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Sokolov Saga #1
The Russian Renaissance
Since WWII it has been hidden… …but now one man has uncovered the secret. Will it get him killed? Constantine loved a good mystery. When he lost his job as an historian, the prospects looked bleak, but then a dying man gives him some classified documents. If they were to be believed, it could change his life, but there was one problem. The FSB knows he knows. In a world where secrets are wrapped in lies and those who protect them have powerful allies, there was a line that must never be crossed. Constantine didn’t even know the line existed and now he’s on the run. Who will help him? Was the treasure real? Will it be worth the risk? You’ll love this historical thriller, because the mysteries of the past hold riches beyond anything you can imagine, and the race to find them keeps you turning the pages. Get it now.
331 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2010
584 people are currently reading
660 people want to read
About the author
Ian Kharitonov
10 books33 followersExtremely little is known about Ian Kharitonov. Born in Moscow during perestroika, he spent his early years in Southeast Asia. He rediscovered Russia as he earned an economics degree. After turning down diplomatic work in Sweden, he began his career as a thriller author. His debut novel, The Russian Renaissance, won the Grandmaster Award from the Clive Cussler Society, and has been translated into Spanish. He has traveled across Asia, Europe, Russia and the U.S., and is currently busy working on his next book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
June 20, 2015
A very well written debut novel, the characters are believable and you cannot help but root for the Sokolov Brothers. Once you start it is near impossible to stop reading until the last page, and even then you are left hoping for a sequel.
April 19, 2011
From someone who is from Italy and is a translator by profession, I found The Russian Renaissance to be both compelling and engaging from start to finish.
A true revelation from a young and talented Author, who shows great promise.
Action-packed book full of vivid characters that stay with you for a long time, a colourful description of the Russian Country that distinctly stands out from the pages of this fast paced debut novel. A real page turner that hooked me since the very first page.
You can find whatever you expect from a good book: action, adventure, conspiracies, complex characters, deception.
The Author perfectly mixed history, politics, spying to create an explosive story that keeps the reader glued to each page until the end.
The writing style is fluent, smooth, well-structured.
I definitely recommend The Russian Renaissance, and I think Ian Kharitonov is one of those emerging Writers to keep an eye on.
Lara Marchesi from Parma, Italy
Translator & Interpreter
A true revelation from a young and talented Author, who shows great promise.
Action-packed book full of vivid characters that stay with you for a long time, a colourful description of the Russian Country that distinctly stands out from the pages of this fast paced debut novel. A real page turner that hooked me since the very first page.
You can find whatever you expect from a good book: action, adventure, conspiracies, complex characters, deception.
The Author perfectly mixed history, politics, spying to create an explosive story that keeps the reader glued to each page until the end.
The writing style is fluent, smooth, well-structured.
I definitely recommend The Russian Renaissance, and I think Ian Kharitonov is one of those emerging Writers to keep an eye on.
Lara Marchesi from Parma, Italy
Translator & Interpreter
November 1, 2017
I tried. I honestly tried! I even forced myself to get to 62% before throwing in the towel.
I just couldn't bring myself to care about anyone in the book, or about anything happening. The characters were not well built and terribly shallow, and the 'voice' kept putting me to sleep.
I just couldn't bring myself to care about anyone in the book, or about anything happening. The characters were not well built and terribly shallow, and the 'voice' kept putting me to sleep.
January 13, 2020
Enjoyable read with a Russian perspective.
I enjoyed this book a lot. I found the Russian perspective refreshing and instructive, a dramatic change from the typical western setting. There were a few things that could have been improved for me: the historical context sections would have been better incorporated into the narrative, perhaps by having an experienced character informing someone; the close-quarters combat was too detailed and complicated for someone like me with no karate experience; there was much more technical detail of guns and vehicles than was necessary, making it difficult to remain focused on what was happening.
I enjoyed this book a lot. I found the Russian perspective refreshing and instructive, a dramatic change from the typical western setting. There were a few things that could have been improved for me: the historical context sections would have been better incorporated into the narrative, perhaps by having an experienced character informing someone; the close-quarters combat was too detailed and complicated for someone like me with no karate experience; there was much more technical detail of guns and vehicles than was necessary, making it difficult to remain focused on what was happening.
August 26, 2018
A bit disappointing
A little too predictable for the "good" guys. The character development was highly variable. It does keep moving quite well and I think provides interesting insight into post Soviet thought. There just no hiding the deep character differences between Russian (communist ruling class) and most western societies. Honesty seems to be the exception in that class as well as respect for human life.
A little too predictable for the "good" guys. The character development was highly variable. It does keep moving quite well and I think provides interesting insight into post Soviet thought. There just no hiding the deep character differences between Russian (communist ruling class) and most western societies. Honesty seems to be the exception in that class as well as respect for human life.
June 19, 2017
Potentially great story pretty much overshadowed by a glut of detail. Characters were nothing more than a tool to toss out more information, until this felt like one giant textbook, endless lessons in mechanics, history, biology, etc. Should have been an action packed thrilled and was downright boring until I started skimming over huge paragraphs of explanations.
October 29, 2018
Okay but not great
The story seemed disjointed to me. Perhaps due to a Lack of knowledge about post-Soviet Russia and it's history. Characters never developed and the story line never really came together .
The story seemed disjointed to me. Perhaps due to a Lack of knowledge about post-Soviet Russia and it's history. Characters never developed and the story line never really came together .
April 19, 2020
I have been grasping at any wisp of fun fiction to pass my evenings in blissful solitude. It is actually weird reading stories that were written pre-pandemic. I want to say to the characters, why are you out or why are you not taking a mask with you? But I digress.
I came across this book on GoodReads. It has the distinction of being a "Winner of the Grandmaster Award from the Clive Cussler Society". I like Clive Cussler and it gave me a set of expectations for my tired brain to latch onto. I went in thinking this will be a fast paced, fun thriller. It kind of is, but the blurb is misleading.
The book doesn't spend that much time with Constantine. It actually focused on Eugene most of the time. These are not hardened ex-military types, but historian and rescuer. Eugene also has the distinction of being a high ranking martial artist, which sounded cool. We do not get much into the characters, except for a couple traits that are hammered on over and over again.
The beginning had a good hook. Secret train running east out of Moscow as the Nazi's approach. Rail cars full of ancient wonders, lots of treachery, a mystery to solve in order to find them. Good so far.
Then we meet some Americans. Then all of that goes away. We meet Constantine & he goes through a series of scenes where double & triple crossing are happening at a fast pace. Then off to meet the young lady in the middle of all this, though she doesn't make a whole lot of sense for most of the book. Lots of hand squeezing when she eventually meets Eugene. Really, lots of sentences with squeezing hands.
I went with it all the way until about 2/3 of the way through & the implausibility became super silly. See above, I was already expecting Clive Cussler type adventure. But its all a plot to talk to Eugene & that the level of ruses is all meant to lead him to... Then bad dude spills the beans of the entire plot. Because the only person in all of Russia that can help is Eugene. There isn't much for actual discovery. It is run, run, run. Bad guy acts nice and tells all. This means... not much.
I skimmed through large portions as there are pages and pages of description of places just before our characters run through said place. A lot of fawning over a watch and why it is cool, but not much on the character. I didn't care much about our characters. They were just there to point things out. The mystery and wonder were missing. I only wanted to know about the Russian artifacts that the beginning of the book makes a big point in discussing. It could have been bars of gold or the journals of some KGB officer. The outcome would have been the same. More distractions were the poor editing of bouncing between metrics vs. english measurements. Or the incredulity of having a martial artist be 2nd dan, then while recovering from a grievous injury, jump to fourth dan. That isn't how it works and as someone sensitive to such things, cheapens the ranking system.
I really wanted to like the book and have fun. But it became a superficial story with basic characters who do not really live, only hang about waiting for their cue to run around.
I came across this book on GoodReads. It has the distinction of being a "Winner of the Grandmaster Award from the Clive Cussler Society". I like Clive Cussler and it gave me a set of expectations for my tired brain to latch onto. I went in thinking this will be a fast paced, fun thriller. It kind of is, but the blurb is misleading.
The book doesn't spend that much time with Constantine. It actually focused on Eugene most of the time. These are not hardened ex-military types, but historian and rescuer. Eugene also has the distinction of being a high ranking martial artist, which sounded cool. We do not get much into the characters, except for a couple traits that are hammered on over and over again.
The beginning had a good hook. Secret train running east out of Moscow as the Nazi's approach. Rail cars full of ancient wonders, lots of treachery, a mystery to solve in order to find them. Good so far.
Then we meet some Americans. Then all of that goes away. We meet Constantine & he goes through a series of scenes where double & triple crossing are happening at a fast pace. Then off to meet the young lady in the middle of all this, though she doesn't make a whole lot of sense for most of the book. Lots of hand squeezing when she eventually meets Eugene. Really, lots of sentences with squeezing hands.
I went with it all the way until about 2/3 of the way through & the implausibility became super silly. See above, I was already expecting Clive Cussler type adventure. But its all a plot to talk to Eugene & that the level of ruses is all meant to lead him to... Then bad dude spills the beans of the entire plot. Because the only person in all of Russia that can help is Eugene. There isn't much for actual discovery. It is run, run, run. Bad guy acts nice and tells all. This means... not much.
I skimmed through large portions as there are pages and pages of description of places just before our characters run through said place. A lot of fawning over a watch and why it is cool, but not much on the character. I didn't care much about our characters. They were just there to point things out. The mystery and wonder were missing. I only wanted to know about the Russian artifacts that the beginning of the book makes a big point in discussing. It could have been bars of gold or the journals of some KGB officer. The outcome would have been the same. More distractions were the poor editing of bouncing between metrics vs. english measurements. Or the incredulity of having a martial artist be 2nd dan, then while recovering from a grievous injury, jump to fourth dan. That isn't how it works and as someone sensitive to such things, cheapens the ranking system.
I really wanted to like the book and have fun. But it became a superficial story with basic characters who do not really live, only hang about waiting for their cue to run around.
December 21, 2019
I bought Ian Kharitonov's THE RUSSIAN RENAISSANCE back in 2013. As I am in the bad habit of doing, I put it on my "will read eventually" list, which moves notoriously slow. Finally, as the year wound down and I was running out of books to read to meet my 50-book goal for 2019, I decided to proverbially dust off my copy and give it a spin.
I find myself wishing I had done so much earlier.
THE RUSSIAN RENAISSANCE deals with a pair of brothers, Eugene and Constantine Sokolov, who are ethnic Cossacks and the son of a man who died rebelling against the Russian government in the early post-Soviet days. Eugene works for EMERCOM, a Russian agency that comes off as one part National Guard, one part Coast Guard, and one part FEMA, as a search and rescue specialist. On the other hand, Constantine had aspirations for the Russian Orthodox seminary but was banished from Russia by powerful elements. Together with the mysterious Asiyah Kasymova, daughter of Kazakh president Timur Kasymov, the Sokolovs are embroiled in a conspiracy that involve international intrigue and dark portions of Soviet history.
The pros:
-Kharitonov is extremely well-read on Russian history, and is an excellent researcher in general. You'll certainly learn from this book while being entertained and intrigued by the plot.
-I found myself caring for the characters early on, and that was satisfying, a testament to Kharitonov's skill as a writer.
-The plot takes several threads and manages to weave them all together by the end of the novel.
-The action is unique, as neither Sokolov is the stock action hero. They're not out-and-out everymen a la Nate Granzow's work, but they're certainly not full-on operators, either. This reflects in the action scenes, all but one unique takes for the genre.
Now, the cons:
-I felt there were portions where Kharitonov told the reader what was happening rather than showed them. These bits happened intermittently, as most of the scenes where the scene was painted masterfully, but there were enough that the summarized bits were a bit jarring.
-I fully admit that I may have missed this while reading (and if that's the case, I'm more than willing to amend my rating, at least on Goodreads, not sure I can alter it on Amazon) but I don't recall ever seeing in full why Constantine had to leave Russia. If it was mentioned, then it was drowned out by the other fast-moving plot elements and I recall myself thinking we'd see it prior to the final action scene...only to not see it revealed (or provided as a reminder to the reader if it was previously revealed).
Still, these cons do not outweigh the pros and THE RUSSIAN RENAISSANCE is a compelling and unique page-turner. I'd definitely recommend it.
I find myself wishing I had done so much earlier.
THE RUSSIAN RENAISSANCE deals with a pair of brothers, Eugene and Constantine Sokolov, who are ethnic Cossacks and the son of a man who died rebelling against the Russian government in the early post-Soviet days. Eugene works for EMERCOM, a Russian agency that comes off as one part National Guard, one part Coast Guard, and one part FEMA, as a search and rescue specialist. On the other hand, Constantine had aspirations for the Russian Orthodox seminary but was banished from Russia by powerful elements. Together with the mysterious Asiyah Kasymova, daughter of Kazakh president Timur Kasymov, the Sokolovs are embroiled in a conspiracy that involve international intrigue and dark portions of Soviet history.
The pros:
-Kharitonov is extremely well-read on Russian history, and is an excellent researcher in general. You'll certainly learn from this book while being entertained and intrigued by the plot.
-I found myself caring for the characters early on, and that was satisfying, a testament to Kharitonov's skill as a writer.
-The plot takes several threads and manages to weave them all together by the end of the novel.
-The action is unique, as neither Sokolov is the stock action hero. They're not out-and-out everymen a la Nate Granzow's work, but they're certainly not full-on operators, either. This reflects in the action scenes, all but one unique takes for the genre.
Now, the cons:
-I felt there were portions where Kharitonov told the reader what was happening rather than showed them. These bits happened intermittently, as most of the scenes where the scene was painted masterfully, but there were enough that the summarized bits were a bit jarring.
-I fully admit that I may have missed this while reading (and if that's the case, I'm more than willing to amend my rating, at least on Goodreads, not sure I can alter it on Amazon) but I don't recall ever seeing in full why Constantine had to leave Russia. If it was mentioned, then it was drowned out by the other fast-moving plot elements and I recall myself thinking we'd see it prior to the final action scene...only to not see it revealed (or provided as a reminder to the reader if it was previously revealed).
Still, these cons do not outweigh the pros and THE RUSSIAN RENAISSANCE is a compelling and unique page-turner. I'd definitely recommend it.
November 24, 2017
This historical thriller is rich with bold, vivid detail and written in the kind of expert prose that borders on literary in quality, but without the stuffiness that usually accompanies anything with the "literature" label attached to it. While all the history and elaborate descriptions sometimes hobble the pacing--this book emphasizes history as much as it does adventure--there is simply no denying the skill that author Ian Kharitonov brings to the table. Sure, he wants to get your adrenaline pumping--and there are several sequences that accomplish that objective--but he also wants to engage your brain. While you'll walk away from this novel entertained by the treachery-laced treasure-hunting tale of the Sokolov brothers, you'll also walk away with a deeper understanding of Russian history, politics, and architecture. In other words, this book is not for the "all action, all the time" crowd, but for those who appreciate intricate plots and in-depth research.
Bottom line, the awards and accolades are deserved, and if you provide shelf space for the likes of Tom Clancy and/or Dan Brown, then Ian Kharitonov deserves a place alongside them. "The Russian Renaissance" nimbly dodges trite tropes and stereotypes in favor of something different, something unique. If you have even a remote interest in historical thrillers, you need to give this one a shot.
Bottom line, the awards and accolades are deserved, and if you provide shelf space for the likes of Tom Clancy and/or Dan Brown, then Ian Kharitonov deserves a place alongside them. "The Russian Renaissance" nimbly dodges trite tropes and stereotypes in favor of something different, something unique. If you have even a remote interest in historical thrillers, you need to give this one a shot.
July 13, 2025
This story was frenetically paced. It had one character that was a good guy throughout. There were certainly two “very bad” guys. Everyone else was various shades of gray, with many very layered. Since the story was set primarily in Russia and Kazakhstan, it could often be described as a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. The author managed to keep me guessing throughout until the conclusion.
The story had a lot of travel. It had elements of treasure hunt, bio-terrorism, espionage, history, military action, and a tension of chess being played at an international political level. I read it fairly quickly, but if you had to pick it up and put it down, you almost want to have a scorecard to refer back to. As a fan of Ludlum, this was a decent attempt to replicate that style.
The story had a lot of travel. It had elements of treasure hunt, bio-terrorism, espionage, history, military action, and a tension of chess being played at an international political level. I read it fairly quickly, but if you had to pick it up and put it down, you almost want to have a scorecard to refer back to. As a fan of Ludlum, this was a decent attempt to replicate that style.
November 8, 2017
If you are looking for a non-stop, shoot’em up thriller, this is not the book for you. If you like a modern-day thriller that is driven by the past, you will enjoy this book.
While the action is compelling, you will also learn a great deal of Russian history concerning the Cossacks, Stalin, the Russian Orthodox Church, etc. While some may object to presentation of the historical information as slowing down the action, for me, it adds context to the story and the characters in the story.
I do agree that at times, the historical information could have been presented in a more interesting manner but, for a first novel, Mr. Kharitonov did himself proud. A well-written, entertaining book!
While the action is compelling, you will also learn a great deal of Russian history concerning the Cossacks, Stalin, the Russian Orthodox Church, etc. While some may object to presentation of the historical information as slowing down the action, for me, it adds context to the story and the characters in the story.
I do agree that at times, the historical information could have been presented in a more interesting manner but, for a first novel, Mr. Kharitonov did himself proud. A well-written, entertaining book!
June 5, 2019
Interesting
Fast moving, ultimately intriguing plot. I wish the primary characters had been more developed so I could have known more about the person I was rooting for, and not just a character performing a role in the book. But it was a good story, yet another in this land that seems to have no value for human life, not now or in its entire history.
Fast moving, ultimately intriguing plot. I wish the primary characters had been more developed so I could have known more about the person I was rooting for, and not just a character performing a role in the book. But it was a good story, yet another in this land that seems to have no value for human life, not now or in its entire history.
May 23, 2020
Well, some might say that there is too much history in this book, but I didn't mind because I am not familiar with Russia.
I think the sheer amount of history piled into this book is necessary to make the whole plot work.
And wow when I finished, I have more questions than answers.
Now, off to book #2.
I think the sheer amount of history piled into this book is necessary to make the whole plot work.
And wow when I finished, I have more questions than answers.
Now, off to book #2.
March 20, 2021
This was kind of an interesting book. I appreciated the insights into the post-revolution Soviet Union/Russia. It was a typical spy/intrigue kind of novel. Enjoyable while being read, but not really memorable.
If you like secret agent, spy, intrigue novels, this will be right up your alley.
If you like secret agent, spy, intrigue novels, this will be right up your alley.
December 24, 2021
I got through about half of this book before I gave it up. The story was ok but the historical information that was inserted was just too much. I usually enjoy historical stories that throw in some background information on the real events that were happening at the time, but this one was too much for me.
January 7, 2018
Soviet conspiracies and action to boot
This was a book filled with conspiracies, vibrant characters, and a plot believable due to its locations. I found it informative as well as entertaining.
This was a book filled with conspiracies, vibrant characters, and a plot believable due to its locations. I found it informative as well as entertaining.
April 12, 2018
Exceptional and enjoyable reading
The author has written a very interesting and enjoyable story of intrigue, suspense and deceit which is sure to keep you entertained and guessing what will happen next.
The author has written a very interesting and enjoyable story of intrigue, suspense and deceit which is sure to keep you entertained and guessing what will happen next.
June 11, 2019
Def my sort of book plenty of action and was documented history and landscape and two brothers struggle to face their past and fight for their future and the implications they have to overcome brilliant book will def be reading more.
September 7, 2019
Eye opening!
Mind blowing! A fabulous story with an awesome delve into the past histories of Russia! I was definitely intrigued by this great author! Following & so excited for the next in line! Great Job Mr. Kharitonov
Mind blowing! A fabulous story with an awesome delve into the past histories of Russia! I was definitely intrigued by this great author! Following & so excited for the next in line! Great Job Mr. Kharitonov
April 30, 2022
Overall an enjoyable read although at time I found the storyline becoming a bit deflated with some parts perhaps a tad to long in the narrative. One does develop a passion for the characters to succeed and the story line did make me go back and research some of the history.
September 6, 2017
A history lesson ! Much to much history at times overshadowing the plot AND the characters ! Also going into a lot of fine unnecessary detail....plot was very convoluted ...with no actual outcome.
February 17, 2018
Interesting semi history, weak ending
I like a good interwoven story. Somehow this one got too tangled and lost a few threads by the end.
I like a good interwoven story. Somehow this one got too tangled and lost a few threads by the end.
March 30, 2018
Loved it. Great plot and great writing
This was a great book. Interesting plot and things kept changing. Kept my attention. Will continue on in the series.
This was a great book. Interesting plot and things kept changing. Kept my attention. Will continue on in the series.
April 26, 2018
Good spy story
This book is a good story but somewhat confusing at the beginning with many Russian names. I would like to read the second book.
This book is a good story but somewhat confusing at the beginning with many Russian names. I would like to read the second book.
October 21, 2018
Good story
A good story with a firm historical background makes for interesting reading. Linking some of the mysteries of Russia with present day.
A good story with a firm historical background makes for interesting reading. Linking some of the mysteries of Russia with present day.
November 27, 2018
This is an exciting page turner.Action packed to the last page.
May 8, 2019
Very enjoyable reading.
June 12, 2019
At first it seemed more realistic but as it ended it was too hard to believe so didn't match up with the good story.
July 25, 2019
Very gripping and interesting book, It expounded the author's considerable knowledge of Russian political history.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews