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Glass and Steele Books in Order

13 Books
2016 – 2022 Published
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Reading order

The Recommended Reading Order for Glass and Steele

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read the Glass and Steele series in publication order. Because the narrative relies on an overarching mystery surrounding Matthew Glass's magical affliction, India Steele's developing powers, and a slow-burn romance that builds across multiple books, reading them out of sequence will result in major spoilers and confusion.

Glass and Steele Series in Order

  1. The Watchmaker's Daughter (2016) - India Steele, destitute after her father's death, meets the mysterious American Matthew Glass. Together, they search for a legendary watchmaker and uncover India's hidden magical talents.
  2. The Mapmaker's Apprentice (2016) - India and Matt go undercover to locate a missing mapmaker's guild member, finding enchanted maps that lead to danger.
  3. The Apothecary's Poison (2017) - The duo investigates a mysterious healer and a series of poisonings linked to a magical apothecary.
  4. The Magician's Diary (2017) - India and Matt seek a diary containing secrets that could cure Matt's curse, leading them into conflict with high-society magicians.
  5. The Convent's Secret (2018) - A robbery at a convent and a series of murders point to a conspiracy reaching the highest levels of the guilds.
  6. The Ink Master's Silence (2018) - The search for a silent magician leads to a dark conspiracy involving magical ink and memory manipulation.
  7. The Cheater's Game (2019) - When a magician is killed during a game of cards, India and Matt must dive into London's underground gambling dens to find the culprit.
  8. The Prisoner's Key (2019) - The mystery of Matthew's affliction deepens as key secrets are held by a prisoner who refuses to speak.
  9. The Imposter's Inheritance (2020) - An inheritance dispute involving a suspected imposter forces the team to unravel family secrets and hidden magic.
  10. The Kidnapper's Accomplice (2020) - When a prominent guild member's daughter is kidnapped, India and Matt must locate the accomplice before it's too late.
  11. The Toymaker's Curse (2021) - A series of cursed toys causing chaos in London leads the team to a rogue magician with a grudge.
  12. The Spy Master's Scheme (2021) - Political intrigue and espionage collide with magic as India and Matt work to thwart a threat to the Crown.
  13. The Goldsmith's Conspiracy (2022) - The thrilling conclusion to the series wraps up India and Matt's journey as they face a murderous plot that threatens the safety of all magicians.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

In the Glass and Steele series, publication order and chronological order are identical. The story moves forward chronologically from the events of The Watchmaker's Daughter in 1889 through to the grand finale in The Goldsmith's Conspiracy. There are no prequel novellas or side stories that disrupt this timeline, making the path straightforward for readers.

The Spin-Off: The Glass Library

Once you finish the main Glass and Steele saga, you can continue exploring this magical universe in the spin-off series, The Glass Library. Set in the 1920s (post-World War I), this series jumps forward in time and centers on Sylvia Ashe, a librarian with a mysterious lineage, and Gabriel "Gabe" Glass, a war hero and Scotland Yard consultant who happens to be the son of India Steele and Matthew Glass.

The Glass Library Books in Order

  1. The Librarian of Crooked Lane (2022)
  2. The Medici Manuscript (2023)
  3. The Untitled Books (2023)
  4. The Dead Letter Delivery (2024)
  5. The Secrets of the Lost Ledgers (2024)
  6. The Journal of a Thousand Years (2025)

Practical Reader Advice & Starting Point

The absolute best starting point for new readers is The Watchmaker's Daughter. Do not attempt to jump in mid-series, as the character relationships and lore are highly serialized. While The Glass Library is technically a standalone series that can be read on its own, starting with the original Glass and Steele series provides invaluable context regarding the history of the magic system and Gabe's parents.

What to Know Before You Start

Archer's magical Victorian London features a unique, understated magic system. Rather than casting flashy spells, magicians in this universe channel their abilities into physical objects—such as watches, maps, ink, and potions—to enhance them. The series is best described as a cozy historical mystery with fantasy and slow-burn romance elements. Readers should also note that C.J. Archer has other Victorian fantasy series, such as The Ministry of Curiosities, but those are set in a completely separate universe and do not crossover with Glass and Steele.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the recommended starting point for the Glass and Steele series?

You should start with the first book, The Watchmaker's Daughter. The series has a continuous narrative arc, so reading the books in order is essential.

QCan the Glass and Steele books be read as standalones?

No, they should not be read as standalones. Each book builds directly on the character developments, romance, and overarching mystery of the previous novels.

QHow is The Glass Library connected to Glass and Steele?

The Glass Library is a spin-off series set in the 1920s within the same universe. The male protagonist, Gabriel Glass, is the son of India and Matthew from the original Glass and Steele series.

QAre C.J. Archer's other series set in the same magical universe?

No. While series like The Ministry of Curiosities and Freak House share a separate connected universe, the Glass and Steele universe (which includes The Glass Library) is entirely independent.

QIs the Glass and Steele series completed?

Yes, the main Glass and Steele series is complete at 13 books, ending with The Goldsmith's Conspiracy. However, the story of their world continues in the spin-off series, The Glass Library.