Highlander: The Captive Soul

Highlander #9

by Josepha Sherman

In Captive Soul, published to tie-in with the fantasy adventure TV series Highlander, warrior Duncan McLeod and his friend Methos notice a particular sword on display in a NY museum. Methos recognises the weapon from his days in Ancient Egypt.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Media Tie In, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Historical, Science Fiction

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 1998

About the author

Josepha Sherman was an American author, folklorist, and anthologist. In 1990 she won the Compton Crook Award for the novel The Shining Falcon.

Reviews

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must for Methos fans.

[Lillian I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth time I've read this book and it's mainly because it is the only Highlander book that featured Methos, my favorite character from the series. But it is a great read because it's also a well-written and beautifully researched flashback story in ancient Egypt. Josepha had a passion for Egypt and for the Highlander characters that brought a real sense of honesty to the book. If you were a fan of the series, this is a must read.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Methos was one of my top favorite characters from the Highlander TV series, so as soon as I found out there were novel tie-ins, I bought this book. Unfortunately it did not quite live up to my expectations.

Josepha Sherman was an incredible writer. I wish I had discovered her sooner. This Highlander novel is well-researched, beautifully written, and perfectly in character. If you love Methos, I think you'll be pleased.

Where I was disappointed was in the actual plot. The synopsis on the back of the book tells the reader there is an immortal serial killer stalking the streets of New York City, so I was all hyped up for a murder plot, and there was none to be found. The entire book is from Methos's point of view (cool). 90% of it takes place in ancient Egypt, though, and revolves around the historical war between Egyptians and the Hyksos. It wasn't exactly dull, but it was dry, and it lasted for the majority of the book. The other 10% of this very short book took place in the present, and I was also a bit disappointed to find that Duncan MacLeod had essentially only a cameo appearance.

While all the historical stuff was obviously thoroughly researched (with an appendix for further reading at the end), the modern-day bits were almost silly. In order for Methos to make contact with his immortal foe, for example, he literally writes a taunt in Egyptian hieroglyphics, makes 500 copies at a copy shop, and tapes them to trees in the park... And while Methos and Duncan are on the lookout for their enemy, they have walkie-talkies. I get that it was the 90s, but they don't even actually use them, except for Duncan to say once, "He's coming." Methos has an immortal sixth sense, so that was pointless and just an unnecessary thing for them to carry around.

I think I would have enjoyed the book a lot more if it was just advertised as a glimpse into Methos's past. Where it let me down was the expectation of a murder story. Yes, the Hyksos immortal killed people, but it's only vaguely referenced a time or two and it doesn't really factor into the story. And the ending was kind of a cop-out. The story ended very abruptly with a simple, "Well, that's over. Let's go get some coffee." I would have hoped for a bit of internal reflection from Methos, or an epilogue of some sort, but again I was left wanting.

[Angelmercy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 *****

I love the TV series and have wanted to read the accompanying books for a very long time, but couldn't get a hold of them, so I was really delighted to find out that they have finally been made available as e-books (not quite 20 years ago actually, but I only discovered them now 😅).

So, this book? As I said, I love Highlander the TV series, I love the main characters there already and the author did a great job of writing them ... Aaaand I also love anything about Ancient Egypt, so this book really is the perfect combination for me.

It's also easy to read and has quite a few rather funny bits and pieces in there - at least for those who know the TV series. Not sure whether it still makes as much sense, if you've never heard of Highlander before.

I would actually have given this book 5 stars, but I was missing one little thing:

This book is partially set in "present day" New York City (ok, present day, when this book was written, so mid-end 1990s? ... and of course the other part is set in Ancient Egypt)... so, I am wondering, if you have this story set in New York City and the main characters are Methos and Duncan MacLeod ... Why would the author completely exclude Connor MacLeod (the one from the original Highlander movie? Who is living IN New York City? Who was his younger clansman's teacher?) from the story and not even have them mention him at least once?? I simply can't imagine that they wouldn't at least go visit him for a drink (or, rather, drinks) at least at the very end of the story... But, maybe that's just me.

[Heather Venard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly good tie in novel... While I'm not exactly sure how this fits with the season 5 episodes and the Four Horsemen plot, since it's never directly referenced, it has a lot of positives going for it. A relatively well researched book (though I believe the history of the Hyksos empire has evolved since this book was written), written deftly and with a strong understanding of Methos as a character. It's one I'll come back to, for sure.

[Lela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all of the Highlander books but this one is my favorite because it's about Methos! It's set in New York City in 1998 where an old enemy of Methos is prowling the city in search of an ancient sword and killing anyone who gets in his way so it's up to Methos to stop him and finishing the fight that was interrupted 3,000 years ago! Methos is such a great character it's a shame they didn't give him his own book series. I also love the ancient egyptian flashbacks. I highly recommend it! ❤️

[Allie Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read based around my favourite Highlander character, Methos. It loosely intertwines Egyptian history with a modern day mystery and the general Highlander backstory. As with most Methos stories in print and on TV, it subtly hints at the deeper questions around who we are and who we might become - and what we might lose - if we lived for thousands of years.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, Methos, this look into your past and your soul is so fascinating. This story goes back and forth
between present day New York City and 1737BC Egypt. A king's soul is trapped in that sword, and his (insane) brother is searching for it, sacrificing humans in his quest. The reader is taken back to Methos's time with them as he and Duncan search for the killer.

[Josh Weil · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly enjoyable read, blending a Highlander: the Series era tale with an interesting speculative fiction backstory, focusing on Methos during a rarely examined period of Ancient Egypt. This is everything you want from a novel that takes place within an existing lore and timeline, it can't possibly affect the future of these characters, but has an awfully fun time exploring their past.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly entertaining, though there were a LOT of battle scenes (which I started skimming). Written well, with a good sense of the characters. The title applies to more than one character, which I enjoyed.

[Degenerate Chemist · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's passable. A good way to kill two hours if you like Highlander and have an interest in ancient Egypt.

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)

3.75

I'm finally going through my physical tv, film etc. tie in library owned book list, to add more older basic reviews. If I liked a book enough to keep then they are at the least a 3 star.

I'm only adding one book per series (etc.) and I'm not going to re-read every book to be more accurate, not when I have 1000s of new to me authors to try (I can't say no to free books....)


First time read the author's work?: N/A

Will you be reading more?: Yes

Would you recommend?: Yes


------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)

All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked

Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)

[melydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Captive Soul by Josepha Sherman: I watched Highlander back when it was on and naturally my favorite character was Methos, the oldest living Immortal. He’s certainly the most interesting. Though the outer story is of MacLeod and Methos searching for a serial-killer Immortal who happens to be an old enemy of Methos, the majority of the book takes place in ancient Egypt during the reign of the Hyksos. So basically we have one of my favorite characters in one of my favorite historical time periods. Yes, please! Methos’s sarcastic inner monologue is often hilarious, and his general demeanor is very true to the series. It really was a pretty great show. Makes me want to get my hands on the DVDs again.

[Nephte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this was something really, really old school … 😜
I looked for something like this for a while. I had first seen Highlander when I was (much) younger and Methos "left an impression" 😇😝
I loved the sarcastic and jaded the character and still think he should have had more space. So I was delighted to find this. A great story going deeper into this universe, illuminating a piece of Methos past in ancient Egypt.
I really liked it, in parts you could almost hear how put upon he was by all the mortals 😁

I think it could have had a bit more time in the modern setting, but I still greatly enjoyed the nostalgic blast from the past this gave me. 😍

[Heather's Mum · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Captive Soul, written by Josepha Sherman, is the eighth Highlander novel. It focuses on Methos, not Duncan.

Immortal Methos had been a spy for the pharaohs inside the Hyksos royal house in Ancient Egypt. He meets and misses his chance to take the Immortal Prince Khyan's head.

The Prince is evil to the core and when he returns to modern New York to find his lost sword... he is killing all in his path.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought it was pretty boring. The characterizations of Methos and Duncan were heavy handed. I guess it wasn't written for the fans but for SF readers in general. The fights took even longer than they did on the TV show. And I don't remember any resolution of the titular soul. *sigh* Ah well, I got me through my commute I guess.

[Noah Soudrette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun little Highlander tie in novel that focuses on the character of Methos. The story mostly takes place in ancient Egypt and is a really fun setting. A guilty pleasure.

[Meghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

It filled an hour or so with mindless reading. Just like the show...

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written novel that ties into the Highlander franchise. As Methos and Duncan MacLeod finding themselves hunting a crazed immortal from Methos past.