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The Beast #1
The Beast
THRILL RIDE I mean, The Beast® was one awesome ride! My cousin Ashley and I had never been on anything like it. And then we heard about the ghost that was supposed to ride it at night after the park closed. A ghost on a roller coaster? Yeah, sure. I didn't believe it, of course. Then one night after the park closed, we found ourselves on The Beast. Was I shocked when it started to move! But that was just the beginning. Because, you see, we weren't alone...and the guy with us wasn't exactly human!
85 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 1994
6 people are currently reading
565 people want to read
About the author
R.L. Stine
1,679 books18.6k followersRobert Lawrence Stine known as R. L. Stine and Jovial Bob Stine, is an American novelist and writer, well known for targeting younger audiences. Stine, who is often called the Stephen King of children's literature, is the author of dozens of popular horror fiction novellas, including the books in the Goosebumps, Rotten School, Mostly Ghostly, The Nightmare Room and Fear Street series.
R. L. Stine began his writing career when he was nine years old, and today he has achieved the position of the bestselling children's author in history. In the early 1990s, Stine was catapulted to fame when he wrote the unprecedented, bestselling Goosebumps® series, which sold more than 250 million copies and became a worldwide multimedia phenomenon. His other major series, Fear Street, has over 80 million copies sold.
Stine has received numerous awards of recognition, including several Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and Disney Adventures Kids' Choice Awards, and he has been selected by kids as one of their favorite authors in the NEA's Read Across America program. He lives in New York, NY.
http://us.macmillan.com/itsthefirstda...
R. L. Stine began his writing career when he was nine years old, and today he has achieved the position of the bestselling children's author in history. In the early 1990s, Stine was catapulted to fame when he wrote the unprecedented, bestselling Goosebumps® series, which sold more than 250 million copies and became a worldwide multimedia phenomenon. His other major series, Fear Street, has over 80 million copies sold.
Stine has received numerous awards of recognition, including several Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards and Disney Adventures Kids' Choice Awards, and he has been selected by kids as one of their favorite authors in the NEA's Read Across America program. He lives in New York, NY.
http://us.macmillan.com/itsthefirstda...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
May 22, 2018
Twelve-year-old cousins James and Ashley are having fun riding rides at Kings Island amusement park. They decide to ride the rollercoaster (The Beast) one more time. While they are waiting in line to ride it again two boys tell them the rollercoaster is haunted by a ghost that rides The Beast at night when the park is closed. Later, James and Ashley get locked in the park at night and can't get out. Ashley persuades James to go to The Beast and see if the story the boys say is true, that a ghost rides The Beast at night...
This was a fun time-travel mystery-adventure for children. I really liked the park setting.
A short and exciting story for kids that adults may enjoy, too!
This was a fun time-travel mystery-adventure for children. I really liked the park setting.
A short and exciting story for kids that adults may enjoy, too!
July 24, 2022
I remember reading this book for the first time as a child and thinking it was so spooky and exciting. Adult me agrees and it was fun to read it again all these years later.
June 6, 2018
As an adult I have been rereading R.L. Stine's Goosebumps from my youth (and even reading some of the newer ones released since I have grown up.) But would you believe that I have NEVER read a non Goosebumps book by Stine? No Fear Street, no Mostly Ghostly, none of his stand alone novels.
Well this is one of his stand alone novels. Upon first glance it appears very much like his Goosebumps. It is roughly the same length. It has many short chapters. Is it just a Goosebumps book published under a solo title? Well.... Not quite.
Firstly, I'd say that this is for a SLIGHTLY older audience. I mean it's no House of a Thousand Corpses but it is slightly more serious than your typical 'Bumps. It's not quite as goofy, and quirky. It also, follows a little more logic. Are there still some false jump scares and "screaming with no sound coming out" that Stine is known for? Sure, but it seems a little toned down. That is not to say it is all serious and not fun. It's still about tweens trapped in a possibly haunted amusement park at night. Still, when compared to a Goosebumps book with a similar premise like HorrorLand one can see how it is a lot less silly.
This is not a bad thing! The plot flows a lot better. There is a lot less stupid logic (or maybe "kid logic.") The scares seem a little more plausible. Some might love the plot twists that strain all logic and sense in Goosebumps but after awhile they can wear thin.
So as some one who has read an awful lot of Stine's books, I would say this is one of his better ones, at least as it compares to Goosebumps.
Well this is one of his stand alone novels. Upon first glance it appears very much like his Goosebumps. It is roughly the same length. It has many short chapters. Is it just a Goosebumps book published under a solo title? Well.... Not quite.
Firstly, I'd say that this is for a SLIGHTLY older audience. I mean it's no House of a Thousand Corpses but it is slightly more serious than your typical 'Bumps. It's not quite as goofy, and quirky. It also, follows a little more logic. Are there still some false jump scares and "screaming with no sound coming out" that Stine is known for? Sure, but it seems a little toned down. That is not to say it is all serious and not fun. It's still about tweens trapped in a possibly haunted amusement park at night. Still, when compared to a Goosebumps book with a similar premise like HorrorLand one can see how it is a lot less silly.
This is not a bad thing! The plot flows a lot better. There is a lot less stupid logic (or maybe "kid logic.") The scares seem a little more plausible. Some might love the plot twists that strain all logic and sense in Goosebumps but after awhile they can wear thin.
So as some one who has read an awful lot of Stine's books, I would say this is one of his better ones, at least as it compares to Goosebumps.
March 9, 2017
The minute I saw the cover of this it brought me right back to my childhood. My mother used to take me and my sisters to Kings Island all the time and they were all about the rollercoasters. I remember being a little kid and crying on the Beastie, so there was no way in hell I was going to go on the Beast or the rickety wooden monstrosity that was the Son of Beast.
As for the actual book, I thought that the synopsis on the back was very misleading. The way it was written made it seem like some monster was going to attack them on the ride, but it ended up being about . While the beginning was pretty slow, I did start to get strangely invested in the story once they ended up back on the ride after hours. Nothing in the book was scary. However, I found myself sucked in by the plot. I loved the scenes that . It made for a couple moments that made me genuinely laugh. All in all though, considering I’m much older than the target age group, this turned out to be better than I expected.
As for the actual book, I thought that the synopsis on the back was very misleading. The way it was written made it seem like some monster was going to attack them on the ride, but it ended up being about . While the beginning was pretty slow, I did start to get strangely invested in the story once they ended up back on the ride after hours. Nothing in the book was scary. However, I found myself sucked in by the plot. I loved the scenes that . It made for a couple moments that made me genuinely laugh. All in all though, considering I’m much older than the target age group, this turned out to be better than I expected.
October 22, 2017
This is one of the best kids books I've ever read. Even now that I'm an adult, this book is still highly entertaining (although like all kids' books it's very predictable). Stine is a great author - he paints vivid images and yet still writes a fast-paced book.
Plus, I used to work at Kings Island and Stein gives a very accurate description of the park and The Beast roller coaster. You can tell he's really a roller coaster fan!
Plus, I used to work at Kings Island and Stein gives a very accurate description of the park and The Beast roller coaster. You can tell he's really a roller coaster fan!
October 1, 2019
seven year old aurora loved it
April 9, 2024
4 stars
Brought back so many good memories and reading R.L. Stine as a kid.
Brought back so many good memories and reading R.L. Stine as a kid.
February 13, 2022
How did I not know that one of the most prolific children and young-adult “horror” authors had penned a “novel” based on my all-time favorite wooden roller coaster (at one of my all-time favorite amusement parks)? Well, probably because I was already too old for this book when it came out in ’94, and also because I didn’t actually go to Kings Island or ride The Beast until 2009, when I was in my 30s. Still, it’s odd that I didn’t find about this book until it was gifted to me from a friend who’d seen it mentioned on a coaster enthusiast page. I don’t know the origin of this book (or its follow-up), but I have to imagine it was somehow commissioned by Paramount (who owned Kings Island and its sister parks in the '90s), perhaps with aspirations of some kind of adaptation? (I’m just speculating here.)
Anyway, the singularly appealing novelty of this book aside, it’s actually not a bad little sci-fi/adventure/thriller for young readers, with the scenes at the doomed (and fictitious) park that formerly stood on Kings Island’s grounds providing the most fun and creativity. It’s got some clunky writing and not much of a resolution--and the narrating preteen's effusive praise of The Beast and its neighboring (and now defunct, RIP) steel coaster The Vortex are some cringeworthy product placement--but I can say with complete confidence that had this book been around when I was a 9-year old amusement park fan and avid reader, I would’ve eaten this up.
Anyway, the singularly appealing novelty of this book aside, it’s actually not a bad little sci-fi/adventure/thriller for young readers, with the scenes at the doomed (and fictitious) park that formerly stood on Kings Island’s grounds providing the most fun and creativity. It’s got some clunky writing and not much of a resolution--and the narrating preteen's effusive praise of The Beast and its neighboring (and now defunct, RIP) steel coaster The Vortex are some cringeworthy product placement--but I can say with complete confidence that had this book been around when I was a 9-year old amusement park fan and avid reader, I would’ve eaten this up.
April 19, 2020
Surprisingly good, I’m impressed.
But still not without its flaws, the kids must be extremely dense as to not think to look for a boy rather than an old man when searching for P.D. He literally said he was a boy at the time. But I did find it interesting that the story ended on a somewhat grim note. For a kid’s book you’d expect the day to be saved and everyone will survive but then reality hits, you can’t change fate. I quite liked that unexpected ending, morbid as that sounds. I also have to wonder, if P.D. was a ghost, why does he age? Did he die originally or did he die the second time around and was written out of existence, hence why the guards in the present don’t know him? Hm...
The fact that King’s Island is a real place as well as The Beast being a real coaster is really interesting too. Had no idea until seeing other reviews after the fact.
Prior to finding this book second hand I never even heard of it, an interesting obscure book from R.L. Stine that I’d say is worth a quick read.
But still not without its flaws, the kids must be extremely dense as to not think to look for a boy rather than an old man when searching for P.D. He literally said he was a boy at the time. But I did find it interesting that the story ended on a somewhat grim note. For a kid’s book you’d expect the day to be saved and everyone will survive but then reality hits, you can’t change fate. I quite liked that unexpected ending, morbid as that sounds. I also have to wonder, if P.D. was a ghost, why does he age? Did he die originally or did he die the second time around and was written out of existence, hence why the guards in the present don’t know him? Hm...
The fact that King’s Island is a real place as well as The Beast being a real coaster is really interesting too. Had no idea until seeing other reviews after the fact.
Prior to finding this book second hand I never even heard of it, an interesting obscure book from R.L. Stine that I’d say is worth a quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2013
One of the best books by Stine, one of my favorite authors! What is so great about this book? First, it takes place in Kings Island, a place that is 5 minutes away from my house! And the Beast is my favorite ride! It is the world's longest wooden roller coaster, and is definitely worth a ride! Anyway, the Beast is actually said to be haunted, but not by a guy named P.D. Walters or anybody that has perished in a park on the property, which there never was. A very interesting and enjoyable read. Any body who lives in Mason, Ohio should read this book, or anyone who has been to KI for that matter! And there is a sequel to this book, The Beast 2.
October 27, 2009
Not bad. Pretty typical Stine story: fairly predictable, with a few descriptive words getting way overused. The climax, which consisted of a roller coaster plunging into the middle of a tornado, was an excellent scene.
Worth a read.
Worth a read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2009
This book is probably the best book I read as a kid. I honestly want to find this book and reread it to see why I was so fascinated with it.
February 9, 2013
You can call me mad if you like but I thought this was a real pager-turner (and I'm not being sarcastic!). I didn't think it was terribly scary but I found the story intriguing.
Really enjoyable!
Really enjoyable!
January 23, 2020
I remember being so confused on getting this book at the elementary school library - I had no idea what a "REAST" was.
August 2, 2023
Better than beast 2 book.
Recommend
Recommend
November 15, 2020
James and his cousin Ashley have an entire day at King’s Island, which ends with a ride on the roller coaster The Beast. He’s rode it multiple times before, but it’s her first time. He convinces her to ride it one last time and while in line, they meet two teenage boys. The boys tell them that the ride has a ghost that rides the coaster late at night. Neither one believe the story.
When the ride is over, James can’t find Ashley anywhere. He wanders around the park looking for her and when he finds her, it turns out that she was looking for him. A thick fog rolls across the park and by the time they get to the front, the park is empty and everyone is gone. James wants to call his mom and go home, but Ashley convinces him to stay and sneak around. She also bets him $10 that they’ll see the ghost of the roller coaster.
While walking back to The Beast, they walk right into a couple of security guards. At first the guards don’t see them because of the fog, but once they do, they chase them through the park. The kids make it to the roller coaster and see an old, white haired man working the controls and moving the coaster. When he sees them, he introduces himself as P.D. Walters and says he tests the ride.
P.D. also explains that he’s been coming to the park for over 60 years, every since the old Firelight Park stood on the site. The park got its name from the hundreds of old-fashioned torches arranged around the park. In 1931, a tornado came through unexpectedly, knocking over the torches, setting a fire and killing a lot of people. When he hears the guards coming, he tells the kids to jump on the ride and starts it running.
The kids go through the fog, but when they come back, no one’s around. The walk outside, get lost in the fog and come across and old-fashioned looking area, complete with people in old clothes and torches. Ashley realizes that they’ve gone back in time and are at the Firelight Park. James gets off on the cheap prices of food, especially ice cream cones for two cents each. They keep getting odd looks for the way they’re dressed and accidentally run into another boy.
His name is Paul and he takes them to get some clothes. He explains that the park does a lot for people in the area that lost their jobs because of the Great Depression. He also tells them that his own dad lost his job, his whole family shares a small apartment and he sneaks into the park, but doesn’t have money to do anything. James buys him some food, they take a few rides and get to know each other.
Ashley finds a copy of the newspaper and realizes that it’s the day of the tornado! They run up to the front office, hoping to make an announcement. Then they get a megaphone and try to help people, but no one wants to listen to them. Ashley mentions P.D. and how he’s the only one that can help them. Paul freaks out because he’s P.D.! Ashley realizes that they went back in time and of course P.D. would be a young man.
Two security guards start chasing them and he shows them a shortcut through the woods. They manage to stumble across The Beast and P.D. has them jump on, while he figures out how to work the controls. He gets the ride going, but then the guards grab him. The ride takes off and the two guards jump on board. When they come out the other side, the guards are nothing but skeletons. James explains that they went forward 60 years and the guards died of old age.
The present day guards grab the kids and lecture them on sneaking around late at night. They call James’s mom and has her come to get them. They get up to the front of the park and find a memorial to the old park and the people who lost their lives. There at the very bottom is P.D.’s name.
When the ride is over, James can’t find Ashley anywhere. He wanders around the park looking for her and when he finds her, it turns out that she was looking for him. A thick fog rolls across the park and by the time they get to the front, the park is empty and everyone is gone. James wants to call his mom and go home, but Ashley convinces him to stay and sneak around. She also bets him $10 that they’ll see the ghost of the roller coaster.
While walking back to The Beast, they walk right into a couple of security guards. At first the guards don’t see them because of the fog, but once they do, they chase them through the park. The kids make it to the roller coaster and see an old, white haired man working the controls and moving the coaster. When he sees them, he introduces himself as P.D. Walters and says he tests the ride.
P.D. also explains that he’s been coming to the park for over 60 years, every since the old Firelight Park stood on the site. The park got its name from the hundreds of old-fashioned torches arranged around the park. In 1931, a tornado came through unexpectedly, knocking over the torches, setting a fire and killing a lot of people. When he hears the guards coming, he tells the kids to jump on the ride and starts it running.
The kids go through the fog, but when they come back, no one’s around. The walk outside, get lost in the fog and come across and old-fashioned looking area, complete with people in old clothes and torches. Ashley realizes that they’ve gone back in time and are at the Firelight Park. James gets off on the cheap prices of food, especially ice cream cones for two cents each. They keep getting odd looks for the way they’re dressed and accidentally run into another boy.
His name is Paul and he takes them to get some clothes. He explains that the park does a lot for people in the area that lost their jobs because of the Great Depression. He also tells them that his own dad lost his job, his whole family shares a small apartment and he sneaks into the park, but doesn’t have money to do anything. James buys him some food, they take a few rides and get to know each other.
Ashley finds a copy of the newspaper and realizes that it’s the day of the tornado! They run up to the front office, hoping to make an announcement. Then they get a megaphone and try to help people, but no one wants to listen to them. Ashley mentions P.D. and how he’s the only one that can help them. Paul freaks out because he’s P.D.! Ashley realizes that they went back in time and of course P.D. would be a young man.
Two security guards start chasing them and he shows them a shortcut through the woods. They manage to stumble across The Beast and P.D. has them jump on, while he figures out how to work the controls. He gets the ride going, but then the guards grab him. The ride takes off and the two guards jump on board. When they come out the other side, the guards are nothing but skeletons. James explains that they went forward 60 years and the guards died of old age.
The present day guards grab the kids and lecture them on sneaking around late at night. They call James’s mom and has her come to get them. They get up to the front of the park and find a memorial to the old park and the people who lost their lives. There at the very bottom is P.D.’s name.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2022
I loved this as a kid, and it held up exceptionally well. For a book that was written as a one-off promotion for a roller coaster in Ohio, The Beast is way better than one might expect. I’ve come to think of The Beast and its sequel as the lost books of the original Goosebumps series. I mean, it certainly reads like a Goosebumps book, it was published at the height of Goosebumps fame in 1994, and it even features a cover by Tim Jacobus. It’s a real shame it’s been overlooked among Stine’s body of work because it would easily rank among the best. The Beast is a great example of what Stine excels at, delivering a near-perfect balance of adventure and horror. Do you want to read a book about a haunted roller coaster that travels through time? Who doesn’t? Did I mention that there’s also a massive tornado? Sign me the fuck up. I felt like I was there right alongside James and Ashley through the last page. There were a few plot holes if I thought too hard about time travel rules and ghost biology, but the book itself was such a page-turner that I genuinely did not care. If you deliver the goods, the reader can forgive a lot. I save my harshest reviews for boring books. Keep me entertained, and I will write you a glowing review on my blog for my tens of fans to see. That seems like a good deal to me. I’m now officially a fan of The Beast. The only thing left for me to do is find an excuse to end up somewhere near Cincinnati so that I can finally ride the roller coaster itself.
Score: 5
For my snark-filled, spoiler-laced, deep-dive review; check out my blog:
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Score: 5
For my snark-filled, spoiler-laced, deep-dive review; check out my blog:
Blog Review I Instagram I Twitter
October 29, 2024
I have a vast amount of nostalgia for this book. My mother read this one to me when I was really young, about 5 I think. Now, 10 years later, now owning six copies of this book and two of the sequel (lol), I have finally revisited it in honor of my 250th book read for Goodreads. And it holds up extremely well! This book was a blast from the past—literally and literally! My biggest compliment was the story itself. It’s probably the best paced story I have ever read, and the characters, reveals, and arcs are all really exceptional. And I adore the ending remarks and the big message of the book, which is hard to miss since they literally say it. The mechanics of the roller-coaster are very unique. I really enjoyed the lore here, as well as the carnival setting. And like I said, it’s a blast all the way through. My only gripe with the story was that there wasn’t much of an explanation to why the roller-coaster does what it does. It’s a giant unresolved question that I can’t get past. But, I’m willing to maybe forgive it in the future. Overall, 9/10. It’s not gonna blow you away, but it’s definitely a memorable read and one I highly recommend checking out.
August 24, 2020
I remember renting this book out from the library at a young age and being so excited to read a new R. L. Stine novel that wasn't Goosebumps-related. I also remember putting it down and never finishing it but not the reason why. After re-reading, R. L. Stine's The Beast promises a unique, thrilling premise but, though providing a few tense thrills, serves as an unevenly-paced, predictable, and generic promotional ad for King's Island and The Beast. The two lead characters were very hollow and unlikable with no depth and a very shallow intelligence. Maybe I'm not giving them enough credit, but the two leads simply took forever to figure things out. That could have been intentional; however, I wasn't a fan. I also felt the plot could have been elaborated on so much more, and P.D.'s character could have been expanded on. At the very least, some of the scares and more suspenseful parts were rather enjoyable, and it ended on a very spooky note. I would recommend it for younger readers.
May 3, 2019
I enjoyed this book partly because I like carnival related type stories. I liked the adventure and excitement. It is a short fun read and I think young people would generally enjoy the book. Two twelve-year-old kids get accidently locked into an amusement park after closing and are transported back in time on their favorite exciting coaster. They try to warn people of danger once they are back in time before coming back into the present. I look forward to reading the sequel.
January 4, 2024
What a great way to start a new year. I am an avid reader of R L Stine.
Imagine hearing a ghost story of a funfair ride where the rollercoaster ride - Beast starts up itself after midnight.
Imagine agreeing to a bet to stay at the funfair to see this happen.
Beware of what you commit to because
Suddenly you are surrounded by fog
The ride starts up
There is someone by the controls
It appears that the story is true
Read and witness for yourself.
You wont be disappointed.
Imagine hearing a ghost story of a funfair ride where the rollercoaster ride - Beast starts up itself after midnight.
Imagine agreeing to a bet to stay at the funfair to see this happen.
Beware of what you commit to because
Suddenly you are surrounded by fog
The ride starts up
There is someone by the controls
It appears that the story is true
Read and witness for yourself.
You wont be disappointed.
January 5, 2024
R.L. Stine has always had a unique take on the scary story genre which perfectly balances intriguing and genuinely scary events without going too far. This book was a creative and unique version of that.
Side note, I worked at Kings Island for years. I always saw a copy of this book tucked behind the control panel at the Beast so it was visible to riders. One day they were going to throw it out among other things and I kept it. It sat on my book shelf for 3 years until I finally read it.
Side note, I worked at Kings Island for years. I always saw a copy of this book tucked behind the control panel at the Beast so it was visible to riders. One day they were going to throw it out among other things and I kept it. It sat on my book shelf for 3 years until I finally read it.
August 14, 2024
Ashley is brave and challenges life whereas her cousin James just goes along for the ride. And this time they get a ride they won't forget. At an amusement park after hours they run into P. D. who lets them ride the Beast....a huge roller coaster. When the ride stops P.D. isn't around and they're alone in a totally different park....or is it? They're lost and scared in a strange place with no idea how to get back.
May 17, 2022
As a HUGE fan of R L Stine and a Cincinnatian who has actually ridden The Beast at Kings Island I have to say this was a great book! The nostalgia, the story writing all brought me back to my days of reading Goosebumps. This books makes me want to go back on the ride and also think of other creative stories from amusement parks and the rides we enjoy. A great story overall!
December 15, 2021
I have read this book many times I just finished it for the fourth time and it only took me 2 days to read it. AS an Roller Coaster lover I can say that this will always be one of my favorite books and roller coasters. There is even a second one to enjoy Highly Suggest!
February 3, 2023
Having been to Kings Island several times, when I saw this book title and those notorious Claws on the cover- I knew I had to have it!
It was a fun quick read, went in a weird sort of direction, but I still had fun reading this one.
It was a fun quick read, went in a weird sort of direction, but I still had fun reading this one.
June 4, 2024
I read this book many moons ago, decades ago. I am from Cincinnati and The Beast has always been one of my favorite coasters, so that along made me want to read it. I really liked it and remember it to this day. If you can find a copy, it's a quick read as well.
October 3, 2025
I bought this book as a kid and finally got around reading it to my 8 year old, who coincidentally rode The Beast a few weekends ago.. It was different than what I expected, but not a bad little read. Plus Kings Island is well represented 🎢
December 18, 2025
The Beast has always been my favorite rollercoaster at King's Island, so I just had to read this book about it! There was some fun nostalgia included, which helped offset the kids being pretty annoying 😄
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews