The Island of Forgotten Gods: Chapters 31–Epilogue

by Victor Piñeiro
Nico and his cousins Kira and Nessi go to Puerto Rico to spend the summer with their Abuela Luciana. While enjoying the island's beauty, they encounter fantastic characters, ancient gods, and a monster that could be the infamous chupacabra.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–8, Chapters 9–15, Chapters 16–20, Chapters 21–30, Chapters 31–Epilogue
15 words 6 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. vestige
    an indication that something has been present
    "Though they eventually died of disease as well, the organization remained, as it still does to this day. And the village stands, the last vestige of our ancestral home.”
  2. rosary
    a series of prayers counted using a string of beads
    “My abuela Elena does the rosary twenty times a day, easy.”
  3. tailspin
    a panicked or chaotic emotional state
    If I couldn’t find someone, I would have to use the footage I snuck from the village. I would have no other choice. And that sent me into a tailspin.
  4. resilience
    the ability to recover readily from adversity or change
    “I told you our culture makes us strong. But there is something else, even more powerful.”
    “Ah.” I’d interviewed enough Boricuas lately to have a sense of it.
    “Resilience? Quiet strength? Happiness?”
  5. machete
    a large knife used as a weapon or for cutting vegetation
    “We ask the questions,” the first one said, eyes fierce. “Tell us about la gárgola.” He put his hand on his belt, which I noticed was holding an old machete.
  6. genuflect
    bend the knees and bow in a servile manner
    Nessi nodded as they practically genuflected.
  7. docile
    easily handled or managed
    As it was, we would have been living a horror movie if they weren’t so clearly docile and reverent of Nessi.
  8. reverent
    feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
    As it was, we would have been living a horror movie if they weren’t so clearly docile and reverent of Nessi.
  9. immaculate
    free from stain or blemish
    I wanted to ask Nessi where they were taking us, but I also didn’t want to interrupt the immaculate hush.
  10. regale
    occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
    There were families of shadowbeasts all over, older ones looking after their children, elders sitting and regaling younger ones with stories, and a group of kids chasing each other far away.
  11. copse
    a dense growth of trees, shrubs, or bushes
    He pointed ahead at a little copse of trees next to the cliff.
  12. smoldering
    showing scarcely suppressed anger
    “Yuiza!” Guabancex stared down Abuela, her eyes smoldering, but Abuela held her ground.
  13. interloper
    someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another
    “Different? You’re using the wrong word. Ruined. The island is almost completely ruined. Corrupt leaders. Greedy interlopers. Desperate Boricuas.”
  14. shaman
    one acting as a medium between the visible and spirit worlds
    Kira and Nessi were hovering over a comatose Casey, who’d been lifted onto a hammock in one of the village huts and was being looked over by a Taíno shaman of some sort who nodded at them.
  15. auteur
    a filmmaker who has a personal style
    “There’s the brilliant auteur. There’s my genius grandson.” Abuela Lina stood at the head of the long dinner table, arranging the decorations.
Created on Fri May 15 20:31:15 EDT 2026 (updated Mon Jul 13 16:24:50 EDT 2026)

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