Highlander(tm): Zealot

This is a tie-in novel to the HIGHLANDER tv series but unlike most tie-in novels a reader does not have to be an avid fan to enjoy the novel. Anyone with just a casual familiarity with the general HIGHLANDER premise would be able to enjoy it. The story centers around the Israeli/Palestinean conflict with flashbacks to Masada and the Warsaw Ghetto and introduces two 'new' immortals - Avram Mordecai, a young Hebrew scholar who died at Masada during the Roman occupation, and Marcus Constantine, the Roman general who found Avram and became his teacher. In the present day MacLeod, Avram, and Constantine all meet again in Paris. MacLeod has become infatuated with a Palestinean delegate to the peace talks, a relationship that causes conflict with his old friend Avram. MacLeod is forced to choose sides once again between the oppressed and the oppressors, it is just in this case it is hard to tell just who is who. HIGHLANDER fans will also enjoy spending time at Duncan's barge and appearances by Methos.

...actually living to witness such events as the fall of Masada. This is a fascinating tale of an Immortal who has done just that. Avram is one of the Zealots! His Jewish faith motivating him to aid his people during Nazi Germany, where he crosses paths with our hero Duncan McLeod. The two of them fight side by side during the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.Now, imagine this man who has seen his people persecuted for some 1900 + years and try and imagine what he thinks about the turmoil between Israel and Palestine during the late 90's.This is a very touchy subject and the author does a wonderful job of telling the story from the point of view of all sides involved. Duncan can relate to his friend because he lived through his people's persecution at the hands of the English. But has his dear friend gone too far? And, if so, what must Duncan do about it?We also get to know another Immortal in this story - Marcus Constantine. Marcus was Avram's teacher, but Marcus wasn't a Zealot. He was on the other side of the wall at Masada.I couldn't put the book down. This is an exceptional story and the author did a great job in telling it!

This is my favorite HL tie-in novel. The TV characters are true to form, the story is compelling, the flashback is intriguing, and the love scenes are hot!I love the parallelism between the current story and the flashback. What's the difference between a true believer - a zealot, and a terrorist? Who decides? When does patriotism turn into something else? How do you balance the passion of belief with the pragmatism of politics? How do you balance your fervent passion about something against someone else's for the exact opposite thing?Maral was an intriguing character. I liked her. I wanted to know more about her, and more about what happened to her later. The flashback to Masada was written so well...it was one of the most vibrant and alive parts of the book for me. I could *see* it in my mind. And the WW2 flashback was very moving. The rabbi and the tunnel linger in my mind.This is one of the HL books that I had to read more than once, I enjoyed it so much.

This story has a great plot, and plenty of action so that those of us who are die-hard "Highlander" fans won't get too bored. I loved this book, and have read it at least ten times, if not more. These tv-tie-in novels are difficult to write, and the writer must have a firm grasp on the subject material. I say that Donna Lettow has that great quality. This book is not a slow starting one. The opening scenes of the mass murder at the temple tell you that this book will have a lot of violence and that if that opening scene makes you squeamish, then you'd best not read it. This book is a great, thought-provoking novel. I suggest it to anyone who loves the "Highlander" show, and anyone who just likes a good action novel.

So far, "Zealot" has been the best piece in the 'Highlander' tie-in series. Perhaps this goes to show you the value of having a writer who's experienced with her subject take up the task, eh? ;) Bravo, Donna!