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Beast

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"You think you have it all figured out, Max, but this isn't your game anymore."

Max Weston knows that life is a Turn on the charm, say what people want to hear, and whatever you want is yours for the taking. What do a few lies matter if everyone ends up happy? His best friend, Davey, can't look a cute girl in the eye and barely scrapes by in school, so yeah, Max hassles him sometimes. But he always has the guy's back—even when a strange beast attacks Davey in the woods.

As Davey heals, something awakens inside him. Something with razor-sharp teeth, vicious reflexes, and no patience for Max's ploys. Suddenly Davey is challenging Max, getting smarter, stronger, faster—and harder to control. Max plunges into a series of schemes to save his friend, but with each move he makes, Davey lashes back twice as hard. The monster inside him is calling the shots now, and the game it wants to play has deadly consequences for everyone Max loves.

If Max forfeits, he's giving up on his best friend. But winning might mean losing even more.

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 23, 2017

11 people are currently reading
228 people want to read

About the author

Megan Crewe

27 books832 followers
Like many authors, Megan Crewe finds writing about herself much more difficult than making things up. A few definite facts: she lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband and son (and does on occasion say "eh"), she tutors children and teens with special needs, and she's spent the last six years studying kung fu, so you should probably be nice to her. She has been making up stories about magic and spirits and other what ifs since before she knew how to write words on paper. These days the stories are just a lot longer.

Megan's first novel, GIVE UP THE GHOST, was shortlisted for the Sunburst Award for Canadian Literature of the Fantastic. Her second, THE WAY WE FALL, was nominated for the White Pine Award and made the International Reading Association Young Adults' Choices List. Her Fallen World trilogy (THE WAY WE FALL, THE LIVES WE LOST, THE WORLDS WE MAKE) is now complete and she has a new trilogy forthcoming in October 2014, beginning with EARTH & SKY. Her books have been published in translation in several countries around the world. She has also published short stories in magazines such as On Spec and Brutarian Quarterly.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Melissa.
160 reviews7 followers
April 23, 2018
Beast is a Young Adult, Urban Fantasy/Paranormal, Horror novel written in first person. It was an easy read, only taking me about four or five hours to finish. The story flowed smoothly from beginning to end, had no discernible plot holes, and was very well written. The story is rather dark and there are some rather gruesome aspects to it which earn its placement in the horror category.

The story follows Max (the main character) who is trying to save his friend Davey from becoming a monster. Max is charismatic, popular and everything Davey is not (something important for later in the story). He is also a bit of an unreliable narrator because everything that happens and is remembered comes from his point of view. A point of view that allows him to paint himself in a better light than perhaps is true. He makes justifications for doing bad things by thinking he's he is only doing it to help a friend out.

This novel has more depth to it than it seems at first glance.

The end of the story Without giving anything away, I'll just say: I guess I just agree too much with Jena.

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Hannah Woycik.
221 reviews37 followers
May 16, 2017
Thank you to the author, Megan Crewe, for supplying me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Beast is a YA Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Horror novel. When I first requested an ARC of this book, I didn’t read the description, and so I thought it was a Beauty and The Beast retelling. I was very wrong.

I don’t normally read ‘scary’ books, but Beast was scary – and I loved it.
For the first 30% of the book, I was bored. I didn’t like Max, or any of the side characters, and I didn’t like the choices that were being made by the characters (such as not going to the hospital. Like come on!!) I was considering DNFing it, but I decided to push on.

I’m glad I did. By 45%, I was sucked in and I needed to know what was going to happen. This book kept me up at night, because I was scared and intrigued.

Max was an unlikeable character. I never liked him, not even in the end. His decisions were questionable, and his morals were way out of wack. I also hated his constant rambling inner monologue about how he loved Jena, he needed to protect Ash (more like be a controlling jerk), and how he knew the real Davey was still stuck inside. I quite disliked Max, although I didn’t really like any of the characters – except for Vicky; I liked her. I felt they were very fake and two dimensional, and didn’t really speak like how teenagers speak (I should know, I’m a teenager myself).

I also had issues with Davey’s feelings for Ash. That felt very cliché. Max’s feelings for Jena were pretty cliché too. I felt the book could have been better without any romance at all, in my opinion.
While I wouldn’t have normally read Beast, I’m glad I did. Overall, I enjoyed it, especially the parts with Davey and him killing everyone. The descriptions of the deaths were awesome.

My BIGGEST problem with this book is when the gerbils are eaten by Davey. I thought that, while it may have been important to the plot, the extreme detail was unnecessary. I wish there had been a warning, at least, because although I did skim the part as much as possible, I felt quite upset by it.
All in all, Beast was a good book and I would recommend it for people who have a strong stomach and don’t mind being creeped out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mandy.
90 reviews6 followers
May 12, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

“But sometimes it’s best to look the darkness in the face, not to shy away. It’s the ugliness in life that makes us see the beautiful parts more vividly.”

I’ll start by saying that Megan Crewe is a versatile writer. I’ve read most of her books (aside from the Earth & Sky series – which I will get to soon). All of her books are unique in their own way, including Beast. It’s been a while since I’ve read anything close to this genre, so it was refreshing for a change.

Max and Davey are best friends, but you can tell that Max is the type of popular person that likes to pick on his best friend just a tad bit while Davey is more shy and reserved. When Davey gets attacked by some unknown creature out in the woods during a party one night, he slowly starts becoming a monster himself. It’s then up to Max and a few of his friends to try to help Davey reverse what is happening to him. Can they help him before it is too late?

The book was well written and the story-line was intriguing. The author did a wonderful job with character development and suspense. There were times where I’d tell myself that I’d stop reading at a certain chapter, only to continue reading because the chapter had ended in a bit of a cliff hanger. This is the type of story that you can easily get drawn into, especially if you are into that mystery / horror genre. The only thing that I didn’t care too much for was the ending. Without spoiling anything, I just felt that there was one character that was a little bit hard on himself / herself. Other than that, I found this to be quite an enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Tracie  Nicole .
579 reviews33 followers
May 19, 2017
*Thanks to Megan Crewe for providing me with this in exchange for a review!*

This was not the book I thought it would be. Usually, I don't read horror books, but this one was pretty good. At first it read like a typical teen-into-bloodthirsty monster book, but then it got so different around halfway through. It was fast paced, and Megan didn't shy away from the gory details of becoming a bloodthirsty monster. She kept you on your toes throughout the whole book. Sometimes I would want to put it down, but I would have to keep going because the chapters ended on a cliffhanger.

What I didn't like were the characters. I hated max so much. I hated how he pushed everyone around, and how he treated the women in this book. Especially his girlfriend. And I really disliked the ending of this and his "sudden redemption". The other characters were okie, but the teen drama made me roll my eyes so bad.
Profile Image for Lina.
298 reviews17 followers
September 27, 2017
I received a free copy by the author in exchange for an honest review

3/5 stars for me
I was debating a long time what to give this book but I settle on this.
I have very mixed feelings about this book
on the one hand there is tension and that whole beast thing is intriguing.
There is also great character development
but the romance was doing nothing for me
also that ending was absolutely horrible in my eyes
the second to last chapter was so great and I liked that people died
but that last chapter? oh hell no there could have been another way for redemption
it was just a bit much?
I don't know
if you like mysteries and gory murders I'd recommend to give this a try
Profile Image for Sabrina.
1,617 reviews36 followers
May 18, 2017
Max is a great character, a real charmer though I thought he was way too hard on himself as the story went on. The book reminds me of Point Horror type that I used to read. It was full of suspense with a very unexpected ending, definitely not what I was anticipating.
I would love to read more about some of these characters.
Profile Image for Seraphia Bunny.
2,110 reviews34 followers
May 17, 2017
Beast by Megan Crewe is a paranormal/supernatural YA horror story. In this book we are introduced to Max, Jena, Davey, Vicky and Ash, Max's little sister. They're just a group of teenagers hanging out, smoking, drinking, partying and having a good time. Max, his best friend Davey, Max's girlfriend Vicky and a couple of their friends are heading out to the lake to set up for the party when on the way there they come across a mutilated body of a cow. Something really went at it but they don't know what but it does bother a couple of the girls. But they dismiss it thinking coyotes or some other animal had a go at the carcass. Night falls and the party is in full swing with some of their friends and Max's sister showing up. Max tells his friend Davey to go get some more wood for the fire and while he's walking into the woods to do so he is attacked by a creature. Max rushes to help his friend and fight off the monster. It looks vaguely human but is much stronger than a human which freaks Max out and the monster runs away and disappears. Since there are only a few of them left the friends split up to get Davey to the hospital but en-route he heals almost completely from his wounds. This scares his friends but since his dad tends to go off the deep end they agree to just keep an eye on him in case he ends up needing medical attention. What they don't expect is the speedy recovery that comes and the changes that soon begin to follow concerning Davey and how he goes from being the quiet shy nice guy to more confident, sly, aggressive and down right dangerous. Is the real Davey still in there or is he lost to them now?
Beast is an interesting read by Megan Crewe. In this story we see things through Max's eyes. Max isn't the brightest guy when you get down to it. It's a typical guy of where he's focused on getting through school, having a good time and having fun with his friends and girlfriend. Some people will view how he deals with and treats his best friend as bullying but it's all in your perspective. Me, I see it as typical male teenage behavior of a bit of rough housing at times until Davey begins to change and then things become more dangerous as things take on an edge that can't be ignored. Max and his friends try to understand what is going on with Davey and even try to find a way to help him but sometimes there just is no real help to be found because no one wishes to acknowledge that some things are possible.
This is a dark story but it's really engaging. I didn't really like the attitude that Max tended to take when dealing with certain situations and even certain individuals but then you have to remember that teenagers think they know everything and so get mad when they think adults are interfering. Max's sister Ash has been hurt by a boy she really liked and so instead of helping her deal with the pain he tells and encourages her to change and be different than who she is. Since Davey views the people who are trying to help him as being "manipulated" and "used" by Max they become targets in his sick game.
This book is very dark with a supernatural/paranormal twist. But in all reality it doesn't focus on that. It focuses mostly on the characters themselves as they watch Davey go through the changes that he goes through after being attacked and wondering what it is going on. Some wish to help while others simply are fascinated in the changes themselves. For me the characters are pretty well developed and are for the most part very true to life.
All in all I enjoyed reading this book though I would have liked a bit more of a supernatural/paranormal element to it than just the changes behind the attack and the creature who attacked him. The ending is not your typical ending and not what you'll expect when you finish this story but that is one element that I both like and dislike about it. LOL! At the end of the day I enjoyed reading this book and it kept me turning the pages wanting to know what happened next. So job well done to the author for that. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.
I received a copy of this book for review.
Profile Image for Katherine Paschal.
2,296 reviews63 followers
May 21, 2017
***3.5 Stars***

Everything is great in Max's world- a loyal best friend, an attentive girl friend, and an adoring sister, as well as popularity at school and pretty much everything goes his way. One night during a party, Max's best friend Davey is attacked by a wild animal- Max is almost certain it looked like a half man beast, but he figures it must be the drugs talking. But when Davey's serious wounds start healing almost instantly and he starts acting strange, Max knows something is off. And he is willing to do anything to save his friend- even if it is from himself.



I liked the concept for this story. When I first read the synopsis, I was instantly interested in reading this book. I love anything mystery/supernatural, add in the hint of werewolf (which just so happens to be my favorite kind of paranormal creature) and I knew that I was going to read this story. A little later on and the cover was revealed and I loved it, and yes, I am a cover snob, but don't judge, it's just so pretty! Anyway, I was super excited to get my hands on this story. This a perfect blend of mystery and paranormal, with some horror moments thrown in for flavor. I had no idea how the story would end, and I never could have predicted the ending. What a twist.



When I finally read the book, I was surprised by the complexity of the characters, mainly Max and Davey. Max is the narrator and I think the best way to describe his is as the "antihero". He is so focused on his end result, that he can't really see the harm he is causing on the way. He at first appeared like the perfect guy, the best friend, boyfriend and brother, but then he actually does shady things like make out with a trusting girl to make her compliant to his plans and sabotaging his sister for her own good. He was so complicated. I wanted to like him, and I surprisingly did, but I felt conflicted about him and what he thought was right. I wanted to root for him, but at the same time I didn't really know him.



And then we have Davey. Davey was a quiet, shy pushover who was a constant shadow to Max's glory. I makes sense that when the changes started to occur, there was a part of him (a large part it seems) that refused to rollover to Max and revert to the person he previously was. I could empathize with that, why go back to that person? But on the other hand, there is the whole murderous rampage thing. The dynamic between the two was complicated to say the least

I received this title in return for my honest review.
Visit my blog at http://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/ for more reviews and book stuff
Profile Image for Blu.
73 reviews11 followers
May 19, 2017
First off, thank you so much to Megan Crewe for giving me a free e-ARC to read in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Now, I'm going to be completely honest and say that I really really hated Max. Absolutely hated him. When it comes to kindle books, the ones I love are riddled with highlights. The ones that drive me nuts are riddled with comments. The first... Oh, a little less than half of this book is comments.

I wasn't totally in love with the whole 'teenagers who party and do drugs thing'. I know it seems 'real' but I wasn't one of those teens so it seems more TV drama to me, but regardless I kept going because I was curious. The main character, Max, isn't just one of these teens. He seems to be the leader of these teens. Drugs. Partying. All of that. Complete with the lifestyle of going from girl to girl every week it seems like Max has it made.

Here are a couple things that bugged me right off the bat about Max. First, his disturbingly close relationship with his sister and the way he was doing his damnedest to essentially brainwash her from her 'uncool' ways to what is essentially his ways. Fuck off, mate, she's your sister, not your daughter. You don't actually control her more than she lets you. Second, is his regard for women. At a certain point in the book, I actually stopped just to write in, "I hate him." The last thing was how ignorant he was of his failings even when they were brought up over and over and thrown in his face over and over.

In the first part of the book, I was 100%, Team Davey. I was so ready for him to whip Max into shape and tell him what's what. I was Team Psycho Wolf all the way... Until it started becoming clear that that's exactly what Davey was doing. He was calling out Max's shit and forcing himself to see the awful shit he had a hand in with every person he killed. Slowly, Max began to learn that what he thought and what he saw for years wasn't what was real. Everyone else was just sort of going along with it because it was easy.

By the end of the book, I was having a hard time putting it down and completely torn between the two. On one hand, Max was still that same douchebag, and he would have a long way to go before he could be anything else, but on the other... Well, people were dying. So it was this odd moral dilemma of, 'I don't support the gruesome killing spree... buut I do support the harsh dose of reality Max is getting'.

I'm trying not to give spoilers, but I will say that in a twisted kind of way, the ending was admittedly very satisfying. Everything came together nicely with this possibility of future but with the knowledge that that's going to be a long way off and there is plenty of things that need to be taken care of right now. Four stars because I hated Max so much but it was still a wildly fantastic read.
Profile Image for Wendy.
2,371 reviews45 followers
December 31, 2018
The darkly chilling novel “Beast” opens as Max Weston and his girlfriend Vicky, headed to a party at the lake see a dark, bloodied figure in the woods. Curious he stops the car only to stumble onto a mutilated cow. Frightened by the encounter they dismiss it until Max’s friend Davey collecting wood for the fire screams in pain and terror, his body torn by a creature that disappears into the trees. Afraid of his father’s temper, Davey stays with Max instead of going to the hospital only to discover his wounds miraculously healing. Although sick for awhile his recovery takes a supernatural turn when Davey makes remarkable changes physically and emotionally.

Afraid that the beast has infected his friend Max, his sister Ash, his girlfriend Vicky, and his friend Jena along with her boyfriend Joss join forces to save Davey. But as the dark force inside his long-time friend gains supremacy and lashes out, Max must do some soul searching before those he loves are murdered.

Fast-paced and action-packed, intensity and suspense quickly build as Max discovers his friend’s supernatural abilities and deadly obsession while struggling to find a cure for him. Well-written, intriguing and narrated by Max, the plot revolves not only around the transformation of Davey from awkward pushover to supernatural creature and Max’s struggle to cure him, but his parent’s interactions that have shaped his behaviour; becoming a smooth operator at school; using his sister’s friend; dating one girl and wanting another; as well as trying to repair his sister Ash after a heartbreak. The plot heats up, taking on a sinister and darkly horrific aspect as the boys the monster begins a game with murderous consequences twisting and turning as it progresses to a deadly encounter and a shocking ending.

Bringing the story to life Megan Crewe has created compelling and complex characters like charismatic and popular Max Weston, the confident flirt who constantly badgers socially awkward, and often goofy best friend David Reeve, a teen plagued with an abusive father who changes into a frighteningly deceptive monster. Ash Weston is Max’s talented and shy younger sister suffering from the pain of a breakup, Jena Roseman a compassionate and caring friend whose wary of his charm and Vicky his caring and trusting girlfriend.

I enjoyed “Beast” a nerve-wracking page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat from the first chapter to the last.
Profile Image for Aura.
66 reviews4 followers
May 25, 2017
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!
An old subject, a new perspective. When I saw the title and the cover I thought I was going to read another book about werewolves or some other creature I already read. I don’t have a problem with that as long as the story line is not simple, you know- girl meets boy, he is a beast, they fall in love, a little danger here and there, bla bla.
So, I am glad I gave this book a chance because I saw something different. This is not a love story, is kind of horror and I like scary books, makes my blood run faster. The main-character is not the beast as you may guess, but his best friend, Max.
The book is written by Max’s point of view, another surprising thing you don’t see in a lot of writes. Max tells us about his teenager life with school, parties, girls and popularity stuff. About his best friend Davey, the shy guy he took under his wing and the changes that ruin a lifetime of friendship. The story is described chronologically so we can understand the events correctly.
One night, Davey is bitten by a strange creature in the woods and from that moment, Max loses his old friend to a dangerous new person/animal who destroys his life little by little. That’s when you see this book is serious about the scary things: murdered people, surprising turns.
I was really engaged to the story and I understood Davey’s motives at some point. When you are a teenager you take everything dramatically and you make a lot of wrong things. That goes for Max too, he felt responsible for him and he made radical choices .On the other hand, I don’t agree with revenge and a life time of self-punishment for some things that happen in high school; it’s simply not worth it. And to start killing to prove a point and put the blame of another person, that’s just evil. So, I don’t see Davey as Max’s victim. I see him as the monster he is. Just because you start being strong all of a sudden it doesn’t mean to have to pay back everyone for all the little hassles.
I didn’t like the choices these characters made, but that’s the story line and I respect it. It just proves us how wick we are at that age. The author showed us how even the most innocent and sweet person has a hidden evil inside that once unleashed destroys everything he or she once loved.

Profile Image for Ruthsic.
1,766 reviews32 followers
May 13, 2017
If you are a Teen Wolf fan, this book feels a lot like it. The story is basically of two friends, (think Stiles and Scott) but the two had sort of an unequal relationship. Max pretty much takes charge of Davey's life, and though the latter appreciates it at times, at most he resents it. Davey also has a terrible life at home due to an abusive father, and when he gets bit on a full moon and starts to change, he revels in this newfound power that he has. Max, on the other hand, is understandably afraid and hunts down cures for him. Davey, however, is letting the dark side of his transformation take over, and with that they are placed at odds.

As an action thriller, the book offers a lot of horror and the uncertainty that Teen Wolf fans will come to appreciate. Davey is unpredictable and vicious, and Max is running around trying to be one step ahead of him. Their relationship itself plays against them, because as Max is used to being the guy in charge, he doesn't offer Davey the knowledge or choice in the initial days. Nope, he jumps right to fear (even if it was warranted, as proved by the second half of the novel) and ruins any hope of reconciling their friendship and taking a less brutal way out.

As a character, Max is not much likeable. He directs the lives of the people around him, including Davey and his own younger sister, Amy. He plays with the hearts of the girls in the school, just because he can. His and Jena's arc did not fit well in the whole story overall, so I pretty much ignored that part going down. What I felt was amiss with the novel was the connection to characters. They are given ample backstories, but not fleshed out enough. Davey is not given a voice as to why he goes homicidal in such a short span of time. It feels, in a word, formulaic.

As a whole, it is enjoyable as a horror story. It certainly has its good moments but I wish more effort had gone into characterization.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from the author.
Profile Image for Sara Jane Korczak.
180 reviews9 followers
May 14, 2017
So at first, I hated this book. About 35% of the way in I put it down and wasn't going to finish. I hated Max, the narrator, hated his actions, hated everything that came out of his mouth, hated everything he did. He gave me flashbacks of the bully that picked on me in junior high and I wanted to claw my own eyes out every time I looked at the pages.

My husband encouraged me to keep reading that maybe it will get better, or at the very least, Davey as the new werewolf, will eat him. So I did.

I does get better in that Max realizes how controlling and selfish he is and how he treated people. It just never occupied to him before that he was this way and he thought that's what people wanted. Egotism its best.

Davey was a complex character and I liked him and I think this story would have been better served from his point of view than from Max's. It would just have more depth to both of their characters that way.
As it was, everyone felt shallow, not that they were shallow people but the character development was surface only.

Mac's sister had a little more than the others, but not enough that I remember her name.

The writing was decent, but not stellar, and at times slightly juvenile with the easy words and the short, choppy sentences. I was impressed with the editing, even though I read an arc copy I saw fewer errors than I have seen in some fully published novels lately. So kudos for the careful writing and taking your job seriously, the hard work and time out into the manuscript really shows with the outcome.

So while my opinion may be that the book just wasn't for me because I just couldn't make myself even empathize with the narrator, it's not a bad book and I encourage others to try it out because it really is a decent book.
Profile Image for Lene Blackthorn .
1,828 reviews7 followers
May 10, 2017
A YA paranormal / horror story that sends chills down your spine if you let yourself being dragged into the story, with more wisdom and depth than you can spot on the first sight.
Max and Davey have been friends for years, with Max being the bossy one and Davey the obedient, submissive one. When they go to a lake for a party together with a bunch of friends, they have no idea this night will turn their lives to nightmares. Davey is attacked by a beastly, inhuman creature and his injuries are severe. Max wants to get him to ER, but Davey heals unnaturally fast. Everything appears to be okay... except that Davey starts to change. The quiet, obedient and shy guy turns into charming, social person with awesome speed and strength and enhanced senses. But the kind Davey inside slowly disappears and his soul is replaced by the murderous, manipulative beast. Max and his friends try to find a cure, but to no success, and with each day passing, more lives are wasted.
I loved the cold, tensed atmosphere of the book. There was constant danger present, with vividly described emotions boosting the chilling feel. I also appreciate how the author showed the malfunctioning families and the impact on the children. The characters are also fine, very realistic with both virtues and flaws, developing under the horrific situations, although sometimes I found their reaction a bit detached and would expect greater impact on the characters´ behavior.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the story and I am glad I could read the ARC.
Profile Image for Kelly McAnally-Kern.
134 reviews1 follower
May 17, 2017
Megan Crewe wrote fluidly. You feel what the characters are feeling, and on some level maybe connect with them. Beast in a nut shell is about two friends, one alpha and one beta. One charismatic and one a wall flower. But it worked for them. Then one night it all changes, and the lovable beta is changed after being bitten by something in the woods. He goes from being reserved and quiet, even weak and unsure-To being strong, dominate, someone who expects to be not only seen but heard. All the things he had ever wanted to be, all the things he felt deep down his best friend had and he coveted. But there is something else under this new person, something not really real, something dark and very dangerous. I was conflicted about how I felt, but then if I truly thought about it, aren't we all wishing we were someone-something else? Don't we want more from life? And those that we love the most are the ones who we lash at first. Another enjoyable read! *I received an advanced copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
Profile Image for Tequila.
1,447 reviews28 followers
May 16, 2017
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.


If you're a fan of the Netflix show Stranger Things, then Megan Crewe's Beast will be right up your alley.

After a fun night of having a bond fire at the local pond, Davey is attacked by something that leaves him so scratched up that his friends are afraid that he won't survive the attack. But Davey does, healing at an incredible rate. And his healing abilities aren't the only new thing about Davey. His long time friend Max is really concerned about what Davey is becoming and he's willing to do whatever he can to save his friend, no matter what. This is a great story about friendship and what it really means to be a friend. I really grew to love Max and his determination and how he changes throughout the story. It's a story that will keep readers on their toes but will also realize the importance of friendship and what kind of friend you are to those around you.
Profile Image for Luna Lovebooks.
120 reviews7 followers
May 16, 2017
I received a free copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Likes: Beast reads like a 90s bubblegum horror movie…AND I LOVE IT! Yes, it can be cheesy in parts and it’s not remotely horrifying, but it works. Now don’t get me wrong there is bloodshed – and it can get graphic, but again it works. I love the development of the main character Max and the realizations he comes to. I also like the fact that readers get the sense that Davey is a werewolf but never specifically comes out and says that he is in fact a werewolf. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending.

Dislikes: It can be a little cheesy. The plans the kids come up with make you want to pull your hair out because you know it isn’t going to work – but honestly I’m glad they didn’t and that it ended the way it did. While these didn’t bother me, there are some graphic scenes and scenes that involve teenage drug usage.

I give this book 5 howls.
Profile Image for Kanyon.
398 reviews
May 22, 2017
Beast by Megan Crewe
I would like to thank the author for granting me an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a delightfully, scary read! Beast is not a book I would normally pick up, I tend to shy away from horror, but since I have enjoyed Megan’s other books I gave this one a try. Megan Crewe never disappoints and I think she did a great job in this genre!

Beast is categorized as a Young Adult / Supernatural / Horror novel. Catered to teens, but I would recommend this book for adults as well. You can’t go wrong with a suspenseful novel!

This book begins with our main character Max and his shy, best friend Davey leaving to pick up their friends for a party out in the woods. Later that night Davey is savagely attacked by a monster. They split up intending to rush Davey to the hospital, but on the way his wounds mysteriously heal themselves. Wary and not caught sure if they remember the attack very well, they decide to skip the ER visit and take care of his wounds themselves. The days that follow next are strange. Max and his friends notice a complete change in Davey. Instead of the shy, awkward teen they know, he soon turns aggressive, bold and scary. The rest of this story follows Max and his other friends as they try to help and deal with the monster their friend has become.

If you don’t like violence then I would recommend you stay away from this book, because this book has all the gruesome details every horror story is known for. The action and mystery bring the whole book together. The only thing I disliked about this book was the ending. I’m partial to a happy ending; however, I did feel the ending this story has, probably fit the book better. Doesn’t mean I have to like it though!

The character development is on point. I liked the interaction with all the characters and their involvement with the story. These characters are teens and they sure do act like it! You can’t expect them to be anything else. The writing style flows smoothly and I have to admit, keeps you engrossed throughout the novel. This isn’t a book you will set down to finish tomorrow; you’ll get sucked in for the long haul.

Overall, like I said above, a great read! Looking forward to getting my local library a copy of this!

Final Rating: 4 Stars
Profile Image for Lynndell.
1,716 reviews1 follower
August 18, 2017
Beast by Megan Crewe caught my interest immediately! The opening of the story sets the tone of suspense and the tale is refreshingly told entirely from a male point of view. Max has been best friends with Davey since kindergarten. They throw a party at the lake with a bunch of friends and then Davey is horribly gouged by a beast that defies description. Davey's external wounds heal miraculously fast while they speed to the hospital. He stays with Max and while Davey looks fine on the outside, he has violent flu symptoms. Eventually the symptoms stop and Davey feels better but he's changed. His friends try to help every way they possibly can but they grow frightened of Davey as he becomes violent and erratic. This thriller kept me riveted and I read it straight through because of the suspense. 5 stars for a young adult supernatural horror!
Profile Image for Fay Tannerr  .
290 reviews44 followers
July 14, 2017
Beast was a YA horror/ fantasy novel. It was interesting, mysterious and suspenseful.

Max and Davey are best friends, but one accident will change everything. When Davey is attacked by something unknown in woods, he starts becoming a different and dangerous person. It is up to Max and his friends to help Davey and cure him.

Beast had a well written plot filled with twist and turns that were very unexpected. It was thrilling and hard to put down. It had all the right elements of mystery that kept readers on the edge of their seat eager to see what will happen next. I also liked the drawings in the novel that made it feel like I was seeing Davey's drawings for real.

The characters were also very interesting. I liked the sibling relationship between Max and his sister Ash. He was very protective of her and was always looking out for her. Vicky had a good heart and Jena was smart as well as brave.

I would recommend Beast to fans of ya fantasy and horror!
Profile Image for Patti.
1,502 reviews13 followers
May 15, 2017
This has got to be the deepest most heart wrenching cat and mouse game I ever read. This author created characters that truly felt real and I wanted to know everything would work out. It did but not in any way I could imagine. I thoroughly enjoyed being swept away with this' 'beastly' tale. This author truly captured many of the growing pains that young adults go through during their high school years. cross that with supernatural elements, and you will be glued to the pages! This voluntary review is based against an advance copy.
Profile Image for Nati.
2,947 reviews16 followers
September 18, 2017
A very good story. You may think that the beast is the one in transformation but actually the beast is probably inside us. Max has all his life figures out, he is handsome, and very popular, unlike Davey, his best friend, who is struggling through life. Suddenly something stars changing this and Max realise that everything that he always take for granted it's not. He has to face his demons and the beast inside him while everything around him is collapsing. A life's lesson of what really matters in life and how difficult our teenagers years are.
Profile Image for Fleur.
3,724 reviews29 followers
May 18, 2017
Solid 3.5 star,
This is definitely a slow burn book but well worth persevering as it becomes a pretty crazy ride with some jaw dropping events and twists that keep you turning the page. The characters are pretty well developed and you can feel their highs and lows, as well as desperation to help their friend. The thing I really liked about the book was you really didn't know who would come out on top until the end and wow what an ending!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review and was not compensated in any way.
Profile Image for Jamie.
16 reviews
June 5, 2017
Thank you for sending me an ARC in exchange for a review. This book was way more than I expected. I enjoy the horror genre so it was right up my alley and the author didn't skimp on any of the gory details. The story had me sucked in right away. It was a very enthralling read and keep me intersted. The main character was not my favorite, but I think that was the plan. However, his sudden changes and "come to Jesus" moments were unbelievable. The ending left me unsatisfied, but it's still a good read.
Profile Image for Stacy.
Author 55 books218 followers
June 13, 2017
A gripping YA werewolf tale that has plenty of terror and twists to keep any reader flipping the pages! The main character is quite a jerk at the start, and his flaws cause him to handle problems that arise with his best friend in the worst possible way. He may not be "likeable" but he certainly makes for interesting storytelling. Although this is a bit more visceral than her previous novels, Megan Crewe continues to entertain!
Profile Image for Katlyn Duncan.
Author 21 books336 followers
May 16, 2017
I’m a newbie when it comes to Megan Crewe’s novels, but I’m glad I started. I really enjoyed Beast, so much that I finished it within a few days. The writing style was great and kept the story moving at a fast pace. This book was unlike anything I’ve ever read and I look forward to reading more from Crewe in the future!
Profile Image for Sarah.
Author 14 books24 followers
May 16, 2017
I received a free advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed the story a lot. It was fast paced, dark, and full of twists. The story really makes you think about how you treat the people you care about, and how you would respond in a crisis situation as well. Well written, and definitely worth reading.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
443 reviews3 followers
June 2, 2017
At first I thought this would be the typical YA paranormal story that was on the light side. I was wrong. It definitely has a darker tone. It had intense scenes that had me reading faster to see what happened. I liked it. I would recommend it to older teens or anyone who likes a scary story. This is my first book by this author but I will be adding her books to my tbr list.
Profile Image for Tiffany.
606 reviews
May 25, 2017
I'm in the minority on this one.

I loved the cover and the synopsis sounded great for a short escape. Yet, I wanted more from the characters and more from the story. Its too hard to explain just what I wanted without giving anything away for readers who will read this book...

Sadly, this one just wasn't for me.
Profile Image for Michelle VanDaley.
1,702 reviews5 followers
April 27, 2018
Beast was a fast paced story that kept me captivated from start to finish. It makes you think about how far you would go for friendship. A thrilling and suspenseful story. I look forward to more from this author.
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