This is a solid debut. It is firmly YA and the plot is pretty straightforward as a Tristan and Isolde retelling. As such, apart from the dystopian setting (which I thought was developed and established quite well), there isn't really anything new or entirely unpredictable. But it was very sweet and enjoyable with a classic feel to it. It felt very much like a story I would have fallen completely in love with when I was younger. I would easily and happily recommend to any young readers looking for something romantic.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books for the advanced copy!

This was such an interesting take on a long held classic tale. The world was built well and I liked the dynamic between all the characters but especially the MMC and FMC.

The Enemy’s Daughter is a gripping dystopian reimagining of Tristan and Isolde, perfect for fans of YA fantasy. Set 30 years after the fall of the Republic, it follows Isadora, an eighteen-year-old healer who risks her life to protect her clan from Kingsland, a settlement she believes to be dangerous. When she’s shot with a poisoned arrow, Tristan saves her using his magic, and she’s forced to heal in Kingsland, bound to him.

As Isadora plans to escape, her growing feelings for Tristan and the freedom she experiences blur her original mission. The story is packed with tension, romance, and a unique magic system that kept me hooked. While it may not be groundbreaking, it’s an enjoyable, entertaining read for anyone craving more dystopian romance.

I was actually unfamiliar with the Tristan/Isolde story before reading this book, but I don't think that took away from the story. The backdrop for this story is absolutely fascinating. We are following Isadora 37 years post a nuclear war event. This means that her parents generation remembers the pre nuclear war that they are interacting with the remnants of and how that compares to present day. While Isadora is from the clans that are quite primitive, our MMC Tristan is from the "Kingsland" that the clans are aware are much better off. Very quickly they are forced into a situation by which they save one another from almost certain death, but end up being bonded in the process.

This is a closed door YA standalone romance, and how I wish it was so much more than that. This world has so much potential...but save for being served as a backdrop, not much else is explained. Why is there a lore? What is up with this weird bond that they have? They have traders, does that mean there are other pockets of civilization outside of Isadora's and Tristan's areas? Instead we get a sort of enemies to lovers insta romance that did not feel super believable. This book occurred over the time span of a few days and Isadora changed her world view so quickly that it took me out of the story. Now, I did love how Isadora's parents had a role in this story, and there were parts of the romance that were very entertaining.

I think if you enjoyed shows like "The 100" or "Revolution" (I know this is a call back but those were the vibes) and don't mind surface level worldbuilding because you're there for the romance - I think you'd enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publisher for the ARC.

A retelling of Tristan & Isolde that grips you from the beginning and doesn't really let go. The tension is high from the opening and keeps the pressure going as you turn each page. Filled with romance that has a foundation of the ancient story, hints of modern enemies to lovers renditions, and a dusting of some of your favorite couples in stories you love (for me it was Reylo). The action and politics keeps you engaged and on the edge of your seat. The world building is detailed and you really feel the differences between the two sides and all the strife each of them has wrought. At first the sudden plunge into one sided romance had me confused, but it's explained in more depth later and it warms your heart.

This was my first time reading a Trystan and Isolde retelling and I loved it! The romance was so good! And I could not put this book down!

interesting concept, but underwhelming execution.

the prose is honestly really pretty for a ya romantasy (or maybe i've just read really bad romantasy books). everything flowed well, and it was a pretty quick read. the non-romance plot was also quite intriguing. two rival colonies in a post-apocalyptic world fighting for resources, but it turns out one side is delusional and killing their own soldiers for propaganda? isadora being captured and her scrounging around the house for secrets to take back to her clan? fascinating.

the problem starts with the romance. there's very little actual development. the story depends on you crediting the whole relationship to the magic "connection" between tristan and isadora. and this isn't enemies to lovers. it's enemies, but one side has been in love the whole time, to lovers. now, personally, i've never had a problem with the latter trope the same way others in the book community seem to, but you can absolutely tell the only reason this happened was to pretend they have actual chemistry by throwing in a random "i've loved you for the past five years 😋" moment without any real work. also, my biggest pet peeve in heterosexual romance is when they glorify the girl taking her husband's name, and while it's annoying in normal situations, it's even worse here because she's his HOSTAGE and she's from a freakshow talibanesque culture where women are quite literally prevented from going to school or even just outside. blah blah blah, it's one line, not that serious, blah blah, i do not care. that single line will make me hate a romance book every single time. and this is supposed to be about feminism too, so it's even worse.

and the worldbuilding? worldbuilding was nonexistent. the most generic explanation of the founding of the two settlements. there was a war in the usa and people died? from radiation perhaps? and that's it. it makes somewhat sense because isadora knows nothing about anything (not her fault, to be fair, growing up governed by the taliban will do that to a girl) and it's entirely written from her perspective, but tristan or enola or someone else should have elaborated. and there are no explanations of where the "connection" comes from. is it a side product of radiation? and the whole thing with tristan's dad being an oracle? there are some innovative ideas in this book, but there are zero details to go with them. honestly, this is so embarrassing to say as a professional male-disliker, but maybe this should have been from tristan's perspective instead.

as for the feminism theme, it was very underwhelming. partly because of the romance, partly because of the disney style corny antagonist reveal at the end, but either way, it was meh. i won't lie and say it wasn't realistic, however. the united states becoming uninhabitable because of a nuclear war, and then andrew tate & co starting an anti-science, anti-plumbing, anti-medicine colony because the normal colony actually likes women, and they don't want to collaborate with them for better survival rates because fuck women is a strangely realistic-probably-happened-in-an-alternate-universe idea. it's still ridiculous, however, especially combined with how everything else in this was executed.

The Enemy’s Daughter by Melissa Poett is a wonderful read. Poett creates a great world filled with interesting characters. The world building sets you into a world that was decimated by bombs and two types of people. One type that goes back to the old ways of living (living off the land, hunting/gathering.) The other type has found a way to make a civilization that has electricity and running water. The main characters are from opposite sides of the spectrum and it’s great to see the differences in beliefs and upbringing. When reading the love seemed to come awfully quick, but as you read you begin to understand how this comes about. A great upper YA Tristan and Isolde inspired read.

Summary:
Isadora’s clan is fighting a war against a kingdom that has murdered many of their family members and friends. Isadora is a healer and after a bad skirmish runs out to help aid the soldiers. But instead of getting to the battle she runs into Tristan who is from the other kingdom. Determined not to let him harm her family she takes him hostage. But unfortunately she ends up on the wrong end of a poisoned arrow shot by one of his guards. In order for her to survive Tristan offers his magic but it comes with some strings attached. Now that Tristan and Isadora are magically bonded, Isadora needs to figure out what the real truth is and who is the real enemy.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Publisher for the ARC.
I was gave an ARC and this is my unbiased and honest opinion.

This book was utterly captivating from start to finish. As someone studying medieval literature, the promise of a Tristan and Isolde retelling with a fantasy/sci-fi twist is what drew me in and I am so pleased by the delivery. Such a fascinating world with very real (and very charming) characters, I couldn’t put the book down. I actually had to force myself to take breaks just so I could relish in the story before its end. And the ending! So perfectly tied together, I just wish it lasted a bit longer simply because I wasn’t ready to leave these characters. I don’t know what Melissa Poett’s plans are in the future, if this is a world we will return to again or if we with venture somewhere else, but either way I am excited for whatever! An incredible debut!!

YESSSS. I love a good retelling, but a Tristan and Isolde one?? Yes please! This was so good I don’t even know where I would start.

A swoony, dystopian love story between a girl and the boy from an enemy clan. Isadora must marry to uphold her family's position and while she doesn't want to, she will do as her father says. When an enemy clan attacks she is shot by a poisoned arrow only to wake up in enemy territory and bonded to the prince turned assassin of the enemy clan. The two clans have been at war for years, or have they? As she is forced to stay in enemy territory, a truth she never imagined is revealed, will she stay with the boy she has fallen for or will she fight for peace...

"The Enemy's Daughter" by Melissa Poett has filled the 2014 YA dystopian craving I have had for years. The story takes place in the future, but the similarities to today's politics are undeniable. I seriously could not put this book down, I absolutely devoured this story and fell in love with all the flaws these characters have. I hope Poett continues to write in the dystopian genre, she has magic to share!

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.