The Encanto’s Daughter is a Filipino mythology-inspired fantasy following the protagonist MJ who is thrust into Biringan when her father, the king, dies. MJ has always known she is half-Encanto but has lived her life as a human in the human world with her mother, who is also human. However, their lives have been lived on the run from the dangers that come with being an Encanto princess. The majority of the story takes place in Biringan, where MJ struggles to find her footing and place as she’s forced to rise to the challenge of taking the throne. This young adult fantasy has everything you’d look for in this genre: a romance, enemies and allies, court politics, a magical world that is both beautiful and terrifying at times, and shocking twists. The Encanto’s Daughter is a fast-paced, entertaining read that is trope-y enough to satisfy the typical YA fantasy reader.

This was a great YA fantasy novel, that I would recommend to fans of Melissa de la Cruz's previous books!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

The first half of this was a little bit slow, but once it picked up it was so exciting I couldn't out it down. MJ has had to come back to assume the position of heir to the throne after her father's death. But it seems that something bigger is going on, and she's able to investigate what really happened with her friend Nix, and Logan, who she thinks she may really like. I felt like things were wrapped up really quickly in the end, but thats just me. It was a perfect blend of teen super sleuthing and royal shenanigans!

I have been provided with a review copy of this title from NetGalley for an impartial review. Awwww this was such a cute story. I was just captivated by everything that was taking place. It was just so easy to get into these characters lives and you just can't help but fall in love with them. I can't wait to see what's next from this author.

This was, very unfortunately, a DNF for me. This may be a book I come back to in the future but, as of right now, it just really wasn’t holding my attention. I didn’t feel any sort of investment in the storyline or the characters and found myself only picking up the book to read 5-10 pages and then stopping. It wasn’t catching my interest at all.

I’ve enjoyed other books by the author so it may be a wrong timing situation and I’m just not in the mood for it. I can’t really pick out anything that I genuinely found wrong with the book at all. It was just a case of my attention isn’t being held at all.

Such a wonderful read full of mystery and magic. The pace is quick and pulls you right into MJs life. I did get a bit confused with all the characters and various descriptions of encantos. Definitely worth a read.

Melissa de la Cruz has always delivered excellent stories and this one is absolutely perfect. I could not put this YA Romanticy down! Hands down the best I've read so far this year!! Loved it! A definite must read!!
I just reviewed The Encanto's Daughter by Melissa de la Cruz. #TheEncantosDaughter #NetGalley
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This book started off eventful with the opening scene! If you’re looking for a book that has constant flow and is page turning, this one doesn’t disappoint!

I’ll admit when I first heard of this book, (since the author has written other Disney inspired books), I thought maybe it was about Disney’s Encanto movie- but it’s NOT! And that’s not a bad thing! This book, was much more intriguing and will keep you guessing. It has a little bit of everything- fantasy, folklore and myth, adventure, romance, modern world and fantasy worlds both, and even some mystery/ who done it aspects! And with our main character switching from being invisible to royal heir, you bet everything will be flipped upside down!

This one’s full of lots of twists and turns, some regular drama vs some actually spooky drama, and will keep you guessing. I’m not going to share too much details about the book as I don’t want to spoil this brand new release for anyone! I’ll just say that with an epilogue like that- I sure hope there will be a sequel!

Overall, I rate this one:

🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars (4/5)

The Encanto's Daughter was a fun, quick YA fantasy read.

So, positives! It was really fun to pick up a fantasy that incorporated Filipino myth and lore into the worldbuilding. I'm always going to be excited about that because it's just so flipping cool to see parts of my culture reflected on the page. It's also very accessible - it's not difficult at all to understand what the terms included refer to, and in terms of getting acclimated to the world, it's easy enough learning about things organically alongside main character MJ (though it does feel like we're really only skimming the surface of things).

Next, what I'm neutral on. Now, for this, I do believe a reader's mileage may vary given their age, how much fantasy they've read, etc. I'm not the target audience for this (it's definitely for teens) and I've already read a lot of fantasy all across the genre's spectrum, so take it with a grain of salt when I say that I thought the plot was alright, if a little tropey and predictable.
I also didn't find any of our characters particularly enticing outside of their role in the story (and again, the tropes were definitely out to play for this element too), which did mean that I wasn't as interested in the romance (which is marked as a selling point). There's nothing particularly bad about either of these things, but since they didn't feel as developed, I personally didn't feel as invested overall.

The bottom line is that I thought The Encanto's Daughter was just fine. It was entertaining for what it was, and I certainly appreciated the Filipino touches (which really did elevate my reading experience on the whole).

“The Encanto’s Daughter” by Melissa De La Cruz is about MJ Rodriguez. MJ and her mother have been hiding in the human world her whole life until assassin’s attack them. MJ is the only child of King Vivencio of the Sirena Cort and now that he has died, she is the next in line from the throne. When she escapes back into the magical realm she must go to the magical elite school and prepare for her throne. Her father’s death though is suspicious at best. MJ is determined to find out what happened to her father, and she joins up with Sir Lucas of the Siabin Court and her new friends.

I really liked this book. I loved friendships and found family aspects. I liked the Filipino culture in the book but because the title Encanto reminded me of the Disney movie Encanto I was expecting it to be Columbian, but it doesn’t change my overall expectations and the depth of the book. I do wish there was more time to delve deeper into the world building because the magic realm is so cool, hope to learn more in future books of the series. I gave the book a 5 out of 5 stars. Can’t wait to see how I decide after it has a full series on whether I like as much or more than her other book series.

-Found Family
-Magic
-Fae
-Royalty
-Half Human

The premise is catching, the mythology is inviting and a breath of fresh air. The writing however, was lacking in overall excitement. It didn't draw me in and hold my attention the way I had hoped and it reads significantly lower than YA, more along the lines of young readers.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4/5 STARS

Genre: YA Fantasy

I have read a few of Melissa’s books and really enjoy her writing! This is a Filipino inspired fantasy and liked learning about their culture.

Synopsis: A teen girl finds out she is the heir to a magical kingdom after her father dies. Transported to the magical world, she must learn what comes with ruling and suspecting that her father’s death was more than it seems.

This is a good quick, charming read. It reads a little younger YA. There is a lot packed into it: romance, murder mystery, politics, magic, coming of age but it all fits together really well. It is the first book in a duology and leaves off with a cliffhanger. I will for sure be reading the sequel!

Thank you Penguin Teen for the ARC! 💜

MJ lives in the human world quite oblivious to who she really is until she was whisked away to a kingdom which was ruled by her father, the late king who was murdered. Only then does she realize who she really is, the rightful owner to the throne and the soon to be queen of the kingdom. As a hapcanto (half human) she has to earn respect and acceptance from the royal court while she’s also expected to discover her magical talents which will ultimately decide whether she’s the rightful heir to the throne. Meanwhile, she builds a budding friendship with Lucas, a handsome yet mysterious knight from another court which soon turns into a strong attraction. Alas, who can resist a dashing knight? While prepping for her coronation, dark things start to happen which not only puts her life in danger but also puts all courts into a perilous situation weaved by dark forces of magic and witchcraft…

Will MJ discover her magical talent in time to prove herself at the coronation? Will she together with her friends discover who’s behind the mysterious killings of her father and others?

This is my first Filipino inspired mythology read and I really enjoyed the story. The plot had some great unexpected twists which kept me turning the pages. World building and setting are great and not too complex and I loved the descriptions of the various types of creatures as well. The side characters were also intriguing. I’m looking forward to the next book to learn how the dynamics between MJ and Lucas develops as this book leaves us on a cliffhanger. The costume descriptions really made me want to see them live especially the illustrious gowns.

You’d love this if you enjoy,
-Adventure
-Mythology
-Fantasy
-Friends to lovers
-Kingdoms and realms

Thank you for the ARC Penguin Teen.

Oh, wow! i just that my younger self will love this start of a duology inspired by Filipino mythology.

Encanto's Daughter is the first book in a duet from Melissa de la Cruz following MJ Rodriguez, a half-encanto/half-human, who get swept into the encanto's kingdom after her father's, King Vicencio, sudden death.

The world of encantos is set in the island of Biringan which is a renowned setting in the Philippines dubbed as the lost island and has been a favorite among conspiracy theorists and legend discussions.

Even the ARC has a map so I can say that I had a full experience reading the galley.

What went well for me is how Melissa de la Cruz fleshed out MJ's character as someone who went from zero to hero. It rarely works for me since MC tend to be whiny and uncooperative given what's at stake but in this one, MJ had a full circle as she found herself being readied as Biringan's next in line.

The representation of Filipino myth, lore, foods, and culture is present. The magical characters in Biringan island were all derived from the Philippines' lore and legend. I guess the author in do more in terms of bending some of the characteristics of these creatures but that's something that I look forward in book two.

What can be improved is the pacing because it seems that there's a lot happening in this book alone that it wasn't able to take advantage of the momentum in certain parts. Encanto's Daughter has fantasy, adventure, romance, murder mystery, and coming-of-age elements which felt a bit crowded in my opinion.

Overall, this is an enjoyable first book and I'm looking out to read the next one hopefully by next year.

Thank you Penguin Teen for sending me an ARC!

**Book Review: "The Encanto's Daughter" by Melissa De La Cruz**

Release Date: March 5, 2024

I'm incredibly grateful to Melissa De La Cruz and the publisher for the advanced copy of "The Encanto's Daughter." This enchanting novel, releasing tomorrow, weaves a stunning tapestry of mystery and fantasy that will leave readers spellbound.

Melissa De La Cruz has a unique gift for storytelling, as evidenced in the compelling narrative of "The Encanto's Daughter." One of the book's standout quotes, "perhaps you believe the past doesn’t matter, when in fact, history is where we find future," beautifully encapsulates the journey of the protagonist, who delves deep into her heritage and destiny.

A word of caution for sensitive readers: there is a significant presence of bugs in the story, which added an unexpected edge to my reading experience.

The novel's strength lies in its character development, especially in characters like Jinky, who add layers of mystery and suspicion. De La Cruz masterfully crafts a labyrinth of intrigue, keeping readers guessing and second-guessing throughout. The story is not just about the unfolding of events; it's a psychological journey that questions trust and truth.

What I particularly admired about "The Encanto's Daughter" was its coherent plot amidst a complex weave of elements. The story isn't just a fantasy; it's a mystery at its heart, keeping you on the edge of your seat. As the tale unfolded, I found myself questioning every character's motive, especially as the enigma around the protagonist's powers deepened.

And just when you think you've figured it all out, the ending leaves you yearning for more. It's a revelation that this is just the first book in what promises to be an extraordinary series. Melissa De La Cruz has set the stage for a thrilling sequel, and like many of her readers, I am eagerly awaiting what comes next.

In summary, "The Encanto's Daughter" is a captivating read, rich in mystery and enchantment. It's a book that not only entertains but also invites readers to ponder the intricate connections between our past, present, and future.

I liked the premise, it had a bit of a Percy Jackson vibe. It's definitely meant for a younger audience thought so I lost interest quickly. I don't see this as a YA that can bridge the gap between youth and adult readers.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read so far from Melissa de la Cruz, and while I’m not an avid reader of her backlist or anything, I nonetheless had high hopes for The Encanto’s Daughter. However, I found myself rather underwhelmed. Granted, some of my issues could stem from the fact that I’m not the target demographic, as while all of de la Cruz’s books that I’ve read are YA, this one felt like it skewed more toward the younger side in particular. So, take my opinions with that in mind.
I love the unique Filipino cultural influences, as they are still incredibly rare in fantasy, although given the sheer amount of books de la Cruz has written, it’s wild to me that she hasn’t written a book that explicitly draws from her culture before. Biringan is well-rendered and immersive, as are the creatures, like the aswang and mambabarang, which are similar to vampires and witches, respectively.
MJ is your fairly typical YA fantasy protagonist, living a mundane life in the “real” world, although she’s much more than what she seems. However, that doesn’t make her less fun to follow, as she’s still fairly sympathetic, and she’s definitely out of her depth when she returns to the magical world. I also liked some of the friendships and other relationships she develops, especially with Nix, who accepts her and supports her in the cutthroat world of academia mixed with politics, rife with mean girls. The romance is pretty cute too, even if her developing relationship with Lucas is also overshadowed by some dated, misogynistic dynamics with a romantic rival.
Where the book lost me was that I wasn’t sure what I was meant to be getting. Was this a “school drama” book? Was it about the greater world politics? What purpose does the mystery serve? It felt like it was trying to be too many things at once. Knowing it’s meant to be the first in a series does add some context, but I would have preferred a more focused reading experience, as opposed to setting up a bunch of things that each got swiftly abandoned for the next thing.
While I was rather underwhelmed by this book, and am unsure if I’m planning to continue the series, I will repeat my acknowledgement that this book is probably just not meant for me. But I can see why this would appeal to others, especially younger readers who might be interested in a fun fantasy with Filipino mythology that has a little bit of everything, from high school drama to basic fantasy politics.

Thanks to G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the gifted copy of this book!

THE ENCANTO’S DAUGHTER is a fun YA fantasy inspired by Filipino mythology. I really enjoyed binging this romantasy in one sitting. It’s got a little bit of everything - magic, romance, hierarchy, mystery, and culture. A great option if you’re looking for a fast read or listen with royalty and magic!

The Encanto's Daughter is so vibrant and imaginative. I was instantly drawn into the story.

I was captivated by the Filipino lore of Encantos, dark witches, and other magical beings and the intriguing similarities and differences to the stories I'm familiar with. The shared threads of stories across cultures always pique my interest, sparking thoughts about the universal foundations of these tales. For instance, this story features a distinct, fae-like realm within our world that you can access through a portal. Despite the characters being called by different names than I am used to, many can be easily related to those found in European lore, fostering a sense of cross-cultural connection.

However, the strikingly unique details offer a new and wondrous world to explore. The world-building is engaging and meticulously crafted. It drew me into its mysteries and the thrills that come with the political intrigue and old promises made.

While the narrative leaned toward the younger side of YA, despite the characters' near-adult age, I yearned for a more intense experience. Yet, the story's compelling nature left me eager to uncover what happens next, eagerly anticipating the release of book two in this series.

The Encanto’s Daughter is one of the few books I’ve read with Filipino roots, and the only one I have read based on its mythology. That was one of the major draws for me when starting to read this book. I also remember reading Blue Bloods when the books first came out when I was younger, so I was drawn to this because of the familiar author.

I will say right off that this book gave me whiplash. It starts out with this intense action, like a thriller. Then swiftly becomes a high school drama – but only briefly. We establish this odd rivalry in school, that kind of tracks though the book, but honestly feels like an abandoned thread for most of the story. It didn’t feel genre blended, but genre jumping. Very much “okay we’re doing this now.”

I did enjoy the story, but I felt it was predictable and clunky at times. It seemed to me like a bunch of big ideas, set side by side, and pieced together. I had a lot of questions, that while they were answered – I didn’t find those answers satisfying. Overall, I think it was a fun read, but it isn’t one that I will be thinking about much later.

Maybe it was too young for me, maybe it was something deeper.

Thanks so much to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the free e-arc of this book so that I was able to provide my honest opinion.