The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty's Prince (Villains, 2)

I am such a fan of these books. I have all the books that I want to have as some of the villains series I do not want to have. One thing I will say in the description of this book it states the book is 256 pages. That is FALSE. This is one of the shortest books in the series covering 215 in its entirety. I do not know why there is false page numbers in this book description. I received the hardcover and the only other book that is close to being as short is “Fairest of them all” with page count being 250 for the paperback version (the version I have). That is the only complaint I have as this book gives a good backstory for the prince that became the beast. More story between Belle and the Beast is covered in twisted tales “As Old As Time” and other villains book “Kill the Beast” that is 424 pages long. I have that book but have not read it yet as there is an order that I want to read these books in. One thing is for sure for this series you should definitely get “The Odd Sisters” as that ties the whole series together and helps in understanding how certain things happen in the book. I just wanted to give a heads up to readers so they are not disappointed when they receive the book and see it is only 215 and not the 256 pages stated in the book description. I have included side by sides of the two “Beauty and the Beast” villain series books to show the difference in size and how the story must go on from Gaston’s perspective

I bought The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty's Prince as a birthday gift for a coworker who’s really into Disney villains, and it was a hit. The story dives deeper into the Beast’s backstory in a way that’s darker and more layered than the classic tale, which she loved. It has that twisted fairy tale vibe that villain fans tend to appreciate. The book itself looks great too—nice cover design and a solid build. If you’re shopping for someone who enjoys the villain side of stories, this is a fun and thoughtful choice.

A rather short and quick adaptation of Disney's original award-winning film, it does seem rather rushed. About halfway through the book, it starts to delve into the original storyline, but it hurries along very quickly, skipping over Belle's arrival at the castle and hurrying to her trespass upon the West Wing to her rescue from the wolf pack that attacks her in the woods. Swiftly within a few pages you find Belle fleeing to rescue her father from illness, and before you know it the book is already over with "The End." Most of the storyline is told from the third-person perspective of three of the witches that assisted in cursing the Beast who are hellbent on driving him mad and aiding Gaston in killing him. The first half is possibly the most interesting park because it's the most original and deviates from the original story the most. The Prince's origins are the most elaborated, adding twists that weren't there in the film. I would have loved this more if it were longer, like in the book "Maleficent." It just feels far too rushed. The second half of the book would have been far more entertaining were it from the Beast's third person perspective and not the evil witches'. It does make some references to other Disney characters in the Disney universe, and the reader will find that enticing. It really is a one-time read, though I'm a huge fan of the original, but I just wanted more from it. There seems to be a lot of missed opportunity from the author to take it to further reaches. If one sits down and really dedicates their attentions to it, it can be finished within a day or two. Belle's and Beast's romance could have been explored in-depth much more, but it's hardly touched upon and breezed through. I hope someday a better adaptation is written with far-reaching details and hope-fulfilling content. The reader will just find it lacking overall, though sometimes enjoyable here and there. Don't expect a masterpiece here. I wish the publisher, author, and editor had spent more time dedicated to making it what the fans would appreciate; they really missed a big opportunity here.

Once upon a time, there was Beauty and the Beast. We all know their story—the curse, the enchanted rose, and the love that overcame every challenge for a happy ending. But before all of that… there was a Prince. Have you ever wondered about the Prince's life before he became the Beast? This enchanting retelling explores the Beast’s perspective, delving into his fears and struggles as he holds on to the last traces of his humanity. It’s a journey through his past and present, uncovering the true meaning of love and offering a fresh take on a character you thought you knew. If you enjoyed The Fairest of All, this is a must-read! Serena Valentino weaves a magical twist packed with passion, enchantment, and unexpected turns. With familiar faces and new characters, this reimagining brings an emotional and unforgettable touch, breathing new life into the classic tale.

I absolutely love this book! I even just ordered “Kill The Beast”. It was hard to put down. And I’m reading it again. I love the backstory. I would 10/10 recommend this book to anyone who loves the movie “Beauty And The Beast”.

The famous villain series. I have three of these... They are really nice. Good reads for kids who love fairy tales.

I just received these books and just started reading the first one and I already love it a lot more to go but I definitely recommend this book

Habe es für meine Schwester gekauft, die ein großer disney fan ist und hab nur gutes gehört darüber. Da sie gut englisch versteht und es auch sehr interessant fand.

Do' cinque stelle in quanto, fan sfegata de la bella e la bestia, non potevo non acquistare questo libro. Lo sto utilizzando anche per migliorare il mio inglese e devo dire che è discretamente semplice da tradurre. Ho sempre amato la bestia e mi ha sempre affascinato il suo punto di vista. non vedo l'ora di proseguire con la lettura.

Loved reading this book; finished it in a day it was so good. Really detailed and if you love beauty and the beast this book is a good twist that you dont expect. I would also suggest reading a twisted tale tale as old as time; again a brilliant book with a good twist.