Robin was devastated when her friend stole her dissertation material. So when she gets an invitation to an academic think tank in the mountains of Colorado, she jumps at the chance. But things are not what they seem...
This book was confusing. It's billed as a modern Gothic story, but it didn't seem very Gothic to me. There were bits of fantasy and horror interspersed. It's like the author could not make up their mind what genre they wanted this book to be. This was an average read for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Didn’t love it or hate it. Losts of twists and turns. Enjoyable read but creepy. Was a bit slow getting into it but also interesting enough to keep going

I really did enjoy this book. I highly recommend it to friends. I wasn't expecting a lot, but was shocked as it's out of my normal wheelhouse.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this novel that takes place on a college campus that is an academic's dream, with sprawling libraries, herb gardens, acres of land, and lots of strange happenings, including missing professors, mysterious messages, and murder.

I have a friend who is one of those rare people who loves everything about her job. She is an archivist for a nunnery that is known for their charitable works around the world. They are also rare in that they can afford a full-time archivist, own their land, and own a lot of it. She works pretty much year round, and has brought order to the library, dated their journals, worked on biographies of well nuns of renown. She loves to share stories about working in the stacks, there are many stacks, telling of correspondance, things seen and done. She spends a lot of time there, especially in winter, and that is when it gets a little weird, or so she says. Strange sounds, people talking when nobody is there, a nun in an old habit walking the snowy lanes. She is one of the smartest, sanest people I know, and I know she tells me these stories not to get a chuckle, but to share that we are surrounded by a things we don't know. Or understand. I known she would love this book, as much as I did, as I could picture my friend in the same place, doing research, looking for clues, hoping for knowledge, and finding much more. Atlas of Unknowable Things by McCormick Templeman is a story about academia, the dark side of trusting people, the world we know, and the world that constantly surprises us, by being far different and more disturbing than we give it credit.

Robin Quain is not having a good year. The love of her life has ripped off her research and and maybe the academic job that could have been hers. Also she has lost her apartment in New York when she left him. Moving in with her cousin and sharing their Uncle's place started well, until one day her cousin, after a day of acting funny, left a note saying Going to California. However Robin's life is looking up. An old letter from Joan of Arc to her second Giles de Reis, a French noble, and serial killer of some fame, has opened up a new research path for Robin, and a quest to find a lost artifact, find it before her ex-boyfriend can. Robin's investigation leads to Hildegard College a small institution high in the Colorado hills, near a small town settled by French immigrants. The school has not only a large library of esoterica, but a botanical garden that might help in her work. Robin is accepted and arrives at a school that is isolated, and a place of wonder. Robin's associates are all beautiful people, who seem nice and willing to help, but still recovering from the disappearance of a fellow academic, one who might be the person that Robin needs. After moving into the missing woman's home, Robin begins to get messages, that help her work, tell her things about the people around her, and might send her down paths she never expected. And might never return from.

A very atmospheric book that takes it time, but once the plot hit starts it goes full speed. I liked the slow start, the introduction to Robin, her work, the in-crowd at the college, the mystery and the weirdness. Also each chapter has an epigraph about the supernatural, witches, werewolves and more that has a bit to do with Robin's work, and again sets the scene. I can see where people would want this to start moving, however the slow pace really makes the later end of the book hit harder. McCormick Templeman is a very good writer, one with a gift to put a character in a library and make reading and exploring books intriguing. One can tell Templeman understands this world, and the good and bad of being tenured. The writing is very descriptive, and one gets a real feel for this magical campus, one I would love to find a reason to visit, and just get lost in the stacks.

This book has such promise, and so many good ideas, I can't wait to read a version that's been through a developmental edit and a copy edit. As it is, it's a hot mess of ideas and tropes and some very strange set pieces that don't connect well, characters who are wildly uneven, and what feels like are those kinds of errors where you delete some text but forget to remove references to it later in the book and end up with phantom ideas and such. It could be an excellent example of "dark academia"--if it gets the treatment it deserves and needs.

Atlas of Unknowable Things is a hauntingly beautiful blend of dark academia, occult mystery, and gothic suspense with a strong-willed, intelligent female main character. Set at a remote research campus in the mountains of Colorado I was immediately drawn in by the mysterious circumstances at Hildegard College. The suspense builds as Robin Quain is led on a scavenger hunt of sorts, not always sure what she is looking for, but certain there is something important she needs to figure out. I especially loved the atmosphere--definitely the book's standout strength for me! I also loved how the book drew on research about botany and folklore, which made the plot that much more believable.

However, things went off the rails for me at the end, which is always a huge disappointment when I'm truly enjoying a book. Initially the book was magical while also being believable, but the end seemed like the conclusion of a completely different story. Despite that, this is a beautifully written book with plenty of exciting (sometimes scary!) twists and turns. An enthusiastic 3.5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced digital copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The concept was unique and the writing had some truly lovely lines, but I struggled with the execution. The plot felt uneven at times, and I found myself putting it down more than picking it up. Definitely had potential, just didn’t fully click for me.

Atlas of Unknowable Things is at its heart a mystery that the reader experiences with the protagonist. Dark things bubble under the surface, but what is real and what is a trick of the mind? This book was a nice surprise and a quick, enjoyable read.

I love reading horror and dark mysteries, but this book did not manage to pull me in. The character development was lacking and while there were twists and surprises in the story, the writing and the repetitiveness of certain phrases spoiled the book for me.

3.5 stars rounded up. This was my first foray into a dark academia book and I've left with a need for more books from this genre. The main characters are well written and it's always nice to read a suspenseful book where the protagonist isn't constantly making idiotic choices that make you want to launch the book across the room. The story was dark and contains a bit of a supernatural element without being over the top and ridiculous. Overall a good story and I can't wait to read more like it!

Atlas of Unknowable Things by McCormick Templeman
I am surprised by how hooked I was with this book. I don’t tend to gravitate towards books with fantasy vibes, but this book was fantastic.

The writing is so clever, and the storyline is interesting and engaging. Although the book starts a tad on the slower side, things build quickly, and it will suck you in and hold you hostage.

The level of academia in this book was so well done. I loved how the university was described, and having the professors within their specialities. The characters were filled out with so much detail.

The last half of this book whips by so quickly! I couldn’t read fast enough to find out what happened. This tale was beautifully written, and it’s so intricately twisted and dark. I am still trying to process this novel.

Publication date: October 7, 2025
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

3.75

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC

I'll open with the first half of this book is *slow*. There's a lot of setup needed for the story, which is very nuanced, but it kind of dragged on a bit too long for me

The premise is really interesting. You think you know what it's about, and then you don't, and then you don't again. The narrator and everyone else are unreliable, so the second half of the book is full of twists and turns until you get a satisfying (necessary) ending, even if it feels a bit rushed. There's plenty of commentary on modern day humanity mixed in, which feel all to relatable.

Once the book picked up around 50% in, I enjoyed it. The main character was incredibly hard for me to connect with. She's an intellectual and constantly pulling quotes and citations, which made her kind of a know it all and a bit unlikeable.

If you can get past the slow start and enjoy being kept on your toes until the end, this book is for you

This combination of Dark Academia, fantasy and horror is extremely atmospheric and addictive. It kept me guessing and the twists were fantastic. Robin is squatting with her cousin after her best friend stole her research and all of her job prospects. She finds a blog about a researcher who unearthed something that could change her life, and put her friend in his place. To find out more, she moves to Hildegard College, only to realize that the professor is missing. Really unbearably creepy things start to happen. I had a lot of issues with what I thought were inconsistencies and plot holes. But then, there is an amazing reveal that changes everything and makes it all work great. I loved all the characters. Robin was a little obnoxious at first, asking too many questions, but it also makes sense in the end. Her eccentric coworkers are distinctive and fun. There is a fine line for me, between atmospheric and boring. The Atlas of Unknowable Things descriptions never get in the way of the action, so I could see everything in my mind without getting sidetracked. And the plot! It just worked perfectly for me. I loved it!
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/St. Martin's Press.

Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book! Right off the bat, this checked off two of my favorite subgenres - dark academia & gothic horror. I was very excited to dive into this. The book does a great job on tone, you truly feel on edge and your mind works to piece everything together as the mystery unfolds. Templeman’s writing makes you feel frantic, in a way, as everything begins to unfold and the mystery comes to light. It could get heavy handed at times, which made some parts a slog to get through. I would have also loved more development from Robin, the MC. But overall, it was a fun, spooky, read.

I was really excited about reading Atlas of Unknowable Things. It has an intriguing title and an interesting synopsis, but it just fell flat for me. The pacing was very slow, and the plot was not engaging. All these strange things are happening around the main character, Robin, and she doesn't really question any of it, just goes with the flow. It just was not for me. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

I was here for the gothic, dark academia vibes of Atlas of Unknowable Things, but the pacing was not my jam and was a bit too slow for my liking.

First things first; I loved this book. I know it won't be the biggest people pleaser when it gets released later in October. But I loved everything that was put in here. It had everything I enjoy in books — stuff that makes me thing, science & research, occult, and eldritch creatures. It follows a historian named Robin Quain who takes up temporary residency at Hildegard College, which is in Colorado, up in the mountains. What follows that literally feels like experiencing a lucid dream. There is no other way to describe this book.

That atmosphere. The tension (not the romantic kind). The freaking setting. It was so well done without appearing tacky or overly pretentious. I was fully invested in the mystery and as Robin started understanding what was happening around her, I too felt I was a part of that process. There were so many things to learn from it. The creeping sense of dread was amazing. It felt like being watched by something which you can only see from a corner of your eyes. Like the more I speak of it, I fear I'll become incoherent. It is a book that you have to personally experience to gauge if it's your thing or not.

The characters had to be some of the interesting and layered ones that I have ever read. I know many might not like them, but these little groups of professors in Hildegard — Aspen, Thomas, Lexi Duarte, and Finn Jeon — were the coolest. I genuinely liked and even loved most of the characters here. I could glimpse some facets of my personality, making them feel even more relatable. I eat up books with academics as primary characters and this book fed me well. I'd read sequels about them; that's how much I loved them. Like even if you aren't the biggest horror reader, you need to give this book a chance just because of the characters.

There were several emotional moments, especially ones with Robin and her friend Charles. This book has some amazing depiction of deep friendship between opposite genders with zero romantic undertones. Romance is completely missing from this story, which is something I like. I don't really like a strong romantic subplot in my horrors and thrillers. This story kept me guessing till the very end. I didn't know what in the world was actually happening on Hildegard until the final page. Even then, the ending had my jaw drop. Like literally. I am still processing it. What did I just read? It's kinda ambiguous in the best way possible. This ending might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I think this was perfect for such a story. I needed this book in my life for several personal reasons. My past self from 2024 would have adored it even more, having gone through what she did.

Like Mother Horror/Sadie Hartmann blurbed by saying how she couldn't stop thinking about the book when she wasn't reading it, I felt the same way about it. This read quite like The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova, a bit like the Robert Langdon books (because of all the historical and occult references), and Lovecraft's short stories (especially Call of the Chthulu & the Dream Sequence stories). It's compared to Evelyn Hugo and 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, both books which I haven't read, but I think I will end up liking them because I loved this one. Probably my top read of the year. Arguably one of the best things I've ever read.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for giving me Atlas of Unknowable Things.
The book was brilliantly written, a mix between science and occult. It was a delight to read until the last part. The first part had a slow pace, full of mysteries. I really enjoyed it. But then arrived the second part and it felt rushed. The ending was amazing, don't get me wrong! It was a great idea, but a lot of mysteries stayed mysteries and that is a big problem for me. I wished everything was answered. Also all those characters with possible great back stories were kind of useless for the second part of the plot. It also feels like the problem was fixed but maybe temporally? Maybe the author is planning for a second book but again I am not so sure due to the ending...

For fans of dark academia, this book drew me in. I feel as thought dark academia these days is too afraid to really make itself academic, and this book was quite the exception to that. I thought the characters were complex and interesting, and I loved its exploration of the occult.

I'm always interested in finding a new-to-me author, and so was excited to read Atlas of Unknowable Things, by McCormick Templeman. I was drawn by the college campus locale, having enjoyed Donna Tartt's The Secret History many years ago. Unfortunately, by mid-book, I was wondering if I would finish, and frankly, at the end, even though it was billed as gothic/horror, Atlas jumped the proverbial shark. 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3. I am, however, grateful for the opportunity to read the eARC.