Bandits and Ball Gowns

Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #5

by Christina Bauer

One Prince Finds True Love ... And Risks It All

Elle Cynder has fallen hard for Alec, the 'prince' of Le Charme Jewelers. Time for some happily in their ever after, right?

Not so much.

While the new couple shares joyful moments--and sizzling kisses--serious trouble is brewing. Elle's evil stepmother, Marchesa, schemes with none other than Alec's twisted father, Legend. Their plan? Destroy Elle and Alec, along with everything the young lovers hold dear, including Bry, Knox, and Wilhelm.

Another Royal Freezes His Heart ... But For How Long?

As a prince of the dark fae, Jacoby focuses on one goal: avoid assassination. Marrying Elle would certainly aid in that cause, considering how she's both a Cinderella life template and a powerful fae warden. Even better, Jacoby doesn't truly love Elle. In court life, deep romantic attachments only mean certain death.

Then Jacoby notices Elle's youngest stepsister, Agatha.

For the first time in his life, Jacoby's cold heart warms with true affection. The elven prince struggles to ignore his feelings, but it might be a losing battle. And what would the prince's newfound emotions mean for Elle and Alec? Could Jacoby really stand by and watch another's true love be destroyed?

Buckle up for a wild ride as Cinderella's time-honored story gets some all-new twists.

FAIRY TALES OF THE MAGICORUM
1. Wolves And Roses
2. Moonlight And Midtown
3. Slippers And Thieves
4. Shifters And Glyphs
5. Bandits And Ball Gowns
6. Fire And Cinder
7. Fairies And Frosting

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Paranormal, Fairy Tale Retellings, Urban Fantasy

330 pages, ebook

First published November 10, 2020

About the author

Christina 'CEE BEE' Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes young adult romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too. Christina lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby. She loves to connect with her fans at ChristinaBauerAuthor.com.

ANGELBOUND ORIGINS
About a quasi (part demon and part human) girl who loves kicking butt in Purgatory's Arena
1. Angel bound
2. Scala
3. Acca
4. Thrax
5. The Dark Lands
6. The Brutal Time
7. Armageddon
8. Quasi Redux
9. Clockwork Igni
10. Lady Reaper
11. Reaper Games
12. Angry Gods

ANGELBOUND OFFSPRING
The next generation takes on Heaven, Hell, and everything in between
1. Maxon
2. Portia
3. Zinnia
4. Rhodes
5. Kaps
6. Mack
7. Huntress
8. Gage
*This is a finished series

ANGELBOUND LINCOLN
Events of Angelbound from Lincoln's POV
1. Duty Bound
2. Lincoln
3. Trickster
4. Baculum
5. Angelfire

ANGELBOUND XAVIER TRILOGY
The story of the Archangel Xavier
1. Archenemy
2. Archnemesis
3. Archangel

FAIRY TALES OF THE MAGICORUM
Modern fairy tales with sass, action, and romance
1. Wolves And Roses

2. Moonlight And Midtown

3. Slippers And Thieves

4. Shifters And Glyphs

5. Bandits And Ball Gowns

6. Fire And Cinder

7. Fairies And Frosting

8. Towers And Tithes
9. Mirrors And Mysteries
10. Rapunzels And Powers

DIMENSION DRIFT
Dystopian adventures with science, snark, and hot aliens
1. Scythe
2. Umbra
3. Alien Minds
4. ECHO Academy
*This is a completed series

PIXIELAND DIARIES
The story of sassy pixie, Calla, and her elf crush, Dare
1. Pixieland Diaries
2. Calla
3. Dare
*This is a completed series

BEHOLDER
Where a medieval farm girl discovers necromancy and true love
1. Cursed
2. Concealed
3. Cherished
4. Crowned
5. Cradled
*This is a completed series

VAMPIRES OF THE DAEMONVERSE
Adult fantasy written under my pen name, CEE BEE
1. Violins and Vampires
2. Veils and Vampires
3. Vixens and Vampires
4. Valor and Vampires

Reviews

[Anatl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christina Bauer is my new favorite indie author. I've recently finished Slippers And Thieves where Elle and Alec enact the template of Cinderella. They return here to face more hurdles with two other characters gaining some prominence Elle's step sister Agatha who is more than she seems and Jacoby, Elle's persistent suitor from the previous book. Unlike Slippers And Thieves this one is not a good choice for starting the series.
This has all my favorite ingredients: action, romance, and fantasy. Light humoristic tone, characters I can root for and lots of twists and turns. I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment in the series, and for me that's very high praise since I rarely follow through.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

#BanditsandBallGowns #NetGalley

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elle Cynder has fallen hard for Prince Alec Le Charme of Le Charme Jewelers. Whenever Alec is around Elle has a hard time keeping her distance from Alec. If he gets too close to her she is going to tackle him like a linebacker. Love it! Go, Elle! Is it love or is it magic? Hehe...

Yeah, well Elle has more pressing issues than Prince Charming at the moment. There are people standing underneath her window with signs. Humans have been enchanted. A spell has been cast on them making them stalk Elle. The enchanters have a message for Elle they or someone wants her to leave her Prince Charming you know to break it off with him.

The question is who wants Elle to leave Alec? Why do they want her to leave him? What do they want will Elle?

We are introduced to two new characters, Prince Jacoby and Agatha. Prince Jacoby wants Elle for his Princess and will stop at nothing to have his way. Jacoby will use whoever or whatever to make Elle his. Why does Jacoby want Elle so bad? What plans if any does Jacoby have for Elle?

Bandits and Ball Gowns is a very charming and enchanting read that had me hooked from the first page with the enchanted humans. I love Elle and her personality and I guess you would say, her voice, her thinking, like the linebacker statement, things like that she is very charming herself.

Bandits and Ball Gowns had quite a few twists, twists that I never saw coming. I kept trying to figure out who had enchanted the humans and who was after Elle and every time I thought I had it all figured out it would take another turn and I was back to wondering who was behind it all. The answer to it all was quite surprising to me, to say the least.

After reaching the end of Bandits and Ball Gowns I still have some unanswered questions that need answering that will hopefully be all cleared up in the next book in the Cinderella story, Fire and Cinder book six of the Fairy Tales of the Magicorum series. I am anxiously awaiting the next book Fire and Cinder. It can’t come soon enough.

Do I recommend Bandits and Ball Gowns, oh yes my recommendation comes highly. I recommend Bandits and Ball Gowns to anyone who likes charming and enchanting fairy tale retellings. One-click your copy of Bandits and Ball Gowns today to begin this oh so very charming fairy tale!

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say this was a new twist on Cinderella's tale would be putting things mildly. This was everything I could have hoped for with being a fan of the series. Things were not predictable at every turn. There were a few but much of it came at you with a new spin to it. This had me loving it that much more. And then the second thing that made me love it was it was one that I could share with my teen daughter and her friends. The friends. The foes. The love. The likes. The backstabbing. The selfish.

There are many things going on here. No. It is not so many that you can not follow along and enjoy it all. It is just that there will not be a dull moment while each page turns and each chapter wizzes by.

Elle and Alec, of course love them, but it was Jacoby that stole my attention. I was wrapped up in finding out what he was going to do or not do. Would he really destroy to make things better for himself? Was he really selfish and destructive? Will the youngest step-sister, Agatha, be that salve needed to sooth a potential future beast?

The blurb said it all this was Cinderella's story with all new twist. The ride on this journey was well worth it.

Just from my own personal view reading the entire series made things that much better when you get to book five of this series. You may be able to come in on this one but you will want to go back to the beginning and meet all the characters that have made this so wonderful.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read Entertaining Great world building Page-turner Unpredictable Whimsical Wonderful characters

[anie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is turning into one of my all-time favorite series. 😁

Bandits and Ballgown is the fifth book in the Fairy Tales of the Magicorum series, and the second book following Elle. Elle is living by the fairytale template of Cinderella. at the end of the previous book, it seems like Elle and her Prince finally got her happy ever after. His evil parents and her evil stepfamily were banished into the Fairyland and all seemed well. But it's never that easy, especially for Elle.

Alec has his hands full with taking over the family company. Elle has her own set of problems, there is an annoying mob of people shouting stuff in front of her place, a strange genie is visiting and causing problems and their family are up to no good. Bri, Knox, and Colonel are on their own mission. And when Alec disappears, it's up to her, to do her thing. :)

Jacoby doesn't want love, he wants a powerful wife, who can help keep him alive and Elle looks lčike a valid candidate until he sets his eyes on Agatha. She was supposed to be just the ugly stepsister, but she is something quite different hiding under the disease of the stepsister template. She intrigues him from the start because there is a whole lot more to her than meets the eye. At first, she is a mystery he wants to solve, but soon it turns into something more.

The story is more character-driven than the previous one. It more about characters coming into their own, dealing with internal dilemmas, and finding their own path. I loved it!

The only thing I didn't like was the pictures in between.
received from Xpresso Book Tours

[Anatl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christina Bauer is my new favorite indie author. I've recently finished Slippers And Thieves where Elle and Alec enact the template of Cinderella. They return here to face more hurdles with two other characters gaining some prominence Elle's step sister Agatha who is more than she seems and Jacoby, Elle's persistent suitor from the previous book. Unlike Slippers And Thieves this one is not a good choice for starting the series.
This has all my favorite ingredients: action, romance, and fantasy. Light humoristic tone, characters I can root for and lots of twists and turns. I can't wait to get my hands on the next installment in the series, and for me that's very high praise since I rarely follow through.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of the book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

#BanditsandBallGowns #NetGalley

[Arlene Arredondo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has me hooked!
Can’t wait for the next instalment.
There is a huge cliff hanger at the end.

Note: I received an arc for review purposes and an honest and unbiased opinion.

[Jennifer Ricketts (Donnie Darko Girl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bandits and Ball Gowns led me to realize I will read anything and everything by Christina Bauer. This series is so fun with the retelling of different fairy tales, and BaBG is no exception.

Elle and Alec are back again, and this time the story expands to include the points-of-view of Elle's sister, Agatha, and Jacoby, the elf who kept popping up in Elle's life in the last book. I liked how they were added to the action.

Up until this point, Agatha was mostly in the background, so it was good to see her character develop. She wasn't someone I thought would become more involved, so it was a good surprise. Jacoby sometimes annoyed me in the previous book, but he ended up growing on me. There's more to these two characters than you might think.

My favorite Agatha quote:
"How empty you must feel...to need to fill yourself up on my pain."

My favorite Jacoby quote:
"Mother always said that she'd rather drink poison than fall in love. Both cause your death, yet only poison allows you to set the time and place."

BaBG has added illustrations of some of the characters and settings, and I loved their addition except for Alec. I think I just pictured him differently, but the other characters, including a couple of new ones, were done beautifully. And the scenes! They were stunning.

I did initially rate this book three out of five stars, but as I wrote this review, I realized how much I love this book and changed it to four stars. It isn't quite a five-star read for me because I think some parts were a little rushed, especially towards the end.

I highly recommend reading book #4, Slippers and Thieves, before diving into BaBG. Books #4, #5, and #6 are kind of like their own trilogy and go together. This series makes me so happy, and I get into these books so quickly and deeply.

While you're here, check out my reviews for two previous books in this series: click here for my thoughts on Wolves and Roses (#1) and click here to read about Slippers and Thieves (#4).

[Brinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

After enjoying Slippers And Thieves Special Edition, I was ecstatic when I saw that this one was up for grabs on Netgalley. I think I enjoyed this one even more than the first, it felt more innovative, and the plot was a bit stronger.

Bandits and Ball Gowns focuses on Agatha, one of Elle’s stepsisters. After meeting Jacoby, both of their hearts begin to warm, and feelings get thrown into the mix. Meanwhile, Elle and Alec are trying to figure out who has been enchanting people to stalk her, and what plan they are being manipulated into.

I really loved the inclusion of chapters from Agatha and Jacoby’s perspectives, and I wish we had gotten even more of them. I’m never a fan of Cinderella retellings, they feel overused to me, so I never truly connected to Elle. I love how Agatha and Jacoby have much darker personalities, and their characters hold a ton of potential. It did feel like Jacoby’s feelings came on a bit fast, but I’m excited to see where the romance leads us!

As the author mentioned at the beginning, this book featured several illustrations. I really loved these! I enjoyed seeing how the author visualized her characters, and although they weren’t exactly how I pictured them, I enjoyed it. They added another element, and it added some color to the story.

If you’re a fan of fairy tale retellings, this book is for you! It adds a totally unique flair to the existing tropes we see, which I loved. Sadly, Knox and Bryar were missing from this one, but I’m hoping they make an appearance in the next!

Thanks to Christina Bauer and Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fairytale retelling with the inclusion of fae and other fantasy elements! I love the idea of combining different fandoms and the ideas behind Christina’s storyline are solid. The writing itself felt a little elementary to me, I think 12-15 is probably the perfect target group for this series. Some ideas and plot holes were just a bit rushed or too good to be true, though that didn’t stop the characters from being intriguing and relatable. Further, I love that she provided us with images throughout the book so we can see the characters and magical scenes!

[Erixa Putri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not all fairy tales end with a happy ever after, even if thought they have one.

All of these journey, all of these stories, all of these fairytales. This book cover them all with a GREAT twisted tale I can't never imagine.

Started with Sleeping Beauty template and end up with Cinderella's twisted tale? This is waaaay beyond craziness!

So, after facing Alec's evil parents and Elle's step family, they both finally can be together but that's when troubles come.

The dark prince of fae, Jacoby, turns out has set his eyes on Elle and wanted her to be his wife because Elle was a powerful fae warden and Jacoby only care about her power, not for love. That's before he met Agatha, the stepsister of Elle.

Conflicts got more tension within the pages I've read. Between Elle, Alec, Jacoby and Agatha. All the characters were good in combination. I do love how Christina describe them, specially for Alec and Elle, both of them really cute together. I must say they're cuter than Bry and Knox in the previous book.

But, something that doesn't come up to my mind is I don't know what is the current position of Jacoby and Agatha. Surely the story told us about Elle as the Cinderella and how she had to face and stop Jacoby from forcing her to be his wife but then this Agatha character showed up and boom... it's like everything was messed up. Though Christina wrote everything well, this problem questioned me everytime. I mean, Jacoby got his role because he wanted Elle's power but then suddenly he changed his mind? (Despite I know that love at first sight is exist, but it doesn't have to be that way right?

For me, I do really love how Christina combined all of those fairytales in one connected story. I love how she makes our imaginations become wild but I think she need to keep a focus on the character to make them balance. Over all, I love her Fairy Tales and can't wait to read the next book.

[books are love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received in exchange for a honest review.

I have loved this series. It has been such a fun twist on our fairy tales. This one is a continuation of Cinderella. Elle made a great retriever of items for rewards and did this to survive. She needed a way to live after her parents died knowing her stepmother how she did. So that is how she lived under the radar no one knowing what she was or bothering anyone. Then she meets Alec and her world changed. She fell in love but it was a quick love. No they go on adventure and are friends at first. Finally they admit their love and that was to help thwart Alec’s parents who were punished but are back with a vengeance.

Now they want to stop Alec and Elle from having a happy ever after and they have one of Elle’s friends helping. Only Jacoby’s motives for wanting to help are changing as he spends time with the intriguing Agatha. But he goes forward with the plan and helps put Alec and Elle through a lot.

Elle is stubborn and smart. Kind and fun as well. And she is very unpredictable. You love her from the beginning especially with her banter with everyone. She doesn’t hold back in what she thinks.

Alec is suave and sweet. Very honest and kind to everyone. He is a fair leader but has a lot on his plate. He is very supportive of Elle and his love shines through for her in everything he does. Even he wouldn’t think his parents could be as horrible as they were and especially with how they were in this book..

The story is unpredictable and entertaining. There is never a dull moment when it comes to these two. They have fun banter, great friends, adventure and danger galore. That ending shows us just how much Elle loves Alec and the lengths she will go to for that love.

[Mrs. Kenyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elle and Alec are ready for their happily ever after, but someone doesn’t think they should have one. Every day people are outside Elle’s place with signs against the union. Elle’s stepmother and Alec’s parents were banished, yet they have united in their quest to break this couple up. Jacoby is trying to stay alive and would love to win Elle to his side. He doesn’t love Elle, but it isn’t good for a dark fae to form deep romantic attachments. After Jacoby notices Agatha, though, his cold, dark heart begins to warm and he must face feelings he has never had before. If Jacoby no longer wants Elle, what does that mean for Marchesa and Legend’s plan?

Bandits and Ball Gowns is the fifth book in the Fairy Tales of the Magicorum series. This story is told from four points of view, yet Bauer did a great job alternating the story and helping the reader keep the story straight. This tale is classic Bauer with action, romance, and it is a short, quick read. I love the chance to curl up with a fun book and finish it in one sitting. Sometimes a quick escape is just what the librarian ordered. Warning, please read the other stories first to fully understand all the backstabbing and drama. I can’t wait for the next installment in early in 2021.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! What. A. Book.

Christina starts off by pointing out a couple of new features to this read. Alongside our previous perspective of Alec and Elle’s lives, this time we have two new character narratives. Alongside some beautiful character art that I can only imagine is even more gorgeous in the physical edition!

Untruths, tricks and deceit; Elle may be straying from her Cinderella life template but she’s no damsel in distress and takes things into her own hands.

Following on from SaT, Elle and Alec are loved up and happy but trouble is never too far away. From strangely possessed humans outside her door, to business secrets and banished lands, someone wants to get their hands on Elle and will destroy anything (and anyone) that gets in the way.

“For weeks, these supernatural stalkers have been drawn to me like subway rats to a dropped Egg McMuffin.”

It would be an injustice to spoil any of the plot as with all of my heart I would recommend this series to anyone and everyone! I devoured this book in mere hours and the newly introduced cliffhanger has left me greedy for more.

[Lenni Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were a lot of things I didn't enjoy about this one, but a few that I did enjoy. As you will read at the beginning, the author included a note about how she changed a few things in this installment. First, she had artists create pictures of the characters, places, and objects mentioned in the book. The artists did a beautiful job, but I feel that most of the pictures weren't necessary and a few weren't true to the characters. Plus, many of the characters were already established from previous books and by adding illustrations readers lose their ability to imagine the characters on their own. I did enjoy the illustrations of Jacoby’s garden and other objects and places. It was mainly the ones of characters that were already established from other books that I didn’t like.

I also didn't think that Agatha and Jacoby's story was properly executed. I barely know them as characters and I didn't get enough time to know them in this book. Their chapters just felt weird to me - the conversation unnatural and awkward. This book was very short and could have easily been lengthened to give more establishment to the characters/personalities of Jacoby and Agatha. I also wouldn’t have minded a whole book just for those two to get to know them. It wasn’t that I didn’t like them, I just didn’t have enough time to know them.

I will say that I enjoyed Elle and Alec's chapters just as much as usual. Elle and Alec are so cute together and I can't wait to finish their story in the next book. That cliffhanger wasn’t too bad, but it was enough to make me eager for part three of this Cinderella story. Hope this review was helpful!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read in the Magicorum series! I love the twist Ms. Bauer puts on the fairy tales and intertwines them with today's world. Elle and Alec are finally together, in love, but cannot have that happily ever after yet, for there is much to be done in regards to Alec's family business, Alec's parents, Elle's stepmother and step sisters, and that is just the beginning. Trouble is brewing and they are in the middle of it. Told from four different points of view, we get to see more of Jacoby and Agatha in this novel. Each character has their own troubles to fight and feelings to figure out. Nothing is as it seems. Alliances and betrayals run amok and trust is not easily given. Join them on their adventures as they seek to discover the plans of an enemy who wants to make themselves more powerful through the destruction of others.
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kirstyn (readwithkirstyn) · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, Disclaimer: Bandits and Ball Gowns is the fifth installment in the Fairy Tales of the Magicorum series and the second book following Elle. I have not read this entire series, but did take some extra time to read the first book to involve Elle.

Elle represents the fairytale, Cinderella. At the end of the previous book Elle and her prince finally get their happily ever after - or so it seems. Her Prince's evil parents and her evil step family were banished into the Fairyland and all seemed well; however, it's never that easy.

I am so thankful I read the previous book, because this one is much more character driven than the previous one - following more with character driven plot points than the previous book. You get to see their characters coming into their own and dealing with internal struggles while forging their own path.

I'm hooked on this series now, and I can't wait to pick up and read the rest of the series.

[Rhianydd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bandits and Ball Gowns
By Christina Baver
Pub Date 10 nov 2020
May contain spoilers
I love this book I enjoyed the story so much I loved the story between Alec and Elle how they loved each other so much and everything about the glass slipper ball. This is a beautiful Cinderella book where Alec the prince needs two find love and he found Elle he do anything for Elle he would love two marry her two be his wife but his parents and Elle parents have different option for them. They love becomes full of struggles two keep together. This book is well written and easy two follow each character has its own story and twist. And the graphics drawings are beautiful drawn in this book. If you love fairy spells magic and a prince an evil stepmother you love this book I enjoyed every page of the book. It’s such a good book you enjoy.

[Librow0rm Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new chapter in Christine Bauer’s retelling of the Cinderella story! This new book in the series follows in from Alex and Elle’s ‘happy ending’ at the Cinderella ball! And I can promise you, Bauer continues on with her modern, snarky but fun, exciting adventure filled approach to the next chapter in their story!

Alec now CEO of the family jewellery business, is still facing the challenges of his family’s hopes and dreams, even though they’ve been banished to Faerie Land. Elle is struggling with her life template, and how her actions are putting the life she knows at risk.

Meanwhile, we are introduced to a completely different side of Prince Jacoby and Bauer brings a totally unexpected twist to Elle’s step-sister Agatha’s story!

Definitely not Disney, think more modern Grimm Fairy Tales! Dive in and enjoy!

[BreeAnn (She Just Loves Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is so amazing! I absolutely love the retelling by this author! She takes the original idea of the fairytale universe and mashes it up with the human world. There is just SO much to love about it. This is another book in the series, and I would recommend starting at the beginning, just because they are all SO good! You could, however, jump back to just Book 4 to follow the story of Elle if you wanted, as this is the second book in her story.

I think this is a wonderful book for readers that enjoy YA fantasy and fairytale retellings!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bandits and Ball Gowns (Fairy Tales of the Magicorum #5) by Christina Bauer
Publisher: Monster House Books
Genre: Sci Fi & Fantasy | Teens & YA
Release Date: November 10, 2020

Bandits and Ball Gowns is the fifth book in the Fairy Tales of the Magicorum series by Christina Bauer and the second featuring Elle (see Slippers and Thieves).

I really enjoy the writing style of the author and the world she created. I feel like I get lost in her books and don't want to return to reality! I am hooked! I can't wait for the next book!

I'm so grateful to Christina Bauer, Monster House Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

[Andrea Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fairy tale retelling plus fae and shifters, oh my? Sign me up! I love this author's imagination and every time I think I have her motives for her characters figured out, she surprises me.

I was prepared to hate Jacoby. Why do I like him so much? Agatha is a kick in the pants and Elle and Alec are just swoony. Forbidden love? YES PLEASE. (They're no Lincoln and Myla, but who is??)

Romance? Check. Wonderfully awul villains? Check. Humor and twisty action and true love? CHECK!!

Cannot recommend this author highly enough!

[Brandy Mulder · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent addition to this series. This book picks up shortly after slippers and thieves and gives us more information on Elle's step family. Agatha isn't so bad but the other two? Seriously bad news for everyone and paired with Alec's parents it's major trouble for everyone. Sadly, Elle's best friend is on a separate adventure so isn't there to help when it goes from bad to worse. Can't wait to see what happens!!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elle and Alec don’t get much time together before trouble finds them again. Le Charme industries has ties to faerie that are dangerous. Alec disappears and Elle wants to find him.
Agatha, Elle’s stepsister is not what she seems and she hopes to find answers in faerie.
Jacoby starts noticing Agatha and changes his mind about pursuing Elle.
Nal’Adel is our new villain.
This book ends without resolution. Happily I didn’t read it until Fire and Cinder became available.

[Medha Upadhyay · Rating 3 out of 5]

did I know that this was the fifth book in a series? no.
did I enjoy it nonetheless? yes.
I also found the author's note at the beginning explaining all the changes from the style of the previous books to be really sweet! Something I would have really appreciated if I had read the first four books :))

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Ms. Bauer, I've been enjoying the Fairy Tales of the Macgicorum. This was a great entree in the series, the characters were still the way I remembered and I really enjoyed the story. I look forward to more in the series.

[R.T. Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and entertaining sequel in this Cinderella retelling section of this book series. I really enjoyed the characters and looking forward to the next installment which is the final in the Cinderella tale

[Ronni Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book we continue our Cinderella story with our main characters initially being Elle & Alex...however we have new characters to explore...
This book is full of intrigue, plots and plans.
A truly engrossing read, so much so, that I had reached the end of the book before I even realised it!!

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book not a big fan of cliff hangers but I am really enjoying this series and this take on the old fairytales that we all know and love. I can’t wait to read the next book. I definitely recommend this book.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bandits and ballgowns by Christina Bauer.
Fairy tales of the magicorum book 5.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Loved the pictures in it of the characters. I could picture them in my mind. Loved the story and characters. Elle is my favourite. 5*.

[Marie -The Reading Otter · Rating 3 out of 5]

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