This is a great stand-alone Romantasy in which the main character, Isadora, is put into a situation where she must marry her enemy to save her life. She begins to question the ways of her father, the Saraf, and the society in which she has been raised. A society in which women are subservient and books are censored and burned. Isadora begins to understand that her worldview has been purposefully limited to a narrow lens and as she gets to know Tristan and his people she begins to question who the enemy and the aggressor truly are. The "but daddy I love him" trope is especially addictive and fun. I can see fans of Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross loving this book.

Omg I adored this book. The beginning was a little slow, but I was hooked once it picked up. The romance in the book was everything to me also. I loved the slow burn and how they gradually grew to trust and care for each other. The plot about the corruption of Isadora’s homeland and father was also so much fun to read about. I know this is based on another story that I’m unfamiliar with, so I enjoyed not knowing what would happen next. I honestly don’t have much to say besides the fact that I absolutely LOVED this book and basically read it in one sitting. I would definitely rec it to anyone who likes fantasy or would like to get into the genre!

This book is worth ALL the hype and easily the best book of 2025 for me so far.

This story will hold you captive (possibly against a tree...) with its impossible romance set in a dystopian world and caressed by the most intimate magic. For fans of the Hunger Games with the immersive language of Rebecca Ross.

Spice: Closed-Door Brief descriptive kissing
Language: None/Invented fantasy expletives (my fave)
Positives: Challenging long-held beliefs, gifts of true intimacy, dangers of controlling access to history and information
Considerations: Lightly graphic wound descriptions, murder, kidnapping, cult-like oppresive systems against women


Thank you Netgalley for access to this digital ARC

Isadora is the clan leader’s only daughter and auctioned off for marriage until she is kidnapped and saved by the rival clan leader’s. Who also happens to be awesome and extremely handsome. What could go wrong? In this post apocalyptic world the two civilizations could not be more different from each other and it is up to isadora to close the gap but also to finally make decisions for herself. I loved the romance in this book but also how clear the authors message was about the power of knowledge.

ᯓ★ˎˊ˗ net galley review
Thank you so much to HarperCollins Children's Books for providing me with the ARC of this book.

I thought this was going to be a Xaden and Violet situation and it kinda was but it was also different in a good way. I would say this book is more dystopian than fantasy really and so I was a bit confused at first when it began, but then I got used to the writing style and the world and I really enjoyed it. I thought the characters always trying to one-up each other was very fun to witness and as a fast reader, I read it even faster because I didn't want to put it down. I will definitely be rereading this upon physical release!

‘The Enemy’s Daughter’ delivers a gripping dystopian designed to be a reimagining of Tristan and Isolde. It is a perfect enemies to lovers story filled with angst and high-stakes political intrigue that will keep you at the tip of your toes.

However, while the premise is undeniably addictive, the pacing falters at times. Some moments you’ll read scenes that are just right, and other your confused at how fast it went by. Adding on to that, although the romance was absolutely breathtaking it was all too familiar on the typical tropes in YA fantasy that it didn’t really distinguish the book to other YA fantasies. But still wonderfully crafted enough for it to be a 4 star read worth everyone picking up👏

That said, this book is a perfect edition to add to your collection. And anyone who is a fan of Rebecca Ross, Adalyn Grace, and Thea Guanzon needs to pick it up. It was a thrilling, evocative, but just shy of perfection still inevitably worth the read.

To say this book was amazing is a HUGE UNDERSTATEMENT! This is about the best book I've read this year...maybe even EVER. I am so happy at how this book turned out. I kicked my feet, laughed, cried and even had to read certain passages aloud. Poett's prose was too beautiful to keep in my head. This is gonna be one of the biggest books of the year and Poett deserves it. I can't wait to read what's next from this author! <3

this one was so good! it felt unique and original get it had the star crossed lovers vibe that kept me interested. one of the best enemies to lovers I’ve read in a long time!

Thank you to Netgalley and Quill Tree Books for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’m giving this 4.5 stars but rounding up to 5

This is an enemies to lovers ya dystopian romance. Normally this wouldn’t be a book I’d reach for, but I absolutely adored it. I really loved the connection that happens through marriage and all of the tension that came with it was just chefs kiss! I devoured this book in one sitting.

I thought this was an amazing YA book that had both a focus on social injustices the characters faced and the growing romance between our main characters. I loved Tristan and Isadora so much! I highly recommend this gripping romance.

4.5/5 stars
(Rounded up!)

Genre-
Dystopian

Age Rating For It-
13 and up just because there's a little gore just about some injuries and a little fighting between the clans and people in the book but nothing too bad or anything. There is romance but nothing spicy or anything it’s really just some kissing and a little touching, but nothing like explicit or anything.

Tropes-
Enemies to lovers
Rival clans
Marriage for survival

Quotes-

“There is no betrothal, Isadora. You're married now. To me.”

“‘Please don’t break his heart.’… Don’t break his heart? But I don’t have his heart. I’m his prisoner.”

“‘Thank you,’ I say, trying to soften my voice.
A smile splits across his face.
It’s a stunning smile. The kind that makes him immeasurably more handsome. A flutter kicks up in my stomach, and then from the threadbare tether between us, there's a pull to move closer to him.”

“Good night, Isadora.”

“‘You still think we’re enemies.’ It’s not bitter. He’s simply stating a fact….’I don’t want to be enemies’ Tristan's eyes track over me, like a finger trialing across my skin. ‘Then let’s not be.’

“I can’t confirm what he’s asking. I can barely breathe. This boy is so very dangerous.”

“I will always be the enemy’s daughter.”

“My hands fist in his shirt as I pull him to me. ‘I want this, Tristan.’ I pause, letting the truth of my words sink in, then I kiss him. I kiss him like he holds my next breath. Because I have never wanted anything more.”

Thoughts/Would I Recommend This?-
I really enjoyed this book, I thought it was a great book, and I don’t think I’ve read any books too similar to this! So I thought it was pretty unique too because of that, and I did have a twist to it that made it more original and add something else to it so it wasn’t just a basic normal dystopian book. My only thing that really made it so it wasn’t a full 5-star read was that I do wish that it explained more on how the world kind of “ended” and what was happening because of it. I felt you knew something happened, and you knew something was wrong with the land but only on like a basic very base level. So I just wished I knew more about that and what was happening in the world and everything. Other than that though, this was an amazing read that I loved so much and almost completely read in one sitting! So all in all, I would totally recommend this book and that everyone check this out and read it when it comes out!!


(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

In this fast-paced enemies-to-lovers story you will find a dystopian world that mirrors the haunting uncertainty of our current reality. Themes of misogyny, carefully constructed lies by trusted leadership, oppression, and an ever uncertain truth held my attention with savage ferocity.
As a Tristan and Isolde reimagining I wasn't entirely too keen on liking the characters and their cherished connection as much as I did - fearing the absolute worst that might come. But I just could not help but to fall in love with them regardless, throwing caution to the wind and holding my breath for an outcome that would be better than if this had been a strict retelling of source material.

The tension is so delicious that when the romance finally bears fruit it is like being gifted with the freshest breath of air after holding ones breath for so long. With a unique and unexpected sprinkle of magic nestled within these pages I simply could not put this book down. I am so grateful for access to this ARC. It was a phenomenal YA read that left me equally flustered by the budding romance and the social injustices the characters faced.

You know when a book has everything to be good but the execution just feels off? That’s exactly how I felt about this one and I think the main issue was it being a standalone. So much happens, yet nothing really develops properly bc there’s no time. The romance had potential but I still don’t get how she went from hating him to loving him in seconds just bc he proved she’d been lied to her whole life. I also felt like the world building was weak in some parts, which bothered me a bit while reading

I requested this ARC because of the description and stayed because of the authors note. That note disrupted my current read but in a good way ! Melissa Poett grabbed my attention immediately and the story took my entire heart. Start to finish was just perfection to me. It has a day to day delightful pace where the main characters are unraveling secrets in their dystopian world together. The yearning that I am always on the search for between the love interests was just divine and without any miscommunication. Well, you can't lie if you have mind to mind connection ! The unique magic only added to the wonderful journey the two were on learning about each other. Tristan and Isadora were so inspiring and will be forever a favorite couple of mine. Incredible YA debut from the author. I can't wait to get this in a physical copy !

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Absolutely phenomenal! I devoured The Enemy’s Daughter in one sitting—it's that gripping. An intense, emotionally charged story with rich characters and twists that keep you hooked from start to finish. The tension, the romance, the drama—everything was perfectly executed. Easily my top read of the year so far. If you love a book that pulls you in and doesn’t let go, this is it!All the stars!!!

Guys. This was phenomenal. The will-they-won't-they... The cat-and-mouse games of who can outsmart the other.... The tension, gods, the tension. The narrative was dripping and saturated with it. Perfect, amazing, no notes. Had to pause several times to squeal. 10/10

The Enemy’s Daughter is a fast-paced romantic fantasy with complex characters. I was captivated by this story and it was so difficult to put this book down!

I only knew the basics of the tale of Tristan and Isolde going into this book, so I cannot compare the two of them. However, I loved Tristan and Isadora. I will say that I do not consider them to be enemies-to-lovers, but rather forbidden lovers. They held some distrust for one another, but they never actively tried to harm or kill one another. This did not ruin my enjoyment at all though! I loved the dystopian setting and how the clans and Kingsland saw survival and the way of life differently.

Overall, this was a beautiful and intriguing story. Thank you NetGalley and Quill Tree Books for the arc! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4.5, rounded up. I would read so much more in this world. Post-nuclear fallout, but there must be so many settlements outside of this one tiny region.

The story was interesting and the romance cute. The romance was just a bit easier than I’d prefer, but mind tangling magic can do that.

Thank you to HarperCollins Quill Tree Books and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC of this book!

This was such a fun read. I actually didn’t know about the Tristan and Isolde story, but I enjoyed this book’s reimagining. I loved the relationship between Tristan and Isadora—they love each other deeply, though it wasn’t an enemies-to-lovers dynamic but more of an insta-love. I also enjoyed how the author wove magic, a dystopian setting, and other elements together. It was a fun and lovely read!

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this debut book!

Five stars!! If you like your romantasy served with equal portions of dystopia, feminism, and complex characters you can't help but root for from the first chapter, add this book to your TBR immediately. I was immediately hooked by this fast-paced, enemies-to-lovers reimagining of Tristan and Isolde that will appeal to fans of Rebecca Yarros and Rebecca Ross. Poett's debut adds a refreshing and exciting new voice to the genre and is not to be missed! In addition to the scorching-hot romantasy, Poett delivers a story with timely themes, including the importance of access to books, especially for young people; the dangers of misinformation and indoctrination; how we can combat these things with empathy; and how anyone can make a change, even if it is something small, that can make a difference in the world. This is a must-read book in our current times, and I'll be thinking about the story, as well as the characters, for a long time after reading the last page.

Honestly I am not too familiar with Tristan and Isolde, so I can't offer any comparisons there. What I can say is this was a very well planned story with enough history to make it interesting (post-apocalyptic) but not overbearing.

The magical inclusion was interesting and helped move the story along. The characters, main and secondary, were different and realistic. I really liked the relationship and development between the two MCs.

I truly enjoyed this book. The action lasts right up until the end and kept me on the edge of my seat for a while.