The Beast and the Bethany by Jack Meggitt-Phillips

Sep 21, 2020 Whispering Stories rated it it was amazing

Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com

511-year-old Ebenezer Tweezer lives in a 15 storey house with a beast living on the top floor. The beast started as a small creature but over the years he mithered Ebenezer to bring him food in exchange for gifts which he would vomit up, plus he also provides him with a special potion to keep him looking young. The food the beast wanted kept on getting bigger and bigger until he demands that Ebenezer brings him a child to eat.

Ebenezer doesn’t know where Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com

511-year-old Ebenezer Tweezer lives in a 15 storey house with a beast living on the top floor. The beast started as a small creature but over the years he mithered Ebenezer to bring him food in exchange for gifts which he would vomit up, plus he also provides him with a special potion to keep him looking young. The food the beast wanted kept on getting bigger and bigger until he demands that Ebenezer brings him a child to eat.

Ebenezer doesn’t know where to get a child from and quite frankly he doesn’t really want to feed one to the beast but the beast refuses to provide Ebenezer with his potion for this year unless he brings him a child.

After talking to the man who owns the bird shop where he has been purchasing birds from to feed the beast, he suggests Ebenezer try the local orphanage. This is where he meets and takes home naughty, sarcastic, trickster Bethany. But the beast wants her fattening up before he will eat her, and so Ebenezer is to spend the next few days making her eat all manner of delicious food whilst having to put up with her ill-behaviour and attitude.

But will the beast get his juicy meal or is naughty Bethany just a little too clever for him?

What a fun, hilarious book The Beast and the Bethany is. I adored the whole plot from beginning to end, including the section at the back title ‘The Beast and the Author’.

Ebenezer is a delightful character that over his 511 years alive has forgotten how to live. Yes, he can ask the beast for all kinds of things that would make him happy but he doesn’t have anyone for company and lives alone in his big house with a horrible beast that always wants more. It reminded me of Audrey II from Little Shop of Horror, with the ‘Feed Me’ 🙂 The more it was fed the bigger it got and the more it wanted.

Bethany was an orphan whose parents had died in a fire when she was a baby. She was so young that she doesn’t actually remember them. She too feels alone and as such spends her time being horrible to the others at the orphanage and playing tricks on the staff to make herself feel good and noticed. The owner is glad to see the back of Bethany but also worried that she will be brought back quickly like every other time someone has come to adopt her.

The storyline is pure enjoyment and the illustrations that are dotted through the book are wonderful to look at. This is a truly amazing middle-grade story. It is very imaginative and I now can’t wait to see it continue as it certainly has been left open for a sequel. ...more

flag 24 likes · Like · see review

Sep 13, 2020 Lili Marcus rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020-arcs, children-middlegrade, fantasy, 2020-reads

This was marketed as Lemony Snicket meets Dorian Gray, and also promises the macabre humour of Roald Dahl and the warmth and charm of Despicable Me, and wow, the marketing team of this book did a great job because those are exactly what The Beast and the Bethany has delivered. Well, those and more.

This book is a delightful treat. Just a few days ago I was telling my cousin that it’s been a long while since I read for pleasure and not for a blog tour or ARC (I’m not complaining, just merely stati This was marketed as Lemony Snicket meets Dorian Gray, and also promises the macabre humour of Roald Dahl and the warmth and charm of Despicable Me, and wow, the marketing team of this book did a great job because those are exactly what The Beast and the Bethany has delivered. Well, those and more.

This book is a delightful treat. Just a few days ago I was telling my cousin that it’s been a long while since I read for pleasure and not for a blog tour or ARC (I’m not complaining, just merely stating a fact) and then I read this book and I was more thankful that I join blog tours hosted by people whose book preferences I trust, such as Dave. Why, this book is amazing. I enjoyed it right from the start and couldn’t put it down.

It opens on a scene introducing two of the main characters, Ebenezer Tweezer and Bethany and instantly letting me know who they are and how they are as characters. They are the most interesting. The opening line promptly gives a lot about Ebenezer. It says…

Ebenezer tweezer was a terrible man with a wonderful life.
– JACK MEGGITT-PHILLIPS (THE BEAST AND THE BETHANY)

And then Bethany, even with her seemingly innocent first line in the book, she was obviously not a nice kid. I liked the main characters and probably the best part of this book. They’re morally grey and the author didn’t hide their flaws or rather their cruelty – Bethany with the cruelty, or naughtiness, of a child and Ebenezer who is almost heartless and whose priority is staying young. Ebenezer, in his 511 years, let his pet beast influence and dictate his actions. I would even say he was manipulated, though the beast and Ebenezer’s relationship started almost innocently.

I really, REALLY, loved reading about the main characters and seeing how they grew. It’s a bit predictable where the story is heading or how the characters will evolve by the end of the book but it’s still amazing going through the journey, seeing them develop feelings. Ebenezer and Bethany really crawled their ways to my heart. Their backstories also tugged at my heartstrings, which brings me to the mood of the book. This book seems charming and heartwarming and it is but more than that it is dark and sad at times.

One of the saddest scenes for me is when Bethany asked something from the beast. I thought she was going to ask for a pet because she wants one but she asked for something else and I almost tear up seeing her so heartbroken. You see, Bethany is an orphan. Go figure. As for Ebenezer…There is something sad about people who value their physique or beauty. This theme has always been a sensitive issue for me. I won’t talk about why but stories with this theme always hits me hard. And Ebenezer is such a very likable character, despite everything, that reading his story makes me somehow sad. Obviously this book has moral lessons, lessons I’m pretty sure we all already know but we just don’t live by them. Again, it’s sad.

The side characters are well-written as well. I liked that I felt as if I spent as much time with the side characters as with the main characters, which is impossible because most of the scenes only feature Ebenezer, Bethany and the beast. The beast is a fascinating creature. Yes, he is evil. It’s not a morally grey character, he’s really evil and has done lots of evil in the story. And yet I liked how he was written. The author obviously succeeded in writing a good antagonist.

The book is really well-written and the story engaging. The writing style is okay. It’s simple and easy to read which is expected in this genre. Though there are times that I felt the writing is trying hard to appeal to older readers, which first of all, it doesn’t have to because the story will appeal to all ages. But anyway, I guess some of the quotes won’t appeal to kids nor would they understand them. The illustrations in this book are also amazing. I love them. I’m definitely adding this book to my list of Childrens books to buy. (I will never have children but I have little cousins who I want to buy MG books for.)

As I already said, this book will appeal to all ages. Its meaningful messages will appeal to older readers and even young readers with the guidance of adults. Especially since in order to deliver those messages, this book touches difficult themes. But there’s humour in this book too which kids and kids at heart will enjoy.
...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Dec 15, 2020 Liana Grace rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kids

Middle grade magic at its absolute best.

flag 10 likes · Like · see review

Sep 17, 2020 TheEuphoricZat rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Thanks to #TheWriteReads for making this book available to me.

I read this book under two hours because once I started I just could not put it down. I will try not to spoil this book because as with lots of Children's books, the plot isn't wide and the story is really focused on the outcome. Ebenezer is 511 years old but he looks nothing like his age because of a potion that he gets from a monster he keeps in his attic. He has basically been living a solitary life of enjoyment, he has all the mon ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Aug 25, 2020 WS_BOOKCLUB rated it it was amazing

The Beast and the Bethany will be available for purchase on December eighth (Psst! This would make a great Christmas gift!).

Take The Picture of Dorian Gray , and make it less gothic and more fun, and you’ve got The Beast and the Bethany. This book follows Ebenezer Tweezer, a 511 year-old who is ridiculously rich and remarkably spry for his age. His secret? He has a beast hidden in his attic. Ebenezer feeds the beast in exchange for a potion that keeps him young. At first, the beast wants small t The Beast and the Bethany will be available for purchase on December eighth (Psst! This would make a great Christmas gift!).

Take The Picture of Dorian Gray , and make it less gothic and more fun, and you’ve got The Beast and the Bethany. This book follows Ebenezer Tweezer, a 511 year-old who is ridiculously rich and remarkably spry for his age. His secret? He has a beast hidden in his attic. Ebenezer feeds the beast in exchange for a potion that keeps him young. At first, the beast wants small things, but as time goes on its appetite grows and…well, let’s just say that the beast is not a vegetarian.

Eventually, Ebenezer is asked to put a child on the beast’s menu. Ebenezer finds this vaguely upsetting, but not enough to keep him from bringing Bethany home. Bethany is a brat. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. Then again, can someone who’s planning on feeding his houseguest to a monster really make judgments? Ebenezer can handle her staying with him prior to the Big Meal. It’s only for a little while, after all. Then it’s bon apetit! But then something unexpected happens: Bethany and Ebenezer start to become friends! Whatever shall Ebenezer do?

This book is monstrously delightful! Bethany and Ebenezer are the most likable jerks that I’ve ever had the pleasure to read about. They’re good for each other, and it was wonderful seeing them slowly change (just a little!) and learn to appreciate each other. I particularly loved Ebenezer and seeing how he’s basically been going through a mid-life crisis for the last fifty plus years.

The way the story is told is perfect for older elementary and middle-grade kids, but it will keep any age group entertained. The language is simple and snappy, and the book is a quick read, though the concepts are most understood and appreciated by the slightly older crowd. My oldest will be reading The Picture of Dorian Gray in school this year and I’m adding The Beast and the Bethany to his curriculum. I know he’ll love it! I may have to make it a read-aloud so I have an excuse to enjoy it again.

Much like the beast, I gobbled this up and I’m hungry for more. This author is fantastic! I most definitely recommend picking this book up. If you have kids, buy this for them. If you don’t, buy it for you. It’s a great read! ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Aug 12, 2020 A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-stars, middle-grade, year-2020, tour, the-write-reads, fantasy

Book source ~ Tour

Ebenezer Tweezer (hehe it rhymes) is 511 yrs old. Say what? Yep. You read that right. Is he a vampire? Is it magic? Nope and sorta. In order to stay young Ebenezer has to feed a beast who lives in the attic of his 15 story (!) house. Feed the beast and the beast coughs up a magical youth potion which The Ebmeister has to take once a year. The rest of the year, the beast coughs up whatever Ebbie desires. Sounds easy, right? And for a while it was. But then the beast started dema ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Aug 15, 2020 Devyani rated it it was amazing

This Review is part of #TheBeastandtheBethany #UltimateBlogTour hosted by The WriteReads.

Thanks a ton, Dave from @TheWriteReads and the author-Jack Meggitt-Phillips for giving me this opportunity and providing me with a free e-book copy of ‘The Beast and the Bethany’ on exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

The Beast and the Bethany is a middle grade fantasy novel which, besides from being an extremely humorous yet a bit dark tale, is equally an emotionally influential journey of a man and ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Aug 27, 2020 bookslovereaders Steph rated it really liked it

I haven’t read a good middle grade book for some time and now I have read this book it has raised the bar high. I have a young nephew that doesn’t read but I know that he would love this book. From the Beast and his antics to Bethany and hers. I’m glad to have found an author that appeals not only to children but to adults as well. mean come on we all have our inner child wanting to read a book like this!

The Beast and Bethany is a mixture of laughter, sadness, evil and light. You even have a cha I haven’t read a good middle grade book for some time and now I have read this book it has raised the bar high. I have a young nephew that doesn’t read but I know that he would love this book. From the Beast and his antics to Bethany and hers. I’m glad to have found an author that appeals not only to children but to adults as well. mean come on we all have our inner child wanting to read a book like this!

The Beast and Bethany is a mixture of laughter, sadness, evil and light. You even have a character arc for not one but two characters in this book. I have found that Jack Meggitt-Phillips has created two very likeable characters that you can’t help but laugh at as well as cheer on.

The book is about Mr Ebenezer Tweezer. He is not the most likeable man to start with, he is selfish and has a Beast that he feeds to get what he wants. One of these things is eternal youth, I mean come on he is 511 years old! He has found himself doing what he wants when he wants and not caring about others. This all starts to change when the Beast is demaning a child to eat.

Yes you read that right! Oh right let me explain. The Beast can create items after you feed him what he wants. I love how this is described as the Beast coughing and then vomiting what Ebenezer desires. The thing is as the years have gone on the Beast has become more demanding and he has now requested a plump child as his next feast. Ebenezer isn’t too sure of this but the Beast refuses to give him the potion to keep him young and alive without being fed first. This is where the book takes a comedic turn.

Ebenezer Tweezer sets off to find a child to feed the Beast. He goes to the zoo where he tried to lure lure a child. This to me as an adult is wrong but I can see the comedic fun. He is banned for life from the zoo and stuck off he goes to the local bird shop. He propostiitons the owner who declines but mentions going to the orphanage.

Again enter more comedic fun with Bethany. She isn’t the kindest and most pleasant child. She is hurtful and doesn’t do as she is told and Ebenezer adopts her to feed to the Beast. His reasoning? she is a horrific child and no one will miss her. Thng is the Beast has found her too skinny so Ebenezer needs to fatten her up!

The relationship between Ebenezer and Bethany is brilliant. They spark off one another and Bethany doesn’t take anything lying down. She is a horror but who wouldn’t after losing her parents so tragically when she was younger and not being shown any love from the mistress of the Orphanage.

Bethany and Ebenezer form an unlikely pair but you can see the friendship forming as the book goes on. Ebenezer grows a consciences and Bethany learns about friendship. Working together they learn how to deal with the Beast and move forward together.

The book is definitely one to read yourself and with children. It has a dark humour and comedic factor throughout which I adored. The book flowed seamlessly and I was able to read it really quickly. There was enough going on that you didn’t get bored and it will hold your attention. The characters are fun and their developments is some of the best I have read in a Middle Grade book. Jack Meggitt-Phillips has definitely created something special with Bethany and Ebenezer and his humour bleeds through every page.

Highly recommend this book. ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Sep 27, 2020 Jo rated it it was amazing

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past 3 months, you will have heard of The Beast and the Bethany. There has been a MASSIVE marketing push for this novel. Here’s just some of the PR spin that’s been issued:

Major film deal announced with Warner Brothers and Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts producer, David Heyman.

The most exciting new children’s book of 2020 and a modern classic in the making. The Beast and the Bethany has all the classic macabre humour of Roald Dahl with the warmt ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Aug 15, 2020 (Ellie) ReadtoRamble rated it it was amazing

I read this book for a blog tour, so thank you so much to the blog tour organiser, the author, the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This is a middle grade fantasy with a really dark and sometimes quite sad atmosphere. We first meet the two main characters in a bird shop, where Ebenezer, a 511-year-old man has gone to buy a bird to feed to his beast. His beast isn't a normal beast, it's a magic beast a I read this book for a blog tour, so thank you so much to the blog tour organiser, the author, the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This is a middle grade fantasy with a really dark and sometimes quite sad atmosphere. We first meet the two main characters in a bird shop, where Ebenezer, a 511-year-old man has gone to buy a bird to feed to his beast. His beast isn't a normal beast, it's a magic beast and asks Ebenezer for special meals in exchange for presents and a serum he takes yearly to stay young and beautiful. This year, the beast has asked for something special to eat, and Ebenezer doesn't hesitate to go off in search of this meal and doesn't think anything of it, that is until he meets her.

This was my first time reading a book that was this dark and sometimes sad, but that also had such cruel, mean, badly behaved, morally grey characters and I loved it so much because of the evolution and growth throughout the book. Ebenezer is quite cruel and morally grey, the beast is downright evil and Bethany is very badly behaved. Bethany, our second main character is an orphan and is the worst behaved child you might read about, however, there is a lot more to his misbehaviour than you would expect. I really loved reading all about these characters and see them grow, most importantly, see them become better together.

This book has a really dark atmosphere and a lot of bad and cruel things happen, but there are also some very important and meaningful messages in this book and those are what really made this book special to me. Ebenezer has become cruel over the years, you could say he doesn't even have a heart or an ounce of decency and he has let himself be influenced by the beast for over 5 centuries, but Bethany's arrival changes everything and even his thoughts about right and wrong. This book also touches very importantly on themes such as the death of a parent, grief, greed, bad behaviour, and cruelty. It also shows that whatever bad you've done, it can be amended if you apologise and the wheel is constantly turning, so good will always win.

I loved the whole structure of this book and the illustrations in this book were just great and so much fun. It was so well-written, it was dark, it was even sad, but it was also funny, and snarky and had proper humour. I think that this was an absolutely great book, and I can't wait for book two.

I gave this book 5 stars, I loved it from start to finish and was hooked. I loved to see the characters evolve, the side characters were also hilarious and the house in which Ebenezer lives was so intriguing to me. I loved seeing how everything happened, the plot was so unique and great. I would highly recommend this book to children and adults alike, as long as you are aware of the cruel, sad and dark atmosphere at times! ...more

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Aug 24, 2020 El Hyrst rated it really liked it

Shelves: v-aud-children, w-gen-fantasy, z-read-in-2020

Full review available on my blog on September 19th: https://inkandplasma.wordpress.com/20...

Rating: 4 stars!

Thanks to Egmont Publishing for the review copy of this book, and to Write Reads for letting me join the tour – it has not affected my honest review.

This was such a sweet middle grade story that it actually pulled me straight out of a vicious reading slump as I read it in one sitting. Ebenezer Tweezer (best name ever, by the way) and Bethany had a delightfully Despicable Me dynamic that I Full review available on my blog on September 19th: https://inkandplasma.wordpress.com/20...

Rating: 4 stars!

Thanks to Egmont Publishing for the review copy of this book, and to Write Reads for letting me join the tour – it has not affected my honest review.

This was such a sweet middle grade story that it actually pulled me straight out of a vicious reading slump as I read it in one sitting. Ebenezer Tweezer (best name ever, by the way) and Bethany had a delightfully Despicable Me dynamic that I adored. The development of their relationship feels really authentic and beautiful and I loved to see it happen. There’s something about reluctant caregiver turned found family that melts my icy heart!

Bethany vacillates between outright rude and hilariously cheeky, but I did feel like she was well-rounded enough that she didn’t feel like a naughty kid stereotype – and to be fair, her pranks were pretty funny at points. This book is actually far funnier than I ever expected. Other reviews called it hilarious, but for some reason I didn’t believe it. I was wrong. There were several laugh out loud moments, not least of them Ebenezer’s complete lack of awareness of the value of money. Big ‘It’s a banana, Michael’ energy, and I would thoroughly enjoy reading this to my nieces when they’re a bit older – great for adults and kids alike!

I didn’t actually know quite how Dorian Gray this was going to be, and as Dorian Gray is one of my favourite books, it was a great surprise. The premise is simple, Ebenezer will live forever, as long as he pleases the beast. The beast wants to eat a child. Ebenezer does not like Bethany. Sounds like an easy solution – but of course in the days Ebenezer spends with Bethany, things get a little complicated. The growing relationship between Ebenezer and Bethany is lovely to watch and while I think this works really well as a standalone, I’m excited to read the next book and see, hopefully, some wonderful and no doubt mischievous adventures with the newly created Tweezer family. ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Sep 20, 2020 Rajiv rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

[Blog]::[Youtube]::[Twitter]::[Instagram]::[Pinterest]::[Bloglovin]

This is the type of middle grade book that I love to read! A whimsical story with interesting characters and gorgeous illustrations! This book has it all!

I loved the way the author wrote the story. Although it’s a fantasy like novel, the characters are so realistic that you can connect with. As I grow older, I wish I had the luck like Ebenezer to have my wishes granted and stay young forever. Additionally, the author also writes ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Sep 16, 2020 Dini - dinipandareads rated it really liked it

I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by The Write Reads. Special thanks to Netgalley and Egmont Publishing for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars

The best thing about participating in blog tours is that I get to learn about fantastic books that I otherwise never would've heard of--and I'm so glad this one was put on my radar! The Beast and the Bethany was such a well-written, engaging and fast read with some good lessons that both children and adults will be able to e I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by The Write Reads. Special thanks to Netgalley and Egmont Publishing for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars

The best thing about participating in blog tours is that I get to learn about fantastic books that I otherwise never would've heard of--and I'm so glad this one was put on my radar! The Beast and the Bethany was such a well-written, engaging and fast read with some good lessons that both children and adults will be able to enjoy. The book includes illustrations that are really well done and that help to bring the characters and story even more to life. This served major Roald Dahl vibes that had me reminiscing on my childhood days reading those magical, sometimes grotesque, and often weird and funny stories, and I loved every minute of it!

The very first sentence of this book worked its magic to reel me in because I was so very curious to know why Ebenezer Tweezer was a terrible man with a wonderful life. Tweezer spent the majority of his life catering to The Beast in exchange for his selfish desire to be eternally youthful. He never cared to consider the consequences of his actions until Bethany comes into his life. Bethany was a cheeky little troublemaker and you knew it from the moment we meet her. She's continuously playing pranks and making mischief but we learn that her outward behaviour is a defense against the vulnerability she feels being an orphan. Tweezer and Bethany start off as very morally grey characters and I loved to see that in a MG book! But while they start off as morally ambiguous, their characters experience such great growth as the story goes on.

I loved how they both discovered the joy of being kind and how they both found their rhythm in being 'better people', without being too nice, of course 😉 These two characters often had me cracking up with their hilarious and crazy antics (the things they'd get up to while completing Bethany's bucket list really had me LOLing) and I loved seeing them open up to each other and become their own weird little family. The Beast was an interesting and purely evil character, but I was interested in learning more about the origin of the giant blob (I would definitely get eaten alive for saying that) and I'm hoping that since the story will continue, we'll find out more in the next book!

TL;DR: A wonderfully weird middle-grade story with characters you will root for and a magical beast that you will be more than happy to see vanquished. It's an unexpectedly heartwarming story with perfect accompanying illustrations and is an absolute delight to read for both young(er) and old(er) audiences. ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Aug 16, 2020 Theartsyreader rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, middle-grade

This novel shows that a book doesn’t need dozens of characters to be great. Only a handful is enough – when done right. Ebenezer Tweezer is over 5 centuries old and still kind of behaves like a child sometimes: he’s stubborn, wants what he wants when he wants it, has no sense of what’s right or wrong. Or does he? Bethany is one of the rudest and boldest children I ever read about. She lives in an orphanage and is probably the least favourite of all the other kids and the woman who looks after th ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Aug 20, 2020 mrsswiftnibtwirlspages rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Ebenezer Tweezer is a terrible man with a wonderful life. Five Hundred and Twelve years old, but looks like a Twenty year old lives in a huge home, Fifteen storeys high and a few elephants wide, it is indeed a gargantuan place. He lives alone with only a company of a beast. A beast on the top most floor, with three black eyes and two black tongues. The Beast and Ebenezer have a pact and that is how they have mutually survived. The beast asks for food and in return has the power to get anything t ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Aug 17, 2020 Nicole (Half Wild Books) rated it really liked it

Shelves: arcs-advanced-reader-reviews

ARC recieved for blog tour

With a whimsical narrative, monstrous beasts and life lessons, Phillips writes an invaluable book perfect for every child's library. I loved this one, and devoured it in less than twenty-four hours. It's fast, fun, and doesn't take it's self too seriously. The narration was phenomenal, and I was instantly hooked by the descriptions and details Phillips threw this rich book. It actually made me chuckle a few times, so The Beast and The Bethany will no doubt make childr ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Aug 27, 2020 Gina R Mitchell rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, 2020-reviews

What a fantastic, fabulous book The Beast and the Bethany is. I was hooked from the first page. To kick off the story with the statement that Ebenezer Tweezer is 511 years old but only looks twenty will undoubtedly grab your attention. We quickly meet Bethany and the Beast, although I wasn’t entirely sure which one was the beast. Bethany is an obnoxious orphan who will never find a family to adopt her with the attitude she displays.

The story moves at a steady clip that rarely gives you time to c ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Sep 26, 2020 Kerri rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this story and it was great to be able to read a book to my eight-year-old daughter that kept us both entertained, but in different ways. I could appreciate the depth of the plot while my daughter was swept away with the humour and gore of the story.

As the blurb explains, Ebeneezer has to feed the beast in his attic all sorts of things and in return the beast vomits out (yes gross, but the kids love it) various items that Ebeneezer wants, including a potion that keeps him foreve I really enjoyed this story and it was great to be able to read a book to my eight-year-old daughter that kept us both entertained, but in different ways. I could appreciate the depth of the plot while my daughter was swept away with the humour and gore of the story.

As the blurb explains, Ebeneezer has to feed the beast in his attic all sorts of things and in return the beast vomits out (yes gross, but the kids love it) various items that Ebeneezer wants, including a potion that keeps him forever young. But he has essentially created a monster to feed his own selfish desires, and when the beast demands a child to eat, Ebeneezer is in two minds. He knows that this is probably a step too far, but his vanity and greed gets the better of him and he sets out to find a child for the beast. Ebeneezer eases his conscience by finding the most horrible child he can, but will his plan be as straightforward as he thinks?

Jack Meggitt-Phillips’ writing style is intelligent, witty and enthralling and it draws you into Ebeneezer’s strange little world. The descriptions are so imaginative and appealing to young children, for instance ‘the house was as wide as a dozen elephants’. You can imagine the picture this conjures up, and they will love the gruesome descriptions of the smelly beast and his eating habits. There are also references that might go over a child’s head, but which made me laugh, such as the little suitcase that Bethany finds, I won’t give anything away, but I thought that was genius.

The characterisation is brilliant. Ebeneezer is eccentric and posh while Bethany is feisty and brattish. Both are flawed characters that you just can’t help but like, and it was wonderful to see how the characters grow emotionally and how their relationship evolves throughout the book.

Aside from all the fun and silliness, the story will evoke empathy in children as orphaned Bethany has a very sad backstory, but this is hugely important for a child’s emotional development and why reading with children is so important.

The illustrations are superb and they fit perfectly with the quirky and dark nature of the book. My daughter loved studying them so much that it took a while to get back to reading at times!

The story keeps a great pace all the way through, right up until the exciting ending that will have children on the edge of their seats. This is a fabulously dark and amusing book that kids will love. My daughter and I are looking forward to the release of the movie, as well as the sequel to this book – The Beast and the Bethany 2 – Uncaged! ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Aug 07, 2020 ♡ jules ♡ marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: cant-wait-to-read, fantasy, less-than-400-pages, sci-fi, ebook-tbr-pile, 2020-release, zzz-low-priority, new-to-me-author, paranormal, urban-fantasy

ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Aug 27, 2020 Strawberry rated it it was amazing

Shelves: humour, children-s

511 year old Ebenezer Tweezer isn’t a nice man. He lives with a Beast in his attic who he feeds all manner of things and in return the beast vomits out anything Ebeneezer wants. Days before his 512th birthday the beast feels hungry again, and while Ebenezer needs the beast to give him a special potion to help him stay young (a potion he receives every year) the beast wants a special meal in return. The Beast tells Ebeneezer to find him something new…he wants to eat a human child!

Wow, this book i 511 year old Ebenezer Tweezer isn’t a nice man. He lives with a Beast in his attic who he feeds all manner of things and in return the beast vomits out anything Ebeneezer wants. Days before his 512th birthday the beast feels hungry again, and while Ebenezer needs the beast to give him a special potion to help him stay young (a potion he receives every year) the beast wants a special meal in return. The Beast tells Ebeneezer to find him something new…he wants to eat a human child!

Wow, this book is so brilliantly funny and has such a great story. ‘The Beast and the Bethany’ is a children’s book filled with some great illustrations and a tale that’s just so funny and silly. Ebenezer Tweezer has to find a child for the beast to eat and decides to go to the orphanage where he spots Bethany, the most annoying child there. He decides she’d be a good feast for the beast, but when he gets home with Bethany the beast isn’t impressed. I don’t want to spoil the story but it really is a very funny one with Bethany’s annoying behaviour and general manner being too much for both the Beast and Ebenezer.

While Ebenezer wants to be rid of Bethany as quickly as possible the beast wants to delay in eating her and what happens next is a brilliant mix of silliness, funny moments and a few touching ones too. I really couldn’t put this book down from the minute I started reading it. Bethany is a character I actually enjoyed, and I oddly enjoyed Ebenezer’s character too, as he starts off a certain way but goes through quite a few changes over the course of the story. The tale is so funny and silly with interesting moments with the Beast and I really enjoyed how things develop between Ebenezer and Bethany. As the story goes on it ends with a brilliant climax and I just love what happened between the Beast and Bethany. The ending is really good but just as you think the whole story is finished there’s a sudden twist that I just didn’t see coming! That twist sets up a next book in the series and I just can’t wait to find out what happens next!

The book is filled with lots of lovely and fun illustrations, although in my advanced reading copy most of them were currently missing (maybe the Beast ate them? 😮 ). The illustrations are all in black, white and grey and are so funny. I like the way Ebeneezer looks and the way Bethany looks too, even her expression as a baby, is so funny to see. I do believe that with a whole set of illustrations the book will be even more amazing to read and I’m sure even more funny than it already is.

I’d definitely recommend ‘The Beast and the Bethany’ to everyone. It’s such a funny and silly story with a bit of a Roald Dahl feel to it, and it will definitely keep you turning the pages. With each chapter given a name and some odd and silly descriptions inside like a house being the width of a dozen elephants, it’s just such a funny story to read and I’m sure many children and adults will love this! There’s even a funny ‘about the author section’ which reads just like a chapter of the book too (rather than a more ‘sensible’ biography). I really can’t see anyone not enjoying what happens to Ebeneezer, Bethany and the Beast. And who knows what will happen in the next book in the series! :D ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 14, 2020 Aanandika rated it it was amazing

It happens very rarely, if ever, that you just hear one praise after the other from the members of your book reviewing community.

It happened with me for the very book that I am going to be reviewing here: (though not given to the use of adjectives much, I break the rules and.....) the hilarious, the fabulous, the must-read, the heart warming, the amazing.....DRUM ROLL.... THE BEAST AND THE BETHANY.

The book targeted for middle grade readers has been written by Jack Meggitt-Phillip and illustrat It happens very rarely, if ever, that you just hear one praise after the other from the members of your book reviewing community.

It happened with me for the very book that I am going to be reviewing here: (though not given to the use of adjectives much, I break the rules and.....) the hilarious, the fabulous, the must-read, the heart warming, the amazing.....DRUM ROLL.... THE BEAST AND THE BETHANY.

The book targeted for middle grade readers has been written by Jack Meggitt-Phillip and illustrated by Isabelle Follath. What a team have they made to bring us this delightful book!

I read it with both my kids-the12 year-old and the 5 year-old and we had some hilarious times. Let me start by giving you the blurb from Goodreads.

511 years. How, you may wonder? Ebenezer simply has to feed the beast in the attic of his mansion. In return for meals of performing monkeys, statues of Winston Churchill, and the occasional cactus, Ebenezer gets potions that keep him young and beautiful, as well as other presents. But the beast grows ever greedier with each meal, and one day he announces that he’d like to eat a nice, juicy child next. Ebenezer has never done anything quite this terrible to hold onto his wonderful life. Still, he finds the absolutely snottiest, naughtiest, and most frankly unpleasant child he can and prepares to feed her to the beast. The child, Bethany, may just be more than Ebenezer bargained for. She’s certainly a really rather rude houseguest, but Ebenezer still finds himself wishing she didn’t have to be gobbled up after all. Could it be Bethany is less meal-worthy and more…friend-worthy?

Now that you have seen/ read it for yourself, can you resist this modern day retelling of a favourite fairy tale? (I couldn't have and so hopped on to the blog tour organised by the very amazing Dave of The Write Reads. *Rubs hands gleefully*)

My elder daughter identified with Bethany (and was moved by her
back story) while my younger one ( who is already showing a penchant for the good life) aspires to pick up a thing or two from Ebenzer. The characters were fun and really well rounded and we loved imagining the way each one of the three main characters would speak.

The book also makes an everlasting impression on the reader because it is not always fun and games. Ebenzer's and Bethany's stories will warm the cockles of your heart and might just get you to shed a few tears. The Beast itself is a very enticing creature.

With their own unique quirks, which all the characters in the book bring to the story, The Beast and The Bethany makes for an engaging read for one and all. I personally loved the progression of the story as well as the storytelling ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 23, 2020 Hobart rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2020-reads

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S THE BEAST AND THE BETHANY ABOUT?
Ebenezer Tweezer has one goal in life—to keep on living. And he's been doing a good job of that for over five centuries. He's able to do this because of potions given to him by a magical Beast he met as a child. To keep the potions coming, he has to bring food to the Beast (who is only slightly more mobile than a caged bird). In return, the Beast magics money, treasures, and other gifts for Ebenezer. ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Nov 04, 2019 Katerina Kondrenko rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: imo-better-than-i-thought, genre-fairytale, reviewed-by-me-short, writing-spellbinding-from-the-start, writing-open-ending, plot-interesting-concept, read-in-2019, writing-witty-banters-thoughts, writing-touching-moments, released-in-2021

9 out of 10

What a funny and pleasant read this book is! I recommend it to everyone. Adults would giggle and have fun while children would do the same plus learn some important things. It's a tale for children without lame attempts to lower writing style or make characters silly. I loved it! oh, and yes, it's a retelling of The Beauty and the Beast but turns out a totally different story) ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Sep 06, 2020 Vee rated it liked it

Wordpress Blog | Twitter | Pinterest

📗 This was a really fun, unusual book about a naughty little girl and a very naughty giant Beast. It took me a few chapters to really get into the story, but Bethany won me over with her antics, and also with her softer moments when she misses her parents and tries hard to be a good person.

📕 At times, I did feel like this book was trying a little too hard to appeal to children, rather than just being a book for children and it distracted me away from the stor ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Sep 23, 2020 Rebecca Hill rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-copies, netgalley-reads, kid-reads, kids-reads

Oh my goodness, I am excited to share this book review with you! There are many books out there for kids with so many characters, that many of them have a hard time trying to maintain who did what. The Beast and the Bethany is totally different. There is a small loveable cast, and they are memorable. Kids will not have any difficulty reading through this book, and remembering who is who!

While I was reading through this book, I kept thinking, this is something that my kids would love! I may inco ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Aug 30, 2020 Nada Sobhi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: must-read, fantasy, middle-grade, humour

The Beast and the Bethany by Jack Meggitt-Phillips and illustrated by Isabelle Follath is unique and unexpected story with equally unique characters.

When I picked up this book, I didn't know what to expect. But what I felt after I finished it was that I didn't want it to end and that I wanted to hug the author and characters.

The Beast and the Bethany is about a mean and evil man, a mean and evil beast, and a meaner girl. And all of them learn lessons and two of them discover other sides to thems ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Aug 05, 2020 Danni (_forbookssake) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: netgalley, blog-tours

The Beast and the Bethany was such a breath of fresh air for me. As most of you know, most of the books I read are super serious thrillers, so it was great to take a break and read something so fun and silly. Middle Grade is definitely out of my usual comfort zone, but I’m trying to broaden my reading range, and I am so glad I read this book.

There are quite a few references that children might not even realise, but us adult readers definitely will. For example, Ebenezer’s artwork that he has thr ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Aug 27, 2020 Sabrina rated it really liked it

Shelves: booktails

Imagine if you could live forever, in a huge house as wide as 12 elephants. And you could eat whatever food you wanted and have all the expensive art and anything else you heart desired. All you have to do is feed the beast whatever he wants. Easy enough when you have limitless wealth. Even the Beast's latest request, a child, doesn't actually bother Ebenezer that much. He doesn't particularly like children and anyway, one little child isn't as important as himself, is it?

The Beast is a huge, sm ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Aug 23, 2020 Amy (Read.Dream.Live) rated it really liked it

Although this book is aimed at children I still really enjoyed reading it. It reminded me of the books I read as a child and it took me back to a time I adored browsing Library shelves to find the perfect read and this really was a perfect read. This book was fast paced and kept surprising me with all it's twists and turns. I can imagine any child (or adult) would really enjoy reading this book. The imagery was amazing and unfortunately as I had a proof copy all the illustrations weren't there b ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Sep 15, 2020 Louise (Bookmarks and Stages blog Cannon rated it it was amazing

Fun and totally grossed out with this absolutely terrific children’s book that has heart and warmth!
It’s being made into a big budget Hollywood Movie with Warner Brothers already and I can see how it can lend itself terrifically well to the big screen.

I’ve been one of the lucky people to get my hands on a copy of the book to review and it gives me great pleasure to share with you.

The Beast And The Bethany is one of the biggest middle-grade children’s books to be published this year, with a film Fun and totally grossed out with this absolutely terrific children’s book that has heart and warmth!
It’s being made into a big budget Hollywood Movie with Warner Brothers already and I can see how it can lend itself terrifically well to the big screen.

I’ve been one of the lucky people to get my hands on a copy of the book to review and it gives me great pleasure to share with you.

The Beast And The Bethany is one of the biggest middle-grade children’s books to be published this year, with a film going to be made of it, this is the perfect chance to get your hands on the book first. Excited? It’s worth getting excited about.

Review
Ebenezer Tweezer is an age you can only ever imagine. He has 1 week to go until his 512th birthday. Has he the wrinkles of an old man? No, not him. He looks around 20 years old… I figure a lot of adults now reading this are wondering what his beauty secrets are and a lot of children having fun and in awe of his age. He lives in the most amazing house with a rare parrot. He then goes to an orphanage where he meets Bethany, who has some pretty gross habits. Children who like Roald Dahl, will really enjoy this book. Still, Ebenezer wants to adopt her from Miss Fizzlewick. She’s a handful and what she can’t do with superglue and chilli powder isn’t worth knowing!
I think many children will find some pretty grossed-out humour in this book. Bethany is pretty obnoxious. Then… There’s The Beast to contend with. Ebenezer has gone to great lengths to get the beast what it wants, including the Titanic. Now a child, who unfortunately may not be to its taste after-all and what can be done to remedy it. Readers will have to find out why not in the book…

Ultimately, Ebeneezer needs to change Bethany, so she becomes less of an obnoxious brat. The beast has also promised a very special potion to Ebenezer in return.

There are some parts that children may find thought-provoking and could be good for discussion, such as what it may feel like getting older and also transformation in behaviours, including that of the beast. The book has a heart and soul to it with a certain, unexpected warmth.

Ultimately this book will have children wrinkling their noses and perhaps being vocally disgusted at where things like the worms are, laughing so much at the humour and wanting to run from the beast. I reckon this is an absolutely terrific book for reading for pleasure at home and in the classroom. It’ll certainly be a book that lots of fun can be had from anyone who reads it. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review