Pivot Point by Kasie West

Posted January 30, 2013 | 27 Comments

Pivot Point by Kasie WestPivot Point
Author: Kasie West
Series: Pivot Point #1
Published by: HarperTeen
Publication Date: February 12, 2013
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss

Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

Kasie West is brilliant. Brilliant, I tell you!  Pivot Point was a-freaking-mazing!  I stayed up until 4AM reading it because I could not stop.  I have already reread the last few chapter a couple of times because I don’t want to let go.  Excuse me, I’m going to reread some more now…  okay, I’m back.  I am definitely buying myself copy when it is released and a couple for some other people who I know will love it.

Addie is sixteen and lives in a place called the Compound, nestled in a mountain range in Texas. Everyone who lives there develops some kind of mental ability; such as telekinesis, persuasion, and many others. While anyone who lives outside the Compound without an ability is a Norm, but they don’t know about the Compound or the powers. They’re boring. Addie’s ability is Divergence, meaning she can see where two different paths will lead when presented with making a choice.  She doesn’t just see them, they actually feel very real, as if she is truly living them.  So even when she chooses one path, the other path leaves her with real memories.

The way Pivot Point is told is excellent. Addie’s parents tell her they are divorcing and to choose whether to stay with her mom in the Compound or go live with her dad in Dallas with Norms. So when she decides to Search both paths to see which is better, the story begins telling both paths with alternating chapters. As each path is told, we see how the impact of her decision affects the lives of everyone around her, and the differences in how certain situations play out. I loved that so much!

The characters were great. I loved Addie, and I especially loved her best friend Laila. Addie had me laughing with her attempt at teen angst and rebellion because of the divorce. Laila had me laughing with her spunky, outspoken ways. Seriously, these two characters complemented each other amazingly. And the boys …oh, boy. Trevor is a Norm, and he is a total sweetie. Again, I was cracking up at Addie’s antics with Trevor. Then there is Duke, the hot shot football player from the Compound. He’s everything Addie thought she would never be attracted to… that is until he attempts to win her over.

Pivot Point isn’t just about Addie picking the path with the hottest guy. There was a mystery that endangered her, her friends, and her family. It was so cool watching it unfold in two different ways. I was honestly getting overwhelmed with the suspense of which path she was going to choose, because it isn’t clear what she’s going to do until she actually does at the end. The author did an excellent job pulling everything off. And I may or may not have completely lost it a couple of times.

Overall, I loved Pivot Point immensely! It had me crying, laughing, and on the edge of my seat. It is an absolute must read! I am dying to read the next book.

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27 responses to “Pivot Point by Kasie West”

  1. Jennifer

    YAY!!! I’m so glad you loved this! I always get nervous when I rave about a book because then I’m worried others won’t like it. I loved the way the story unfolded and showed things happening differently in both lives. I truly enjoyed both guys even with their different faults and mistakes. I really didn’t know what she would choose and I was rather surprised about how she handled the choice. It was AMAZING!!! I didn’t want it to end and I also stayed up all night reading it.

    Jennifer recently posted: WOW #57
    Reply
    • Christy

      Lol – I know. We would’ve kept telling each other “just one more chapter” over and over. I want to read it again. 😀

      Reply
    • Christy

      I haven’t really been looking at other reviews for this yet, so I’m glad to hear so many are loving it. It’s one of those books that I love so much, that I just want to put blinders on to anything negative. lol. Hope you love it!

      Reply
  9. Heidi

    I am so annoyed I got approved for this last minute and I didn’t download it that day and then it was archived….I missed it! Sounds so good! I want to read this one!

    Reply
  20. Zino

    I’ve been reading some great reviews about this book and yours is also making me really excited to read it. The idea sounds brilliant and I’m hoping when I finally get to read it, I’ll love it as much as you did 🙂

    Reply

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