Format: Hardcover, 272 pages
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Publisher: S&S/Saga Press
Source: Publisher
Genre: Dark Fantasy / Alt Historical
#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.
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.
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