This book started out interesting but after halfway through I had to suspend disbelief to finish it. So much was unfinished, and never adequately explained. Why did Jim leave, and what happened to him? What’s are the details around the sirens going off and how was it resolved? Why were this group of people nice to Robin, then looked at her with hatred, then nice again. You could get whiplash. It was interesting enough to finish but there are too many holes to count. And in my opinion no way could it be compared to 7 1/2 deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.

Atlas of Unknowable Things is an occult mystery steeped in alchemy, herbalism, and esoteric literature.

Historian Robin Quain is attending Hildegard College, an obscure institution revered for its scientific studies. Robin who is studying witchcraft, is on a mission to find an artefact that she believes will link all of the missing pieces of her research together. Once she gets to Hildegard, she realizes something is amiss. The eerie campus, strange staff, and hermetic secrets lead her on a wild goose chase in uncovering a shocking truth about the school's true intentions and Robin's own murky past.

This dark academia mystery explored the intersection of science and the occult, weaving a tangled web of esoteric clues and puzzles. The twists and turns created a labyrinthine plot that seemed never ending. The author did a great job at creating an unnerving atmosphere with plenty of traditional dark academia elements such as gothic architecture, explorations of literature, and a haunting mood throughout the story. The occult aspects were bountiful, referencing many of the great esoteric thinkers of history. With that being said, some of the scenes felt redundant, and the ending felt unresolved. I didn't like where the story ultimately ended up as it felt a little underwhelming for such an intricate mystery.

Overall, if you are a fan of occult mysteries and dark academia, I would recommend Atlas of Unknowable Things by McCormick Templeman.

I was VERY into this at the start and really loved the main character and the Hildegard College setting -- it had some The Secret History (love forever) and Ninth House (I think? That's what popped into my head, but I could be wrong) vibes that I was very much enjoying, but then I got derailed at about 60% and skipped to the end. Definitely not discouraging anyone from giving this a whirl -- it was a remarkably strong debut with a lot going for it, but it simultaneously got a little slow and a little too goofy/mystical for me. That said, I would absolutely read another book by Templeman!

People with a higher tolerance than me for a slow burn and magyckal business are going to LOVE this.

I was so hooked on this book until about 75% though. Robin is doing research and begins a fellowship at a college in remote Colorado and soon discovers things aren't as they seem. I got frustrated with the main character after the 10th time of "I noticed something I hadn't seen earlier" and also for ignoring giant red flags. It quickly went downhill for me at that point.

4.5⭐️ What a pleasant surprise this book was. A sophisticated, dark academia vibe. The description of this book is what peaked my interest, though a supernatural/gothic/science read isn’t typically a go-to for me. It sure is now.

We’re introduced quickly to Hildegard College and Robin, our Historian. Robin is chosen to complete her residency/research at the college; but unbeknownst to the other faculty, Robin is in search of an ancient artifact that would make her a virtuoso in her field. Robin realizes that there’s so much more to Hildegard than the surface, and she begins to uncover secret truths and the horror buried deep within its history.

The author does an incredible job of first person storytelling, with an intellectually fascinating tale of science and monsters. This fast paced read is certainly more than I bargained for, and I promise I’m smarter than I started. Well done. Thanks to McCormick Templeton & NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

Thank you so much to McCormick Templeman and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read this book. I absolutely LOVED reading this one. I loved how different and unique the story was!! Then characters were all very likeable and I could have kept reading this one...it felt too short. It was a refreshing read and the premise was so cool...it had so much. Mystery, relationship woes, witchcraft, supernatural elements. Very exciting read and I highly recommend this one. Thank you!

This book is a dark academia fever dream—fans of The Atlas Six, this one’s for you. The author’s writing is truly beautiful, drawing me in from the very first page. I loved the subtle foreshadowing, the academic tone, and the constant sense of questioning that kept the narrative intellectually engaging. It was an easily devourable read—I finished it within a few hours—and I stayed on the edge of my seat the entire time, eager to uncover what would happen next.

What brought my rating down, however, was the pacing. The beginning felt a bit slow, while the second half moved at a whirlwind pace. Additionally, not everything came full circle. As the story reached its climax, multiple plot threads were left unresolved. While this may have been intentional given the nature of the ending, I couldn’t help but wish for a bit more closure.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book!

Wow, probably one of my favorite reads in the past few years. I loved uncovering the clues along with Robin and discovering the incredible world Templeman created. This feels so much more sophisticated than any other dark academia themed novels since Templeman’s knowledge and meticulous research shines through in her characters and their dialogue. 6/5 stars for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.

What an excellent dark academia book! The atmosphere, the setting, the writing, the story - they're all so captivating and beautifully crafted. This is exactly what I need when I pick up a dark academia book. 

I just truly felt like I was at Hildegard, the whole place was so alive and vibrant in my mind. I loved all the real world academia that went into this book. 

There was so much going on in this book and everything came full circle so well by the end of it up to the littlest detail. I love how expertly crafted the story and the mystery were. 

I finished the book in a single day and I already want to reread it because it feels like one of those books where you'll get even more out of it on a second reading. One of the best books I've read so far this year! I highly recommend it to anyone who likes dark academia, you won't be disappointed!

"Atlas of Unknowable Things" by McCormick Templeman is a dark academia novel that weaves in elements of fantasy. This well-crafted and suspenseful story will keep you engaged from beginning to end.

Set in the quaint and peculiar Hildegard College in Colorado, the narrative follows academic Robin Quain, who arrives hoping to discover an artifact to complete her dissertation. Upon her arrival, she encounters mysterious and secretive colleagues, which leads her to unravel multiple puzzles.

As a reviewer, I will refrain from discussing the plot in detail to avoid spoilers. This is a "trust-the-process" read; you can be confident that everything will come together in the end. Readers will find themselves guessing throughout this intricately plotted and suspenseful tale, and you may find yourself gasping at times.

I highly recommend this novel. I finished it in one sitting, and I believe fans of "Buffy" would greatly enjoy it. The cover is beautiful, as is the storyline and prose. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

My vote for the est new book of 2025, this dark academia novel centers on Robin, a historian on the brink of emotional collapse. Robin accepts a position at a little known college in Colorado, when she's immediately swept up into dark, swirling secrets and the disappearance of a local girl. SOme books you read, this is a book you experience. Absolutely phenomenal

Phenomenal! Absolutely brilliant! I could not get enough of this book. I was reading it every chance I could. There are books you enjoy and then there are books the devour you! Atlas of Unknowable Things is deliciously dark horror book that kept me guessing until the very end. This was such an intelligently, well-told story that I feel as thought the characters are still lingering in my room with me. I really appreciated Robin, following her around, getting in her head, feeling her fears,. It all felt so real and visceral. I could smell, taste and touch everything about this book. The mystery unfolded like a night blow ing flowers slowly letting the reader in but never revealing too much, The twists and turns just kept coming and taking me surprise. I was hangin on every well-chosen line. After I finished the book I just lied on my floor in awe of the entire path the story took. Upon finishing the story I immediately wanted to read it all over again. Thank you St. Martin's Press for this early copy.

Your next gothic dark academia obsession has arrived.

McCormick Templeman delivers the perfect blend of mystery, atmosphere, and literary unease in this moody, intelligent thriller. Set not in some crumbling English manor, but in the shadowed peaks of Colorado, the story follows Robin Quain, a burned-out historian on the brink of collapse who takes a last-chance residency at Hildegard College—a scientific institute that feels more like a haunted relic than a modern school.

The campus is nearly empty, the staff is distant, and something just feels… off. As Robin digs into the disappearance of a local girl and a missing professor, she finds herself caught in a maze of academic secrets, vanishing records, and the hunt for a mysterious artifact that may be the key to it all.

To say more would risk spoiling a story that thrives on slow reveals, flickering doubts, and beautifully creeping dread. But trust me: this one will stay with you. Elegant, immersive, and just a little bit cursed.

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