A Spark of Light

I was so excited to get a sneak peek at ''A Spark of Light" and it didn't disappoint. Jodi Picoult is a master at writing characters that jump off the page at you and make you care about them alongside plots which are original, timely and impossible to put down. I can't wait to read the whole story in October.

I’ve been a bit chicken about reading Jodi Picoult, though I have always wanted to. I have Nineteen Minutes on my Kindle and I also have a eARC & audiobook of Great Small Things. I really wanted to do the latter first as it sounds amazing but with all the hype around it, I got scared and chickened out. Like whenever I fancy going near Jodi’s work. Plus, with this book slump am in, I wondered if she might be a bit too heavy for me at the moment.

So, when I saw that Hodder had the first chapter of her upcoming, A Spark of Light, on NetGalley, I was in two minds - for about five minutes - before I requested and started reading it that evening.

I only know a tiny amount of information as I feel this might be the best thing for me. I know it takes place at a clinic, tackles the issue of abortion and gun control and will be told backwards. So, we started at the climax of the event and then work back hour by hour till we see the start of the event or the start of the day.

So, basically, it’s season 6 finale of Grey’s Anatomy.

So, what do I think of the chapter sampler I read?

The words “bloody hell” and “heart in mouth” jump to mind. I sense this is going to be one of those novels that, yes, will tackle dark issues but because of the way it’s going to be written, I think it will make gripping reading. And I can see this working perfectly as a TV show rather than a movie (I can imagine this is gonna be picked up super quick like Great Small Things was - and, if I remember right, Julia Roberts and Viola Davis will be starring in that! And if they’re starring in it, you know it’s gonna be good and will destroy your emotions!)

I’m curious on how Jodi wrote this. Did she write it forward (end of the day and work backwards) or backwards (start of the day and work forwards)? That intrigues me…

I think this might be my first Jodi Picoult. Or maybe I’ll be brave and read Nineteen Minutes or Great Small Things. But yes, I will be eyeing the publishers for information about this book or I will be preordering this! Bring it on (though have the tissues at the ready).

I can't say too much as this is just the first chapter, but by gosh what a chapter!

This left me wishing I hadn't read it, as now I don't know how I'm supposed to wait until October to read the rest!! Jodi is my favourite author so I was very excited to read A Spark of Light. I can't wait to read more as this sampler leaves you on the edge, mouth open, craving more!!

"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.

A great opening chapter of her thrilling new read. Poignant and up to date, I can’t wait to pre-order this new story and plunge into the world of a shootout in a southern abortion clinic

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.

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.

Jodi Picoult does it again!

An extremely powerful novel.

A story told in reverse and as we go back hour by hour we gather more information, more detail and slowly piece together to find out what led to the events that have us on the edge of our seats right at the beginning, where chapter one gets you immediately hooked.

*Trigger warning*

This book talks about abortion and actually although quite sensitively done, it is told in quite some detail. But this is what I love about Jodi's books, you can see time has been spent researching the content, it isn't haphazardly put together.

If I've counted correctly, the story is told from ten points of view. Different characters each with their own reasons for being in a place where they now wish they weren't, all with varying backgrounds and back-stories.

And what transpires leads us to think about how our actions can not only affect ourselves, but others around us too and not just the people we know, but those strangers that unexpectedly happen to come into our lives, sometimes for the better but at other times the outcome might not be what we'd choose if given the choice.

I think we always tell ourselves how we'd act if faced with certain situation but what A Spark of Light shows us is that how we think and how we act can actually differ greatly when faced with uncertainty.

Another fantastically realistic novel, I'll be writing a more in-depth review on my blog nearer to the publication date!

This was exactly what I've come to expect from a Jodi Picoult book: beautiful storytelling, complex characters, heartbreaking decisions and a topic that sparks debate and discussion from its readers. Jodi expertly handles the question of choice by centring her story on a hostage standoff at a women's health clinic, where abortions are one of many services offered to the women patients. I loved every page of this incredible book and would recommend to all.