3.5 stars

I don't usually include Trigger Warnings, but now I definitely will. The book is graphic and can be upsetting, it includes descriptions of abortions, gun violence and death.

A Spark of Light begins with a bang (literally). The story begins from the middle of a hostage situation in the Centre, Mississippi's only health centre that provides abortions. Hugh McElroy tries to stay calm and negotiate with the shooter, but inside he is desperate to run in the middle of the scene because he knows that his fifteen-year-old daughter is held inside.

Jodi Picoult has done a brave decision and told the story in reverse. We begin from the end of the hostage situation and then the time will start creeping backwards hour by hour to show us what has led to this moment. I was intrigued by the choice in narrative but in the end I have to say that it didn't really work for me. I was desperate to know what happens after the first chapter, and so it was frustrating to see us going backwards in the story.

The reverse telling has a bright side to it, nevertheless: because the story begins with action I was gripped by it from the start and the book flowed nicely between action scenes and the debate concerning abortion.

A Spark of Light includes a range of different characters with different motivations and beliefs. Picoult provides an intelligent account of abortion from both sides of the debate. Although the book is not unbiased, I learned a great deal more than I ever have about why someone would be anti-choice

Update: I have finished this story now. And I must say that the rest of the book wasn’t as good as the initial chapter.

The sneak-peak first chapter was amazing in setting up the story, but my enjoyment went downhill from there. And I really struggled to get into it, knowing how events had already played out.

Jodi Picoult certainly doesn’t back away from controversial topics, and she is very thorough in her research, but her books for me over the years have been very hit and miss. I’ve loved some (My Sister’s Keeper, Second Glance and Small Great Things) and really disliked others (The Pact, Perfect March) unfortunately this one is a miss. And largely I think that is because of the backwards storytelling.

I have read one other backwards telling books (All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda) and while I find it to be an innovative storytelling method, I don’t really care for it. It’s off-putting and a little confusing.

Thank you to Jodi Picoult, Hodder and Stoughton, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jodi Picoult always writes a good book, interesting and comfortable. You know what you will read even before you pick it up.

The topic that has been chosen in this novel is a worthy one and time will tell what changes or conversations it will create. It creates a great start though.

As usual Jodi Picoult delivers a well researched novel. She argues the cases for pro life and pro choice through her complex characters. I was not convinced with the reverse timeline.

wow, what a powerful and interesting read. Whichever side of the pro-life/pro-choice debate you're on. I'm glad that I'm living in the UK rather than the US when I read books like this - but nonetheless I'll be thinking about this book for a while. Like Small Great Things, this book will make you think differently about the situation.

The book approaches the timeline in a different way... takes you backwards through the day. It's clever and reveals the background/context to what you've already learned. In the middle, I found this device annoying, but by the end I'd got used to it and thought it added more drama to the reading.

A powerful book - 5* from me. one I'll be thinking about for a while.

Small Great Things was going to be a big act to follow. I loved it and it was my book club, The Gloucestershire Lit Lovers and Yummy Scrummy Pudding Club's, book of the year for 2017. I was wary about reading A Spark of Light as I didn't think it could be as good. I was wrong. As usual Jodi Picoult has picked a subject that is contentious and very current in the USA and has written a book that provides a degree of balance despite this.
It is hard for those of us who live in the UK to even image how hard it is to get a termination of a pregnancy in the southern states of the USA. I had no idea. The book provided information about the subject in a way that didn't interrupt the flow of the narrative. It is shocking and so upsetting to imagine what it must be like to be a woman in such a predicament, and I was in awe of those who chose to end their pregnancies and those who assist them, despite the threats they face just going to work each day.
The story had believable characters that I engaged with and who I was rooting for. I didn't want to book to end as I felt so attached to them. This is DEFINATELY one to add to your to be read pile.
Thank you to Jodi Picoult (you are amazing) to NetGalley and to the publishers for the opportunity to read the book. It will stay with me for a LONG time.

I have never read a Jodi Picoult book I’ve not loved! This is a bit different than her usual books but still as hard hitting. Great read!!

A beautifully constructed novel which intersperses the backstories of the characters with a real-time hostage situation set in an abortion clinic in Missouri. Picoult clearly has a message to convey and does so very effectively as we are drawn into the fierce debate between pro-life and pro-choice that still rages today - especially in America. Her characters are beautifully painted and, as a result, the reader is drawn remorselessly into their lives. Picoult pulls no punches when we join a woman and her doctor in the abortion room and, like her, our understanding of both the process and the how to handle living with the loss becomes clearer. Not a book for the queasy but a narrative that will certainly leave you feeling extremely uncomfortable with the intolerance- again primarily in America - with which society still targets abortion. But it is undoubtedly a book where both the storyline and the subject matter is guaranteed to keep you turning the pages.

Picoult doesn’t shy away from difficult topics or from premises which have the sole purpose of making readers think, talk to and engage with each other. Combined with her excellent writing skills, this is why she is such a popular author.

There is an active shooter in an reproductive health clinic. He isn’t interested in the hostages and their personal stories, he just wants an eye for an eye, or perhaps a few eyes for an eye. The hostage negotiator finds out during the negotiations that the shooter has already killed, is willing to kill more people, and that his daughter and sister are two of the hostages.

Every type of situation and woman from both sides of the argument are represented. Not every woman in a sexual health clinic is there for an abortion, which is only a small part of reproduction and women’s health. The staff of these clinics and the patients have to run the gauntlet of well-meaning, at least in their opinion, often aggressive and sometimes hypocritical protesters to enter these clinics to be treated. When I say hypocritical I mean the stance of pro-life women who need and get an abortion, then return to protesting against another woman’s right to choose.

The greatest paradox is pro-lifers insulting, assaulting, bombing clinics and killing people in reproductive clinics. People who believe that the life of an embryo or foetus supersedes the rights of the woman carrying them. People who believe in the sanctity of life condone killing in the name of their cause.

This book is about one of the most controversial topics and is especially relevant at this moment in time, as abortion laws are being redefined and challenged. It’s like two speeding trains moving towards each other on a collision course, as pro-lifers try to take abortion laws back into the middle-ages and pro-choicers are trying to get women the rights they deserve. As I write this the Republicans are trying skew the decision making of the Supreme Court by giving a lifetime appointment to a judge who will most likely tip the scales in favour of overturning Roe vs Wade. (In the back of the book Picoult references some of the narrow-minded abortion laws Mike Pence has been trying to box through in the last few years)

I have to absolutely give the author her dues for presenting both sides of the argument in a calm non-judgemental manner. There is no sway on her part towards either side, and she presents the positive and negative of both pro-life and pro-choice. Right down to the physical medical details and the often convoluted reasoning that comes with this emotional topic.

It is statistically proven that when the laws on abortion become more stringent they do not reduce the number of abortions, instead the amount of women and young girls risking their lives with illegal and dangerous procedures rises. Contraception isn’t 100% fail-safe, albeit often because of human error, and celibacy is a nonsensical demand.

Although they demand to control the reproductive decisions of all women, echoing elements of The Handmaid’s Tale, the pro-lifers aren’t standing in line to adopt unwanted babies and children. They aren’t taking foster children into their homes, because this is just about the patriarchal system controlling women and religious beliefs controlling the choices women can make. Why would you insist that a woman give birth to the product of rape? Why would you demand a child burdened with the product of incest give birth? Why would you force any woman to relinquish control of her body?

How about we make vasectomies mandatory for men as soon as they have fathered a certain number of children? Or thinking like a pro-lifer, let’s demand each male be subject to a set of laws which determines and controls their reproductive health. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, right?

I will be recommending this book not only because it is a good read, but because it presents the whole picture including the facts and scenarios both sides think are important and those they refuse to acknowledge. It’s one of those books I could go on and on about, which is always a sign of a great read. All I can say is once again Picoult touches on the most emotive topics and engages her readers with undeniable expertise.

I have read many of Jodi Picoult's books over the years and even had the pleasure of hearing her talk on a visit to Glasgow. I didn't hesitate to request this sneak peek.

Unfortunately what I read didn't really pull me in. I don't know if it's maybe because this is such an alien issue in Scotland?

I also didn't connect to any of the characters, I didn't find myself wanting to go back to any of them to see where they were. This is unusual for me when reading Jodi Picoult, but has happened with one of her earlier novels in that I just didn't connect to the book. I find that for the issues she features to really kick in you have to connect quite early on, and there are some I've read with tears in my eyes. So I'll not be seeking out this book, but that just gives me time to fill in the bits I've missed in her back catalogue.

A normal morning changes multiple lives forever. After calls come in that a shooting has taken place in a Women's Reproductive Health clinic, negotiator Hugh heads to the scene, what he doesn't realise is that his 15-year-old daughter is one of the hostages.

I've been a Picoult fan for almost 10 years and devour her books when they come out. So, of course, I was itching to get my hands on a copy of her latest novel and as soon as I heard the subject matter I really wanted to see how she would tackle this topic. She isn't afraid of taking on complicated issues.

As always, we are introduced to a wide range of characters, all of whom have their own complex backgrounds, thoughts and emotions. You see a snapshot into their worlds at that time. A doctor that works because of his faith, a nurse who cares for others no matter what, a pro-life campaigner caught in the crossfire, a woman who has chosen to have an abortion.

This novel is different from Picoult's others in the way that it plays out, and initially, this threw me. This works backwards from the point of conflict to how the situation started. From this perspective, the novel was a little difficult to follow at times I was unclear who was who and how they were related for the first few chapters. So be aware of this is you are a die-hard Picoult fan.

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of the novel to read on my Kindle. I'm hoping that the final novel makes it more obvious when the narrative changes, but this is minor in relation to the novel itself. There is a richness within that shows so many perspectives and ultimately, this is a novel about choice.

I gave this novel 4 stars. I thought it was well written and showed an interesting perspective. As always I could have read another 300 pages about these characters, about their lives beyond the events of this novel. Of course, it broke my heart at times and I'm pretty sure it will for most people.

Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley and Jodi Picoult for this advanced copy. You can get your own copy on the 30th October!



Are you going to be picking up Jodi's latest novel? Let me know in the comments below!

Told from alternate points of view, this book tackles a difficult topic. Regardless of who you sympathize with this novel will grab you and pull you in. It will make you consider things from a different prospective. Using facts to support all the opinions given. Very well researched.

A truly moving and emotional story that is true to life in so many ways. Definitely thought provoking and unputdownable.

One of the things I love about Jodi Picoult is that she never shy's away from a difficult subject matter. Another fine example of how everyone has an opinion and how your beliefs can make or break situations. Excellent reading.

Another great thought provoking read by Jodi picoult. Couldn't put this done, so many interesting facts alongside great fictional characters. Took me awhile to adjust to the way the book was written, going backwards in time. A lot of characters to get your head around but didn't take long to get in to it.

I’ve read several books by Jodie Picoult and find them either just ok or brilliant. Sadly this one is ‘just ok’. There were too many characters and too much jumping backwards and forwards. And nothing much changed throughout the story. It finished as it started. Sorry!

A very interesting book very well written detailing the different peoples feelings on this subject. At times a little difficult to keep up as it went back and forward between all the characters a lot. However, would recommend this book.

I have read a couple of other books by Jodi Picoult and enjoyed them all. As an author Picoult does take on controversial subjects. This is one book that I wont forget, it has a deep moving storyline.
The book starts with a hostage situation in a women's reproductive health clinic. The storyline is in reverse order, so we know the end at the beginning of the book, it then goes back to the start of the day for those people within the clinic and part of the attack.
I believe Jodi Picoult must have done a lot of research and it appears she tried to take a balanced view. It was not always easy to read, as the subject is so contentious. It can be upsetting but Picoult has introduced us to the characters involved in a very clever way, we are then able to see the ways different people live their lives.
The book is full of tension and suspense and it was difficult to put down. I wanted to know why this happened. I came away with a sense that all our lives are intertwined, nothing is straightforward. What a talking point this book will be. I can not give it five stars though because I know this may be a challenging read for some.
Well done Jodi Picoult.

It took me a little while to get into this as there are a number of characters stories and the book moves backwards in time but it was another great Jodi Picoult read which had as always been researched in great depth. Very thought provoking.

Intricate, gorgeous and incredibly intelligent, I loved every second of this book. No matter what your views on this very sensitive social issue, A Spark of Light is a wonderful read.

Rather than being preachy about either side, I think the success lies in that it so eloquently shows that there are many sides to this issue. That each us have our own idea of the truth that is shaped by our pasts, and that means none of us are necessarily wrong in how we live our lives, we are just living the best life we can following the best morals we know.

I found A Spark of Light balanced, fair, well researched and bold in highlighting issues and facts that many (again, from both sides) shy away from. Picoult is one of my favorite authors and this again proved why.

Structurally, the story starts at the end and moves backwards, which was such an interesting way to handle this story, and as an author myself I'm aware this must have been incredibly difficult! It could have fallen flat, as the characters essentially developed backwards, but in Picoult's capable hands, the story was suspenseful and eloquently done.

I found it so interesting that Picoult chose to use the 3rd person (rather than 1st), which really helped the story not be preachy, but instead be what it is: a story. Initially it felt like there was a little too much backstory to each character, but in the end I felt I knew them so well and I loved all of them, particularly Dr. Louie!

A truly masterful story done sensitively and eloquently. I raise my hands to Picoult, the goddess of writing. :)