It may be the proof copy but I fo7nd this an unexpectedly bewildering Read. It starts after a hostage situation but switches around between characters. The paragraph spacing made it hard to follow. I wanted to like it, I love her other books but gave up. Sorry.

It was great to get a read of the first chapter of Jodi Picoults new book A Spark of Light coming out in the next couple of months.  It has an explosive opening chapter and as always very well written. It promises to be an engaging plot with a controversial topic at it's core.  I was sad when the first chapter was over as I really wanted to keep reading on and to find out all the back stories to the characters and how they arrived at the situation in the opening scene.  I can't wait to read the full book when it comes out in October. It will definitely be going to the top of my list of new books to buy.

My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley.

I love Jodi Picoult but had taken a break after her novels started to feel a little formulaic. I feel like this one may be different, whilst remaining true to the things I hold dear about Picoult books. They’re full of heart, they’re not simple and the characters are usually great. Plus I feel like this is a woman who does her research which I like. I immediately looked up the release date too (and found out some new facts about the last book she released which I did enjoy at the same time). A promising teaser.

As always Jodi Picoult has covered a controversial topic in this book. Her books are always thought provoking and most would make good reading group reads.

In this sample chapter that I was able to read with thanks to the Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, that will be altered if and when I read the full book. I gave it a 4 stars or 8/10.

Based around a Women's Medical Centre where medical care is given to all women, where gynaecological treatment and abortions are carried out. This sample sets out nicely the scene as a hostage situation is taking place. As usual there are many characters from both sides of the fence, so to speak who are both for and against the termination of life. Who determines what happens to a woman's body with regards to bearing a child? Surely, the woman should be able to determine what happens to her own body. Sadly, this is not always the case and as most of us know that Abortion is still and always will be a very touchy subject for many, in a religious, moral and emotional way. It's not something that most women will enter into without giving it a lot of thought, the consequences of their decision will stay with them forever.

This is going to be another unputdownable read by her. I can't wait to read more about the characters and the impact that the hostage situation will have on them.

A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult tackles the dilemma of abortion and the consequences surrounding it. This was the first chapter of the book and it has certainly made me want to read the rest of the story. However, I did feel the first chapter was very disjointed and not Picoult’s usual outstanding work. I felt a lot of characters and their back stories were introduced within that first chapter and it felt like it had been written by an author new to the business. I love how, in previous books, each chapter was written from a different perspective but this method seemed to overload you with character information.

Looking forward to reading the rest in October.

I’m sat here kicking myself, after settling down to read one of my favourite authors book which reeled me in from the first page might I add, I realised this wasn’t a book but a sneek preview, I screamed with frustration at this point as I was desperate to read more of A Spark Of Light. Each character I was introduced too I was desperate to learn more about, this may only be a small sample but it offers a promise of a fabulous read. As I have come to expect Jodi Picoult weaves a tale and then sprinkles it with her own magic, with interesting characters and a moral dilemma and it’s core I’m now left desperate to read the whole book. Please publishers “can I have some more?”

Wow! All I can say is WOW!!

For a first chapter there are lots of characters, situations, viewpoints and tension.

A gunsman takes over an abortion clinic and shoots, and takes hostages. My heart was in my mouth during the chapter and I can’t wait for the full novel to come out.

"A Spark of Light" delivers an emotional punch from the get-go and I was hopelessly riveted. Not once did glance away from the pages of this excerpt, and from what I've read so far I suspect that even if I'd held the full novel in my hands I couldn't have stopped until I'd finished.

I genuinely had no idea just how quickly I'd warm to this author's writing style. With so many personalities and their differing circumstances to explore, this short, effective sneak peek has left me hankering for more. In fact, I've never picked up a Jodi Picoult book before but this is going straight on my wish list.

This was a sampler of the first few chapters of Picoult's newest book, A Spark of Light. I'm a big fan of Picoult, having read probably 20 of her 23 novels. I think she has a great handle on the human mind and its intricacies, and generally paints a very real and human picture. Her shifting narrative between different point of view characters is normally counterpointed with flashbacks to pivotal moments in the characters' past, and I really like the way she tackles so many issues in each of her books.
I add all this because I have to say I really did NOT enjoy this sampler. There was nothing in it of Picoult's usual verve, and I didn't connect with any of the characters. Her usually seamless transitioning between characters was disjointed and clunky, and the setup for this plot (which, from the blurb, sounded like exactly the kind of the thing I'd like) was all over the place.
Being honest, I'll probably still read the novel, because I really do like Picoult, but I certainly won't be clamouring to get it on release day.

This is the first chapter in Jodi Picoult new novel due out in October this year.
The story set in the centre or more commonly known women’s reproductive health services clinic. Where women come for sexual health issues and abortions. It’s a normal day, there is patients in the clinic, there is protesters outside. When suddenly a gunman comes charging in, taking everyone hostage.
Hugh McElroy Police hostage negotiator is called to the scene to speak with the gunman. When He receives some texts from his daughter saying that she is one of the hostages. She is a pro-life protester disguised as a patient and her injured Aunt is with her. The story then continues with each characters point of view.
After most of the hostages have been released, Hugh realises that his daughter is the last hostage so he wants to swap himself for her release. Wren walks free but then the gunman pulls the trigger and that’s where the story ends.
I thought this was interesting start to a great story. I like Jodi story and this one disappoint but sadly I was disappointed to be given the first chapter. So because of that can only give it 3 stars for now.

A great opening chapter of her thrilling new read. Poignant and up to date, I can’t wait to pre-order this new story and plunge into the world of a shootout in a southern abortion clinic

I'm already invested in the characters and I only had the first chapter.

Such an emotive subject, will surely be one you won't be able to put down.

I was in shock. I mean I know what the name Jodi Picoult means and I was excited to see that one of her books was available on NetGalley.

This was only the first chapter and since the publishing date is still months away maybe it will get edited and so on, but still. This writing style reads like an amateur who doesn't know where he/she wants to go in the plot. Not like someone who's experienced in providing readers with exciting literary journeys.

This chapter sample was written in so many POVs all in the third person that just kept switching, or not, who knows - there were no gaps, no pauses, nothing to be sure - it's almost never clear who exactly thinks what. Is this the previous girl just remembering some man, or are we already in that man's head? Is this still the same day? Or is this some memory from before - everything's written in Past Simple, no dates, no gaps or spaces between lines to indicate.

I get it that the publishers sometimes send out teaser chapters but this is a kill-joy, not a teaser. I honestly got a headache from frowning trying to figure out WHAT exactly was happening in the given time of that chapter, and what else was just backstory. I would never want to think that hard through a whole thriller. Sorry.

Thank you NetGalley for the chance meeting with Jodi Picoult's work.

Having only read the first chapters I have to say I am gripped but was gutted not to be able to read more. Will definitely be recommending this. Love Jodi Picoult s Books

Wow what an opener. Picoult always researches her books thoroughly and I am so looking forward to reading how this book develops. Such a current contentious hot topic which I am sure will upset a lot of people but I for one can't wait to read the rest of this book.

Really interesting opening chapter on a largely interesting and current topic. It’s piqued my interest!

I have only been forwarded the first chapter of this book so I really cannot do a full review. It is a very powerful story on a very emotional subject which every reader is going to have opinions on . I am enjoying the stories or part of the stories of what has led the characters into the clinic. The complexities of the characters was eloquent. I feel that the book is going to be a slow but tantalising striptease act as each layer of each persons secrets and fears are revealed. I hope to be able to read the rest of the chapters to see where this story is going to lead.

A wonderful taster of what is to come. The story draws you in from the first page. I cannot wait to find out the outcome of the cliffhanger at the end of the first chapter and the back story of all the characters that led to the event. Five stars plus and my only disappointment is the wait to read the rest of the book.

I can't say too much as this is just the first chapter, but by gosh what a chapter!

This left me wishing I hadn't read it, as now I don't know how I'm supposed to wait until October to read the rest!! Jodi is my favourite author so I was very excited to read A Spark of Light. I can't wait to read more as this sampler leaves you on the edge, mouth open, craving more!!

I was given an ARC of the first section/chapter of this book by NetGalley and the publisher Hoddart & Stoughton.

All in all a promising and exciting start to the rest of the novel. Set at an abortion clinic in the US under siege by a gunman holding several hostages. A situation so very familiar in recent years around the world. Jodi Picoult draws you in instantly, with her usual descriptive narrative of the main characters, their background stories and subsequent links. Definitely leaves the reader wanting more, and has peaked my curiosity.

I look forward to reading the rest of this novel - thank you to NetGalley for the sample..