The Storyteller's Death: A Novel

International Latino Book Award Gold Medal Winner!

"A beautiful book about family, memories, and the power of stories." --BuzzFeed

"Mystical, masterful storytelling." --Ms. Magazine

A gorgeously written family saga about a Puerto Rican woman who finds herself gifted (or cursed?) with a strange ability.

There was always an old woman dying in the back room of her family's house when Isla was a child...

Isla Larsen Sanchez's life begins to unravel when her father passes away. Instead of being comforted at home in New Jersey, her mother starts leaving her in Puerto Rico with her grandmother and great-aunt each summer like a piece of forgotten luggage.

When Isla turns eighteen, her grandmother, a great storyteller, dies. It is then that Isla discovers she has a gift passed down through her family's cuentistas. The tales of dead family storytellers are brought back to life, replaying themselves over and over in front of her.

At first, Isla is enchanted by this connection to the Sanchez cuentistas. But when Isla has a vision of an old murder mystery, she realizes that if she can't solve it to make the loop end, these seemingly harmless stories could cost Isla her life.

BuzzFeed's 20 Highly Anticipated Thrillers of 2022

BookRiot's 15 Best New Mystery Books of 2022

Goodreads' Books to Read for Hispanic Heritage Month

Apartment Therapy's One Book to Read in October 2022

Paste Magazine's Best New Fantasy Books of October 2022

BuzzFeed's Best New Books of October 2022

BookRiot's Best New Mysteries, Thrillers, and True Crime of October 2022

CrimeReads' Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2022

The Nerd Daily's Most Anticipated Book Releases

SheReads' Best Sci-Fi & Fantasy Books Coming In 2022

Hasty Book List's Best Books of October

ADD TO MY SHELVES

Recommend book

BUY THE BOOK

Published Oct 4, 2022

336 pages

Average rating: 6.82

33 RATINGS

These clubs recently read this book...

#ReadPuertoRican Book Club

DISCOVER MORE CLUBS

Community Reviews

Write a review...

richardbakare

Aug 07, 2025

6/10 stars

Ann Dávila Cardinal’s “The Storyteller’s Death” is a magical realism genre entry that manages to weave in classism, racism, colorism, religion, and spirituality into one young woman’s journey through her family’s repressed story. Isla’s unexpected connection to the souls of her family, combined with her haphazard detective skills, are the primary drivers of the narrative. The ending brings things full circle but not in how you might expect. From the start, Cardinal sets up the idea of broken trust and traumas that go unsaid as major issues that need resolving. She layers on the typical pride that keeps immigrant and minority families behind. The two combine to create a gritty tension that is compelling but also a rehash of themes typical in these stories. What was refreshing was the representation of Isla’s parents’ careers and connection with timeless design. Fitting given the way connections to the past tie into the story. Cardinal uses stories from the past to create a mosaic of experiences that bind a family. A mosaic because the stories are fragments and disjointed. A combination that left the story feeling contrived at times. There were themes of belonging, code switching, and navigating loss that were more interesting to me and that I wished Cardinal explored more. If you’re a fan of magical realism and reading about all things Puerto Rico, this one will be a worthwhile read.

JL Reads

Aug 04, 2025

7/10 stars

The story follows Isla from about age 8 through adulthood as she spends her summers in Puerto Rico with extended family and school years with her alcoholic mother in New Jersey. This was a long narrative of generational trauma and familial secrets. I enjoyed the ending and all of it revelations. Book #68 in 2025

Madame's Fitness

Aug 01, 2025

8/10 stars

Intricate weaving of culture & family hurts / gifts.

Andréa

Mar 22, 2025

10/10 stars

RTC

Carla_is_Reading

Oct 24, 2024

6/10 stars

3.75 stars
One of the most unique books I have read. I truly found the depth of lore and legend and how it was painted so realistic and raw with the visions and paranormal elements.
I also found the precious moments of one gift passed down to another via generation. This element is what will stick with me long after finishing the book. Something I know Cardinal has picked up from her family, that thread that keeps us all unified in a more magical way than DNA. I hold that dear.
The only problem was the pacing, this was a perfect book to pace it quicker because there is a big element of mystery and uncovering truths. Because of my personal issues with the pacing I had to put the book down and do other things then come back to it, it wasn't until the last 30% of the book that the pace became more developed, and quicker than before. Which led to big developments and bigger truths being revealed and made the previous parts of the book make more sense.
Because it all wove together so lovely towards the end, I found redemption in the slow pace of the book.
I truly think this is the perfect example of magical realism and generational lore being used to tell a story of deep representation.

See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.

CREATE YOUR CLUB

More books by this author

We Need No Wings

Five Midnights (Five Midnights, 1)

Five Midnights

Hispanic Star: Bad Bunny