Fantastic! The concept was original and the writing was atmospheric. I am into this story and I’m glad I read it. Perfect read.

3.5/5

I've heard great things about this author, so I decided to give this book a go! It sounded really interesting and I liked the cover.

I really enjoyed the writing of this book. It was almost lyrical and incredibly descriptive, but not quite flowery. It made for a really nice reading experience and I think a lot of readers will appreciate it.

I did find some elements of this book to be repetitive, but it was a rather short book, so I didn't mind too much.

This follows Robin who is doing a research project, but she starts noticing some strange happenings.

This is a very mystery-heavy story that almost feels like a scavenger hunt for the reader. (If I'm not mistaken, that's something this author is known for.)

Overall, I had a good time reading this and think a lot of people will also enjoy this. Especially the dark academia lovers! If you like The Secret History or Ninth House or anything like that, I think you'll enjoy this. Feels like a mix of those books a bit.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

I received a free copy of, Atlas of Unknowable Things, by McCormick Templeman, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Robin writes on the occult, she goes to a group of like minded people to talk about occults and the like, but things are not always what they appear to be. This book was a little to weird and out there for me

Thank you to NetGalley for this review copy. This book was so creepy. I loved how Robin was “talking” to us the entire time and you could really see how her situation was unsettling and the sense of dread on the page was palpable. I enjoyed the cast of characters and thought the ending was good, if not wrapped up rather quickly. 3.75 stars.

Atlas of Unknowable Things by McCormick Templeman presents a compelling blend of academic mystery, gothic atmosphere, and supernatural intrigue. The novel establishes a rich setting in Hildegard College, a remote institution nestled in the Rocky Mountains, known for its scientific prowess and botanical gardens. This juxtaposition of scientific rigor and natural beauty immediately sets a tone for the exploration of themes hinted at in the summary: the search for meaning in the scientific versus the sublime.

The protagonist, historian Robin Quain, arrives at Hildegard under the guise of examining ancient manuscripts, but her true objective—locating a specific artifact before a rival—adds a layer of personal stakes and a sense of urgency to her research. This initial premise promises a treasure hunt within an academic framework, which is a classic and often engaging setup.

The summary effectively builds suspense by introducing the unsettling peculiarities of Hildegard College: "Strange sounds echo across the alpine lake, lights flicker through the pines, and the faculty seem more like Jazz-age glitterati than academics." These details evoke a gothic sensibility, suggesting that beneath the veneer of academic respectability lie hidden truths and perhaps even dangers. The sudden disappearance of a key professor further deepens the mystery, hinting at a cover-up or something more sinister.


Overall, Atlas of Unknowable Things is a well-crafted novel that promises a captivating read for those who enjoy academic mysteries with a strong sense of atmosphere, a touch of the supernatural, and a thoughtful exploration of the boundaries between science and the inexplicable. The summary effectively highlights the key elements of plot, character motivation, and thematic concerns, making it sound like a truly intriguing and immersive experience.

This dark academia explores folklore and the occult as Robin races to find an artifact before her rival does. This had a lot of elements that I normally love, like folklore, monsters, and mysterious artifacts, but I just didn't connect to the writing or pacing. A few things also weren't resolved enough for my liking. While it wound up not being for me, I can see it appealing to others who like slow burn dark academia with mystical elements.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me a review copy. I was intrigued by the premise and logline but ultimately it didn't click with me. I thought the pacing was pretty slow and I had trouble at times getting through some sections.

This was a book which I was never able to get into a page turning adventure. The pace of the storyline was slow and at times convoluted. With effort I was able to finish the book but was left with too many unanswered questions.. I am giving it a generous three star rating based on good character development.

What an interesting novel this was. I was worried that it would be horror and I would end up being too scared to read it. But even though it had an ominous feeling the whole time, it never approached the kind of horror that I was scared it would be.

The first half of this book moved very slowly. If you're hoping it will rush into plot, you will be disappointed. In fact, very little happens in the first half of this book. It's mostly setting the setting and some of the characters. Even the characters weren't really very developed. It's more that you keep getting an eerie feeling but can't figure out what's going on and I know that some people will give up from the frustration of being confused and not getting any answers.

But if you're willing to stick with it, things pick up during the halfway mark and then really take off about 65-70% through and then the gifts keep coming. It's twisty, it's weird in the best way and it's the kind of story that will stay with you for quite some time.

with gratitude to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

A haunting, genre-defying tale that slips between dark academia, supernatural mystery, and psychological thriller, Atlas of Unknowable Things is unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s smart, eerie, unpredictable—and completely unputdownable.

Robin, a historian at a professional and personal crossroads, stumbles upon a strange college, a missing professor, and a trail of disturbing clues tied to ancient rituals and disappearing time. From that point on, the story descends into a beautifully crafted spiral of eerie events and intellectual puzzles, pulling you deeper into its tangled web.

Templeman’s writing is both lyrical and razor-sharp. The academic tone gives the story a rich authenticity, while the slow unraveling of secrets builds a gripping sense of unease. I especially loved following Robin’s descent into the unknown—her voice was compelling, and her journey kept me hooked until the very last page.

The book’s format, including fascinating chapter headings and real historical quotes, adds a clever layer of realism to the surreal narrative. It’s packed with genre-blurring elements—witchcraft, cults, missing time, and academia wrapped in gothic shadows—and yet somehow it all works. It kept me second-guessing everything, and even now, I’m still thinking about that ending.

That said, the pacing could’ve been more balanced. The first half lingers while the second races, and a few plot threads were left dangling. But honestly, the ambiguity felt fitting given the book’s philosophical and speculative nature.

If The Atlas Six had a lovechild with We Were Villains and a slow-burn horror film, this would be it. It’s brainy, chilling, and deeply immersive. Don’t go in expecting clear answers—this book wants you to question everything, and that’s exactly what makes it so brilliant.

This was a story I didn’t just read—I experienced. If you love dark academia with a twist of cosmic horror and existential mystery, don’t miss this one.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for providing the copy of Atlas Of Unknowable Things by McCormick Templeman. After struggling through the first chapter, I got completely involved in the book. (In retrospect, the first line might have thrown me off starting with the Latin root of a word.) The writing was mesmerizing and I gobbled up the words as I raced through the story. I liked how the puzzles led Robin to discoveries, even though I couldn’t solve (or sometimes understand) the puzzles, let alone the solutions. This wasn’t my usual type of thriller and I’m not sure the ‘big reveal’ was very good, but it was in keeping with the rest of the book. I’m not sure what I think about the ending, but it was probably the best way to wrap everything up even though it didn’t really wow me. 4 stars

This was a tough read for me. While I really liked the premise, the execution was just not what I expected. I didn't even make it halfway through this one. Too many phrases and sentences were repeated and things just didn't flow like I had hoped.

Thank you to McCormick Templeman, St. Martin's Press,and Netgalley for the ARC of this book the following review and thoughts are solely my own.

Atlas of Unknowable Things is a dark academia fantasy filled with suspense and a delish plot that will have you wanting more. From the very beginning I was completely captivated trying to figure out where the author was going and what surprises held in store. Rounded down only for the pacing at the end of the novel for me.

3.75 stars!

I rarely read mysteries, but when I do I like them completely unhinged and this book hits the mark in terms of sheer weirdness.

Historian Robin Quain is out for vengeance. Cheated by her former best friend, Robin travels to Hildegard College in search of an artifact which would be the linchpin in her research and gain her back her credibility, but as she mets the summer inhabitants of the college Robin becomes increasingly unsettled. A professor has gone missing, a girl in the village was mauled to death, large creatures seem to roam the campus at night, and despite their outward friendliness, her colleagues at Hildegard certainly know a lot more than they're letting on.

This is going to be a shorter review because it's hard to talk about this book without spoiling anything. I love the atmosphere in this book, both in the campus setting and the kind of creeping horror elements. The group of professors at Hildegard were really well characterized, both projecting a shiny exterior while obviously holding back information. I was also surprised by how funny this book was considering the general tone.

The payoff was a bit of a let down personally, but I can't say a lot more than that. It didn't feel like all of the elements came together cohesively even if I found the component parts interesting. One of the big twists was also just a trope I really don't enjoy and I think at that point I mostly lost interest.

It's a bit of a mixed bag but it's really a very cool book if not super cleanly constructed. I think for a certain type of mystery/thriller fan it could be a really fun read!

Thank you to McCormick Templeman and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my full, honest review!

Happy reading!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

Robin is a historian at a crossroads. Her rival has stolen her research and she's struggling to make headway with her new dissertation topic (that of an ancient fertility cult that may have been targeted by witch hunts). That is, until she stumbles across Hildegard College and the story of a missing professor who may hold the key to everything Robin's been searching for. But once she arrives at Hildegard, strange things start happening. Lost time, bizarre sightings in the woods, and a series of puzzles that lead Robin on a hunt across the campus to discover who, or what, has brought her to Hildegard.

I tore through this book. The pacing was well done and the gradual uncovering of more and more information kept me coming back consistently so that I could figure out what the hell was going on here. Nothing felt extraneous or lagged too much, which was nice. This also had just the right amount of horror and uneasiness for me as someone who's not big on horror. In theory I think this book sounds like dark academia, but I would say it leans a little more horror than dark academia.

I'm still grappling with the ending, and not entirely sure how to feel about it, but that hasn't changed how I feel about the rest of the book. This was a solid read, especially if you're looking for something a little bit eery.

This book absolutely consumed me. It’s one of those stories that settles under your skin from the very first page and refuses to let go. The atmosphere is rich and strange in all the best ways, that kind of modern gothic that feels both cerebral and quietly haunting. I could almost smell the moss and old paper, hear the creak of wood underfoot, and feel the unease blooming between the lines. The themes of loss, legacy, the hunger for knowledge, and the ache of human connection were explored with such depth and care. I finished it breathless and awed, and I know it’s one I’ll be returning to again.

4.5 stars ✨
Rounded up for NetGalley

I mean… I called it from chapter one. I knew this was going to be something unforgettable.

A genre-bending story that twists and turns and occasionally scares the crap out of you (genuinely could not read this at night). Was this sci-fi? Was it dark academia? Was it fantasy? Magical-realism? Physiological thriller? Mystery? It was all of it. It was so many stories in one and I was invested the entire time.

This book was right up my alley, I loved the unpredictability, I loved how smart it was, how unique. I’ve never read anything quite like this but if I had to say I’d compare it to a We Were Villains by M.L. Rio meets a very famous movie I can’t name for sake of spoiling.

⭐️ Plot - I mean, mind blowing. It was captivating, confusing, twisty and perfectly tied together. This is a plot you can say much about to save it for everyone else.

⭐️ Characters - I do feel like the book could have had a bit more development of the characters HOWEVER I think when you get to the end you understand more why it felt the way it did while reading.

⭐️ Writing - NOW this is where I felt the story stayed back just a little from being a full 5 stars for me. I did feel like the writing was a bit repetitive and choppy, specifically towards the middle section. Also, you have got to put on your thinking cap to really read through this story. I understand the main characters were all elite academics but us readers probably are not and there was so much I could not read, pronounce or even understand. And I consider myself at least an averagely intelligent person. With that being said, the scene setting and feelings were incredible.

⭐️ Format - The formatting of this book was brilliant. Such a cool way to tell a story. I loved the chapter headings and corresponding quotes that were in most cases (I believe) non fiction quotes.

Overall, wow. What a great read. This one will take your brain for a full spin so buckle up.

*will post to other social medias closer to release date*

Atlas of Unknowable Things by McCormick Templeman is a gothic horror novel that kept me in a constant state of unease. From the moment Robin Quain arrived at Hildegard College, a prestigious institution nestled in the Colorado mountains, I felt unbalanced. The sprawling gardens, the ancient manuscripts, the mystery surrounding a professor who vanished last spring, it was all exciting and far darker than I originally anticipated.

Almost immediately, Robin started receiving cryptic messages, and what began as an academic pursuit quickly twisted into something unsettling. The novel masterfully weaves together themes of historical artifacts, the occult, and a fascinating connection between botany and science, all while maintaining an oppressive atmosphere of dread.

Robin is fiercely independent and sometimes does things simply because she’s told not to, which was a bit frustrating. And just when I thought I understood where the story was headed, it shifted, morphing into something even darker. The final moments left me completely off balance, in the best way possible.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

Grateful to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC!

Robin Quain accepts a fellowship to the mysterious Hidegard College in the mountains of Colorado. She hunts for a mysterious artefact that one of the professors had found before she disappeared.

Part dark academia, part fantasy/sci-fi, part thriller, this book was a page turner. It was highly original and entertaining, but fell short for me with several unresolved plot holes.

"Since the breach, the things that are down there...they've started spilling out."
Not many books can sustain that slowly building feeling of dread, but this one does it. There is a kind of an obfuscated journey at the heart here, one through which the main character must wade through to get at the truth at the end. Some amazing twists, some truly creepy moments, and a truly glorious ending. The motivations of some of the characters were very vague (some felt barely like outlines), and some of the explanations at the end didn't really work at all, but the atmosphere in here is unmatched.