Pivot Point
(Pivot Point #1)
by
Kasie West
Pub February 12th 2013
by HarperTeen 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.
Colloquy
Ria: Hi ladies everyone welcome welcome!!
Ro: hi darlin
Lindy: HI! Okay, so we're discussing Pivot Point by Kasie West!
Ria: Did everyone enjoy Pivot Point? First thoughts first impressions GO!
Mikki: It was Meh for me
Ro: I didn’t care for it
Lindy: It was good, but I built it up so much in my head that I think my expectations were too high. I was expecting a 5 star read, and for me it was 4 stars!
Lindy: Ria?
Ria: oooh! I liked it but it was a rough start to get into like, the set up in her room w/ the bestie…bed(fade out) scene then the search...simultaneously side by side…
Lindy: yeah :(
Mikki: I agree!
Lindy: If you could choose a paranormal ability, what would it be? Would you be a Divergent, Clairvoyant Eraser, Persuasive, Discerner, Telekinetic, Telepathic, Mass Manipulator, or Mood Controller? Why?
Ria: ARGH i did nOT like that they call her power divergent MEGA froWNY face!!
Ro: telepathic, cause I want to know everything going on in everyones mind!!!
Ria: I would be Jean Gray Telekinesis BABY!!!!
Mikki: I agree with Ro. Would love to be able to see what people think!
Ria: then I would evolve the same way JG does in the comics and become Phoenix!! Oh and as far as the why because i'd be unstoppable...I'd expand my powers and fly!!
Mikki: lol!!!
Ria: Lindizzle what about you love?
Lindy: I would be a Telekinetic too! I like being able to move things with my mind!
Ro: Did you feel the book really had a dystopian feel to it, or did it read more like a who done it? Conspiracy/mystery/ficti on
Ria: NO!!!! Not at all! To me it felt like a very mild Urban Fantasy. Then the whole Para/ Norm thing but everyone gets to come and go.
Ro: me either!
Lindy: It didn't have any dystopian aspects until the second book. This felt more like a combo of urban fantasy/mystery/thriller
Mikki: It did not feel like a dystopian to me.
Mikki: Team Duke or Team Trevor?
Ria: BOTH!!!
Lindy: Trevor!!!!!
Mikki: I am 100% Team Trevor!
Ria: lol don't kill me but I said this in my review…I was a big Duke defender till about 80% but at the same time Trevor is the guy she belongs with…I just hope she can be friends with Duke.
Ro: Trevor!!! He is the one
Lindy: I loved him from the very beginning!!! Duke was annoying and pushy!!!!
Mikki: OMG! That scene in his room ... Swoon!!!! That's when I fell for him <3 :-X
Ria: yea to die for!
Lindy: Trevor all the way!!!!!!
Ria: Who wanted to slap Addie a time or 500?
Mikki: Meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeee!!!
Ro: Me!!! She was annoying.
Mikki: I did not connect with her at ALL!
Ria: I def liked the Norm version of her much better
Ro: and her friend was even worse!
Ria: PAHA!!! lol her friend OMG i wanted to punch her super hard ;)
Ro: Ditto!!!
Lindy: Would you chose to live in the paranormal compound or the norm world, and Why?
Mikki: I would pick norm world. I don't think I would like to live in the paranormal compound. It was just weird ... lol!!!
Ria: well probably norm world cause apparently the para world is dangerous and everything is fake! who cares if you can move stuff with your mind when your feelings aren't your own and everyone controls each other?
Ro: I guess I would pick the norm. I don't like paranormal...
Ro: If you had the chance to look into the future, would you be able to withhold the temptation to look into it or would you just go about living your life as if the option wasn't there? Why or Why Not?
Mikki: I would live my life like it's supposed to be. I don't want to know what my future is going to be. I live one day at a time :)
Lindy: I think I would look in to the future once in awhile, because I would be very tempted, but I would try not to make a habit of it.
Ria: I would ALWAYS look to the future and plan accordingly ;)
Ro: I wouldn't look into it cause I don't want to know the downfalls in life,
Ria: example; like i know i'm gonna get a flat and be stuck in the rain so i'll toss an umbrella in my trunk to be a bit more comfy.
Mikki: lol!!!
Ro: hiheho!!!!
Lindy: OMG! You crack me up!
Mikki: Don't forget to pack a snack ;)
Ro: That is not what I meant, but okay.
Ria: I wouldn't look too far ahead i'd be super cautious like ol Addie but yea I'd like to prep ;)
Lindy: I'm with Ria on this one
Ro: Would you have made the same decisions Addie made on her path? Why? Did you feel like the details were clearly defined or that they weren't and too many open ended facts?
Mikki: Mmmm ... Good question!
Lindy: I think Addie had a choice :( I was sad about the path she chose, but understood why she did it, and would have done the same thing.
Lindy: oops had no choice
Ria: I would've done the exact same thing Addie did...I believe she didn't have a choice.
Mikki: I was about to say the same thing, Lindy! ;) At the end I was like Noooooooo don't do this!!!! She did not listen :((
Lindy: lol
Ro: yea, I guess. I didn't think like the way it played out
Mikki: lol!
Lindy: Stars and Why? Plus Final thoughts...
Ro: 3 stars. It was just not my thing. And...You won't be seeing me for Sci Fi!!!
Ria: 4 cause there were some really clever bits and I was pulled into the story. I'm looking forward to the next one
Mikki: 3.5 stars for me. It took me a while to get into the story.
Lindy: 4 Stars for me! It was good, and I enjoyed it....
Ro: Lindy said the second one is better
Lindy: Yes, it was!
Ria: phew looking forward to it still waiting for the dystopian feel.
Lindy: You'll get it in the next book!
Ro: I hope so!
Ria: Alright alright ladies its been a pleasure I'm sure!!!
Ro: Very Sure!
Ria: next month...Daughter of Smoke and Bone
Mikki: Ciao Chickas! I need to go catch some ZZZZZZZZ! :P Woooohooo!!! Can't wait for that one!
Ro: Ciao!!!
Lindy: Night Night :)
Ria: *waves* night loves.
Mini Reviews
Lindy's Pivot Point was an excellent and entertaining read. Addie is a divergent, which means that when she is presented with a decision, she can search the future by looking at the possible outcomes of making one decision versus another. When Addie's parents inform her that they are getting divorced, and she needs to decide if she wants to continue living with her mom in the paranormal compound, or move with her father to live among the norms. With such a difficult decision to make, Addie decides to do a search 6 weeks in to the future to see which parent she should live with. Both paths lead to suspense, danger, a serious relationship with a different boy, and surprising outcomes!
I loved the concept behind Pivot Point. Many times, we question ourselves with, "What If?" It's crazy to think that one decision in our lives can determine so much! Pivot Point was highly entertaining and I read it in one sitting. It was interesting to see that even though Addie lived through two different paths, there were certain similarities in both paths. This is a story that made me think a lot. Would I want to be able to see my future if I could? Would I want a psychic ability, and if so, which one? Would I want to love in a paranormal compound or the normal world? I love it when a book makes me think.
Each chapter alternates between the parallel realities. I found myself looking forward to the reality where Addie lived with her father more. I loved Trevor from the very beginning. He seemed very genuine and sincere. I enjoyed the way their friendship developed, and how it lead to romantic feelings. The only thing I enjoyed more abut the reality where Addie lived with her mother, was that she still had her best friend, Laila by her side. Laila was a carefree, fun, and spirited sidekick! I am so glad that the second and final installment, Split Second is already out! I'm about to jump in, and can't wait to see how it all ends. I give, Pivot Point, by Kasie West, 4 Gripping, Contemplative, Suspenseful, and Addictive Stars!
My Favorite Quote
"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." (Pg. 94)
~Addie
Ria's
What did I think? Man why does that sound like a loaded question... I liked it I liked it a lot I'm not like jumping up and down about it but there were definitely a lot of feels. Addie was enjoyable even though somethings did get a bit under my skin overall I'd say this is a hit. I'm excited about the next one I can't wait to see how she will find her way back towards the path that will make her truly happy. Shhhh don't tell anyone ;) I will say, this didn't really feel like a dystopian more like a conspiracy fiction book. Is that even a classification? I just feel like dystopians are more extreme ya know? Like the NORMS know nothing about the gifted and those within the compound can come and go as they please. I'm used to dystopians being do this or die conform or perish accept things as they are or we will destroy your life. Nothing like that in Pivot Point, but it was all good either way.
The Boys...boy oh boy I was a Duke defender like 80% of the book then something happened...It wasn't good. I don't hate him because I understand his desperation. I have come to realize he's not the best choice for Addie and I hope she's not to late to find happiness. I also hope she and Duke can be friends some day. My-Hope-Bucket-is-Filling-up-fast!
The Deets...Not super thorough and I was left wanting more thats for sure. Something else I didn't quite understand is if Addie's mom is the one who develops all of these amazing brain things and Addie's dad is the best Discerner out of everyone...why is her house not as big or bigger than Dukes? I mean I fig if they are the best of the best shouldn't they get paid like so? Was Addie's dad so humble that he wanted to live in a normal neighborhood and get Addie a clunker of a car to keep her grounded as well?
My Rating
OH!! I almost forgot...if you've read the book you'll understand this...
PS I live in DFW and its never EVER EVER gotten considerably cooler at night when it starts off as a hot day. 2 Summers ago on MULTIPLE occasions it was OVER 100 degrees AFTER Midnight (I used to bartend) I'd be leaving the bar at 3am after closing and it would still be muggy and super hot. :0) had to put that out there...That was an especially brutal summer I still have nightmares about it :/ Good news is this spring has been super mild and I'm hoping the summer will be as well.
Ro's
Pivot Point, by Kasie West, was one of the few Dystopian novels that I have read. It usually isn't my genre of choice. The story line read more like a who done it, and was very suspenseful and mysterious. So, I actually liked it for that reason. Addie is put in a position that she must choose between the Norm World and the Paranormal World, when she is told her parents plan to divorce.
Addie can look into the future to see what is coming in the future. She thinks that if she looks, she will be able to tell which world to live in. Unfortunately, both paths turn out to be problem paths for her. In both, she falls in love, but each with a different guy. Both guys are great, but Trevor is the real thing. Addie is a bit of an annoying character, so Ms. West has done her job. The story line left a lot of questions for me, and changing back and forth between the two worlds was confusing at times. The story was still interesting and I look forward to reading the sequel, to see if my questions will be answered, and if Addie will wake up and smell the coffee!!!
Pivot Point had some great characters, that were well developed. I enjoyed the mystery behind the story and the questions it asks us to consider. It was quite frightening to me, at times, to consider who may actually be behind some of the danger in this novel. The guys are hot and the plot thickens...
I give, Pivot Point, by Kasie West, 3 Dangerous, Scary, World Changing Stars!!!
Mikki's
I have heard great things about Pivot Point, by Kasie West. I really had high expectations for this book and I was a bit disappointed in my reading journey. Don’t get me wrong the story itself was amazing, but I had a hard time connecting with the main character, Addie. It is essential for me to feel that connection to the main characters from the very beginning.
Addie’s world is turned upside down when her parents decide to split. With her ability to search the future, she can see how her life could be on both sides. No matter which side she picks her life and the one of the people she loves and cares about will be changed forever. Will she pick the world she has always known or will she start a new journey into a different world?
The beginning of the book was confusing to me. It took me quite some time to get into the story. The constant switches between the norm world and paranormal compound left me asking myself questions more than once. What I did like about the story is that even if I did not connect with Addie that much, I wanted to know what would happen to her and her friends. Kasie West did an amazing job with the description of both worlds and the involvement of the secondary characters. I loved Trevor!!!!! I was cheering for him since the very beginning! Duke on the other hand did not get my heart beating like Trevor did. I have a wish and I hope that it happens in the second installment of this series. I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed in Addie’s decision at the end, but I understood why she made that decision.
I will definitely read the second installment, Split Second, to find out what happens next!
I give, Pivot Point, by Kasie West 3.5 intriguing stars!
About the Author
Great review. I received this for review just before it came out, put passed it to another blogger because of time constraints. I have been meaning to go back to it. The concept sounds unique.
ReplyDelete-Flirting with Fiction
I liked this one, but I haven't read the second one. Hopefully soon. Great reviews.
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to read Picot Point forever! I generally love parallel reality story lines. So glad you ladies enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI love joint reviews! The differing opinions, right next to each other, makes a compelling review!!! I can't wait to give this one a chance, but I hope I have a better time with it!
ReplyDelete