"Shadow of the Son is the novel that the readers of Eye of the Moon have been impatiently waiting for.
The plot unfolds at the same palatial estate on the banks of the Hudson River, a bucolic setting crisscrossed with mysterious undertones that can be at times benevolent or threatening.
The story resolves some of the pending issues from Eye of the Moon, while new ones are introduced. The Rhinebeck estate is shown to be once again a microcosm where anything is possible: the love story between Percy and Bruni that could result in not only marriage but a business partnership; the roles of Stanley, the butler, and Dagmar, the cook, which influence the destinies of the guests; the protagonists confronting their pasts, the convenience of hiding rather than revealing. Surprises follow one after another, making it difficult for the reader to put down the book.
By the start of the second novel, you are familiar with the characters and have likely taken sides. But your opinions may change when new characters arrive, adding complexity to the situation. Some doubts will be resolved, while others will be raised. The doors will open to reveal new secrets, all of which make this book, like the previous one, a true thriller.
This is a novel that wholly fulfills its mission: the telling of a story in the best possible way. Written with mastery characterized by his elegant prose and a fine, penetrating humor that is at times sharp, yet always intelligent, Ivan Obolensky develops a brilliant narrative with a sure hand that does not let up for a moment." -Maria Cristina Restrepo, Novelist and Literary Translator
"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?
... 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." -5 star review, Readers' Favorite
