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The Sisters Grimm #5

Magic and Other Misdemeanors

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Daphne, Sabrina, and Puck’s most magic-filled mystery

The latest addition to the New York Times bestselling series, which Kirkus Reviews calls “memorable and madcap�

In book five of the series, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are ready to tackle their own Who is stealing the magical possessions of the most powerful Everafters in town? With Granny distracted by Mayor Heart’s campaign against human residents, the girl detectives are on their own. Puss in Boots (now an exterminator), Cinderella (a radio relationship counselor), Sleeping Beauty (owner of a coffee shop), and their old enemy, Prince Charming, are among the many suspects, and one thing is for The villain’s plans mean a grim future for the Grimms—truly!

304 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2007

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5,421 people want to read

About the author

Michael Buckley

142books1,884followers
New York Times bestselling author Michael Buckley was born in Akron, Ohio. He tried his hand as a stand-up comic and lead singer for a punk rock back before attending Ohio University. After graduating with honors he moved to New York City to be an intern on the Late Show with David Letterman which led to stints developing programming for Discovery Networks, MTV, MTV Animation and Klasky Csupo (producers of Nickelodeon’s Rugrats). Today he lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife, Alison, and their son Finn.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the ŷ database with this name.

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5 stars
10,459 (51%)
4 stars
6,674 (32%)
3 stars
2,773 (13%)
2 stars
396 (1%)
1 star
140 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 621 reviews
Profile Image for Victoria Springer.
49 reviews2 followers
March 17, 2020
As a kid, I read these books as they were being written and published. Now, I’m reading them to my 6-year-old son. Sharing these stories with him enhances the experience. This series has a soft spot in my heart. Are they perfect? No. Are there plot holes? Yes. Are there other children’s book series that are more exciting and better executed? Yes, there are. But sometimes, a five star rating can simply be given to a book for the journey it takes you on, the feelings it gives you, and the memories you make with it. These books provide me quality time with my son, bonding over shared interests and a story he finds fully compelling. So, those five stars are well-deserved.
Profile Image for BAM doesn’t answer to her real name.
2,029 reviews445 followers
January 30, 2017
Well this concept is just darling! Great great granddaughters of the Brothers Grimm investigating fairy tale crimes-sign me up! I HAVE to read this entire series! I'm thoroughly engrossed, but I am a HUGE fairy tale fan. I must remember these books for my nieces.

2017 Reading Challenge: mythical creatures (I consider fairy tale characters to fit this category)
Profile Image for ••• Emilee •••.
254 reviews5 followers
June 5, 2021
This had the best mystery yet! Though I remembered who the “bad guy� was right at the beginning, since I read these as a child, I was still enthralled with the mystery & the crazy time traveling things that occurred!

This book also made me love the characters even more! Definitely one of my favorites thus far in the series.
Profile Image for Cassandra Hamm.
Author24 books70 followers
April 25, 2024
So� I thought, “I’ll just read a chapter before bed.� And then I finished the second half of the book. Whoops. I’m so tired but it was worth it.

This actually might be my new favorite? I don’t think I appreciated it as much as a kid—I can see why, especially with the ending—but wow, this one was fascinating. People slipping through tears in time, the future versions of Sabrina and Daphne and the others if they don’t fix things in the present, the mystery that future Relda Grimm never solved� it was really cool. The mystery had a great ending too, and that ending felt less disjointed than some of the others, which sometimes feel rushed. The only thing I’d remembered from when I was a kid was that future Sabrina and Puck were married because of course I focused on that. XD but this time, I really appreciated the complexity of Mayor Charming’s character. Wow. He’s always been interesting, despite the initial portrayal of him as snobbish, arrogant, and evil, because he ends up helping the Grimms when their interests line up. But this book took it to a whole different level.

Also, I need a whole book about the Poker Princesses (Snow White, Cinderella, Briar Rose, and Rapunzel playing poker on Tuesday nights). Gimme.
Profile Image for Malia Saldaña.
293 reviews18 followers
May 31, 2019
I always enjoy reading The Sisters Grimm stories!!! The ending leaves you on a huge cliff hanger though!
Profile Image for Jude: The Epic Reader.
699 reviews78 followers
August 8, 2023
Never the biggest fan of time travel or anything related to that but this wasn't too bad. It is definitely expected for this brand of story.
Buckley added some good characters in this, especially at the end, and have made me excited for some already known characters. I just keep waiting for the twist villain to come, though there does seem to be one in every book. The reveal of the bad guy is one of the most memorable reveals of my childhood.
Profile Image for Dinnu Reads Books.
1,000 reviews
April 8, 2023
Things are getting intense, the Everafters are dividing into sides and in the middle are the Grimm family trying desperately to keep a balance against all odds. 😉
Although I was pretty sure who and why was causing the mayhem in this volume, the journey to uncover the truth was still adventurous and highly entertaining. I love the characters and the situations they find themselves in are quite funny. 😆 Sabrina is very much a better character now that she is embracing her role as a Grimm. 🙂
Profile Image for LobsterQuadrille.
1,031 reviews
November 24, 2020
2.5 stars

Before I start being picky again, I'll give credit where it's due. I actually laughed at what Buckley did with Mordred. He's so clearly taking a stab at this character but somehow I can actually believe that the Mordred interpretations I've seen could end up as . The scene of Frau Pfefferkuchenhaus as the dentist was funny too, as well as Puck's reaction to the whole thing.

There is nothing horrible about Magic and Other Misdemeanors, the main issue I have with it is just how glaring the book-to-book repetitions are becoming. The fast-forward prologue at the start of each book and the overuse of explaining what happened in previous books are parts I started skipping over from Book 2 onwards. Every time they step into the mirror, it's accompanied by "then they did something most people would have thought impossible". And every magical attack is delivered via blue/red/green/purple "energy". I mentioned this in my review of Book 3, but I didn't expect it to still be used constantly.
I liked Daphne for the first couple of books, but now she seems to be less a personality than a collection of quirks. She seems to just stand in for young readers by asking for word definitions, and to register excitement by inserting her palm into her mouth and biting down hard(with almost that exact wording every time). She also has a new catchphrase in each book, which is believable enough for a little kid. But a cutesy pseudo-Spanish line in the midst of a climactic battle doesn't make for nail-biting tension.

I'm also finding that outside of Granny, Sabrina, Puck, and Charming, character depth is very limited. The main group of princesses have nothing personality-wise to set them apart from each other. A lot of one-off characters show up briefly and are entertaining for that time, but never do anything of note afterwards.

I'm so split on whether or not to continue my re-read of this series. Partly I feel like I may just as well finish it since I'm over halfway through now, and they are fast and funny reading. On the other hand the formulas are increasingly obvious and the relentlessly jokey dialogue makes it feel like an adventure-comedy movie script. Maybe Book 6 will make a turnaround for the better...

Profile Image for Kimmy.
301 reviews5 followers
March 27, 2023
STRONG CONTENDER FOR FAVORITE BOOK IN THE SERIES
Profile Image for Marilyn .
296 reviews25 followers
July 27, 2013
Still loving this series. Buckley is a master at transforming fairy tale characters into "real" folks with personalities, quirks, faults and, of course, the good & evil aspects. Always with a good Everyafter plot too! Keeping this BabyBoomer reading series until the end, I expect! (I am still just a Big Kid.)
Profile Image for Nyssa.
880 reviews71 followers
August 10, 2023
This series seems to be getting darker with each installment.

Things take quite a negative turn for the Grimms as the newest mayor and company scheme to rid the town of all humans. Plus, someone has misappropriated a few magical items, which are now causing havoc. This results in our experiencing a few interesting cameos, but they're all so fleeting as to be dissatisfactory.

The ending provides a surprising cliffhanger, but it may not be as disastrous as it seems. The only way to know for sure, of course, is to continue reading the series.
Profile Image for Tess Kelly.
251 reviews4 followers
March 15, 2025
Growing up this one was my FAVORITE I loved the puck and sabrina development!! And charming’s redemption but also progression of unreliability!!!! Anyway all of it held up and I still enjoyed this immensely
Profile Image for Emma Nicholson.
49 reviews13 followers
June 20, 2020
I’m really enjoying this series. I think it’s YA fantasy but I think it’s well written and funny!
Profile Image for Leah Beecher.
352 reviews31 followers
April 16, 2018
{the following review was written by my daughter who has decided to finish this series herself}

This book was very exiting and I found it very hard to put down. I did not see the twist coming at the end, like all the books in the series. The (recently elected) Mayor Heart (Queen of hearts) finally gets all the humans out of the town, that is except for the Grimms. Charming goes missing and Miss White is a wreak until Sabrina and Daphne stumble upon him in their next great adventure. Unfortunately, they were unable to tell Snow. Sabrina finds out a secrete about herself she would rather stay unknown. Daphne finds out she has to grow up sometime soon and the scarlet hand will take over the town if they don't change it soon. In my opinion this book has taken a slight dark turn but there is nothing that should not be read by people over the age of 6. This book is as thrilling as the rest and should be enjoyed by anyone who wishes to be entertained with a funny, adventure seeking, action filled, enjoyable and lovely book.
~Lydia Jane
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for A.L. Sowards.
Author22 books1,189 followers
November 16, 2020
I read this with my twins and we really enjoyed it. I like stories that play with time and time travel (as long as it's done well), and this one had that element. I also liked some of the changes in a few of the characters. We're looking forward to the next book in the series.

4.5 stars, rounding up.
Profile Image for Kennedy Elder.
59 reviews
September 1, 2024
Ok I need to read this full series right now. But William he is a double crossing trader, always. Saw that coming. He never liked the Grimms.
But the fact that he played the good guy in this book makes me think 🤔 what just happened 🤨 so I need to know what happens in the next book 📖
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ashley W.
874 reviews21 followers
November 13, 2022

Plot 4 Stars
This is why mortals and immortals just shouldn't go together. SMH
Poor Cindy and Tom. He just didn't want to age without her. And honestly, how many times has that happened in books? So many. I'm not surprised, though I didn't suspect him.
But more importantly, the time travel! Or time tears! Or meeting their older selves! Or whatever we're calling it. I think my favorite of those interactions was the older and younger Puck's and when he tells him that he should be nice to Sabrina because she will be important to him later.
Who would have thought that Puck could be nice?
Or that they would last that long, but that's beside the point.

Characters 4 Stars
You know, until the end, I really thought that Charming was becoming a decent person. Or at least the right side of neutral. But no. Turns out he's just working with Heart now and the Scarlet Hand. Go figure. It just makes me feel sorry for Snow. I love when she was talking to all his wives. haha
Conversely, we had Tom and Cindy who are willing to age and un-age for each other. Cindy gave up her career as soon as it started (and immortality, of course) just to be with Tom. Really hope that works out.
Heart is even easier to hate in this one than the last. Poor Canis is just being carted off to jail. Or maybe the pound? Not sure what is going to happen to him. And what will happen the Granny Relda who is near and dear to my heart and the girls without him? The town will crucify them.

Quotes:
"I'm so excited I could barf!"
"THERE NOT DOLLS. THEY'RE ACTION FIGURES!"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Elinor  Loredan.
623 reviews27 followers
May 3, 2023
4/2023 reread:
Normally I am only mildly interested in the mysteries in these books and mostly invested in the characters' personal struggles, but in this one I was curious about the magical objects and who was stealing them.

I am liking Puck a lot better on this reread, too.

***
2020:
I'm always impressed when authors delve into time travel and manage to handle it smoothly, as Buckley does in this one.
Consistently throughout the series, I feel strongly with the characters--the worry about Canis losing control of the wolf, the desire to make sure terrible things in the future don't come true, Snow's heartbreak over Charming...I experience everything along with the characters.
Profile Image for Kailyn Ellis.
121 reviews21 followers
February 16, 2023
2023 rating: 4/5.

Original review: Actual rating: 4.25/5 explosive stars. Oh, oh, OH!!!!! This is a series that just gets better with each installment. Oh that ending though! I'm shook and SO pumped for the next one! (If you can't tell I just finished this a few minutes ago and need some time to wrap my head around it. But go read this series if you haven't.)
1,255 reviews5 followers
September 26, 2022
Another fun ‘fractured fairytale� story.
Profile Image for Lydia Fish.
6 reviews1 follower
January 22, 2023
THESE BOOKS WILL BE FOREVER FAVORITES ARGHHHHHH❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍�
11 reviews
November 19, 2019
Choice book #1 Quarter 2

Book: The sisters Grimm book 5- Magic and other Misdemeanors is a fantasy book written by Michael Buckley.

Setting: The story takes place in a land called Ferryport landing.

The main characters: The main characters are Sabrina, a determined and courageous twelve year old girl. She also has a little sister named Daphne. Daphne is a bubbly seven year old girl. I think that Sabrina is dynamic because in the beginning of the story (Spoiler alert) she didn't believe that she meet herself from the future then around the end of the story she did believe that she meet herself from the future,but I think Daphne is a static character because she believed that it was herself from the future just about right away and it stayed the same throughout the story. Together they live with their grandmother named Relda Grimm which I also think is static because she was focus on the case that needed to be solved and taking care of the girls (Sabrina and Daphne) and that didn’t change since the first time I read this book. Granny Relda isn’t the only person that they live with because they also live with a boy named Puck and Mr. Canis. Puck is an everafter also known as fairy tale characters.(In the book they prefer to be called everafters) Puck is a fairy with huge pink insect-like wings he also the most disgusting character you will ever read about and I think he is a static character because at the beginning of the story he was picking on Sabrina and enjoying all the gross and evil things you can ever think of and that hasn't changed since the very first book of the series. Mr. Canis also known as the big bad wolf in fact lives with them, he’s job is to keep the wolf that’s inside him at bay but lately the wolf has been taking over him and he is starting to look a lot like a wolf. Mr. Canis is a dynamic character because at first he was trying really hard to keep the wolf under control but then he lets him loose and hurts Sabrina and her sister. Mayor Charming also known as “The Prince Charming� who despises the Grimm family decides to help the Grimms solve a case and prevents a horrible future from coming true. I also think that he is dynamic because at the beginning of the book he hated the Grimms and towards the end of the book he learns that they aren’t so bad.

The problem/conflict: The problem in this story is someone trying to make themselves young again and doing so cause tears in time which are swirls of storm clouds sucking people into them and dropping them in different time periods at random. I think this problem is both person vs person and person vs nature because he (I’m saying “he� because I don’t want to spoil any more than I already did) wants to prevent himself from getting old and dying which is nature vs person and the Grimms are trying to stop him from doing so which is person vs person.

The theme: The author believes that you should help someone if they are in need. Text evidence #1: “You lost your house when you lost the election. The queen of hearts loves there now. Technically your homeless. Sabrina couldn’t believe what she said next “you can stay with us.� Text evidence #2: “He raised he’s dragger high over his head, but before its blade could scar Daphne’s face, Charming kicked the sheriff in the ribs. The blade flew out of the sheriff’s hand skidded across the floor.� Text evidence #3 “Puck rose off the ground he found himself trapped in the black hole’s gravitational pull. Sabrina grabbed his foot as he passed but she was pulled up too. Daphne latched onto her as well.� They all helped each other when they needed it.

Opinion and Analysis! I really liked the book because I wanted this to happen in the series and it did so I’m really glad and I just really like the book!! I’m not sure if the book felt complete because it left of on a threat and it’s was sort of an cliffhanger. This book compared to the other books I’ve read I think would be about the same, I really really like it but it’s not my favorite book.
Profile Image for Tnt.
47 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2024
Uhh... WHAT JUST HAPPENED!!!

I did not expect Prince Charming to join the scarlet hand!!!!! 😱 OH MY GOSH THAT WAS CRAZY!!!!!!


Okay, I'm done freaking out now. 😆
This was a really good book it had me screaming, gasping and my jaw dropped at the end. Usually, a book doesn't really make me gasp or scream so this was a really good book!! I didn't really like the first four books, they were a bit boring, and well, not very interesting for me. However, this one was so suspenseful with all the betrayal, war and battles. I finished the last part extremely fast.


This book has got to be my favorite in the series so far. Five Stars all the way. 💛💫
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kaela Jackson.
12 reviews
March 11, 2024
At this point I don’t know what to think about Prince Charming. I was starting to think he had actually begun changing from being a jerk to being somewhat charming, but then the ending of the book came and now I’m starting to question everything.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I liked how the author incorporated . . . Time travel. That’s all I’m going to say on that topic so as not to spoil anything, but this book was real good. So far this series has been able to keep me interested and entertained. I really enjoy this series and this particular book in the series.
Profile Image for Makenna Hix.
180 reviews6 followers
February 1, 2024
Oh boy. This book did not disappoint. We made a lot more progress towards the Scarlet Hand mystery. We also caught a glimpse of the future of Ferryport Landing.

The pace of this book was fast and the twists were well placed. I’m enjoying the character development throughout this series. I’m excited to continue my reread of this series. I was nervous that I would get bored throughout this reread, but it’s honestly so much fun going back to this world.
Profile Image for Corey Shannon.
137 reviews9 followers
February 11, 2024
Run & Read # 5 �

By far my favorite book in the series so far. Momentum has really started to snowball surrounding the larger conflict with the Scarlet Hand, and the ending of this book is a dagger to the heart.

A little bit of time travel in this book, which I can always get behind, and we get a glimpse into Sabrina and Daphne’s future - lots of fun.

I have some theories of who is the Master of The Scarlet Hand, and I’m not sure if it is because I’m remembering something from what I’ve read years before, but I am very curious about where the story is going and how it is going to end!
Profile Image for Kaelee.
160 reviews
May 26, 2024
Ok this one was so good! We get Puck growing up because he has a reason to. The whole time travel thing and meeting the family from the future! Prince Charming is back! Loved Dr. Cindy and her husband and how their story finishes here. Got emotional over the town showing up to help the Grimm family to pay their taxes. And the final scene with the reveal of a bunch of the members of the scarlet hand!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 621 reviews

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