Skip to main content

Member Reviews

This has been a really excellent series. Always something going on with great characters.
Jayne is an interesting character still trying to defeat Odin and save everyone.
As always great worldbuilding.
This will be enjoyed by those who enjoy mystery and fantasy.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher.

Was this review helpful?

Book 6 of the series brings us to the conclusion of Jayne Thorne's adventures. As with the rest of the series, Ms. Walker gives us plenty of edge of your seat action, with indepth characters, and great world building. It is sad to see this story end, but I will be looking for more to read from this author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

This is the book that I anticipated when the series first started, the conclusion to a riveting series that captivated my imagination and helped me to enjoy fantasy. Jayne Thorne is at the center of the story and in all of the important battle scenes, as is her beloved and very pregnant sister Sophia. The two of them face their greatest enemy, the AllFather Odin, who wants to control all magic and destroy what they have built. Jayne and her allies use magic for the good of the world while Odin wants the power, no matter the cost. One adventure after another, constant danger and the threat of losing the loves of their lives keep Jayne and Sophia focused on the task at hand. The action is relentless and compellingly realistic, even in a world of magic with some very different weapons. The characters are thoroughly developed and relatable, as the protagonists are fighting for the future of their world and giving the fight all they have. I really liked the Rogue character, Hayden, who accompanies Jayne everywhere and uses snark and wit to keep her focus on what is really important. The battle scenes are epic and should be on the movie theater screen since they played vividly in my mind as I read the book. This is the conclusion of a series, so I highly recommend that readers read each book in order to get the whole story, but it may be enjoyed as a standalone since the author does a fabulous job of giving enough of the backstory to make new readers comfortable.
Disclaimer: I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Scrolls of Time is book 6 of the Jayne Thorne, CIA Librarian. This is the final book of the series and wraps up the storylines for many characters introduced throughout the series. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t realize that this book cannot be read as a standalone. Having not read the previous books, I was rather lost for the first 50 pages but continued reading since I was given the privilege of reading this ARC. After about 100 pages I was able to enjoy the book after getting past references to prior events covered in previous books. Jayne has to travel through time in an effort to save her current world and her lover from Odin and his army of Wraiths. I highly recommend starting with Book 1 since this magical world is better explained as it’s revealed to Jayne in the proper order. Since I did enjoy book 6 eventually, for readers who have read the previous books in the series, I believe you will appreciate the conclusion to this series. I do plan to go back and start with book 1 since the preview looks very promising.

Was this review helpful?

In The Scrolls of Time, Joss Walker delivers a breathtaking conclusion to the Jayne Thorne, CIA Librarian series—an emotional, time-twisting finale that blends mythology, magic, and sacrifice in epic fashion.

After Odin’s devastating victory, the magical world lies in ruins. Libraries smolder, ancient grimoires are reduced to ash, and the once-trusted TCO has collapsed. Jayne Thorne, long a protector of both magic and memory, finds herself standing alone amid the wreckage. Her only hope: to travel through the World Tree in search of the Norns, the Fates who weave destiny itself. If they grant her access to the Time Totem, she may yet be able to change the course of fate—but only by passing a series of legendary trials that test not just her power, but her spirit.

Walker masterfully interlaces high fantasy and Norse myth with a modern, emotionally grounded narrative. Jayne is no longer the hesitant librarian readers first met—she’s become a battle-scarred warrior, hardened by loss, and determined to save what remains. The philosophical weight of time and destiny gives the story a deeper resonance, as Jayne must decide not only whether she can change the past, but whether she should.

This is not a standalone book—you’ll need the full series to truly appreciate the stakes and emotional payoff. But for longtime readers, the conclusion is sweeping and satisfying, rich with callbacks, earned triumphs, and the kind of bittersweet resolution that lingers long after the final page.

Verdict: A triumph of imagination and heart, The Scrolls of Time is a beautifully crafted, emotionally resonant finale that cements the Jayne Thorne series as a standout in urban fantasy.

Was this review helpful?

This was a fantastic finale for the Jayne Thorne, CIA Librarian series! The characters, battles, and magic are unique and well written. Travel with Jayne in this last book as she seeks to defeat Odin, the mightiest god.

Was this review helpful?

J.T. Ellison is a terrific writer no matter what name she is writing under. I was super excited when I found the first Jayne Thorne story to see J.T. branching off into fantasy and paranormal but underneath the story is her amazing writing style that pulled me in years ago. Jayne is an interesting character having grown so much from book one through this book which must be read after reading the others. The world building is spectacular bringing modern life and magic together with a none (yet unknown) figure from Norse mythology. Many of us are probably familiar with Oden from other tales but in this one he takes on a role full of darkness allowing our author to make him her own character. Jayne has prepared for this final battle and grown stronger both with her magic and as a person since book 1. The conclusion is beautifully done but there is one small problem, I hate thinking this is it from Jayne's world. I would advise anyone unfamiliar with this tale to go back to book 1 and read all stories in the tale including the novellas that set up Jayne's family lore. While this is not traditional J.T. Ellison fare in the truest sense, it is in terms of being a great book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Two Tales Press | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles for the opportunity to read this ARC

Was this review helpful?

I started reading the book and while the writing seems enjoyable, I felt like I was missing some context. Unfortunately, I am unable to properly review the book since it is a sixth instalment in the series, so I am rating it at 3 for good writing and interesting story, but will return to GR review when I have caught up with the previous books.

Was this review helpful?

This was such an amazing end to an amazing series. I've been with Jayne from the very beginning and this has become a favorite series of mine. Reading this end was so bitter sweet. I wasn't prepared for it to end yet, but I couldn't put it down. This is a series I'll revisit in the future.

Was this review helpful?

This book was great! I was really impressed with the pacing and world building in this book. I think the characters and the emotion behind them could have been built out a bit more, but overall I really enjoyed where this book took me. The magic system was incredible!

Was this review helpful?

"The Scrolls of Time" by Joss Walker is a breath-taking and emotionally charged conclusion to the Jayne Thorne series, delivering a high-stakes, epic finale that blends magic, mythology, and heart-wrenching choices. This instalment sees CIA Librarian Jayne Thorne facing her greatest challenge yet: a battle against Odin, a god who has brought the magical world to its knees. The stakes are higher than ever, and Jayne’s journey is one of sacrifice, resilience, and transformation.

The novel picks up in the aftermath of Odin’s devastating victory, with the magical world in ruins. Libraries, the guardians of knowledge and magic, are burning, and the TCO (the organization Jayne once trusted) is in shambles. Jayne, now isolated and grieving the loss of her loved ones, must confront the overwhelming power of Odin and his army of Wraiths. Her only hope lies in the World Tree, a mythical realm where the Norns—the weavers of destiny—reside. With her loyal dragon companion, Hayden, Jayne embarks on a perilous journey to seek the Time Totem, a power that could unravel time itself and give her a chance to rewrite the catastrophic events unfolding around her.

Walker masterfully weaves together elements of Norse mythology, high fantasy, and modern-day intrigue, creating a richly layered narrative that is both imaginative and deeply emotional. The trials Jayne faces within the World Tree are not only physical but also psychological, forcing her to confront her deepest fears, regrets, and desires. The Norns’ challenges are designed to break her, but Jayne’s determination and growth as a character shine through, making her a truly compelling heroine.

The novel’s exploration of time, destiny, and the cost of power adds a philosophical depth to the story. Jayne’s ultimate choice—whether to wield the Time Totem and risk the consequences of altering time—is a poignant reflection of the series’ central themes: the weight of responsibility, the price of heroism, and the complexity of love and loss. The cosmic convergence that binds the worlds of magic and mortality serves as a fitting backdrop for this climactic showdown, raising the tension to its peak.

"The Scrolls of Time" is a triumph of storytelling, combining fast-paced action, intricate world-building, and deeply human emotions. Joss Walker delivers a satisfying and thought-provoking conclusion to Jayne Thorne’s journey, leaving readers both exhilarated and reflective. This final instalment cements the series as a standout in the urban fantasy genre, offering a powerful reminder that sometimes, defeating a god requires becoming something more than human.

Was this review helpful?

Review of Advance Reader Copy eBook

As Odin Allfather continues his battle, gaining more power over the Rogues and plunging them into the Torrent, he unleashes his Wraiths to swoop down on the people. His determination to rule once more seems on the verge of reaching success; his malevolent desires seemingly within his reach.

But Jayne Thorne is contemplating time travel. Can she find the way to defeat Odin Allfather and save the magic realm? Or are they all doomed?

=========

In this, the sixth and final book in the series, CIA Librarian Jayne Thorne faces Odin Allfather in a final showdown. The magic world is all but destroyed; grimoires have become ashes, the Torrent Control Organization has been shattered.

And Jayne is determined to find a way to defeat Odin Allfather and restore the magical realm.

Strong world-building, believable characters, and a captivating story filled with magic and adventure all work together to pull the reader into the telling of the tale from the outset. With all the expected characters in place and sufficient backstory for those new to the series, readers are sure to find themselves turning pages as fast as possible as Jayne’s adventure keeps them spellbound.

This final chapter in the series, like the earlier works, brings a sharp focus on magic, friendship, and love to the unfolding story. Readers who enjoy the fantasy realm will find much to appreciate in this unputdownable epic fantasy tale.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from Two Tales Press / Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) Members’ titles and NetGalley

Was this review helpful?