Sadly I have decided to DNF this series. It just isn't for me. I like the idea of a fairytale retelling of Jane Eyre, but I am not vibing with the writing style.

Christina Bauer's fairy tales are certainly more entertaining than Grimm's. Bauer has a knack of taking the story, twisting it slightly and coming up with a new look at an old tale.

I was not aware at first that this was apart of a collection of stories with a bit of continuation, so I caught up on things so I could understand things much better. Still even with a crash course I was left kind of with disappointment. While the retelling elements were there they just weren't that interesting. I don't know if it's because the book is still tailoring it's self to the YA world or not, but I do think it could be more exciting if it went straight adult.

All in all I did enjoy this read and will likely read anything else being published.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a review!

I had to wait for the author to finish this series to review it - I appreciate the cliffhanger warning for sure. Learned a lot more about Grayson and how her powers cool Good story

Good continuation of the story, and as with the first book I’m keen to find out what happens. Missing some of the sassyness and the fun modern touches in the first part. Still finding the dialogue a bit cringey. That said, I enjoyed it more than the first and I’ll definitely read the final part of this series within a series.

The premise of the story sounded intriguing! I thought it was interesting that it was a Rapunzel retelling with Jane Eyre mixed in. However, I found the story to be confusing and could not keep up with the plot. Still, I recommend this for fans of fairytales and steampunk!

I adore Christina's books and this addition was no different. I fell in love once again with the plot, world, and characters and cannot wait to see where she takes us next. I will never not be excited for her books, especially this series - it's perfect for any fairytale lovers.

This book follows Dex and Grayson as they try to stop the Prism Master and Lady R from destroying all that they hold dear. In this installment, Grayson discovers Wulfhelm and learns more about her past. Dex must balance his feelings for Grayson with his responsibilities to his pack.

Overall, this was a fun and quick read. Christina Bauer is one of my favorite authors, but this book fell a bit flat of my expectations. I felt that this book needed a bit more action throughout and maybe a bit more length for plot development. I still enjoyed this book, but I wanted more. This book does not discourage me from the series, and I eagerly await the release of Rapunzels and Powers.

Hello all, we are back. Grayson and Dex cannot seem to catch a break. They are tasked with finding answers to questions or losing everything. We find and ending to one pair to move on to another pair in the Fairy Tales of the Magicorum. Christina Bauer have such a fantastic imagination and she brings it all to life on the pages of the various stories she gives. You feel a connection with the characters and places. I am ready for the next couple and the next adventure in the Magicorum. I just may need to go back to the beginning and start all over with the stories that lead us to this point.

What I love most is that way that Christina gets you involved in the world of fairy tales and classics with spins from the current world around us. I love the relatability of the characters and their circumstances.

Mirrors and Mysteries (Book 9, Fairy Tales of the Magicorum) - Christina Bauer



I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in order to provide an honest review.



Christina Bauer is an American author who writes many fantasy stories. Besides the “Angelbound Origin” and the “Angelbound Offspring series she has also written the “Pixieland Diaries” and the “Beholder” series plus many more.



Dex is a wolf shifter but he is also the Alpha that guards Wulfhelm and protects the precious Mir

Grayson has been kept prisoner since she was a little girl by the evil Lady R and the loathsome Prism Master. They have hidden the truth from her all these years – she is really a wolf shifter and something else – something powerful.

As soon as Grayson comes into her own and realises who she truly is – together her and Dex can protect Wulfhelm and restore it to it’s former glory, protect their pack and each other.

Like any journey to uncover the truth there are obstacles on the way but if they don’t lose sight of their goal – they might just be able to pull this off, even with the meddling of Lady R and the Prism Master.



“Mirrors and Mysteries” was a surprisingly delightful read – given that I hadn’t read any of the other books in the series I thought this could be hard to follow. But it read well as a stand-alone book, but the way it was left I definitely want to read the next one! The way the character of Grayson was written, the author was able to make the reader feel sympathy for her. Oh but Dex, I swear he is your typical misunderstood, dark and mysterious sexy main character – and I love it!

This book was definitely something different for me for what I usually choose however I loved every second of it couldn't put it down

This world of fairy tales and classics with a spin is where I want to be! I love these stories and what they bring to the fantasy world of magicorum! I highly recommend this fantasy twist with a slow burn romance for fantasy lovers everywhere! I do wish some twist and turns had a better explanation but It gets to the point and still comes out great!

Thank you to Netgalley and Monster House Books for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Elements in this story are both confusing and imaginative. There are so many things happening at once it can be overpowering. In understand that this story is setting a foundation for the next one to come, but it reads like all the eggs are in one basket. The romance felt cliched but there is room for improvement.

I have read some of the books in the Magicorum series and none have yet to take hold with me. Christina does have an impeccable imagination and her retellings are really intriguing. It seems that the author has a path set in mind for the next part of Dex and Grayson's story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Monster House Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fabulous addition to the series and I can't wait to see where Christina takes us next! Looking forward to what’s planned next!

Mirrors and Mysteries was not Bauer's best work, as it was quite cringe-worthy and not properly detailed. The first book was much better, and I have high hopes that the next one will recover the quality of the series.

This book suffered at times from a lack of detail, and suffered at other times from too much detail. For example, Bauer wrote this book as a combination of Rapunzel, Jane Eyre , and "Brutus and Vita." A lot of times there was extra explanation to justify the elements of Jane Eyre thrown into this story, when an explanation wasn't necessary. The lack of detail played in during one of the biggest plot twists of the story; it was such a huge leap - there was no foreshadowing or clues to guide the reader to that revelation. I understand the feeling of not wanting to give away a twist, but you also can't just throw a twist in there with no build-up to support it.

Am I looking forward to the next book? Yes. The slow-burn romance has been killing me and I can't wait for more romance between Dex and Greyson to bloom. There are also many loose ends that I can't wait to see get tied up. I think that Bauer will find a unique way to do so.

There is so much to say about this book (and this series, since I did a speed-read through eight books preparing for this). First thing I have to say is that this series is so much fun! Just to give a quick review of the first books, I love the concept of these characters having a fairy tale life template. In the beginning of the series, we see a Sleeping Beauty, a Cinderella and Prince Charming, a Beast, and a whole host of other supernatural creatures and abilities. There are fairies, shapeshifters, wizards, magical creatures of all shapes and sizes. I also really liked how each of the fairy tales were sort of turned on their heads a bit. They are taught that their lives are set up in these destined templates and certain things have to play out, but you also get the chance to sort of challenge your fate and create your own destiny if you are brave enough to do so. Fun stuff!

For this book, it is the nineth book in the series, but the second book to deal with Grayson, Dex and the Rapunzel fairy tale template. Again, we see the author get super creative with how she handles these fairy tales. “Rapunzel” (or Lady R, as we know her) is not the good guy in this particular story, but a heartless and cruel woman who is known for killing off her “tower tithes” – servants meant to serve her as she lives in her tower. Grayson is her tithe and Dex rescues her, but there is a dark magic that has struck him blind (as can happen as Rapunzel’s “prince”) and keeps Grayson from being truly free.

I absolutely love how Bauer also incorporated the story of Jane Eyre into this. While not a fairy tale, Jane Eyre is a classic of literature and, as it happens, a personal favorite of mine. Grayson is obviously Jane while Dex is Rochester (albeit a shifter one and much younger). The madwoman in the attic is also the witch for the Rapunzel story and is definitely not the villain in either tale (although, to be fair, I don’t believe Bertha is the villain in Jane Eyre either – that poor woman has been through some stuff!).

These books are so creative and fun to read. If you are a fan of fairy tales and want to see them told in a new way with a fun group of characters, you should definitely check this out.

Mirrors and Mysteries by Christina Bauer.
Fairy Tales of the Magicorum Book 9.
Grayson Eyre has left her old life behind. She’s no longer stuck serving Lady R, a sadistic Rapunzel from the Lowood clan of elves. Instead, Grayson now teaches at the Thornfield home for shifter orphans. Even better, her boss is none other than the sexy alpha, Dex. It’s all good until a mysterious witch, Jocasta, appears in a nearby tower, demanding that Dex and Grayson discover the true nature of all Rapunzels. If not, Lady R will return to claim Grayson… and Thornfield will be wiped out by the evil Prism Master. Can Dex and Grayson discover the truth in time? And what will it mean for their growing attraction?
A great read. I do love this series. 4*.

Continuing the tale of Grayson and Dex in this installment, we follow them as they try to untangle the Rapunzel, Brutus and Vita, and Jane Eyre fairy tale life template in the hopes of learning how to defeat the Prism Master and Lady R.

The story of these characters in the Fairy Tales of the Magicorum series is still my favorite so far. Grayson is still timid and unsure of herself, but we see her confidence grow as she learns more about her past and her powers. Dex has patience and treats Grayson like she belongs, regardless of where their relationship is heading. One thing I will say is that these characters fall in love so fast.

For me, the sad part was learning Jocasta's role in the tales and the ending she believed she deserved for a decision made by Lady R.

Christina really is stepping up her writing with each new installment in this series and I'm excited to read the conclusion of these beloved characters' stories! Also, who will we get to read about next? Which fairy tale template will the next set of books follow?

#fairytaleretelling #talesofthemagicorum #christinabauer #2022newrelease #mustreadfairytaleretelling #mirrorsandmysteries #bookreview

Grayson has escaped Lady R for the moment and becomes a teacher at Wulfheim. Dex comes home to Wulfheim blind from something Lady R did. There are hints of Jane Eyre and the continuing story of Rapunzel.
Dex is a wolf shifter and cares for many young abandoned wolf shifters.
Grayson learns more about her past and who she is meant to be.
The storyline both makes progress and feels like no progress is made because Grayson and Dex will still need to face off with the Prism Master and Lady R in order to find a happy ever after. The author admits upfront that this book is only a stepping stone.
The book suggests more intimacy than I remember seeing in past books in the Magicorum series. It is at the end of the book and feels a bit like the author throwing the reader what she views as a bone since she feels she can’t resolve the storyline yet.
I haven’t connected as much with the other main characters after Bryar Rose’s set of three stories.
I’m not sure why that is, but I like the Magicorum series and will continue to check in to see where the series goes from here.
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of Mirrors and Mysteries through Netgalley for review.

Mirrors and Mysteries is the ninth book in the Fairy Tales of the Magicorum series and just as enchanting and thrilling as all the others before it. In Mirrors and Mysteries, Grayson and Dex’s stories are all wrapped up.

Grayson has finally been released from her service with Lady R. Lady R has been holding Grayson captive in a place called Bartlebee in a wooden cottage on stilts, an enchanted river that runs underneath the house.

After returning home a friend of Grayson helps her get a job teaching at the Thornfield home for shifter orphans. Grayson loves teaching and being with all the pups but when she meets the hot and sexy alpha she is smitten. I can just see Grayson at their first meeting. I see Grayson being left speechless when she lays eyes on the hot shifter man! Her heart must be fluttering, racing so fast it is about to beat right out of her chest.

Yeah, well, I don’t think Dex is fairing much better as his wolf wants to be let out to have free reign with Grayson. But Dex must play it safe as he doesn’t want to scare Grayson away and lose her forever.

Grayson thought she was free from Lady R but once again she makes her appearance in her life and starts barking out orders for her and Dex. She tells them they must find everything they can out about all Rapunzels life Templates or she will return to claim Grayson once again.

I have sorely enjoyed reading each and every one of the books in the Fairy Tales of the Magicorum series especially Grayson and Dex’s story. I just love the shifter pups. I love the magic between Grayson and Dex.

I love reading every book that Christina Bauer writes she knows how to put the right magical touch on each story and character. I never seem to get tired of any of them and am always looking for and waiting for the next book.

As always I highly recommend any book that Christina Bauer has written but at the moment I would like to suggest that you pick up a copy of Mirrors and Mysteries for a magic adventure. But I do believe you need to at least read Towers And Tithes the eighth book in the Fairy Tales of the Magicorum series before reading Mirrors and Mysteries as I do think you would like to start where Grayson and Dex’s story began in order to understand their story more.