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Dancing with the Devil
To move on from her past, an extraordinary girl must tear down the walls she has built to protect herself.
Mackenzie Douglas seems to have it all: good looks, a great boyfriend, a passion for biking, and a little sister who worships her. But under the veneer of perfection lie the emotional scars of her childhood, inflicted by her father. Though her memories have faded with time, the wounds on Mac's subconscious remain.
Having vowed to never be a victim again, Mac focuses on a journey she's always wanted to take: a summer bike trip on her amazing new RoadCap bike. But as the excursion finally gets underway, memories Mac long ago buried start to claw their way back to the surface, forcing her to confront a past she has done everything she can to forget.
To prevent her sister from enduring the same trauma, Mac must let go of everything in which she's found refuge. To break a cycle that needs to be broken, Mackenzie summons her strength and risks shattering the world she has so carefully built, exposing hidden secrets, long-told lies, and a horrific crime.
Mackenzie Douglas seems to have it all: good looks, a great boyfriend, a passion for biking, and a little sister who worships her. But under the veneer of perfection lie the emotional scars of her childhood, inflicted by her father. Though her memories have faded with time, the wounds on Mac's subconscious remain.
Having vowed to never be a victim again, Mac focuses on a journey she's always wanted to take: a summer bike trip on her amazing new RoadCap bike. But as the excursion finally gets underway, memories Mac long ago buried start to claw their way back to the surface, forcing her to confront a past she has done everything she can to forget.
To prevent her sister from enduring the same trauma, Mac must let go of everything in which she's found refuge. To break a cycle that needs to be broken, Mackenzie summons her strength and risks shattering the world she has so carefully built, exposing hidden secrets, long-told lies, and a horrific crime.
202 pages, Paperback
First published April 13, 2014
9 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Katie Davis
36 books71 followersKatie Davis is the author/illustrator of over a dozen traditionally published books for children, from picture books to middle grade and young adult novels. They’ve sold over 755,000 copies worldwide, which is why she self-published How to Write a Children's Book and How to Promote Your Children's Book, both #1 Amazon bestsellers.
Because Katie’s secret superpower is her ability to teach writers about writing, tech, and marketing their books, she created digital courses and products for writers such as How to Create Your Author Platform (and Market Your Books without Being Pushy), Video Idiot Boot Camp, and Launch Your Book Blueprint. She’s also co-created the largest and first live online conference of its kind, Picture Book Summit.
Katie’s first podcast Brain Burps About Books is an interview format and focuses more on marketing. Her second podcast is Writing for Children and is bite-sized craft oriented lessons. Katie has been a regular guest on WTNH recommending children’s books and recently appeared on the TEDx stage.
Katie has been honored to speak everywhere from a maximum security prison, to elementary schools, to university level, including UCONN and Yale, and has keynoted conferences and fundraising galas.
Using her now not-so-secret superpower allowed Katie and her husband, Jerry Davis, to take over the 47-year-old Institute of Children’s Literature and its sister school, the Institute for Writers, where, as of this writing, 470,027 people have taken college level writing courses and learned to write for both children and adults.
Because Katie’s secret superpower is her ability to teach writers about writing, tech, and marketing their books, she created digital courses and products for writers such as How to Create Your Author Platform (and Market Your Books without Being Pushy), Video Idiot Boot Camp, and Launch Your Book Blueprint. She’s also co-created the largest and first live online conference of its kind, Picture Book Summit.
Katie’s first podcast Brain Burps About Books is an interview format and focuses more on marketing. Her second podcast is Writing for Children and is bite-sized craft oriented lessons. Katie has been a regular guest on WTNH recommending children’s books and recently appeared on the TEDx stage.
Katie has been honored to speak everywhere from a maximum security prison, to elementary schools, to university level, including UCONN and Yale, and has keynoted conferences and fundraising galas.
Using her now not-so-secret superpower allowed Katie and her husband, Jerry Davis, to take over the 47-year-old Institute of Children’s Literature and its sister school, the Institute for Writers, where, as of this writing, 470,027 people have taken college level writing courses and learned to write for both children and adults.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 27, 2016
Rate:3.5
I didn't want to give it three stars since I really admired what the story stood for. Victimization isn't something that one should feel is their fault or that they encouraged it in anyway. Whether that be bullying, rape, or any other form of physical/mental harm.
The story is written well with parts that have beautiful imagery and metaphors. However, it felt a little tedious at parts where I felt in need of a break. '
The message behind it is: speak up . Not only will it help overcome your own internal struggles, but it might also influence others to take action knowing they're not alone or that their voice has meaning and can speak volumes and gain recognition.
*Loved the cute little sister bonding moments and the ending with Barb and Mac in the car truly moved me. It caught me off guard since I thought Barb was accusing Mac, as the author intended, and its really hard resonating that across on paper so bravo to Ms. Davis and thank you for being so kind + for the book. It was great meeting you.
I didn't want to give it three stars since I really admired what the story stood for. Victimization isn't something that one should feel is their fault or that they encouraged it in anyway. Whether that be bullying, rape, or any other form of physical/mental harm.
The story is written well with parts that have beautiful imagery and metaphors. However, it felt a little tedious at parts where I felt in need of a break. '
The message behind it is: speak up . Not only will it help overcome your own internal struggles, but it might also influence others to take action knowing they're not alone or that their voice has meaning and can speak volumes and gain recognition.
*Loved the cute little sister bonding moments and the ending with Barb and Mac in the car truly moved me. It caught me off guard since I thought Barb was accusing Mac, as the author intended, and its really hard resonating that across on paper so bravo to Ms. Davis and thank you for being so kind + for the book. It was great meeting you.
April 12, 2020
Reviews can also be found on my blog Escapades of a Bookworm
The story didn't really work for me, I had more interest for Mac's life with her friends and bike club than with the family issues. It felt slightly unbelievable that she would have spent the last six years living a normal life with her father and that she had no suspicion that Lily (her younger sister) was also being molested.
Perhaps it was the use of the third person that meant that the reader could not engage with the emotions of Mac or feel sympathy for her. After all Mac does come across as someone who is independent and strong, who loves her little sister very much. The use of the prologue meant that I wanted to keep reading as I wanted to know how and why Mac had decided to come forward, and how much resolution could be achieved.
However, this is a good book for showing that abuse is not something that should be hidden because the affects of remaining silent are unknown.
The story didn't really work for me, I had more interest for Mac's life with her friends and bike club than with the family issues. It felt slightly unbelievable that she would have spent the last six years living a normal life with her father and that she had no suspicion that Lily (her younger sister) was also being molested.
Perhaps it was the use of the third person that meant that the reader could not engage with the emotions of Mac or feel sympathy for her. After all Mac does come across as someone who is independent and strong, who loves her little sister very much. The use of the prologue meant that I wanted to keep reading as I wanted to know how and why Mac had decided to come forward, and how much resolution could be achieved.
However, this is a good book for showing that abuse is not something that should be hidden because the affects of remaining silent are unknown.
April 19, 2014
The heroine of Dancing with the Devil, Mackenzie, grabs hold of you from the first page with such strength that you cannot release her until you know her whole story (and that she'll be okay in the end). Mackenzie felt so real and alive to me as a teenager, facing all of the normal challenges of the teen years, but with an unspeakable past that she must live with and get through. All of the characters in this book, especially, and unfortunately because he is so awful, the father, seem so REAL that at the end it's hard to believe they are not. I love Mackenzie's strength once she realizes she must confront her past in order to own her future. It's a good reminder that no matter what our life circumstances, we can all choose to be the heroes of our own lives.
June 2, 2015
This book is about a little girl nick-named Mac who tries to keep her past hidden and forgotten but it keeps coming back up. She has a little sister she protects and loves so much and she doesn't want what happened to her to happen to her little sister. I liked how this book was so suspensful. It ends almost every chapter with something that makes you want to read on and never stop. I also like that this book makes you think hard about what happened to Mac and what she is going to do to keep her sister from falling into the same hole she did.
July 5, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. Interesting plot line, and even though I predicted how it would end, I think it was written very well. I very much want to know what happened after the ending and find myself wanting much more from how it finished. Still would recommend, just disappointed by how it ended.
December 4, 2019
I read the book in one day. The story is quiet intriguing. I can't imagine how Mackenzie survived what she experienced. The ending helped. The story is well written.
April 16, 2020
I couldn't read this. Not going to read this. EVER. So dull. felt like the story was being shoved down my throat instead of ... well instead of enjoying it. Who the hell calls their parents their names? someone who's been abused by them.. or something serious, but they why would you be in their house cooking with your sister? and just suddenly switching from mom/dad to stan/barb was off putting--who does that? this book. that's who. and one of the irritating things about the first 3% of this story that sucks. I will not be continuing and this review is more for me than you. It's a reminder to never read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2014
From Goodreads:
To move on from her past, an extraordinary girl must tear down the walls she has built to protect herself.
Mackenzie Douglas seems to have it all: good looks, a great boyfriend, a passion for biking, and a little sister who worships her. But under the veneer of perfection lie the emotional scars of her childhood, inflicted by her father. Though her memories have faded with time, the wounds on Mac’s subconscious remain.
Having vowed to never be a victim again, Mac focuses on a journey she’s always wanted to take: a summer bike trip on her amazing new RoadCap bike. But as the excursion finally gets underway, memories Mac long ago buried start to claw their way back to the surface, forcing her to confront a past she has done everything she can to forget.
My Thoughts:
Wow! What a strong book! And it’s so dark! Yes, there are parts of this book that show the fun, young side of being a teen, and having no worries, but on the other side, there is such deep, dark pain. I think everyone can relate to this story, even if they haven’t been through what Mac has. Everyone has skeletons in their closet. They have something they aren’t happy they did, or they have a secret at home they don’t want others to know about. There is always something behind closed doors. Always.
With Mac, some people realize she is a little different, but no one knows why, and no one really seems to think it’s serious enough to dig around to find out what it is.
But Mac is a strong girl. She is able to hide this pain, put it so deep down in a place that not even she remembers the details. She gets into bike riding and lets that be what carries her away. Who hasn’t done that? But, it all starts bubbling up to the surface on a long ride and once it reaches the surface, there is no stopping it. I can absolutely relate to what happens with Mac here, again not with what she went through, but that gut wrenching feeling when something crosses your mind. It’s like a panic attack, taking control. It makes you sick, you can’t function. I’ve been there.
What I love most about Mac is her strength. Man, what a heroic young girl. She’s fulfilling a life-long dream, but keeps her sister top of mind and gives up everything to do something that may tear her family apart. What an awesome person. I cannot imagine how hard it was. And yes, I cried while reading the last 20 pages of this book, which was embarrassing because I was in the lunchroom at work, trying to blink away the tears.
At first, I wasn’t sure where this book was going, or if I was going to be able to get into it, but as you can tell by my review, that completely changed for me. I highly recommend this book for older teens, and even adults who have children, or just want a good read. It shows the startling truth of what could be happening under your own roof that you may be too naive to see yourself.
I give Dancing with the Devil 4.5 out of 5 bookmarks.
To move on from her past, an extraordinary girl must tear down the walls she has built to protect herself.
Mackenzie Douglas seems to have it all: good looks, a great boyfriend, a passion for biking, and a little sister who worships her. But under the veneer of perfection lie the emotional scars of her childhood, inflicted by her father. Though her memories have faded with time, the wounds on Mac’s subconscious remain.
Having vowed to never be a victim again, Mac focuses on a journey she’s always wanted to take: a summer bike trip on her amazing new RoadCap bike. But as the excursion finally gets underway, memories Mac long ago buried start to claw their way back to the surface, forcing her to confront a past she has done everything she can to forget.
My Thoughts:
Wow! What a strong book! And it’s so dark! Yes, there are parts of this book that show the fun, young side of being a teen, and having no worries, but on the other side, there is such deep, dark pain. I think everyone can relate to this story, even if they haven’t been through what Mac has. Everyone has skeletons in their closet. They have something they aren’t happy they did, or they have a secret at home they don’t want others to know about. There is always something behind closed doors. Always.
With Mac, some people realize she is a little different, but no one knows why, and no one really seems to think it’s serious enough to dig around to find out what it is.
But Mac is a strong girl. She is able to hide this pain, put it so deep down in a place that not even she remembers the details. She gets into bike riding and lets that be what carries her away. Who hasn’t done that? But, it all starts bubbling up to the surface on a long ride and once it reaches the surface, there is no stopping it. I can absolutely relate to what happens with Mac here, again not with what she went through, but that gut wrenching feeling when something crosses your mind. It’s like a panic attack, taking control. It makes you sick, you can’t function. I’ve been there.
What I love most about Mac is her strength. Man, what a heroic young girl. She’s fulfilling a life-long dream, but keeps her sister top of mind and gives up everything to do something that may tear her family apart. What an awesome person. I cannot imagine how hard it was. And yes, I cried while reading the last 20 pages of this book, which was embarrassing because I was in the lunchroom at work, trying to blink away the tears.
At first, I wasn’t sure where this book was going, or if I was going to be able to get into it, but as you can tell by my review, that completely changed for me. I highly recommend this book for older teens, and even adults who have children, or just want a good read. It shows the startling truth of what could be happening under your own roof that you may be too naive to see yourself.
I give Dancing with the Devil 4.5 out of 5 bookmarks.
March 31, 2014
ARC provided by NetGalley:
This story of hope and survival centers around Mackenzie, known as Mac, who was molested by her father when she was very young. Now a teenager, she's basically just plodding along in life trying to forget. Dad has remarried and her current family includes him as well as a stepmom and little sister Lily. She has friends and a boyfriend, and is an active member in a bicycling club. This was just an okay story for me for a couple of reasons. First of all, I thought that way too much time was given to descriptions of bicycling, types of bikes, working on bikes, etc. Not knowing anything about this, it didn't hold my interest and I really didn't think it added anything to the main story. But more importantly, I found it highly unbelievable that Mac had no inkling until the very end that her dad was likely molesting Lily, who she adores. That was in my mind from the very beginning. I also found it hard to believe that Mac could live such a fairly normal life alongside the man who had molested her for so many years. Still, she was a decent character with an admirable sense of survival and a huge amount of love for her little sister. The story just kinda fell flat for me.
This story of hope and survival centers around Mackenzie, known as Mac, who was molested by her father when she was very young. Now a teenager, she's basically just plodding along in life trying to forget. Dad has remarried and her current family includes him as well as a stepmom and little sister Lily. She has friends and a boyfriend, and is an active member in a bicycling club. This was just an okay story for me for a couple of reasons. First of all, I thought that way too much time was given to descriptions of bicycling, types of bikes, working on bikes, etc. Not knowing anything about this, it didn't hold my interest and I really didn't think it added anything to the main story. But more importantly, I found it highly unbelievable that Mac had no inkling until the very end that her dad was likely molesting Lily, who she adores. That was in my mind from the very beginning. I also found it hard to believe that Mac could live such a fairly normal life alongside the man who had molested her for so many years. Still, she was a decent character with an admirable sense of survival and a huge amount of love for her little sister. The story just kinda fell flat for me.
March 21, 2014
From pretty much the beginning of the book readers know that Mackenzie was sexually abused by her father. What readers and Mackenzie don't know is how long Mackenzie will keep hiding the truth from herself. It takes Mackenzie realizing that the abuse might be continuing with her little sister before she lets herself remember the full extent of the abuse and deal with the situation. While this reviewer thinks this is definitely a story line that needs to be told and read by many teens, the third-person narrative writing style does not engage the reader as much as one would hope.
March 22, 2014
The main character had a lot of good qualities, and the things she does for her little sister are amazing and you can feel the love she has. The prologue is really good, it made me want to keep reading even though some parts of the book were pretty dull. And there was one major scene that was a but confusing. This book is all about rising up to be the hero.
February 20, 2017
Whoaly shiz this book will leave you feeling distraught and in tears. The ending was an open one (which i normally hate, I like my endings tied up nicely) and quite abrupt but I think it suited the story (which does not mean I like it, as I said, I really don't like open endings ) but wow it was such a heart breaking story.
April 20, 2014
I won this in a giveaway here on goodreads a week ago. This was an amazing book, completely heart -wrenching. I always had an inkling about Charlie, so it was no surprise there when it was revealed. I'm just glad i have never had to go through what Mac and Lily had.
June 9, 2016
This book was very easy to read and was interesting. It had some hard topics to read about, but made the story so much better. In some parts I was confused and the story was hard to follow. It ended with me wanting more so I hope there will be a next book.
November 17, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews