THE ISLAND OF FORGOTTEN GODS, by Victor Piñeiro, Sourcebooks Young Readers, Aug. 5, 2025, Hardcover, $16.99, Paperback, $8.99 (ages 8-12)
A boy and his cousins awaken a monster on the island of Puerto Rico in The Island of Forgotten Gods, by Victor Piñeiro.
Nico wants to be a famous film director. He’s pretty sure if he can make the right movie, and soon, his life will completely change. The catch? His parents are sending him to Puerto Rico for the summer to stay with his iconic, but old-school, Abuela Luciana, and his awesome, but unpredictable cousins. Still, the show must go on.
Until Nico and his cousins awaken a monster. A monster that looks an awful lot like the infamous Chupacabra. And it turns out this isn’t a chance encounter. The creature begins stalking them all over Puerto Rico, turning up on every dark corner, sandy beach, and moonlit night. To make matters worse, a shadowy cult enters the chase, intent on capturing them before the Chupacabra can.
Soon they are thrown into an adventure that brings them face-to-face with the ancient Taino people, even more ancient Taino gods, and the mysterious Chupacabra, who is somehow linked to everything. Nico keeps his camera rolling, hoping the epic documentary will catapult him to stardom. But in the end, it’s the island’s fate that hangs in the balance, as they face down the very gods that created Puerto Rico. —Synopsis provided by Sourcebooks Young Readers
I had high hopes for The Island of Forgotten Gods, but it just didn’t click for me. It starts well enough, with a good setup for the rest of the book in the opening chapters. However, I struggled to connect with the main character (Nico) and the first half feels very slow.
My favorite elements of The Island of Forgotten Gods are when author Victor Piñeiro touches on everyday life in Puerto Rico and when he details indigenous culture and history. For me, the fantastical elements came too slowly, but they do make sense in Piñeiro’s world, and once more present, move the story forward.
The Island of Forgotten Gods is a good fit for older middle readers and lower young adults. I suggest checking it out from the library prior to purchase.
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