The Island of Forgotten Gods
by Victor Piñeiro
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From the author of Time Villains comes a new fantastical adventure about family, tradition, and seeing things for what they truly are.
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.
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9781728230559
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Authors
- Victor Piñeiro
- Publisher
- Sourcebooks Young Readers
- Published Date
- August 5, 2025
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 304
- Physical Info
- 1.16 in H x 8.96 in L x 5.16 in W (0.86 lb)
I am such a big fan of the Time Villains series, and The Island of Forgotten Gods does not disappoint either! Loved learning more about Puerto Rican folklore through the twists and turns of Nico’s adventure.
Who knew we needed a Percy Jackson / Stranger Things mashup with kids on bikes battling Puerto Rican gods and monsters? But oh man, was this fun -- hilarious, terrifying, and heart wrenching all at the same time.
Victor Piñero’s new book is a true escape! His vivid descriptions of Puerto Rico—the island, the food, the culture—made me feel like I was right there. The imagery was so rich it left me both hungry and ready to book a trip! A beautifully written story that lingers long after the last page. LOVED IT!!!!
I just finished The Island of Forgotten Gods. Loved it! It’s like a mix of Monster Squad, Moana, and The Goonies but original and with a Puerto Rican flavor. I had some hairy travel over the past two weeks and it kept me company the whole way. I was literally gripping it in my seat while I read, especially toward the end. Great job! Perfect for middle-school aged kids who love fantasy and want to believe in mythology and the supernatural. I was like that when I was 12-13, so this book tapped right into that long-ago love of adventure.
My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Kids. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.Genre: Fantasy, MythologyAudience: Upper middle grade, low yaContent: Kidnapping, parents getting divorced (mention of a woman on the side), and the violence is more related to nature than blood and deathTHE ISLAND OF FORGOTTEN GODS sweeps you into the beautiful culture of Puerto Rico.What's not to love? Kids staying with their abuela on an island paradise, movie-making, and monsters!This is a fantastic adventure that kids will eat up. It reminds me of Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls, but I think it's for a slightly older audience. Sometimes, I thought the kids used expressions that middle graders would not be familiar with.My favorite part is the mythology and how the kids peel back the layers until they discover the problem with the island gods. It's an intriguing story.Happy reading!
