Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Filipino myth, murder, romance in magical fairy-queen debut.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
THE ENCANTO'S DAUGHTER, Maria Josefina Robertson-Rodriguez, better known as MJ, has spent most of her 17 years on the run from unknown enemies with her mom in the human world and is always the new kid in school. When she's called to the office while doomscrollng through a lecture on supply and demand economics, it seems routine -- but she never gets there, as the hall goes weird and fairy warriors calling her Princess say they're there to rescue her because her father, the encanto (fairy) king, has died, she's the heir, and a lot of encantos want her out of the way so they can seize power themselves. Actually, her so-called rescuers work for those encantos, but luckily more warriors loyal to her father get her to safety in the encanto world of Biringan. There, she not only has to get up to speed on fairy ways, magic, and royal protocols in time for her coronation, she also has to dodge the plots of those who don't want it to take place. Which means never really knowing who she can trust. Which gets to be a problem as she starts to fall in love with Lucas, the handsome knight assigned to guard her -- they have a lot in common, but it's not clear where his loyalties lie. Also, MJ can't take the throne without using her magical talent -- only she has no idea what it is.
Is It Any Good?
Spooky tales from her Filipino childhood inspire Melissa de la Cruz's magical, murderous fantasy as a 17-year-old lands in the fairy world to take her late father's throne and avoid his killers. First of a two-part series, The Encanto's Daughter immerses the reader in a mythical world of Filipino culture, pageantry, fashion, and food; also creepy witches, swordplay, slashing, palace intrigue, magic school, mean girls, and a lot of people who probably can't be trusted. Whether handsome knight and love interest Lucas is on that list remains to be seen. The cliffhanger ending leaves much in doubt and will pull readers back for part two.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the fairy world -- and how different cultures and traditions see it. How does the version seen in The Encanto's Daughter compare with other stories you know? How does the world in the book compare to ours?
MJ's under a lot of pressure to demonstrate her magical power when she isn't sure she actually has any. Have you ever felt like that? How did you deal?
Have you ever made what turned out to be a really offensive remark to someone in all innocence because you were clueless (as happens to MJ)? What happened? Did you try to make things right when you knew more?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : G.P. Putnam's Sons
- Publication date : March 5, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 320
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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