"The Society of Unknowable Objects" is a thrilling globe-spanning adventure with a relatable and engaging cast of characters and a simple yet effective magic system. I enjoyed Garth Brown's writing style, and the story keeps me hooked until the end!

For people that want mystery and action tied together in a wonderful story!

I wanted to thank Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Gareth Brown, and William Morrow for allowing me access to the e-arc.

4.75 stars

I devoured this book! It was such a fun and binge-able read. The magic system was not like anything I had read before. I’m a sucker for a secret society. I loved that we got different POVs that added to the story. The exploration of what truly is good and evil was very interesting. It showed that not everything is so cut and dry. We have to live with the consequences of the choices that we make. I would have loved more discussions of grief. But regardless I loved this book. I can’t wait to buy a copy. I highly recommend it!

I did not read the prequel (of sorts, the main character (I think) pops up in the end of the book) but this wasn't particularly well written. The main character is a Mary Sue cardboard cut out who lucks in and out of every situation. There was a lot of exposition for a world that could have been made a lot more interesting. Having characters provide letters that explain things is the laziest writing technique and I would not suggest this book to anyone. Also, the title is stupid. Eventually you KNOW what the object is.

High praise for the creativity the author used for the magical items in the book. They were unique and fun to read about. Unfortunately, the items were more interesting than the characters. It took longer than usual for me to finish this book, which tells me it did not grasp me the way other books have. I was looking for more depth from fewer characters. Also, some of the story came across as too dry for my tastes.

I think others may enjoy it more than I did, so I would recommend it.

Magda is in a secret society that protects powerful enchanted objects, each with unique magical abilities. When tasked with retrieving a rook from Hong Kong, she finds herself caught in a world of mystery, danger and hidden magic. Led by Frank, the society is determined to keep these artifacts out of the wrong hands.

Filled with intrigue, friendship, and wonder, this book proves to be an even more compelling read than its predecessor!

While I loved Gareth Brown's novel The Book of Doors, this one just didn't grab me. I found Magda very annoying from the beginning, and none of the characters really made me care about what happened to them. It also felt like a much longer book than it needed to be. It started to get interesting about 80% through, which is much too long to wait in my opinion. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

I think Gareth Brown's storytelling/writing style just does not work for me. Once again, as with The Book of Doors, I was immediately drawn to the gorgeous cover, the provocative title, and the intriguing blurb. Once again, the book started with a bang and drew me in immediately, only to find my interest slowly flagging as the pages progressed. Once again, about a quarter of the way in I found myself forcing each page turn... It is very frustrating and do not know what it is exactly, but something about his writing just doesn't connect with me as a reader. The concepts are fabulous and again, I cannot say enough good things about the gorgeous cover art, but the execution falls flat for me every time...

The storyline of this book was so intriguing. I completely ate it up and felt like I was there watching everything unfold. The world building and detail is absolutely phenomenal. The magic was creative and easy to follow. I enjoyed following Magda on her journey and her passion for protecting the magical objects whilst learning about the history of the secret society and going through every emotion along with her

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me to read this ARC!
Publishing on Aug 12, 2025

3.75

The Book of Doors is one of my top reads from the last couple of years so I was very excited when I saw that The Society of Unknowable Objects was coming out. I was very pleasantly surprised when, upon reading, finding out that the stories are interconnected. Love that!

This author has a particular talent for writing antagonists. In both books I have been truly disturbed by these characters he's created. Bone-chilling bad guys. The detail of characters feeling physically sick or uncomfortable when they look at Lukas, I felt it myself. Exemplary character work, really.

As far as concepts go, I really enjoy exploring this one. The magic is intriguing and I love seeing it in action and how it manifests in the world. I have mixed feelings though, because of all of the possibilities I found myself feeling that if the magical objects had been used a little more effectively it would have improved things. Perhaps there needs to be more of a real consequence to deter the items being used as anything but a last resort. Besides just the conscientiousness of the society members I mean.

I'm intrigued about the soul/wing aspect. Is this going to be further explored in subsequent books?

I liked this book quite a bit, and it read fast once I got into it. It was very good. But I liked every aspect of The Book of Doors just a little bit more. Will definitely still be recommending to customers and followers and I am very interested in this author's future works, especially if it's connected to this same world!

Thanks for the opportunity to read this early!

The Society of Unknowable Objects focus on a group of individuals who meet monthly to protect a cache of magical objects. The magical objects can grant all kinds of power to people who possess them, so the society works to make sure they remain out of use and out of the hands of those who would use the power for evil. But when a new "unknowable object" is discovered in Hong Kong, Magda, the newest and youngest member of the society, goes to fetch it. And then things go wrong...

I enjoyed the unique magic system in this book and the main character. However, the pacing was off to me at times - sometimes it was slow, but other times, I felt like I could barely keep up. I do think the book pushed beyond just fun fantasy though, as it forced the reader to think about moral questions that the story and the main characters grappled with.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Society of Unknowable Objects by Gareth Brown is an interesting book that dives into ideas about identity and memory. It mixes strange situations with deep thoughts, keeping you curious throughout. Though it can feel a bit slow at times, the story and characters are still worth the read. It’s a unique experience for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking fiction.

Gareth Brown's Book of Doors was one of my favorites last year, so this was a very anticipated follow-up. What a delight it was, and exceeded my expectations!! Highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Gareth Brown’s The Society of Unknowable Objects takes readers on a thrilling ride through a hidden world of magical artifacts and danger. The story follows Magda Sparks, a dedicated member of a secret society tasked with protecting these extraordinary objects. As she embarks on a mission to Hong Kong to investigate a potential new “object,” she uncovers a web of intrigue that puts her in the crosshairs of a professional killer eager to claim it for himself.

Brown has a remarkable talent for infusing his magical objects with depth and personality, creating a vibrant universe where each item has its own story and significance. The narrative is packed with suspense, as Magda grapples with both the responsibilities of her role and the immediate threats she faces. The stakes escalate quickly, and the pacing keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

The ending is particularly exhilarating, delivering a twist that will have you gasping and cheering, perfectly setting the stage for future adventures. Brown’s skillful storytelling and imaginative world-building make this an absolute must-read.

Thank you Net gallery for the ARC of this book for my honest review.

If you liked the previous book The Book of Doors you will love this book. It has the same adventure and magical realism.

There are magical objects that are spread apart and we have to find them and there is of course a villain or two.

The reason why I gave it a 4-star is because it didn't deviate much from his first book and at times I felt the book meandered.


Best reading 😉

Rating: 🙂/3.75
Review: I am so torn on this book. I love the writing style and Brown writes villains so well! This book was darker than his previous with more magical/fantastical elements. The story and characters were great (most of the characters), but at times I felt like it just wondered around with too many descriptions and not enough moving forward. It took me longer to read, but I think that was more my headspace issue than the book.
Format: 👩🏻‍💻
Source: #netgalley
Published on Goodreads 2/27/2025

A Thrilling, Otherworldly Mystery in the Vein of Control and Alan Wake*

By Connor Kelley

Gareth Brown’s The Society of Unknowable Objects is a pulse-pounding, mind-bending thriller that feels like it was plucked from the eerie, atmospheric worlds of Control and Alan Wake. Infused with an intoxicating mix of supernatural mystery, secret societies, and reality-warping artifacts, Brown’s latest novel is a gripping exploration of power, secrecy, and the dangerous allure of hidden knowledge.

The premise is deceptively simple: three seemingly ordinary individuals—bound together by an age-old mission—meet in the basement of a London bookshop every six months to ensure the world's most mysterious and dangerous objects remain locked away, unseen and unspoken of. But when Frank Simpson, the Society’s longest-standing member, gets wind of a new artifact surfacing in Hong Kong, he sends Magda Sparks—an unassuming author and the Society’s newest recruit—to investigate. What begins as a routine mission quickly spirals into something far more sinister, as Magda finds herself pursued by a relentless professional killer, fleeing for her life with an object so powerful, even the Society itself was unaware of its existence.

As Magda’s journey takes her from the shadowed alleyways of Hong Kong to the Deep South of the United States, Brown constructs a richly layered narrative that thrives on tension and unease. Secrets pile upon secrets, as Magda begins to realize that the Society’s true purpose may not be what it seems—and that the objects they safeguard may not be as unknowable as they were led to believe.

Brown excels at weaving a sense of creeping dread into his world-building, crafting a universe where reality itself feels tenuous, where objects hold impossible powers, and where truth is a force just as dangerous as magic. The novel’s supernatural elements never overwhelm its tight, character-driven core; instead, they add to its unnerving atmosphere, imbuing every interaction and revelation with an almost Lynchian strangeness. Like the best of Remedy Entertainment’s psychological thrillers, The Society of Unknowable Objects understands that the most terrifying mysteries aren’t just about what’s out there—but what’s been kept hidden, even from ourselves.

Fans of The Book of Doors will find much to love here, but The Society of Unknowable Objects is a beast of its own—more suspenseful, more relentless, more willing to peel back the veil between the known and the unknowable. Brown has crafted a novel that is equal parts supernatural noir, metaphysical horror, and high-stakes adventure. With prose that crackles with intelligence and intrigue, The Society of Unknowable Objects isn’t just about protecting secrets—it’s about the terrifying consequences of uncovering them.

The Society of Unknowable Objects by Gareth Brown is the action packed tale of a society dedicated to protecting magical objects. Frank, the head of the society, sends Magda to Hong Kong to investigate the reports of a new object. Magda finds herself in mortal peril when a dangerous man tries to intercept and steal the object. She soon discovers that the society is hiding many secrets and her life depends on finding the truth.

I recommend this book for fantasy and magical realism readers. Magda is the heroine we all inspire to be, willing to do what is necessary to protect the people she loves and courageous enough to step out of her comfort zone to get what she wants. Brown creates magical worlds that feel so real you can disappear for hours until you finish the story. You will be compelled to read furiously and ponder the story for days after. If you have read The Book of Doors, you will enjoy the cameo at the end.

Thank you William Morrow and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

i loved brown’s precious book, but after attempting this multiple times it simply doesn’t seem to be the book for me. i would still 100% recommend for sci-if/fantasy lovers out there! this is a me thing personally, and as such i will not post a public review for dnf’ing 💫

Engaging and immersive. A recommended purchase for collections where commercial speculative fic popular.

The loss of her mother Imelda Sparks brings her daughter Magda Sparks into full membership into the Society of Unknowable Objects. There is something about this story of a daughter grieving the loss of her mother, the way she is restless in her body and mind the way she tries to hold onto the parts of her mother that she did not know and becoming a member of this society helps her get to know about her mother in a capacity that she couldn't before. The acceptance into this society brings a danger that Magda did not anticipate and brings revelations about the origins of the society that are much darker than the benign objectives that they claim to hold in the present time.