Beware the Bantam Fighter by David Santiago is a collection of captivating stories that blend elements of family, culture, and superstition. It covers stories of fiercely protective mothers, a curse across family generations, and many more. Tales like When We Wander and My Little Luchador explore childhood experiences and the bonds formed through shared memories. Juan Bobo, the Guardian Angel, and The Woman He Hoped to Love weaves in themes of unexpected mentorship and the transformative power of hope amidst struggle. The Saboteur is a mystery drama about betrayal, and Boo is a sports comedy about resilience and teamwork. In A Warning, César Aguilar returns from military service in Iraq, transformed by trauma into a hostile police officer, and in Chance the Snapper, a granddaughter observes her Abuela's resilience amid local tensions surrounding a runaway alligator.

Beware the Bantam Fighter is a multifaceted collection that highlights diverse human experiences. The stories are mainly centered around Latin American culture, showing the richness of family dynamics and communal ties. David Santiago uses humor and unpredictable circumstances to grab the reader's attention. Each story is unique and tackles social elements that affect individuals and families. From childhood memories and parent-child relationships to themes of war-related PTSD and mental health, this collection vividly illustrates the lessons we learn, as well as the struggles and triumphs we face daily. The book has themes of nurture, identity, and community, and the tales highlight the enduring bonds formed through shared experiences, love, and the impact of history. Each tale is heartfelt and conveys messages of belonging and pride in one's heritage and achievements. I enjoyed reading this book and hope more readers discover its rich narratives that offer vital lessons about life and resilience.

Beware The Bantam Fighter by David Santiago is a collection of short stories. In the first one, Josephina is a mother out to get revenge for her son, who has been beaten up. In The Curse, Roberto tells a childhood story with Josephina’s permission about how strange events started happening to their family after the birth of Cassandra. When We Wander captures their experiences while visiting Puerto Rico. The Woman He Hoped To Love covers a time when Luis got sick with dengue fever. It is a dangerous condition that causes him to regret many things, but in the end, as he recovers, hope is restored. In The Saboteur, Ofelia is a gifted academician who is supposed to give a very important presentation at the USAID when strange things happen to her. How will things turn out?

Beware The Bantam Fighter by David Santiago is wonderfully written with excellent symbolism that makes it not only entertaining but also effective in passing on the intended message. It is also thought-provoking on various societal issues and themes covered, such as culture, religion, and the importance of children listening to their guardians, which will resonate with a lot of readers. I loved how vividly David created the descriptions, which helped to capture my imagination. The steady pacing and the well-crafted dialogue also added to the overall beauty of the work. Readers will also appreciate the easy-to-understand language used, which makes the work accessible to all kinds of readers. This was an amazing read, and I look forward to reading something else by this author.