It has taken me almost two weeks to process how I felt about the latest novel from one of my favorite authors. This book is one that will stay with me for a long time because I think it so clearly points out different sides of several hot button issues. That said, this book could absolute be a TRIGGER for anyone with a strong opinion on abortion, anyone who has experienced the loss of a child, or anyone who is affected by mass shootings/violence.

The book itself feels at times more like a political statement than a story but I devoured it all the same. There aren’t traditional chapters. Instead the story is told by jumping from one perspective to another with no clear breaks between characters, only between periods of time. This and the fact that the story is told backward can make it a bit difficult to follow at times.

The plot centers around an abortion clinic and the people who are inside (and outside) of it on the day a man comes in brandishing a gun and taking deadly aim. I don’t want to spoil the ending by saying more, but as the story develops (or rewinds?) you begin to learn how each of the characters’ stories intertwine. It’s a gripping read. Overall not my favorite Jodi Picoult book but if you want to think a little deeper about the issues highlighted, pick it up.

I enjoyed this book very much and will recommend to friends and family.. I look forward to more by this author

Thought provoking, well woven story.
The subject matter is greatly debated these days. The violence has become much too common an occurrence.
I did not enjoy it, I'm not sure it's meant for enjoyment, but that's why I read.

This book is told in reverse order. (It took me an embarassingly long time to realize that.) Jodi Picoult has taken another hot button issue and revealed just how complicated and human it is. This time she tackles abortion and all the many facets of the issue and how far some people are willing to go for their beliefs. This is a great story we should all read and think about before we decide to actively campaign for one side or the other.

I've read quite a few Jodi Picoult books, and A Spark of Light was not my favorite. I am not sure if the kindle format added to my frustration - the book was written in reverse time order sequence, so it was difficult to follow or tab back if I needed to refresh my memory.
When the story opens, you are introduced to several characters - one of whom is a man that has entered an abortion clinic and started shooting. There is a sheriff, Hugh McElroy, who is talking to the shooter, who finds out his daughter is one of the hostages. Other characters are Joy, a woman who has come to get an abortion, a nurse, the Aunt of the sheriff's daughter, the doctor who performs the abortions, and other patients and staff.
While this story plays out in reverse order, you learn about a young girl named Beth, who stands accused of murdering her 16-17 month old unborn baby, using illegal drugs that came from China.
There are a lot of characters to keep straight, and although Picoult shares many relevant facts about abortions, the clinics that serve these patients, I could not stay really engaged with this story. There is always a twist at the end of Picoult's books, but I feel they are getting more and more outrageous and difficult to believe.
Not a horrible read, but not my favorite. I received this book to review thanks to NetGalley.

At first, I could not get into this book. The backwards storytelling did not appeal to me. But, I stuck with it and as it went on, I enjoyed it more and more. Things are revealed as the book goes along. There are a couple of surprises that are revealed at the end. One I had figured out, the other I had not. So that was a nice surprise. I think this book will sell well, as Jodi Picoult is an established author with many fans. I have personally only read a few of her books, and definitely will read more after reading this one.

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.