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Gunnie Rose #6
The Last Wizards' Ball
#1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Charlaine Harris returns with the sixth and final installment in the critically acclaimed Gunnie Rose series as sisters Lizbeth Rose and Felicia must face their fates at the last Wizards’ Ball.
Lizbeth Rose’s sister Felicia attends the Grand Wizards’ Ball, and as one of the most powerful—and beautiful—death wizards in a generation, she is highly sought after as one of the belles of the ball.
However, war and violence are on the rise in Europe as German and Japanese wizards are also courting Felicia…and some are refusing to take no for an answer.
As the façade of genteel wizard society turns deadly, Lizbeth must learn to not only protect her sister, but also navigate the arcane world that is pulling her sister and husband into a dangerous dance with death that could change the world as they know it.
#1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Charlaine Harris has crafted a murderous and magical family drama in this sixth and final installment to the beloved and bestselling Gunnie Rose series.
Lizbeth Rose’s sister Felicia attends the Grand Wizards’ Ball, and as one of the most powerful—and beautiful—death wizards in a generation, she is highly sought after as one of the belles of the ball.
However, war and violence are on the rise in Europe as German and Japanese wizards are also courting Felicia…and some are refusing to take no for an answer.
As the façade of genteel wizard society turns deadly, Lizbeth must learn to not only protect her sister, but also navigate the arcane world that is pulling her sister and husband into a dangerous dance with death that could change the world as they know it.
#1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Charlaine Harris has crafted a murderous and magical family drama in this sixth and final installment to the beloved and bestselling Gunnie Rose series.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published July 22, 2025
264 people are currently reading
1152 people want to read
About the author
Charlaine Harris
192 books36.9k followersCharlaine Harris has been a published writer for over forty years. Her first two books were standalones, followed by a long sabbatical when she was having children. Then she began the Aurora Teagarden book, mysteries featuring a short librarian (eventually adapted for Hallmark movies). The darker Lily Bard books came next, about a house cleaner with a dark past and considerable fighting skills.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 313 reviews
July 13, 2025
Charlaine Harris continues to weave intrigue, romance, danger, and suspense into the sixth and final installment in the Gunnie Rose alternative history series,
The Last Wizards’ Ball.
Lizbeth Rose and Prince Eli Savarov function as chaperones to Lizbeth’s sister Felicia during the week-long Wizards’ Ball where young magical practitioners from across the globe hope to make a romantic match and strengthen alliances.
The ball is being held in San Diego this year, but war and violence are on the rise in Europe. German and Japanese wizards are also courting Felicia, and some don’t want to take no for an answer. As the situation turns deadly, Lizbeth needs to protect her sister while navigating a world that is pulling Eli and Felicia in different directions.
Lizbeth is capable, loyal, brave, generally even-tempered, and a great shot, and has nerves of steel. She’s more relaxed when she’s not in a social situation so the ball week full of festivities is not in her comfort zone. Felicia has a gift for languages, and has and has gained confidence in herself and her abilities. She has the power to kill and to restore life. Eli was born an aristocrat and longs to be back in the good graces of the tsar. He’s not good at sharing his feelings and often fails to communicate. Other characters play secondary roles with varying degrees of depth.
Charlaine Harris is known for excellent characterization and fantastic world-building and she delivers on both of those points in this book. I was easily transported to the depicted events. Family drama, political intrigue, magic, romance, communication issues, war, and many more threads are explored during the novel. It’s also one that causes the reader to think about life, love, duty, community, and family. Exceptional characters, intense fight scenes, and thought-provoking situations made this an entertaining read.
Charlaine Harris is one of my favorite authors and she did not let me down with this conclusion to the series. The characters are compelling, led by strong and capable protagonists. While I hoped for a different ending, the ending was in keeping with the somewhat dark alternative history theme.
Overall, this book was suspenseful and action-packed. It should delight those readers who enjoy alternate history, action adventure, and fantasy novels that have a strong female lead character. However, be aware that it is also unsettling at times. The first novel in the series explains the alternative history aspect that is not fully explained in the succeeding novels. I can’t wait to read my next book by this author.
Saga Press – S&S / Saga Press and Charlaine Harris provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for July 22, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.28 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
The ball is being held in San Diego this year, but war and violence are on the rise in Europe. German and Japanese wizards are also courting Felicia, and some don’t want to take no for an answer. As the situation turns deadly, Lizbeth needs to protect her sister while navigating a world that is pulling Eli and Felicia in different directions.
Lizbeth is capable, loyal, brave, generally even-tempered, and a great shot, and has nerves of steel. She’s more relaxed when she’s not in a social situation so the ball week full of festivities is not in her comfort zone. Felicia has a gift for languages, and has and has gained confidence in herself and her abilities. She has the power to kill and to restore life. Eli was born an aristocrat and longs to be back in the good graces of the tsar. He’s not good at sharing his feelings and often fails to communicate. Other characters play secondary roles with varying degrees of depth.
Charlaine Harris is known for excellent characterization and fantastic world-building and she delivers on both of those points in this book. I was easily transported to the depicted events. Family drama, political intrigue, magic, romance, communication issues, war, and many more threads are explored during the novel. It’s also one that causes the reader to think about life, love, duty, community, and family. Exceptional characters, intense fight scenes, and thought-provoking situations made this an entertaining read.
Charlaine Harris is one of my favorite authors and she did not let me down with this conclusion to the series. The characters are compelling, led by strong and capable protagonists. While I hoped for a different ending, the ending was in keeping with the somewhat dark alternative history theme.
Overall, this book was suspenseful and action-packed. It should delight those readers who enjoy alternate history, action adventure, and fantasy novels that have a strong female lead character. However, be aware that it is also unsettling at times. The first novel in the series explains the alternative history aspect that is not fully explained in the succeeding novels. I can’t wait to read my next book by this author.
Saga Press – S&S / Saga Press and Charlaine Harris provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for July 22, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.28 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
February 14, 2025
I've really enjoyed this series from the beginning; it was just so fun yet dark and different from most things out there. I really enjoyed the characters and the almost archaic writing style. Overall, I've enjoyed every single book and while I did like this last installment, I can't help being a little disappointed about it as well. So much happens and so much...just doesn't.
I should have known going into this series with so much bleakness and death that it wouldn't end exactly how I wanted it to but the ending.. was not at all what I was expecting or hoping for. I don't want to give anything away, but it was sort of sad. Sort of a letdown, but the more I think about it, days later, it is fitting to the rest of the storyline and overall feel and theme of the series.
It was not a bad read at all, and again, it was fitting to the original storyline and feel of the characters and world Harris created, but it was sad there wasn't more.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I should have known going into this series with so much bleakness and death that it wouldn't end exactly how I wanted it to but the ending.. was not at all what I was expecting or hoping for. I don't want to give anything away, but it was sort of sad. Sort of a letdown, but the more I think about it, days later, it is fitting to the rest of the storyline and overall feel and theme of the series.
It was not a bad read at all, and again, it was fitting to the original storyline and feel of the characters and world Harris created, but it was sad there wasn't more.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
July 22, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and Saga Press for the pre-release copy of The Last Wizards' Ball by Charlaine Harris. Below is my honest review.
I really loved the beginning of this series, but I'm not as pleased with the prior book and this book. It felt like she didn't really know how to tie things up, and I was hoping for more of a happy ending than we got. Kinda felt like the last few books of Sookie's series... just not as good as the rest, almost like she'd checked out. I hate to say that, but it's how I felt then and it's how I feel now about Lizbeth's series.
One thing that I adored from the first half of the series was Lizbeth and Eli's relationship, which took a nosedive in the last two books, and I was very unhappy with the end of the series and how it left things.
On a better note, the events of this one were superb. It was Bridgerton meets dystopian alternate universe, with a mix of magic and historical fiction mixed in. But it also felt like this one didn't really have a plot - there wasn't a whodunnit, there wasn't a main thread that drove the story and had a beginning, middle, and end. It just had a story that we watched happen and then it was over, without much closure as we only get Lizbeth's viewpoint so we never know the rest.
All in all, I liked the series, but the first few books set up a fantastic story and the last few let me down. Three stars for this one, and I guess three stars for the series overall. Still recommended for Charlaine Harris fans, as the characters are great.
I really loved the beginning of this series, but I'm not as pleased with the prior book and this book. It felt like she didn't really know how to tie things up, and I was hoping for more of a happy ending than we got. Kinda felt like the last few books of Sookie's series... just not as good as the rest, almost like she'd checked out. I hate to say that, but it's how I felt then and it's how I feel now about Lizbeth's series.
One thing that I adored from the first half of the series was Lizbeth and Eli's relationship, which took a nosedive in the last two books, and I was very unhappy with the end of the series and how it left things.
On a better note, the events of this one were superb. It was Bridgerton meets dystopian alternate universe, with a mix of magic and historical fiction mixed in. But it also felt like this one didn't really have a plot - there wasn't a whodunnit, there wasn't a main thread that drove the story and had a beginning, middle, and end. It just had a story that we watched happen and then it was over, without much closure as we only get Lizbeth's viewpoint so we never know the rest.
All in all, I liked the series, but the first few books set up a fantastic story and the last few let me down. Three stars for this one, and I guess three stars for the series overall. Still recommended for Charlaine Harris fans, as the characters are great.
October 9, 2025
Lizbeth Rose and her husband Prince Eli are in San Diego to chaperone and keep Lizbeth’s sister Felicia safe. Felicia is attending her first Grand Wizards’ Ball, as wizards gather from around the world gather to find a live match. Felicia is one of the most powerful death wizards in many years, so this makes her a desirable and powerful match.
Almost from the start they find themselves targets, but they’re not sure why. As news of violence and pending war in Germany, the stakes become higher… not just for Felicia but also for Lizbeth and Eli’s future.
I found the ending to have some surprising twists. While this wasn’t my favorite in the series, I still really enjoy Lizbeth and want to know how her life evolves. I also just think this series has a very interesting and unique alternate history setting.
Almost from the start they find themselves targets, but they’re not sure why. As news of violence and pending war in Germany, the stakes become higher… not just for Felicia but also for Lizbeth and Eli’s future.
I found the ending to have some surprising twists. While this wasn’t my favorite in the series, I still really enjoy Lizbeth and want to know how her life evolves. I also just think this series has a very interesting and unique alternate history setting.
September 8, 2025
I have greatly enjoyed this alternative history series and this book was no exception. Well that is to say I liked very much the alternative history story line. I didn’t love the way characters resolved issues andI didn’t like the end at all. I saw us heading there, but I didn’t like it. It felt abrupt and left me frustrated as I thought the characters acted quite out of character. Lizbeth is escorting her sister to ensure her safety as she attends the Wizard’s ball - a chance for young wizards from different places to meet and perhaps make a match. Her body guarding skills are put to the test as it quickly becomes apparent that someone is targeting Felicia. There was great action, but pretty much every inter-personal interaction left me unsatisfied. I’m still into the series and hoping for some more satisfaction in the next installment. I gave this one 3.5 stars rounded up because the writing and world is still excellent.
August 6, 2025
The ending of this series makes objective sense, but it was not done in a manner that coaxed me into being okay with it. Instead of darkness being there to let the tiny points of light shine brilliantly, a bleak, endless gray doesn't let hope break through enough to register.
That's an unnecessarily wordy way to say that I liked the alt-history plot and world, but hated the character resolutions.
That's an unnecessarily wordy way to say that I liked the alt-history plot and world, but hated the character resolutions.
July 22, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, S&S/Saga Press, and to Ms. Harris for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.
What happened here? This book was a train wreck of misery and sadness as Lizbeth’s life torpedoes in slow-motion. None of the characters I’ve enjoyed so much were themselves in this book. Lizbeth sulks and mopes and acts completely put upon to have to dress up and socialize, like it’s a fate worse than death. My God. I get that socializing “isn’t fun” but, as she herself points out, she did volunteer for it. And it’s TEMPORARY. Grow up, Lizbeth, you're being as immature as you accuse Felicia of being. Eli and Felix continue to make decisions FOR Lizbeth, as if she isn’t an adult woman with agency, willfully ignoring that she is *clearly* being hurt by their betrayal(s). As if saying “sorry” over and over will fix Lizbeth’s feelings, or mend the hole Eli is tearing in their relationship. Meanwhile, Felicia devolved into an ambitious, cold, vain, selfish, ungrateful girl, without any of the maturity one would expect of a person who thinks they're going to be an impactful player in a World War.
I really, really disliked that Lizbeth was relentlessly pursued by a man who knew she was married. I disliked that she allowed it. I disliked that Eli didn't notice... or didn't care, if he did notice. I disliked the way Lizbeth and Eli just sort of disintegrated. I disliked that the ending was so… underwhelming, so devoid of anything good. I don’t need a happy ending with a warm rosy glow but a bleak ending full of broken people is NOT what I expected for this series. I felt really let down by this ending, and disappointed that I didn’t stop several books ago. This wasn't a bittersweet ending, just a bitter one.
What happened here? This book was a train wreck of misery and sadness as Lizbeth’s life torpedoes in slow-motion. None of the characters I’ve enjoyed so much were themselves in this book. Lizbeth sulks and mopes and acts completely put upon to have to dress up and socialize, like it’s a fate worse than death. My God. I get that socializing “isn’t fun” but, as she herself points out, she did volunteer for it. And it’s TEMPORARY. Grow up, Lizbeth, you're being as immature as you accuse Felicia of being. Eli and Felix continue to make decisions FOR Lizbeth, as if she isn’t an adult woman with agency, willfully ignoring that she is *clearly* being hurt by their betrayal(s). As if saying “sorry” over and over will fix Lizbeth’s feelings, or mend the hole Eli is tearing in their relationship. Meanwhile, Felicia devolved into an ambitious, cold, vain, selfish, ungrateful girl, without any of the maturity one would expect of a person who thinks they're going to be an impactful player in a World War.
I really, really disliked that Lizbeth was relentlessly pursued by a man who knew she was married. I disliked that she allowed it. I disliked that Eli didn't notice... or didn't care, if he did notice. I disliked the way Lizbeth and Eli just sort of disintegrated. I disliked that the ending was so… underwhelming, so devoid of anything good. I don’t need a happy ending with a warm rosy glow but a bleak ending full of broken people is NOT what I expected for this series. I felt really let down by this ending, and disappointed that I didn’t stop several books ago. This wasn't a bittersweet ending, just a bitter one.
January 10, 2025
This was an exciting story, but the ending was so profoundly unsatisfying that I spent ten minutes explaining the plot of the series to my husband just so I could further explain to him why the ending was terrible.
Without going to far into spoiler territory -- six books later we see no character development or growth from our protagonist. At the end of the series we find her sitting right where we found her. No one has a happy ending. Our only consolation is that the story takes place circa 1939 and they're all mercifully dead by now.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
Without going to far into spoiler territory -- six books later we see no character development or growth from our protagonist. At the end of the series we find her sitting right where we found her. No one has a happy ending. Our only consolation is that the story takes place circa 1939 and they're all mercifully dead by now.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
June 13, 2025
There were parts I really loved and parts I really hated.
January 17, 2025
“I had to tiptoe around my sister. It was so easy to set her off these days.” Lizbeth
I love the idea of this series and the interesting combination of worlds that makes up the setting. I feel like the original 3 books were much stronger plots than the last 3 books. I had hoped the conclusion of the series (maybe??) would be a return to form, but unfortunately I had mixed thoughts on The Last Wizards Ball.
Many characters change personalities without warning in this book. Felicia was totally different and is far less likable, vain, snotty, ungrateful and bratty. As you can see from the quote above, there is random tension between the sisters in this book for no reason at all too. It’s never explained and comes and goes throughout the book. Much of the book has everyone keeping info from Lizbeth for reasons that didn’t add up. Eli continues to be a different person and is the selfish man he was in book 5. No one can talk anything out like an adult and it’s all very frustrating. It felt like there wasn’t enough plot to support the book, and filling it with unnecessary and tedious drama. Maybe if book 5 & 6 had been combined into one book it would have been better for me. The world war plot didn’t mesh well for me with the rest of the series, it was an interesting idea but just felt out of left field.
The ending was very unsatisfactory. I’m not someone who needs everything tied up in a neat bow or a full stop happy ending but this was a frustrating end for all the characters. I’m happy I finished the full series but honestly preferred the way things ended in The Russian Cage.
I read an early DRC, so hopefully it will go through another round of editing prior to publication because it was very repetitive. For example, wizards in England have to hide their talents - when it’s brought up in a chapter it’s mentioned 6 separate times as if new information. I’d expect these type of issues along with the typos to all be cleaned up before final print.
Thanks Saga Press Books and NetGalley for the DRC!
I love the idea of this series and the interesting combination of worlds that makes up the setting. I feel like the original 3 books were much stronger plots than the last 3 books. I had hoped the conclusion of the series (maybe??) would be a return to form, but unfortunately I had mixed thoughts on The Last Wizards Ball.
Many characters change personalities without warning in this book. Felicia was totally different and is far less likable, vain, snotty, ungrateful and bratty. As you can see from the quote above, there is random tension between the sisters in this book for no reason at all too. It’s never explained and comes and goes throughout the book. Much of the book has everyone keeping info from Lizbeth for reasons that didn’t add up. Eli continues to be a different person and is the selfish man he was in book 5. No one can talk anything out like an adult and it’s all very frustrating. It felt like there wasn’t enough plot to support the book, and filling it with unnecessary and tedious drama. Maybe if book 5 & 6 had been combined into one book it would have been better for me. The world war plot didn’t mesh well for me with the rest of the series, it was an interesting idea but just felt out of left field.
The ending was very unsatisfactory. I’m not someone who needs everything tied up in a neat bow or a full stop happy ending but this was a frustrating end for all the characters. I’m happy I finished the full series but honestly preferred the way things ended in The Russian Cage.
I read an early DRC, so hopefully it will go through another round of editing prior to publication because it was very repetitive. For example, wizards in England have to hide their talents - when it’s brought up in a chapter it’s mentioned 6 separate times as if new information. I’d expect these type of issues along with the typos to all be cleaned up before final print.
Thanks Saga Press Books and NetGalley for the DRC!
August 1, 2025
Ok (again, because see below). That was quite a ride. And I just don't have the strength to write specifics right now because I actually have too much to "say/share." So, for now: If you remember how the last book ended, and really think about how the series developed, this story isn't as surprising as it first seems.
[First thoughts before release (early-ish 2025?) ->
Ok. I'm annoyed, sad, disappointed... something. I've been enjoying this series and now the reviews for the current iteration of this "final" book are Not Good. It reminds me of True Blood, which I never read because I was a viewer for a few seasons and then I heard about the end of the series and ... just noooo. Will this be the same? 'Cmon Ms. Harris. Please rethink, rework or whatever is necessary to bring this book up to the quality of the rest of the series.]
[First thoughts before release (early-ish 2025?) ->
Ok. I'm annoyed, sad, disappointed... something. I've been enjoying this series and now the reviews for the current iteration of this "final" book are Not Good. It reminds me of True Blood, which I never read because I was a viewer for a few seasons and then I heard about the end of the series and ... just noooo. Will this be the same? 'Cmon Ms. Harris. Please rethink, rework or whatever is necessary to bring this book up to the quality of the rest of the series.]
September 1, 2025
Nope I’m not done with Eli-bring him back!!!
December 29, 2024
Bit of a let down in terms of emotional resolution for these characters. Let’s just say I didn’t really like the ending! It was kind of a drop off in quality from the rest of the series too which was a bummer. Still fun, just not as solid story/character development as I’m used to with this series.
September 15, 2025
I finished this book several days ago, and I've spent those days and one weirdly sleepless night trying to figure out how I feel about it. I'm going to try to tell you without spoilers, which seems almost impossible.
Harris's series tend to lean into Wizard of Oz/Alice in Wonderland/there's no place like home tropes. From Aurora Teagarden, to Lily Bard, to Sookie Stackhouse, to Harper Connelly, to the small town of Midnight, Texas, her main characters tend to have wild adventures but then decide to stay true to themselves and their origins and end up "home" (however it's defined in the story) with growth and experience. This ending is very much on brand for Harris's books, for multiple characters. In all the previous books/series, I've understood the motivations of the characters and why the books had to end as they did. I might be the only fan to love the Sookie Stackhouse ending, for instance. Given the events in the previous 5 books and considering what happens in this final book 6, I don't get it here at all. The ending left me desolate, angry at several characters, and depressed, rather than the often hopeful way I've come to expect. Because these 6 books are divided into 2 sets of trilogies, I would recommend reading books 1 - 3 and skipping books 4 - 6. I'm begging you to trust me on this.
Harris's series tend to lean into Wizard of Oz/Alice in Wonderland/there's no place like home tropes. From Aurora Teagarden, to Lily Bard, to Sookie Stackhouse, to Harper Connelly, to the small town of Midnight, Texas, her main characters tend to have wild adventures but then decide to stay true to themselves and their origins and end up "home" (however it's defined in the story) with growth and experience. This ending is very much on brand for Harris's books, for multiple characters. In all the previous books/series, I've understood the motivations of the characters and why the books had to end as they did. I might be the only fan to love the Sookie Stackhouse ending, for instance. Given the events in the previous 5 books and considering what happens in this final book 6, I don't get it here at all. The ending left me desolate, angry at several characters, and depressed, rather than the often hopeful way I've come to expect. Because these 6 books are divided into 2 sets of trilogies, I would recommend reading books 1 - 3 and skipping books 4 - 6. I'm begging you to trust me on this.
July 16, 2025
I'm sad that this is the final book in the series. I found it to be a very satisfying ending though. I was very pleased with where Lisbeth was by the end.
Much of the story takes place in San Diego where Lisbeth and Eli are chaperoning her younger sister Felicia around the week of the festivities surrounding the wizards' ball, basically a marriage mart for wizards. Wizards from all around the world are there to make connections, particularly marriages. Everyone is dressed up beautifully and the young ladies are meant to be demure and ladylike as they are broadcasting their marriageability to other wizard families. Young men are similarly constrained although not as much.
An enjoyable twist on this very common theme is Lisbeth's point of view as a chaperone, who hates all of it and finds it all pointless. She is doing it at the behest of her sister. What occurs is strongly affected by events in Europe where Kristallnacht has recently occurred.
The story builds on what has gone before very well and makes complete sense for the characters. I am sad that this is the final book, but at the same time I'm not sure I want to read about these characters in their version of World War Two.
I'm looking forward to Harris' next book, whatever it may be. Netgalley provided me with an advanced review copy. Providing this review was my choice.
Much of the story takes place in San Diego where Lisbeth and Eli are chaperoning her younger sister Felicia around the week of the festivities surrounding the wizards' ball, basically a marriage mart for wizards. Wizards from all around the world are there to make connections, particularly marriages. Everyone is dressed up beautifully and the young ladies are meant to be demure and ladylike as they are broadcasting their marriageability to other wizard families. Young men are similarly constrained although not as much.
An enjoyable twist on this very common theme is Lisbeth's point of view as a chaperone, who hates all of it and finds it all pointless. She is doing it at the behest of her sister. What occurs is strongly affected by events in Europe where Kristallnacht has recently occurred.
The story builds on what has gone before very well and makes complete sense for the characters. I am sad that this is the final book, but at the same time I'm not sure I want to read about these characters in their version of World War Two.
I'm looking forward to Harris' next book, whatever it may be. Netgalley provided me with an advanced review copy. Providing this review was my choice.
July 23, 2025
2 stars. Well that was just a completely disappointing storyline. None of the characters resembled themselves and the end was so weak.
August 9, 2025
Wow, I have never seen an author so thoroughly tear apart a good series in the last hour of the last book
July 24, 2025
I’m really torn on this ending. I know this is supposed to be the last book and it was such a compelling read but I am hoping that we are going to be getting more. Is the h really in a better, happier place? Or is this all a trauma response? Honestly, to me it seems a lot like trauma. She reminds me of Katniss in a lot of ways. She just can’t take anymore pain and war and fighting and the MMC is the collateral damage.
The romantic in me wants more from them and for them. I think I would have been more okay with this ending than I am if we got to actually see more of Eli after the last event. He was just as much of a MC as the FMC but we don’t have any real insight into his future.
Overall: 3.5
The romantic in me wants more from them and for them. I think I would have been more okay with this ending than I am if we got to actually see more of Eli after the last event. He was just as much of a MC as the FMC but we don’t have any real insight into his future.
Overall: 3.5
August 19, 2025
disappointing end to the series.
August 4, 2025
Wow, that was good! The ending was not at all expected, but it worked. I will really miss Lizbeth Rose and her competent, matter-of-fact, and level-headed take on her very scary and unsettled world.
P.S. I'm really sorry to see this series end.
As always, I noticed (again) that Charlaine Harris can really write! Kudos from me as usual.
Spoiler #1
Spoiler#2
P.S. I'm really sorry to see this series end.
As always, I noticed (again) that Charlaine Harris can really write! Kudos from me as usual.
Spoiler #1
Spoiler#2
Read
July 6, 2025The synopsis mentions it twice, but I don’t want to believe it- final book struggles here. Things were building to something big over the course of the series and I was all anticipation to see just what that ‘big’ would be. Charlaine Harris has crafted an impressive alternate history world that includes those who wield magic and places where the wild west is alive and well.
My full review will post at The Reading Frenzy TBA.
My full review will post at The Reading Frenzy TBA.
July 28, 2025
Wait, wait, wait... this is the conclusion? I feel cheated! I want at least five more books. I want to know what happens now with with all the characters and it is just left completely hanging open. (taking half a star off; 2.5 stars now)
I have read all the books prior to this one, this is my first audiobook on this series. The one thing I enjoyed about the narration is that narrator was very good with the flat tone that Harris maintains for Lizbeth through out. The emotions were few and far between, as usual.
We see Lizbeth and Eli take Felicia to the Wizards' ball. I read it as akin to coming out season in Victorian era. Felicia meets many eligible men there. They parade around in borrowed dresses (from Eli's mom Veronica) and out of her usual pants and unable to carry guns, Lizbeth is uncomfortable.
Lizbeth is the broody, grumpy, growly, talks-less-than-should romance hero that most girls fall all over. But gender swapped this time, so I can't fault her for being that typical HERO.
The whole Hitler thing is still playing out. I hope that they are able to stop it. This alternate history is bad enough without a whole genocide added to it.
I have read all the books prior to this one, this is my first audiobook on this series. The one thing I enjoyed about the narration is that narrator was very good with the flat tone that Harris maintains for Lizbeth through out. The emotions were few and far between, as usual.
We see Lizbeth and Eli take Felicia to the Wizards' ball. I read it as akin to coming out season in Victorian era. Felicia meets many eligible men there. They parade around in borrowed dresses (from Eli's mom Veronica) and out of her usual pants and unable to carry guns, Lizbeth is uncomfortable.
Lizbeth is the broody, grumpy, growly, talks-less-than-should romance hero that most girls fall all over. But gender swapped this time, so I can't fault her for being that typical HERO.
The whole Hitler thing is still playing out. I hope that they are able to stop it. This alternate history is bad enough without a whole genocide added to it.
July 29, 2025
Seriously?? THATS the end?! What an epic letdown. The story was great but that is one of the worst endings in a series I have ever read. I was extremely disappointed. Which makes me sad because I really really enjoyed the rest of the series.
May 27, 2025
Wow, for the last book in this short series, I must say it raised more questions than it answered. You might even say that there is no way this series can be finished.
I found it very clever of Ms. Haris to base this series in the early to mid-19th century, more along the lines of the 1940's since in this novel, what appears to be WWII is starting, but with Wizards!
Trouble comes at Lizbeth and her sister Felicia from many different directions. There are issues with Lizbeth's marriage, death is courting Felicia, the Wizard Ball is a week of activities which are driving Lizbeth crazy, and believe it or not, Lizbeth may be being courted even though still married!
There were so many characters in this novel that I had a bit of trouble keeping them all straight. I suggest that you may want to re-read books 4 and 5 before reading this one, so you can refresh your memory on what has happened in the past. I wish I had, but that gives me a good excuse to re-read the series one after another!
This was a fast read - about 5 hours e-book, just perfect for when you want a little fantasy with a mystery thrown in. Fast enough to take on a trip or to the beach, and a good series for book clubs.
I loved it!
*ARC supplied by the publisher, Simon and Schuster/Saga Press, the author, and NetGalley.
I found it very clever of Ms. Haris to base this series in the early to mid-19th century, more along the lines of the 1940's since in this novel, what appears to be WWII is starting, but with Wizards!
Trouble comes at Lizbeth and her sister Felicia from many different directions. There are issues with Lizbeth's marriage, death is courting Felicia, the Wizard Ball is a week of activities which are driving Lizbeth crazy, and believe it or not, Lizbeth may be being courted even though still married!
There were so many characters in this novel that I had a bit of trouble keeping them all straight. I suggest that you may want to re-read books 4 and 5 before reading this one, so you can refresh your memory on what has happened in the past. I wish I had, but that gives me a good excuse to re-read the series one after another!
This was a fast read - about 5 hours e-book, just perfect for when you want a little fantasy with a mystery thrown in. Fast enough to take on a trip or to the beach, and a good series for book clubs.
I loved it!
*ARC supplied by the publisher, Simon and Schuster/Saga Press, the author, and NetGalley.
August 15, 2025
I’ll be honest my rating is solely how things ended or rather where I saw things headed once a certain someone was introduced in the story.
SPOILERS AHEAD
At heart, I’m a romantic. And I like my romantic leaning books not to mirror the real world. I like the fantasy of happily ever after with one hero period. I hate when authors turn heroes into villains so that he can be replaced with another. Although this didn’t quite happen, I was disappointed when the story showed cracks in the relationship. I almost DNF’d. Hell, I stopped the Outlander series books and TV series when Jamie strayed. It was reasonable for him to do so. But it broke what I needed as a reader.
So here we are. I want Eli not Clayton. Will I continue? Maybe with the hope Eli will return. Maybe enough time will pass, I will forget. But I wasn’t a happy camper reading this one. It didn’t give me the escape from reality I was looking for. Therefore the rating is purely how I felt reading and not necessarily a short coming of the story for anyone else.
SPOILERS AHEAD
At heart, I’m a romantic. And I like my romantic leaning books not to mirror the real world. I like the fantasy of happily ever after with one hero period. I hate when authors turn heroes into villains so that he can be replaced with another. Although this didn’t quite happen, I was disappointed when the story showed cracks in the relationship. I almost DNF’d. Hell, I stopped the Outlander series books and TV series when Jamie strayed. It was reasonable for him to do so. But it broke what I needed as a reader.
So here we are. I want Eli not Clayton. Will I continue? Maybe with the hope Eli will return. Maybe enough time will pass, I will forget. But I wasn’t a happy camper reading this one. It didn’t give me the escape from reality I was looking for. Therefore the rating is purely how I felt reading and not necessarily a short coming of the story for anyone else.
July 23, 2025
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Fantasy / Historical
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
The Last Wizards' Ball is the 6th and final installment in author Charlaine Harris' Gunnie Rose series. Set in an alternate, fractured United States where magic is real and the country has been carved into regions like Texoma, Britannia, New America, and the Holy Russian Empire, the Gunnie Rose series follows Lizbeth “Gunnie” Rose, a sharpshooting mercenary with a knack for survival. In The Last Wizards’ Ball, the narrative shifts from the dusty trails of Texoma to the opulent yet treacherous setting of the triennial Wizards’ Ball, held in San Diego’s Japanese Friendship Garden.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*e
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Fantasy / Historical
*Rating* 3.5
*Thoughts*
The Last Wizards' Ball is the 6th and final installment in author Charlaine Harris' Gunnie Rose series. Set in an alternate, fractured United States where magic is real and the country has been carved into regions like Texoma, Britannia, New America, and the Holy Russian Empire, the Gunnie Rose series follows Lizbeth “Gunnie” Rose, a sharpshooting mercenary with a knack for survival. In The Last Wizards’ Ball, the narrative shifts from the dusty trails of Texoma to the opulent yet treacherous setting of the triennial Wizards’ Ball, held in San Diego’s Japanese Friendship Garden.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*e
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
August 6, 2025
Terrific wrap-up to a great series!
August 13, 2025
this was my favorite series ever. the ending feels..... empty 😔
thank you for a wild ride though Ms. Harris. though I wish we could get one more to feel filled. lol 💔
thank you for a wild ride though Ms. Harris. though I wish we could get one more to feel filled. lol 💔
August 8, 2025
In the final installment in this great series, Lizbeth and Eli are tasked with protecting Lizbeth's sister Felicia as she attends the events surrounding the Grand Wizards' Ball at which young grigorii party with others of their kind in hopes of finding a spouse. The complication this time is that Felicia, as a death wizard without peer, is being sought as more than just a future wife and someone is willing to kill to get to her.
These books have been so much fun and so packed with adventure and this one would have been a five star read except for the fact that it's said to be the last in the series. I love Charlaine Harris but ending series is not her forte. The ending of this one leaves tons of hanging plotlines and gives a both sad and ridiculous ending to the main character, Lizbeth Rose. I hope I'm wrong but I got the feeling that Harris doesn't care for these characters half as much as her audience does.
Still, with a fair warning re this last one, the Gunnie Rose books are a blast.
These books have been so much fun and so packed with adventure and this one would have been a five star read except for the fact that it's said to be the last in the series. I love Charlaine Harris but ending series is not her forte. The ending of this one leaves tons of hanging plotlines and gives a both sad and ridiculous ending to the main character, Lizbeth Rose. I hope I'm wrong but I got the feeling that Harris doesn't care for these characters half as much as her audience does.
Still, with a fair warning re this last one, the Gunnie Rose books are a blast.
July 31, 2025
As I was reading, I forgot that this was the final book in the series. When I got to the end of the book, I thought “well, at least there’s the next book where these things can be sorted out.” There’s no next book. It felt like it ended on a hopeful note, but also everyone was scattered to the end without much resolution… just a lot of lives hanging in the air as war loomed and relationships / lives altered drastically just pages before the ending (which felt very rushed).
It’d be interesting if this spawned into a new series about the war / various POVs. That’s my hope based on the ending. Maybe her story is wrapped up but others have more to come and we just don’t know it yet?
Unfortunately , not my favorite in this series. Still a great adventure to read, though.
It’d be interesting if this spawned into a new series about the war / various POVs. That’s my hope based on the ending. Maybe her story is wrapped up but others have more to come and we just don’t know it yet?
Unfortunately , not my favorite in this series. Still a great adventure to read, though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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