Content levels
Trigger warnings
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
Synopsis
Queen Shulamit never expected to inherit the throne of the tropical land of Perach so young. At twenty, grief-stricken and fatherless, she's also coping with being the only lesbian she knows after her sweetheart ran off for an unknown reason. Not to mention, she's the victim of severe digestive problems that everybody thinks she's faking. When she meets Rivka, an athletic and assertive warrior from the north who wears a mask and pretends to be a man, she finds the source of strength she needs so desperately. Unfortunately for her, Rivka is straight, but that's okay -- Shulamit needs a surrogate big sister just as much as she needs a girlfriend. Especially if the warrior's willing to take her around the kingdom on the back of her dragon in search of other women who might be open to same-sex romance. The real world outside the palace is full of adventure, however, and the search for a royal girlfriend quickly turns into a rescue mission when they discover a temple full of women turned to stone by an evil sorcerer.
Is The Second Mango appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
A wholesome fantasy quest featuring a young lesbian queen searching for romance while dealing with grief and chronic illness. Contains mild peril from an evil sorcerer but no explicit content or strong language.
What to know going in
This book has mild violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include death of parent, grief, and chronic illness (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teen readers will enjoy this lighthearted adventure about a young queen finding herself and making friends while riding dragons and fighting evil magic.