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.
💜
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
💜
Read if you like:
▫️YA fantasy
▫️Filipino culture and mythology
▫️fairies, witches and magic
▫️murder mystery
▫️court politics and intrigue
💜
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

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for the opportunity to read The Encanto’s Daughter by Melissa de la Cruz in exchange for my honest review.

MJ Robertson-Rodriguez has spent her life in the human world, hiding a secret that sets her apart—she’s half-encanto and heir to the Sirena Court. When her estranged father, King Vivencio, dies unexpectedly, she’s thrust into the magical world of Biringan, where she must fight for her claim to the throne, uncover a deadly curse, and navigate treacherous court politics. Along the way, she forms an alliance with the enigmatic Sir Lucas of the Sigbin Court, leading to an unexpected romance that complicates her already perilous journey.

The story is captivating and excellent world-building that brings Filipino mythology to life. Biringan is richly imagined, filled with magical beings drawn from Philippine folklore, and the cultural representation—especially in terms of food, customs, and traditions—adds depth to the narrative.

However, MJ’s journey feels uneven at times. As a protagonist, she is inexperienced in leadership, yet she is frequently placed in high-stakes situations where her lack of knowledge about court politics and customs is glaring. Her decisions, especially regarding her attire for an important event, sometimes feel frustratingly naive. The characters also read younger than I expected, even though I knew this was a YA story.

While the story features fantasy, adventure, romance, a murder mystery, and a coming-of-age arc, the sheer number of elements occasionally makes the plot feel scattered. Some moments that should have been pivotal didn’t get the momentum they deserved, and others felt pivotal but just faded away.

That said, The Encanto’s Daughter still feels special. There’s a nostalgic quality to the writing, and MJ’s struggles—her missteps, her questions, her fresh perspective—make her an engaging heroine. The unexpected plot twists kept me turning the pages, and the unique mythology left a lasting impression.

Overall, this is an enjoyable and fast-paced read, and I’m looking forward to checking out the second book in the series. If you’re looking for a fantasy novel with rich cultural roots, a unique magical world, and a protagonist who defies tradition, this is worth picking up.

Pretty fun start to a new fantasy series! I liked the Filipino influence a lot. I didn't love this as much as I wanted though because the pacing lagged a bit in the middle, which was partially due to the story feeling quest-adjacent, which is just something I personally don't enjoy reading. The ending has me very intrigued about the direction of the sequels!

I previously read the Blue Bloods series by Melissa de la Cruz and loved it! I am grateful for the opportunity to read The Encanto's Daughter set in a completely different universe. It was a great treat that this book read completely different for me from Blue Bloods. This shows true talent of the author to make each story unique! I also appreciated the Filipino background in this book, which allowed me to learn something new. Overall, I enjoyed this book and I will be interested in finding out what happens next!

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for an eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I just finished "The Encanto's Daughter" by Melissa de la Cruz, and wow, what a ride! MJ, a half-encanto, has been hiding in the human world, but after her father's death, she finds herself as the unexpected heir to Biringan, a magical fairie realm thrown into chaos.

The story kicks off with a normal day in our world and quickly spirals into chaos, as MJ is carried off to become Biringan's queen. The world-building is well done, though thrown at us quickly, with some Filipino mythology adding a fun twist to the fairy tale vibe.

It does read a bit younger, which makes it perfect for a lighter fantasy escape. I think it’s a great intro to the fantasy genre for younger readers too. There is some kissing with the MMC, but it is mostly tame. MJ's awkwardness and determination make her super relatable, and I appreciated that she wasn't just another moody teenager. Her journey to becoming queen, navigating the royal drama, and her own investigation into her father's demise was entertaining and kept me flipping through the pages.

There were some moments that felt a bit rushed, and a few plot points could've used more depth, but for the most part it did not take away from my enjoyment.

First and foremost as always thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. I was super excited to start this one! I love the premise of Filipino mythology wrapped into an amazing fantasy story. This was an incredibly good read! The story was beautifully written and the characters were flushed out really well! Definitely worth the read!

The Encanto's Daughter by Melissa de la Cruz was an enjoyable Filipino mythology.
Cruz's masterful storytelling weaves together elements of romance, fantasy, and adventure, creating a rich tapestry of intrigue and suspense.
I truly enjoyed the world building. I quickly got drawn into the story.
Ready for book two!

MJ is half-encanto and has been hiding in the human world most of her life. Her father dies and she is the heir to his throne in Biringan, the realm thrown off balance without a ruler. Not only must she convince the council to accept her, a half-human as sovereign, her father's death may not have been natural after all. The mystery of his death leads to the hunt for a witch, an unlikely alliance and the possibility of giving her heart away.

It starts with a seemingly regular day at school and goes crazy in just a few pages, a whirlwind of continuous storytelling. In all the excitement info is thrown to us left and right and we gobble it up to learn what we can about this world. The story finds its footing and inviting groove in Biringan. This awe-inspiring fairie realm showcases the author's creativity and exactly how she envisions it with her richly detailed descriptions. Sprinkles of whimsy embellish the narrative. the Filipino mythological aspect renders a new spin on what we know about fairies and I'm enjoying it.

MJ prepares to be a queen in fairieland —she even goes to school for it — is as entertaining as you think it will be. Her genuine awkwardness and inexperience are endearing. Her angst is both expected and warranted. Credit to the author for not making this teenager whiny. MJ can carry her own but not all attempts are 100% successful, quite often leading to amusing encounters. I love that she is a quick study, learning from her mistakes. She surprises us and even herself with the unexpected level of her determination.

There are recognizable but always welcome archetypes like the new best friend who approaches the lead first of the inevitable 'I want what's yours' person of the bullying variety you love to hate. Lucas, the frenemy on his way to becoming the romantic interest makes me smile. A lot. You don't know what to make of him. He is as intriguing as the mystery surrounding her father's death and a lot of the unexplainable things happening as danger slithers in.

Some scenes seem to end whiplash, often like they are missing something to really conclude. Additionally, some storylines needed to be developed more in my opinion. We are given certain revelations where the explanations feel rushed. The critiques mentioned above do not diminish the fact that I liked this book and I'm reading the sequel (especially after that ending).

For me, the main theme of this book is about coming into your own. It also deals with the sense of belonging, something we all need and the strength, honor and pitfalls of duty.

Yummy royal court drama, political games and nefarious plots encompassed by magic and darkness culminate into this clever, sharp-witted first installment in this new and totally engaging fairy fantasy series.

3,5

The title sounded appealing to me, and after reading a couple of the Blue Bloods books when they released, the Descendants books with some of my students and last year The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos, I knew chances were I would enjoy this Filipino-inspired story.

The mythology aspect really intrigued me, because I know there are a ton of Filipino myths and I am unfamiliar with them so I thought it’d be nice to find out about them this way; I cannot talk about its representation or faithfulness, but I do believe it is a great introduction to it. It got me intrigued at least.

I mentioned which other books I read by the author because I think it falls next to Descendants in the sense that it reads a bit younger, but is great when you want a lighter fantasy, but it also serves as a good introduction to fantasy for younger readers. MJ, our main character, is a teen and, as such, acts and feels like one. She has just lost her father and has been found by his people in order to bring her to Biringan so she could be crowned queen.

Despite MJ knowing about her family background, we are presented to the world and different concepts gradually, which does not make it overwhelming and easy to follow. We accompany her before her coronation, as she gets ready for that, settles in Biringan, and tries to find out what happened to her dad, all the while as she is attending school and making connections with her classmates.

I think it is a great premise and, like I said, a great introduction to Filipino folklore, mythology and stories, but sometimes I wanted more depth, not only from the plot itself or its characters, but also about the repercusions or the scenes themselves. The idea of having someone like MJ, who is a half-encanto (not common in Biringan), suddenly go there, not only as a new citizen, but as the soon-to-be ruler, makes it very interesting, and poses lots of questions and dilemas, like who she can trust and how she can help her people.

I have to say that the parts I liked the least were related to politics and how MJ was coming to power, which I thought I would enjoy more, but those were some of the scenes that needed more, in my opinion, since they felt a bit simple. I get that that is not the strenght of the book, but if you have the story take place in a made-up land and put the main character in a position of power, which not everyone is happy about, politics should be a priority.

Surprisingly, I enjoyed the investigation that was carried out as to what had happened to the previous monarch, MJ’s father, not only because of the mystery itself and what that entailed, but also because of the interactions it brought forward.

Another point in favor of the book is that it reads quite fast, and it is only a duology, so you do not need to devote 7-8 books for the story to be complete. I am hoping book 2 focuses more on the courts and politics, and that welearn more about MJ’s relationships and bonds with her people and family. Because of its title, I think book 2 will look back into the past and, for some reason, I have more expectations for it.

If you are interested in Filipino mythology, are looking for a lighter fantasy story, or want to read about coming into power or moving to a fairy realm, you should give it a try.

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ebook.
The Encantos' Daughter by Melissa De La Cruz presents a unique and intriguing take on Philippine mythology, offering a blend of magic, mystery, and romance. The story follows MJ, a half-Encanto who is swiftly taken to the Siren Court after the death of her father. As MJ navigates her new world in Birigan, she balances school, trying to discover her powers, and uncover the truth behind her father’s death, all while grappling with her emerging role as a queen.
The book does an excellent job of building a fascinating world steeped in mythology (perhaps a bit too quickly at times with all the different names/court set up), and the mystery surrounding MJ's father’s death keeps the plot moving forward. MJ also forms an uneasy alliance with Sir Lucas, who she gradually begins to fall for. Their romance is filled with tension, sneaky kisses, and promises that feel shaky—especially when Lucas hides the fact that he’s promised to another. The romance adds some emotional depth, though it feels a bit inconsistent at times, especially with Lucas’s secretive actions.
However, my main issue with the book lies in the pacing and the final twist. While the mystery and the exploration of mythology were compelling, the last 10% of the book felt rushed and out of sync with the build-up. In the final chapters, the evil witch finally makes an appearance, is swiftly dealt with, and MJ acquires her powers sands saves the day. She then becomes queen, and a month later while Lucas is out of town -- MJ receives a letter about his upcoming wedding to another woman. (That’s the cliff hanger? Really? )This all happens in a span of just a few pages, which undercut the careful pacing that had been established throughout the story.
The ending, meant to be a cliffhanger, felt more like a letdown. Instead of leaving me eager for the next installment, it just felt unresolved and a little too tidy for a story that had previously built so much intrigue. It didn’t give me enough to look forward to in the sequel, which made it hard for me to stay excited for MJ’s next chapter.
In conclusion, The Encantos' Daughter had a lot of potential and an imaginative premise, but the rushed conclusion and the underwhelming cliffhanger left me disappointed. It’s an enjoyable read for those interested in mythology and fantasy, but the pacing and abrupt ending held it back from being a truly engaging story.

The Encanto's Daughter is a YA fantasy about family and identity with a mystery framework and a genuine "don't trust anyone but yourself vibe". Melissa de la Cruz has created a world that reflects her own Filipina heritage.
MJ Robertson-Rodriguez unexpectedly finds herself being hustled out of her relatively quite teenaged existence into a new role as heir to the throne in Biringan. But there are way too many questions to deal with and a lot of intrigue to unravel. And there's a handsome knight hanging around....

I enjoyed the world-building in this story. The kingdom of Biringan is beautiful and de la Cruz does a terrific job bringing the reader into a world of Filipino language, culture, mythology and (yum) food. The amount of colour that surrounds the characters is very well conveyed, and is echoed in the stunning cover art for this book and its soon-to-come sequel.

I hugely enjoyed de la Cruz' middle-grade series Never After, which has the same rich world-building. However, while this book has lots of terrific elements - court intrigue, a likeable heroine trying to find her way in a totally new environment, a romantic element - it somehow never quite gels, and the elements feel a little clunky. It felt caught between middle-grade and YA. Strong middle grade readers might really enjoy it, but I'm not sure how comfortable they would be with the romance and YA readers might find it a little simplistic. It might find a sweet spot with YA readers looking for a less complex text to tackle.

It does finish with a fabulous twist, to get us excited about the next book!
3.5 stars from me.

Diwata is the Philappino word for fairy; creatures that are closely tied to nature. Mam babarang is a witch that utilizes insects to do their evil deeds.

'The Encanto's Daughter' taught me so many interesting things about Philappino mythology, a mythos that was completely unfamiliar to me. Cruz incorporated multiple cultural references to fairies from all over the world. I hope that if this series continues or has spin-offs she will delve into those other worlds.

MJ Rodriguez and her mother have been on the run the entirety of her life. She has always known that she is a Princess and next in line to rule the Sirena Court. When her father suffers an unexpected death, MJ must return to Sirena. Unfortunately, maintaining her claim to the throne will not be easy. Insurgents are rising against her, claiming she is not the true heir to the crown, at school the other students prove to be bullies and no better than her classmates back in the human realm. To make matters more complicated, she believes that her father may have been murdered and no one seems to be investigating his death.

Cruz developed a beautiful world filled with bright descriptions of the flora and fauna as well as the unique creatures within the mythology. The story is easily rated 'PG' and appropriate for pre-teens. I am excited to see where the next installment will take me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rated 3.5 Stars

The Encanto's Daughter was my first book by this author. While it didn't fully work for me I did enjoy and would definitely read more of this author's work. What I loved about it was the way it centered Filipino culture and mythology. I loved learning a bit of the language and their way of dress. The world was awesome as was the magic system. I loved the mystery aspect and how it was woven into the story.

What didn't really work for me was the fact that it read more like a middle grade book than a young adult. The characters came off as younger than their ages. Which leads to my next one, I liked the characters but wasn't overly fond of them. The romance was a little shaky for me. It wasn't fully developed. It was lacking something and yes I know there is a book 2 but still I expected/wanted more from it.

All in all The Encanto's Daughter was a solid read. It was an interesting story that I look forward to continuing.

Vivid details, questionable characters, and lots of tension all made me feel fully immersed in Cruz's magical world of encantos. The whole book is rife with politics and intrigue, leading to a mysterious whodunit murder. I never did figure out who the killer was. My top contenders, while indeed suspicious in different ways, were innocent... Or were they?

This book ended on a big twist—not a cliffhanger, as everything was neatly wrapped up—but a twist. While the last few pages might be an unusual place for a twist, it worked. And, more than that, it whet my appetite for more.

I will say that it was a bit of a slow start for me, the romance aspect was kind of meh, and there were a couple of “information dump” sections that were a bit confusing. But, as a whole, this was a fun and detailed book that kept me on my toes.

Seventeen-year-old MJ has been on the move with her mom, hiding out in the human world, because she’s half human, half encanto (magical being). The book opens with an intense series of actions that is sure to grab any reader’s interest: MJ is abducted and taken to the mythical Filipino world of Biringan, where her dad has been the king, until his very recent demise–was it a natural death or was he murdered? Then MJ is forced to say goodbye to her mother and be prepped for her upcoming coronation as she is the incoming queen. Full of high school social drama, a murder mystery to solve, and a good deal of suspense, this quick read is a good choice for reluctant readers and really, anyone else.

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

I was optimistic. Especially after I read the author's note. She was excited to write a book set in the magical world of Filipino mythology. I was excited to learn more about Filipino encantos, and intrigued to see how she would weave it all together.

It was disappointing. Literally the only things impacted by the story being set in Filipino mythology were that the Fae courts were for the Filipino Encanto and descriptions of clothing.

Also, hasn't the enemies-to-lovers trope run its course yet? It just continually reminds me of "Oh, he's mean to you because he likes you." Didn't we figure out that that was a problematic narrative that led many girls to devalue themselves and accept being spoken to disrespectfully as par for the course?

Also if she's commenting on how cute she thinks he is in like, the 3rd chapter, is it really enemies to lovers? Seems a bit more like strangers to lovers imho.

Another thing that absolutely bothered me was the whiplash I got from the situation with Althea. Althea is a human who has been tricked into living in the Encanto world. She has made a life for herself as an apothecary. We are introduced to her through Nix, who basically says Althea helped her a lot when she first arrived. When Althea is accused of a crime and tried and sentenced to death, I would've expected a moment to gather our thoughts - especially because we know about the mambabarang (and so do our main characters.) But on LITERALLY THE NEXT PAGE they're talking about the Coronation Ball and flirting back and forth. If this was a few days later, maybe, but it is supposed to be happening in the carriage as they leave the trial. A trial where someone they have a personal relationship with was sentenced to death despite them knowing that she was not guilty AT ALL. I think at that point I was totally done with the 3 lead characters, because they seemed so vapid and flat.