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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
Unfortunately not for me. Insta love with no relationship building. She drops any thought of who she wanted to be with originally in a matter of a few chapters. I understand it’s YA but I was still expecting a little bit more of coming to terms with the political climate, world building, characters… all of it.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As Melissa Poett’s debut novel, this dystopian YA romantasy is rather predictable but is a good time overall. I found the way we discovered about the world incredibly refreshing and the main leads sweet together.
The choice to change the name of the FMC from the original pitch from Isolde to Isadora makes sense as the plot has very little to do with the original myth of Isolde and Tristan (MMC’s name) even if the blurb seems to say otherwise - at least in my opinion.
Why not a 5? It comes across in places a little creepy from his side, and through the marriage of convince and situations the pair are in can be a bit… Stockholm Syndrome-y. Also a bit of a weird obsession with witnesses at trials which doesn’t seem to make much sense when one side can see thoughts and the other doesn’t seem to care that much about due process.
Also it falls a little into a trap of writing that is a little Mormon faithy - it’s not a trope I hate per se I just find it… unoriginal?
It does spend time identifying with the politics of a post-apocalypse event and that is interesting to see but it is mostly focused on the relationship of the duo.
I enjoyed it enough, and would recommend if you’re looking for a stand alone enemies to lovers YA novel.
The choice to change the name of the FMC from the original pitch from Isolde to Isadora makes sense as the plot has very little to do with the original myth of Isolde and Tristan (MMC’s name) even if the blurb seems to say otherwise - at least in my opinion.
Why not a 5? It comes across in places a little creepy from his side, and through the marriage of convince and situations the pair are in can be a bit… Stockholm Syndrome-y. Also a bit of a weird obsession with witnesses at trials which doesn’t seem to make much sense when one side can see thoughts and the other doesn’t seem to care that much about due process.
Also it falls a little into a trap of writing that is a little Mormon faithy - it’s not a trope I hate per se I just find it… unoriginal?
It does spend time identifying with the politics of a post-apocalypse event and that is interesting to see but it is mostly focused on the relationship of the duo.
I enjoyed it enough, and would recommend if you’re looking for a stand alone enemies to lovers YA novel.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Insta-love, mostly. I was super confused why Tristan decided to save this random girl, and quickly suspected there was a stalker-ish backstory coming. The magic was a little odd, and the world-building couldn't decide if it was futuristic or medieval. Not sure the 'blend' of the two worked. But I made it halfway through.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was ok. Not great, not bad. It’s not super different than other books similar to this.
ARC Review – Thank you Book Sparks for the gifted copy of The Enemy’s Daughter by Melissa Poett.
I love a good dystopian novel. I enjoy seeing how worlds are put back together after complete destruction. I love seeing the spirit of survival in the characters and how they tend to work to overcome the evil. It is such an interesting concept to me. I enjoyed how Melissa portrayed the different ways that people reacted to the change in their world and how they built their new communities based on their beliefs. I also loved how she showed how easily influenced people can be in a corrupt culture, and how those biases affect the communities as a whole.
I thought the magic in the book was an interesting twist and loved the added layer of connection it gave to Tristan and Isadora. I loved their sweet relationship This book had some twists and turns that I didn’t see coming, but hooked me at the ending.
I loved the storyline and plot of this book, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if there was a little more world building and history of the fall of the Republic at the beginning of the book. I feel like it took a while for me to really feel invested in the story and the characters. I would have also liked to see more of the relationship between Tristan and Isador grow and blossom more. I would have loved this so much more if it was more than one book and we got more world building and character development. However, the ending was great and really made up for what I was missing in the beginning.
This book is perfect for someone who wants to get into reading fantasy/dystopian novels. It is fast paced and has a lot packed into one book. It is perfect for young adults. There is only kissing and some small allusions to more. If you are looking for spice you might want to pass on this one.
*Read if you love*
🏹 YA
💛 Dystopian
🏹Magical connections
💛 Fast pace
🏹 Forbidden love
💛 Enemies to lovers
I love a good dystopian novel. I enjoy seeing how worlds are put back together after complete destruction. I love seeing the spirit of survival in the characters and how they tend to work to overcome the evil. It is such an interesting concept to me. I enjoyed how Melissa portrayed the different ways that people reacted to the change in their world and how they built their new communities based on their beliefs. I also loved how she showed how easily influenced people can be in a corrupt culture, and how those biases affect the communities as a whole.
I thought the magic in the book was an interesting twist and loved the added layer of connection it gave to Tristan and Isadora. I loved their sweet relationship This book had some twists and turns that I didn’t see coming, but hooked me at the ending.
I loved the storyline and plot of this book, but I think I would have enjoyed it more if there was a little more world building and history of the fall of the Republic at the beginning of the book. I feel like it took a while for me to really feel invested in the story and the characters. I would have also liked to see more of the relationship between Tristan and Isador grow and blossom more. I would have loved this so much more if it was more than one book and we got more world building and character development. However, the ending was great and really made up for what I was missing in the beginning.
This book is perfect for someone who wants to get into reading fantasy/dystopian novels. It is fast paced and has a lot packed into one book. It is perfect for young adults. There is only kissing and some small allusions to more. If you are looking for spice you might want to pass on this one.
*Read if you love*
🏹 YA
💛 Dystopian
🏹Magical connections
💛 Fast pace
🏹 Forbidden love
💛 Enemies to lovers
Pacing was very slow. Writing style was not for me
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to @melissawritesya and @booksparks #SRC2025 for the #gifted book.
I devoured this book in no time and absolutely adored it. From the very first page, I was captivated by Isadora and her strength.
This retelling of the timeless tale of Tristan and Isolde is nothing short of remarkable, breathing new life into a medieval romance that has inspired countless variations since the 12th century. This version not only met my expectations but exceeded them in every way.
The characters are masterfully crafted, and the enemies-to-lovers trope is executed flawlessly. The banter during Tristan and Isadora's initial encounter is delightfully sharp and engaging. As Isolde embarks on her quest to return home to her people, the drama and suspense pull you in, making it impossible to look away. The romance that blossoms between them is not only beautiful but also deeply emotional, creating an exhilarating tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The world-building is phenomenal—set in a post-apocalyptic landscape, ravaged by war yet infused with rare magic. The immersive environment is fast-paced and filled with constant action, with battles and secrets unfolding at every turn.
If you're a fan of dystopian settings, romance, and compelling intrigue, this book is a must-read and an absolute gem!