Charlaine Harris has long been a master of blending mystery with magic, and The Last Wizard’s Ball continues that tradition—though not quite in the way I expected. Its the last of the Gunnie Rose stories which if im honest isnt a series im shouting to everyone about. Yes its a good read but feels like it falls short compared to Harris’ other works.
The story so far has followed a secretive magical society, hidden in plain sight, where politics, power, and enchantments collide. Previous instalments teased us with magical intrigue, and renaming of landmasses so I dove into this book assuming we were heading into the future. Imagine my surprise when the narrative unfolded in the lead-up to World War II.
It’s a clever twist, and Harris handles the historical setting with her usual finesse. The atmosphere is rich, the stakes are high, and the magical elements are seamlessly woven into the wartime backdrop. But I’ll admit, I didn’t love the WW2 angle. It was well executed, but not quite what I was hoping for. The shift in time felt jarring, and at moments, it seemed like some of Harris’s beloved characters went through personality and moral changes in service of the setting.
Still, the book has its strengths. The writing is sharp, the world-building remains immersive, and there are flashes of the wit and warmth that fans of Harris will recognise instantly. If you’re a fan of historical fantasy, this might be right up your alley. If you were expecting a more contemporary magical tale, like I was, you might find yourself slightly off balance.
I feel a little relieved it the last of the series, hopefully we’ll get something fresh and new in the not to distant future that’s a little more in my comfort zone.
One More Chapter 