The Island of Forgotten Gods

 Written by Victor Piñeiro

Publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers

Language: English

Print length: 304 pages

ISBN-10: 1464237980

ISBN-13: 978-1464237980

Reading age: 10+ years, from customers

2026 Pura Belpré Children's Author Honor Award

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.

Review

"Piñeiro’s latest is a vibrant blend of contemporary coming of age with mythological adventure... An action-packed story of legacy, identity, and the enduring spirit of Puerto Rico." ― Kirkus Reviews, STARRED Review

"Piñeiro’s newest fantasy is a beautiful and exciting love letter to Puerto Rico." ―Booklist

"Fast-paced and full of twists and turns, the plot will take readers on a thrilling ride... an exciting adventure story that celebrates the intricate culture & history of Puerto Rico." ―Youth Services Book Review

Victor Piñeiro has led digital innovation at HBO Max, run social media for @YouTube and launched @Skittles. He's also designed games for Hasbro, written and produced an award-winning documentary on virtual worlds, and taught third graders. He is the author of Time Villains and Monster Problems.