THE ENEMY’S DAUGHTER

In a post-apocalyptic world, blond 18-year-old healer Isadora tends the wounded using herbs and handwoven bandages. There’s an ongoing war between the clans, which her father founded and leads, and the faction called the Kingsland, the other group that survived the bombs that destroyed civilization 37 years ago. When Isadora ventures to the front lines to help the injured and gets lost, she stumbles upon Tristan, whom she immediately identifies by his clothes as one of the Kingsland. While at first this attractive young man with a strong jaw is her captive, one of his people shoots her with a poisoned arrow, reversing their roles. The only way to save her life is for them to marry, making her part of Kingsland and allowing Tristan to magically absorb the poison. Their bond is tested when Isadora learns truths about the conflict that contradict what she’s been taught, and both sides try to break the lovers up through treachery and deception. This debut, based on the medieval legend of Tristan and Isolde, is light on worldbuilding, leaving readers to wonder about aspects of the backstory. The enemies-to-lovers romance between the white-presenting leads hits the right notes, however, and the epilogue gives hope for the future.

May 6, 2025 - 05:18
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THE ENEMY’S DAUGHTER
Book Cover

In a post-apocalyptic world, blond 18-year-old healer Isadora tends the wounded using herbs and handwoven bandages. There’s an ongoing war between the clans, which her father founded and leads, and the faction called the Kingsland, the other group that survived the bombs that destroyed civilization 37 years ago. When Isadora ventures to the front lines to help the injured and gets lost, she stumbles upon Tristan, whom she immediately identifies by his clothes as one of the Kingsland. While at first this attractive young man with a strong jaw is her captive, one of his people shoots her with a poisoned arrow, reversing their roles. The only way to save her life is for them to marry, making her part of Kingsland and allowing Tristan to magically absorb the poison. Their bond is tested when Isadora learns truths about the conflict that contradict what she’s been taught, and both sides try to break the lovers up through treachery and deception. This debut, based on the medieval legend of Tristan and Isolde, is light on worldbuilding, leaving readers to wonder about aspects of the backstory. The enemies-to-lovers romance between the white-presenting leads hits the right notes, however, and the epilogue gives hope for the future.