From the Publisher
"Full of adventure and fascinating lore, the world of Makiia Lucier's marvelous Dragonfruit is one I would have loved to linger in were I not so feverishly turning the pages. One of the rare books that had me at the first chapter. I LOVE THESE SEADRAGONS!" — Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series
"Abundant with hope and second chances, this magical adventure stole me away with its pirates and seadragons, wishes and sea gods, villainy and homecomings. A winsome new take on how we should be careful what we wish for."
— Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lunar Chronicles
"Rich in worldbuilding, this gripping, warm-hearted fantasy is so vividly rendered you can almost feel the salt spray of the Nominomi Sea and hear the calls of sea dragons echoing through the pages. The lore is wonderfully unique and Hanalei and Sam are characters I couldn't help rooting for. A true delight." — Heather Fawcett, author of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries
"A mesmerizing, captivating Pacific Islands–inspired fantasy." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"A deeply satisfying standalone readers will race through and a rare Pacific Island–inspired fantasy that belongs in all YA collections." — School Library Journal (starred review)
"Richly textured worldbuilding dazzles from start to finish, taking inspiration from Pacific Island mythology and riffing on well-loved elements from the YA fantasy canon." — Publishers Weekly
"This refreshing magical adventure combines compassionate characters, a vivid tropical setting with unique magic (including fiercely lovable sentient animal tattoos), and a high-stakes story that switches easily between land and sea. Enchanting." — Booklist
MAY 2024 - AudioFile
Mapuana Makia lends her rich voice to this young adult fantasy. Hanalei, of the island Tamarind, has been living in exile since her father stole a seadragon egg. There she meets Sam, a lost prince, also from Tamarind. Together, they discover they can go home if they find the dragonfruit, a coveted treasure with great power. Makia delivers a balanced cadence and an intrigued tone when recounting the story's world-building. She lends a strong voice to the equally strong lead characters in their desperate journey to return home. Every peril is revealed with suspense, and every mystery is narrated with wonder. Makia's performance offers the total package needed for a fantasy with abundant adventure. G.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2024-02-17
Given the opportunity to right a grave wrong from her past, a teen faces dangerous seadragon hunters in order to find the rare dragonfruit.
“In the old tales, it is written that the egg of seadragon, dragonfruit, holds within it the power to undo a person’s greatest sorrow.” However, “Every wish demands a price.” As a young girl, Lady Hanaleiarihi was the beloved descendant of a distinguished bloodline and a page to Princess Oliana of Tamarind—but her father stole a dragonfruit meant for the ailing princess in order to save Hanalei’s life, and he died soon after. Now 18, she lives in exile, researching seadragons in the Nominomi Sea. After she warns some seadragons of dragoner hunters, the ruthless Capt. Bragadin captures Hanalei and forces her to help his crew find the dragonfruit. After escaping, she ends up back home on Tamarind with a chance to make things right, and she searches for a dragonfruit with childhood friend Prince Samahtitamahenele, Oliana’s son. But she knows they face more than just the dangers of the sea and dragoners: The dragonfruit once cost her everything, and she’ll do whatever it takes to save the ailing princess and help Sam. Inspired by the lore of the Pacific Islands, this enthralling fantasy has action, adventure, mythical creatures, and magic. The worldbuilding is wonderfully crafted, including the beautiful island of Tamarind, its matriarchal society, and the community members’ deep connections to one another and their ancestors, gods, and traditions.
A mesmerizing, captivating Pacific Islands–inspired fantasy. (Fantasy. 13-18)