REVIEW #91: Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1) by Kasie West

Title: Pivot Point

Series: Pivot Point #1
Author: Kasie West

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: February 12, 2013

Pages: 352, Hardcover

Summary from Goodreads:

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.

 

What an original, well-executed, and brilliant story!

I loved the idea of living out two futures and then deciding which path to take. Of course, the choice doesn’t end up being easy – where is the fun in that? I was so enthralled by both futures and I could feel my anticipation building the more I read. I didn’t know what was going to happen but I knew it would be something big. The ending didn’t disappoint. And it was one of those that is both complete and satisfying. There is still a lot to look forward to but no huge cliffhanger until the next book.

And I loved how Kassie West subtly connected the two futures. Addison’s choice has an effect on others but only to a certain degree. Some things happen as they were always meant to happen and other things happen but with slight variations. And with paragraphs alternating between each version of her future you appreciate the differences and observe the ripple effect. And all characters are present in both futures to varying degrees. I just thought the whole concept and execution was really neat.

And the writing was so much fun!! I loved her relationship with both boys. Her relationship with Trevor was a little more serious, whereas her relationship with Duke was a little more playful. There were a few LOL moments for me where Duke was involved. For instance:

"'That would bring out your eyes,' he says.
'How would that bring out my eyes?'
'Because your eyes are . . .' He trails off as I meet his gaze. 'Uh, brown. your eyes are brown. I could've sworn they were blue.'
'It's hard to keep track when you're looking into so many, isn't it?'
He narrows his eyes in confusion and I try not to laugh."

Note: her eyes really were blue but she was using light manipulation to change them. I also really liked Laila, her best friend. She was so lively and exciting. One of my favorite quotes from her was from one of their phone conversations:

"'Aw, I'm like a proud mother bird watching my daughter fly from the nest. Fly, little bird, fly. Oh no! Don't fall. No, that's the ground. Addie, watch out for the ground. Man, tough luck. You'd better come back home.'
I stick out my bottom lip. 'Was that supposed to be encouraging?'
'No, but it amused me. And I'm ready for you to come home.'"

Really, just amazing secondary characters all around. And Addison herself was a great lead character. She was so smart and interesting and had a really good voice for the delivery of this story.

My only complaint – and it’s not even really a complaint – and I’m talking SO SMALL it shouldn’t change your mind at all – but for the sake of an honest well-rounded review I will say I had a LITTLE difficulty remembering where the last story left off when each chapter began. But it only lasted a second. So pretend I didn't say anything :)

Ok I have to admit something here – this book contained what might be my favorite sentence read of all time:

"I stir around the last few Cheerios in my bowl, the effort required to fish them out one by one too hard to find on a Monday morning."

Does that say everything about me? I am an avid eater of cereal and adored this sentence. I can’t really explain it except been there done that. It was so honest and unexpected and quirky and spoke to me. Ha.

Ok for reals now. This book is fantastic and you need to read it. Just do it. PEER PRESSURE. But really, please? You won’t be disappointed!