Title: Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1)
Author: Kasie West
Release date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 352
Source: Publisher
Reading level: YA
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.
Pivot Point, Kasie West’s debut novel, has most likely earned a place on my top books of the year list. And it’s only February! Seriously, though, Pivot Point is by far one of the best, most unique debuts I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.
Pivot Point is the ultimate blend of paranormal and contemporary. The story is told through only one person’s point of view but it still has a dual narrative. Instead of switching points of view, it switches between two different futures. Addie has the ability to see her future based on a choice she has to make. When her parents tell her they are getting a divorce, she decides to look at both of her possible futures. One takes place in the “Norm” world and one takes place in the compound of paranormals. In this way, the book almost seems like two separate ones. Between the alternating chapters there is a very everyday world much like our own and a paranormal world full of people with crazy mind abilities. And if that’s not enough to get you interested, there’s also a wonderful mystery that manages to tie both futures together.
Addie is a wonderful character no matter which future she may choose. She’s a little bratty at times but she’s going through a tough time. Mostly though she’s just smart, funny, brave, and sometimes a little oblivious. While she was blind to some things I thought were pretty obvious, I didn’t see that as a fault of hers. Mostly it was just that she always tried to find the good in people no matter how bad things looked. It made me like her even more. Her best friend (whose name I can’t remember!) was not the best influence on Addie but she did seem to really care for her. Oh and it’s not that she was a bad character, I’m just really bad with names. Then there were the boys. Since there were two alternate futures, there were two boys. It wasn’t exactly a love triangle but I did find myself torn between the two of them at first. Trevor and Duke are two very different guys for two very different futures. Trevor is a norm who is super sweet and kind of shy but just really awesome. Duke is a paranormal jock who’s a little too cocky for my taste but he kind of grew on me. However, I very quickly fell in love with Trevor and there is no doubt in my mind that he is one of the best guys in YA! Also, yay for parents in YA. They weren’t perfect but they played a big role in Addie’s life and I loved that they were always there for her when she really needed them.
I have to switch back to the awesome story for a second here. I mentioned the paranormal aspect (everyone has a super cool ability like Addie’s, at least the people in the compound) but I didn’t really mention how great the contemporary part truly is. I really expected Pivot Point to be a light read and it turned into something completely different. Kasie West really took the subject of divorce and featured it in a different way but it’s still the subject of divorce. Addie’s parents divorce was a huge part of the book and I felt that Kasie West truly captured the right feelings for Addie. There were times when she was bratty, times when she was mean, and times when she was truly hurt. Sure there was a lot of mystery and paranormal stuff going on but it never took away from the whole reason that Addie had to make such a tough decision. I really didn’t expect that.
Overall, Pivot Point is one book that I have to recommend to everyone. If you haven’t already, read this one now! I dare you not to love it!
Looking for more reviews of Pivot Point by Kasie West?
This is one of my top 5 favorite books EVER. I am so in love with this book, and I am so excited to read the next one in the series. I would forgo reading all other books this year if I could have the sequel now.
Great review – I completely agree with your review! Especially about Trevor. YUM!
I agree! I really liked how it was both a light, cool read (hello superpowers!) and quite a tough story. But overall, I mostly enjoyed how well Addie grew throughout the alternating storylines and the ENDING… so intense! Lovely review 🙂
Pretty sure this will make my top reads of the year too! It was the perfect blend and left me dying for the sequel. And yay for parents in YA! Great review! 🙂
Oh, and thank you for linking my review! <3
Totally agree on your review! I loved Trevor too! I totally prefer the norm world too 😀
I really liked Addie!
oh and thanks for putting up our review link!
– Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf
Ahhh I am so happy you liked this one! I have been planning on getting Pivot Point and with your review, I think I might just get it very soon! I’m glad that paranormal and contemporary mixed so well because they usually don’t!
Five stars? Already earned a spot on your top books of this year? Wow. I’m glad to hear this debut is a good one. I’ve been interested in it ever since I saw the beautiful cover. I’ll have to pick it up soon. Great review!
I loved Pivot Point! I thought Travis was so amazing, and I’m already excited for the sequel 🙂 I also loved the blend of paranormal and contemporary. Amazing review!
Oooh so glad you enjoyed it! I can’t wait to read this. Addie sounds awesome, and so do the two guys 😀
Richa @ City of Books
I like the idea of everyone having a different paranormal ability. Makes me think of X-Men!
So glad you loved this one! I want to read it so terribly bad and have heard nothing but good things. I love the idea of being paranormal but also still being somewhat contemporary. I think it sounds so unique, I just can’t wait to read! Fantabulous review, Katie <3
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I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this-I guess that even though I had read multiple positive reviews, it still wasn’t appealing to me. But it was the perfect blend of contemporary and paranormal and fast paced and well-written-just amazing!
I actually moved this up on my “Must Read” list after reading some of the great reviews (like yours) that I’ve come across. Really looking forward to this one.
Erin @ YA Book Crush
I’ve seen so many raving reviews of this one that now I’m a little nervous that I won’t enjoy it! But it seems like something I would totally fall in love with it. The whole divide between the two worlds sounds fascinating, as does the paranormal aspect. The contemporary part also sounds super neat and filled with depth as well. And the subject of divorce is, surprisingly, not really talked about in many YA books. So I’m excited to see how the authors handles it.
Fabulous review, Katie! I think I’ll have to buy a copy of this one, it sounds too good to pass up on. <3
I really loved this book to and I can’t wait to see where Kasie West takes the story in the next installment. I hope we get to see a lot more of Trevor. I just loved him. Wonderful review!
oh gosh, I am dying to read this! <3 I have to find a way to obtain a copy of this book asap!
I really liked the blend of paranormal and contemporary in Pivot Point, it made for a great story! The too obvious scene was hilarious and I was with Duke on that one but Trevor quickly took his place. And I loved the ending, too.
Great review, Katie! =D
Sana @ artsy musings of a bibliophile
I love this author! She writes incredible characters regardless of genre, and this book in particular was hugely original! I loved her life in the normal world, I hope the couple reconnects!
It’s awesome she’s writing more contemporaries, isn’t it? I think this one read like a contemporary with a bit of paranormal thriller!