An absolutely gorgeous tale filled with magic, intrigue, and suspense! A companion novel to The Book of Doors, this title carries all the same wonder and beauty as its predecessor, while also defining its own identity in a way that made it, at least to me, even more enjoyable than the first book! Seeing the mystery of the Society's origins unfold was enthralling, and the true nature of the objects they collect was truly fascinating, all backed up by a cast of rich and nuanced characters! An absolute must-read for any lovers of fantasy! Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!

☆4.75
What would one do with magic objects designed as everyday things? Good things? Bad things? An indifference or maybe averison to these great items.

The Society of Unknowable Objects only has 3 current members. It's a secret society that collects magic objects around the world and keeps them hidden and safe. When word arrives that a stranger in Hong Kong knows about them and has a magic object, Magda is sent to retrieve it. What should have been an easy trip becomes deathly. The Society seems to be keeping more than just objects secret, and Magda must make things right.

This was such a delightful book. I loved it. I really enjoy Browns writing style. I didn't want to finish it, I wanted to stay within the story, but I needed to know what was going to happen. The characters were relatable and frustrating at the same time. The magic system was simple yet believable and effective. I would love to come back to this world.

Thank you to williammorrowbooks and netgalley for providing me a copy to read and review honestly.

Sophomore slump, who? This book was a pleasant surprise!

(spoilers ahead)

I read The Book of Doors for a recent book club, and while most people enjoyed it there were many aspects of it that most of the attendees were confused by or couldn’t wrap their heads around (I heard one table had to draw a diagram). I enjoyed it enough to still be intrigued when I saw the author had another book coming out soon, and was excited to be chosen for an ARC (thanks William Morrow and NetGalley, by the way, for a copy in exchange for my honest review).

So glad I gave this one a chance! It fixes many of the complaints about BoD with a more streamlined plot that sucks you in immediately. It also benefits from a much tighter cast of characters instead of spending half the book saying “wait, who was that?”. And, yes, while it was not a romance novel I was much happier with the payoff in this book versus the last one which felt like the tension built up to nothing.

As far as critiques, I did find the parts that focused on the “bad guy” a little too lengthy at times; these chapters would be much longer than those that focused on the main action and sometimes felt like they would never end (only for him to be wiped out pretty unceremoniously). Also the fight against the “final boss” seemed to drag on and on.

That being said, overall I enjoyed this book—more than The Book of Doors, honestly. I did appreciate the nods to that book, though, and am really excited by the opportunities possibly opened up by the epilogue! Will definitely pick up the author’s next novel to see where the story goes next.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of this book. If you like magical realism, this book is for you. I enjoyed his first book, but this one I enjoyed more. It was easy to read engaging throughout. I felt like he did a good job closing all the threads and the cliffhanger at the end. Wow!

Well, that was amazing. Gareth Brown has earned himself a spot on my auto-buy authors list. The WRITING. Gahhh so good.

Okay review with actual words now. The Society of Unknowable Objects had me completely captivated and wanting to know more from the start. This story is written so wonderfully that you have no trouble feeling a part of the magical world. It feels so real even with the magical elements. It's a tale full of magic and imagination, but Brown excellently ties in a darker side as well.

If you want a fast paced, immersive, magical read - you most certainly should pick up this book!

First, thank you for the ARC!

Publication date: 31 July 2025

Just last month, I read The Book of Doors, and I liked it so much.

When I saw that there would be another book from the author, I requested it without hesitation.

And here I am, I've finished reading it...

I really enjoyed it, although at times it felt a bit slow, but the ending had so much action and information. And the epilogue, wow!

I love this kind of theme and atmosphere.

💬There's a secret society, people who find and protect magical items, the ability to fly, walk through walls (I'd love a pair of speedy boots, please)

But the main character's mother dies during the search, and this is where the secrets start to unfold, and a guy with a gun shows up.

Is magic evil or good? Do we have the right to possess it?

This book is similar to The Book of Doors, so if you enjoyed that and want something alike, definitely read this one!

It reminded me of the tv show The Librarians, which I love.

There's also a bit of a romantic subplot.

• Magical items
• Secret society
• Murder
• Hunter of magic

📚📦♟️🪄🔫

5/5 Stars

I absolutely loved The Society of Unknowable Objects! It’s the perfect mix of mystery, adventure, and magic, with a fast-paced plot that kept me hooked from page one. The whole concept of "unknowable objects" is so unique, and the secret society protecting them adds an intriguing layer of suspense.

Beyond the adventure, the book also explores some deeper themes about truth, power, and secrecy, which gave it even more depth. But most of all, it’s just a really exciting read. If you love books with secret societies, magical artifacts, and smart, badass protagonists, this one’s for you!

Gareth Brown’s The Society of Unknowable Objects is a compelling and immersive novel that blends mystery, fantasy, and historical intrigue. Set in a world where seemingly ordinary objects possess extraordinary power, the story follows Magda Sparks, a writer who is also the newest member of a secret society dedicated to safeguarding these artifacts. When she is sent to Hong Kong to investigate the emergence of a rare and dangerous object, she quickly finds herself caught in a deadly pursuit—one that forces her to question not only the motives of her own organization but also the true nature of the artifacts themselves.

What sets this novel apart is its richly developed mythology and the intricate ways in which it weaves history and magic together. Brown crafts a world in which knowledge is as perilous as power, and the Society's mission to protect unknowable objects is fraught with secrecy and deception. Magda’s journey takes her from the bookshops of London to the American South, unraveling a hidden history of people who have spent lifetimes trying to control forces beyond their understanding. The novel does not simply present magic as a wonder to be explored but rather as a dangerous and morally complex force—one that, in the wrong hands, can reshape history itself.

Beyond its plot, The Society of Unknowable Objects explores broader themes of knowledge, secrecy, and the ethics of power. Who gets to decide what knowledge is too dangerous to share? What happens when an organization founded on noble principles becomes indistinguishable from the threats it seeks to protect the world from? Brown engages with these questions thoughtfully, creating a novel that is not only an engrossing mystery but also a meditation on history, control, and the weight of hidden truths. Brown has established himself as a master of blending historical fantasy with philosophical depth, and I look forward to seeing where his work takes us next.
#netgalley #williammorrow

Having thoroughly enjoyed The Book of Doors, I was eager to dive into Gareth Brown’s latest novel. However, the first half fell short of my expectations, feeling somewhat less creative and engaging. Fortunately, the second half gained momentum, raising the stakes and resolving several of my early concerns with the plot. While some character decisions felt overly dramatic—occasionally veering into YA territory—I still appreciated Brown’s signature blend of realistic fantasy with mature themes. Despite its uneven pacing, the novel remained an enjoyable read overall.

Thank you to William Morrow for the ARC via NetGalley.

Yes. Immediately yes. I LOVE Gareth Brown’s storytelling abilities. If you’ve read and loved The Book of Doors, add this to your TBR. Even if you haven’t read The Book of Doors yet, add this to your TBR anyway because that’s how good it is.
This book has the perfect mix of magical and realistic elements. The descriptions are written in a way that makes me feel like I am right there with the characters.
Not to mention the nod to The Book of Doors at the end! Gareth Brown is a genius.

Gareth Brown has become an instant auto-read for me! The Book of Doors was my favorite book last year - I read it twice! I was so excited for this new book and it did NOT disappoint! it was just a perfect as his first book! The magic was delicious and the characters were perfectly written! I was squealing during the epilogue!
Gareth, I love how your mind works! Please write as fast as you can!

The Society of Unknowable Objects is the most captivating book about magic since Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Yes, it's that good. Gareth Brown gives us a "super team" in this enthralling work of fiction. Magda Sparks is one of the most memorable characters you'll find but there are also other strong characters in the society. The book is captivating from start to finish. It's a delightful read. While it is billed as stand-alone book, you'll be hoping for a sequel. It really is a magical experience. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Gareth Brown has another amazing book for us! I loved the idea of looking at magic for good and for evil and all the intricacies and ethical dilemmas that were presented by different characters. This is a quick book to read. I would have liked a bit more character building but I still felt connected to most of the characters by the end of the book. If you are a fan of The Book of Doors, there are some storyline connections in this book. After finishing this book, I am hoping for another book that has Cassie and Magda working together!

Review: This was tough to parse as I was at once riveted and then bored out of my skull with the story line. There were instances in Owen's byline where this novel was nice and gritty, especially with Lukas. Even Magda's mother was a great story line that went nowhere. Not sure what the author was trying to acomplish by truncating these avenues.

Mostly Magda nose dived every chapter she was in. Oh so smart and plucky, then crying on the floor wah, wah, wah. And then, blushing and crushing on the tall and ravishing Mr. Wei. This story line is so, so overdone that only the names change slightly.

The ending leaves some hope that Magda will grow the fuk up and behave like Henry.

I recieved this ARC for an honest review.

2.4/5

I reviewed and absolutely loved Gareth Brown’s first book: The Book of Doors. And so when I saw he was doing another book this year, well, I had to read and review it! The second book is called The Society of Unknowable Objects and I received an early digital copy of the book from Net Galley.

In The Society of Unknowable Objects by Gareth Brown, a group dedicated to collecting and guarding mysterious magical objects finds that a new magical object is in the world. Magda, the newest member of the group, is sent out to find the object and she encounters more than she bargained for! Soon enough, more secrets are revealed and Magda’s world will never be the same again.

Oh my god. There are so many things I wish I could talk about here but I don’t want to give away anything. I will say that I absolutely loved this book too. Gareth Brown’s second book is more steeped in pulp adventure, with a mix of modern storytelling, then the first book. The Society reminds me of Doc Savage and his group or the Planetary (by Warren Ellis/John Cassaday) comic. They are just fantastic (more on them in a moment).

I love the idea of magical items that do different things and of course there is a good side and a very bad side to the magic. The magic, the adventure, and the fantasy are well and good but a book has to have engaging characters too. And The Society of Unknowable Objects has engaging characters in spades! Magna is my favorite character in the book, but Frank, James, Henry, Lukas, Owen, and even Will are well thought out and make the book even better. Its an excellent cast of characters.

Gareth Brown is a wonderful writer. He makes you feel like you are in the world of the characters and you can see whats going on. The writing is descriptive and kept me on the edge of my seat. There were several moments that really surprised me too. There was one thing that I totally guessed and it was one of those things thats hinted at and makes you go “I KNEW IT!” It was so well done. I’m being vague because I don’t want to give away any of this book’s secrets. I don’t want to give away the ending especially! Oh my goodness. I loved that!

The Society of Unknowable Objects is, without a doubt, going to be one of my favorite books this year. And its already been a really great year for books and its only January. You won’t want to miss this book. Oh and if you haven’t read The Book of Doors, you should. Both books are so good. I can’t wait to see what Gareth Brown does next.

The Society of Unknowable Objects comes out on August 12th, 2025. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the early digital copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an ARC of The Society of Unknowable Objects.

Let me tell you, I SCREAMED when I saw that I was given the opportunity to read this book. The Book of Doors was in my top 3 favorite reads for 2023 and The Society of Unknowable Objects absolutely lived up to the hype and was every bit as amazing (dare I say better?)! This book felt distinctly different from The Book of Doors because of the new cast of characters, but with the same beautiful storytelling and wonderous magic. I loved Magda and rooted for her throughout the story and truly did not want it to end. The ending though? Perfection! I don't want to give anything away, but I loved the way the ending tied everything together.

I rarely say this after 2 books, but Gareth Brown has already earned himself a spot on my "auto-read" list of authors. I am already crossing my fingers for another book set in this magical world.

5 big stars!!

I absolutely loved “The Book of Doors” and was hoping for a sequel — this book is, in a way, an extension of that universe and the fantasy realms of Gareth Brown’s talents. “The Society of Unknowable Objects” gives us another class of magical items (just as the “Books” would be) to be amazed by.

The “Society” was supposedly a secret created by Frank Simpson’s grandfather, and three of his friends in the 1940s, a secret that had passed down through the same four families ever since, with Frank (bookstore owner), Will Palin (watchmaker), Henrietta “Henry” Wiseman (legitimate occupation unknown), and Magda Sparks (author) as the current members.The organization has existed with a sole purpose: to collect and protect and keep secret the magical items of the world, away from owners with disreputable uses of the items which are kept in the hidden Clockwork Cabinet in Bell Street Books.

Meeting in the basement of the Marylebone bookshop, Frank, Will and Magda are told that the first new artifact in 40 years has possibly been located (although, from the prologue, we know that Imelda, Magda’s mum, had found more items just as she died using the “Atlas of the Lost Things” ten years ago). The son of an acquaintance of Will’s late father, James Wei, has found something among objects that were willed to his Chinese bank and employer. Magda volunteers to travel to Hong Kong and is charmed by James. Unfortunately, just as he reveals the object to her, one of two terrifically contemptible mystery men who know about the magical objects, shoots James and takes the item. Magda returns to London and the group, minus a diffident Will, vow to find the assassin and retake his unknowable object. Which they do with an assist of other unknowable objects…

As the Society members (who all have secrets of their own) travel to the United States, the two despicable villains are also clashing with each other. The ugly interactions between these two, although occurring in some of the most imaginative scenery, complicates a straightforward story of a justified quest. When the Society members find these two, there already has been a lot of reflection about the evil that magic can do and why that power should be harnessed. That’s a theme that was present in the “Book of Doors” — unregulated ownership of magic corrupts (which was why the Fox Library of the previous book existed).

The action builds and the epilogue is perfect. It’s immensely enjoyable to enjoy another strong female central character created by author Brown — Magda and Cassie from “Book of Doors” would make a magnificent team. 5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO Only blue ones. Will’s blue ones and the gaunt man.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): The nightmare garden is everything that shouldn’t be natural.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!

Gareth Brown clearly knows how to write books that I love. I love love loved his previous book so I was so excited to find out that he had a new one coming out. Magical books were awesome, magical objects turned out to be completely awesome, too. And I loved the references back to the first book in a way that was not disruptive to those who never read the first book but felt like an insider's gift to those who did!

Like his first book, this story is full of imagination, joy, a true joy for your senses, especially visually. Of course all the good must be balanced by evil, so evil is there too. Some very interesting choices for evil in this book. All the characters are unique and jump off the page.

It is clear to me I will forever read anything Brown writes, I just hope he writes fast so I can keep reading more and more of his wonderful stories.

with gratitude to netgalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I could not get over everything I read once I was done and could not do anything but just feel from all of it. It was just so good and so many things happened. Where do I go from here? I loved it.

Gareth Brown's Book of Doors was one of my top reads for 2024. I jumped on this title when I saw it listed in NetGalley.

The Society of Unknowable Objects has a similar feel to Book of Doors, except we immediately know we're dealing with magical objects. What those objects do... are not always apparent. Magda joins the Society after the death of her mother. The Society has been quietly meeting for years in a mostly uneventful manner. But when a potentially new object is available, Magda discovers that the Society are not the only ones seeking the magic objects.

I enjoyed the Society of Unknowable Objects and would definitely recommend it to those who read the Book of Doors and enjoy a little magic in their life. To me, it felt like there was a lot of 'explanations' during the first half of the book, but when adventures and magic happened, it was perfection. Lots of twists and excitement to stay engaged.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.