Just the opening part of the book which has left me wanting more, cant wait for the full book to come out!

I am a massive fan of this author already so as soon as I seen this book available to request, I immediately wanted it.
Jodi Picoult has a true talent in making you connect with the characters, whether you like them or not.
This book was no different. Despite being in multiple different narrators, I still felt for each character. I didn’t agree with all views, but I still understood where each was coming from.
This isn’t in the same court-ending, massive twist style of previous books by this author but I still enjoyed it.
I would definitely recommend this book.

I received a copy of this review via the author and publisher via NetGalley but this has in no way influenced my opinion or review.

A compelling multi stranded story centred around an abortion clinic and the day George Goddard bursts in with a gun. As expected from the word wizard Jodi Picoult this is a well researched balanced story however I felt dissatisfied with the ending, I can’t put my finger on why but I just expected a bit more. Overall I would recommend this book, it contains a well written, engaging story line and a sense of increasing tension throughout pushing you to discover more about the multitude of characters involved.

I wasn't aware when I requested A Spark of Light from NetGalley that it was only a first chapter sneak peek. However, having said that, I enjoyed what I read of the story in that first chapter and look forward to the book's release in October. I have to find out what happens!!

A father's love knows no bounds and in this book we have two fathers who love their daughters above everything. A hostage situation in an abortion clinic brings together the two fathers. A wonderful read with characters you really care about. Make a cuppa and lose yourself in a brilliant read.

A slightly different turn for Picoult, I was surprised at the lack of a big court case in the final act. Another excellent, sensitive and thorough look at a truly important aspect of American society, she's succeeded again in creating a balanced, emotional and gripping novel shining a light on some of the biggest problems the US faces.

A wonderfully written story of the problems associated with and the reasons why terminations ( abortions ) are necessary. Gave a good insight into the lives of the various characters and the journey that had brought them to the clinic . Sometimes a little confusing as the story transfers backwards and forwards to the various characters history and the present time.

I loved this sneak preview of Jodi Picoult's next book. I did however think that it would be the full book, but I'm excited for the release of the full book.

I'm a great fan of Jodi Picoult as she doesn't shy away from controversial themes for her books. This one is no exception as it centres around a catastrophic event at an Abortion Clinic in USA and we have the story told from different people perspectives both pro and anti abortion. I loved the way the book was constructed going back in time hour by hour on this fateful day. As you reach the end (beginning) you want to reread it backwards in chronological order. This novel leaves you angry, weeping, shocked, surprised, sympathetic and exhausted! Jodi doesn't disappoint.

Another divisive novel by Jodi Picoult told in a sensitive manner which tries to deal with all sides of the abortion debate. It is honest, gritty and hard hitting and doesn't shy away from the emotions and horror abortion brings.
It revolves around the stories of those at a women's centre in Mississippi when a gunman attacks - these include a 15 year old girl, her aunt, doctor and nurse and unusually told in a reverse chronological order taking you from the end of day to the beginning. This could have awkward but Jodi Picoult's style and talent carries it off. It tugged at my heartstrings and I felt an attachment to all characters whatever their beliefs.
It is a story about life and one that should be read to start a conversation.

So sorry - this was just not to my taste. It wasn't the subject matter but the way the book seemed to bounce around to different characters - those who I understood and had sympathy for but it just didn't capture me as a whole. I found that I kept skipping, retracing and then tuning out - but perhaps that is just me. I see that others really enjoyed and felt a connection but not me on this occasion. However, judge for yourself, do not be disheartened or swayed by my opinion, please read this book.

Not what I would have expected from this Author, I'm not sure if I liked it or not.. It jumped about a lot. I think this book will only appeal to women.

Have read all of Jodi Picoult’s books and this is another one that didn’t disappoint. Intricately weaved around the characters in the beginning and brought to a dramatic conclusion. Invoked much thought about both sides of the subject. Loved in particular the title reference. Would recommend.

Jodi is not shy to a controversial topic and again she has given us a novel that is thought-provoking and poignant and powerful . It was only a matter of time before Jodi tackled the subject of abortion and like normal she wrote a true balanced view that really made you think. This story moves backwards and then flashes forward to a fantastic ending. What a story! absolutely loved it.

A difficult subject sensitively told. Interesting characters which are woven into the story gradually. It starts in the heart of the action and goes back in time to outline the build up to the event. A harrowing read.

This is a really thought provoking novel told in a dispassionate/rational way which is rare when the topic is abortion and its relative rights and wrongs. Despite having heard about the author for a number of years this is the first novel by Jodi Picoult that I have read and I was impressed. She has quite clearly done an awful lot of research about the status of abortion in the USA and she depicts fairly the views from both sides. I knew it was a pretty controversial topic; much more so than it is in the UK and her narrative really reflects this.

The story is told from a number of viewpoints and that achieves the aim of demonstrating the disparity of beliefs. There are also some very clever interconnections which become apparent as the narrative progresses. A man is holding a number of people hostage in an abortion clinic, not all of whom are there for a procedure. It is up to a police negotiator, Hugh McElroy, to talk the man into giving himself up, a task made even more vital because his daughter and sister are two of the hostages.

This is an incredibly thoughtful novel which addresses the choices women have to make and why those choices are put before them. If I had one small criticism it is that the novel is a little over-long but that really is minor. I would highly recommend reading this book whatever your views on this topic are.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.

I have read a few Jodi Picoult books which I have enjoyed but I found this one a bit harder to read than some of her others. The content is an emotional subject around abortion but I also found it a bit confusing in parts as it jumps from present day to past and I sometimes wondered what or who it was talking about, maybe that’s just me.

Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Jodi Picoult for my arc of A Spark of Light.

I'm always amused to look back and remember what first got me into reading Jodi Picoult's books. I was 16 and she was the only other person I'd ever seen who's name was spelt the same way as my little sister Jodi's. Since then my sisters name was changed to be spelt as 'Jodie' but my love for Jodi Picoult's books has remained the same.

A Spark of Light like many of Jodi's books covers a sensitive and controversial topic. Abortion in America. And not just any part of America but Mississippi. It covers the different arguments of 'pro-life' and 'pro-choice' or 'anti-life' 'anti-abortion' depending on which side of the fence you're sitting on. (And yes I had to use the song from Matilda to remember how to spell Mississippi).

The story begins in the middle of a crisis. A woman's health clinic in Mississippi has been taken over by a lone shooter. George Goddard believes the clinic hurt his daughter and is out for revenge. Meanwhile Hugh McElroy the hostage negotiator finds out his own daughter Wren is inside. But Wren is not alone, also inside are a number of other characters. A pregnant nurse, an old lady, Wren's Aunt Bex, the Doctor, two patients. And all of their lives are at risk.

The story is told in a unique narrative structure. Like many before it begins with the tragedy and disaster and moves back in time, but rather than going back to the beginning it moves back in hours. So an hour before, 2 hours before etc. I can't say that I was a huge fan of this way of telling the story particularly with so many povs but the writing quality and the story more than made up for that one small point.

We hear from everyone involved in the story, both the 'good guys' and the 'bad guys'. I still don't feel and will never feel that there is an argument for 'pro-life' although I'm definitely a person who considers it to be more 'anti-abortion'. I'm also a person who believes that religion can ruin people and make them lose all logic. But hey we're not here to talk about my personal views, I purely make that point because other reviewers have noted that convincing arguments were made for both sides and I don't believe this to be true. There shouldn't even be an argument about a woman's choice to do what she wants with her own body. I'm probably slightly misquoting here but a line in the book sums it up for me it was something like this 'people ask at what stage a baby should be entitled to human rights, but we should ask when does a woman stop being entitled'.

I enjoyed the story because it was interesting, the characters were easy to empathise with and build a connection with. But what I really urge you to read is the bit at the end of the book where Jodi gives statistics and facts about the issues raised in the book. Truly fascinating, but also troubling, that in 2018 we still live in a world where women are suppressed to the point of not being allowed to make their own choices, or punished when they do.

As always, the author brings us a moral dilemma with many shades of grey. She crafts a wonderful balance of opinions and delicately balances both sides of a thorny issue so you can easily see every angle even if you thought it was not in your ideology. Well written and thought provoking drama.

Set in a women’s clinic, the subject of abortion and the legality behind it made for an interesting read. The stories behind each character told of the circumstances leading upto their attendance at the clinic. Pro life protesters make life difficult for the staff and one day this goes to the extreme. I wanted to really like this book, but found it difficult to keep track of who was who and what their story was. It flips from past to present but I kept confusing people and it made it a long read. I finished the book but felt the end was rather abruptly told and the actual finale somewhat rushed.