Tor Teen, 2019. 288 pages. Horror
When teen Lupe Dávila travels from Vermont to Puerto Rico to visit police chief uncle, she arrives just as he is called to the scene of a grisly murder, the first of many. Lupe and her new friend Javier set out to discover who -- or what -- is causing these murders. But the clues they find lead them into a world of myth, legend, and shadow.
This trilling novel sets the Latin American myth of el Cuco against the backdrop of modern-day San Juan. As a Puerto Rican female author, Cardinal seems to understand that not everyone in her reader base will understand written Spanish; therefore, she masterfully crafts passages that include Spanish phrases and dialogue, always being sure to weave in translations or explanations. However, the characterization feels a little forced: the protagonist never really settles into any distinct personality traits, except perhaps for teenage angst. Despite this, the break-neck pace of this plot makes for a very compelling read.