makiia lucier – GoodeyReads

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 356 pages
Author: Makiia Lucier
Publisher: Clarion Books
Release Date: April 9th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

From acclaimed author Makiia Lucier, a dazzling, romantic fantasy inspired by Pacific Island mythology.

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.

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 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.

ENJOYED.

This was a great, quick read. I loved the Moana x How to Train Your Dragon vibes. It’s a fun adventure filled with sea dragons, pirates, and a good old fashioned quest. I loved the world and how the magic system with the dragons worked.

It’s a really great standalone and truly in the young adult category. I think many would enjoy it. I needed a bit more character depth and just something else. Not upset at all I picked it up though.

Overall audience notes:

YA Fantasy
Language: none-low
Romance: flirting
Violence: moderate

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 336 pages
Author: Makiia Lucier
Publisher: Clarion Books
Release Date: November 9th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The past never forgets…

Before an ambush by enemy soldiers, Lord Cassia was an engineer’s apprentice on a mission entrusted by the king. But when plague sweeps over the land, leaving countless dead and devastating the kingdom, even Cas’ title cannot save him from a rotting prison cell and a merciless sickness.

Three years later, Cas wants only to return to his home in the mountains and forget past horrors. But home is not what he remembers. His castle has become a refuge for the royal court. And they have brought their enemies with them.

When an assassin targets those closest to the queen, Cas is drawn into a search for a killer… one that leads him to form an unexpected bond with a brilliant young historian named Lena. Cas and Lena soon realize that who is behind the attacks is far less important than why. They must look to the past, following the trail of a terrible secret—one that could threaten the kingdom’s newfound peace and plunge it back into war.

AMAZING WRITING.

That was one of my largest takeaways here. This book is magnetic. I was swept away in this story about Cas returning home to find what the plague has wreaked havoc upon. The audio is STELLAR. Highly recommend and I love the way the narrator gave a humorous voice to Cas. It perfectly off-set the darker sides of this tale and made it all the better.

I looove that this was told from the guy’s perspective. That’s not super common in YA lit. Cas was a resilient man who was looking out for those he loved, and the kingdom he fights for, all while bonding with Lena. I also adored Lena. Both of these characters sold the story for me. I loved the interactions, the banter, and watching their connection strengthen over time. I wouldn’t exactly call it a romance because it’s not heavily implied, but there’s feelings there by the end.

The story was intriguing and I liked the mystery aspect of it all. I remember thinking, WAIT WHAT, a few times as the reveals started occurring in the second half. The twists and turns are there and plenty of action to keep things moving. I can’t believe this was a standalone. It was without a doubt, one of the best ones I’ve read this year. Everything was well built and formulated to occur at the necessary pacing to finish up in less than 350 pages.

Absolute gem, highly recommend. I can’t wait to find out what this author will write next!

Overall audience notes:

YA Fantasy
Language: very little
Romance: flirting (maybe a kiss at the end?)
Violence: skirmishes, weaponry wounds (arrows, swords)
Trigger/Content Warnings: plague (based off of the Black Death), loss of many loved ones, medical experimentation, near drowning of an infant