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 has gone, the tale comes 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.
European dragons are out; Pacific dragons are in! Ocean lovers will love this new take on one of literatures favorite mythical creatures. I encourage you to judge this book by its cover because it absolutely is just as gorgeous, whimsical, and awe-inspiring as it looks. Highlighted by an incredible magic system, this story examines what it means to come home. The author handles themes of loss and belonging with amazing care. If you've ever had to grapple with the idea of returning to a place you are worried no longer has space for you, come find yourself in this book.
If you like Dragonfruit, you might also like:
By Lena Jeong
HarperTeen, 2023. 440 pages. Young Adult Fantasy.
A teen must defeat an ancient evil to protect her family and claim her birthright as queen in Jeong's Korean mythology--inspired fantasy debut, a series launch. As the crown princess of Seolla, 16-year-old Mirae has for her entire life been preparing to become queen--and, by extension, the warden of an evil magic called the Inconstant Son. But when the "generational madness" brought about by the sinister magic's influence consumes her mother sooner than expected, Mirae must prove she's ready to ascend the throne by completing the Trial of the Gods. The trial is meant to test her ability to control all four elements, create illusions, and manipulate time--basic tenets of Sacred Bone Magic. Before she can complete the trial, however, Mirae's beloved older brother Minho is kidnapped by an unknown entity. To rescue him, Mirae, along with her younger brother Hongbin, Minho's palace aid Siwon, and Captain Jia of the Wonhwa guards, must combat the Inconstant Son's growing power and reckon with long-buried family secrets.
Clarion Books, 2022. 375 pages. Young Adult Fantasy.
Vira, Ronak, Kaleb, and Riya may be siblings, but they've never been close or even liked each other that much. Torn apart by the different paths their lives have taken, only one thing can bring them back together: the search for the Ivory Key, a thing of legend that will lead the way to a new source of magic. Magic is Ashoka's biggest export and the only thing standing between them and war with the neighboring kingdoms--as long as their enemies don't find out that the magic mines are nearly depleted. The siblings all have something to gain from finding the Ivory Key, and even more to lose if they don't. For Vira, the Ivory Key is the only way to live up to the legacy of her mother, the beloved former maharani. Ronak plans to get out of his impending political marriage by selling the Ivory Key to the highest bidder. Kaleb has been falsely accused of assassinating the former maharani, and this is the only way to clear his name. And Riya needs to prove her loyalty to the Ravens, the group of rebels that wants to take control away from the maharani and give it to the people. With each sibling harboring secrets and conflicting agendas, figuring out a way to work together may be the most difficult task of all. And in a quest this dangerous, working together is the only way to survive.
KJ
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