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onebookmore 's review for:
The Enemy's Daughter
by Melissa Poett
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I know they say not to judge a book by its cover, but look at that stunner! It’s absolutely striking. And when I found out the story was an enemies-to-lovers dystopian romance inspired by Tristan and Isolde, I knew I had to read it. I’m happy to say I wasn’t disappointed. This was a fantastic debut novel that was very easy to fall into, and I loved the characters, romance, and messages.
The setting of The Enemy’s Daughter is vivid and atmospheric, and has a dark and dangerous feel from the start. A fractured world where two settlements are locked in a struggle for survival, the power has the potential to shift when one leader is slain. Isadora, a healer and a clan leader’s daughter, tries to help wounded soldiers during battle even though her clan forbids women from war. She’s strong and resilient, and her growth over the course of the story was one of my favorite parts. And then there’s Tristan, the enemy assassin whose life she saves, which creates an unexpected bond that changes everything. Ooof, I adored him! He exudes dark, mysterious, bad-boy energy at first, but as more of his layers are revealed, it becomes clear there’s so much more beneath the surface. Once his backstory comes into play, it’s impossible not to love him and his feelings for Isadora.
Tristan and Isadora’s bond, both magical and emotional, is at the heart of the story. It pushes them to face the painful truths about their pasts, their people, and themselves. There’s real tension between them, but it’s not just romantic tension. (Though the romantic tension is fabulous!) It’s the kind born of shared guilt, clashing loyalties, fear, and vulnerability, and it makes their connection feel tender, defiant, and intimate. Living in Tristan’s world flips everything upside down for Isadora. She has to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about her clan, her family, and even herself. It’s intriguing to see her supposed enemy become the one person who truly sees her. To most, she’s a symbol or a tool, but she’s so much more to Tristan. I love this dynamic because Isadora has never really had that kind of understanding before. And after seeing her horrific treatment, his feelings for her seem even more poignant.
I’d definitely recommend The Enemy’s Daughter to fans of YA romantasy. It’s a gripping read with compelling characters, an intriguing plot, and strong messages about love, loyalty, equality, and identity.
The setting of The Enemy’s Daughter is vivid and atmospheric, and has a dark and dangerous feel from the start. A fractured world where two settlements are locked in a struggle for survival, the power has the potential to shift when one leader is slain. Isadora, a healer and a clan leader’s daughter, tries to help wounded soldiers during battle even though her clan forbids women from war. She’s strong and resilient, and her growth over the course of the story was one of my favorite parts. And then there’s Tristan, the enemy assassin whose life she saves, which creates an unexpected bond that changes everything. Ooof, I adored him! He exudes dark, mysterious, bad-boy energy at first, but as more of his layers are revealed, it becomes clear there’s so much more beneath the surface. Once his backstory comes into play, it’s impossible not to love him and his feelings for Isadora.
Tristan and Isadora’s bond, both magical and emotional, is at the heart of the story. It pushes them to face the painful truths about their pasts, their people, and themselves. There’s real tension between them, but it’s not just romantic tension. (Though the romantic tension is fabulous!) It’s the kind born of shared guilt, clashing loyalties, fear, and vulnerability, and it makes their connection feel tender, defiant, and intimate. Living in Tristan’s world flips everything upside down for Isadora. She has to reevaluate everything she thought she knew about her clan, her family, and even herself. It’s intriguing to see her supposed enemy become the one person who truly sees her. To most, she’s a symbol or a tool, but she’s so much more to Tristan. I love this dynamic because Isadora has never really had that kind of understanding before. And after seeing her horrific treatment, his feelings for her seem even more poignant.
I’d definitely recommend The Enemy’s Daughter to fans of YA romantasy. It’s a gripping read with compelling characters, an intriguing plot, and strong messages about love, loyalty, equality, and identity.