The Encanto’s Daughter immerses readers in a dazzling YA romantasy rooted in rich Filipino folklore, chronicling the journey of MJ—half-human, half-encanto—who must suddenly step up as heir to a fractured fairy realm on her father’s death. Melissa de la Cruz masterfully intertwines magic, political intrigue, and courtly danger with the emotional stakes of identity and belonging. MJ’s quest to earn the throne amid backstabbing nobles and ancient curses pulses with suspense and resonance, thanks to vivid world-building and a heroine whose courage rings true. The tender spark with Sir Lucas adds just the right touch of romance, offering both heart and hope as MJ grapples with her destiny. Complete with rich cultural texture and fast-paced action, this enthralling debut of a duet promises a magical, empowering adventure fans will be eager to continue.

The Encanto's Daughter offers a vibrant tapestry of Filipino mythology, weaving in elements like mambabarangs and sigbins that add a unique flavor to the fantasy genre. The setting of Biringan, the hidden fairy realm, is lush and imaginative, immersing readers in a world filled with magic and intrigue.

MJ Rodriguez, the half-human, half-encanto protagonist, is thrust into a whirlwind of political unrest and magical uncertainty following her father's sudden death. Her journey from the human world to the enchanting yet perilous Biringan is both captivating and daunting.

However, while the world-building is commendable, the pacing of the story often stumbles. The rapid transitions between events and the introduction of numerous characters can feel overwhelming, making it challenging to fully invest in the narrative. Additionally, the romantic subplot, particularly MJ's relationship with Sir Lucas Invierno, seems to develop too swiftly, lacking the depth and tension that could have made it more compelling.

Despite these pacing issues, the novel's exploration of identity, legacy, and belonging resonates. MJ's internal struggles and her quest for self-discovery amidst political chaos provide a solid emotional core to the story.

In conclusion, The Encanto's Daughter is a promising start to a series rich in cultural depth and magical allure. While it may not have completely captivated me, it holds potential for readers who appreciate fantasy infused with diverse cultural elements.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very interesting fantasy novel. I really enjoyed the magic system in this book and want to know more about the world. The mystery that was woven into the book was well done and made me guessing throughout the book. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

I really enjoyed the Filipino mythology in this book. It was a really nice story that I enjoyed overall. I would definitely read another book from this author.

I always enjoy reading books based on other culture’s mythology. This was a good read and I’m hoping we get a bit more on the magic and world in book 2

This YA romantasy based on Filipino mythology was a lot of fun to read. I loved the world building and the bit of the magic system we got to explore (I'm sure there will be more of that in the next book). My only gripe is that the mystery was pretty easy to solve early in the story, so the twist at the end didn't feel very big. But I still had a good time reading and I'm excited about the next book.

Thank you G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for the review copy!

I received this ARC from Net Galley .
Can you ever go wrong with Melissa de la Cruz? Once again I am enchanted by her work. The Filipino folklore and imagery in the world she created is beautifully illustrated. The main character MJ is half human/ half encanto and after being hidden in the human world for years has to return to the world of her father after his passing. The supporting character's relationships with MJ were wonderful especially Nix. This YA story has romance, mystery and drama. I liked this book so much, l grabbed the sequel as soon as it was released.

This story was interesting. I think the character should have been a little younger. The book read like it was meant for middle grade, but the main character was 17 and doing more adult things. The vibes were also just a little mixed. Sometimes I felt mystery/thriller vibes, then the fantasy elements would surface and jolt me to fantasy vibes. That's not always a bad thing, but it felt a little whiplashy and messy.

This book was fantastic. Being introduced to this Filipino fairy tale was lovely and enchanting yet exciting with lots of intrigue & action, MJ had spent most of her life hiding out in the human world then moved over to Biringan when her dad died. MJ is a great character & the friends she makes are loyal & help her as she figures out her new life. Right from the very beginning of the story I was drawn in & captivated by this story. I’ve read a bunch of Melissa de la Cruz books & I haven’t been disappointed. I’ll be looking forward to the sequel.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I was just drawn into this story and I just couldn’t get enough of it. I was so disappointed to turn the last page and I immediately wanted more. I can’t wait to see what's next from this author.

The Encanto’s Daughter by Melissa de la Cruz is a fun read, especially if you’re a fan of Encanto. The story follows Isla, a girl with magical powers, and explores the usual themes of family expectations, discovering your own path, and the pressure of living up to a legacy. It’s got a good heart, and I enjoyed seeing Isla struggle with her powers and family dynamics.

That being said, the pacing felt a bit off at times. Some parts of the story were really engaging and had me hooked, while other parts kind of dragged or felt rushed. Isla’s character had some cool moments, but I wish we got to know her and some of the other characters a bit more deeply.

It’s a solid, enjoyable book, but it doesn’t quite hit the emotional punch I was hoping for. If you’re looking for something light and magical with family themes, it’s definitely worth checking out, but don’t expect it to be a game-changer.

A modern day fairy tale, steeped in Filipino mythology, MJ is set to rule in the most magical of ways, that is if she can ward off dark forces that threaten to end her along the way. de la Cruz sets out a buffet for the senses and adventure to thrill within this culturally sound YA novel. I enjoyed every minute of the detailed plot and character development, which enhanced this story wonderfully.

This book was not what I expected it to be. I've loved reading Melissa de la Cruz's stories since I was a teenager so I was eagerly awaiting the day I could read this one given the Filipino lore/creatures in it. I was unfortunately not very hooked on it. The chapters felt disjointed. (I don't know if that's because I was reading an ARC of the paperback or if that's how they actually are in the final version). They would always end on a cliffhanger and then the next chapter would pick up in an entirely different scene. The chapters themselves were also very short. I read a different review that said this leaned younger YA and I thought maybe that's why I didn't like it very much but I'm unsure. Many of the plot twists and revelations in the story felt kind of rushed, especially in the end. I also didn't see why MJ even liked Lucas. She went from not caring for him to dating him within a few chapters so it was a little jarring. I might try to read the sequel since I read a review stating it was better than the first one but we'll see!

Think Percy Jackson meets Princess Diaries with a Filipino twist! Melissa de la Cruz writes from her heart using the stories and tales she heard as a kid. So although the magical coming of age story may feel familiar, MJ is a powerful new heroine all her own. From getting magic-napped at the story's beginning (at SCHOOL) to joining pirates on a life-or-death search (for a book), MJ (and the reader) is on a madcap adventure. Don't forget ancient languages, a magic puzzle box, forbidden plants, and oh - actually being a fae princess. And my little fairytale heart couldn't resist the references to Alice in Wonderland. Hooked yet? This is only book 1!

"Basically, anywhere you see the beetles, the witch isn't far behind."

"Every jungle has a snake."

There’s mystery, adventure, politics, magic and romance. It was interesting to find a fantasy that incorporated Filipino myth into the world building. I’m looking forward to the next one and learning more.

I've been reading Melissa de la Cruz's novels since I was actually in the YA demographic (Au Pairs came out when I was in high school). I was so excited to see her write such a deeply personally book with The Encanto's Daughter. De la Cruz taps into her Filipino heritage to write this book, an homage to the Princess Diaries with a distinctly Filipino magic twist.

MJ is living with her mother in California as an ordinary girl, but when her father dies suddenly, she is whisked away to become the queen of Birigan, a realm that must be ruled by someone with magic. Along with her new friends, Nix and Lucas, she has to work to unlock her magical talents and to solve the mystery of how her father died. I enjoyed the Filipino aspects of the book, from the food (do not read before lunch - I had to stop on the way home for some empanadas after this book gave me a craving) to the mambabarang, the dark witch antagonist. I do wish this book had been able to go into more depth about a lot of interesting details - Nix's background in the American foster care system, the dynamics of MJ's extended royal family, and the network of alliances and advisors around the throne. I hope future volumes will go into more details about the nuts and bolts of ruling the kingdom.

Romantic hero Lucas reminded me a bit of Blue Bloods hero Jack Force, and I admit I found their romantic relationship less interesting than MJ's bond with Nix and other female friends, and I hope the next series will lean into this dynamic. While the book is described as YA, and there are a few brief scene with some sexual suggestions, otherwise, I think this book would be appropriate for middle grade readers. Recommended for anyone who enjoys de la Cruz's other books or the Princess Diaries.

This was a fun YA fantasy, and I loved the Filipino setting, mythology, and culture. MJ is an entertaining protagonist and the overall storyline was entertaining. However, it did feel kind of muddled. It started off with thriller vibes, then became a high school drama with mean girls, and then turned into a whodunit murder mystery. The romance also needed a bit of work. It sort of came out of nowhere and felt a little forced. So all in all, I liked it but didn’t love it.
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My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Read if you like:
▫️YA fantasy
▫️Filipino culture and mythology
▫️fairies, witches and magic
▫️murder mystery
▫️court politics and intrigue
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Thank you to G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Penguin Teen, Melissa de la Cruz, and NetGalley for the gifted copy. I received it for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Melissa de la Cruz can do no wrong. I have yet to read anything of hers that I don't thoroughly enjoy - this was a delight and so magical and fun.

Thank you to NetGalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review.

An entertaining YA fantasy steeped with Filipino folklore. A princess hiding in the real world is forced to return to claim her crown after her father’s untimely death. Full of mystery and adventure, new friendships & discovery. Perfect for 12-18yr range, but it’s a story that can be enjoyed by all.

I think maybe this book is aimed at younger readers.
It follows MJ who finds out her father is a king and he has died and she has to take the throne.
There are dissenters who don't want her to take over and also questions as to how her father actually died.
It is unusual anf colourful story.
I am sure that younger readers will enjoy it.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher