What if magic is used the wrong way? Who gets to decide who should use magic? How does magic even happen? In Gareth Brown’s book, “The Society of Unknown Objects”, these topics are explored, experienced and pondered upon. Magda Sparks is given the task of retrieving an unknowable object - a magic object. In her travels she will have to answer these questions and more.

The idea of magical things is intriguing. Thought I enjoyed this story, I found the flow of it a little disjointed. I did like how at the conclusion of this book, a tickler of another possible adventure is dangled in front of us. I feel that this book would appeal to readers who like to push the bounds of known reality.

I wish to thank William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins Publishers for providing this book and selecting me to review it on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

After falling in love with The Book of Doors, I couldn’t wait to step back into Gareth Brown’s mind—and The Society for Unknowable Objects did not disappoint. This story whispers magic through the cracks of the everyday, making you question just how ordinary the world around us really is.

Following Magda Sparks—a writer turned reluctant artifact-hunter—this standalone mystery-unfolding-as-magic tale had me hooked from the first flicker of candlelight in that London bookshop basement. Brown has this rare talent for blending quiet intimacy with cinematic scope. One moment, you're strolling through dusty archives; the next, you’re ducking bullets in Hong Kong or chasing secrets across the American South.

What I adore most about Brown’s storytelling is how contained and intimate it feels, even when the stakes are massive. He doesn’t rely on flashy magic—he builds wonder through atmosphere and subtle power. Every magical object feels like it could exist in the real world… if only you knew how to look for it.

This book pulses with quiet tension, philosophical questions about knowledge and control, and a touch of the gothic. And while the plot delivers thrills, what stayed with me were the emotions: the weight of secrets, the loneliness of power, the fragile ties between people trying to do good in a world that often doesn’t reward it.

Brown once again proves he’s a master at weaving speculative fiction with soul. The Society for Unknowable Objects is strange, lyrical, and quietly explosive. If you like secret societies, slow-burn suspense, literary magic, and stories that peel back the edges of reality—this is a must-read.

This isn’t just a story about magical artifacts—it’s about legacy, hidden truths, and the weight of choosing what (or who) gets protected. And Magda? She’s the kind of heroine who earns your respect slowly, word by word, action by action.

If you love:
✨ Secret societies
✨ Found family vibes with tension beneath the surface
✨ Ordinary objects hiding extraordinary magic
✨ Slow revelations and aching truths

…this book belongs on your shelf. Gareth Brown has officially become an auto-buy author for me. I closed this book feeling like I had touched something sacred—just out of reach, but unforgettable all the same.

Thank you William Morrow, Gareth Brown and NetGalley for the eARC!

This is clearly connected to Brown's first book, The Book of Doors. I have not read The Book of Doors, and you don't have to have read it to read this one, though the epilogue is a very clear line between the two just from reading the description of The Book of Doors.

I am usually pretty leery of modern fantasy, but this one was very good. It actually reminded me a bit of Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Torzs, which I loved. Protagonist Magda quickly finds herself in over her head when retrieving a magical item for the Society of Unknowable Objects, but there are LAYERS to the trouble. I think the "solution" to the problem is pretty transparent to the reader early on, but the journey was still very enjoyable. I loved the idea of the different magical objects and what they could do, and this does cross the line into having some horror elements at times that really amped up the stakes. I enjoyed Magda as a protagonist AND her band of misfits; I honestly didn't think a single character failed in their story-driven purpose here.

I am definitely looking forward to going back and reading The Book of Doors at some point after finishing this one!

I really enjoyed reading this it had that element that I was hoping for and enjoyed the idea of this book. It was everything that I was looking for and thought was a great use of the secret society, it had that romance element that I wanted and enjoyed getting into this story. The characters were so well done and was invested in what was going on. Gareth Brown has a strong writing style and am excited for more.

This book was fast paced and fun and an absolute joy to devour. Part of me wishes I had read the Book of Doors first, but it definitely stands on its own too! The characters, the setting, the premise - it all melds so perfectly together that it played in my head like a movie (not something I can say for every book I read). This is a highly anticipated release and it is easy to see why!

Plot:
Does magic exist? Yes, in common, every day objects with unknown abilities. In London, there is a group who specialize in these exact objects: the Society of Unknowable Objects. Cloaked in the mystery of a quaint bookshop, the three initial characters agree to take on a search for one of these objects that will change their worlds entirely... Magic, while beautiful and promising, is also too powerful to be given to just anyone. It is up to the society to keep the magic hidden, so that it doesn't fall into the wrong hands. Unless..... The potential: limitlessly cursed.

Thanks:
Thank you to Gareth Brown, William Morrow Books and NetGalley for this ARC!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

The Society of Unknowable Objects by Gareth Brown is an engaging blend of fantasy and reality that pulls readers into a world where magic exists just beneath the surface of our everyday lives. I especially enjoyed the magic system—it felt fresh and imaginative without being overly complex. As someone who loves fantasy rooted in the real world, the urban elements added a groundedness that made the story even more compelling.

The characters truly shined in this novel. Their dynamics felt natural and layered, and the pacing of their individual journeys built a strong emotional core. The plot is enriched by how Brown intertwines the characters’ histories with their current challenges, allowing the story’s emotional weight and twists to unfold organically.

I will say that the major action and most vivid descriptive climax seemed to happen a bit earlier than expected, making the final resolution feel slightly less intense by comparison. That could just come down to personal taste in how tension builds, but it stood out to me.

If you’ve read Brown’s previous work, you’ll really appreciate this one—it showcases his signature depth, atmosphere, and thoughtful storytelling while introducing fresh elements that make it stand out.

I have not read Mr. Brown’s first book, which apparently is held in high regard, so I have only this latest novel to evaluate the author’s skill. That said, I was disappointed in The Society of Unknowable Objects for several reasons.

First and foremost, the writing style felt more like a YA novel than an adult fiction in the magical realism genre. I never fully engaged with the characters and found them unlikeable and one dimensional except for James Wei, the banker from Hong Kong who gets drawn into the Society’s work in a dramatic way.

The pacing for the first half was slow and when it did pick up, I was dismayed that there was so much darkness and violence – proving the point that magical artefacts really should be kept hidden from individuals of dubious character.

Overall, this novel is not one I enthusiastically recommend for those who enjoy magical realism. It is adequate in its suspenseful aspects, but there are elements that lend themselves more to horror than magic.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

I'm so sorry, but I was so disappointed with this book! The Book of Doors was perfectly creative and balanced the right amount of fantasy with real life. Set Gareth Brown up for success.

The Society of Unknowable Objects just didn't do it for me. There was no real character development. It felt like it was written by someone way more junior than he is. The "fantastical" elements were too out of place and there wasn't quite enough built around that.

If you read the acknowledgements, he writes about how difficult this book was to write (especially compared to TBOD). Unfortunately, it shows.

I loved Gareth Brown’s previous novel The Book of Doors - it was one of my favorites of 2024.

This follow up, the Society of Unknowable Objects is in the same world as The Book of Doors, but focuses on a slightly different subject matter- objects, such as a necklace or a chess piece, are imbued with magic and enable the person who has them to perform a variety of magical tasks. The society wants to protect the world from these magical artifacts.

Once this book got going, I really enjoyed it. I have to admit though, it has a very slow start and doesn’t initially sell you on why you should care about the Society of Unknowable Objects or its members' lives. Eventually that changes as mysteries are solved, action ensues and the magic is unveiled.

I really liked the characters and I found that even the story's villains were intriguing. I’m so glad Brown is continuing to spend time in this universe as it’s clearly full of opportunity. Unfortunately it’s the slow start that makes this book compare negatively to The Book of Doors. Still, if you like magical realism, you’re likely to enjoy this adventure.

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advance reader copy. The Society of Unknowable Objects publishes on August 12, 2025.

This was interesting, but overall not nearly as good for me as his debut! I felt like the plot was a bit flat, although one twist really did intrigue me. The characters weren't well fleshed out.

Summary: As part of the Society of Unknowable Objects, Magda helps keep magical items secret from the world and keeps them safe. Magda has only seen one artifact before, when she first joined the Society. Now the chair of the Society, Frank, has learned of another magical artifact in Hong Kong and is sending Magda to retrieve it. She soon learns that the members of the Society aren’t the only ones who know of these artifacts and they don’t have the same plans for them.
Review: This was a wonderful continuation of the world Brown set up in The Book of Doors. While it isn’t exactly a sequel, there were ties to his first book that made this even more enjoyable for me. I really hope he continues with these stories, because I am hooked!

Another absolutely incredible book by Gareth Brown!! I was a bit nervous that this wouldn't live up to The Book of Doors, but it was just as fantastic!! I loved the characters and felt so connected to them right away and loved following along on their journey! The magical elements truly draw you in and give you a sense of wonder and awe. The ending is absolutely perfect, it was exactly what I was hoping for!! I absolutely loved this book and will recommend this one as much as The Book of Doors!!

As a big fan of the author's previous book, I was excited to read the follow up and I wasn't disappointed even if I think I like The Book of Doors slightly more. This book treads very similar ground to The Book of Doors while managing to be it's own thing. The first part of the book really does seem to be about the most boring secret society ever, but once the pace picks up it reads more like a thriller and the revelations about the societies past make it much more interesting. If you enjoyed The Book of Doors, this is more of the same. If you haven't read it, it stands just fine on it's own (although there are a few references to The Book of Doors you'll miss).

📚 Book Review: The Society of Unknowable Objects by Gareth Brown
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Gareth Brown set the bar incredibly high for himself with The Book of Doors—my favorite book of 2024—so I’ll admit, I was a little nervous diving into this one. But let me just say: no sophomore slump here. This follow-up is thrilling, layered, and full of magic in all the right ways.

While it didn’t quite hit the same emotional heights as Doors, it came very close. I loved the clever tie-in to his first book (and yes, a returning favorite character makes an appearance 👀), which added a delightful sense of continuity without requiring you to have read the first.

This time, the magical mystery expands to Hong Kong, London, and even the American South, as Magda Sparks—our smart and scrappy new protagonist—gets pulled into a high-stakes race involving enchanted objects, hidden truths, and dangerous people. The pacing is tight, the worldbuilding is vivid, and the intrigue runs deep.

If you enjoy secret societies, magical realism with a modern twist, and well-drawn characters who keep you guessing, this one is an absolute win. Gareth Brown has officially cemented himself as a must-read author for me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. It was my pleasure.

The Society of Unknowable Objects is from the points of view of people in it having to do with a secret society that keeps magical items safe from the world at large. Or maybe the other way around. Things start out mundane and boring which seemed crazy to me in a world where magical objects exist. Soon, the adventure and action ramp up, but do the people in the society really want this kind of excitement?

This book asks the question: Do I want to live in a world where magic exists? It brought up some really good questions for me and I liked the touch of romance in the book.

Also really loved the very end and was pleasantly surprised by it.

The book was fast paced and kept me interested. I liked the glimpse into each persons mind and seeing the world from their perspective. I liked that very real sense that magic can be beautiful and also can be wrong. The author did a good job at making the antagonist complicated and mysterious, but you also felt for them.

4/5 Stars. Really enjoyed. Not perfect, but I loved it!

A fun fantasy read. First time I've read Gareth Brown but won't be the last. Getting ready to pick up his previous book! Highly recommend this!

A magical realism that edges into thriller territory. Characters you can’t help but to love, or hate. A compelling story with a cautionary tale woven in.
While this story dealt with some hard topics, it was a great, interesting, and entertaining read.
Everyday ordinary objects that we all overlook without a thought, but what if they were something special? Something entirely different than they seem? Everyday object with extraordinary magic powers and the lengths people will go to obtain them, use them, or protect them.

This book was SO GOOD! You really can’t go wrong with a little magic and mystery. While we clearly got more of Magda’s POV in the present, I loved how the story shifted between different characters and years - it kept things moving in such a compelling way. Each chapter gave just enough info to answer some questions while leaving others dangling until the very end. And even the epilogue had me on the edge of my seat.

I can’t get over the ending, how it managed to be both happy and sad at the same time. Happy, of course, because the problems all got resolved but sad because what happens to Lukas? I was in tears when Magda said “In some ways, he didn’t do anything wrong, really, did he? He wasn’t evil… he was just… dangerous.” He was just a lonely boy, didn’t mean any harm.

Now I just have to find my own impossible box, I’m tired of dealing with parking in the city!

I was blown away by this book! I had it on my kindle for a while and so glad I finally read it. A great mix of fantasy, romance, thriller. One of the characters made my physically unwell. I will for sure read any of the authors other works!

Enjoyed the magical realism with everyday objects harboring hidden magic. There could be future stories to expand on if the author wanted to.. Throw in the whole secret society and I was sold. First half was a little slower pacing for me as it is establishing the history of the Society which slowed it at times for me. The rest of the book was a faster pace and enjoyed it overall.

Thank you to NetGalley, and William Morrow for the ARC of this book.