I came to the realization as I was delving into this book that had I perused this series at the time it was penned, my younger self would most likely not have been able to fathom the profound spiritual discussions it contains.

What I truly appreciate about this series is that it consists of novels that are firmly rooted in a spiritual context. The characters within these novels are not perfect; they are flawed, which makes them all the more relatable and engaging.

Despite their imperfections, they draw the reader in and keep one hooked from start to finish. It is this combination of a spiritual backdrop and interesting, flawed characters that makes this series truly captivating and worth exploring.

It offers a unique perspective and a thought-provoking experience that I believe many readers will find both enlightening and entertaining.

3.5 stars
I must admit that I'm not as enamored with the second half of this series as I was with the first. Thankfully, for now, we seem to have moved away from Aysgarth to a large extent. Mystical Paths, in terms of content, really made me feel quite uncomfortable. The whole concept of the mystical and psychic is so far removed from my own experiences. I understand that we're approaching the swinging 70s, but does every character in these books have to be engaged in extramarital affairs? It's a bit much. Nevertheless, I still highly appreciate the honest exploration of spirituality and the numerous ways in which God can bring healing to those who are broken. It's a redeeming factor that keeps me interested in the series, despite my reservations about some of the other aspects.

Covering a wide range of fascinating topics such as the Anglican Priesthood, psychic abilities, past lives, theology, and psychology, this book truly offers a unique blend. I had never read any of Susan Howatch's books before, but this one immediately caught my attention as it encompasses many of my own personal interests. Even though I am only a quarter of the way through this book, I have already realized that perhaps I should have started with the first book in the trilogy of the Starbridge books, had I known it was a trilogy. However, there is no doubt that this book is written in a way that will make it an incredibly compelling read, filled with mystery and deception at every turn. I am eager to continue reading and discover what other secrets and surprises this book has in store for me.

The fifth installment of the Starbridge series holds a special place in my heart. It is truly one of my favorites, and perhaps even my absolute favorite.

The story in this book is captivating from start to finish. The author has crafted a world that is rich in detail and filled with unique characters. The plot twists and turns, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout.

I love how the characters develop and grow as the story progresses. Their relationships are complex and believable, adding another layer of depth to the narrative. The action scenes are thrilling, and the descriptions are so vivid that I could easily picture them in my mind.

Overall, the fifth book in the Starbridge series is a must-read for any fan of science fiction or fantasy. It has everything I look for in a great book - an engaging story, well-developed characters, and exciting action. I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us in the next installment.

I have always had a great appreciation for Susan Howatch's writing and her remarkable storytelling abilities. Her works have a certain charm that keeps me engaged from start to finish. However, in this particular installment, the character of the young Nick Darrow comes across as just a bit too whiny for my personal taste.

Despite this minor flaw, the book is still a delightful read. Howatch's vivid descriptions and well-developed characters make it easy to lose oneself in the world she has created. I find myself constantly turning the pages, eager to discover what will happen next.

I am really looking forward to completing the Starbridge series soon. I have a feeling that each subsequent book will offer new surprises and insights, further enriching my reading experience. I can't wait to see how the story unfolds and how the characters evolve. It's going to be an exciting journey.

I have an absolute passion for Susan Howatch’s Starbridge series, and Mystical Paths is no exception! It truly lives up to the high standards set by the previous books.

As the fifth installment in the series, it delves even deeper into the captivating and intricate relationship between Nick Darrow and his father, who happens to be my all-time favorite character in the entire series. Witnessing Nick grapple with his decision to follow in his father’s footsteps and enter the priesthood is not only fascinating but also highly thought-provoking. It enriches his character and makes him all the more relatable.

One of the aspects I truly cherish about this series, especially Mystical Paths, is Howatch’s remarkable ability to reintroduce familiar characters from fresh perspectives. It’s like reuniting with old friends, yet there’s always a new dimension waiting to be discovered. Her writing is nothing short of masterful, skillfully weaving together personal struggles, spiritual growth, and complex relational dynamics in a manner that is both captivating and profoundly meaningful.

This book, just like the rest of the series, has left me reflecting on profound themes such as faith, purpose, and the intricacies of family bonds. Howatch’s talent for seamlessly blending deep theological concepts with human drama is unrivaled. It is an absolute must-read for fans of the series, and if you haven’t embarked on the Starbridge journey yet, then what are you waiting for?

This is the fifth book in Howatch's Church of England series.

I read the first, Glamourous Powers, several years ago and the second, Glittering Images, a couple of months ago. Both of those were truly captivating reads that held my attention from start to finish.

Perhaps my expectations were set too high when I began this book. However, I was rather disappointed. The plot-line seemed to lack substance and left a great deal to be desired.

Nonetheless, I still found the combination of psychology and theology aspects within the book to be worthy of the time spent reading and reflecting upon them.

There are some thought-provoking quotes in the book. For example, "Funny how the vast majority of the human race has to generate a repulsive amount of noise before it can convince itself it's having a good time." Another one is, "...one of the greatest failures of the Church in this century lies in the fact that the strong tradition of meditation in Christianity is so little known." And yet another, "You said the words you wanted me to hear, but I heard the words you couldn't bring yourself to say."

Moreover, it is stated that "...it only takes one crack in the psyche, one lapse into weakness, for the Devil to wriggle his way in and cause havoc. No matter how strong the Light is, the Dark is always battling away to blot it out."

Overall, while the book had its flaws, it still offered some interesting insights and food for thought.

Well, that's the end of my Starbridge Odyssey.

I've truly relished every moment of it. It's quite remarkable considering it was just a random pick from the library.

The story took me on a thrilling journey through a distant and mysterious universe.

The characters were vivid and engaging, making me feel as if I was right there with them.

The plot was filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

I found myself completely immersed in the world of Starbridge, eager to see what would happen next.

Overall, it was a great read and I'm glad I came across it.

I would highly recommend it to anyone who loves science fiction and adventure.

I'm already looking forward to my next literary adventure.

I absolutely loved this!

It was truly an amazing experience.

The moment I laid my eyes on it, I was captivated.

Every little detail seemed to be perfect.

The colors were vibrant and the design was unique.

It had a certain charm that drew me in and made me not want to look away.

I could feel the passion and effort that went into creating it.

It made me smile and filled my heart with joy.

Whether it was the way it looked or the way it made me feel, I knew that this was something special.

I will always remember this and cherish the moment when I first discovered it.

It has become one of my favorite things and I will continue to love it for a long time to come.

I randomly picked up this book second hand. When I first began reading it, I had the initial impression that it was going to be a self-indulgent philosophical rambling by the author. However, I could not have been more wrong!!!

The story within the pages is truly gripping. It has a way of pulling you in and keeping you engaged from start to finish. What makes it even more fascinating are the linguistic comparisons that the author makes between the traditional church imagery and modern psychology. These comparisons add a unique depth and dimension to the narrative.

This is an epic read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I can't wait to get my hands on the rest of the series and continue exploring the captivating world that the author has created. It's rare to come across a book that can so effectively blend different themes and ideas into a cohesive and engaging story.

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4.25 stars - excellent. This book truly exceeded my expectations. The plot was engaging from the very beginning, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, there was a spine-tingling plot twist that completely blew me away. It was so unexpected and yet so perfectly executed that it left me on the edge of my seat. The characters were well-developed and relatable, which made it easy for me to become invested in their stories. I found myself rooting for them throughout the entire book. I will definitely be reading more books in this series. I can't wait to see what other surprises the author has in store for us. Overall, this was an outstanding read that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves a good mystery or thriller.