Book Review: One for My Enemy

Two cats, both alike in dignity. Photo by Kate Ota 2024

One for My Enemy is written by Olivie Blake, the author of the best selling Atlas Six trilogy. It was originally self published, and has since be re-published by Tor after the success of Atlas Six (also pubbed by Tor). I read the Tor pubbed version, which may have differences from the original self-pubbed version. I was given the book as a Christmas present from my brother-in-law.

One for the Enemy follows two witch families in NYC, the Fedorov brothers and their father and the Antonov sisters and their mother. Written with Romeo and Juliet as a very forward theme, the book follows the eldest Antonov sister Marya and her history of romance with the eldest Fedorov brother, as well as the youngest of each house, Sasha and Lev, and their romance. When the rivalry between the families crosses from messing with business to murder, each member of the family must ask themselves how they got here, and what they are willing to sacrifice for family.

Since this wasn't a 1:1 R&J retelling, it did surprise me and remain unpredictable for the most part, which I appreciated. The illustrations were also interesting and very well done. It also seemed like the author set up a complicated world that she could revisit someday. 

One of my largest complaints was a problem I had with The Bear and the Nightingale: everyone had too many nicknames. And by everyone I do mean everyone. Sometimes more than one nickname. It turned an already large cast (there were seven Antonov sisters) and made it feel three times as large. I also am not an insta-love trope fan, which is a problem I have with R&J itself, so not a surprise that it became a downside for me in an R&J retelling.

This book is for you if you enjoy Romeo and Juliet, crime family drama ala The Green Bone saga, or if you're looking for urban romantasy. It's not for you if you don't want to read about insta-love, violence resulting in murder, or are not in the headspace to read about drug dealing.


Have you read One for My Enemy? What about Atlas Six? Let's discuss in the comments.