“The Society of Unknowable Objects” is a splendid and thoroughly enjoyable magical fantasy about a secret society that has been tasked with keeping the public unaware of and safe from magical objects. I read it on a 4 hour flight to Malta and didn't notice the time passing. It hit the right notes for me; well written, well paced, and a healthy dose of magic in the ordinary.

Thank you to @NetGalley and the publisher for the #ARC

I read The Book of Doors and loved it so was excited to read his new novel and it didn't disappoint. I'm not a natural fantasy book reader but both of his have kept me gripped and enjoyed the characters and the story. The idea of there being magical objects dotted around the world makes you wonder.

Well this book took me by complete surprise. Not what I expected from the blurb. I normally read the word fantasy and automatically ditch it. Glad I didn't this time. This has to be one of the most wonderful books I've ever read. I loved the way the characters were created and the way the writing style developed over the book. I was cheering Magda on from the very begining. Incredible story and an absolut edelight to read. Never read this author before but I will now. This didn't feel like a typical fantasy book (no disrespect to the author). I could feel shades of Salman Rushdie coming through. Loved it

Gareth Brown is becoming one of my favourite authors. I just love his writing style and I was immediately drawn into this magical story in the first few pages. The Book of Doors was my favourite book of 2024 and this will definitely be in my top books of 2025.

The world of unknowable objects - magical items that most people have no idea possess powers - has been quiet for decades . . .

A secret society meets in the room under a book shop every 6 months. They are the protectors of an archive of magical objects that if misused could pose a serious threat. When Magda is sent to Hong Kong to retrieve a magical object she comes face to face with a killer who is also hunting objects.
Returning to London Magda realises there are many secrets surrounding the society and the history of unknowable objects. This is just the start of her perilous journey to find the missing objects and keep them safe.

I love the way in both of Gareth Brown's books magic is in the background of very ordinary lives.
There is a great cast of engaging characters in this novel (both good and bad) that are so well drawn I could imagine them all! I found the plot fast moving and I was desperate to keep returning to it.

I don't usually read fantasy books but I just love the magical realism and gothic vibes of this book. I can't wait for the next book by Gareth Brown and I would love to see a third book that connects the two main protagonists from The Book of Doors and this one.

We all know about cosy crime, but I don't know if there is a recognised category of cosy fantasy. If there is, one recognisable characteristic that I would think contributes to the definition would be that it has a magic bookshop. As with Gareth Brown's previous novel The Book of Doors, books are of course a source of wonder, imagination and escape - as well as having an obvious attraction to readers who of course love books - so they are an ideal starting point for adventure. Nothing too threatening, just a little disorder that needs someone to tidy things up a little bit when the magic goes out of control. If that’s the criteria for cosy fantasy, then The Society for Unknowable Objects is classic cosy fantasy. As long as the magic doesn't get too out of control.

If there is danger to come in the magic adventure it is laid out in the prelude of the book where Imelda Sparks, on a kind of treasure hunt but one for rare objects identified in the Atlas of Lost Things, is currently trying to track down just such an object in the Nevada desert. Imelda has an unfortunate accident there and is killed, and not only that, the end of the prologue advises, but she would stay that way for almost two years. Well, if that’s not a cosy way to die I don't know what is, but that could be a little disturbing as well.

Cue time to visit the magic bookshop, a second hand antiquarian bookshop in Marylebone called Bell Street Books, that has been Magda Sparks’ favourite place since she was brought there as a child by her mother - the aforementioned Imelda - a magical place lined floor to ceiling with books. A bookworm - someone we as avid readers can all identify with - Magda is a successful published author herself now. There is another reason the place is special and that is because Magda is part of a small secret society run by the owner of the bookshop, Frank, called the Society of Unknowable Objects. It's a fairly genteel affair, the society only meeting two times a year for tea and biscuits, but Frank has called an extraordinary meeting for a rare event. A new magical item has been found for the first time in 40 years!

Although they haven't had to do much up to now, the purpose of the society is to remove and keep locked away such newly discovered items as they can be dangerous if they get into the wrong hands (although in practice it seems that everyone secretly keeps one object for their own personal use that they wield like a superpower). And indeed, this one has been found by a non-member of the society in Hong Kong, so Magda agrees to go and retrieve it and gets a little swoony in a bit of cute embarassingly soppy romance, another element that just adds to the cosy feeling. It's the general tone of the writing however that really enforces this impression, that there is no danger that can't be overcome - not even death apparently - with a plucky heroine and kind friends to pull us through.

The thing with cosy crime and cosy fantasy is that we want the world to be like this, ordered and managed by competent people who know what they are doing. All the more so since the real world is increasingly going in the other direction. Unfortunately for Magda, despite the best efforts of the author to create a place of safe magic and lovely people around her, her world isn't like that either and very quickly the harsh reality starts to appear. Not too harsh, not too realistic, in fact far from it. It all becomes quite silly, like a polite UK version of Marvel's Avengers, with unlimited superhero powers confronting evil in a game of top trumps. The winning hand in this one is so obvious long before it comes to Magda - who admittedly has other things to worry about - that it is rather frustrating.

On the other hand, you can't really fault Gareth Brown for exploiting a fun idea to the limit. It is such entertaining fun and intended to be such that I can't hold more serious complaint against The Society of Unknowable Objects than its tone of pleasant cosiness and it being rather vague about the origins of the extremely powerful and obligingly useful magic. And the tedious romantic musings, brief and chaste though they might be. That would enough for me to deduct one star to make this a four star book if I gave star ratings, which I don't. If you are a kinder person, this is a 5 star book all the way.

This is magnificent. A secret society, a bookshop, just the right pinch of magical realism and the same measure of darkness the author introduced us to in his Book of Doors.

In this story, an orphaned Magda discovers not all is as it had seemed to her when her mother was alive. Her awakening to the society occurs during what is meant to be a recon trip to Hong Kong, and this turns into the springboard for learning all she hadn’t before. This story bounces around on both sides of the right and wrong coin which keeps the reader on their toes. I thoroughly enjoyed the authors second book and looking forward to more.

I highly recommend Gareth Brown’s second masterpiece The Society of Unknowable Objects.

This was an enjoyable, fast paced story, full of twists and turns and so unlike other 'treasure' hunting stories written. The characters were likeable and relatable and I loved the unique idea of a box full of magical/unknowable objects that could be summoned just by thinking of them.

The book of Doors was one of my favourite books of 2024 which blew me away. So, I was so excited to receive a copy of Gareth Brown’s latest novel ‘The Society of Unknowable Objects’ I thought could it be any better than his debut novel and yes it sure is. This is another excellent book by the author. I was engrossed from the start. Even the title just drew me in.
After the death of her mother Magda Sparks joins the society of Unknowable objects that reside in Bert’s books in London. They meet a couple of times a year. Frank the oldest and leader of the society asks Magda to go to Hong Kong to retrieve another magical object before it gets into the wrong hands. But what she didn’t expect to have a near death experience trying to retrieve it.
If you liked the authors first novel The book of doors, you will not be disappointed with the society of Unknowable objects. This is another magical tale from the author, and he is a great storyteller to boot. I loved this book if more than the first one. This has everything in it from magic, to action, and twists and turns and a villain too. This gave me all sorts of emotions going inside my head and goosebumps too. And it gave me big smile of my face from reading it. I loved it. % big fate stars from me. I can’t wait for more.

This book had some serious shoes to follow. Gareth Brown's 1st book, The Book of Doors, I can say hand on heart was the best book I have ever read, absolute 6 out of 5 stars so I was nervous about whether this could equal it.
Unfortunately I didn't enjoy it as much, however, I will still highly recommend The Society of Unknowable Objects as it was still a great read.
I couldn't connect to the characters so well in this one and didn't care about them so much. Somehow the magic wasn't quite so enchanting. It's still a very clever, exciting plot and I seriously LOVED the ending which gives us hope that there could be a follow up which ties the 2 books together, this would be amazing!... I'm still holding out hope for these books to made in film or TV.
I want to thank Gareth Brown for bringing the magic into my world, a very special author and thank you to #NetGalley for the arc

I was delighted to read this book having read Book of Doors and thought that to be excellent. Unfortunately whilst this book is enjoyable, for me it misses the spot in a way Book of Doors did not. I did not find the story to be as strong or as interesting. I did not find it totally believable - perhaps a bizarre thing to say about a book of magic. The secret society did not work for me. That said it is still an enjoyable and compelling read and the mix of magic and the twists and turns of the plot are well done.

This particular book caught my attention as I scrolled netgalley, described as a thriller meets fantasy it was the perfect choice to sate my growing love of mystery. 

Predominantly revolving around the society’s members, magda prevails as our central character and her life is darkened after she meets contact killer Owen Maddox. Twist as heck we have everything from found family, unexpected romance and the objects that group protects as a symbolic representation of greed.  

Besides ensuring unknowable objects and their magics don’t fall into the wrong hands, the society and its members also protects a way of creation of the unknowable that is beyond comprehension.  With several groundbreaking twists it’s hard if not impossible to put down and you will ultimately break your imagination trying to consider the unknowable creations and their powers. 

Throughout this it teaches the lesson of valuing the magic behind life and nature and the horrors that reside behind conspiring for more. Such reflected through positive mantras such as the quote “Pursue the happiness of others over the accumulation of wealth and power”. 

Ultimately I loved this and will search for more books like this. With the ending of this shaking me I’m left wondering if there is more yet to happen and whether it’s good or evil fated to come.

The Society of Unknowable Objects is a bizarre story about a secret society that exists to project artefacts that hold special powers, or magic.

The story is dark and full of magic realism, with some very interesting descriptions and moments of wonder.

However, I felt the changes in POV/stories were irrational and unnecessary, adding confusion to the story rather than clarity.

I found the characters quite underdeveloped, which made it hard to like or even remotely connect with them.

I also felt like there was a lot of irrelevant information that made the story so much longer than it needed to be.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC, but unfortunately this book wasn't an enjoyable read for me.

The Society of Unknowable Objects by Gareth Brown

Within hours of arriving in Hong Kong, Magda is facing death and danger, confronted by a professional killer who seems to know all about unknowable objects, specifically one that was stolen from him a decade before. Magda is forced to flee, using an artefact that not even the rest of the Society knows about.

Returning to London, Magda learns hers is not the only secret being kept from the other two members. And that the most pernicious secret is about the nature of the Society’s mission. Her discoveries will lead her on a perilous journey, across the Atlantic to the deep south of the United States - not in pursuit of an unknowable object, but an unknowable person: the killer she first faced in Hong Kong. In doing so, Magda begins to understand that there are even more in the world who are chasing these magical items, and that her own family’s legacy is tied up in keeping all these secrets under wraps.

This is very far from what I'd usually read , totally out of my comfort zone , but wow , I'm really glad I stepped away from the norm in more ways than one !
I really loved the character Magda , she is so astute , and fab to read about. Almost a super hero !

I really liked the idea behind this book. Magical objects and a secret society - yes, please. I enjoyed the book but I must say that I didn’t love it like Indid with The Book of Doors. It was lovely though that both take place in the same fictional world. 3.5 stars

I absolutely loved Gareth’s first book ‘The Book of Doors’ and was really looking forward to getting to know ‘The Society of Unknowable Objects’.
This book has a similar vibe to ‘The Book of Doors’ but to me it didn’t seem to have the same depth of characterisations or plot line and consequently was not as unputdownable.
It was however, still an enjoyable read.

Inventive fantasy, with darkness and wit throughout. They say ‘money is the route of all evil’. Having read this fantasy story that should be replaced by ‘the love of magic and its power’. There are so many imaginative reveals in this book which pulls you along. Also Twists that aren’t apparent but entertain, as the characters motives and history are revealed. One things for sure, the Society that Magda Sparks has been installed into ain’t what’s it’s cracked up to be. And cracks appear very quickly as secrets are revealed. Can Magda survive the outcome? Thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

What a fantastic read! I urge anyone who enjoys magical realism fiction to run, don’t walk to the bookshop when this is published. It has it all: a secret society, enchanted objects, secret powers, great villains and of course, wonderful writing. This book is suitable for all ages and older children would also enjoy it. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the review copy.

Although a bit bit of slow burner, it is well worth sticking with this book. Beautifully written and truly a masterpiece.

I read Gareth's first book "Book of Doors" and loved it. Dare I say that this surpasses it. I loved every page and didn't want it to finish. The characters were fantastic and - an appeal to Gareth. Can I have a sequel please? This would make a brilliant film too. More please Gareth.

I was really pleased to get an email inviting me to review this book as I'd enjoyed his previous novel, The Book of Doors. I had hoped that it would be a continuation of that story but it wasn't. There are references to it though which I liked, so it seems more like it's a Fox Library universe rather than an actual series as such. The premise was interesting, a society that has pledged to collect magical objects to keep them safe and away from those who may want to use them for nefarious reasons. Part of that idea isn't new, I get the feeling there are other books with that kind of premise and it never seems to end well. I was a little disappointed that the plot didn't seem to be quite what I was expecting from the blurb. The first half of the book is actually quite slow and seems to drag the plot out very far. I didn't expect that part of the plot to take up quite so much of the book.

There aren't too many characters, about 7 or 8, but some of them didn't seem to have very much to them. I very much liked James, his attitude and general personality was very uplifting. Magda was okay but she seemed to be a bit lacking for a main character. She just got overshadowed by James who was a much stronger character and also by Frank. Will was very insubstantial, and Henrietta didn't quite fulfil her potential. I also got really confused every time she was referred to as Henry, for some reason, it took me a while to remember who that was. I didn't like Owen at all, which was probably fine seeing as he was the bad guy. The book ended up being quite a bit darker than I'd anticipated and I wasn't entirely sure I liked that. I think there was a similar dark streak in The Book of Doors which didn't quite gel with the rest of it so it might just be this particular author's style. Still the book is well-written and I did want to know what happened, but I don't think I enjoyed it or connected with it as much as I would have liked. That was such a shame as I was really looking forward to it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy to review.