We are delighted to announce that Melissa Poett’s debut YA novel, The Enemy’s Daughter, has been acquired in six-figure deals in the US and UK. Senior Commissioning Editor, Megan Reid at Harper Fire acquired UK & Translation rights in a six-figure pre-empt. Executive Editor, Karen Chaplin at Quill Tree acquired North American rights in a ‘significant deal’. Publication is set for Summer 2025.
The Enemy’s Daughter is a stunning reimagining of the medieval Tristan and Isolde legend, set in a dystopian world woven with magic.
After civilization crumbles, all that’s left of the Republic is the five clans and their enemy, Kingsland. Isadora, daughter of a clan leader, is a healer, desperate to bring back the medicine of the old world to help her people. Tristan is the young assassin-prince of Kingsland, determined to get revenge on the clans.
When Isadora is shot with a poisoned arrow, only Tristan can save her, in a magical ceremony that will bind them together forever. As she recovers in enemy territory, she begins to question the truth of their violent history.
Kingsland is everything she’s ever wanted – including Tristan – but as the clans bay for blood, one side is setting a trap, and Isadora must decide which truth to believe.
Melissa Poett says: ‘I am thrilled to be working with Megan and Karen and the amazing publishing teams at Harper Fire and Quill Tree. Their enthusiasm for this story and belief in me as a debut author has been overwhelming, and to be published by such rockstars is a huge honour I don’t take lightly. I wrote The Enemy’s Daughter as an epic romantasy, but almost as equally it became my love letter to a generation of girls who are finding their way in this world. I’m so grateful to HarperCollins for this opportunity, and to my agent, Catherine, for picking me out of the slush pile and taking me on this journey.’
Harper Fire Senior Commissioning Editor, Megan Reid says: ‘With a gorgeous forbidden lovers romance, exquisite magic, high-stakes adventure and the most immersive, addictive prose, I fell completely in love with The Enemy’s Daughter from the first captivating meeting between Isadora and Tristan. Melissa is an incredible new talent, and I am thrilled to be welcoming her to Harper Fire.’
Quill Tree Executive Editor, Karen Chaplin says: I was thoroughly captivated by the gorgeous prose, the page-turning romance, the intriguing magic, and the high-stakes politics of the world. I couldn’t put this down, and can’t wait for readers to fall in love with Isadora and Tristan like I did. Melissa has written a stunning debut, and we are very excited to welcome her to Quill Tree Books.’
Congratulations, Melissa!