The Encanto's daughter

Review by Booklist Review

Launching a new series inspired by Filipino mythology, de la Cruz dabbles once more in magic and fantasy. MJ Rodriguez is half encanto and half human, the only child of the powerful King Vivencio of the Sirena Court of Biringan. When her father dies, MJ begrudgingly leaves the human world to assume the throne in Biringan, now in turmoil. There she is met with opposition due to her mixed lineage and suspects her father may have been murdered. The high-pressure political intrigue is counterbalanced by a well-written romance between MJ and a charming knight, Sir Lucas, who fall for each other during their quest to uncover who put a deadly curse on MJ's father. Readers will connect with MJ's struggle to overcome barriers created by those who do not want her to succeed as ruler, who shun her rather than celebrate her differences. Family betrayal, court politics, magic, mythology, and romance blend into an irresistible tale that will sweep readers off their feet, happy in the knowledge that a sequel is already in the works.

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Having grown up in hiding with her mother, roaming around the human world but never settling in one place for too long, teenage MJ Rodriguez knows that she must conceal from other humans her identity as a half human, half Encanto being from a magical world. Not only is she an Encanto--a type of fairy from Filipino mythology--but MJ is also the only child of the Encanto king. Upon his death, MJ must return to the world of the Encantos, but she has much to learn of the beguiling fairies' ways. As MJ spends time in the magical city of Biringan and among Encanto nobility, she is told of her role in a potential alliance between the four Encanto kingdoms. It soon becomes apparent, however, that dark forces intent on destroying the Encanto partnership are plotting against her. With the help of new friends and the handsome yet annoying knight Lucas, MJ is thrust into precarious political situations all while learning to harness her inner magic and preparing to claim the throne. This entertaining tale by de la Cruz (Snow & Poison), the story of a girl finding her strength and voice, teems with adventure, romance, and magic and prominently features Filipino culture. Ages 12--up. Agent: Richard Abate, 3Arts. (Mar.)

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

The heir apparent to a fairy-realm kingdom must ascend the throne after her father dies. Half-human/half-encanto Maria Josephina "MJ" Robertson-Rodriguez, who's been hiding in the human world of Southern California with her mortal mother, is confronted by magical beings, who announce that her father, King Vivencio Basilio of the Sirena Court, is dead, and that she's in danger. MJ is taken to Biringan, "the hidden fairy realm of the Philippine islands," and she soon realizes that no amount of schooling by her mother or correspondence from her father could have prepared her for its magical vastness--or the political disarray threatening her succession. As her queenly coronation looms, she attends the Biringan Academy of Noble Arts (where not even her peers from other kingdoms can be trusted), participates in council meetings with other royals (who question her ability to rule), and anxiously waits for her magical powers to manifest. MJ also investigates the late king's death, aided by new friend Phoenix "Nix" Xing (a fellow hapcanto) and unlikely ally Sir Lucas Invierno--and discovers a dark magic that could claim her life next. From the quirky nicknames to the terrifying mambabarangs, or witches, de la Cruz's latest is rich in Filipino culture and mythology. MJ's rapid acceptance as ruler of a magical kingdom that she left as a toddler is somewhat unconvincing, but the plot-driven story will please readers seeking constant action. A promising, culturally rich, Filipino-infused fantasy series opener. (map) (Fantasy. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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1 I knew who they were immediately. More importantly, I know what they were. Encantos. Also called fairies, but in my father's language: encantos or engkantos. Magical creatures hidden from the human realm. There were many types-diwatas were female forest and mountain spirits and human in appearance; dwendes were akin to dwarves. These were mostly munduntugs-hunters. One of them stepped forward. Dark hair curled underneath his pointy ears. "We have very little time to waste," he said, his voice a melodious whisper. "Your father, the king, is dead. You're in grave danger. We can protect you, but you must come with us." "Right now?" was all I managed to say. My mind was spinning. My father is dead, I'm in danger, I have to go with them. No, I needed to talk to my mother first. This was why we had been running all my life. To keep me safe from my father's world. And now his world had come out of the darkness and found me. "There's no time," insisted another. Two of them stepped toward me. The first repeated himself. "Come with us. Now." "But my mother . . ." I began. I couldn't go without her. She needed to know where I was, what had happened. One of them took my arm. "You must," the creature declared. "The others will be here soon." The cloak moved aside when she reached out to me, revealing an iridescent wing folded at her back. She was from the flying battalion, then. They had sent the best hunters to fetch me. "All right," I said slowly. "But what about . . ." "Your mother will be informed." She looked anxiously at the others. The one who seemed to be in charge spoke again. "Of course. Now follow . . ." Before he could finish, a giant gust of air blew in, like a storm coming right through the building. We all shielded our eyes but were otherwise frozen in place, stunned by the swirling wind. The female hunter yanked on my arm and began pulling me away. She shouted to the others: "Run!" Just as we began to move, I felt her lurch away from me suddenly, and she was gone. The air settled, revealing another group of fairies-a group of patianaks, with sharp teeth, shimmery skin, and wings as black and glossy as a raven's. They were the fiercest and most unforgiving of the encanto warriors. I shuddered. The hunter who'd been holding me was on the floor. One of the patianaks stood over her, his sword driven right through her torso. Horrified, I stumbled backward, frantically trying to figure out which direction to run in. But everywhere I looked, there were more of the enemy. The patianaks slaughtered the winged munduntug battalion with ruthless efficiency. Back down the dark hall was better than whatever was going on here. I turned to run, but as I did, strong arms wrapped around me. Excerpted from The Encanto's Daughter by Melissa de la Cruz All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

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