Pivot Point
Author: Kasie West
Series: Pivot Point #1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Mystery
Release Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Summary:
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.
First Sentence: “Heads up,” a loud voice called from my right.
Another Look is a feature I created for books I’ve reread and already reviewed…but want to review again for reasons.
My Review:
I’ll be blunt – the first time I read Pivot Point, I wasn’t all that impressed with it as you can see from my first review of Pivot Point. I was bored halfway through the book and it was honestly a struggle for me to read through the middle. It was the end of Pivot Point where it really captured my attention once again and made me really impressed with the book in general. However, my reread of Pivot Point went a lot better than my first one; I was throughly invested in Pivot Point.
This time, I didn’t find Addie weird or stalkerish at all, like I did when I read Pivot Point for the first time. In fact, this time I connected with Addie so well that I was constantly sympathizing with her and her awful situation. I wanted to yell at the people who hurt her, hug her when she was sad and lonely, and just be there for her. I swear, Addie should be my best friend; we are both so alike (although I do wish that I have the ability to choose my own path and see the consequences of them like she does).
“I’ve seen a lot of alternate futures. I guess it makes me more wary than most.” (163)
The buildup between Addie and Trevor was so sweet to read about, even when I read it the second time! I personally love reading friendship to something more romances like Better Off Friends, and Pivot Point is not an exception to that rule. The slow buildup between Addie was perfect – I recognized the exact moment Addie realized that Trevor would be something more (even though she didn’t recognize that moment herself) and I couldn’t help but just squeal like a crazy fangirl. Thank goodness the train was loud and people couldn’t hear my squeal.
I love, love, love the parallels in Pivot Point. It was fun to see similar things happening in both alternate futures, whether it be Laila doing the same crazy thing no matter what different things had happened to her, people doing the same exact things in both realities, etc. (I can’t go more in depth because of SPOILERS.) Fans of parallel universes will definitely enjoy all the parallel events in Pivot Point.
“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.” (96)
I do wish there was more world-building in Pivot Point though. I felt like we were only told about the bare skeletons of the world-building and not the deep important stuff I wanted to know like how did all the Paranormals get together in one society (or is there still some unfound Paranormals out there because hey, you never know)? How long were the select group of Paranormals hiding from the rest of the world? I wanted more info on the world! I heard that we’ll definitely get some more world-building answers in Split Second though, so I’m not quite worried about the world-building…yet.
“You hate obvious boys. Because heaven forbid you like someone that everyone else does. If you don’t have to hunt for it, and carefully plan its capture, it must not be worth having.” (125)
The real reason why I reread Pivot Point is to prepare for Split Second! With this reread, I’m beyond prepared to read Split Second! -Rubs hands together in anticipation-. Like the first time I’ve read Pivot Point, the ending of Pivot Point has me going all why does this have to happen! and nooo, I need some answers asap! I’m so happy that I’ll finally have a resolution!
I tried to read Pivot Point when it first came out, and simply couldn’t do it. I didn’t like the style or the book. I attempted to read it again and January and enjoyed it much more now that I knew what to expect!
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Ooh yay I’m glad that you liked this one a lot better the second time! I can see where you originally thought Addie was stalkery, but the second time it’s great that you were able to relate to her a lot more easier. The romance was definitely to die for and I loved it so much! Kasie definitely knows how to write her romances and I love all of her books just because they’re so well-developed romance-wise. Fantastic review, Kelly! <33
Eileen @ Singing and Reading in the Rain recently posted…16 Things I Thought Were True by Janet Gurtler Tour Stop
I am so intrigued by this series!
Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
Missie recently posted…Eleanor & Park – A Perfect V-day Read
I love re-reading for exactly this reason! Who knows – you might like it a second time around.
I tried to find this book at my school library but I think I’ll have to go to my local library to find it. Well, I’m happy with that (BOOKS!).
Emily @ The Loony Teen Writer recently posted…Write Life Saturdays: Top Ten Ways To Find Inspiration
Ohh! I love the idea of kind of writing a re-review of a book you’re rereading! It’s such an interesting concept! But yes. I’m glad to see that you enjoyed the first half of this book more so than you did the first time around! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on Split Second!
tabithasbookblog recently posted…Review: Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi (SPOILER FREE)
SO GLAD you read it again. This has happened to me before. In fact just the other day! I absolutely loved this book. It all came together for me at the end. I cannot wait till my copy of Split Second arrives!!
I’m admittedly curious about PIVOT POINT! I do own a Kindle version, but haven’t gotten around to reading it. It sounds like an interesting take on the parallel lives idea though, and I like the thought that you’d get a chance to see the two different paths your life could go on (if you had the ability).
I really want to read this book, I’ve been wanting to for a while now. I’ve been hearing nothing but amazing things. The second book I believe just came out last week?
Great review! Really looking forward to reading this book. :)
Brianna’s Bookish Confessions recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday (#18): Perfect Lies by Kiersten White
I read Pivot Point in January and loved the novel. I can’t wait to read Split Second soon.
Rachael @ Rachael Turns Pages recently posted…A Month of Rapunzel Announcement
I’m so glad you loved this the second time you read, Kelly! Pivot Point is one of my favorite 2014 reads! I loved everything about it, from the parallel worlds (which are so well done! You’d think you’d be confused, what with the alternating POV between realities, but it flowed perfectly!), to the romance (both romances, though I am strictly a Trevor girl *wink*) to Addie herself…
I’ve got to admit, though, until you pointed out those questions about the world, I never thought about them! I was too absorbed by the story, I guess? LOL but now I’m curious about it all, too! Hopefully Split Second will have some answers! ;)
Great re-read review, Kelly!
Nitzan Schwarz recently posted…Top 6 Books that Will Make You Cry/Top 10 Books that Will Make You Swoon/ Top 6 reasons I love Being a Blogger/Reader
So happy you enjoyed this one more with a re-read! I absolutely loved it, for a lot of the reasons you’ve mentioned here. Addie was a character I couldn’t help but root for, from the beginning, and I got so swept up in the parallels between her two possible futures!
And then there’s Trevor <3
He's just wonderful.
Kelly recently posted…Pretty Little Tips: Custom Menus & Categories
Great thoughts!! I still need to get my hands on Split Second!!
AlyssaZ recently posted…You’re Going to Be Okay
I read this book back in August! I just recently picked up the sequel and I’m hoping you will too!