A massive thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!! I really enjoyed this book; definitely something I will tell my friends about!

This book had a lot of potentially and just fell so short of the mark.

Given that MJ is 17 going on 18, I feel like this should have been a middle to upper Ya book. It read closer to middle grade or at best lower ya. The plot was fairly flat and easygoing. Often times things just seemed to conveniently occur. The characters themselves didn’t have a lot of depth.

MJ knows she has a month to get her act together before she becomes queen. Yet she spends literally of her time doing nothing.

I was excited to see a Filipino inspired fantasy world and while we saw use of Filipino words and some mythology, I just didn’t really get the vibe the author was going for. It just felt like any other fae world for the most part.

This book was amazing! I loved the setting of the book and that it was inspired by mythology that is usually not used. The writing was beautiful and I would highly recommend this book!

I am SO HAPPY a Filipino mythology story FINALLY EXISTS in the world of young adult novels. As a Filipino, I felt a special connection with this story, Is it weird to say it felt like home? The world the author created based on legends was amazing. Everything from the different creatures, the wardrobe, the court, all of it was so vivid in my. mind. AND ON TOP OF THAT the author left us hanging with the hugest cliff hanger. C'MON I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. I can't wait for the second book!!

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Encanto’s Daughter by Melissa de la Cruz is YA royal fantasy brimming with Filipino mythology and court intrigue.

This story was fast moving and full of elements I look for in a book like a confident MC and unique plot. However, in this instance I wish the book would have taken a slower approach and really flushed out the world-building and relationships.

Overall I gave this book a three star rating because while I loved the premise and the main character, the book definitely lended itself to a younger audience.

I was really excited about this book and got so happy when I was approved to get the digital copy from Netgelly.
This story is more for younger YA audience. I could definitely see my 14 year old self devouring this book in one sitting. It has element of mystery, along with fantasy. It kind of reminded of the stories I grew up reading and I did enjoy that aspect. One thing that I feel could have been better was character development. I wish we got more emotions out of the main character esp in the beginning. Not sad emotions but you know what I mean. Anything to help really picture her other than just dialogues that she is uttering.

But I think that's what makes it more younger YA.

Overall it was not for me but I think if you do fall into younger audience you would enjoy it.


I received a digital copy of this book through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
#TheEncantosDaughter #NetGalley

Firstly, I love this gorgeous purple cover with the crown, it is eye-catching & fits the book's vibes very well.

I really enjoyed this Filipino mythological fantasy by Melissa de la Cruz! I love learning about lore and mythos from other cultures and thought Melissa did a great job with this book.
Full of mystery, court intrigue, witches, fairies, and our MC, MJ Rodriguez, rising to the occasion and overcoming insecurities and doubts, this book is great for the YA crowd! I am much older than the intended audience, but still found it an enjoyable read. Looking forward to book two, since book one ends on a cliffhanger.

Tysm for letting me be an ARC reader for this, Penguin Teen!

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book before the official release. I enjoyed my time with this book, but ultimately it wasn't meant for me. I found the pacing too slow, which kept my attention constantly drifting away. The idea of the story was great, but I felt like it was geared for someone younger than I was expecting it to be.

I found that this book just wasn't for me. It was a fun story but it read a little young. I do think there is an audience for this book that will love it. I loved all the Filipino culture and because my people were also colonized by the Spanish I recognized some of the foods mentioned though I know that our food may be named the same it's not always the same. I'm Mexican btw.

Overall, a fun read with enough mystery to keep you engaged.

This book was fantastic! The infusion of Filipino mythology and magic added a captivating dimension to the story, and Melissa de la Cruz truly excelled in creating a wonderfully magical narrative. The central focus is on MJ Rodriguez, who, as the only child of the king and being half encanto, has predominantly navigated life in the human world. However, upon her father's demise, she finds herself whisked away into Biringan, compelled to claim the throne.

MJ's character was truly remarkable. Despite occasional lapses in confidence, she undergoes significant development throughout the story, transforming into a remarkably self-assured individual by the end. Her friend Nix also adds depth to the narrative. Witnessing MJ's journey from uncertainty to becoming a semi-fit ruler was particularly engaging.

The plot was well-crafted, and I enjoyed the element of mystery surrounding her father's fate. Trying to unravel the secrets kept me hooked, and the conclusion left me eagerly anticipating the release of book two. The unresolved questions, especially regarding the mysterious letter, have me impatiently awaiting the next installment. Melissa de la Cruz did not disappoint in delivering a compelling story with an intriguing blend of mythology, magic, and mystery.

A young woman claims the throne of a realm inspired by Filipino mythology in this YA romantic fantasy, the first in an enchanting new duet by #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz.

Beautifully written. I cannot wait for book two. Seriously, I can't wait. Give it to me now.

This book was good! I loved the Filipino mythology / magic added into the book. Melissa de la Cruz did not disappoint when it came to making this book as magical as possible! This story revolves around MJ Rodriguez who has spent her life mainly in the human world dealing with the fact shes half encanto and she's the only child of the king. She ends up getting whisked away into Biringan upon her fathers death because she must claim the throne.
I loved MJ’s character, she was amazing and although at times she lacked a bit of confidence towards the end she became super confident. And her friend Nix was amazing also. MJ’s developed so much throughout the story, and towards the end she became a semi fit ruler.
The plot was good too, I enjoyed trying to figure out what happened to her father, and solve the mystery behind it. And the ending?? Oh my god, I can’t wait for book two to come out because now I have to know what's going on with the whole letter.
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this so much more than I did. The premise seemed interesting but it just overall fell flat. The pacing was slow so the book was hard to get through, and the characters were not compelling at all.

I adored this. I love learning about other cultures' mythologies and I knew absolutely nothing about Filipino myths. And now I have a whole new world to uncover! The lore and the magic were fantastic and enchanting and I thought the fairies were such a cool subplot. No one writes magic like Melissa. This was wholly enchanting and that cliffhanger?! Please. I need the next one ASAP!

Likes:

Magic
Witches
Filipino fantasy
Court intrigue
Beautiful purple cover with crown
Personal note from the author
Learning Filipino words
Cliffhanger at the end

Favorite quote:

A Royal without manners is a Royal without clout and is, therefore, a Royal without a court.”

Dislikes:
The world building & magic system needs to be developed more.
Bored while reading

Thank you @penguinteen for my gifted e-arc

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

EXCERPT: "In what can conceivably be described as Ella Enchanted meets Vampire Academy, Melissa de La Cruz’s latest novel, The Encanto’s Daughter, takes the thrilling royal fantasy setting and combines it with the drama of intense schooling for one’s magical abilities. The many incorporations of Filipino culture and its influence are seamless and contribute to the fairytale-like world building set up by de la Cruz. It’s a tenderly crafted, if perhaps occasionally rushed, tale that feels like a thoughtful and grand metaphor for children of the diaspora."

Full review published online at Asia Pacific Arts Magazine.