Showing posts with label Pivot Point. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pivot Point. Show all posts

ARC REVIEW: Split Second (Pivot Point #2) by Kasie West

Title: Split Second
Series: Pivot Point #2
Author: Kasie West
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: February 11, 2014
Pages: 360
Source: ALA Midwinter

Summary from Goodreads:
Life can change in a split second.

Addie hardly recognizes her life since her parents divorced. Her boyfriend used her. Her best friend betrayed her. She can’t believe this is the future she chose. On top of that, her ability is acting up. She’s always been able to Search the future when presented with a choice. Now she can manipulate and slow down time, too . . . but not without a price.

When Addie’s dad invites her to spend her winter break with him, she jumps at the chance to escape into the Norm world of Dallas, Texas. There she meets the handsome and achingly familiar Trevor. He’s a virtual stranger to her, so why does her heart do a funny flip every time she sees him? But after witnessing secrets that were supposed to stay hidden, Trevor quickly seems more suspicious of Addie than interested in her. And she has an inexplicable desire to change that.

Meanwhile, her best friend, Laila, has a secret of her own: she can restore Addie’s memories . . . once she learns how. But there are powerful people who don’t want to see this happen. Desperate, Laila tries to manipulate Connor, a brooding bad boy from school—but he seems to be the only boy in the Compound immune to her charms. And the only one who can help her.

As Addie and Laila frantically attempt to retrieve the lost memories, Addie must piece together a world she thought she knew before she loses the love she nearly forgot . . . and a future that could change everything.


Pivot Point blew me away last year. It was the first parallel future story I read - and LOVED - and it also sported a nice Sci Fi element where the kids had powers - so double LOVE. Then the ending left me reeling and I needed this sequel like I needed air (queue Jordin Sparks song). If you want to read my review for Pivot Point, you can find it here.

The beginning of Split Second was tough for me because of where Pivot Point left off. I don't want to say much for those of you who haven't yet read Pivot Point, but I don't think it's a spoiler to say that Addie could only choose one future and so the other one didn't happen - the one I wanted to happen but could understand why it couldn't (curious? Go read PP now!) I had to get used to things being the way they were and let's just say I can be very stubborn.

But once things got rolling, it was only uphill from there. Split Second was just as exhilarating as Pivot Point. It was suspenseful, flirtatious, unpredictable, sweet, infuriating, funny... There was all this speculation about the Compound. Curiosity over extending abilities. Great romances. Lurking threats. There were moments that had my blood boiling. Moments that had me on the edge of my seat. And moments that had me smitten. After a certain point it was un-put-down-able, I just had to know how things ended. And I can say that I am very happy with the way they did. Not quite perfectly, but as perfect as can be expected given the direction of the story (if that makes any sense).

The chapters alternate between the POVs of Laila and Addie in this sequel. I loved getting to know Laila better because I thought she was a riot in Pivot Point. She is just as entertaining this time around. And Addie is as genuine and likable as always.

NOW LET'S TALK BOYS. Obviously I love Trevor. TREVOR ALL DAY ERR DAY. I don't think I could ever get my fill of this boy. He's the silent and sweet but super sexy type. But Trevor has to share the spotlight in Split Second because we are introduced to a new swoon-worthy male - Connor! This guy... I don't think there is a more perfect guy for Laila. She was so thrown off by him and him by her. Now I love Addie and Trevor - they are adorable together - but Laila and Connor are HOT. They have this whole dynamic that was just... it lit up the pages.

To wrap things up I want to quote a moment between Addie and Trevor that made me laugh out loud. This is just a glimpse of the fun that awaits you in a Kasie West book.

"'Addison,' he said, stopping my Search before it started.
I looked up and barely saw the flash of an object as it hit my face. 'Ouch.' The kid's shoe landed on the step below me with a thump, then rolled down a few more. 'Did you just throw a shoe at me?'
'I'm so sorry.' He rushed forward and sat on the step below me. 'I thought you would move fast and catch it.'
...He retrieved the shoe, then held it out for me. 'You have my permission to throw this at my face as hard as you can.'"

Kasie West is 3 for 3 in my book. First Pivot Point, then The Distance Between Us, and now Split Second - three books, three home runs. I love everything she writes. And she is pumping books out in record speed. That makes her a rockstar. If you haven't picked up a book by her yet, you need to. Otherwise, you are missing out!
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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

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!
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