The Society of Unknowable Objects

The Society of Unknowable Objects by Gareth Brown
8/12/25; 352 pages 
William Morrow

The Society of Unknowable Objects by Gareth Brown is a highly recommended magic realism fantasy featuring a secret society, magic, superpowers, and evil.

Magda Sparks grew up visiting Frank Simpson at his Bell Street Bookstore with her mother Imelda. When Imelda died ten years ago, Magda learned that her mother was one of four members of a secret society, the Society of Unknowable Objects, and now Magda would take her place. The current members of the society are lead by Frank and include Magda, Will Palin, and Henrietta “Henry” Wiseman. Henry hasn't attended a meeting for a couple of years. The society meets every six months in a basement room at the bookstore. The society's purpose is to find and protect hidden magical objects, ordinary items with extraordinary properties, and keep then from being used. 

There is a startling new development when Frank learns of a new, found magical object in Hong Kong. James Wei learned about the society through his father who knew Will’s late father years ago. Magda volunteers to go investigate and immediately feels a connection with James. She also senses that they are being followed. When James is showing her the object, a professional killer enters the room, shoots James, and demands the object. Magda escapes by using a magical item she possesses. This encounter sets off a series of dangerous encounters and several surprising truths.

Expect lots of talk about magical items, the use of magical items, and several encounters with evil men after the items, which can also be used for evil. Almost all of the characters have a tie to a magical item that they can use, like a super hero's power or a super villain's power. Some of the encounters with the malevolent characters are very dark and disturbing and clearly demonstrate the evil that magic can result in when used with bad intentions.

There is a wide variety of characters in the novel and the narrative unfolds through their multiple perspectives. Magda is the only fully realized character. She is portrayed as young for her age, but she is likable and readers will care about and support her. Obviously, you have to set disbelief aside while reading. 

Although this is a stand alone novel, it does have ties to Brown's first novel, The Book of Doors, including that responsible people need to protect who owns magical objects because they can be used for evil. There is a mention of the Fox Library, which protects magical books, at the end. Thanks to William Morrow for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.