I loved The Book of Doors so was eager to read this new one. It didn't disappoint! The world-building is excellent and the plot was pacey and intriguing.

Magda is a writer who lives in London. She's had a number of books published already but she has another obsession of sorts: magic. Her mother was part of a secret group called The Society of Unknowable Objects and when she died, Magda took her place and was initiated into the group. Not much happens in the group aside from a meeting twice a year in the basement of founder Frank's bookstore. Even at the meetings, nothing much happens and it's more a formality than a proper meeting. But it all changes when Frank gets a letter from James Wei about an artefact discovered in Hong Kong. Magda is sent there to retrieve it. The journey starts well enough but then it all takes an abrupt turn when a villain appears and changes everything. From this point there's considerable action and Magda learns that all is not as it seems as she begins to understand the full meaning of the magical objects in a way that she hadn't imagined before.

This was a lovely book with magical objects and dangerous people, some who are villains and some not. The main characters are all enjoyable to meet and get to know. I'm not too sure if the full ethics of the magical items is completely reconciled at the end but it was mostly satisfactory. I haven't read the previous book by the writer as yet, so I didn't pick up on any references to it. I did find the book read just fine on its own. There was at least one event that I couldn't quite get my head around, mostly because it didn't seem to be quite as simple as the story made out in it occurrence. But other than that, it was a fine book and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I found the last couple hours of reading were non-stop as I just had to know what happened next. Very exciting.

Overall, I rate this 3.5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and Bantam for the free advanced reader copy. My feedback is entirely voluntary.

I loved The Book of Doors, which I actually listened to on Audiobook, so I was mega excited to get my hand on this book. It's similar, but also different, which does make sense. What I actually mean is if you loved TBOD, you'll probably love this book. Although you don't have to have read it first, there are a few nods to it in this book which won't matter if you don't get, but will make you smile - like an in joke - if you do.
So... we start with a meeting of a secret society, The Society of Unknowable Objects". There are 4 members, one of whom has stopped attending the biannual meeting which is held in the basement of a bookshop. The three current members are Frank, owner of said bookshop, Will, and Magda. The point of the society is to find, obtain, and keep safe, magical objects, lest they be used nefariously. Usually though, their meetings just mean drinking tea and eating cheap biscuits, but, and it'd be a short book if not, there is a new object that has been located and, long story short, Magda plans to travel to Hong Kong to obtain it and return it safely back to the cabinet.
And that's all I'm saying as it all gets a bit interconnected and convoluted, and deliciously bonkers, in a good way. Action packed and quite perilous at times too. And all things wonderful. The world building is sublime. The characters believable if occasionally on the weak side (my one and only small niggle). And the action, especially when backed up with the most wonderfully imaginative magic, is awesome.
And, with the way it ended, especially with that "cameo", boy am I excited for his next book. But, in the mean time, I really can't wait til it's out and I can get my mitts on the audiobook and re-listen.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

This is the first book I have read by Gareth Brown, so did not know what to expect. I found the book an enjoyable escape.
Magda is a member of the Society of Unknowable Objects, the society has four members and meets twice a year in the basement of a second hand bookshop in London, that is until an extraordinary meeting is called. At the meeting there are Magda, Frank and Will, Henry the fourth member has not attended for the past few meetings. A new Object has been found in Hong Kong, Magda agrees to go and this is where everything changes, she feels she is being watched and suddenly not safe anymore.
Magda embarks on a journey she could not have envisaged a few weeks earlier but everything depends on it.
Well written and an enjoyable read, my thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

Secret societies, magical objects, and a truth you can’t unknow - this is modern fantasy with a vintage cloak-and-dagger twist.

✶ PRE-READING ✶
After The Book of Doors, I was excited to see Gareth Brown return to the idea of enchanted objects in ordinary places. There’s a real The Lost Room vibe to both books - like the world is hiding just behind the curtain, if you know where to look. I was especially hoping for more secret societies, long-lost legacies, and that delicious “what is real, anyway?” ambiguity.

✶ POST-READING ✶
As I thought... This absolutely delivered. The pacing is tight, the worldbuilding is clever without being overwhelming, and Magda is the kind of heroine who balances instinct and intellect with dry wit and fierce loyalty. I loved the mystery surrounding the killer, the artifact trail, and the way every answer seemed to lead to a new question. It’s got that classic adventure-fantasy feel with modern layering and nuance.

It surprised me by... ...tying back to The Book of Doors in such a sneaky, satisfying way. The late-stage reveal feels like a nudge from behind the curtain - proof that this world is bigger, older, and more interconnected than we imagined. It also hinted at deeper personal stakes than I expected, especially around Magda’s family. This isn’t just a magical scavenger hunt - it’s a reckoning.

However, it did annoy me by hinging a lot of the drama on Frank's refusal to tell anyone anything, even at times when it was clearly very important for them to know. The story could have been just as interesting if the characters had actually known what was going on!

✦ RECOMMENDATIONS ✦
📚 The Rook by Daniel O’Malley – A woman wakes up with no memory and finds out she’s part of a secret organization that deals with supernatural threats. Funny, clever, and full of bizarre magical objects and bureaucratic horror.


📺 The Lost Room (TV mini-series) – The blueprint. Mysterious everyday objects with strange powers, a shadowy cult, and a protagonist trying to make sense of a world that’s just shifted under their feet.

✦ MUSIC PAIRING ✦
Because sometimes, the heart of a story plays out like a song.

🎵 Featured Song: “Radioactive” – Imagine Dragons
Moody, pounding, and layered with hidden power - just like the artifacts themselves.

🎶 Vibe Album: Year Zero – Nine Inch Nails. Apocalyptic, glitchy, secretive. A shadow world in sound.


🎧 Artist Recommendation: Woodkid - cinematic, orchestral, and always sounds like you're chasing a magical conspiracy through rain-soaked streets.

✧ VIBE CHECK ✧
🎨 Colour Palette: tarnished bronze, deep navy, flickering neon
🎬 Soundtrack: The Lost Room, The Librarians, and a bit of Killing Eve
🍂 Season: late autumn - cold enough for secrets, warm enough to chase them
🌀 Mood: “If I show you what I found, you can’t unsee it.”
🌸 Scent: antique paper, cold metal, and danger disguised as dust

★ TAROT CARD PULLED ★
Seven of Wands – Unfolding Path Tarot
A fierce figure stands her ground, clutching two glowing crystal-tipped staffs as five others threaten her from the shadows. This card captures Magda at her most defiant - confronted on all sides, yet refusing to retreat. Whether she’s facing a killer, an artifact’s power, or the weight of secrets too long buried, Magda keeps choosing to stand. Alone, maybe - but not powerless.

The Society of Unknowable Objects is the new book by Gareth Brown and brings the same magical realism fantasy vibes that came from his previous novel, The Book of Doors. Whilst there are some connections and it takes place in the same universe as his previous book, it is not a direct sequel and can absolutely be read as a standalone too. I would advise reading The Book of Doors first though to get the full experience of this one!

The Society of Unknowable Objects is a book centred around the eponymous secret society and how after many years of inactivity there is information regarding a newly uncovered magical item. Magda heads over to Hong Kong to meet James, the man who uncovered the item, and this journey will see both of their lives change immeasurably.

It is an urban fantasy, it takes place very much in the real world and that is kind of the point. The Society’s goal is to protect the world from the incredible power these items possess and the damage they could do in the wrong hands.

The Society of Unknowable Objects is a book full of hidden magic. The items are quite literally hiding in plain sight, masquerading as regular household items like flasks, rings, and in the case of this newly discovered item, a chess piece. Over the course of the book you begin to uncover the true history of these items and how they came to be and how things aren’t quite like Magda has always been told.

Alongside the magical aspects, it is a book that tackles truth, secrets, and lies. The rewriting of history, the changing of the narrative to suit a purpose. There are some serious investigations into morality and ethics. The meaning of human life and the value of it. How human nature is complicated and never quite what it seems.

Spoilers Ahead

There are two antagonists in the book, Maddox and Lukas. Maddox is your truly despicable, power hungry, vile, dangerous antagonist. He is a former soldier who takes great joy in killing and is addicted to the lure of the powerful magical items once he becomes aware of them. Lukas is far more complicated and is a more sympathetic antagonist. He is childlike in his thought process, almost pitiful. You feel sorry for him at times but believe it or not, he is the more dangerous of the two. The dynamic is really interesting because these two are antagonists as much for each other as they are for Magda and the Society. They have several showdowns with and without the involvement of the Society and each time the scale keeps ramping up.

Lukas is a fascinating character. His backstory of being a magical object created by the book that created all of the other magical items is staggering. It really makes you contemplate the power that the book holds, what limits does it have? Are there even any? If it can create human life (well this rather hollow version of human life) then what can’t the book do? Lukas also makes you contemplate the meaning of humanity. For all intents and purposes he is a human, he is an innocent, he did nothing to deserve this. Yet you see over and over again how he is lacking in what makes a human human, he doesn’t seem to have any actual humanity. His stomach churning continuous resurrections of Magda’s mum until she becomes a savage beast is evident of this. He struggles to comprehend why it is such a repulsive thing to do, why it is unnatural and unacceptable, because who wouldn’t want to be brought back to life? His lack of understanding, his lack of compassion is what makes him a terrifying antagonist. I don’t want to call him a villain, because despite doing villainous things, he doesn’t come across as having villainous intentions. In my opinion Lukas is the crux that makes this book work. It elevates it from being a run of the mill urban fantasy about magical items to being something much deeper and something much more impressive.

I loved The Book of Doors and was super excited to read Gareth Browns next book , The Society of Unknowable Objescts.
This did not disappoint! Although a sequel to The Book of Doors, with a nod to the first book at the end, this could easily be read as a standalone novel.

Magda is a member of the Society of Unknowable Objects. They meet a couple of times a year to discuss magical objects that they must protect from the world. Magda knows these objects exist, she has seen them, hasn't she? What she discovers is going to turn her world upside down, and risk the people she cares about the most...

Wow.

Just. Wow. It's rare that I am at a loss for words when it comes to writing a review. This book was utterly stunning and I savoured every single moment of it. Hidden magic, unknowable objects, people who can control them, these everyday, ordinary objects that have such imaginative uses. Some good, some bad, it all depends on the will of the wielder.

Some of the descriptions were truly chilling and will linger in the mind long after today, most notably anything with Lukas. The characters are all brilliant, a wide range of fleshed out people with their own motivations and desires. They run the whole range from someone harbouring more secrets than he knows how to share, to someone who doesn't like magic (how???) to the wide eyed hopefulness of our main character, Magda. She was a joy to follow, although there are a lot of PoV's in this book. I enjoyed the glimpses into these different minds, it really helped with the world building and understanding motivations. I also found it very interesting in who *didn't* have a PoV - and it makes sense why.

There is a romance here, but it is by no means the focus. It's barely mentioned, but it feels natural, a slow unfurling of feelings amidst all the crazy that is going on around them. I did find the travel a bit nonstop, surely the jetlag would have knocked them all for a loop by the end of it.

The way the tension creeps up and up, the villains are truly memorable, and awful and pitiable. The twist was one I had half guessed, but also hadn't realised. When it came, it came with a deep satisfying clunk in my mind, an unspoken 'of course' as all the hints unspooled and were explained.

I've not read his previous book, so the 'cameo' was a little lost on me, but I am very excited to track it down and read it, as well as looking forward to the promise of another in this universe. This is also a book that I am going to be picking up a physical copy, I need this trophy on my shelf!

I am a big fan of Gareth Brown’s last novel; The Book of Doors. This is set in the same universe but tangentially, so no prior reading is needed.
The Society of Unknowable Objects is composed of 4 members, located in a bookshop and is charged with making sure that magic objects are kept safe, and that they don’t get into the hands of bad people.
Our hero, Magda, possesses an unknowable object - a normal looking necklace which gives her a super-power. This comes in handy when she goes to Hong Kong to collect another object and finds herself caught up in a bit of a disaster.
To say more would doubtless involve spoilers. It’s sufficient to say that I really enjoyed this. The magic is inventive, the plot rattles along and the characters are great.

The Book of Doors was my favourite book of 2024 and indeed one of my all time favourite novels. I was really hoping that this second story wouldn't disappoint and started it with some trepidation in case the first story was a one=off. I needed have been concerned, this story is another wonderful read and one I would totally recommend. Perhaps, it maybe wasn't as great as the first novel, but it still made for an excellent escape and was a total joy to read. Looking forward to the next book from this brilliant author. Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me access to this excellent read. Would award more than 5 stars if I could.

This is the second book set in the world of ‘The Book of Doors’ though it could easily be read as a standalone story.
Gareth Brown himself states that he found this story much harder to write than its predecessor even though the story is much more straightforward and I think that is a fair assessment. The whole tone of the novel is much darker and the story contains some quite disturbing scenes which are less entertaining than the paradoxes and clever tricks with time which occur in the first book.
The premise is similar - this time we have magical (or unknowable) objects rather than the books we had in the first novel. Magda, the lead character is one member of the four person ‘Society of Unknowable Objects’, ostensibly set up to find these artefacts and keep them safely locked away. Magda’s adventures really begin when she is sent to Hong Kong to retrieve a newly uncovered item and discovers that she is not the only person who wants it.
On her return to London Magda finds that not everything she thought that she knew about the Society is exactly true. From there the book turns into a long and exciting chase sequence until the finale when all the secrets are revealed.
Sadly I felt that the book is really quite bland compared to ‘The Book of Doors’ and could easily have been a completely standalone book. The myriad opportunities to go forward with the story of the Fox Library were missed and the links to it were pretty tangential, so much so that it felt that the world of the Book of Doors had rather been shoehorned into this novel rather than being part of some larger plan.
The violence in The Society of Unknowable Objects is on a much larger scale than The Book of Doors and has a cinematic feel almost akin to a Bond movie with magic thrown in for good measure. However there are some quite nasty scenes which would not be suitable for younger readers. I would have been terrified in some parts had I read this as a child. The ending and dénouement are signalled very early in the book and it is easy to see what is coming.
I hope that we have not heard the last of the Fox Library and The Book of Doors but personally I would like to stick more with the books and less with the objects in future novels .Perhaps Magda could join forces with Cassie and her friends and the story could move on from there.
I hope that we will hear more about the books in the future.
Thanks to Random House UK for a review copy.

'All unknowable objects did something: ordinary, everyday items that would enable those who possessed them to do unusual and extraordinary things.'

The Society of Unknowable Objects has been meeting for decades. Charged with the protection of magical items coming into the possession of an ill doer, membership to the society has been passed down exclusively to the next generation. Although, to be honest, no new discoveries or disorder has happened in at least 20 years so when word comes in of a new find, Magda Sparks, the newest and most eager member, jumps at the chance to go claim it. But where magic exists, nothing is straightforward, and it seems like the Society would have been better named, The Society of Secrets.

What a wonderful story. Like the alchemy of a magic potion, mixing adventure, mystery, and magic, added with a dash of romance and a couple of twists, a delightful story is conjured. The main story is woven with some alternate POVs and timelines, backfilling some of the characters' history, adding a richness to the mystery of it all. As the story builds, the action and thrills do to.

I don't read fantasy that often, and I missed the acclaimed, The Book of Doors, so I was sure to grab this one, and I’m so glad I did.

'...this was a place where an incredible secret was kept within its walls, a place of mysteries and magic...'

Four people make up the Society of Unknowable Objects, whose role is to collect and protect magical objects from falling into the hands of those who would misuse them to cause harm to the world. Membership of the society has been passed down through the generations and Magda has recently become a member after the death of her mother. When a new magical object is found in Hong Kong, the first for forty years, Magda is sent to retrieve it. What happens then sets off a chain of events that will eventually lead Magda to undertake a journey across the world chasing a shadowy and dangerous man. She will also discover the real secrets the Society has kept hidden from its’ members.

As in ‘The Book of Doors’, Brown’s imagination has once again conjured up an inventive magical world for readers to immerse themselves in. I enjoyed reading this novel, although not quite as much as ‘The Book of Doors’. The pacing was a little slow in some places and apart from Magda, I didn’t get much of a feel for the other characters. A gentle romance and a touch of humour adds to the pleasure of reading this and will appeal to YA fantasy readers as well as those who enjoyed the earlier novel. The novel works well as a stand-alone, although the epilogue hints that there will be a future book tying in with the universe of ‘The Book of Doors’.

The Book of Doors was my favourite book of 2024, so I was greatly looking forward to reading The Society of Unknowable Objects, although the phrase ‘difficult second book’ was always at the back of my mind.

To my relief I thoroughly enjoyed The Society of Unknowable Objects. Of course, it wasn’t as good at Gareth Brown’s debut novel, how could it be. I truly hope he is not discouraged by this though (from what I have read I am not the only one to think this) as there are many very successful writers whose second and subsequent books have never matched the genius of their debut.

The novel's storyline revolves around a secret society tasked with collecting, protecting and keeping secret the magical items of the world. The society is now a force for good, although it hasn’t always been so, to prevent the magical objects from falling into the hands of those who would use them for their own means, possibly endangering others, or in extreme cases, the world as we know it. For the first time in 40 years, a new item has come to light and Magda Sparks travels to Hong Kong to secure it. She is hoping to follow in her Mother’s footsteps and discover and protect magical objects. However, this first foray leads her and others into danger.

I loved the characters, especially Magda. For once we have a lead character who is filled with doubt and indecision. So many times I read books with brave heroes who think nothing of taking risks and putting themselves in danger. How refreshing to have Magda whose thoughts and actions often reflected what mine would be (scared!). The other characters were well-developed and relatable so I couldn’t help but get attached to them. I hope there will be further books so that we can find out more about their backstories. I particularly want to know more about the enigmatic Henry. Like Gareth Brown’s debut there is also some gentle romance which adds a little lightness to the thrills and adventure without turning it into a full-blown romance novel.

As the plot develops, we learn more about the origins of the society and the origins of the book that can be used to create the unknowable objects. I’m sure I’m not the only one who was happy to discover a link between this and the Book of Doors.

The plot is full of twists and turns that keep you guessing, and Brown does a great job of blending fantasy with a touch of magical realism. For me it was definitely one of those ‘just one more chapter’ books that kept me reading long past my bedtime as I needed to know what happened next.

The story is told from multiple perspectives, which is a device I always enjoy as it adds depth and helps you understand the different motivations and moral dilemmas the characters face. This makes it more than just a goodies v baddies tale.

I enjoyed the Society of Unknowable Objects and would definitely recommend it (but read The Book of Doors first) and I can’t wait to see what Gareth Brown writes next. The end of this book suggests a future book featuring characters from Brown’s first two novels, but hopefully there are more ‘Doors adjacent’ books to come first.

This follows a secret society responsible for collecting magical objects that are dangerous out in the world, but there are secrets within the society itself. This is a standalone novel but further builds on the magic systems in The Book Of Doors and has some nice connections to it.

I found this book a little slow paced to start with and then it picked up around one third of the way in. I liked the concept of the magical objects and the reveal of the secrets that had been kept. Magda is a strong female lead character and I liked her relationship with James.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House UK for providing a copy of this book for my review.

"For eighty years the Society of Unknowable Objects had existed with a sole purpose: to collect and protect and keep secret the magical items of the world...All Unknowable Objects did something: ordinary, everyday items that could enable those who possessed them to do unusual and extraordinary things..."

More magical realism involving books from the author of the wonderful The Book Of Doors. Magical objects are guarded by a secret society in London until they're not and Magda, Frank, Henrietta and Will become more active than they ever thought possible. The group journey across the globe, fighting a mysterious and unstoppable foe who wants the Unknowable Objects for himself, learning about themselves along the way.

Set in the same world as The Book Of Doors, this is standalone but there are some intriguing Easter eggs. Great world-building, well-drawn characters and questions of morality for fans of secret societies, books and magical realism!

Thank you to the publisher for access to an advanced copy through NetGalley.

“Oh, and finally, finally, lastly, but most importantly, thanks to Dougal and Flora. They still aren’t reading at adult level, which is disappointing. I suppose they do have rather busy lives barking at everything that moves, and the lack of opposable thumbs also makes it tricky for them to hold books. But they will still appreciate my thanks . . . and they will know without having to read this. Because they are dogs, and dogs always understand. “

“All unknowable objects did something; these ordinary, everyday items could enable those who possessed them to do unusual and extraordinary things. Several such items had been discovered throughout the history of the Society, some identified through concerted effort, others stumbled upon in the most unusual of places or unexpected of circumstances. And now that collection, the Society archive, was hidden away in the basement beneath Bell Street Books, kept safe from the world.”

To be honest, the dedication to Dougal and Flora was probably what I was looking forward to the most on this story. Not that I wasn’t looking forward to the next book by Gareth Brown eagerly, after loving everything about The Book of Doors, his excellent debut.

And The Society of Unknowable Objects, did not disappoint. It was a flight of fantasy, of responsibility vs. the very human desire of wanting and searching for happiness, of not wanting to be alone. And of course, greed vs the greater good.

This was an easy read that I flew through on a short flight, intriguing and keeping you turning the pages keeping sleep firmly away as you are drawn into the lives of the characters and the battles that ensue, and the curiosity of the antagonist which has you puzzled until you are well into the story, and the stakes have grown significantly. I find a factor of excellent writing, is when you are undecided how much of a villain, the antagonist is, when you feel a degree of empathy for his situation and are forced to consider that you would probably do the same if you were in the same position and Gareth has executed this perfectly.

The writing was excellent and while I still love The Book of Doors ever so slightly more, I love that I could easily understand the origins of the objects where I did not fully understand the origin in The Book of Doors.

Pick this up for a delightful emotional read that urban fantasy readers are bound to enjoy. Thank you to Random House for the opportunity to read this

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I was halfway sold the moment I read the premise: magical realism, set in London, involving a secret society. and it all begins in a bookstore? Say no more. This will be the perfect September read; moody, mysterious, and just the right amount of strange. Bonus points if you live in a foggy city.

This was my first time reading Gareth Brown, and I was impressed. The story blends mystery and fantasy in a really satisfying way, keeping you intrigued without ever tipping too far into either genre. Full of secrets, symbols, and stories within stories.

Many thanks for the e ARC! I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more from this author.

Brown's writing style seems to scratch an itch in my brain. He has uncovered the skill of structuring his chapters that prevents me from ever putting his book down. However, this time around I wasn't going to rush through this book. I felt like I was an addict and I had to ration myself to reading a few pages a day so that I didn't abandon my adult duties like going to work or cleaning the house. 'Just one more chapter' was my plea every morning before heading out the door and leaving this magical world behind for a few hours.

So what's The Society of Unknowable Objects about?

Besides it being a long title for a book (and one I have to keep checking that I am saying correctly), it follows a female main character called Magda Sparks. She belongs to a secret society dedicated to locating and securing mysterious, magical artifacts and protecting them from falling into the hands of those who would use them for evil. The story begins with her having to recover a magical artifact from a contact in Hong Kong, but when everything spirals out of control, she’s forced to question the very people she once trusted.

There is a lot of character building throughout the novel that makes me hope wonder if there will be a sequel. It feels like Brown is just flexing his writing muscles with this one and showing off what he can do but not letting us forget his first child, The Book of Doors. I'm going to have to wait until I can find someone to share the same excitement I had with the ending. To tell you that I was sitting at the edge of my chair while reading the last few pages and jumping with fangirl energy is really embarrassing.

This book was a joy to read- I don't usually go for fantasy writing, but the magic was mixed in with reality and I enjoyed it. The characters were well rounded, and quite vulnerable despite their magical knowledge