Read Your Writes Book Reviews: Book Review ~ THE ENEMY'S DAUGHTER by Melissa Poett

The Enemy’s Daughter
by: Melissa Poett
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Publisher: Quill Tree Books

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.

Thirty-seven years ago, the Federated States of the Republic were destroyed by bombs, leaving land and water poisoned. Those who survived turned against each other in order to take whatever was left. Now, in a small part of the Republic, two factions within close proximity to each other fight to remain in existence: Kingsland and the five clans. Kingsland is governed by Farron Banks, while the clans are governed by their Saraf.

In an attack, members from the clans are able to capture and kill Farron. As a reward, the Saraf offers up his eighteen-year-old daughter, Isadora, to be married to the man who ended Farron’s life. That man will also become the Saraf of the clans, once he passes on. By no means is this something Isadora wants to do, or was asked about.

Shortly after, Isadora goes to help wounded soldiers battling Kingsland. Isadora gets separated from her guide, but then stumbles upon elite guard Tristan, whom she manages to capture and plans to take back to her home in Hanook. Before she makes it back, Tristan’s fellow guards stage a rescue where Isadora is shot with a poisonous arrow. With her death imminent, Tristan convinces her to marry him, thus allowing him to save her life. What she doesn’t know is that by doing so, they are now bound forever, and once they form a true connection, they will be able to see each other’s memories and share each other’s pain.

Melissa Poett’s The Enemy’s Daughter is a reimagining of Tristan and Isolde, set in a dystopian world. Told from Isadora’s point of view, this story immediately sucked me in. I loved the characters of Tristan and Isadora. While they came together under less than ideal circumstances, to say the least, these enemies-to-lovers learned how to trust each other. Their love shone through and was so strong that they each were willing to sacrifice themselves for the other. This is a story of forbidden love, friendship, betrayal, and found family. Death is heavily mentioned. Abuse of women is also mentioned in the book.

The Enemy’s Daughter is a book I will definitely read again.

~ Favorite Quotes ~

“Not all of us get a choice in the decisions that are made.”

“Weakness can be measured in many ways.”

“Two strands woven together will always be stronger than one.”

**Received a copy of the publisher and voluntarily reviewed it. Also personally purchased the international hardcover edition.**

Rating: 5

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You can read my interview with Melissa here.

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.

Places to find Melissa Poett:

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