RETURN OF THE SHADE by Bevis Longstreth, 2009.

An interesting, if not very involving, novel set in ancient Persia after the time of King Xerxes. The story concerns Parysatis, daughter, wife, and mother of Persian monarchs. Evidently, she has been given a bad rep by Greek historians, and in this novel, she comes back from the dead to tell her version of the story. It's a story that includes rape, murder, palace intrigue, torture, unrequited love, and sexual abandon in the glittering Courts at Susa, Persepolis, and Babylon. The cast of characters includes monarchs, queens, concubines, generals, and eunuchs, all jockeying for enormous power and prestige, and all willing to do anything to get them. The author includes fine descriptions of Persian life and customs, but unfortunately, none of the characters are very sympathetic or likeable, nor do you much care about any of them. Many seem rather one note and cardboard-like. The only exception is Parysatis herself, who is somewhat more developed, but not totally three dimensional. I found this novel to be full of information and it really piqued my interest in the Achaemenid dynasty, but I was really disappointed in the rather lifeless writing style and lack of character development. It could have been an exciting and fully realized historical at the hands of someone else or with a lot more work by this writer.