A Spark of Light tells the story of an attack on an abortion clinic in Mississippi, focusing on the perspectives of a large range of characters, from the police officer negotiating with the gunman, his daughter who just wanted contraception, a doctor, a nurse, patients of various ages and 'anti' abortion protestors.

As with all of Picoult's novels there are some twists along the way, most of which were more predictable than in some of her previous novels. She does convey the complexity of the issue, but I didn't find all of the characters convincing enough to get really emotionally involved, despite the emotive subject matter. I also struggled a little with the structure as the story had so many different strands which didn't all come together/end in a satisfying way for me.

As always Jodi Picoult is not afraid to court controversy. Sometimes a hard read with regard to the subject matter but enlightening too. No matter which side you are on Mrs Picoult will have you questioning your beliefs. However because the story is told “backwards”. It did feel disjointed. When you already know what has happened to a character it did make the narrative jar for me. I also wanted to know more about what happened to Beth and Izzy.

I didn’t enjoy this one and found it quite unpleasant. A novella isn’t my favourite genre so I probably shouldn’t have chosen it.

I have enjoyed a few Jodi Picoult books but I have to say this one seemed pretty formulaic and I ended up skipping quite a large chunk. I am sure other readers will enjoy it, the subject matter is as usual very topical and controversial. 3 stars for me.

This is an insightful,well balanced consideration of the arguments for and against abortion. It has a carefully constructed balance between the views of the demonstrators against the practice outside the clinic and the needs of those who are patients inside. It also very cleverly includes a girl who is seeking to avoid the need to abort as well as those who need the process. The personalised accounts are helpful at bringing the reader to a greater understanding of the issues. The only criticism is that it jumps about from what is happening now in the clinic to what had happened to those involved in earlier years. It would have benefited from a better chronological approach. It is a thoughtful and for many an unsettling book.

You can trust Jodi Picoult to write an amazing story that is riveting, topical, then challenges and makes you re-evaluate everything you thought was true. They can be an very uncomfortable read as a result, but always the author writes powerful books full of strong characters based on sound research.

Jodi Picoult certainly never shies from a difficult subject, and this is no exception!

'A Spark of Light' is a book of many many layers; abortion, an 'active shooter', a hostage situation, relationships, especially of father and daughter - and at the end a long list of the research she has done into the topic before tackling it full on.

A full score of 5 stars without hesitation!

With this only being a sample of the novel? couldn't really get into it didn't gel forme but I'm sure if I get the book it will become a much better as you get into it usually love Jodi picoult so hopefully it will get better

Looks promising the e tract l have read. Used to read Jodi Picoult a lot and this seems like some of the earlier books which l enjoyed very much quite gritty and human. Think l will have to read the book when it’s published and see if it maintains this pace and holds my interest thanks for the extract

I would like to thank Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘A Spark of Light by Jodi PIcoult’ for an honest unbiased review.

I am a massive huge Jodi PIcoult fan and have read the majority of her books. I could not wait to have a sneaky preview of this novel.
I’m hooked!!!!!!
Hurry up Oct 2018

A pretty good read. I was easily drawn in and the book was very descriptive. Quite a powerfully written book though ended a bit abrupt.

Although I was not sure what was going on at first in this chapter, things slowly began to reveal themselves. I would be interested in reading this book when it is released to see you it develops.

I'm a big fan of Jodi Picoult. I read her books religiously as a child so when I saw that the first chapter of her upcoming release, A Spark of Light, was available to download, I couldn't resist pressing Request. This sampler has desperately left me wanting more of the book with THAT cliffhanger. Bring on October so I can find out what happens next!

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.