I love this author's style. This is the second book I have read by her and I am very impressed. She is quickly becoming an automatic purchase for me. 100% recommend this book for any library serving teens.

Dragonfruit is a beautifully written fantasy filled with adventure, mystery, and a touch of romance. Set in a richly detailed world inspired by Southeast Asian mythology, the story follows Hanalei, a determined young woman on a quest to find a mythical fruit that could change her life.

Lucier’s prose is elegant and immersive, painting vivid landscapes and bringing the world to life with a dreamlike quality. The characters are well-developed, and Hanalei’s strength and resilience make her a compelling protagonist. The pacing is steady, though at times, the slower moments made me wish for a bit more urgency. The romance is subtle but heartfelt, adding an extra layer of depth to the story.

While the book’s lyrical writing and unique setting make it stand out, the plot occasionally feels predictable. However, the strong world-building and emotional core more than make up for it. If you love atmospheric fantasies with rich cultural influences and a touch of mythology, Dragonfruit is definitely worth the read!

I love this! This is a great addition to the YA genre. It was unique and I loved the opportunity to be transported to a fantastical world that did not have a European influence. I hope teens enjoy this as much as I did.

Pacific Islander inspired fantasy. Standalone. Lush descriptions. fast paced and perfect for younger/middle teens.

Makiia Lucier writes like no one else. Her world building is rich, exotic and her characters go through an immense amount of emotional development, maturing and learning along the way. I love the way she writes, how the words used are lyrical and fitting to the world.
Dragonfruit was an emotional ride, with the hidden plot twists and self-discovery! Belonging to a place, to people who love you is the main message. We definitely need more stories set in the islanders world!

Absolutely loved it!

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Dragonfruit was one of my favorite reads of the year! This is the first book of Lucier's that I've read, and I can't wait to read more of her work. The cover is gorgeous and after I read the synopsis I knew I had to read this book. The plot was engaging, the characters were lovable and who doesn't love dragons? Dragonfruit addresses themes such as colonization, justice, exile, and imprisonment; despite this, I would still feel comfortable recommending this title to young adults/teens. I did find the ending to be a bit abrupt, the book could have been slightly longer, to sum up everything more neatly. Overall, I think this book is a triumph, I can't wait to get a physical copy!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Thank you Harper Collins for sending me this earc in exchange for an honest review.

This book had taken me quite a while to read and I was unsure how I felt once I finished. Some aspects of this book are brilliant I loved the overall storyline and felt the dragons were brilliant I loved them! I loved how it told the story of Pacific Island mythology.

I just felt at times I struggled to follow what was going on. Some of the characters didn't fully pull me in, I didn't feel invested in their story. I really wish I loved this book because going in I was extremely excited for it. It definitely wasn't a bad book, but it didn't live up to my expectations.

I absolutely enjoyed this book, from the characters to the amazing world-building! I found it lush and immersive—Dragonfruit was such a breath of fresh air! I loved the island setting, the sea dragons, and the unique magic, as well as the inclusion of mythology that most people probably haven’t heard of.

And did I mention dragons? If you’re craving more books with dragons, this one is a must-read!

I very much enjoyed Hanalei and Samahti's story.
And although the story could very well end there, I really hope we get more.
I loved the idea of the markings. Moving creature tattoos that become real creatures.
The dragons in this book are seadragons and their eggs are called dragonfruit.
In this story dragonfruit it said to be able grant wishes but at a price.
This story was very well done and easy to read. I definitely think more people should read it.

DNF due to work and schedule issues.

I've run out of renewals on this one and have had to backburner it for work related reads and scheduling issues. I'm at 40% and have been really enjoying the pan-Pacifica themes and setting and cannot wait to purchase this book and finish it! I am curious to see how the relationship between the people and dragons progresses.

Language style definitely makes it feel like YA, but it's not super immature- appropriate aging I think.

Rating a neutral 3 stars until finished.

I loved this book. The worldbuilding and lore were so beautiful and unique. I genuinely wanted to live inside the pages of this book. I would love more stories with these characters!

I absolutely loved this book. Full stop. It was such a clever story and I honestly didn't want it to end. It's one of those books that you finish and the next day you think about how you need to keep reading and are dismayed to realize you have already finished it. The concept of having these sea dragons and the powers that they can afford people (or DO they), and the effects that has on the world as a whole. Just so clever. If there were another book, I would absolutely read it immediately. But it's pretty great as a stand-alone. It's also one that I can't wait to recommend to those who are looking for books with a little less romance in them. There's definitely a romance here, but it's not in your face about it. That's something hard to find these days in YA and I appreciate it! Thank you for letting me have access to this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Clarion Books for the e-arc!
Stunning cover! The cover definitely caught my eye when I was looking at books, and I am so glad it did because this book is so worth reading! The world is absolutely dazzling with dragons, magic tattoos, and lore! We follow Hanalei of Tamarind after her father steals the Magic Dragonfruit that was meant to save the sick princess. After being given to Hanalei instead, she is forced into exile until the fateful day, when she meets a female dragon and has a chance to set her father's choice right. She must work with the last remaining prince to find and protect this magic as enemies draw closer.
What a premise?! This book is packed with so many things that I absolutely adore; not only do I love getting to see magical dragon books but I love seeing unique and stunning mythology! There is so much adventure in this story, with dragoners chasing after them in search of the magic. With the perfect mix of romance and adventure this is a must read book!

A jaw dropping YA fantasy with highly immersive world building and fully realized characters. While the ending felt a little abrupt, I loved the rich, dark tone this book took. I was immersed and the nuanced magic system had me completely hooked.

Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier is set in a fantasy world inspired by pacific island mythology. It’s a 350 page YA adventure that has stakes that are personal for the characters rather than having wider, political implications which most fantasy books feature. The characters are great, the dragons are beautiful, the world is amazing, and it is a quick read. Whether you’re on a beach, or just want to dream that you are, Dragonfruit is a great pick!

Thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins Children's Books for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to rate this book higher but the writing drove me nuts. The protagonist is perfect and knows everything about dragons and she does no wrong....it doesn't help that the love interest prince is super flat. You'd think his comatose mom would make him compelling but no, he had no personality beyond being obsessed with Hanalei. Who again, is perfect in every way and is super smart and knows how to solve every problem somehow.

It's a shame because the tattoo magic and dragon lore were absolutely fascinating! But everything else about the plot/characters dragged.

So many great pieces that just don't come together well. I loved the island setting and Polynesian/Hawaiian cultural aspects, I liked the heroine Hanalei, and I LOVED the animal companion tattoos (specifically the fruit bat). Unfortunately, the plot pacing was inconsistent, the writing and characters were flat, and the magic system was not explained well. The markings in particular come in clutch towards the end in a manner that was not properly set up earlier, so it comes out of nowhere and feels unearned. There's also a twist with a certain character that is built up over the course of the whole book, but doesn't actually mean much in the end, so... why? (And that's just one example of the weird random bits that don't actually have any meaning in relation to the plot or characterization. Rosamie's colorblindness? The terrible aunt and her husband?) Worst of all, I was bored for a big chunk of the middle, especially when it seemed like the same conversations were playing out over and over again. I think Dragonfruit had the potential to be a really great fantasy adventure if it had been better edited and given time for proper development. Unfortunate.

Just want to mention, this is NOT the book for you if you're sensitive about animal cruelty or death. There's heaps of it, and some of it goes unnecessarily hard, especially in comparison to the relative chillness of the rest of the book. Also, SPIDERS. *shudder*

Plus, it really bothers me that we never find out whether Jejomar paid back that old man for destroying his canoe!!

TW: animal cruelty, animal death, animal attack, past parent death, parent coma, mention of child slavery, kidnapping, mild body horror, attempted sexual assault, poison, mention of a loved one with dementia

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved everything about this book. I loved the main character, Hanalei, the world building and the story. I felt like I was fully immersed into Hanalei's world. Lucier's writing is vivid; I felt like I was watching a movie. I highly recommend this book and will be purchasing it for our library.

What a delightful and unique story! I appreciated the world building and the way the author seamlessly wove in character development. There was a clear connection between the characters and the world. I found it lush, immersive, and even though I am not typically a fan of dragon stories, this one peaked my interest.