Review- Waterdancer by Samantha Combs

Summary-

For Bailey Wasserman, being Bailey has recently become an incredible challenge. It's not enough that she must come to terms with her mother's new husband, their new life, and a new surfer boyfriend. When she meets her real father for the first time, she discovers a secret family trait that will alter the course of her own life and those she loves…maybe forever.

Bailey and her mom have always met life’s challenges as a team of two, more like best friends than mother and daughter. But her mom’s recent marriage has changed all of that, and having her little brother Landry is the only good Bailey can find in that union. The move to wealthy Del Mar from their humble beginnings has turned Bailey sour, until a chance meeting with surf hottie Jack West. Then Bailey’s father, with his annoying Zen-surfer lingo and a talking turtle he claims is no less than her spirit guardian, reenters her life and threatens the only relationship Bailey thinks is working in her world. She soon finds out that’s not all his arrival will do. His presence and their shared family trait could ultimately force Bailey to make a decision that will alter the course of her own life and those she loves…forever.

Review-

Waterdancer is the story of Bailey. She has just had many big changes in her life. Her mother has remarried and now they have to live in a new place. She has to go to a new high school and adjust to life near the ocean. With all these things happening suddenly her real father shows up revealing a secret that changes Bailey's life forever.

Bailey was a sweet character. She cared about her family and her mother's happiness and was a really likeable character. I loved her relationship with her younger brother Landry. He was the cutest. Bailey then meets Jack, a boy from her new high school. I loved the romance between Jack and Bailey. It was cute with the right amount of hesitance to make it look real.

Jack teaches Bailey how to surf in Waterdancer. I haven't read many books about surfing so I found it interesting. Also, the real reason for it being called Waterdancer is because Bailey inherits a gene from her real father which makes her a sea creature. This book was almost like a fairy tale with the whole curse thing.

I loved Bailey's sense of humor. The way she thought about things was amusing. I only wish Waterdancer could have been a longer read. The book was fast paced and there was never a dull moment. Some things were a little hard to believe but all in all it was a cute and quick read. This was a clean Young Adult book and could be suited for younger readers as well.

*Note: This book was provided by the publisher for an honest review. We thank the publisher.

 X 3.5

Janhvi

Review- The Detention Demon by Samantha Combs

Goodreads Summary:

A raggedy group of delinquents, thrown together by circumstance, get the opportunity to prove if rumors about the detention teacher being less than human are true and discover it doesn’t take years of friendship to bond together and overcome evil.

Wayne is a Junior High school boy who just got detention for fighting in school to protect his longtime best friend, Gumby. But recently, there have been stories about detention. Kids have mysteriously disappeared, creating creepy rumors about detention class. Now, Wayne finds himself trapped in there with school bully Bubba Dugan. Keeping his distance from Bubba won’t be Wayne’s only problem. In fact, those rumors about the detention teacher don’t seem like stories at all. 

With his best friend Gumby, a crew of delinquents and a surprising late addition, a pretty cheerleader harboring a secret crush, Wayne and his group of misfits will have to band together to outwit the detention teacher. He’s protected his best friend from harm his whole life…..but, can he protect him and everyone else against something that might not even be human?

REVIEW:

*NOTE: We (The Readdicts) received a copy of The Detention Demon from Musa Publishing in exchange for an honest review. We thank the publishing house for the book! 

Wayne, Rob (Gumby) and Holly of Conrad Junior High School have to take detention for fighting, bad-mouthing and smoking respectively. Previously, the kids had only heard of rumours about mysterious Mr. Levi and his unusual detention class. It's only when they find themselves in his class with a couple of their classmates, that they realise the rumours weren't just rumours after all. 
Together, Wayne, Rob and Holly make a plan to put an end to Mr. Levi's strange and creepy way of conducting detention. The three of them made a cool team. Wayne's confidence, Rob's slightly side-kick support and Holly's practicality are all worth praising. It was good to see the kids take the lead and come out successful. Wayne's mom is a very sweet woman and they both (Wayne and his mom) share a great relationship.
Author Samantha Combs manages to keep the reader curious as to what happens.
The epilogue of The Detention Demon was written so well. It was well thought out. I finished the book in one sitting. The book is a very short read and it won't hurt at all to give it a try.
Overall, The Detention Demon was an good read. If you're in the mood to have a quick read and enjoy every bit of it and if you like books that remind you a bit of your school days, go for it. 

RATING:

 X 3

 Sarika