Blog Tour: The Beast and the Bethany: Revenge of the Beast by Jack Meggitt-Phillips

Author: Jack Meggitt-Phillips

Genre: MG Fantasy

Published by: Farshore

Publication date: 30/09/21

Pages: 288

My rating: ★★★★★

I received a free review copy from Farshore & The Write Reads in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Lemony Snicket meets Roald Dahl in this riotously funny, deliciously macabre, and highly illustrated sequel to The Beast and the Bethany in which Bethany and Ebenezer try to turn over a new leaf, only to have someone—or something—thwart them at every turn.

Once upon a very badly behaved time, 511-year-old Ebenezer kept a beast in his attic. He would feed the beast all manner of objects and creatures and in return the beast would vomit him up expensive presents. But then the Bethany arrived.

Now notorious prankster Bethany, along with her new feathery friend Claudette, is determined that she and Ebenezer are going to de-beast their lives and Do Good. But Bethany finds that being a former prankster makes it hard to get taken on for voluntary work. And Ebenezer secretly misses the beast’s vomity gifts. And neither of them are all that sure what “good people” do anyway.

Then there’s Claudette, who’s not been feeling herself recently. Has she eaten something that has disagreed with her?

The Beast and the Bethany was one of my very favourite reads of 2020, I didn’t think it was possible to love the sequel even more. I mean, how could the Beast get any worse?? I was definitely wrong on both accounts, because I love this one even more than the first, and the Beast definitely upped his game and is even more beastly. I could not get enough of it! I was curious to see where the story would go after Claudette ate the Beast, I was was far from disappointed, I loved the angle Jack went with. I just want to snuggle up under a blanket and re-read both, my TBR is currently giving me death glares at the thought.

First up, Eberbezer. Revenge of the Beast starts off during Ebernezer’s childhood leading up to when he first meets the Beast. I can see how he was lured in by the beast, he was lonely and just wanted a friend. His character arc is probably my favourite part of both books, along with the heavy dose of humour that had me snort laughing on many occasions! Watching him go from feeding the Beast animals and finding a child for him to eat, to building a friendship with Bethany and changing his ways brought me so much joy. Despite my love of the bad guys, I’m a sucker for a good redemption arc.

Now for Bethany. Bethany is my favourite! She’s grown so much since she was in the orphanage. She really wants to be a better person and make amends and tries really hard. She brings out the good in Ebernezer, and vice versa. I just really love their friendship, and her endearing insults she throws his way.

I can’t recommend these books enough, you can read my review of the first book here. They’re brilliantly funny!

Buy from: Waterstones Hive