I wanted to give a quick update on my health-related hiatus. I'm feeling a bit better, and as of now, I plan to return to regular posting by the end of September or early October. However, I won’t be accepting new ARC/review requests until November. I’ve made commitments to several authors, and I want to prioritize those reviews before taking on anything new.
Once I’m caught up, I plan to change how I accept requests, especially when it comes to the volume. I wish I could review every book I’m contacted about, but realistically, I’m no longer able to manage that. This was a difficult decision to make.
To be honest, the stress of regular health appointments and the daily demands of life have taken a toll on my energy and time. It’s been really hard for me not to post as regularly as I would like, and it’s something that has upset me deeply. Reviewing books brings me so much joy, and not being able to do it consistently has been frustrating.
Once again, I want to reassure the authors I’ve promised reviews to that I will absolutely fulfill those commitments. I haven't forgotten any of you and I assure you I am working on those reviews.
Finally, I want to mention how incredibly grateful I am for the kindness and understanding shown by those who reached out after my last update. I did not expect anyone to care. You are the reason I continue to review books and the reason I still love doing so.
I've always been pretty open about my health and disability, so I wanted to give a quick update. With some upcoming health appointments and a current flare-up, I need to temporarily pause accepting ARCs and review requests.
If we've been in touch and I've confirmed you're in my queue, don't worry—you're still there. I'll do my best to get those reviews out promptly, but please bear with me as it might take a little longer than I'd hoped. If you've read my review policy, this shouldn't come as a surprise.
I'm hopeful things will return to normal soon, and I'll be able to reopen requests then. Thanks for your understanding!
I recently had the opportunity to read the first three books in Tom Smith's "Boss Bandit" series, which follows the adventures of an adorable Shih Tzu puppy. While the illustrations are fantastic and the stories are generally good, there are a few issues parents should be aware of. Please note that this review contains major spoilers.
Starting with some minor complaints:
Each book ends abruptly, and the narrative format quickly becomes repetitive. If your child tends to get attached to certain books, I would not recommend this series. Re-reads are likely to feel tedious.
The biggest issue with the "Boss Bandit" series is the darkness and scary imagery. Each book reveals at the end that Boss Bandit is dreaming, but this revelation is done so quickly and abruptly that it can be jarring. The imagery, especially in book two, could be too intense and triggering for some children.
I don't have children, so to ensure I wasn't being overly sensitive or overthinking things, I sought the opinion of a parent. They agreed and stated that they personally would not recommend the series for children under the age of eight. Ultimately, it will depend on your child's sensitivity and what they can handle. My recommendation is to use caution and make sure to review the books yourself before reading them to your kids or giving them to read on their own.
Rating (and some notes):
Boss Bandit and the Mysterious Hole: ★★★★☆ 4/5 Easily the best in the series thus far.
Boss Bandit and the Hungry Woods: ★★☆☆☆ 2/5 I had the most concern with this one.
Boss Bandit and the Christmas Tree Intruder ★★★☆☆ 3/5 Cute, slightly spooky Christmas tale.
*I was provided free copies of this series. This review was done voluntarily.*
Book and Author Information:
Boss Bandit and the Mysterious Hole: Goodreads, Amazon
Boss Bandit and the Hungry Woods: Goodreads, Amazon
Boss Bandit and the Christmas Tree Intruder: Goodreads, Amazon
Anastasiya Benzel (illustrator): Goodreads
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