The Enemy’s Daughter

by Melissa Poett

A stunning reimagining of Tristan and Isolde set in a dystopian world woven with magic. An addictive debut YA enemies-to-lovers romantasy—perfect for fans of Rebecca Ross and Sarah Underwood as well as books like Curious Tides, The Hurricane Wars, and Belladonna.

It’s been thirty-seven years since the Republic was destroyed. Now two settlements—the five clans and the Kingsland—fight for control of the untainted land. Though the five clans are outnumbered, they’ve finally struck, killing Kingsland’s brutal leader.

In the war that follows, Isadora, an eighteen-year-old healer, risks her life to help injured soldiers. But when she stops an attack from Tristan, a Kingsland assassin, his soldiers shoot her with a poisoned arrow. As Isadora lies dying, Tristan does the unimaginable: He offers to save her life using a rare magic.

In choosing to live, Isadora is unknowingly bound to the mysterious Tristan. Worse, even acknowledging the attraction between them allows him to glean fragments of her memories and the very knowledge he needs to destroy the five clans. But their magical connection works both ways. So to save her people, Isadora will have to open her heart to her most cunning enemy. Because in a race for ultimate survival, she’ll need to destroy Tristan and his people first.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Romantasy, Dystopia, Retellings, Enemies To Lovers

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 6, 2025

About the author

Melissa Poett majored in music composition, first telling stories with instruments before switching her medium to words. She now writes young adult novels in a variety of genres ranging from contemporary to romantasy. She lives in Canada, and The Enemy’s Daughter is her debut novel.

https://taplink.cc/melissapoett

Reviews

[SK · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars ✨

So much potential but such weak execution that it pains me on a spiritual level. I really liked the plot and reimagined version of the original tale but it could have used another two hundred pages imo.

My main issue was how fast this book was paced. It skipped and brushed over everything that was important and should have been important. The conversations and angst that required more depth and emotions were all dealt within a page or so. The romance, the yearning and pain from the original tale was not captured at all imo.

The characters- Tristan and Isolde were likable enough to keep me going but lacked depth themselves. They both are quite a pushover sort of personality. They both are presented to stand for what they believe in and yet they would roll over easily.

The romance and their chemistry was decent imo. Not too bad but it's not something I would remember either. Then again, it's only because of flawed writing and how everything was in a rush that gave them no time to connect to each other, hence giving me no time to connect to them.

The last hundred pages were good enough and the ending decent, capturing my interest. But will I stop buying books because of pretty covers? Probably not. It just hurts to rate it so low when the cover is five star lmao 😅


~•~•~
Going in blind cause I liked the cover and that's the only reason I bought it 😅🫣

[yuvi • ia · Rating 5 out of 5]

i randomly picked this up cs the cover!!!! OML!!!
what a gorgeous cover😭
(i couldn't stop staring at it. lol)

i'm not that familiar with the original tale of tristan and isolde, and knew almost nothing when i started reading this book, except that it's an enemies-to-lovers retelling. and after reading the mixed reviews, i was lowk intimidated. but i'm so glad that i read it when i did, and did not put it off for later!
The writing is so picturesque; i'm actually surprised that it was her debut novel.

There is no betrothal, Isadora. You're married now. To me.

(🤭)

I'm very picky when it comes to marriage of convenience trope in books, but this one didn't disappoint! It was so well done.
Tristan was such a lovable character. I need a tristan in my life! jkjk ... Isadora, on the other hand, did get on my nerves a few times, but she grew on me.
Tristan and Isadora have my heart! Oml.
they had me swooning, giggling and blushing.
they actually reminded me a lot of morrighan and jafir (from the remnant chronicles, but that was a novella. lol)
It's kinda insta-lovey, but i had no problem with that, cs imo, it worked perfectly well, ig.



i know that this book is not without its flaws, but i absolutely loved everything about it. it was well written, but i would've loved to know more about this world, and the the magic system and the side characters. Still, despite all that, the book really did deliver and i was invested from chapter 1.


this reads perfectly well as a standalone, but i won't mind revisiting this world again, if the author chooses to write another book set in this world again (lwk curious about liam)

[⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆ Kim ⋆˚୨ৎ˚⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

જ⁀➴ 3.5 stars (rounded down to 3)

"I want this, Tristan." I pause, letting the truth of my words sink in, then I kiss him. I kiss him like he holds my next breath.

Because I have never wanted anything more.

⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻
This was a strong debut! I'm not super familiar with the Tristan and Isolde myth (I know the bare bones basics of it), but this was a unique, dystopian take on it that kept me turning the pages late at night wanting to read more. It wasn't without its issues, but this was quite the surprise and I think lots of romantasy readers and dystopian lovers alike will enjoy this fast-paced read!

Full review to come soon!
⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻⋆༺𓆩⚔𓆪༻
⋆˙⟡ 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹: I've been reading a lot of romance lately thanks to all my ARCs, and I know I have to switch up my books soon because I can feel a teeny tiny slump coming on.😬 It's been a while since I picked up a mythology/fairy tale retelling, which is one of my favorite genres ever, so when I saw that this is a YA dystopian retelling of the Tristan and Isolde myth, I knew I had to pick it up! I'm not super familiar with the myth (I have a general idea of what it is), but I'm super excited to read this.🖤✨⚔️ This is also from a debut author, so I can't wait to see what her writing is like!

Fingers crossed that this will deliver, I'm trying to end the month of May on a high note🤞🏼🍀

[bee (on and off)]

DNF @ 31% [no rating]

Good premise poorly executed. Underdeveloped world building and insta-love. Shame because the cover is beautiful.

[tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

**ARC received courtesy of NetGalley. The receipt of an advanced prepub copy of this book has not influenced my opinion in any way.**

Guys. This was phenomenal. The will-they-won't-they... The cat-and-mouse games of who can outsmart the other.... The tension, gods, the tension. The narrative was dripping and saturated with it. Perfect, amazing, no notes. Had to pause several times to squeal. 10/10

[Isabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me sprinting to buy whenever I see Tristan and Isolde anything 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️ Super fun dystopian take on my favorite medieval tale 🩷 Also the cover is unreal levels of gorgeous!

[Kalena ୨୧ · Rating 2 out of 5]

⋆.˚✮ 1.5 stars ✮˚.⋆

⤿ Thank you to Quill Tree Books for the arc through netgalley and finished copy in exchange for an honest review!

it's really sad that i didn't enjoy this book becuase it has such a pretty cover and i was so looking forward to the release. i will say- i don't usually like dystopian books, and i've never heard of Tristan and Isolde so this book might have had some things stacked against it. but, this really just felt like that one meme of 'go girl give us nothing.' there was so much missing from this book that i wish was added and i think it definitely needed some more development.

my main problem with this book was the romance, which itself is one of the biggest parts of the book. it happens way too quickly, with no development, just hoping the reader will believe in the "magical connection" that's born between Tristan and Isadora (in the beginning she's dying and they form a 'connection' that allows him to take on her pain/injuries) after he decides to save the daughter of his ENEMY. it's casually thrown in there he's known about her existence for a few years and likes her enough to almost die himself for her, without ever actually meeting her. it wouldn't be as big of a deal to me if there had been actual chemistry, but the one-sided "love" from Tristan doesn't mean they had chemistry. especially when Isadora is his hostage, and she is being treated horribly by everyone around her- granted she comes from a culture where women cannot do anything, but it was just not well developed.

besides that, there was little to no worldbuilding that was deeply developed. we are told a story of the world essentially going into nuclear world-ending war, and only a few people surviving. the place where Tristan lives has access to ameneties from the "old world" while Isadora's people are living as if there has never been technology, without women's rights, and seperated into five distinct clans. i know that Isadora doesn't exactly have access to this information, but i would have loved to see even more explanation from someone in power in Tristan's world. we're told more about what happens AFTER the world-ending event, which wasn't hard to see coming, but it would've been much more impactful with more explanation. i also want to point out, there's no explanation ever for how the 'connection' came about or how people discovered it. i had to suspend by disbelief for that, and while it was okay because i thought the connection was interesting, it was frustrating to see so little development.

something that a good dystopian is supposed to do is give a comparison to the real world, and then commentary WITHIN the story about said piece from the real world. this book focuses on feminism, and it's Isadora's exploration of what it means to live with more freedom, but. it kind of stops there, when it shouldn't. a few of the characters in this book obviously live in Isadora's home, which is dominated by men ruling over the women "as it should be" becuase in the old world there wasn't room for "strong men." but, there's no further exploration of why this is a problem, beyond "it's bad for women." when there should have been discussions about how even men are affected by the patriarchy, how we can help them connect with other parts of themselves, and men's mental health. yes- most of the men who engage in this behavior are really horrible people, but it does come from a place of society expecting certain things from men and in the end, the expectations of the patriarchy helps no one. there was no emphasis on this, or exploration, when i feel there should have been.

unfortunately this book was just not for me, but i think the combination of it being dystopian and a debut novel made it not fully connect with me. i'm not turned off completely on other books by this author, i am willing to give her another chance, there was just too much missing for me.

↬ trigger warnings: death of parents and loved ones, murder and torture, blood and gore, serious injury, themes of war

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘌𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘺'𝘴 𝘋𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳 is a dystopian Tristan and Isolde reimagining written for avid readers of YA fantasy. It's full of tension and yearning, featuring an intimate and romantic magic system, and I absolutely ate it up.

Set 30 years after the destruction of the Republic, an eighteen-year-old healer, Isadora, runs toward danger to protect her fellow clansmen as they fight against the Kingsland, a settlement she believes to be vicious. She encounters Tristan, and while hoping to solve her problems by delivering him to her father as a prisoner, she is shot by a poisoned arrow.

Tristan saves her life using his magic, and Isadora's world view is challenged as she heals in Kingsland, bound to Tristan and under the care of his people. Her goal is to escape, stealing knowledge and delivering hope for her clan upon her return. However, as her feelings develop for Tristan and she adjusts to her newfound freedoms, the clear path forward begins to blur.

I've been eager for more dystopian stories to emerge amongst the many currently popular romantasy titles, and this book satisfied my expectations! I enjoyed the characters, and I was invested in the story. Over time, I don't expect it to stand out in my mind as overly unique or groundbreaking, but it's entertaining and fun!

[Krystle Rouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so captivating with a Tristian and Isolode retelling with a fantasy/sci-fi twist. This book had my attention the whole time! I really enjoyed reading this novel a lot! I devoured this book! The world was intriguing to learn about. The characters- Isadora and Tristan were to die for! The magical bonds in this book plays a MAJOR role in Tristan and Isadora’s love story. This book draws you in immediately with its vivid scenes and lush writing.

I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

[DianaRose]

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

unfortunately, dnf @ 48%

the enemy’s daughter is a reimagining of the love story of tristan and isolde — one that i am unfamiliar with. despite my unfamiliarity, i do feel that the author’s world-building/expansion should have been better since she’s not working entirely from scratch, and yet i found myself extremely bored with both plot and characters.

[_booktique2_ D Amora · Rating 3 out of 5]

“𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙡, 𝙄𝙨𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙧𝙖. 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙 𝙣𝙤𝙬. 𝙏𝙤 𝙢𝙚.”
🗡️🍃🗡️🍃🗡️🍃🗡️🍃🗡️🍃🗡️🍃🗡️🍃🗡️🍃🗡️🍃


3.5 or 4 stars still deciding.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy this book to some extent. The beginning had me completely hooked. I was flipping pages every chance I got. But is it my all-time favorite? Not quite. Though it had the potential to be.

The Enemy’s Daughter follows Isadora, a healer and the daughter of her clan’s leader. She has spent her entire life, like the rest of her people, resenting the rival clan that embraces a new way of life. Their ongoing conflicts have led to countless battles, with bloodshed on both sides. But when a wounded enemy soldier appears at her doorstep seeking medical aid (her betrothed actually), Isadora finds herself crossing into unfamiliar territory—both literally and figuratively. Captured by the enemy and taken to their land, she meets Tristan, a man who challenges everything she has ever known, forcing her to question whether the truth she was raised on is really the truth at all.

**Slight spoiler below **

Now, let’s talk about Tristan, because I absolutely adored him. He had my heart racing, and honestly, he’s the ultimate green flag. His dynamic with Isadora had me giggling like crazy, and their chemistry was undeniable. However, I wish their romance had unfolded more slowly. The book had the perfect setup for a slow burn, but instead, things progressed quickly, which took away some of the emotional buildup that could have made it a top-tier favorite for me. They fell in love too quickly in my opinion. And I fell like Isadora believed a lot of the things Tristian said to easily which I think weakened her character. Like girl how you gonna tell me you believed him that quick like is he THAT HOT?? (Maybe I would be the same if I saw him who knows 🤷🏻‍♀️)

Another issue I had was with the worldbuilding. No offense, but some fantasy books struggle to immerse readers in their settings—not because the concepts are too complex, but because the authors don’t always flesh them out enough. It took me forever to even realize this was a dystopian story. The descriptions of the world, its history, and even the characters’ clothing felt too vague, making it hard to fully visualize the setting. That alone kept me from rating this book 5 stars, as the underdeveloped worldbuilding created a disconnect.

That being said, I still really enjoyed the book, and I think it’s a YA novel worth reading. I just wish the dystopian elements had been clearer because, at times, it felt more like historical fantasy rather than a world recovering from a past catastrophe.

All in all, it’s a solid read, and I’d definitely recommend it. I’m hoping I’ll have a more settled opinion once the book is officially published, but for now, I’m torn between rating it 3.5 or 4 stars!

[♡Molly♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating-
4.5/5 stars
(Rounded up!)

Genre-
Dystopian

Age Rating For It-
13 and up just because there's a little gore just about some injuries and a little fighting between the clans and people in the book but nothing too bad or anything. There is romance but nothing spicy or anything it’s really just some kissing and a little touching, but nothing like explicit or anything.

Tropes-
Enemies to lovers
Rival clans
Marriage for survival

Quotes-

“There is no betrothal, Isadora. You're married now. To me.”

“‘Please don’t break his heart.’… Don’t break his heart? But I don’t have his heart. I’m his prisoner.”

“‘Thank you,’ I say, trying to soften my voice.
A smile splits across his face.
It’s a stunning smile. The kind that makes him immeasurably more handsome. A flutter kicks up in my stomach, and then from the threadbare tether between us, there's a pull to move closer to him.”

“Good night, Isadora.”

“‘You still think we’re enemies.’ It’s not bitter. He’s simply stating a fact….’I don’t want to be enemies’ Tristan's eyes track over me, like a finger trialing across my skin. ‘Then let’s not be.’

“I can’t confirm what he’s asking. I can barely breathe. This boy is so very dangerous.”

“I will always be the enemy’s daughter.”

“My hands fist in his shirt as I pull him to me. ‘I want this, Tristan.’ I pause, letting the truth of my words sink in, then I kiss him. I kiss him like he holds my next breath. Because I have never wanted anything more.”

Thoughts/Would I Recommend This?-
I really enjoyed this book, I thought it was a great book, and I don’t think I’ve read any books too similar to this! So I thought it was pretty unique too because of that, and I did have a twist to it that made it more original and add something else to it so it wasn’t just a basic normal dystopian book. My only thing that really made it so it wasn’t a full 5-star read was that I do wish that it explained more on how the world kind of “ended” and what was happening because of it. I felt you knew something happened, and you knew something was wrong with the land but only on like a basic very base level. So I just wished I knew more about that and what was happening in the world and everything. Other than that though, this was an amazing read that I loved so much and almost completely read in one sitting! So all in all, I would totally recommend this book and that everyone check this out and read it when it comes out!!


(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up.

The Enemy's Daughter is a YA Fantasy based on the Tristan and Isolde story with some slight changes.

It has all the ingredients I usually adore. A dystopian setting, political intrigue, and an enemies to lovers romance, but while I enjoyed it, it didn’t quite stick with me the way I hoped.

The post-war dystopian setting had so much potential, but it sadly felt underused. We get glimpses of modern remnants like electricity and plumbing, yet no explanation for how they fit into this world, and very little sense of what lies beyond the main community.

The magic element, while unique, was also a bit unclear and, at times felt like it drove the romance more than actual chemistry between the characters. The romance itself did not feel like a true enemies to lovers romance and could have used a bit of a slowburn in my opinion.

That said, I did like both main characters. The smaller-scale plot was refreshing, and there were moments of tension that really worked for me.
The ending tied everything together neatly, even if it felt a little rushed and I wasn't a huge fan of some of the twists.

Overall, a quick, enjoyable read that I just wish had gone deeper into its world and magic. Will definitely be following this author's journey, though as i think there's great potential!!

[jagodasbooks]

dnf 9%

already can't stand main character, she's supposed to be so smart and knows better than all dumb people in her village, cus she read medical book, but when it comes to actually healing a hurt person she didn't do anything? Just gave him poppy flower for pain relief and lamented how he needs team of doctors? Okey miss give us nothing!!! and the next moment she's arguing that she wants to go to battles to heal the wounded, cus too many are dying?? what are you going to do to them that'll help? hold their hands ???

[Gigi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dystopian Tristan and Isolde retelling with magic, war, and an enemies-to-lovers romance. That’s this book in a nutshell, and honestly, I was hooked from the start!

We’ve got Isadora, a healer caught between two warring factions, and Tristan, a mysterious assassin from the enemy’s side. Their fates get magically tangled after he saves her life, and from there, things get complicated. Isadora is one of those heroines you root for right away: strong, kind, and perfectly imperfect. And Tristan is the brooding, morally gray guy who keeps you guessing and swooning at the same time.

Their romance was deliciously complicated. It’s giving “he falls first,” with just the right amount of slow burn for a standalone. The magical bond between them adds extra tension, and I was here for it.

If you like your fantasy with danger, drama, magic, and romance that’ll make you grin and yell at the characters in equal measure, this one’s for you. I’m honestly hoping for a sequel because I need more of this world!

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
❤️‍🔥 Tristan & Isolde Retelling
❤️‍🔥 Post-apocalyptic Setting
❤️‍🔥 Enemies to Lovers
❤️‍🔥 Marriage of Convenience

[briar ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ · Rating 2 out of 5]

⋆⋆¾ — 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.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced copy.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEVOURED.

Yesterday afternoon I opened this book with curiosity, immediately became enthralled with its bewitching words, obsessively read into the night, failed the battle against sleep, woke up with admitted ire towards daylight savings, quickly forgave it when I realize I had another free day of reading. I finished by noon, and all in all: I could hardly put this one down. I didn’t want to until my eyes gave in. The Enemy’s Daughter came to impress, and it accomplished just that.

That is how much I loved this book, how I craved it even as I was reading. It’s an absolute keeper.

In a world being rebuilt from the ruins of destruction, a fight between factions — five clans and the Kingsland — results in the death of the latter’s leader, heightening tensions and issuing a power struggle. The daughter of one of the faction leaders, Isadora, goes to tend to injured soldiers when she stops an attack from a young man from the Kingsland. She must decide whether to turn him in or let him go. For at her heart she is a healer. Before her choice can be realized soldiers from Kingsland subdue her with poison. A poison meant to kill until Tristan surprises them all by calling upon a magical bond of his people to save Isadora’s life— and bind her life to his. What follows is a journey into a world Isadora knows little of, is fascinated much by, and questions the answers she thought she once knew. This new world houses a boy whose heartbeat she can’t help but match with her own, resetting them on a much unexpected path.

Isadora is a marvelous heroine. Her heart is kind and courageous, a heart that longs to see peace and heal wounds. Her perception of the world is limited to what she was taught, so being thrust into the world of Tristan forces new perspectives, unexpected questions, and heartbreaking realizations. It changes her irrevocably, but no change is greater than what arises in her heart with knowing Tristan. Tristan may not have a POV, but his presence is paramount. He becomes as layered and complex a character as Isadora. We get to know his grief, strengths, vulnerabilities, and just how deep and faithful his love is. Both Isadora and Tristan serve this narrative in equal merit, elevating the story as a whole. And this includes their love story.

Ah, the romance! It’s beautifully written. I most appreciated how the magical bond plays a major part in the love story. That connection heightens and strengthens the value of emotional intimacy between Isadora and Tristan. It’s clear the two are physically attracted to one another, but it’s that dive into the emotional connection tethering one to the other that truly takes my breath away. I was captivated by the love story. That said, I did feel it was initially rushed into, and I missed having slower pacing to develop that early courtship-like stage before delving into that “I’m in love” stage. Truthfully, when I feel this way towards a romance it reflects a bit on my rating, but I find I’m okay letting this bit go. Because while this remains a quibble, by book’s end I was all in for the love story. I felt the chemistry, yearning, desperation, and the selflessness that is born of the love between Tristan and Isadora. It may not have been perfectly paced, but it was perfectly felt.

The world-building fascinates! I don’t want to give much of it away, but for me it is a completely unexpected, surprisingly experience. And I wholly immersed myself in this environment. The setting is important, as it comes into play with heightening tension between the brawling factions. I wish I could say more, but this something to experience first hand!

You know you’ve found *the* book when you’re reluctant to turn that final page. I didn’t want to say goodbye to these beautiful leads I met and loved, not yet! Not now! Nevertheless, every story comes to an end, but the memory of this one will forever have me wanting to begin it all over again and again. And that's exactly what I'll do.

If Melissa Poett ever wants to write a novella or bonus epilogue to further expand on how we leave this story, I’ll be first in line to grab my copy. This is truly an incredible read. I will be preordering, scouring for all the editions, and keeping this as one of my crown jewels on my shelves.

One final note, I will like to shout out to the synopsis for providing the exact amount of intrigue needed to reel readers in, while keeping much under wraps to leave one awe-struck! This book kept me engaged from beginning to ending.

Thank you HarperCollins Children’s and NetGalley for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.

[Kailee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Quill Tree Books for an arc of this book!

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!!

[Reanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Harper Collins Quill Tree books for the Arc!

This is a story of a dystopian world where war rages between a clan and a city. An unlikely romance starts between Tristan and Isadora when her life if on the line. The sacrifice Tristan makes in order to save her life goes beyond measure. This story really pulled at my heart strings. I watched as young love blossomed into a beautiful bond between magic. This magic system is unlike any others so far, and I wish I could read this story again for the first time. Melissa’s writing has such a way of drawing you in immediately, and paints such vivid scenes. I literally loved this book so so much.

[Emma Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yall. I don’t even know where to start. For now I’m just going to say that this book is worth ALL the hype and easily the best book of 2025 for me so far.

I’ll come back with a longer review eventually but had to leave a little hype in the meantime!!!

EDITED TO ADD:

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: NoneInvented fantasy expletives (my fave)
Considerations: 🤔 Lightly graphic wound descriptions, murder, kidnapping, cult-like oppresive systems against women
Positives: 🥳 Challenging long-held beliefs, gifts of true intimacy, dangers of controlling access to history and information

This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[✰ Hailey (Taylor’s Version) ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

"There is no betrothal, Isadora. You’re married now. To me.“

This book surprised me. I was hooked from the beginning and so intrigued to see how the story would continue. I love forbidden romance stories, and this one definitely didn’t disappoint.

—> The FMC did annoy me a little after a while. I know she grew up with the clans, and of course for her their narrative was the right one, but I feel like she repeated herself a lot, and it took so long for her to finally accept that not everything was the fault of the Kingsland people.
—> However, I still enjoyed it very much, and the ending was perfect.

tropes:
~> enemies to lovers (their families/ clans are enemies, but it was kind of insta-love)
~> dystopian setting
~> marriage of convenience
~> forbidden romance
~> he fell first and hard
~> Tristan and Isolde retelling
~> she’s engaged to another man

[millena ★ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ You know when a book has everything to be good but the execution just feels off? That’s exactly how I felt about this one and I think the main issue was it being a standalone. So much happens, yet nothing really develops properly bc there’s no time. The romance had potential but I still don’t get how she went from hating him to loving him in seconds just bc he proved she’d been lied to her whole life. I also felt like the world building was weak in some parts, which bothered me a bit while reading

It was a fun read at first but then everything fell apart, so… 🤷🏻‍♀️ Thank you Netgalley & HarperCollins for the arc

[Wild Goose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me this ARC.

Unfortunately, I DNF'd this book at 56%. The cover is beautiful and I love dystopia novels, but from the first page something felt very jarring about this book to me. The worldbuilding feels underdeveloped, the pacing was entirely too slow for me (up to this point things have just been happening to her/happened off stage, barring her initial action), and the characters and their interactions just annoyed me. I took would not trust my life long enemies after they poison and kidnap me. Just because you're married doesn't mean your allegiance suddenly changes. If the townspeople are allowed to hold a grudge against her then why can't she hold a grudge against him? Not a fan of instalove. Sorry.

[Bibliothecat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you HarperCollins UK for providing me with the eARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am only familiar with the basic premise of Tristan & Isolde so I cannot say how this retelling compares, but it was definitely a fun, interesting and also unexpectedly dark read at times. We follow Isadora who is the daughter of a clan leader in a dystopian setting - while there are remnants of our world, their lifestyle and social norms feel quite medieval. Her people are continuously fighting off attacks from Kingsland, another settlement but with more advanced living standards.

The story is entirely told from Isadora's point of view but we are introduced to Tristan fairly early on where the two cross paths which eventually also leads to Isadora's capture and being brought back to Kingsland. Although I have seen some call this insa love, I would beg to differ. I think, beyond physical attraction, there's certainly more background to these two that needs to be taken into account and I think Isadora wars with herself quite a lot. She is a caring character who fiercely wants to protect her people but who also doesn't want anyone hurt, friend or otherwise. She finds herself in a new environment that shakes a lot of her world views and she has to start questioning many of her convictions whilst also still wanting to protect her people. Tristan appears unexpectedly caring and tender towards her whilst still posing a threat to all the people she cares for. It's complicated, and I think it is really well done.

The dystopian worldbuilding reminds me a little of The Hunger Games [excluding the games] and Station Eleven, with the exception that there's a hint of magic. The magic system is intreresting, albeit not entirey my favourite, it almost felt like it made certain aspects too easy. On the other hand, a lot of the plot and conflict depended on this magic (which I'd also argue felt a little underexplained as to its origins) so it was probably necesary to have it in place.

The side characters were largely interesting although we didn't get to know them all that well beyond Isadora and Tristan. I did nonetheless enjoy some of the unexpected loyalties shown later down the line given that trust was probably one of the biggest conficts in this tale. The two parties are constantly pitched together and there's a bit of a mystery as to how things got to where they are. There was more brutality than I had anticipated - I do think the conflict was well presented, deep rooted and difficult to solve which makes this feel like the stakes are set quite high.

While not perfect, I think this was a gripping and nicely crafted debute and it's nice to see more fantasy and/or dystopian standalones.

[akacya ❦ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2025 reads: 145/300

i received a finished copy from the publisher as part of their influencer program. this did not affect my rating.

thirty-seven years after the republic was destroyed, two settlements, the five clans and the kingsland, fight for control. the five clans are outnumbered, which is why it takes everybody by surprise when kingsland’s brutal leader is killed. in the war that follows, isadora, the daughter of the clans’ leader, sets out to use her skills as a healer. after stopping a kingsland assassin named tristan, she’s poisoned and captured by his soldiers. to make matters more complicated, the only way to survive the poison is to become bound to tristan. isadora wants to make the most of the situation to help her people, but as she gets closer to tristan and learns more about the history between the clans and kingsland, her end goal becomes harder to keep her mind on…

this seemed like a YA romantasy full of tension, which is primarily what draw me to it. i also liked the promise of a dystopian element, especially since most dystopians i’ve read are far disconnected from the start of “the new norm,” whereas this book took place only thirty-seven years after. while i did end up somewhat liking these elements of the book, as well as the magic system, overall i thought this book was just okay. while i enjoyed some aspects of the romance between isadora and tristan, the start of their relationship was a bit too insta-love/lust for my liking. i also found the plot to be a bit basic, though i did like how it made room to discuss misogyny and the patriarchy, and i thought this book ended well.

[vanshikha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐

Thank you to Melissa Poett and HarperFire Books for the ARC!

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐲'𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 is a stunning reimagining of Tristan and Isolde set in a dystopian world woven with magic. An addictive debut YA enemies-to-lovers romantasy — perfect for fans of Rebecca Ross and Sarah Underwood as well as books like Curious Tides, The Hurricane Wars, and Belladonna.

Isadora is a healer caught amidst two warring factions and Tristan is a mysterious man from the enemy's side. Their fates are magically tangled after he saves her life, binding them in marriage.

The magic system is unique in this book. The bonds between people played a great role overall and in relationships between couples. The magic not only allows them to share emotions and thoughts, but also physical pain and wounds. It acted as a factor for the romance between Tristan and Isadora, and helped them slowly unfold themselves to each other.

The dystopian atmosphere in the book was evident for every moment — even at the ending and the aftermath. The tense atmosphere created from the aftermath before the book was set also played an intensified role throughout the narrative. I wish that we were given some more time and explanation on how everything was divided and how it all went down.

I liked Isadora for the most part. She starts out as sheltered and ignorant but slowly shows her kind side with compassion. Tristan was a satisfying lead but I would have loved to have some chapters in his POV to see his thought process. His character growth was wonderful and he was a delightful love interest.

The romance was slow at the beginning and around the middle, developed real fast. I would say that the romance felt a bit one dimensional and elss developed.

The pacing at the end felt rushed and the narrative felt flat at sometimes. Overall, if you want a quick read set in a dystopian atmosphere with a loose Tristan and Isolde retelling, this is a really good read!

[evie *s-ia* · Rating 2 out of 5]

i feel kinda bad for rating this so low bc it had SOO much potential it just didnt execute it well.
there was so much there, but what really happened in the book was very surface -level and hastily executed. like her mom- their relationship couldve been so much deeper and then the ending wouldve made more sense\

i did love the banter between her and tristan but it just was really rushed

im disappointed

[sara ♥]

Dnf at 39% The execution just felt off? I felt detached so I lost interest😩 disappointed cause I was really looking forward to this

[Sümy · Rating 1 out of 5]

1,5⭐️
Die ersten 30% waren so gut🥲 Rein technisch gesehen ist das eine sehr gute romantasy/dystopie aber was ist das bitte für eine Message? Eine Gruppe von Menschen von denen gesagt wird sie wären skrupellos/barbarisch but turns out sie sind eigentlich gar nicht die Aggressors. Im Gegenteil sie sind super fortschrittlich und sie schützen sich durch einen hohen elektronischen Zaun vor den eigentlichen "Barbaren". Und sie haben all diesen Reichtum und fortschritt einfach so gefunden 😭 der Gründervater hatte einen Traum/Prophezeiung von diesm Ort und dann hat er den einfach so gefunden und der war unbewohnt. Ein Traumhaftes Stück Land was angeblich unbewohnt wird was Gott gegeben ist für diese Gruppe von Menschen die sie mit einem hohen elektrischen Zaun vor bösen Ausländern schützen, die nie die Angreifer sind sondern sich "nur verteidigen" 🤡 an was erinnert das?