I normally really like Picoult, but this one didn't work for me. Too many characters, with too little connection, too confusing, right out of the gate. I couldn't tell who was related to whom, and I gave up.

I should start by saying that I don't normally read Jodi Picoult. I got an advance copy from NetGalley, so I though I would give it a try. I can see why her books are popular with book clubs -- she chooses subjects that are definitely thought-provoking and would prompt interesting discussions. This one is no exception. The story centers around a shooter crisis at an abortion clinic in Mississippi. It is told from various points of view from inside and outside the clinic -- and from both pro-choice and pro-life perspectives. I thought it was very well-done. My main problem with the story was that it was told in reverse chronological order. I found it to be awkward and had trouble keeping some of the characters/storylines straight. Otherwise, I generally liked it.

I have always been a fan of Jodi Picoult books and have read every one. Her books always cover controversial subjects that make the reader think what they would do if they found themselves in difficult situations. A Spark of Light is about pro life verses pro choice and takes place in an abortion clinic. Picoult did an excellent job of giving both viewpoints. The book was extremely well researched. I found the authors note at the end to be very interesting filled with statistics and excellent facts about laws regarding abortion in different states today. The story was written backwards in time and had small paragraphs about each character throughout making it hard to remember who was who. By the end I had them all figured out and felt an attachment to the characters but would have liked to felt that attachment sooner. I felt the end was meant to have a few surprises but it really did not have that wow impact. All in all a good read, great for book club discussions. I will continue to read Jodi Picoult because I love the controversial subjects she writes about and she does make you think what you would do in difficult situations. Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the free ARC.

I love Jodi Picoult's books, because they make me evaluate my own perceptions of things and how I see the world and explain to me what other people see. In this book, the issue at hand this time is abortion. The setting reminded me very much of an incident we had a couple of year's ago at a Colorado Springs abortion clinic, where a gunman opened fire. Powerful!

Jodi doesn't disappoint with her newest. this novel is all you have come to expect from her. The author weaves a delicate story from both sides of the abortion issue. I like when a novel takes me out of my comfort zone. A sign of a good novel is being able to feel each persons plight. She convincingly shows both perspectives. winner winner!

"We are all drowning slowly in the tide of our opinions, oblivious that we are taking on water every time we open our mouths."

A Mississippi morning. Gunfire erupts in a health center that performs abortions. The women inside, along with a male doctor, are held hostage by a gunman who is seeking retribution because his daughter had been to the clinic and was counseled, he believes, to obtain an abortion. But the situation is more complicated than that. The hostage negotiator, Hugh McElroy, has a real crisis on his hands as he arrives at the center -- he's just found out that his daughter, Wren, and his sister, Bex, are inside. NO SPOILERS.

I must admit that I had some reservations about reading this book but, immediately after I downloaded it today, I started reading and just finished it a little while ago. I was totally glued to the pages of this story. Not only was it extremely even handed regarding its highly inflammatory subject matter of abortion, it was written in an unusual time structure going from present to past, in reverse order to the way I usually prefer my books to flow. So it ends with the beginning and follows with an epilogue that answers all the questions. At no time did I feel that I was being persuaded to take a side, nor were there subtle hints as to any author bias. It was obvious from the author's end note that she had done a tremendous amount of research, even to the point of spending time in a clinic and observing the termination procedures. The characters -- both those that were pro-choice and those who were anti-abortion (or pro-life) were all in the scenario and represented the various beliefs, wishes and desires with their reasons for doing and feeling as they did.

Jodi Picoult is not afraid of writing about controversial subjects and I believe that her purpose must surely be to open up dialogue about issues that tend to polarize people. In today's society, we seem to be bombarded by so many differences of opinion that result in responses that range from arguments to violence. What was once personal and private has become center stage. Activists on both sides of the abortion issue have various methods of rallying people to action or agreement. Lawmakers weigh in, deciding what is legal and what is not. Unfortunately, it's hard to remain objective in the face of it all as most of us no doubt feel pressures from different factions. At the end of the day, each person will have to come to their own perspective knowing, however, that it all boils down to the question of relevancy. And the fact that the way you feel one day may change depending on circumstances.

I am quite glad I was given an opportunity to read this and I'll be thinking of it for a long time. It would make an excellent choice for a book club, but I'm not sure everyone feels comfortable in this climate to share honest opinions without fear of judgement.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this e-book ARC to read and review. I look forward to reading and hearing what others think of it.

This book was different from many of the Jodi Picoult books I have read. It went into events that are very relatable to what is happening in the world today.

Again, Picoult presents a fascinating story of lives intertwined in an extremely controversial topic. The over lap of the characters and their lives is shockingly evident, but not fully realized because of the presentation.

I absolutely love how this book is set up. The opening chapter gives you background information on most of the main characters. They are all embroiled in an active-shooter / hostage situation in a women’s health center. From this point, 5:00 PM, each subsequent chapter is one hour earlier in the day.

I highly recommend this tile for purchase for all libraries.

Wow! I don’t read all of Picoult’s books, but this one is a winner. The cast of characters are from varied backgrounds, all in a medical building for women’s health, including abortions and birth control. Hugh, a hostage negotiator on the police force, learns his daughter Wren is on the clinic with the shooter. In addition to the unique method of telling the story in reverse, until the end, the subject matter, always controversial, takes a look at the human sides in the pro and anti arguments. Another page turner undertaking a key issue today, highly recommended.

This timely novel tells the story of a women's reproductive health clinic being attacked by a lone gunman, who then holds the staff and patients hostage. To add to the drama, the hostage negotiator discovers that his sister and daughter were at the clinic, and have been captured along with the others. Picoult experiments in this book by going backward in time, beginning at 5 p.m. and reversing back to 8 a.m., followed by an epilogue. In my opinion, this experiment did not work well. Not only was it confusing chronologically, but the many characters became more muddled retroactively, and the element of suspense was a bit off-kilter. Nonetheless, this book covers an extremely important issue, and the characters' differing roles and viewpoints added depth to the discussion, as did the description of the perpetrator's thought processes.

I am finally approved for an ARC of a Picoult book from NetGalley and I can’t rave about it! :(

The day starts like any other at the Center, a women’s reproductive health services clinic. But the day takes a turn for the worse when a gunman bursts in and opens fire, taking all inside hostage.

The subject matter of this book made it hard for me to read. It seems to me that Picoult researched the subject matter thoroughly, showing abortion from both sides. But I felt uncomfortable and sad the entire time I read. If the subject of abortion bothers you at all, this probably isn’t the book for you.

In my opinion, the impact of this story was taken away by telling it in reserve order rather than chronological. I believe it was told in reverse to allow for a big reveal at the end. But this reader, who usually doesn’t see these things coming, saw this one coming a mile away. I felt for each character, but their story lost something because of the way it was told.

This book did not spark a light (see what I did there?) in this reader and left me disappointed. But it’s Jodi Picoult, so I’ll keep reading her books.

Another powerful read from a fabulous, socially conscience author. It is hard to write a review for this book. It is so thought provoking and heartbreaking. This is a must read book and so important at this time - politically, morally, socially.

A Spark of Light is a brave and ambitious novel that will likely ignite controversy, but could also serve as a beacon for those on every side of the abortion debate to seek some common ground. A Spark of Light is a work of fiction, but could easily be based on any of the hundreds of violent attacks on abortion clinics that have occurred since Roe v. Wade became law. Set in Mississippi, the novel opens with a gunman storming the office, then spirals backwards to uncover the circumstances that brought the patients, doctors, staff people, and police on a collision course with a man bent on destruction. This "reserve chronological" narrative is both a blessing and a curse-you learn right away who dies in the initial gunfire- but because it happens so early there's no clue about what could drive a person to commit such an act, or anything about the victims (not everyone is there for an abortion). This is not the first time Jodi Picoult has tackled a tough subject-(her novel Nineteen Minutes described a Columbine type shooting)- but it is her most timely and thought provoking work to date. A Spark of Light is meticulously researched-Miss Picoult interviewed actual patients, providers, pro choice and anti abortion supporters, as well as the restrictions that have left many states with only one provider-(documented in her Author's Notes and Acknowledgments at the end of the book). Few could walk the tightrope of emotions (or take the risk of writing about them), that define this hotly contested issue as deftly as Jodi Picoult, and through her characters she defends every position-without choosing sides. The only stand she takes is violence is never the solution to an argument, no matter how passionately you feel it should be. There's a few cliches-the doctor who dedicates his life to providing safe abortions after watching his mother die from a botched procedure, the Bible Belt "anti's," and two unexpected twists that will both appease and annoy. But don't look to A Spark of Light for any answers-it is not meant to be a legal or moral authority. Perhaps it will spark conversation-through questions many never have to think about, but some wrestle with everyday.

I'm a recent Jodi Picoult fan. "Small Great Things" was the first book that I read of hers and I am hooked. This new book is equally enthralling. Picoult's thorough research, superior pacing and structure matched with her ability to make even characters who are vile on the surface relatable to the reader are simply perfection. I will be recommending this book widely. An important read right now as our nation is so polarized on many things, but particularly abortion.
Side note- I loved how she made older characters an important part. Dr. Ward and Olive were my favorites

A well-researched and timely story with well-developed and realistic characters on all sides of opinions of the always-sensitive topic of abortion and women's reproductive rights.

Another winner for Jodi Piccult! Using an unusual structure, this book starts near the end then works backwards hour by hour to the beginning. It all gets wrapped up in the epilogue. Highly recommended book by a highly recommended author.

Picoult's latest novel provokes serious pondering. What's your stance on abortion? She throws readers a curve by starting the book at the end of the action and then counting back the hours. At first, this organization threw me, but it grew on me after the first couple of chapters. Readers become more in tune with the characters as the author reveals more of their individual stories. Picoult appears to have done much research and presents balanced arguments and aspects for both sides. I thought the ending was a bit flat. Readers are left wondering what happened to the bulk of the characters. Some of their stories remain unfinished, like Izzy's. Picoult is a stellar author, however the finish fizzled.

I've read most of Jodi Picoult's books so I wasn't surprised by the punch that her newest book packed:) I thought the writing was excellent, especially the character development, and I found myself becoming especially attached to Wren. I think Jodi Picoult does an excellent job of creating a unique voice for each of her characters, so I could hear their individual voices in my head as I was reading, almost without realizing it. It made for a very engrossing read (I finished the book in 4 hours, so it was literally un-put-downable) and I really appreciated the different viewpoints on abortion that were laid out. Both sides of the subject were closely examined, and from reading her past books I know this is something the author does really well. Even if I didn't agree with some of the characters viewpoints I was able to get a glimpse into their opinions and it made me pause and think, if not agree at all.

I thought this book was excellent!

When Hugh, a hostage negotiator, arrives at an abortion clinic, he is shocked to find that his daughter and sister are trapped inside with an active gunman. Moving backwards through time, the book slowly unravels the story of those inside and out of the clinic.

I don't understand why the author chose to move backwards in time. It really took away from the book and the story. The entire book felt like a runaway train, with the characters and story all mixed up and muddled. What could have been a great book, was just a mess. Overall, a bust.

Jodi Picoult drills down deep into the most heart-wrenching contradictions at the core of being human, and pulls to the surface A Spark of Light: A story that deserves to be read with an open, empathetic mind, and a willingness to attempt to better understand both sides of a never finished debate. I can't remember the last time I was so profoundly moved by a novel. My highest recommendation.