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

Gareth Brown's second book 'The Society of Unknowable Objects' belongs to the same magical world as his debut 'The book of Doors.' In this novel, Magda Sparks, a writer herself, inherits a place in the eponymous society: finding simple objects that turn out to have extreme powers to safeguard them from nefarious use. Told many different versions of how the items came to exist by her long term friend and the leader of the society Frank Simpson, Magda initially has a childlike acceptance of the magic behind the items. However, as the story progresses, this naivety is severely challenged when a professional killer is on her tail, and she is confronted by a man who can not die.

Initially I wondered if Brown's two books were two similar and as a result, formulaic. But as the book progressed I really enjoyed the story. Brown's world building is strong, the magical elements are believable, and I particularly enjoyed the friendships between the main characters. At the end of it Brown notes that whilst this book was harder to write, it had a simpler structure than the debut, and I think it is this that makes it more propulsive than the first. There was the odd reference that suggests the two books might come together one day, and it will be interesting to see how Brown does this.

In this book, we follow a small group that is responsible for guarding magical artefacts in the basement of a London bookshop. When rumours of a new magical item come through from Hong Kong, the Society's newest member, author Magda Sparks, is sent to investigate.

This story is set in the same universe as the author's previous novel, The Book of Doors. There are a few Easter eggs and hints of a potential sequel bringing both books together, but it can easily be read as a standalone.

I found the characters complex and relatable. The writing was fluid and conveyed the pace of the story, picking up during adventure scenes and slowing down for more philosophical or emotional moments.

A recommended read for fans of secret societies and magical realism.

Thank you to NetGalley and TransWorld Books for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I eagerly sat down to read this book after reading The book of Doors, I found it immersive but not to the extent of Gareth Browns previous book.

In places it seemed as if too much detail was added for no apparent reason, was the author trying to pad out the book?

The trip that the three of them went on seemed to go on forever. But it was still a pretty good read.

Thank you Netgalley for letting me read this book.

With thanks to Gareth Brown, Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.

A spellbinding blend of mystery, magic, and secret societies, The Society of Unknowable Objects is the kind of novel that pulls you into its hidden world and makes you want to stay there.

Gareth Brown crafts a clever and compelling story, centred around a quiet group guarding magical artefacts in the basement of a London bookshop. When a dangerous item surfaces in Hong Kong, newly recruited author Magda Sparks is sent to investigate—and quickly discovers she’s in far deeper than she imagined. Her journey leads from backstreet danger to transatlantic secrets, with twists that reveal not just hidden objects, but the truth about the Society itself.

The writing is fluid and immersive, balancing whimsy with suspense. Magda is a wonderful protagonist: curious, resourceful, and refreshingly human amid all the chaos. There’s a subtle tension throughout—magic feels thrilling but risky, and the idea of unknowable objects makes everything deliciously unpredictable.

A great pick for fans of modern fantasy with an old-world feel. It’s smart, imaginative, and leaves just enough unsaid to keep you wondering long after you finish.

After loving Gareth Brown’s The Book of Doors last year, this easily became one of my most anticipated reads. And let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint.

Two times a year, a secret society meets in a cellar under a bookshop. They are the protectors of an archive of secret magical objects, which can be misused in the hands of a wrong person. When Magda is sent to Hong Kong to retrieve a magical object, she comes across an assassin who’s also hunting the objects. Being back in London, Magda realises there are secrets surrounding the society and the magical objects they’re protecting.

This was another great magical realism novel. While I didn’t like it as much as it’s predecessor, it was still a great story to read. Like the author said, it is hard to write a second novel, especially since the first one was so great.

The characters are all well developed. I really liked that most of them were relatable yet frustrating at the same time. The magic system was quite simple, yet also effective and believable. I really hope Brown will write another book in the same universe.

Thank you to Transworld Publishers and Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

As soon as I heard that Gareth Brown had released a new book following The Book of Doors (not a sequel but, in the same world,) of course I had to get my hands on it. The Society of Unknowable Objects is founded on the precept of a society made up of four members whose duty is to protect the world from magical objects. Its senior member and chair Frank Simpson leads them in taking action when news of an item appearing in Hong Kong, sending Magda Sparks to retrieve it, and subsequently triggering a magical game of cat and mouse that could have terrible consequences for the world.

Brown doesn’t fail in launching straight into the mystery and magical action, throwing Magda straight into the deep end, especially as all is not what it seems. Brown has woven a complex and twisty plot that will leave you guessing right until the end.

I absolutely love the core members of the society and other key characters that Brown draws into the story, from Magda’s relatability, steadfastness and faith to Henry’s absolute don’t give a damn attitude if it doesn’t concern those she lives and cares for. Frank, Im not so sure about, he’s very stuck on his path and distrusting of others but, as a group, they are formidable!

I’m also not going to complain about the references to TBOD and can truly say I devoured this romp of an adventure in one afternoon on my floaty chair in the pool!

Thank-you to NetGalley, Random House UK and Transworld Publishing for this arc in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

3.5 up to 4 for its potential.

I enjoyed this book but not quite as much as I expected. It is a great idea and I liked the characters but I did feel that there was too much description of mundane, everyday things, just for padding, and sometimes it felt a bit flat.

There was no real feeling of menace or danger or the need to prevent evil doers from using the magic for impressively nefarious means. Owen was not that menacing and was obviously only in it for himself rather than with some plan for world domination or enslavement or whatever. And poor Lukasz, I felt very sorry for him. I would rather Magda had done what he wanted, surely without artefacts he could have done very little harm?

I have been meaning to read The Book of Doors and this book has encouraged me to move it closer to the top of the TBR list and I would read other books set in the same world.

The Society has been quiet for decades with no new objects found.
There are three members who all meet every six months with Frank in charge. then Frank gets word that a new object has been found in Hong Kong and sends Magda off to retrieve it. She arrives but is soon faced with a killer wanting the object. She escapes with the artefact by using special magic powers which no-one else knows about.
She then goes on a journey through the Atlantic and America to find the killer and realises she is not the only one hunting the artefacts and that she is seeking the truth .