Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy of A Spark of Light in exchange for an honest review.

A backwards read that will want you to read it again and again!

I love every book I've read by Jodi Picoult and this one did not disappoint!

This book has so many different stories coinciding at once. Overall, it is a story about a violent attack at an abortion clinic. We start at the scene of the crime then ZAP! we go backwards in time each hour, chapter by chapter, to the start of the day. At first I found this style a bit frustrating , I knew the end of the story already and I wanted all the details and quick! Slowly we learn the characters stories, what brought them to the clinic and why. We slowly understand, but what will happen in the end?!? read the book! It is an excellent twisty smoothie blender treat!
Once again Picoult brings the characters to life, making us hurt and laugh along with each chapter. It is thought provoking... whatever your opinion about abortion, this book will make you think about the opposing opinion with an open mind.

Jodi Picoult has done it again!
This book should be read by everyone- I had read "Life's work : from the trenches, a moral argument for choice" by Dr. Willie Parker and was intrigued by what I had read.
Jodi has written a book that shows a bit more about the women, the divide between morals and choice.
The characters were painted so realistically that I felt like I knew someone just like them. I don't want to give too much away so I will keep this short. Every woman in the story has a reason to be in the Clinic. Not everyone who goes to this clinic is going for an abortion. Some go for regular exams, birth control, etc. The story follows a myriad of characters, giving information about them, developing stories, but ultimately paying a high price...ALL of them.
I recommend highly!

Once, Jodi Picoult has written a stellar book. Her books hit the mark with important, current, and real life issues. This one is about women’s choice, and is written in a very unique way, that makes you want to re-read immediately.

The story from both sides of the abortion issue. I found that this is a book that I want to reread. Many good discussion points.

love Jodi Picoult, but this one was just too hard for me. First of all, it's waaaaay too much to be tackling at once; I've always admired Jodi for taking a social issue and building a story around it. This time, however, a hostage situation at an abortion clinic was just too much. Second, telling the story backwards did it no justice. It's already stressful enough reading about a gunman and an abortion clinic - to have to follow the timeline backwards made it so I was forcing myself to pick up the book to continue reading. It was incredibly confusing to keep things straight, and there were a lot of characters to keep straight.

Unfortunately, this isn't one I would recommend. Looking forward to her next book after this, though - I'm not giving up on you, Jodi!

The very best thing about Jodi’s books is that they are about real life situations, with believable characters, characters she brings to life so well. She weaves the fiction around the story she already has. This book was no exception. The story mostly takes place in a women’s center in Mississippi, where abortions can be performed legally. A man, a father, gets in with a gun and holds the patients and staff hostage. For a long time we are not sure who he is or why he is holding them hostage. This is a must-read!

Unusual style of writing, in the story unfolds in a reverse timeline, but effective. I always appreciate how Picoult's books challenge the reader to put themselves in another's shoes and hopefully open their mind to better understanding their neighbors' differing views. She picked a difficult topic for sure (abortion), but supported the story with solid research.

Jodi Picoult gives us an amazing story in A Spark of Light. She tackles a difficult and controversial subject with an honesty that describes bofh sides of the issue. Excellent!

While I know that this book intends to cover all different aspects of the pro-life, pro-choice debate, I felt it was way too preachy. I did not feel engaged with any of the characters and didn't really care who was going to survive at the end of the book. It was too clinical and too cut and dry for me.

This was my first time ever reading a novel of Picoult's. I wasn't really sure what to expect....so i jumped in and was taken away. I enjoy her style of writing. This story is something that can speak to so many people on so many levels. It evokes feelings/thoughts that you may not have realized you felt/thought. I connected with so many of the characters. I will definitely pass this book in as a recommendation. I think it would be great for a bookclub choice.

This is the first Jodi Picoult book I've read and was caught up right from the beginning. The angst of the police negotiator/father in the story was palpable, as was the fear of the hostage/daughter. Things move fast in the beginning and I couldn't wait to see how it ended!

I enjoyed this book very much. Another classic from Jodi Piccoult. Starting at the end and working backward was an interesting technique that work quite well. I wasn't originally sure I would appreciate it but I did. Well done!

In a Spark of Light, Jodi Picoult takes on the tough subject of abortion from a variety of view points, including patients, doctors, parents and police who are called to clinics to ensure public safety. Each chapter is an hour during the course of a day when there's a violent hostage situation in a women's health center in the deep South. Within the chapters we learn the stories of all the people affected by the day's events. Ms. Picoult does an outstanding job of presenting many viewpoints on a volatile subject. She writes with emotion, pathos, empathy, anger, understanding, without judgement on her characters. Politics don't enter into the very human events described in this book. While I can't say I found this book a "pleasant and enjoyable" read, it's a book that is thoughtful and has prompted afterthought on this subject. It would make a great book to generate discussion among youth and adults to open the doors of communication on this subject, particularly now as the discussion around Roe v. Wade is heating up again. The author has researched her subject and it shows. I've never read the author's work before, but I'm certain I'll be reading more of her given her realistic and heartfelt style.

Jodi Picoult continues to be the Queen of Controversy as she once again chooses to navigate waters that most people are afraid to tackle. Hugh, a hostage negotiator, is called to an abortion clinic in the deep south where a man has opened fire inside. Hugh shortly discovers his fifteen-year-old daughter and sister are among the hostages.

Picoult's story unfolds telling the stories of the different characters involved and their ties to the abortion clinic. Each character's story is at a different stage in life and often has a different perspective on abortion itself. For example, there is Dr. Ward who travels to the various clinics to perform the abortions, Joy who is at the clinic to terminate her pregnancy, and Janice who sneaks in as an activist to collect information on the clinic for her cause. There are several other characters the reader meets along the journey that defines the complexity of the issue.

I loved each and every character's story. However, it was also what prevented me from giving this book five stars. In the beginning, it was a bit confusing following the different characters. In the end, however, their stories wove together perfectly. In addition, the timeline of the plot made it a little hard to follow. Regardless of your stance on the issue, I think this is a book worth reading.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for providing me with an arc of this book. I truly enjoyed reading it and seeing the different perspectives of such a controversial topic.

Loved the topic, love her writing. Didn't like the format, as I lost interest in the characters as the time went back.

Disappointing character development. Seems like cliched cast. Abortion issue is complicated but there were too many side stories/ issues worked in.

Loved this book, even when I was not reading it I kept thinking about it and couldn’t wait to pick it up again, hence I finished it in a day. Would definitely recommend to others and can’t wait to read other titles from this author.

A Spark of Light follows two storylines. The main story line is about a day at a women’s health clinic. All seems normal. The protestors are outside, nervous women are inside. Doctors and nurses shuffle around to help their patients in the best possible way. Then, the unexpected occurs. A gunman enters the clinic and starts shooting. Hugh is called. He is a police officer who is known for his skills of talking people down, talking them into surrendering. So, it is a normal job for him, until he finds out that his daughter and sister are inside. Then, all that matters to him in the entire world is on the line.

The minor story line is about Beth, a young woman who has been arrested for taking abortion drugs in an illegal manner. She desperately needs her father, but he is too ashamed, too angry.

The thing that makes this story unique is that Picoult tells this story backwards. Each chapter is an hour in real time. We start with the intruder dealing with Hugh after having shot some people. We work back to what brought the characters to the clinic that day. At first, I found this confusing. After all, it is very unusual, and something to which readers are not accustomed. After I became used to it, however, I could see that the surprises that Picoult withheld until the end had more impact.

As usual, Picoult’s characters are true-to-life, and as the reader reads, they become people about whom we care very much. This is a book that must be experienced!

The title of this book has a special meaning. I do not want to spoil that surprise.

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Like every other Jodi Picoult book I've read, this one felt a bit over-the-top at times, but ultimately I enjoyed it. As usual, I flew through it, it made me think about an intense, controversial issue, and it will stick with me for a long time. Picoult does a great job portraying opposing viewpoints. I wasn't sure about the reverse-chronology format at first, but I think it was a unique and interesting way to tell the story. There are two big reveals at the end, one of which I thought was very obvious and had seen coming the whole time, and one that was a shocker to me. I thought the conclusion was a bit rushed, but overall I was satisfied with it. Jodi Picoult's fans will not be disappointed, but those who don't like her other books probably won't like this one either.

I enjoyed A Spark of Light, but it wasn’t my favorite of Picoult’s works. I think I wanted to know the characters a little better. I did select a few gems that I will quote here once the book is published. Note: Make sure you read the Author’s Note at the end. It makes the entire book better and the story so relevant to women today.