The following version of the book was used to create this study guide: Valentino, Serena. The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty's Prince. Disney Press, Glendale, California, 2014. Kindle AZW file.

The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty's Prince does not open with the traditional “Once upon a time.” However, it has many elements of a traditional fairy tale as the author reveals the backstory for the Beast in the story of Beauty and the Beast. The story begins with the Prince of a kingdom. He is the intended heir to the throne. He is self-confident and self-centered. Though he is outwardly brave and a skilled hunter, he is thoughtless about the feelings of others. He uses his looks and position to get girls to give him kisses without any intention of a real relationship. In an apparent contrast, he has a good relationship with the servants and is close to several of them, including Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, and Lumiere.

The Prince is engaged to a beautiful girl named Circe. When his best friend Gaston reveals Circe is really the daughter of a poor pig farmer, the Prince breaks off the engagement. He then learns Circe is the daughter of a royal family of witches. She and her three older sisters – Ruby, Martha, and Lucinda – cast a spell on the Prince. He must find true love before he turns 21, or he will become a beast. The love must be given, received, and sealed with a kiss. The Prince disregards the curse until he notices that he is aging dramatically. He throws a ball and meets a beautiful princess named Tulip. The Prince imagines that they are in love, and they quickly become engaged. When he arranges for them to be alone and they kiss, he knows the curse is not broken. He accuses Tulip of not loving him. However, later he learns that he was not in love with her.

While Circe wants to give the Prince a chance to determine his own future as either Prince or Beast, her sisters begin manipulating the situation to push him into becoming a Beast. With Belle as his captive, the Prince – now becoming more beast than human – seems entirely unlovable. The sisters try to push the situation. They end up creating an opportunity for Belle to see the Beast at a vulnerable moment. This evokes compassion, and the two begin to fall in love. The sisters cast spells that send Belle home and create another situation to prove that Belle has betrayed the Beast. In a final showdown, the sisters continue casting spells as Gaston, the Beast, and Belle meet on the roof of the Beast's castle. Though the sisters expect Circe to be thrilled that the Beast dies and Belle is heartbroken, Circe is furious that her sisters meddled. She revives the Beast who reverts into the Prince. Circe watches as the Prince and Belle dance together. The castle and all the servants revert to their natural forms, and the scene ends “happily ever after.”