Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier
Clarion Books
Publisher Summary: 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. But as with all things that offer hope when hope had gone, the tale came with a warning.
Every wish demands a price.
Hanalei of Tamarind is the cherished daughter of an old island family. But when her father steals a seadragon egg meant for an ailing princess, she is forced into a life of exile. In the years that follow, Hanalei finds solace in studying the majestic seadragons that roam the Nominomi Sea. Until, one day, an encounter with a female dragon offers her what she desires most. A chance to return home, and to right a terrible wrong.
Samahtitamahenele, Sam, is the last remaining prince of Tamarind. But he can never inherit the throne, for Tamarind is a matriarchal society. With his mother ill and his grandmother nearing the end of her reign. Sam is left with two choices: to marry, or to find a cure for the sickness that has plagued his mother for ten long years. When a childhood companion returns from exile, she brings with her something he has not felt in a very long time-hope.
But Hanalei and Sam are not the only ones searching for the dragonfruit. And as they battle enemies both near and far, there is another danger they cannot escape…that of the dragonfruit itself.
My Thoughts: Dragonfruit captured me and wouldn’t let me go. This is an action packed fantasy that is just as vivid and gorgeous as the cover would lead you to believe. It was an extremely satisfying read and I appreciated that though it could have a sequel, one isn’t necessary.
Readers get to learn about the seadragons through Hanalei’s perspective. They are dangerous, but they are also beautiful and fascinating. Hanalei studies them for multiple reasons. Her life is all tangled up with the seadragons and even as she searches for the dragonfruit, she wrestles with herself because using these beings is not without cost to both the person and the dragonfruit. Seeing the characters work through their ethics around what they are willing to do to help a loved one is quite interesting. Along with ethical questions, there are also questions about science and belief in the gods. Can you practice science while believing in intervention from gods?
I don’t want to spoil anything so I will only say that the bat on the cover was a delight and the other animals like it that show up add a special dimension to the tale. The images on the cover really are fabulous. The illustrator is Tran Nguyen and the designer is Molly Fehr. There are wonderful details throughout including designs on Hanalei’s hand, neck, and face. The rope and spear winding around her and all of the moving boats hint at the large amount of action on the water.
It is nice to see the different relationships developing or progressing whether they were friendships, romantic, or familial. The characters learn and grow even in the brief time we get to spend with them.
Recommendation: Get it as soon as you can. Lucier has told a enchanting story that will stick with readers. And also there are seadragons so of course it’s a must read.
Review copy: Final copy via publisher
Publisher: clarion Books
Availability: On shelves now
Pages: 368