This was the sequel to Slippers and Thieves. However, I really could not get into this sequel! It felt more like a filler than a story! I also did not like the cliffhanger in this one! Thus, this was an unnecessary installment!

A retelling you haven't heard before.

Following on from the events of Slippers and Thieves, we see what happens after the happily ever after. This book kept up the intrigue and didn't fall into tired tropes often found in YA fairytale retellings. It's full of action and surprises and stands on its own merit as there is no base fairytale to support the plot and I think it works even better.

I love that this is a series you can dip in and out of. But I do suggest starting at the beginning of an arc. I.e. book 1 or book 4.

The characters are well written and Bauer has fantastic world building. The imagery is immersive and you can really picture the story.

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*.

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.

This is the second book I have read in the Magicorum series and another one I loved! Although I did find that it did not seem to read as older as the last one for some reason.
The storyline kept me intrigued until the end and although much shorter I still didn’t put it down until I read the last page. And what an ending!
The story continues with Elle and Alec and their hope for a happy ever after but of course what would a fairytale be without evil meddling family.
I know that the author made some changes I found that I had not been as invested in the characters enough to be bothered by the changes but other readers may do so.
I have definitely found a new favourite author.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Originally, I didn't review this book because it ended on a cliffhanger - and if I'm warned of that, I'll wait to read until the next book is out.

Another good installment into Magicorum. I especially liked Agatha in this story - she got more of the growth in the story and was a more intriguing character.

Nothing like a cliff hanger...practically the whole book is one. But you do get some juicy tidbits of information about whys and how's. On to the next book.....

Wow, another book from Christina Bauer? Who would have guessed! She's on a roll lately. Or really, all the time. And this one was just a great as the rest of the Fairy Tales of the Magicorum series. Who would have thought she could keep everything at such a steady pace, especially with all the stuff going on in these books? I'm very thankful, and I can't recommend it enough. Now, time to talk about the book itself.

Like the last book in the series, Slippers and Thieves, this one follows Elle, a Cinderella Template teenager and also the warden of fairy magic. That means she's insanely powerful, but she hasn't really come into her powers yet. She's found her prince charming in the form of Alec, and they're excited to work together not only in life but his company after his parents are exiled to the fairy realm. There's only one thing holding them from that, and it's that an evil elf is dead set on stealing her magic, mostly because she thinks she's someone else. And that's not going to be good for Elle.

One thing that was added into this book that wasn't in the last, were the viewpoints of Agatha, Elle's evil step sister who's doesn't quite fit her template and hides an interesting secret, and Jacoby, an elf prince who's more annoying to Elle than anything else. I really love getting to know the characters, and the world around them more, and this book was exactly that. A little booster shot for the series to lead into the next big adventure. Who could ask for more?

Overall, this was a really good read, though I did kind of power through it a little too quickly than I wanted to. I can't wait for the next book, and if you haven't checked out the series by now, I really can't recommend it enough. It's perfect if you're into the whole paranormal teen romance kind of thing, without all the cringey romance parts that come with adult fiction. Definitely check these books out if you get the chance!

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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.

I was unaware this was in a series and I don’t feel I can review it accurately without reading the previous books first.

This book is one in a series and it wasn't entirely apparent until I was about 1/3rd through the book. The character where interesting but I felt like there was something I was missing. I am interested in looking into the bother books and coming back to this book.

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.

It was an interesting book. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book. It’s part of an interesting series.

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!

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!!

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!

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.

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 faeries 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.

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!

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.