Rating: 8 out of 10. 4 stars.
Series: Pivot Point #1
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance (nothing like Twilight)
Publication Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: Harper Teen Page Count: 352 pages Format: Physical Hardcover Library Book
Publisher: Harper Teen Page Count: 352 pages Format: Physical Hardcover Library Book
Goodreads Synopsis: 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.
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.
My Background: I know I usually don't conform to the fads and uber hyped-up books, but literally EVERYONE was talking about this, and I liked the sound of the plot. What I can say is that survived the hype and is one of the best books I have read in the past few months, in terms of keeping my interest.
*What I discovered while reviewing this book is that I loved it, but more for the fast-paced plot and romance, rather than the characters, writing style, or feels.*
Plot 8/10: Within the first chapter of Pivot Point, Addison Coleman's parents have presented her with the choice to choose her dad, therefor leaving the "Compound" of Supernaturals, or staying with her mom where she can try to keep living what for her is an ordinary life. We also learn by chapter two that Addie is a Divergent and not a Clairvoyant. If you started jumping up and down fist bumping people, I am sorry to say that she is not like Tris who can't be restrained in one faction. Addie is actually divergent in the way that when faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see which choice has the better outcome. So, it's more focused on the word 'divergent' not the beings, this isn't a spin-off.
From that point on, the story then alternates between what happened when she chose her dad, and what happened when she chose her mom. It sounds confusing, right? Basically she keeps living her life with both alternate realities/parallel universes going on. Kasie West does an excellent job with going back and forth, and explains it a lot better than I am.When I said parallel, I mean that in the world in which Addie chooses her mom, Lola, Duke, and her go off campus to the restaurant the cool seniors go to. Then in the world where Addie chooses her dad, Lola calls her to tell her that she, Duke, and some other people went off campus the cool restaurant.
What I love about the plot is that even though the story is about teenagers with supernatural/ paranormal powers, Kasie West manages to make it not cliche, or like Twilight (thank the lord). From the very first pages I started reading while my ELA teacher was teaching a lesson on direct quotations, I was hooked in.
Characters 6/10: I liked the characters in "Pivot Point", they had certain characteristics that were unique and enjoyable, but I wasn't in love with them. They dynamics between them were too similar to a cliche high school story. The main character Addie falls in love with the football player Duke, she has a best friend named Layla, and a strict, controlling mother. Even in the other universe, Addie fell in love with the sweet, sensitive guy Trevor, and is just trying to navigate through that crazy world known as high school.
Romance 8/10 & 6/10: I bet you're wondering why there are two ratings. The reason is because in each alternate universe, Addie is dating a different guy. 8/10 is for Addie and Trevor's relationship, while 6/10 is for Addie and Duke's. So she isn't cheating on anyone, and it isn't a love triangle (technically) because one couple doesn't know the other exists. If this was a "Team Duke" or "Team Trevor" sort of thing, I would completely be "Team Trevor" because of how sweet, and compassionate, and intelligent, and all those other things fictional boyfriends are supposed to be. Did I mention he was hot too? On the other hand, Duke was (purposefully) the classic, pretty boy, high school football jock (although Trevor was to before his shoulder was injured) and jerk extraordinaire. I sound crazy saying this, but I feel like he didn't do anything for Addie, like those little gestures and shows of affection (besides kissing) that cute ships are supposed to have. They could have had the battle of the sarcastic comments that some authors/characters manage of pull off, where they pretend to hate each other but everyone knows they are in love with each other. Personally, I don't believe Addie could have been that girl.
Cover 8/10: I really liked the cover, because of how it represented the story. A girl, mirrored on both sides, symbolizing two choices, as well as the veil of white dots on the stormy-blue background. I would have in rated the cover a 10/10, but I really like the sequel-Split Second-better because the model looks harsher, and more mysterious, and the veil is made up of rain instead of what looks like bubbles.
Title 10/10: There could not have been a better title to sum up this story. According to the dictionary, pivot means; a pin, point, or short shaft on the end of which something rests and turns, or upon and about which something rotates or oscillates. Do I even need to explain how this relates to the story? It was the ongoing points in the story, and different events that could have gone differently.
Title 10/10: There could not have been a better title to sum up this story. According to the dictionary, pivot means; a pin, point, or short shaft on the end of which something rests and turns, or upon and about which something rotates or oscillates. Do I even need to explain how this relates to the story? It was the ongoing points in the story, and different events that could have gone differently.
Pacing 8/10: The pacing of this story was nearly perfect. Kasie West must have done a lot of planning to make sure certain events in one world were lightly brushed upon in the next.
Feels 4/10: There was this huge WTH moment that made me feel like I wanted to murder Kasie West, does that count? Overall, the main feels I felt were ones where I desired to keep reading, and never stopping. The book certainly kept my interest, but besides that, there weren't parts that made me feel like I wanted to scream (except for the ending), laugh, cry, etc.
Writing Style 6/10: I really enjoy Addie's voice because I didn't feel like I had a connection with her, and she seemed a little to insecure for my taste. What I did like about the writing style was how the alternate universes were like dual-POVs in a sense, and we all know what books have that (Hint: Legend & These Broken Stars).
Ending 10/10: I don't know what to say about the ending without spoiling it. All I can say is be prepared for a major plot twist. When I finished the book, my reaction was very similar to when I finished "Cinder". It sounds a little something like this: NOOOOOOO!!!!!
Quotes 5/10: Despite this being a paranormal romance, there were a few of good quotes.
"Do you ever feel like you do something or are something for so long that it defines you?" P. 227 TrevorI tweeted this quote on Saturday morning because of how much we can all relate.
I know my lovely book lovers can relate #morningreads pic.twitter.com/MU5IxyhRHy
— Bookaholic (@sslluvsbooks) January 18, 2014
Continuation: 100% You can bet I will read the sequel "Split Second" on February 11th if it kills me. The huge WTH moment at the ending ensured that, and you will probably see a series overview on that in the upcoming months.
Conclusion: Even though the character's and writing style could have been better, I immensly enjoyed "Pivot Point" because of how fast-paced and interesting the plot was, and I will definitely be reading "Split Second" when it comes out February 11.
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