish it lasted a bit longer simply because I wasn’t ready to leave these characters. I don’t know what Melissa Poett’s plans are in the future, if this is a world we will return to again or if we with venture somewhere else, but either way I am excited for whatever! An incredible debut!!

YESSSS. I love a good retelling, but a Tristan and Isolde one?? Yes please! This was so good I don’t even know where I would start.

A swoony, dystopian love story between a girl and the boy from an enemy clan. Isadora must marry to uphold her family's position and while she doesn't want to, she will do as her father says. When an enemy clan attacks she is shot by a poisoned arrow only to wake up in enemy territory and bonded to the prince turned assassin of the enemy clan. The two clans have been at war for years, or have they? As she is forced to stay in enemy territory, a truth she never imagined is revealed, will she stay with the boy she has fallen for or will she fight for peace...

"The Enemy's Daughter" by Melissa Poett has filled the 2014 YA dystopian craving I have had for years. The story takes place in the future, but the similarities to today's politics are undeniable. I seriously could not put this book down, I absolutely devoured this story and fell in love with all the flaws these characters have. I hope Poett continues to write in the dystopian genre, she has magic to share!