Dragonfruit Review

Hello, all!

Year of the Reaper by Makiia Lucier is one of my favorite YA fantasy standalones (review here), so I had high hopes for her latest release, Dragonfruit.

Pub Date: 4-9-24
YA - Fantasy

Hanalei hasn't been back to her home island of Tamarind in ten years. Not since her father stole a dragon egg meant for the ailing princess, using it instead to save Hanalei's life and forcing them into exile. When Hanalei's father dies after, she's left alone with no money and nothing to her name. Hanalei must scrape by however she can, but the one bright spot is that her travels help her study the seadragons that roam the Nominomi Sea. Then, one day, Hanalei encounters a pregnant female dragon, and Hanalei knows this is her one chance to return home and right a terrible wrong.

The old tales say that the egg of a seadragon, known as dragonfruit, can undo a person's greatest sorrow. Ever since his mother, the princess of Tamarind, was poisoned, Sam has been hunting for a dragonfruit to cure her affliction. With his grandmother nearing the end of her reign, Sam is left facing a hard decision: either marry to secure his family's position or continue to search for something to help his mother. When Hanalei returns home from exile with news of a dragonfruit, Sam dares to hope for the first time in a decade. But the two childhood friends aren't the only ones searching for the dragonfruit, and they quickly find that it isn't just enemies they'll need to confront but the allure of the egg itself.

Lucier has such a knack for crafting satisfying fantasy standalones. The world, inspired by Pacific Island mythology, was so lush and vibrant. I enjoyed learning about the magic system and all the different markings one could have. It wasn't the most complex magic system, but it was entertaining. The pacing was okay. There were some elements I wish could've been developed a smidge more, like the romance between Hanalei and Sam, but it didn't affect my overall enjoyment. If you're looking for a quick, lighter fantasy to read, I'd recommend checking it out.

Rating: 4/5