I was so happy to see that Brown had a new book coming! This was such a unique and fun story with a wonderful group of characters. The ending does have me hopeful that we’ll see more of the Society….

*contains spoiler*

Another FANTASTIC book from Gareth Brown that makes you feel like you are in another world. Like Harry potter but for an adult audience and without the (what's so popular now) smut. This book had me at the edge of my seat at the end and just to finish and feel like it will potentially connect to the book of doors is SO EXCITING. I can not wait for his next book already i am so sad this one is over.

3.5 stars ⭐️

A big Thank You to the publishers and author who gave me this ARC to review. It was a refreshing read overall.

The story is full of twists and turns as you are taken deeper into the world of seemingly mundane but magical objects. The mystery behind society and the lore of the objects was what grabbed and kept my attention through out the book. The pacing was well done as well.
However I would have liked to see more character development… it felt as though despite the events of this book the characters took away nothing towards the end. Additionally the book spends quite a bit of time on the mundane activities of the characters, it could be tightened up to focus more on the constantly moving plot line.
Overall I enjoyed this face paced book which leans more towards mystery/suspense than fantasy. It’s a great quick read. Thank you!

The story immediately captivates you with questions about the initial incident. It was exciting when more was revealed later in the book which tied it all together. This was an exciting story of a young woman who is determined to understand the magical world and secret society that her mom was involved in. The author created thoughtful, magical objects and powers for the characters to move through the story. The ending was the best, but some may appreciate it more than others! Thank you for another exciting book!! Well done!

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Gareth Brown’s The Society of Unknowable Objects carries the same sense of mystery and magic as *The Book of Doors*, but instead of books, the magic is hidden within everyday objects. The Society exists to protect these artifacts, ensuring they don’t fall into the wrong hands. For years, their work has been largely uneventful—until Magda is sent to Hong Kong to investigate a rumored new object. What should have been a routine discovery turns into a dangerous chase, forcing Magda to question everything she thought she knew about the Society, magic, and even her own past.

This book is an adventure from start to finish, blending action, mystery, and philosophical questions about power. Brown’s worldbuilding is immersive, making the idea of magic hidden in plain sight feel eerily plausible. Magda is a compelling protagonist—flawed yet determined, willing to risk everything to protect what she loves. The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, from the enigmatic and dangerous Lukas to the charming and sweet James, whose romance with Magda adds a welcome lightness to the story.

The first half of the book takes its time establishing the history of the Society, which slows the pacing at times, but once the action kicks in, it’s completely gripping. Brown’s prose is beautiful, with moments that had me pausing just to absorb them. And that ending? I almost screamed—it was both shocking and deeply satisfying.

For fans of The Book of Doors, there’s even a fun cameo to appreciate. While this story didn’t hit quite as hard as its predecessor for me, it’s still a compelling, unique read that lingers long after the final page. If you love fantasy with a touch of magical realism, The Society of Unknowable Objects is well worth picking up.

I absolutely enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged from start to end. So many twists and turns. The magic was so cool. It was dark at times and there were many obstacles and decisions made wisely. I will definitely recommend to others.

A lovely novel about a woman in London who is part of very small, very secret society of people who know of and protect magical objects. The plot thickens when she goes to Hong Kong to retrieve a magical object for the collection, and runs into a professional killer that wants what she is trying desperately to prevent land in the wrong hands.

I would describe this as modern, magical fiction laced with fantasy and thriller (with a teensy drop of romance). If you read Brown’s previous novel, this one is similar in plot build and story (slow at first, but holds your attention). My favorite part of his novels are the creativity in his storytelling (specifically the magic and fantasy elements).

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC copy!

I would highly suggest reading Brown’s first novel, The Book of Doors, prior to reading The Society of Unknowable Objects.y

Last year Gareth Brown demonstrated his immense talent at creating stories with the book of doors, and I’m pleased to say his upcoming release only cements this fact for me.

Immediately engaging, the first several chapters draw readers in with events that illicit strong reactions I exclaimed multiple times throughout just the first few chapters alone. The narrative keeps readers hooked and made me eager to read on with dozens of questions swirling in the back of my mind

Although she did end up growing on me in the end, for the first quarter of the book the main character annoyed me with her naïveté – though I suspect this was partly intentional in order to firmly demonstrate her character change/growth as the story and events unfolded.

Around halfway through the pace picks up quite substantially. I must also confess for the last 25% or so I was fully locked in. While finishing up the book I was lounging casually, but I had to sit up because the events were stressing me out that much.

With this work Gareth Brown has fully established himself as an auto-buy author for me. I highly recommend picking this book up when it comes out this summer.

The description says stand alone, but that ending says otherwise!

I really loved another foray into this world of magic that Brown has written. The plot was fun and the characters were enjoyable. Excited to see if the characters from this book and The Book of Doors meet up in another novel possibly!

I want to shout from the rooftops how amazing this book is. I have never read anything like it and it had me hooked from the first chapter. The writing style and the characters were all so interesting. I felt like I was sitting there with them learning about these unknowable objects. Magda has been a member of the society of unknowable objects for ten years. She has been attending their bi-annual meetings and not much has happened until one day for the first time an emergency meeting is called.

My only negative feedback was that the nickname Henry for Henrietta at random moments had me confused at times and it was hard to keep that character as one person and I’d have to re-read sentences or paragraphs to have it make sense. I also wish there was more of James. He was my favorite. I love that each of the characters were so well written and overall just an amazing book.

I want to thank NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

At the start of The Society of Unknowable Objects, I found it a bit difficult to stay engaged but by the time I hit the one-third mark, I was completely hooked and I ended up finishing the book in one sitting.

One of the strongest elements of the novel is the portrayal of the duality of magic. The way the story explores both the wonders and the dangers of magic adds depth and tension, making it an exciting read.

The cast of characters was another highlight. The “villains” are particularly fascinating, written with such intrigue and depth that they became some of my favorite parts of the book. The other characters brought something unique to the story as well—except for Magda. While I enjoyed meeting the rest of the characters and found them well-developed with engaging personalities, Magda felt somewhat bland in comparison. I struggled to connect with her and found myself far more invested in everyone else.

Despite my initial hesitation, The Society of Unknowable Objects turned out to one of my favorite reads of this year. Its complex portrayal of magic, compelling antagonists, and engaging characters (with one exception) made it a memorable experience. I’d definitely recommend it to readers and feel very grateful to have been given the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review! The Book of Doors was my favorite read of 2024. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on The Society of Unknowable Objects!

Gareth Brown writes such unique, captivating books. The Society of Unknowable Objects is no different. I was immediately engrossed in the storyline. I thought I had things figured out numerous times, but was proved wrong every time. The ending was so satisfying and the epilogue made my heart so happy.

My only complaint is the book lost steam towards the middle. I can’t wait to see what Gareth Brown writes next!

Wow, Gareth Brown completely blew it out of the park again. The Book of Doors was my favorite 2024 read, and I think The Society of Unknowable Objects will most likely be my 2025 favorite reads. The suspense, mystery, and the over all well thought out plot made this book a top read. I am very excited to continue reading developments by Gareth Brown.

I really enjoyed the beginning of this book, the initial meeting of the characters and laying out the world. Admittedly, I have not read Gareth Brown’s first book, so I don’t know how they would compare.

However, I found this book became increasingly more strange and disappointing to read. I had a hard time connecting to any of the characters, as it didn’t feel like there was any true depth to them. The jumping around in time (though clearly stated at the start of each chapter) felt difficult to keep track of since all the characters still existed (in much the same way) in present day.

To me, the most intriguing part of this book was the Epilogue, as I could tell it was providing a connection to The Book of Doors. I was intrigued to know how the two books would connect and where the story would go from here, though some of that interest was simply from not reading the first book yet.

I was disappointed I did not enjoy this book more, as I was excited to delve into it.

If you enjoyed The Book of Doors you will enjoy this book.

All of the things that I enjoyed about The Book of Doors are here in this novel—excitement, action, magic!

Magda joins the society after her mother passes. It exists to keep the magical items safe and away from the public. A new magical item is found and Magda has been tapped to go retrieve the item for the society’s collection.

From here we learn that the society members are not the only ones who know about the magical items and they are all at risk.

The action in this book was satisfying. There were some cliffhangers and surprises along the way that I also enjoyed. I felt like this book wasn’t a sequel to The Book of Doors but could easily be in the same universe.

I really look forward to more from this author! I would like to thank the author, William Morrow, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy for review.

Gareth Brown’s The Society of Unknowable Objects is a dazzling and thought-provoking journey into the mysterious and the surreal. From the very first page, readers are transported into a world where the boundaries between the tangible and the abstract blur, and the pursuit of knowledge leads to unexpected, often unsettling discoveries. Brown’s mastery of prose creates a world that feels both familiar and entirely foreign, filled with characters whose emotional depth makes their experiences resonate long after the book is closed.

The plot centers around the enigmatic Society of Unknowable Objects, an organization that collects items that cannot be fully understood or explained—objects that defy logic, science, and reason. The concept itself is fascinating, and Brown expands on it in ways that are both intellectually stimulating and deeply imaginative. Each object in the society’s collection holds a mystery that reflects the characters' own internal struggles and desires.

The characters are beautifully complex, each with their own personal conflicts, and Brown excels in exploring the intersection of their relationships with the objects they study. There’s an emotional weight to the novel that goes beyond the intrigue of its fantastical premise. Themes of obsession, identity, and the limits of human understanding are explored with sensitivity and nuance, making this not just a book about strange objects but about the human condition itself.

The pacing of the novel is spot-on, keeping readers captivated with just the right balance of mystery, philosophical musings, and emotional depth. The world-building is immersive without being overwhelming, and the way Brown integrates surreal elements into the narrative feels both organic and purposeful. The writing is eloquent yet accessible, drawing readers in and making them feel as though they are part of this strange and compelling world.

In conclusion, The Society of Unknowable Objects is an extraordinary work of fiction that blends speculative ideas with deep emotional exploration. Gareth Brown has crafted a novel that is as intellectually stimulating as it is profoundly moving, making it an unforgettable experience for anyone who enjoys literature that challenges the mind while tugging at the heartstrings. This book is a masterpiece, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for something truly unique and thought-provoking.

“The Book of Doors” was one of my favorite reads last year. When I saw that the author had a second book coming soon, I jumped at the chance to get my hands on a copy and I am so grateful I did!

Full disclosure, I didn’t love this as much as the Book of Doors but I thoroughly enjoyed it! I really loved the pace of the first half of the book, felt it got a little convoluted towards the ending but that epilogue was 🤯! I love this world he has created and I am so hopeful that we will get a third book with our favorite familiar faces in it. Some of the magic in this one was harder to follow than his first novel but that is super subjective to the reader. I don’t know why it didn’t fully click for me but it didn’t take away from enjoying the book. I will read anything by Gareth Brown at this point and I look forward to seeing what he does next!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a great story! Thank you for the opportunity to read it in advance. The characters were very relatable and I felt like I got very caught up in each storyline.

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

I enjoyed The Book of Doors, and so I was excited to read this one. I liked the premise, and the book started off being interesting, but as the story progressed, it just didn't work. The villain through the first half was just a generic, non-nuanced bad guy, so reading his part was a bit rough. And then the characters just kept making infuriatingly dumb decisions only to prolong the story. There were a few points where the book could have been way shorter had the characters done the thing that was obviously the thing they should have done, making the writing just feel lazy. Ironically, at the end, one character lightly calls out another character by asking if there could have been a more creative solution that would have fixed everything with a better outcome. But of course, this is just brushed off as nothing, even though, yes, more creativity would have fixed a lot. Instead, we just have this girl who can't control her emotions or think logically, and we're expected to think she's a good candidate to have control over magical items that could cause catastrophic harm? Literally, her only qualification is nepotism.

There were a few positives. I did like that it was set in the same world as Book of Doors. I prefer more subtlety, so I didn't really need the epilogue, but at least it was short. There were other reveals that I thought were pretty good, too, but they just didn't make up for the other stuff that I found lacking.

I really wanted this book to be better than it was.

I had read and absolutely loved Gareth Brown's debut novel, The Book of Doors, so I knew I had to read his next novel as well. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for this ARC!

The premise of this book feels very similar to his first. In The Book of Doors, books give their owners certain abilities. In The Society of Unknowable Objects, various objects give their owners magical abilities, including a chess piece. I could definitely see the similar themes between the books as I read through this one, but it didn't feel too similar to me.

If you enjoyed Brown's first, this one is definitely worth the read as well! I will be keeping my eyes open for his next!