I truly loved this series!

From the very beginning, it had me hooked with its engaging storylines and well-developed characters.

The plot twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat, always eager to find out what would happen next.

The characters were so relatable and their relationships added depth and emotion to the series.

Each episode was filled with excitement, drama, and sometimes even a touch of humor.

I found myself completely immersed in the world of the series, forgetting about everything else around me.

The production values were also top-notch, with beautiful cinematography and great special effects.

This series is definitely one of the best I've ever watched and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great entertainment experience.

I can't wait to see what the future holds for this amazing series.

2.5 stars. I was filled with such high hopes that perhaps I had accidentally come across a new series that I could really get into. However, this story simply did not measure up to the first one!

Glittering Images can definitely be read as a stand-alone. That's a plus, I suppose. But still, it's a bit of a letdown.

I had expected more from this installment. The characters didn't seem as developed as they could have been, and the plot felt a bit rushed in places.

Maybe it's just me, but I really wanted to love this story as much as the first. Unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the mark.

Overall, it's an okay read, but not one that I would highly recommend. I'll probably still give the next book in the series a chance, though, just in case it gets better.

Susan Howatch is simply amazing.

Her writing skills are truly remarkable. She has the ability to create complex and engaging characters that come alive on the page.

Howatch's novels are known for their rich and detailed plots that keep readers hooked from beginning to end.

She delves deep into the human psyche, exploring themes such as love, loss, power, and ambition.

Her works are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, making readers reflect on their own lives and values.

Whether it's a historical novel or a contemporary drama, Howatch always manages to bring a unique perspective and a touch of magic to her stories.

She is a master of her craft, and her books are a testament to her talent and creativity.

It's no wonder that she has a large and dedicated following of readers around the world.

Susan Howatch is definitely an author worth reading and exploring.

Mysticism and human drama

Powerfully stuff indeed! Who could have ever thought that the Church of England could be so dull? This story is filled with countless twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The hero, an imperfect man, is called to a vocation of helping others. What an amazing call it is! To leave behind the seemingly peaceful and quiet life of the monastery and step out into the world to become a wounded healer. It takes great courage and faith to answer such a call. As the story unfolds, we see the hero face many challenges and obstacles, but he never gives up. He continues to strive towards his goal of helping those in need, even when it seems impossible. This is a story of hope, faith, and the power of the human spirit. It shows that even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty, there is always a way forward.

I'm not the most religious person in the world.

However, I do attend the Episcopal Church and I am truly interested.

So many of these books are, if not new, at least thoughtful for me.

I enjoy them very much. They have this amazing ability to keep me completely rapt.

They allow me to learn new things and also to ask questions that I might not have thought of otherwise.

I look forward to the next book, although it'll be 2 or 3 books down the line.

I know that each one will bring something unique and valuable to my spiritual journey.

It's like opening a new door and exploring a different part of my faith.

These books are not just words on paper; they are a source of inspiration and growth for me.

They help me to understand the teachings of the church in a deeper and more meaningful way.

I can't wait to see what the future holds in terms of these wonderful books and how they will continue to shape my beliefs and my life.

I found this book extremely difficult to get through.

The so-called 'hero' was not a character that one could easily like.

Up to around page 200, the subject matter was excruciatingly boring. In fact, it had the effect of putting me to sleep at night. However, I did manage to persevere.

The next 100 or so pages were only marginally more interesting, but still didn't feel real to me.

It was only in the last 100 or so pages that the book became somewhat readable.

The vision presented in the book never seemed very believable to me.

Moreover, the treatment he received, as well as his actions and mindset during his years as a Monk, were completely abhorrent to me.

All in all, this is not a book that I would recommend to others.

I would not suggest anyone waste their time on this particular piece of literature.

At times, the process can be extremely tedious.

It feels like you are stuck in a never-ending loop of repetitive tasks, and it can be quite frustrating.

However, on the other hand, it can also be enlightening.

You might discover new things about yourself, your abilities, and your limitations.

You might learn valuable lessons that will help you grow and improve in other areas of your life.

So, even though the tedium can be overwhelming at times, it's important to remember that there is also value in the experience.

It's all part of the journey, and without the tedious parts, the enlightening moments might not be as meaningful.

Embrace the process, and try to find the good in every situation.

You might be surprised at what you discover.

Jonathon Darrow is a unique individual. He is not only a monk but also has psychic abilities. He stands as a representative of the mystic wing within the Anglican church.

One day, when he receives a call that requires him to leave his Order, his life takes a significant turn. He now has to adapt to a completely new way of life.

I have decided to give this book four stars. The reason for this is that I don't find Darrow to be as likeable as the other narrators in this series. However, despite this, it is still a great book. It plays a crucial role in fleshing out the other characters in a very significant way. It provides more depth and background to the overall story and the characters within it, making it an engaging read.

Overall, although Darrow may not be my favorite character, the book as a whole is well-written and offers a lot to the readers.

Mysticism is the fundamental building block of religion. Just as a building cannot be constructed without raw materials, and raw materials alone remain just that without the design of an architect.

I understand why some might consider this book to be more Platonist than Christian. Several themes within it were highly relevant to my life at this particular moment and provided me with a great deal of comfort. It appears that Howatch believes in the significance of mysticism to the Church as an organized religion. Through the character of Jon Darrow, she is exploring the consequences of detaching mysticism from a religious context. By the way, he is not my favorite character. I found him rather unappealing, lacking self-awareness to a degree that seemed inconsistent with his age, profession, and status.

I adored the beginning and the end of the book. However, the middle part did not hold my attention as easily. It seemed to drag on at times, making it a bit of a struggle to stay engaged. Nevertheless, the overall message and the exploration of the themes were still quite thought-provoking.

An interesting look at God and the church reveals a complex and multifaceted relationship. God is often seen as the supreme being, the creator and sustainer of all things. The church, on the other hand, is the institution that represents and interprets God's will on earth.

The concept of God has been a central theme in many religions throughout history. Different cultures and religions have their own unique understandings and images of God. Some see God as a loving and merciful father, while others view God as a powerful and just judge.

The church plays an important role in people's spiritual lives. It provides a place for worship, fellowship, and learning. The church also offers guidance and support to its members in times of need. However, the church has not always been without controversy. There have been times when the church has been criticized for its actions and policies.

Overall, an interesting look at God and the church shows that they are both integral parts of many people's lives. While there may be differences in opinion and interpretation, the search for meaning and purpose in life continues to bring people to God and the church.

According to each reader's criterion, personally I didn't like his argumentation. It seemed rather weak and unconvincing. The points he made lacked solid evidence and seemed to be based more on personal opinion than on facts.

Moreover, the way he presented his argumentation was not very organized. It was difficult to follow his train of thought and understand the connections between his different ideas. This made it hard for me to evaluate the validity of his claims.

In conclusion, while I respect the author's right to express his views, I cannot say that I found his argumentation persuasive. I believe that in order to make a strong argument, one must present clear and logical reasoning supported by reliable evidence. This is something that the author failed to do in this case.

I truly relished this book to a much greater extent than Glittering Images, the initial installment in the series. Jon Darrow was presented in that first book, and I discovered his character to be extremely fascinating. Consequently, I felt compelled to read Glamorous Powers, which centers around Darrow.

At the commencement of the book, I was slightly deterred by the extensive psycho-spiritual analysis of Darrow by his superior, Francis. However, I found the remainder of the narrative regarding Darrow's struggles in spiritual formation to be rather excellent. I can relate to Darrow in several significant aspects. I have a genuine fondness for the W. R. Inge quotes that introduce each chapter.

Nevertheless, I am uncertain whether I desire to persist with this series. I did not find these first two books to be overly captivating. There is not an abundance of action in these books. They are predominantly interior psychological and spiritual studies, which did not maintain my interest as effectively as some other novels that I have perused.

I will need to give it some further thought before deciding whether to continue exploring this series or not.