The Society of Unknowable Objects

A Novel

By: Gareth Brown

Narrated by: Olivia Vinall

From the author of the internationally bestselling The Book of Doors, another fantastical, stand-alone novel in which a trio of seemingly everyday people are members of a secret society tasked with finding and protecting hidden magical objects—ordinary items with extraordinary properties.

The world of unknowable objects—magical items that most people have no idea possess powers—has been quiet for decades, but the three current members of a secret society have remained watchful, meeting every six months in the basement of a bookshop in London. They are pledged to protect their archive of magical items hidden away, safe from the outside world—and the world safe from them. But when Frank Simpson, the longest-standing member of the Society of Unknowable Objects, hears of a new artifact coming to light in Hong Kong, he sends Magda Sparks—author by day and newest member—to investigate.

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 artifact 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, now in pursuit of not an unknowable object, but an unknowable person: the professional 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.

Magic has always been too powerful to reveal to the world. But Magda will learn there might be something even more powerful:

The truth.

Stand Alone, or Sequel?

The Society of Unknowable Objects is listed a a stand alone novel by Gareth Brown, but is it? The similarities with The Book Of Doors are unquestionable. In fact if you swap books for objects, this is close to a rewrite. Also, storylines throughout the book hint at ties between the two stories, and the ending hints a ties to come in a future book.

I enjoyed The Society of Unknowable Objects as the stand alone story it is advertised to be, but it didn't have that source of wonder and magic that made The Book Of Doors so wonderful. The similarity of the two books kind of robs The Society of Unknowable Objects of that initial magic of discovery. This book gives the feeling a bit that I've read this before. You have to wonder if some intertwining of characters and storyline from The Book Of Doors to make this a 2nd book in a series would have removed some of the sameness.

That said, The Society of Unknowable Objects is still a well written and enjoyable book. The Narration from Olivia Vinall is great. I will be interested to see what's next from Gareth Brown. I somehow think it will be related to his first two books, and possibly tie them all together. Or maybe I'm wrong.

Interesting story from the beginning

An interesting tale of a group of unlikely people, with twists and secrets, a little dark and a dash of a love story - just a touch. I found it a very good book!

A totally magical affair..

I really enjoyed the wonders and inclines of the Book Of Doors that the anticipation of another book by the author was highly appreciated. There was no disappointment with another fantastic story that teetered along the same line. Absolutely magical with a satisfying ending…?..

Another great novel

This novel was a great read and just as good as his other book, The Book of Doors! I have loved both of his interwoven masterpieces!

Nice to read something new that doesn’t seem to repeat a common theme

I like the ending. I didn’t expect it until the end. Fun easy read light hearted.