The Beast and the Bethany (The Beast and the Bethany #1)

Ebenezer Tweezer, “a terrible man with a wonderful life,” is a solitary, golden-haired person possessed of a Beast in his attic, who gives him his heart’s desires for a price: feasts in the form of rare objects and beasts. Approaching his 512th birthday, Ebenezer has most everything he wants—refrigerators full of food, a home “fifteen stories tall and twelve elephants wide”—save for the potion that keeps him young and handsome, which the Beast plans to withhold unless Ebenezer produces a human child for consumption. Acquiring Bethany Bogoff, an orphan who has been “nothing but trouble” since her parents died in a fire, Ebenezer finds himself saddled with a girl as contrary and spiteful as he is, one whom he has three days to fatten up as the two engage in a war of manipulations—over breakfasts, comics, and strong wills—until they find common ground. Debut author Meggitt-Phillips presents an archly told story filled with devious pranks and an appreciable, skillfully played redemption arc that heightens the emotional heft. Crisp black-and-white art by Follath (Joy) adds atmosphere. Ages 9–13. Author’s agent: [em]Rachel Mann, Jo Unwin Literary. (Dec.) [/em]