Glass and Steele Boxed Set: Books 1-3

By: C.J. Archer

Narrated by: Emma Powell, Marian Hussey

This boxed set contains three books in the USA Today best-selling Glass and Steele series:

• The Watchmaker's Daughter.
• The Mapmaker's Apprentice.
• The Apothecary's Poison.

India Steele is desperate. Her father is dead, her fiancé took her inheritance, and no one will employ her, despite years working for her watchmaker father. Indeed, the other London watchmakers seem frightened of her. Alone, poor, and at the end of her tether, India takes employment with the only person who’ll accept her–an enigmatic and mysterious man from America. A man who possesses a strange watch that rejuvenates him when he’s ill.

Matthew Glass must find a particular watchmaker, but he won’t tell India why any old one won’t do. Nor will he tell her what he does back home, and how he can afford to stay in a house in one of London’s best streets. So when she reads about an American outlaw known as the Dark Rider arriving in England, she suspects Mr. Glass is the fugitive. When danger comes to their door, she’s certain of it. But if she notifies the authorities, she’ll find herself unemployed and homeless again–and she will have betrayed the man who saved her life.

With a cast of quirky characters, an intriguing mystery, and a dash of romance, this thrilling historical fantasy series will keep you listening late into the night.

©2016 C.J. Archer (P)2023 C.J. Archer

Entertaining

First book down and I was already hooked. The narrating was a big help. She did a wonderful job! The story itself took me a minute as I wasn't sure what was happening. Soon it began to come together. You learn the main characters are quite endearing. It has a bit of mystery that you think is obvious but it wasn't. It is a history lesson of London but with a touch of... magic dare I say. The first book didn't leave me hanging, it did make want to see what else was next though. Not a lot of dirty language or sexy scenes to shy people away (I love it all, some don't) but is still romantic and heart-pounding.

Wonderfully reserved

Wonderful to listen to an enthralling story that captures the heart and imagination so completely. Huge fan

Love it!!

This book is set in the Victorian Era. It is very clean. And it is historical fantasy. It kept me on the edge of my seat.

Spellbinding - as in "Magic"

These stories really held my interest.
I sometimes had trouble following all the clues, but that may have been due to listening instead of reading.
The characters were well developed. The romance was somewhat predictable, but everything I thought it was moving forward, there would be another obstacle. I do hope that Miss Glass gets over her British classism and comes to accept India as her social equal.
The author made the magic believable, as were the workings of the Guilds.
I look forward to reading the next book. I have already listened to most of the Glass Library series.
I wish these books had been offered in the chronological order of the timeline of the stories.
That is the main reason that I threw in a 4-starfor "story".
It certainly ended with a surprise that left me hanging.

Fun, light listen, a little formulaic

Overall, I thought these were fun, If you’re looking for a light listen, these stories are perfect. Like most of C.J. Archer’s series, the characters are lovable and their capers are entertaining. Slow burn romance is very, very,..very slow. Marian Hussey provides great narration.

Perfectly Cozy

I started backwards by reading The Glass Library first and I was worried I may have spoiled the story for me, but I was wrong. Everything I loved about The Glass Library is also in this series and I can't wait to devour the other rest if both series!

I love India!

The story kept me guessing right up until the last minute. Looking forward to the next book

For the first Book

A new favorite series! I was hooked from the beginning, and loved the story- I am just beginning the 2nd book, but the narrator has changed. I liked the first narrator much more. I find I keep having to rewind this one, and I just don’t like how it’s read. I am still hoping I can get used to this new narrator as I really loved this series so far. I hope the first narrator comes back for the rest of the books or that I can at least get used to this new one. It’s really frustrating as I really enjoyed the 1st book and couldn’t wait for more. I’m having trouble even just focusing on the narrators words in order to enjoy the story. I don’t dislike her voice (her voice is quite nice itself) or anything I just am really having trouble with following it for some reason.
I will also see if the first narrator has done any other books- maybe those will be as good as this series too. Thank you!

Update: I just can not get used to the way the new narrator reads the story. I’m so interested in the story I really want to keep going, but I just can’t deal with it. I’m going to return the other books I purchased on audible, I’ll need to purchase the hardback versions to read these on my own. Very frustrating. Love the story so far.

Slow burn

I love these characters, and this world. I love very few reviews. Im onto book 4. It is a great slow burn. So far there has been really good tension. Cant wait to read the rest of the series !!

Beautifully written

Very engaging. Great characters. The narrator was awesome. Ended up reading all three back to back