ABOUT THE BOOK
Pivot Point by Kasie West
young adult paranormal fantasy published by HarperTeen on 12 February 2013
first book in the Pivot Point duology
Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .
young adult paranormal fantasy published by HarperTeen on 12 February 2013
first book in the Pivot Point duology
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.
THE RATING
THE REVIEW
“I run my finger along the smooth glass, drawing my standard doodle—a line that halfway up splits in two. Then I circle the pivot point. The point right before the path separates. I press my finger into the center. One little choice can make all the difference.”
The split second when the mind is swaying between two things, there is a subtle buzzing. If you ponder too much, you might get paralyzed and ultimately rendered unable to make the right choice. If you don’t ponder at all, you might make a wrong one. What comes to mind in that instance is a wish to be able to see the outcome of each choice, a searing hope. It all happens in a moment that Pivot Point explores.
Addison Coleman is a Divergent so when faced with a choice, she can close her eyes, feel and see the future almost as if it was real. The Compound where Addie lives is full of Paranormals who have a special something in their genes and are much more advanced that the Normals who are unaware of their existence.
Thus, it comes as more than a shock when her parents tell her that they’re divorcing. Even more so when she comes to know that her father has decided to leave the Compound for the Normal world. As easy as it sounds, to make a decision based on the familiarity of the Compound and the unfamiliarity of the Normal world, Addies knows that she has to Search.
The journey between the words ambush and screwed thus ensues. I say this because of the word and its definition at the start of each of the 36 chapters. The events of the next six weeks of the two possible futures occur almost simultaneously in Addie’s mind. Alternating between the Normal and the Paranormal, Addie experiences life like never before.
In the Normal world, she has a hard time adjusting to its ways with electrical switches, locks, and the people. Trevor is the only one who gives her hope that she might just survive okay. While in the Paranormal world, life goes on as it was before with Addie trying to act out and Duke showing interest in her.
One of the things I really loved about Addie was her behavior in each of the worlds. It’s fascinating to see her out of her element in the Norm world and then to really see her make her way into life with the help of Laila, her best friend, in the Paranormal world. I like that she’s a reader, she’s witty and she’s smart. It’s very easy to relate to her and her problems even though she’s a paranorm which makes her so fascinating.
Trevor is a pretty reserved character and as a reader, you really want to get to know what is going on with him. He surprised me with his penchant for graphic novels and the quiet. His capability to put other people at ease is what makes him the perfect choice for Addie to get to know in the Norm world. Duke, on the other hand, is flamboyant, swoon-worthy, humorous and definitely have a way with words.
The abilities in the Paranormal Compound range from being fairly simple to dangerous. There are the ones who have the ability to Persuade and Discern, the ones who can perform Telekinesis, then there are also Memory Erasers, Mood Controllers and of course, Clairvoyants. Essentially, these are mind powers and seeing as how obsessed I’m with anything to do with the brain and its manipulation, I devoured the explosive way they came together to make Pivot Point a thoroughly breathtaking read.
Kasie West style of writing is simple and clever and you really marvel at Pivot Point as it maneuvers its way through tough decisions and laugh-out-loud moments. It is a difficult feat to achieve that balance and still shock the reader at the end of the book. Kasie West made it look easy and for that, I am amazed.
THE QUOTES
“Sometimes I feel like I’m slowly floating away. I’m constantly looking for something to grab on to so I don’t lose myself.”
“And can we just get this out of the way? Your eyelashes make mine want to commit suicide from shame.”
“I hate obvious boys. Tell me that.” “You hate obvious boys. Because heaven forbid you like something that everyone else does. If you don’t have to hunt for it, and carefully plan its capture, it must not be worth having.”
I'm fascinated by those with paranormal abilities. Addie seems like a cool character!
It's wonderful to learn that you enjoyed reading the story, Sana. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us 🙂
I hear nothing but good things about this book. Addie sounds like a great character and I hove the concept. I'm happy you end up liking this book so much 😀
Mel@thedailyprophecy.
I liked that Addie was witty and smart too. Even better that her love for books was easy to relate to. And I completely agree about Kasie West's writing style. She really did make it look easy! Great review, Sana. You said it all perfectly. 🙂
I loved Addie, too! The only problem I had with this book was that its characters weren't entirely memorable. Kasie West definitely is a great writer, to be able to write two realities in one big one so perfectly. I admire her writing skill!
Lovely review, Sana!
I honestly wasn't going to read this book, now that I read your review it's at the top of my "OMG I want to read it now!" list! I'm so happy you loved the main character and the quotes you shared are incredible! The Paranormal Compound sounds crazy! Thank you so much for your review, without it I would have missed out on an awesome book! 🙂
I've been hearing more positive things about this book lately! I think the concept is so intriguing and I like that Addie has different behaviours in the different worlds. I never that about that but it totally makes sense. Wonderful review! 🙂
I've seen many reviews for this one and I must read this book. I love your review and the quotes you pick 🙂 I hope I'll get a chance to read this soon 🙂
It's official: everyone in the world liked this one more than I did. It's not really that I didn't like it, it's that I'd hoped it would focus on the abilities and it focused more on the romances instead. That part was a bit of a disappointment. But I agree that the writing was excellent.
Great review!
I had more mixed feelings about this book than you, Sana, although I did like it. (3.5 stars!) It was really entertaining, though, and I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. The quotes you picked are fun, too!
Wendy @ The Midnight Garden
I've heard really great things about this book, but I especially love that you described Addie as witty and smart and the book as simple and clever. The concept sounds like it could become really complicated and confusing, so i'm glad to hear that West's writing makes it such an enjoyable read. I think the cover is really cool, and I'm excited that the book inside sounds just an interesting!
I loved this book, it's been one of my favorite reads this year. Like you said, there was such a nice balance to the story. While it could have gone horribly wrong, it didn't, and it was just subtly beautiful 🙂 And mind powers are definitely awesome! Great review!