Going into this, I had no idea it was part of a series and I just dove right in without reading the earlier books. That being said, I was hooked pretty quickly. The whole setup of a magical ball full of politics, danger, and a touch of glamour was such a fun backdrop, and I loved following Lizbeth through all the chaos.

The pacing kept me turning pages, and the mix of action and atmosphere worked really well. The only thing that threw me was the ending, it felt a little abrupt and not quite what I expected. Still, the ride getting there was intense and entertaining, and now I kind of want to circle back and read the rest of the series.

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.

Great series, great storyline, don’t want it to end. This book kept my interest but the ending had me saying “more’!” I don’t want Gunnie Rose’s story to be over. That being said, I loved the inclusion of her sister in this book and being a main character. Don’t want to put it down once I started!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m glad I took the time upon receiving this book to read the previous books in the series and get to know the characters and their back stories.

The world the author created was very unique and interesting. America had dissolved and been taken over but Britain in the east, Canada in the north, Mexico in the south, and Russia in the West with a bit of American left but much smaller.

There are magic users that have different strengths and specialities. In this last installment the magic users are all together for a marriage ball in the new Russia. In the midst of this ball Adolf Hitler is forming his German army and threatening to gather magic users to work for him and destroy races and religions he’s opposed to. I thought this was a unique way to rewrite history.

Overall a good conclusion to a well spun series.

I really enjoyed this series from Charlaine Harris, particularly her world building that was straightforward to understand and interesting as I’ve always been interested in the Romanovs. I was a bit surprised as to how she ended this series. It felt like it could keep going and while there were glimpses into more changes in history, it seems we won’t get to see what could have happened. I liked how in this series the narrator changed to be Lisbeth, then Felecia, then both, but then finished with Lisbeth but I think I enjoyed Felecia more as a character and would have liked to see her point of view more in this book. Overall an enjoyable read.

The Last Wizards’ Ball by Charlaine Harris appealed to me because I have been following the mishaps and adventures of Gunnie Rose through 5 previous novels. This was the 6th novel in the series. Charlaine Harris is gifted at creating memorable characters, and Gunnie Rose is no exception. I feel like she is a personal friend of mine! The characters in this book aren’t perfect, but neither are real people – the messy relationships throughout the story were very relatable. However, I was a bit confused by the end of the story. I won’t go into details to avoid spoilers, but at least it seems like another book is in the works. I look forward to some of my questions being answered in the next Gunnie Rose novel!
Thank you, S&S/Saga Press, for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Gunnie Rose has been such a fun and unique series and I surely wish it wasn't ending.

Like other reviewers I was a bit sad at some of the outcomes but it also finished in a bittersweet but hopeful place and left me wondering if really it was just the setup for a new series that could give us a new chapter for Gunnie Rose as she sure deserves it.

Thanks for the ride! Hope to see you again.

An excellent wrap-up to a creative, engaging, fascinating series! Some fans may not like how certain elements end, but I can't say that I disagree with the overall outcome, even if it's not what I might have chosen. I'll miss these characters, and just wish there would be more of their stories. I highly recommend the entire Gunnie Rose series.

Eh, I might be burning out in this series. I’d forgotten the character of the gunner is very very young because she acts much older as someone who has been fighting for their daily bread throughout their teens would be. But I do like a happily ever after and we’re definitely not getting that in this book….

Lizbeth really seemed to drift from the strong capable woman we saw at the beginning of the series. And the people around her seemed to stop believing in her as well. I didn’t hate the storyline until the ending. The ending really soured the rest of the book for me. The romantic drama seemed juvenile and even when the points might have been valid they were still dealt with in a juvenile way. And there really isn’t ever a good reason given for the characters to behave the way they do. Ugh! Very frustrating for a series that started to good.

The Last Wizards' Ball is set in an alternate history and I have truly enjoyed the whole series. It's a little bit western with magic and a 1930's-40's vibe. I was a little disappointed when I saw that this was the final book but was interested to see how Lizbeth and Eli's story ends. Well... it's not quite what I expected but that's all I'm going to say about that!

If you've read the previous books in this series, you'll want to read it. But it wouldn't work as a stand-alone because there is so much more to these characters and their lives. I can't help but wish we could get another glimpse of Lizbeth's future!

I read/listened to the audio. Eva Kaminsky is a great narrator.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 22 July 2025

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of The Last Wizard's Ball by Charlaine Harris in exchange for an honest review. This book was a really nice finish to the stories of Lisbeth Rose and her sister, Eli and his family. I loved that it was set against the backdrop of the beginning of World War 2 and all the tensions that went along with that. It also set Felicia up for more stories with her, if Harris wants to write more.

This is the final book in the Gunnie Rose saga, and it was just as fast-paced and action-packed as all the previous installments. Lizzie and Eli are, we'll say, chaperoning/guarding her sister Felicia at the Ball, where she will hopefully meet a powerful wizard to marry. The only problem is that danger is afoot, and Felicia seems to be at the center of it, which means as her protector, Lizzie is constantly in the crosshairs along with her.

Along the way in the series, we've had books that follow Lizzie and books that follow Felicity. I'm happy with this one, we're back to Lizzie. She doesn't have magic, but she has instincts she has honed for years as a Gunnie that they don't have, and I love watching her use those to keep the ones she loves safe.

Over the last few books, I feel like the series has taken a bit of a darker, sadder turn, especially with Eli and Lizzie's relationship. I had hopes for the way this one would end, and while I can say I was not happy with the turn of events, it did track with the way the series was headed. I think Charlaine Harris did an amazing job of bringing this alternate history of America, along with its people, to life. It's full of action, magic, and gunslingers, and most importantly, family. And while I was not a fan of the ending (just about the relationship I've been shipping since book 1) I've had a great time with this series overall, and even though everything wrapped up nicely, I'm sad that this is the end.

5/5 stars: This is the sixth and final entry in Harris' Gunnie Rose series, which is an Alternate History Urban Fantasy set before WWII which follows a gunnie and her grigori husband who must protect her sister, a powerful death wizard, as she attends the Grand Wizards' Ball to find a suitable match among the world's dangerous wizard society. With war and violence are on the rise in Europe and German and Japanese wizards courting her sister and some refusing to take no for an answer, she'll find herself navigating the arcane world pulling her sister and husband into a dangerous dance with death that could change the world as they know it. Harris' fast-paced, non-stop tale is set in a thoroughly interesting magical world and will leave you on the edge of your seat until the final page. Smart and sly, Harris' writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. Lizbeth's been through so much and has grown in so many ways and I loved reading her journey. Additionally, I love the vast, complex cast of characters we've met along the way. Harris' world building is top-notch. Set in an alternate history in a divided United States that's bracing for what's shaping to be WWII. You'll find plenty of wizards, gunfights and exiled Russian royalty. This is the final book in the series, so you'll want to pick up book one, An Easy Death, so that you can experience this great series from the beginning.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Saga Press | S&S/Saga Press in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

This is the first book I read in this series and I was able to follow along just fine. I enjoyed it and went back and read the previous books in the series,but wish I had found it far sooner.

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.

This event, a supernatural equivalent of the Regency-era London Season, serves as a marriage market for the magically gifted, where deals are struck, spells are exchanged, and power plays unfold. Lizbeth 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 focus of the ball quickly becomes apparent.

Everyone wants to get close to Lizbeth's younger sister, Felicia Karkarova Dominguez, a powerful death wizard and belle of the ball, whose beauty and magical prowess attract dangerous suitors, including German and Japanese wizards tied to rising global tensions. Lizbeth is tasked with protecting Felicia in a world of arcane politics and deadly intrigue, far removed from her usual straightforward approach of shooting problems away. The backdrop of an impending World War II, reimagined in this magical context, adds a layer of geopolitical tension to the personal stakes.

Lizbeth remains a standout protagonist—a tough, no-nonsense gunslinger who is fiercely loyal yet out of her depth in the polished, manipulative world of wizard society. Her discomfort in borrowed dresses and low heels, navigating a setting where her gun skills are secondary to social finesse, is both relatable and endearing. Her internal struggles, particularly her protectiveness over Felicia and her strained connection with Eli’s magical world, add depth to her arc.

Felicia is a formidable death wizard and a vulnerable teenager caught in a web of unwanted attention. But don't underestimate her determination. The sisterly bond between Lizbeth and Felicia is the emotional core of the novel, delivering moments of tenderness and tension that resonate. Lizbeth's relationship with Eli is one that most readers will be discussing for a while, and perhaps not in a positive way. No Spoilers!!!

The alternate history, with a fractured U.S. and a looming World War II, adds intrigue, though it’s not without flaws. The integration of World War II and figures like Hitler into this alternate timeline is a bold choice. Certain subplots, particularly those involving Eli’s grigori duties and the international wizards’ schemes, feel rushed or underexplored. For me, the most disappointing part of this story was the ending and I don't want to discuss my reasons here for fear of spoiling what happens. Let's just say that after 6 books featuring Lizbeth and her sister, the ending was shocking, to say the least.

The Last Wizard's Ball is the last novel in the Gunnie Rose series. Lizbeth is trying to help her sister Felicia find a good match. However, nothing goes to plan in San Diego. Felicia is beautiful and powerful and someone is definitely trying to kill her. Lizbeth just wants her sister safe and will do anything to find her a match and protect her. Even at the cost of her own life.
This was very enjoyable and a good wrap-up of a fun series. I'll miss Lizbeth Rose.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Saga Press for this digital e-arc.*

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.

Our time with Gunnie Rose has come to an end! Though, she was so much more than a gunnie, and I loved reading her exploits and adventures. While I am sad the series is ending (it is my favorite from this author), it felt fitting end in so many ways I can't tell you about because that would be a spoiler. I love how the timeline stays connected to what we know as actual history. I always enjoy the slight twists on the real world and this was no exception. I will miss Lizbeth and wonder occasionally what she is doing. I know she is fictional, but she felt very real!

What a ride! The Last Wizards’ Ball is a fast-paced finale that pulls you straight into the action and never lets up. Charlaine Harris once again proves her talent for weaving unique magic systems and alternate history into a world that feels both gritty and captivating. The atmosphere? Immaculate. The world-building? Honestly, phenomenal. Every page had the weight of a final chapter, and the stakes were high in all the right ways.

That said… I’ve had to sit with the ending. This is the close of the Gunnie Rose series, and while I respect that not every story wraps with a neat bow, I couldn’t help but feel just a little let down. Gunnie herself? Her ending felt earned—true to the hard-edged, fiercely loyal character we’ve followed since book one. But Lizbeth’s arc… oof. It felt like all the growth she’d been through across five books got dialed back right at the finish line. After everything she endured, I was hoping for something more impactful, more reflective of how far she’d come. Instead, her transformation felt muted—there, but subtle to a fault.

Still, if you’ve been along for the full ride, this finale is absolutely worth the read. It delivers tension, rich world-building, and a sense of closure… even if it leaves you wishing for just a bit more.