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Ivan Obolensky grew up in high society, regaled with the mystical ghost stories and fantastic intrigue of his aristocratic and trailblazing ancestors. These tales inspired him at an early age and colored the formation and background of his award-winning debut novel, "Eye of the Moon". "Shadow of the Son" is the much-awaited sequel, enchanting people into the night.
Considered gothic mysteries of a new class by readers and reviewers alike, "Eye of the Moon" and "Shadow of the Son" primarily take place in a single location, and involve universal themes such as the price of vows, of gifts, of curses, and of settling scores; revenge, mercy, and friendship; love, abandonment, and trust.
Educated in the US and England, Ivan’s original roots in writing were poetry, nonfiction, and short fiction. His short stories feature the main characters from "Eye of the Moon", Johnny and Percy, in their earlier escapades.
Ivan’s curiosity has led him on a path of self-study in diverse subjects. In 2011, he wrote articles on the social sciences, which are translated into Latin American Spanish and published online.
He has credited his work in nonfiction as critical in developing his skills of weaving diverse subjects together into one good tale.
Among the authors that have influenced Ivan the most are Jane Austen, Raymond Chandler, O. Henry, P. G. Wodehouse, Charles Dickens, J. R. Tolkein, and Edith Wharton.
Ivan enjoys photography, reading, cooking, music, and riding his motorcycle.
Visit Ivan’s website at https://ivanobolensky.com.
Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite
Bizarre events transpire when an uninvited guest crashes a cozy weekend in the thrilling paranormal novel, Shadow of the Son by Ivan Obolensky. Percy is still trying to reconcile his ownership of Rhinebeck and his unbelievable luck in becoming engaged to Bruni. Preparing to entertain a small group of close friends over the weekend at Rhinebeck, Percy is stunned to learn that his estranged father, Lord Bromley, is planning on coming to stay at Rhinebeck. Although he has never met him, Percy has heard about Lord Bromley's unethical and cruel exploits and wishes to have nothing to do with him. Unable to prevent Lord Bromley's arrival, Percy adjusts his guest list to help him cope with the unwanted visitor's appearance. However, because of Lord Bromley's sinister history at Rhinebeck, the metaphysical aspects of the estate appear unsettled. Will the ghost of Rhinebeck allow him to stay without repercussions? How will this affect the weekend for Percy and his guests?
Containing surreal experiences with the occult, Shadow of the Son by Ivan Obolensky is an extraordinary paranormal novel that incites the imagination and chills the blood. Brilliantly written, the poetic lexis and rhythmic flow of the story create a timeless work of art. It captures the essence of an era long past, enchanting and transporting the reader to a world of gentility and urbanity. Brimming with mystery and intrigue, supernatural elements eerily whisper throughout the plot, creating an underlying gothic sense of horror and suspense. It is the sequel to the also outstanding novel Eye of the Moon, where the original characters return. The story ends in the perfect place to segue into another creepy adventure. It is a fabulous series, and I highly recommend it to everyone who loves stories with a gothic feel that leave you with a sense of unease.
