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The Beast and the Bethany #4
CHILD OF THE BEAST
The book that bites back is BACK! In the second beastly book from Jack Meggit-Phillips, the most distinctive new voice for readers of 8-12, revenge is a dish best served with a surprise … For centuries, the beast has tormented the world. But now, there’s a change to a menu, and the beast is going cold turkey – which essentially means eating no priceless works of art . . . or purple parrots . . . or CHILD-SIZED PRANKSTERS. Ebenezer and Bethany are attempting to help the beast vomit some good into the world – even though they really haven’t come anywhere close to managing the business of do-gooding themselves. But Bethany is distracted by her date-not-a-date with Geoffrey, while Ebenezer is worried by a file which reveals a truth about Bethany’s parents that might just ruin life for everyone at the 15-storey house . . . The beast is left to teach itself how to be good. But its impulses can’t be ignored, and all the worst parts of the beast crawl out of the beast’s belly to form a dreadful child. At first the beast is charmed by its ghastly progeny. So clever! So horrible! But to its surprise, it develops something approaching a conscience. When the child finds out the truth about Bethany’s parents and plans to use it against her, can Ebenezer and the beast stop it from destroying Bethany’s hopes and dreams for ever? The Beast and the Bethany has all the classic macabre humour of Roald Dahl with the warmth and charm of Despicable Me, finished off with a gleeful bite of Little Shop of Horrors!
288 pages, Paperback
Published September 28, 2023
93 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 27, 2023
Devious bad guys (who are deliciously evil), friends (who are just trying their best to protect each other) and a delightful ending… this is a winner! This series continues to impress and I adore the illustrations throughout too. These are definitely quirky and unique stories that make me wanna do evil laughs!
October 20, 2024
CHILD OF THE BEAST is another funny MG book about beastly (and formerly beastly) people.
This is about about the problems telling lies to friends, even if it's a misguided attempt to protect them - it always ends up backfiring and hurting them worse. I really liked that the person making the mistake in this book was Ebenezer; it was a great way of showing that adults don't always get it right either.
The beast is still trying to be good, though it's tricky and he's not quite got the point of it yet... His feelings towards Bethany are very contrary, which was a lot of fun. "I don't like her, I just don't dislike her as much as I used to" sort of thing. It's all very confusing to him and he tries to handle it by riding himself of the bad feelings rather than wrestling with them, which, as you can imagine, backfires spectacularly. I liked that the beast basically got an outside perspective on himself, which is something I think I'd hate as much as him - and hopefully be catalysed to change too!
It's another nice way this series tackles the idea of whether we can change who we are and our behaviours, even after a long time. The book also explores it by delving into Bethany's past and what those revelations can make you think about yourself. I am excited to learn more about her family in the next and final book, THE FINAL FEAST.
This is about about the problems telling lies to friends, even if it's a misguided attempt to protect them - it always ends up backfiring and hurting them worse. I really liked that the person making the mistake in this book was Ebenezer; it was a great way of showing that adults don't always get it right either.
The beast is still trying to be good, though it's tricky and he's not quite got the point of it yet... His feelings towards Bethany are very contrary, which was a lot of fun. "I don't like her, I just don't dislike her as much as I used to" sort of thing. It's all very confusing to him and he tries to handle it by riding himself of the bad feelings rather than wrestling with them, which, as you can imagine, backfires spectacularly. I liked that the beast basically got an outside perspective on himself, which is something I think I'd hate as much as him - and hopefully be catalysed to change too!
It's another nice way this series tackles the idea of whether we can change who we are and our behaviours, even after a long time. The book also explores it by delving into Bethany's past and what those revelations can make you think about yourself. I am excited to learn more about her family in the next and final book, THE FINAL FEAST.
December 8, 2024
3.5⭐️ read via audiobook.
This one was fun and I had a good time listening to it. I like that we’ve gone back to the few basic characters as I was getting a little lost in the last 2 books and trying to remember what happened. This one had a good story, funny moments and the narrator does a great job. I really liked the cliffhanger and I’m excited to see where it goes!
This one was fun and I had a good time listening to it. I like that we’ve gone back to the few basic characters as I was getting a little lost in the last 2 books and trying to remember what happened. This one had a good story, funny moments and the narrator does a great job. I really liked the cliffhanger and I’m excited to see where it goes!
October 7, 2023
3.75 stars. These books are charming and fun, but a bit repetitive.
November 5, 2023
Will we ever find out about Bethany's lost parents??? The characters are funnier than ever and we're left with a great mysterious ending.
November 30, 2023
Such a funny and enjoyable series!
December 29, 2023
This is the fourth book in the Beast and the Bethany Series and continues on from the third book. This one was a little darker than the previous books, but we also got to know the characters a little more. This was another fun read, and I can’t wait for book five, as I have a feeling that we will get to learn more about Bethany!!
October 12, 2023
I think this may be my favourite in the series. I loved seeing all of the characters develop. I was so intrigued to find out what was in that file. A bit more mystery and fun involved.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews