big shoutout to makiia lucier for writing the ya fiction that we NEED. year of the reaper was such a pleasant surprise for me last year that when I saw dragonfruit, I knew I had to request it and OH BOY I was NOT disappointed. the polynesian inspired worldbuilding was so vivid and magical, and this was a case where I felt the cover of the book just perfectly captured the essence of the world. the characters are delightful and just so easily likeable, and I loved seeing all their interactions with each other, especially some characters I initially disliked but ended up really loving. the plot was relatively straightforward but lucier knows how to foreshadow enough so that you know there's something going on but you're not always sure the exact way the chips will fall. and also the SEADRAGONS! such a clever way to integrate dragon mythology into a polynesian inspired world. an easy five stars, and definitely something I will be recommending to all my fellow dragon girlies.

Makiia Lucier does it again. This book was phenomenal. Quickly paced, deeply engaging, evocative, mysterious, so creatively magical. I loved that the history and culture of the world was so vivid. Never once was I confused or bored, and I know that I will think of Hana and Sam and this story often.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for providing me with a digital arc of this book!

*minor spoilers*
There are not enough words for me to be able to describe just how special this book truly was. From beginning to end, Makiia Lucier had me captivated, hanging on to every word she wrote. This story is set in a world where seadragons are hunted and poached for their scales, oil, and most importantly, their eggs. In this world, it is known that the egg of a seadragon, dragonfruit, holds inside it the power to undo a person's greatest sorrow, but at a terrible price. The main character, Hanalei, knows this all too well. When she was 8 years old, she and Princess Olliana, a mother-like figure to her, were poisoned and left in a sleeping curse. To wake her, her father stole an egg from the Queen, and fed it to Hanalei. She survived, but he did not. After 10 years, Olliana remains in her sleeping curse, and her 19-year old son, Samahitamahenele (Sam), has been searching for dragon eggs ever since. When Hanalei finally returns to the island after a decade of exile, she embarks on a quest to help Sam save his mother.

This book has everything you could possibly want in a book; dragons, pirates, diverse cultures, a matriarchy. I was genuinely unable to put this book down, despite being in the middle of two other books. I truly cannot recommend this book enough, and am so excited for its release date so I can purchase the book for myself and recommend it to all of my friends. I am looking forward to reading every book Lucier has ever written.

6/5 stars, but that's not possible, so 5/5.

Dragonfruit is set in a magical world where ships scour the seas, hunting for dragons. Not only do the dragons provide scales and other valuable items, they might have dragonfruit: rare eggs that can, according to legend, can undo a person’s greatest sorrow when they are consumed.

Hanalei is an exile. As a girl, she was collateral damage from an assassination attempt against her royal mistress, the princess of Hanalei’s home of Tamarind. Her father, desperate to save Hanalei, stole the last precious dragon egg– or dragonfruit – to save her. Legend has it that dragonfruit can undo a person’s greatest sorrow. But this meant the dragonfruit could not be used to save the princess, and Hanalei can never return home. Until she’s forced to by an unscrupulous dragon hunter who realizes Hanalei seems to have a connection to the beasts…

This is an absolute gem of the book with an engrossing plot, a compelling protagonist, a bit of romance, a magical setting with exquisite worldbuilding, animal sidekicks, and Pacific Islander-inspired mythology. I truly can’t say enough good things. My expectations were sky-high since I’ve enjoyed the author’s other books so much, and I was still utterly charmed.

I especially loved how the characters were deeply connected to one another, and we could see those relationships– borne from love, hate, jealousy, and more– impact the plot. It felt very organic and beautiful.

It’s a rare treasure of a book indeed, especially since, like Year of the Reaper, this is a standalone. I’m sure there’s more to explore in this world if the author chooses, but it is SO satisfying to read a book with a full story arc. (And if you want more, also check out Lucier’s Tower of Winds books– they are also extraordinary.)

This is a read that while I didn't personally enjoy, I can tell the exact brand of teen who would like it.

This is a big case of it's not you, it's me.

The book just had too much going on. There's the ink animal markings that behave similarly to Philip Pullman's Daemons, the sea dragons and the whole rigamorole on how to actually use the eggs,.etc. etc.

It's not the book, it's me. I'm sure there are readers who will enjoy a range of overlapping and unique elements but I couldn't keep my head straight on it all.

In the old tales, it is written that the egg of a seadragon, dragonfruit, holds within it the power to undo a person’s greatest sorrow. An unwanted marriage, a painful illness, and unpaid debt ... gone. But as with all things that promise the moon and the stars and offer hope when hope has gone, the tale comes with a warning.

Beautiful and so well-written! Lovely setting with great characters and mythology.

I was thrown off by the description but seriously if you like dragons this one is an awesome pick, esp those of you just coming off of your fourth wings kick! Thanks for the arc

This book was utterly gorgeous, mesmerizing, and beautiful. I loved the writing, it swept you away into this beautiful world and couldn't put this book down. The characters had such depth, the storyline was epic, and it was a favorite for sure. I loved Hanalei and Sam! I adored the storyline, the variety of creatures was fascinating. The plot kept you completely invested the whole time and moved at a perfect pace, this story was magical for me. I adored it! The story had some moments that wrenched your heart, other times you couldn't help but laugh, and then it would just sweep you off your feet again with the storyline. The lush settings, the in-depth characters, and the story was epic and something I will treasure. Highly recommend this read!

Thanks to NetGalley & Edelweiss for the ARCs!

For years, Hanalei has lived a life in exile after her father stole a dragonfruit—the egg of a seadragon said to grant anyone’s wish—to save her life. Now, she spends her life studying seadragons until one day she sees her opportunity to return home to Tamarind. Meanwhile, Samahtitamahenele is the last remaining prince of Tamarind in a matriarchal line. He’s being pressured to marry but instead focuses on finding a cure for his mother, who’s been in a coma and whom the dragonfruit Hanalei’s father stole was meant for. With Hanalei’s return to the island, the two set off on a quest to search for a dragonfruit.

I’ve been a huge fan of Makiia Lucier’s since I read Year of the Reaper and immediately ran to read her backlist. Her writing is just so gorgeous and full of yearning, and this book was no exception. Both Hanalei and Sam have been living lives not meant for them—her in exile and him as the default heir. Hanalei’s yearning to return home despite her guilt for what her father did is so strong, while Sam’s longing to see his mother returned is an underlying part of his character.

There’s also the added layer of them being close childhood friends and then abruptly having to cut off contact. The tension between them now…Lucier always knows how to write a romance that cuts you to the bone. I can’t wait to reread this book!

The worldbuilding of this book was also very engaging! It takes inspiration from different Pacific Islander mythology, which was new for me to read personally. The plot is centered around the eponymous dragonfruit, which are what seadragon eggs are called. These eggs are rare, especially because seadragons are infamously hostile and hard to kill, and are said to hold the power to undo a person’s sorrow. Any person who steals a dragonfruit pays a price though; in Hanalei’s father’s case, with his own life.

There’s also the concept of markings, which are like tattoos of animals. However, these appear without warning once during early adulthood and move around different locations on the body. In some people’s case, like Sam’s, they can rise off the skin and take the form of a living animal. Markings are friends and guardians; Fetu, Sam’s marking, is fiercely protective of him but also gets irritated if you ask too much of him.

I also liked the side characters and how they all play into the plot. They’re all so fully developed; each character has their own agenda, although they may or may not come into fruition.

I truly can’t recommend Dragonfruit and all of Lucier’s works enough. My love for this book is hard to put into words, so please just know that I adored it. It was one of my top ten reads of 2023 (when I first read this ARC), and I already have plans to reread it soon!

I like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me a chance at reading this new debut from Makiia Lucier.

I took a chance on the author last year at a book sale when I found her duology. I read them quickly and thoroughly enjoyed her well-rounded characters for YA audiences. So seeing this come out as an ARC, I quickly hit that request button because the cover gave off pretty Moana vibes, and I knew I'd get the same thing here.

Makiia takes us to a Polynesian-esque fantasy island where lineages get tattoos with animal guardians that assist them. Where sea dragons are ferocious but give birth to eggs that if devoured give you a wish. But, with wishes, there is a cost. In this story, our lead lost her father at the age of eight when he stole one of the eggs to save her from a eternal sleep / death. In turn, he lost his own life.

His daughter, now eighteen, and with no family, has lived alone and intrigued by the dragons that separated her from her father. She was not the only one who was in an eternal sleep, the Princess of the kingdom she once inhabited, still sleeps and they are still searching for a cure. The problem is, dragons eggs are rare and are sought after. So she has to compete against foreign nations and unsavory pirates who will stop at nothing to get the eggs.

I loved the plot, I loved the main characters, I love how the book did not seem to talk down to the reader, or give us some easy issues to overcome. There was death, gruesome ones from sea dragons.

The only two reasons I am rating this book down is the death of a certain character / minor character (he was so cute, why?) and how the book kind of ends where you expect another to begin.. If the author wanted to release one more book I think she could. Still, it's a good book and if you are already a fan of the author then you'll enjoy it just as much as I did.

This story feels so fresh! Sea dragons for the win, ya'll. I LOVED the lush Pacific Island setting and mythology. It's so easy to root for the main character, and I stayed up late to finish this book.

Thank you to netgalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for allowing me to read this book. I enjoyed the diving to this Pacific Island mythology.

Makiia Lucier saw the YA fantasy genre was floundering and knew she had to step in to save the day.

Dragonfruit is one of the most unique fantasies I've read in a long time. If you were disappointed by a *certain* dragon booktok recommendation, you've come to the right place. Lucier has combined Pacific Islander mythology with a beautifully crafted plot and characters you’ll want to be friends with.

Haliendi has lived in exile since her dad stole a seadragon egg from the queen. Since then, she has spent years traveling the oceans and studying the beautiful creatures that changed her life. But when a ruthless hunter tries to kill a seadragon, Haliendi is back in her homeland, surrounded by those she once called family. Given the chance to redeem her name, Haliendi travels with an old friend to find a sea dragon and save her island.

Everything about this book is magical. From the descriptions of the beautiful islands, a unique and loveable heroine, and the inclusion of mythology most people have never heard about. The plot was consistently placed and never stagnant. Even with a relatively large cast of characters, each one is well-rounded and easy to remember. Read this if you need to restore your faith in YA fantasy.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Dragonfruit obviously features dragons. I love dragons, so it is exciting to read books where they feature prominently. Many novels in the fantasy genre have a sameness to their setting. I loved that this one had a South Pacific feel. You could feel the lushness in every page. The beautiful cover reflects the colorful prose of the world built in the novel. I really have enjoyed Makiia Lucifer’s books to date and this one was no exception. Hanalei, the main protagonist, is a survivor who has worked her way up to be the equivalent of a graduate student in the field of dragon study. She was saved by dragonfruit, or a dragon egg, as a child and has felt a connection with them ever since. Her father who was a nobleman defied his kingdom and saved his daughter’s life at the expense of his own and his rank. She was left to make her way in the world, but fate brings her back to the island of her birth to reconcile with the past and forge a new path. It is a coming of age story with cutthroat privateers, adventure, old gods, fate and dragons.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for this opportunity to read rate and review this arc which is going to be available wide April 9,2024!

This is a Pacific Island mythology inspired romantasy that features sea dragons! It also has princes and such but what I truly loved was the Pacific Islander mythology. The sense of family in this culture is in this book. I dug it.

I loved this book! Absolutely tore through it in less than a day. A fantasy steeped in Pacific Islander culture with dragons and animal familiars?? PLEASE. The pacing was fast, the world building expansive but easy to follow, and the magic system and dragons were extremely unique.

A new fantasy story with romance, adventure, Polynesian inspired culture, oh and did I mention dragons??? You are thrusted right into the story, this one starts like a roller coaster ready to drop!

This is a fast paced fantasy adventure, that will draw you into their world. You will be captivated by the world building and want to know more about the characters. Now I truly enjoyed the magic system inside this story/world, Makiia Lucier was able to create a compelling and sweet relationship between her main characters.
I will say that I wanted more from the ending but please don’t let that stop you from picking up this book. It’s a wonderful start to an incredible series!

Thank you Net Gallery and Harper Collins for letting me read the ARC prior to release.

I absolutely loved Year of the Reaper and was thrilled when Makiia Lucier granted me an ARC of her new novel, which is a romantic fantasy inspired by Pacific Island mythology with sea dragons, dragon hunters and animal companions that can take the form of tattoos on their buddies' skin. I mean, how cool does that sound?
The worldbuilding in this book is seriously one of the most original and interesting I've come across in a long time. I was completely swept away by the magic and legends of Tamarind.
However, if I'm being honest, I felt a bit disappointed with the ending. It was rushed and anti-climactic, which is a pity because I wish I could have spent more time in this beautiful world and gotten to know the characters even better. They were all so relatable and enjoyable, I just wanted more.
Despite this, I still think this book is really good and I would highly recommend it. If only it had been a little longer to give us more time to get attached to the characters and delve deeper into the plot. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

3.75⭐️

Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier is an excellent Young Adult fantasy read for anyone who loves dragons.Drawn in by a premise ripe with both redemption and dragons I was kept captive by the beautiful writing style.
What I loved
-I am dropped right into the world with the writer trusting me as the reader to find my footing
-Character development and relationships are well fleshed out
-the stakes are kept high
-SEA DRAGONS !!!!!!

This would likely be a good read for fans Amanda Foody's Wilderlore writing style.

I was a huge fan of Year of the Reaper and was thrilled to see this book coming out. Not to mention that the cover art is STUNNING. This is a wonderful Asian fantasy novel centering around the journey of Hanalei. She is impossible not to root for and this was such a refreshing adventure of a story. Another winner from Lucier.