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No good deed goes unpunished, not when dark magic is involved.

Graduation is right around the corner, which means finals, long goodbyes, and difficult decisions about the future.

But Alison and friends have to make it to graduation first.

Easier said than done, especially when the consequences of saving Christie’s mom come home to roost.

Dead animals are discovered. Magic is stolen. And someone, or something, targets the local shifter pack.

Only an old thorn in her ass can help her save her friends.

Is that a redemption arc in the works or is Alison being played?

They say keep your friends close but your enemies closer. Alison prefers it the other way around.

Make your enemy your friend.

After all, a girl can never have too many friends, especially in the final battle.

Don’t miss the stunning conclusion to the series The School of Necessary Magic. Read it today!

217 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 8, 2018

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About the author

Judith Berens

75 books200 followers
Judith Berens is a figment of your imagination, made up of the fevered brainpower of Michael Anderle and Martha Carr, fueled by a lot of people helping them out - as well as all of you, The Fans. Great stories mixed with a lot of great readers equals more adventures to follow.

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5 stars
485 (62%)
4 stars
191 (24%)
3 stars
74 (9%)
2 stars
19 (2%)
1 star
5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
Profile Image for Katy.
1,600 reviews12 followers
January 12, 2024
The title to this book seems to be quite true.

If all that Alison Brownstone has learned, at the School of Necessary Magic, will help her face the future, then it'll definitely be a very bright one.

But then, with James and Shay as her adopted parents, that's a forgone conclusion, anyway! Lol

This book finishes off Alison's High School years very nicely - although what happened to some of her group of friends, especially to Tanner, leaves things hanging,, somewhat.

I just hope that we learn what'll happen with him in future books, either of James, or Alison's!

There were some very dark moments happening here, but that's life, so very often, for many of us, as nothing is ever truly perfect, despite fairy tales' attempts to make us believe so.

But, I guess that's why I enjoy reading these series so much, because, for just a while, I can believe in happy endings! 👍

Anyhoo, with this being the final book of this particular series, I had a look at my Oriceran Reading List, and the next book for me to read, comes from another series involving the School of Necessary Magic: Raine Campbell, with book one being: 'Ward of the FBI'.

As usual, I've read the night through, once more, living up to my Night Owl craft name, so I'm going to load up this new-to-me series on my Kindle, ready for me to start reading it, once I've caught a few hours of sleep.

So, once I've done that, I'll catch you on the flip side, to let you know what I think of this new character within this set of series!
Profile Image for Mike Lewis.
1,761 reviews8 followers
December 1, 2018
Extraordinary and a magical thrill ride

An extraordinary magical story with a great cast of characters. A group of magical students meet in their freshman year at a magical high school in Virginia. Where they learn to improve and hone their magical skills. There is a headmistress a groundskeeper a dark magic teacher a potions teacher and many others. Sound familiar. It has similarities but it is it’s own story. An action-packed thrill ride through eight books. Follow along with a group of about eight or nine main characters and the number of teacher main characters. Is the battle good versus evil light versus dark and find out who they are to become. Don’t be sad that this story is over because one of the main characters goes on into her own new series and the school has a whole new group of freshman coming in and there are several other books that tie into this universe. So check it out you will not be disappointed
226 reviews2 followers
July 6, 2019
Maybe not the best story, but it is interesting, etc.

The authors notes are worth reading, period. His game on the green bike, cancer of the leg, stubbornness, learning to listen, then trying it another way, show the growth, or awareness we should have to challenges and change which occur in our lives. Thanks for stating, and owning to the obvious. Might make an interesting point in a future sermon.
Glad to see Alison and Izzie got to meet at the end, that many of the threads were tied up, but enough was left open for the future series to work with. Enjoyed the redemption quest of Jason, thought Kathleen was a little too focused on herself, liked the awareness of Luke that friends can also be family of pack, etc.
Somewhat simplistic, but still I wanted to finish this, and I did not have to force myself. 😺😺👍👍
122 reviews
February 28, 2019
Not just for teenagers!

I recently read a fantasy series and became hooked, I’ve found this series to completely captivate my attention, maybe because I’m the adult that never grew up! However, following Alison’s story through the SNM, has been intriguing, her relationships having been built and the friendships that are woven throughout the book have been delivered extremely well. I absolutely love Dorvu, but have definitely missed Izzie over this last book. I really hope that her story can be told now they have all finished school and are off in the world especially her adventures whilst travelling with her family. Great series, looking forwards to the next book in Alison’s future.
Profile Image for Veronica.
1,018 reviews5 followers
November 10, 2018
Last semester

A bittersweet time for our students. It’s also a time of division, suspicion, personal growth, and friendship.

There’s a mystery and there are several different goings on that could be responsible. Who, or what, is causing these problems? Alison is determined to find out. Along the way she finds out a dark secret, which has come from the past to torture the present.

A common theme through the books is that of keeping important information a secret instead of sharing it. I would like to see this change in the new series focusing in different students, as sharing information is a powerful tool.
Profile Image for Mary Ann.
66 reviews
January 29, 2020
The big ending

Wow, what a great series. I only gave each book its appropriate stars. I wanted to wait until the end before I leave a review. The stories kept you waiting for more. The characters were all lovable, just couldn't get enough of there strength and the tomfoolery that comes with every high schooler. I am looking forward to reading more. I am on to Shays stories now, and I expect to be hooked. Thank you Martha and Michael for such great stories.
By the way, I am no teenager, long ways from it. But I have found that there are no boundaries. I didn't feel like the stories were to immature for me, they entertained me like any good book should. The end.
Profile Image for Nicholas.
273 reviews3 followers
January 25, 2023
Too little too late is an appropriate saying. The series finally got nteresting and was written well here at the last book. Epic is her future actually had character development and tackled a few harder subjects.

That said, it also had too much jumping around with little rhyme or reason as to connection between scenes. The ending was fairly predictable and some characters acted out of their normal sense or changed for seemingly no reason.

Overall, average and the final missing piece for the School of Necessary magic series thus far. Now a few things make more sense from the secondary series about Raine Campbell. Though I must admit at times I nearly dropped the series.
4 reviews
February 23, 2019
Missing words.

The plot line was good. However, rushing the publishing seems to allow small mistakes to be missed. Part of me loves not having to wait so long for the next book in a series. I realize that Michael is pushing, that's not a bad thing. You just have to slow down a little bit to make sure your product is up to your usual standards. Please don't take this personally - I really do enjoy Michael's collaborations. Judy, I've read all Brownstone books so far and I love how you've flushed out Alison's character and started a new arc.
225 reviews4 followers
March 8, 2021
A fun series to read.

I've really enjoyed reading this series of School of Necessary Magic books; each of the students is memorable & amazing! Their adventures are exotic. And the solutions they throw at each situation unique.

I'll miss reading about these wonderful young people and will look forward to reading about them as their lives progress. Congrats Martha, for capturing my attention with another
series full of folks I would love to meet. Thanks for sharing your gift!
21 reviews1 follower
September 8, 2021
The series had me rushing to the next book!

Each book in the series was well written, the description of people and places and things was excellent but not overbearing. The books were hard to put down for real-life going on and I eagerly took them back up whenever possible.

Readers will enjoy and cherish the series, possibly even seeing bits of the readers selves in the books characters but will also be seeing events in the series relate to their real-life.

I wish everyone a happy reading experience!
170 reviews6 followers
November 30, 2018
Outa Verds...

Kinda hard to talk whenz izz Short on bwreath after rwreading ‘Epic’ Izzinit? Youz all canna Not gwrasp the intricacies of weaving such a delicious and delightful panorama frum the digital easel of a hoomin mind like Martha Carr unless you enter into her restaurant to inbibe a bit of the menu. Unlezz Exercise izz uppermost, plse stay away frum the fairy desserts. Youz been Warned.....
1,605 reviews4 followers
May 17, 2019
Darkness is not your friend

I love Dorvu! Best ice dragon ever! So this series is over and Jennifer didn't even show up in this book and Horace's aunt was not in it either. Still trying to figure out why Jennifer was ever written because she never added anything even as a roommate. Oh we'll. Darkness was a big part of this book. As a whole, I enjoyed the series. I want a butterfly. On to bigger and better adventures!
42 reviews
January 27, 2025
I think that after a promising start this series gets worse and worse. For my liking there are too many irrelevant characters, side stories and very detailed descriptions which contribute very little or nothing to the main story. Also writing could be greatly improved if authors would take some time reading what they have written. As a reader I find it very hard to keep track of who says what because many times it is unknown who has said a particular sentence.
45 reviews
November 10, 2018
An epic ending to Allison Brownstone's highscool Senior Year

I have found all of this serie's books easy to read and hard to put down. When I came to the end of one the waiting for the next began. If you think that you might want to check it out, start with the first book in the series, or better yet start with THE INCREDIBLE MR BROWNSTONE. Youll get here eventually.
34 reviews1 follower
November 11, 2018
No spoilers allowed

I got of story lines concluded but still more cliff hangers for the new series. I could identify with the various characters with great empathy as they graduate with high hopes.

The whole class may be leaving school but the
school caries on.

Great 👍 read😁

Sgm U



138 reviews1 follower
November 12, 2018
Epic

Another excellent book in Alison's story, the last in this series. But not to worry, another Alison series begins soon. This episode has good news, sad tidings, and dark magic and is a worthy addition to this amazing series. I'm looking forward to the next chapter in her life. Well done, Judith Berens! 🤗
Profile Image for Frank Bertino.
1,771 reviews21 followers
November 13, 2018
Great Book, Great Series

This book brings the series to a conclusion. The book ties themes together and explains a lot. Even though this is the end of the series, more Alison is yet to come in a new series. The end sets up possibilities. I.E. What happens to Tanner? I like the action, humor, and romance. I look forward to checking out the new series.
Profile Image for Lisa.
133 reviews
November 21, 2018
Loved it but sadden by what happened to her boyfriend. Also, I don't recall reading in any of the Brownstone books to this date them discussing the marriage with Brownstone and Shay, and also the discussion about Shay adopting Alison. I'm either behind in those series books or the writers of those books are behind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ronald Enos.
45 reviews
May 26, 2019
Telling even HARD truths is important

I wasn't as happy reading this book because it seemed more disjointed, and they seemed to regress instead of grow. Time and again, if they had been more open with each wand the faculty, they would have saved a lot of trouble along the way. just my feeling even in the middle of reading it.
540 reviews2 followers
October 5, 2019
All I have to say is that I want to know what happens when Brownstone hunted down Robert. What HAPPENED! Now I am going to have to read the other books in the side stories to find out what happened. Since I don't remember anything in the JB story line talking about it.

Loved this book though it was an epic end to this chapter in Alison's life.
543 reviews2 followers
November 9, 2018
5 stars

Not just for this book , but the entire series . From the first book thru book 8 , this series was amazing. Funny , sad , with lots of adventure and excitement that kept me reading. Highly recommended !
Profile Image for Wanda binz.
839 reviews6 followers
November 12, 2018
This part of the series ends and a new one begins.

This part of the series ends and a new one begins. Alison has graduated from the school of Necessary Magic and going on to college and a new adventure starts with new students at the school. Let’s not forget Izzy.
Profile Image for 〰️Beth〰️.
819 reviews72 followers
November 12, 2018
Finally the end of high school...

Alison and gang have another action packed semester. Tired of Louper games and looking forward to what Alison does now that she is leaving the School of Necessary Magic.
70 reviews
November 12, 2018
Another wonderful story

A lovely end to this phase of the series.

Wrapped up a lot of threads and really rounded things out really well.

Looking forward to the next series.

Thanks
Profile Image for Diane Smith.
175 reviews1 follower
November 13, 2018
...and that’s a wrap!

Excellent conclusion to this arc of Alison’s story. Plenty of action and fun, the kids get into and out of more than the usual amount of trouble with just enough left hanging for the next arc. Great read!
580 reviews
November 19, 2018
More

Well that's awesome ride but things are not over. Defiantly worth the wait and money spent. This series is great 👍. I wished her time in college was written about. Seems that has potential.
558 reviews3 followers
November 24, 2018
Ok are her books

This series is nice to pick up when you have run out of all your favorite authors. Makes you appreciate them more. Just good enough to keep reading but not one of your top ten choices.
110 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2019
Wonderful adventures , exotic animal, and battles to die for. Great reading for any age. Thank you for the ride.

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. The Adventures of high school we're never as exciting as this. Allison and her friends for 4 years battles dark magic and won.
718 reviews6 followers
June 3, 2020
Excellent

Good story, again. The sorta new bad guys better worry because Alison will be going after them. I really didn't want to take a walk, (something about being lazy) but I did anyway. It didn't take long and if I can keep on doing it's bound to help.
139 reviews
September 12, 2020
What an ending!

Allison's final semester proves one of her most challenging. Final exams are easy compared to all the dark magic surrounding the school. Allison and the gang have one last adventure and it is a doozy!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews