The Journal of a Thousand Years

Glass Library #6

by C.J. Archer

An ancient family diary. A timely prophecy. An epic conclusion.

As Sylvia prepares to meet Gabe’s parents for the first time, the last thing she needs is for her long-lost father to cause trouble. While his answers to her questions finally bring clarity, they also usher in danger.

But that's not all her elusive father brings into Sylvia's life. His treasured gift of an ancient journal passed down through the generations, connects her to the past with its mystical spells and captivating stories. Yet it’s the cryptic prophecy written on magical pages that capture Sylvia’s attention, hinting at a destiny entwined with Gabe’s. Does it relate to the threat of abduction that has dogged him for months?

The world’s fascination with his miraculous survival has drawn unwanted attention, leading to desperate attempts to unravel the secrets behind his extraordinary abilities. When these efforts fail, his enemies resort to drastic measures, targeting Sylvia to lure Gabe into their clutches.

Despite her caution, Sylvia realizes she may have inadvertently placed Gabe in danger. Has his luck finally run out?

Only time will reveal the truth.

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Romance, Historical, Fiction

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 4, 2025

About the author

C.J. Archer is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of historical mystery and historical fantasy novels including the GLASS AND STEELE series, the CLEOPATRA FOX MYSTERIES, the MINISTRY OF CURIOSITIES and THE GLASS LIBRARY series.

She has loved history and books for as long as she can remember and feels fortunate that she found a way to combine the two. She has at various times worked as a librarian, IT support person and technical writer but in her heart has always been a fiction writer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with her husband, 2 children and Coco the black and white cat.

Subscribe to C.J.'s newsletter to be notified when she releases a new book. Join via her website: www.cjarcher.com

You can follow her on social media to get the latest updates on her books:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CJArcherAuthorPage
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorcjarc...

Reviews

[JW USA · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying finale but rushed journey

The Glass House series comes to a long-awaited conclusion with The Journal of a Thousand Years, bringing long-time readers the resolutions they’ve been hoping for. Sylvia and Gabe, Daisy and Alex, and Huon and Petra all get their happy endings, the final mysteries are unraveled, and the villains meet their well-deserved fates. Sylvia also discovers the truth about her father—who, while not as monstrous as she feared, is still far from perfect.

While the book succeeds in tying up the many loose ends of the series, the journey to those happy endings feels somewhat rushed. It is disappointing that Gabe spends much of the book injured while Sylvia is kidnapped, meaning they don’t actually get to spend much time together on their way to their happy ever after. It feels like a missed opportunity not to see them share more meaningful moments in this final instalment.

However, one of the most satisfying elements of the book is finally seeing Sylvia embrace her long-awaited role as a paper magician after 11 books. The Journal of a Thousand Years may not be a perfect finale, but it brings the Glass House series to a close in a way that provides resolution, even if some aspects could have been given more time to breathe. Fans will appreciate the conclusions for their favourite characters, even if they might wish for just a little more time with them before the final page turns.

[Sofi · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the whole, this series is okay. I know I've given earlier books higher reviews, and that has to do with my enjoyment of them. Archer doesn't quite trust readers to figure things out on their own, and certain things are repeated a bit too much. Still, I had fun enough.

What drags this book down is Silvia's repeated angsting over how she Has To Leave Gabe For His Own Safety! Because She's His Weak Spot! This is repeated over and over and over throughout at least half of the book, if not more and the stupidity of it didn't make it less repetitive. And sadly very few people actually pointed this out to her.

Naturally, she stays. I'm sorry, if you thought she wouldn't when it's the last book of this romance-cozy-mystery series, I don't know what you were smoking.

I still hate Willie with a passion. She remains obnoxious, impulsive, opinionated and disrespectful towards everyone. My "favorite" moment will be spoiler-tagged here: At one point, Alex, Silvia and Willie have found a kidnapped Gabe. They're outside the door of the room they know he's in. Alex, experienced ex-cop, signals the two ladies to wait while they carefully open the door. Naturally, Willie in her gun-crazy, badly stereotyped American way, barges in without checking, which results in the three of them being held at gun-point. No one ever calls her on this stupidity.

It also turns out she doesn't know her friends Matt and India particularly well, given all the fuss she made about how they'd definitely dislike Silvia because of her father.

Her lack of learning from mistakes is probably one of my biggest issues with this series. Especially given she's in her 50-ies and she was the exact same way in Matt and India's series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely end to the series! And we get to see Matt and India, though ever so briefly. I really like how this ended with Sylvia’s family and her father especially. And the plot line with Stanley was moving too. I really like how Archer addresses the huge problem of shell shock with returning soldiers and how gracious Gabe is to the struggling Stanley. I’m going to miss these characters, though I’ve loved going back to the earlier series to get the origins of Matt and India and crew. Looking forward to continuing there knowing that Matt and India have such a good son!

[Kyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a beautiful ending. dare i say my new comfort series?

[Levie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sylvia’s obsession with her own martyrdom for Gabe’s sake was rather excruciating.

[Annsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so glad we got the ending, and a proposal, and Matt and India! I adore Alex and Daisy, and even Huon and Petra. Gabe and Sylvia I also love, but the indecision on her part seemed a little shallow.

I enjoyed the finale of the series, but it did feel rushed. I wish it had lasted as long as the Glass and Steele series.

Also, this book seemed much more vulgar in some ways. There is a marked overuse of the words "bollocks" and "pigs" which I found kind of awkward throughout the story. Also, Willie seems rather more unbearable in each book. She is increasingly selfish and unstable.

Which, to each his own. But as for my own, I liked the more comfy feeling of the first two books. The prophecy bit was a little rushed, as well.

But amazing series, definitely a future reread!

[Debbie Gascoyne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series REALLY did not need to be six books. There was quite a lot to like about it at the beginning, but I felt like the last couple of books have been just wheel spinning. Far too much too-ing and fro-ing with everyone piling into a car to go somewhere and interrogate someone and "oh, oops, sorry, I guess we were wrong..." In this iteration, there's completely unnecessary conflict with Sylvia going "oh I'm putting Gabe in danger I'd better give him up and run away" and - come on - no one believes that's really going to happen. Okay, we needed to bring various arcs to conclusions, but it was all pretty predictable.

[Chantal O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened (2x) to the audiobook capably narrated by Marian Hussey. I always enjoy Archer's books, and this was no exception.

[Linda Lassman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a satisfying end to this series, although I'm still going to be sorry that there aren't more to come. I loved the Glass & Steele series and loved this one even more.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very sweet and I was in the mood for sweet. If I'd been in a different mood, the everyone kiss element of it might have annoyed me, lol.

[Sheeb ⚔️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy this is over. I had an okay time, but we were really dragging shit out by this point.

I enjoyed the mystery aspect more than I anticipated, but it did drive me nuts that most of the “reveals” didn’t come from a logical place. Usually many of the suspects or questions were not solvable with the information the reader is aware of. I did think this book did a better job with than the rest of the series, so it felt worthy of a 3 star.

[Jessie Kratzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful ending to this series!! I will absolutely miss the Steele world!! Can’t wait to see what else CJ writes!

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some people say it was rushed but I think this was a fantastic ending to the series. Every box was ticked, every knot tied, and every ending buttoned up.

Well done!

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where the flip was the epilogue? After reading two series to get to the end, I need an epilogue at least 15 years in the future.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Willie is one of the worst characters to be created, ever.

[Jessica Nybeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful and satisfying conclusion to the series! It delivers everything I was waiting and hoping for, magic, growth, and closure. Sylvia comes into her own and embraces her magic abilities with newfound confidence. The story ties up loose ends and leaves one with a fulfilled and yet sad goodbye. I so enjoyed this book and this series.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could not stop listening to this book! The narrator is absolutely phenomenal—she brings each character to life in such a vivid, authentic way that you feel completely immersed in the story. The twists and turns kept me hooked from start to finish. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the story pulled me in even deeper. I truly hope this isn't the final installment—I'm not ready to say goodbye to this series!

[Kathryn Riddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the ending. Another great series with characters I’ve grown to love!

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great wrap to the series!

[Tina Panik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action packed, and full of family history that fans have been waiting for.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feels like a conclusion to this series.

[Diana L. McNelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how the story lines worked their way to their conclusions. I am hoping for more stories with these characters in the future. I am sad to see them go.

[Hailea Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cozy mystery meets historical fiction meets magical realism meets romance is a must! Fantastic slow burn romance with side characters that stand out and hold their own.

I am so sad that this series is over. I could’ve read a hundred books about Sylvia and Gabe.

[Stacey (Bookalorian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my fav audio series

[Marie Wikle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love

[Staci (stacisbookishprobs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series feels like home and a warm hug to me

[Greyland Reviews · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
This was really disappointing. Felt very cut and paste with the prequel series. Didn't get enough details or information about other secondary characters. It all just seemed very rushed and not a very well planned out ending.
Trigger Warnings: death of family mentioned, WW1 mentioned, misogyny, PTSD, child abuse mentioned, emotional abuse mentioned, kidnapping, homomisia, blood letting, gun violence, and suicide attempt

[Lydia Gunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

An action packed conclusion to the series with several twists I didn't see coming!

[Katie Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved the whole series, but the end makes me feel like there should be another book. can't make heads or tails if there will be another....

[Marcy Mount · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made all the plot confusion of books 2-5 worth it! What a good ending!!!