Beast is the story of Stephen, a boy with a dangerous secret…

Stephen has been in care for some time, with a tramp for a dad, and a mentally disabled mum; he hasn’t had the best life. And what makes it even worse is the monster he’s had since he was five. Spending all his money on pigs to feed him with, and long, late-night trips, Stephen begins to wish he’d never got a new pet. With his Beast growing rapidly, and his cage becoming more and more unstable, Stephen needs a plan; but first he has to get past a sneaky foster sister, an annoying care worker and the ever-present police …

This book had a great plot line, vivid characters, and an eye-catching cover; it was set up for a win. Unfortunately, this book lacked the narrative sophistication to keep you gripped all the way though. Although it was gripping in parts, sometimes, even at exciting points, I must admit I was easily distractable. I would recommend it for anyone over about twelve, since there is some strong language.

Overall, this was a good book and I enjoyed it immensely!