Lost on Doll Island

by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez

Rick Riordan meets R. L. Stine in this fast-paced debut middle grade horror packed with adventure about a Mexican American boy who starts hearing the voice of a haunted doll while visiting family in Mexico City.

Diego feels trapped. He’s confined in an arm cast, stuck with his tía and tío for a week in Mexico City, and smothered with the sickening fear that he’s the one who really caused his parents’ divorce. But most of all, he’s trapped in his own secret. Because ever since he got to Mexico City, he’s started having strange dreams of a doll calling his name.

Then Diego learns of La Isla de Muñecas, an island full of legendary magic that can make children’s wishes come true. If Diego can harness the power there, maybe he could fix everything that has gone wrong in his life.

So, with the help of two new friends, Diego takes a boat to the legendary island. From the moment the kids step ashore, nothing is as it seems—with dolls disappearing and reappearing in the blink of an eye. Suddenly, Diego is more trapped than ever before, and as the night goes on, he’s not sure he can escape.

Genres: Horror, Middle Grade, Fantasy, Childrens

192 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 26, 2025

About the author

Cassandra Ramos-Gomez is a Mexican American writer focused on creating middle grade and young adult fiction that centers Latinx experiences. She has a master’s degree in education and an undergraduate degree in art history and has taught middle school language arts and social studies. She currently lives in Texas with her husband and two kids. Her hobbies include painting, collecting animal bones, and playing Minecraft with her kids.
Lost on Doll Island is her middle grade debut.

Find Cassandra on social media: @Writercass

Reviews

[Staci (stacisbookishprobs) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy of this book!

Taking place in Mexico City on Doll Island is such a cool and creepy setting for a middle grade story. I don’t know much about Doll Island but I’m now very intrigued to learn more of its history.

Diego is a sweet boy who is struggling with his changing home life and his conflicting emotions about it and who he is. I wish tho this would’ve been about 150 pages longer to really get into Diego’s feelings and for him to really grasp why he feels the way he does. But I will say this short little book is a great way for a child to learn and understand more about grief and different kinds of grief.

But overall this was a fun, creepy time and I think it is something perfect for its age range. I really liked the epilogue and hope this continues into a series.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horror is likely the most sought out genre in middle grade libraries after you exclude anything in graphic novel format and certain high readership series and with this title having evil dolls plus coming in at under 200 pages, is sure to be a hit among the 4th-8th grade crowd.

Diego just wants his life to go back to the way it was-content living in Texas with his happily married parents and the friends he was comfortable around. Instead, he is stuck with his tia and tio in Mexico City, his parents are navigating a divorce back in the states, and he hasn’t made a single friend. But Itzel, his neighbor, keeps trying to make a connection and after Diego saves him from the campus bully, so does Jandro. A chance encounter with an antiques dealer and a field trip to the infamous Doll Island set Diego not on a path of friendship, but on a quest for an enchanted doll that can grant wishes. That quest puts the trio of students together and through a wildly haunted secondary island filled with every manner of creepy doll, an oversized man-eating arachnid, a deadly game of hide and seek and more.

Author Cassandra Ramos-Gomez wastes little time getting her heroic threesome onto the eerie island and readers will appreciate that the character development is on-going instead of front-loaded onto pages that, in some books, gets overly long and can sometimes lead to the dreaded DNF (did not finish). The plot is straight-forward and focuses on Diego’s search for the all-important Wish Doll and the developing friendships between him, Itzel and Jandro but that does not mean boredom, far from it! The creepiness is non-stop and even when the big twist happens and all seems resolved, it continues right up to the final seven words…”Especially when they never see it coming.” (Does that mean a sequel is coming???)

Excellent scary book, and with the absence of profanity, sexual content and gore, will fit in libraries serving grades 4-8. Representation: Main characters are Hispanic or Hispanic-American.

Cover note: Definitely creepy, but I wish the 3 children accurately reflected the author’s descriptions. One of the two boys should be smaller than the other two characters as well as have curly hair. This type of mistake is all too common in book covers and I’m not sure why characters are not represented as they are described in the text.

Thanks for the print arc, Simon & Schuster.

[Meliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a cute and creepy middle grade adventure.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 star read 👏 The Haunted Mansion meets La Isla de las Muñecas. I loved the creepy storyline and how everything revolved around the spookiness of doll island. The challenges the characters faced were creative, adding so much more depth to the stakes and wasn't just your typical "doll" story. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and finished it in two sittings! Highly recommend for fans of beginner horror centered around dolls, possession, and friendship.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers for gifting me an ARC for review.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Diego would rather be at home in Texas, but his parents are trying to work out their marital problems, and have sent him to live with his Tia Maria and Tio Tony in Mexico City. He has made himself at home, and even walks around the city, even visiting a creepy antiques store run by a woman, Ximena, who knows his name even though he hasn't told her. His school has a class trip to Isla de las Munecas, and he becomes obsessed by the idea of the Wishing Doll. If he could sneak away and find the doll to make a wish, he could be back home with his parents. He partners with classmates Itzel and Jandro on the trip, and the three decide to sneak onto the boat of the caretaker, Don Jamie, to see if they can travel to a further island where the Wishing Doll is probably located. Don Jamie is NOT happy to find them, and takes them to his house, where they meet his sister... who is the same woman whom Diego had met at the antiques store. They explain that the kids can't go wandering around because it is too dangerous. They can't take the kids back right away, so Diego and his new friends snoop around, finding newspapers from the 1990s, and hearing a warning from a doll in a trunk that they should leave. They need to beark three Hechizos (spells) to set the doll free. Diego thinks this is a good idea, but the three end up in all sorts of predicaments, including getting caught in the nest of a man eating spider and almost drowing in a blood red river. Jamie and Ximena tell the children that they should not fee the doll, but he doesn't trust them and feels that they want to keep the wishes for themselves. Eventually, Diego finds the doll, who demands to be freed. Of course, this doesn't go the way that Diego expects it to go, but the children manage to escape. Or do they?
Strengths: Dolls are frightening. And an entire island of dolls hung in trees, rotting in the humid climate, terrifying. Isla de las Munecas is a real place, and the books gives a short history of it, and it's a great setting for a horror book. Diego's obsessions with making a wish so that he can go back home to Texas will resonate more with younger readers, but I did enjoy the fact that his two new friends were more than happy to help him out in his somewhat misguided attempts to find the wishing doll. The plot moves quickly, and all of the descriptions of the creepy island and dolls will appeal to readers who liked Mott's Hush-a-Bye, Alexander's The Collector, or Acevedo's The Curse of Spectacle Key.
Weaknesses: I'm not sure the cover will attract many readers.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like creepy tales like Averling's The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay , Bourne's Nightmare Island, or Howard's Bumps in the Night.

[Chelsea]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

Lost on Doll Island by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez is a first person-POV Middle Grade horror set in Mexico City. Diego has recently moved to Mexico from Texas after his parents started processing their divorce. In a bid to return to his old life, he goes to Doll Island on a class trip with the intent of getting a wish from a magical doll that grants wishes. But Diego isn’t aware of everything on the island and not only is he going to get himself in trouble, but also his new friends Jandro and Itzel.

Diego’s home life before he moved to Mexico with his mother was one of toxic masculinity from his father. We see his father expressing distaste at Diego having a lovey, which was a doll that Diego took everywhere and he even threw it away at one point. Diego has an interest in dolls as shown by him forgetting that he’s holding a doll in a shop and his knowledge of American Girl dolls. I thought this was a great way of subtly showing that it’s OK for boys to be into dolls and that toxic masculinity isn’t OK without calling those things out expressly.

Diego initially views Jandro and Itzel as means to an end for him to finally get his parents back together and getting back what he believes he lost. While it doesn’t make Diego likable, it does make him flawed and human. I think moving to a whole new country in the middle of a divorce is a lot to ask of a child even if it is in their best interest and will be good for them in the long term. There’s culture shock, language differences, a whole new environment to take in, new food, a new room, sometimes even a new bed. It’s a shock to the system even for well-adjusted kids who think that the divorce was a necessity. I can’t condone Diego using Itzel and Jandro in the beginning, but I can’t say I don’t understand why he did what he did and I think he needs some empathy extended to him.

I was unfamiliar with the Island of Dolls before this, but we get the history of the island, the various names it’s called and translated as, where it is, and the legend around it. The reader is not expected to go out of their way to learn more on their own in order to understand the context of the story, which is ideal for reluctant MG readers. For YA and adult, I would expect readers to be extended less handholding, but since MG is the first time many readers are interacting with new concepts and cultures, it is truly ideal for someone from that culture to be the one who presents it to them and give them the foundations to build an understanding off of.

I would recommend this to reluctant readers looking for a fast-paced horror and young readers who want a horror that has flawed characters

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy dolls hanging from trees, the silent call of a doll in the mind, and a myth about making dreams come true meld and mold to form an eerie tale.

Diego's been sent to Mexico City by his mother, while she and his father work through marital issues. Since Diego has always lived in Texas, this is anything but thrilling. When he gets lost in the city, an antique store owner informs him that his school will probably be taking a trip to the La Isla de Munecas, an island filled with dolls. But it's not the real island. The true island is nearby and hides a doll, which can fulfill any wish. With the desire to return to Texas and make his problems disappear, Diego makes a plan to sneak off to the true island during the field trip, but the doll he seeks isn't what he hopes it will be. It demands a price.

First off, I do appreciate the shorter length of this read. At less than 200 pages, it works well for a fun, spooky dive which won't scare more reluctant readers away quite as much. The story remains quick-paced and doesn't spend much time on background information or deeper thought swirls. It offers just enough to get the story going and make Diego's situation clear, while adding a familiar problem surrounding parental issues to inject sympathy and a little bit of depth and drive. There's also friendship goodness and loyalty, which inspires.

As for horror, the island and dolls make it a chilling read. The eeriness builds the moment Diego meets the antique owner and, shortly thereafter, hears a voice in his head, but the dolls on the island notch it up to creepy. His bad decisions driven by his emotions are understandable and add those moments to make readers hope things work out. The antique store owner, who slides in another level of secrets, builds up a mysterious undertone along the way. Even as the stakes rise, the tale never leaves the middle grade level and works well for the lower end of the group thanks to the lighter writing depth. Sensitive readers might be uncomfortable, though.

All in all, it's a quick-paced read, which keeps the plot going . Readers, who want a shorter, direct read with chills and thrills, are sure to find exactly that.

[Atlas Wolfgang · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating with partial stars would be 3.75.

I need to read more middle grade horror, I think! I'm not scared of dolls, and I regularly read horror meant for adults, but this book had me paranoid reading in my room at night. Bravo!

It was definitely interesting to read from the point of view of a character who's going through a lot and is driven by unhealthy responses. It was honestly a little difficult to read him internally lashing out at these kids who are just being so nice. I'd be interested to hear how this book lands with kids going through a divorce or otherwise feeling similar things to Diego. It made it a huge relief to see him finally open up at the end.

You can definitely see his dad's influence in the way Diego handles problems. It was great for the main "villain" of the book to be a direct result of people pretending something never happened so he could learn why this is not a good thing to keep doing. I liked that the reader could see a real turning point when Diego thought of what his mom would do instead of his dad, and that he texts her at the end. He's definitely got a lot to unpack with the idealization of his dad's machismo attitude — if the epilogue is anything to go by, I hope we'll get to read more about his development in a second installment.

I thought the horror was really well-set up. I was able to pick up on the Wish Doll being a trap, which made it nerve-wracking for Diego to march right back into danger like that. I also caught the details alluding to certain dolls on the island being actual children! The part where Diego comes upon the "dolls" frozen in motion on the path and hears the swamp go quiet around him made me so viscerally scared. I hope their spirits see rest at some point. That's something I would love to see handled in a sequel.

Overall, this was a pretty dang solid story. The prose could be a little oddly constructed at times, but the voice was pretty strong, and I particularly liked Diego's friends as characters. I'd love to see what Diego's Minecraft server with Jandro would look like. I bet they'd collect axolotls, and Jandro would be really into redstone farms. I genuinely wonder if the spiders would be scarier to them after what they went through on Doll Island! I don't know if Itzel would play, but she'd probably get into enchantments. She'd eat up that one Minecraft geology channel (Gneiss Name).

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun, creepy middle grade horror about an American boy who's just moved to Mexico and wants to make a wish on a magic doll so his life can go back to how it used to be.

Some scenes were genuinely creepy, especially the one in the mansion. I haven't felt creeped out while reading a middle grade horror since Katherine Arden's Small Spaces.

A few minor issues I had:

-I did find Diego a bit whiny at some points, but he's 10 and going through a lot so it's understandable and I can forgive it.

-Diego states that he's competent in both English and Spanish, but it was unclear which language the characters were speaking. They're in Mexico, so probably Spanish, but they occasionally use Spanish words, which makes it seem like they're actually speaking English. It doesn't actually matter, but I was curious about it.

-There is an event that happens at the end of the book and I do not understand why it wasn't done to begin with.

-I'm unsure the logistics of how Diego was informed about the wish doll in the first place.

-A few things seemed a bit convenient (Itzel being a bruja, Diego is a rock nerd).

Despite these few minor issues, I found this a fun, bordering on scary middle grade horror and I would definitely recommend.

CW: toxic masculinity, divorce, bullying, spiders, vomit, child death, hallucinations, broken bone, drowning, possession, creepy dolls

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital review copy.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐Bookstore bookish serendipity. Thank you Barnes and Noble!
If spooky vibes are what you are looking for this fall, this is your book! Not a "fall" book, but definitely creepy!!!! Scary,creepy dolls! This could be a bit too scary for some young readers.
Diego is visiting his aunt and uncle in Mexico City. He carries a lot of guilt about his role in his parent's divorce. He is struggling to connect with new friends as he misses his friends at home. This story though shows that friendship often flourishes when we aren't looking for it. After hearing about a magical Wish Doll on Doll Island, Diego is obsessed with finding it so that he can get his parents back together and get his former life back. He hears a voice guiding him to find the doll. He enlists the help of two classmates on a school trip.

The three kids venture off to find the Wish Doll. The island is all vibes. Creepy dolls hanging from trees, dolls that seem to guide their movements, eyes that move and maybe dolls that move too. All that in addition to the doll who communicates with Diego make for superb atmosphere. As the kids work to find the doll they encounter life threatening challenges that require teamwork for survival. BY the time the kids find the Wish Doll, they are truly in danger. There are elements of possession. The kids do not trust the adults who are hiding many secrets about the dolls and the island. Little do they know the adults are merely trying to keep the kids safe. The ending was perfection! A fantastic twist!

Highly recommend for fall spooky season reading! Recommend caution for some young readers.

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC

I’d like to thank Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read “Lost on Doll Island” early for an honest review.

I’m always a bit hesitant going into children’s horror, not knowing exactly what I’m in store for. “Lost on Doll Island” didn’t seem like it would be something that would be particularly frightening, but with what Ramos-Gomez did with the story, I know it’ll spook some younger audiences. This trio of friends featured within are just like many other normal kids, giving them characters to relate to. The setting really stands out, since it was surprisingly atmospheric and was vivid enough in description to paint a picture of where these events were taking place. The dialogue wasn’t exactly the best, feeling a little too much like an adult being a like a kid at times, but overall, I think younger readers are going to be fine reading the dialogue. It’s an exciting read, which offers enough twists and turns to keep any reader on their toes. The story of friendship is going to resonate with plenty of younger kids, making for a solid read for any younger kids wanting to dip their toes in horror.

Be sure to check out “Lost on Doll Island” when it is published on August 26, 2025!

[Jesus Gonzalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the digital ARC.

"Lost on Doll Island" takes readers on a captivating journey with our young protagonist, Diego, as he acclimates to his new life in the vibrant setting of Mexico. This enchanting tale weaves together themes of self-discovery and acceptance, all while immersing us in a world filled with eerie dolls and intriguing hechizos. The atmosphere of the book is both haunting and magical, making it an ideal read for Summerween, Halloween, or Dia de los Muertos. I believe teenagers will find the story not only engaging but also deeply resonant, inviting them to explore their own identities against a backdrop of rich cultural traditions and supernatural mystery.

[Dustin Hendrix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassandra Ramos-Gomez throws her hat into the middle grade horror realm and delivers an adventurous, suspenseful, and emotional experience within the story of “Lost on Doll Island”. If you go into this book expecting creepy doll scenes, you’ll get that and more in spades. The story was crafted with care and the characters are ones you will enjoy spending time getting to know and rooting for, as they encounter obstacle after dangerous obstacle. I also really enjoyed the tidbits of information about Mexican culture sprinkled throughout, which made this a unique experience in the realm of kids horror books. Definitely recommend giving this a read and sharing with the kids in your life, & I look forward to the potential Doll Island sequel 👀 and whatever else Ramos-Gomez has in the works!

[Rachel Matsuoka · Rating 3 out of 5]

The earlier Harry Potter books meets Goosebumps. The Isla de las Munecas in Mexico City is the perfect setting for a creepy novel, and Lost on Doll Island was a chilling, unique take on the mystery that surrounds the strange island.

[Stan Yan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the spookier MG novels I've read. There's a particular scene in it that is really reminiscent of things from my own childhood nightmares as well as something from Stephen King's The Shining novel that didn't make it into Kubrick's movie. But, no spoilers, so I will say no more.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was MG? LOL This scared ME! lol And it leaves room for something more to come from this book! I hope it does. This was hella good! Real review to come to my blog.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC.

This was such a great spooky book. I really liked seeing Diego try to find his way. There were times when I cringed knowing something bad was going to happen because of the choices, but you could see wht he was doing it. The horror elements were really good, just the right level of spook. I loved it.

[Sandra Proudman · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOST ON DOLL ISLAND is the perfect Halloween/Día de Muertos book for your young reader. Set in Mexico and taking place on Isla de las Muñecas, this story will have kids hanging on every turn and creepy moment all while cheering on characters that feel like friends.