I was obsessed with The Book of Doors last year, so I was very excited for this new book from Gareth Brown! I really love this author’s writing style - it feels very unique, and is all at once suspenseful and exciting and entertaining. I really liked the plot of this one, with various artefacts awarding different skills, and starting off with a bang in the very first chapter. However I didn’t connect with the characters in the same way that I did in The Book of Doors; they didn’t have the same charm for me. I did love the ending, and I hope there is a third book set in this world!

I received an ARC from Netgalley.
Gareth Brown has now become an auto buy author for me with just two books. I love his concepts and feel that he executes them well. I love the idea of a society that protects magical objects and enjoyed watching the characters fight their nature to help protect them. I found the characters to be great and the magic that was seen in this book was really interesting. I cannot wait to see what the author comes up with next.

The 2nd book by Gareth Brown is every bit as good as the first in this wonderful fantasy caper.

Set in the same universe as the book of doors; This is every bit as fun and imaginative as its predecessor.

Whilst the characters are a bit privileged they are still very easy to like and I enjoyed the little easter eggs about the book of doors.

Easy reading escapism, full of fun and peril a genuine page turner from an author who spins a great tale

Very much enjoyed

I really enjoyed this, it's set in the same world as The Book Of Doors and it'd be fun if book three was a blend of the two.
This was a really interesting concept, and it was really well written. Again, the characters were great and the ideas were out of this world. This is a very talented author with an amazing imagination. The villain of the piece was so sympathetically written, even though they were terrifying in their very existence.
Unfortunately, as we all do, I couldn't help but compare it to the first book; and that was phenomenonal.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC. The Society of Unknowable Objects was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, I had already pre-ordered the signed and numbered special edition before I even got approved. I’m so honored to have this as my very first eARC to review.

This book is a dark mystery thriller with magical realism, full of twists and eerie surprises. It follows a secret society that protects powerful magical items. Some characters are genuinely good, while others are deeply unsettling, and the story doesn’t shy away from intense, darker moments.

Gareth Brown’s writing is smooth and incredibly gripping. Even when a chapter starts slow, it always ends with a reveal or twist that catches you off guard. He has a way of dropping just enough information to make you question everything, without giving away too much. It keeps you hooked the entire time.

The pacing, the atmosphere, and the mystery behind it all had me flipping pages late into the night. If you enjoyed The Book of Doors but want something a little more intense and twisted, this book absolutely delivers.

I enjoyed this book a lot. Magic is everywhere but so are unscrupulous people who want to use it for their own ends. That's why there is The Society of Unknowable Objects. A small group of people who want to keep the magic safe and the world too. There are some dark elements to this book but it is an exciting read. Would definitely recommend it. Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley for the ARC

Magic is amoral, it is indifferent to good or evil, it does not recognise motive. It is the motives of the people who use it which determine it’s effect. Eighty years ago four men discovered that there existed certain unique objects that possessed unique magic, for example a jewel which confers the power to manipulate gravity, a ring that renders its wearer intangible. In the right hands these could be positive attributes, in the wrong hands they could cause immense harm. These men formed The Society Of Unknowable Objects to seek out such magic objects and make them ‘unknowable’ to the rest of the world (too many people with bad motives out there) by hiding them away, They have to be hidden because magical artifacts can’t be destroyed. The Society still exists, its four members – Frank, a bookseller, Will, a horologist, Henry (Henrietta), a soi-disant burglar, and Magda, a novelist – being descendants of the four founders. They meet twice a year in the basement of Frank’s shop, but the meetings are becoming almost pointless because no new artifact has been discovered for a decade. Until now, because a message has arrived to say that a possible example has turned up in Hong Kong. Magda, the youngest member, is despatched to collect it, which is the start of a battle between the Society members and two contrasting evil opponents, a battle which takes them across the USA and the UK.
The genre of this book is clearly Magic Realism since it is set in the real world but magic is real. It is also a murder-mystery thriller conforming to the tropes of that genre. It is very well written, but is a bit deceptive because it starts quite slowly and rather simplistically, before ramping up the tension, the violence, the horrific detail. The main protagonist is Magda, but everyone gets a piece of the action. The author’s previous book, “The Book Of Doors”, was notable for the cleverness of its hugely complex geographical and time travel plot. The plot here is much more linear, but the ingenuity lies in the range of magic and it’s logical deployment. Although this is a standalone, there is a magic book here which means that there is a connection to the Fox Library which features strongly in the previous book. However, it doesn’t fit the definition of a “Series”, but rather that of “Interconnected Standalones”, or perhaps “Novel Sequence”. However, it is only the second book so the correct definition must await the third book – I’m sure there will be a third book – and I look forward to reading it. It isn’t quite as strong as “The Book Of Doors”, but I would have given that 6 stars if that had been allowed so an easy 5 for this one.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

4 stars.
Thank you to Random House UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC.
Having only read the first few chapters of The Book of Doors, I was pretty sure this was an interconnected standalone set in the same universe. I’m sure it adds a bit more world building if you have read Gareth’s debut novel, however, it isn’t necessary to get enjoyment out of reading this. Set in our modern day world with added magical realism, this is about a group of people who are in an exclusive group called the society of unknowable objects. The society protects a secret, which is that magic exists in the form of mundane objects that have been created to “do something”.
Gareth’s world building is easy to understand, the magic system is explained to us throughout the book making this such an easy read. Anyone new to fantasy should pick this book up.
The pacing is quick and characters are likeable. The plot is twisting leaving you guessing for a good chunk of the book. Really original book which I loved. Just ordered the Goldsboro edition as it stunning!

A slightly dark and twisty take on a secret magical society and what can happen when the wrong people have control of magical objects, as well as when the right people have control but are misguided by fear and secrecy.

I really enjoyed the previous book in this series, The Book of Doors, and was delighted to read more set in the same world.

There were some dark, rather unsettling, moments but the mystery was engaging and seeing all the threads come together was very satisfying, while also leaving you with a realistic look at the moral ambiguity and consequences which aren’t just all miraculously resolved.


Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.

Another cracking fantasy novel from this author. Set in the same world as his previous 'The Book of Doors' but could easily be read as a standalone. From the very first page it draws you in and keeps you engrossed until the end. The magical system is fascinating, the plot well paced and intriguing, and I can't get enough of the cast of characters and sincerely hope they may reappear in later books. This has renewed my faith in modern fantasy publishing - more just like this, please!

The Society of Unknowable Objects is the second book by Gareth Brown.

The world of unknowable objects - magical items that most people have no idea possess powers.

We follow the story of Magda and the secret society who are tasked with protecting these magical items and keeping them safe from the outside world and the world safe from the items.

I really enjoyed the book although not as much as the Book of Doors, I liked that there were subtle links to the previous book and the epilogue leaving you wanting more.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I was lucky enough to win a copy of the authors previous book The book of Doors from the author himself in a giveaway on social media year or so ago. I’d somehow missed reading it before it was published and it was a book that I very much enjoyed I felt very lucky to have won it.
This novel introduces us to a group of apparent strangers who are linked by their historical and familiar links to a group put together to seek out and keep safe magical artefacts It’s like a grown-up famous five mystery full of daring does with a sprinkle of magic
The author managers to combine magic and reality in that perfect mix where the magic seems completely believable This is not an easy thing to do and the author manages to do this very skilfully in this novel.
The characters in the book of described perfectly and their reactions to each other and to the events in the story feel real and natural
This is an enjoyable fast paced book to read which somehow combines excitement with relaxation. I very much enjoyed it. I enjoyed the author’s writing style which is clear flowing and easy to read.
I loved the ending I was starting to think 3/4 of the way through. I hope there’s another book in the series and the ending suggests there may be one goody !
I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK. In return for an unbiased review The book is published in the UK. On the 7th of August 2025 by random house UK Transworld publishers
This review will appear on NetGalley UK, Goodreads, StoryGraph, and my book blog bionicSarahSbooks.wordpress.com. After publication will also appear on Amazon UK.

Thank you, Random House UK for the advance copy in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. As always, it's been a pleasure.

Man. From the very first chapter, this story had me. Barreling forward at a relentless pace, it pulled me through hidden rooms, deadly quests, and eerie moments that felt both wondrous and deeply unsettling. Brown immersed me in his shadowy world of dark magic, reluctant heroes, ruthless violence, and surprising romance without an ounce of remorse or apology. It was glorious.

The Society of Unknowable Objects is a race to save the world from the catastrophic misuse of magical artifacts. The adventure is exciting and, at times, downright terrifying. Some aspects vaguely reminded me of The Da Vinci Code, but without the heavy handed religious angles and a crafted, clever blend of arcane mystery and modern stakes that felt sharper and far more original.

As a huge fan of The Book of Doors, I was thrilled to find subtle ties here. While this isn’t a direct continuation, it brushes up against the edges in a way that expands the universe beautifully, adding layers that make both books more satisfying.

All together, this is an exhilarating, darkly enchanting novel that once again proves Brown is a master at weaving tales of intrigue and human emotion. Highly recommend for anyone craving a fast paced, intelligent adventure with a lot of magical action, angst, and heart.

Please see link for full review. This review has been written for book sales and recommendation site LoveReading and it has been chosen as a Star Book and Liz Pick of the Month.

The Society of Unknowable Objects follows the story of Magda, a member of the society since her mother’s death. They collect magical objects to keep the world safe, but soon Magda realises she hasn’t been told the truth and she is plunged into a series of dangerous situations and has to take desperate measures to keep not only her loved ones safe, but the whole world too.

I really enjoyed this book. The beginning seems a little slow but there’s enough intrigue to pull you in, and things soon speed up. Gareth Brown has a talent for bringing the world to life and keeps the action and revelations going marvellously. The way the relationships between the main characters are explored is also very well done, from frustrations with loved ones to a light smattering of romance.

The different ways magic can be used through the unknowable objects was fascinating, and I especially loved how one of the objects that creates something that should be beautiful was warped into something sinister and vicious.

From the epilogue, I’m assuming we’ll see more of Magda and her gang in the future, along with some familiar faces from The Book of Doors, so I’m looking forward to the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love Gareth Brown's ability to create fantastical worlds. The Book of Doors blew me anyway so I had high hopes for this one, and I was not disappointed. The concept is original and fun, the characters are entirely believable - I loved Magda in particular, and there's a lovely nod to the Book of Doors towards the end.

Thank-you to NetGalleyUK and the publisher for a free eARC in return for an honest review.

I went into this with such high hopes. The Book of Doors was one of my favourite NetGalley finds from last year. The set up for the Society of Unknowable Objects was so good! And yet...

I read more fantasy than every other genre, and I always feel silly saying that I struggled with suspension of disbelief. Why can I believe in flying and magic and alternate realities, but struggle with human motivation or characters that just seem a bit one-sided?

I also struggled with the pacing with this. I found that for the first half of the book I was really dragging my heels, and only reading a few pages each night before I decided it was time to sleep. Once the pace picked up in the middle I was really enjoying it, and would have gone up to 4 stars, but the ending was a bit anti-climactic and lost me.

This book will have captured your imagination before you’ve even finished the prologue.
It promises adventure and intrigue and doesn’t disappoint. It’s filled with interesting characters, and magic. Don’t be fooled though. This is not Hocus Pocus type magic. This magic is dark and dangerous in the wrong hands. Will it be possible to stop the danger and gain control of the magic? No guarantees because this is powerful and scary stuff!!
I could not put this book down I was so caught up as to how this would play out.
I can’t wait to read more from this author.

The Society of Unknowable Objects is a spellbinding meditation on mystery, memory, and the unseen forces that shape our lives. Brown’s prose hums with quiet power, drawing readers into a world where the strange feels just barely out of reach and yet intimately familiar. The result is a story that blends atmospheric tension with philosophical depth, inviting readers to linger on every page.

The writing is immersive and evocative, effortlessly merging the mundane with the magical. There is a sense of movement beneath the surface—a feeling that the story is part of something larger, older, and beautifully unknowable. At its heart is a protagonist whose journey becomes a mirror for the reader’s own questioning: how much can we know, and what do we lose when we try?

What makes this novel truly stand out is its tone—measured, intelligent, and unafraid to ask difficult questions. The pacing is balanced, giving space for introspection without ever losing momentum. Themes of secrecy, power, and self-understanding unfold through a narrative that is as emotionally resonant as it is intellectually curious.

For readers drawn to speculative fiction with a lyrical, literary edge, The Society of Unknowable Objects offers a compelling and quietly haunting experience. It is a story that rewards attention, and one that will stay with you long after you close the book.

Gareth Brown is a wonderful writer. That’s two five star reads in a row I’ve had from him. I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This exists alongside The Book of Doors but you don’t need to read them in order as they are standalones. I’m glad I did though as there were a couple of small references in this book that I was pleased to recognise.

This is fantasy rooted in the real world. It focuses on objects that can be infused with a magical power. Objects are mundane, a chess piece, a coin, a note book, but they can be extremely powerful. They can be hard to recognise unless you know what you’re looking for. A society exists to make sure they don’t fall into the wrong hands, and that’s where we find our characters. I loved the way this leaned into ‘what if?’ The world is very recognisable and there was something so mesmerising in the way it just infused a little bit of believable magic. I was enthralled.

This book has a darkness to it too. There’s a significant villainous presence and an exploration of how power can be exploited in the wrong hands and do great harm. The characters are facing something unexpected and secrets will be exposed as a result. The reveals were very well done in this book and the pacing was excellent.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and I look forward to the author’s next book!