Pivot Point by Kasie West

Book #1, Pivot Point
Published by HarperTeen on February 12, 2013

343 pages

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.

What if you had the power to see the outcome of possible choices play out before you? Would you choose the more bearable option, even when it leads to losing a love so great and amazing? In Pivot Point, Addie Coleman finds out about her parents’ divorce and glimpses alternate futures to determine which path to take- only to find out that heartbreak is inevitable in both.

One little choice can make all the difference.

I was easily fascinated with Addie. Firstly, her voice, as projected through Kasie West’s writing was so very teenager. I enjoyed her casual sarcasm, her smarts and her general frame of mind. I loved even more than she was bookish! She’s a protagonist you could embrace and root for. Also, I think her superb mental capability to search futures was pretty cool. It was something unique and I very much welcomed the whole concept.

I think the book is propelled by the heroine and the rest of the characters, actually. Her best friend, Laila, is too awesome for words and also very crucial to the story. Laila, albeit a secondary character, has her own subplot- one that’s messed-up, sad and complicated. The friendship between Laila and Addie was utterly engaging and fun to read about. Addie’s parents, inspire of the unfortunate divorce, were present in each side of the possible choices. While we don’t get deeper when it comes to Addie’s relationship with her parents, I think it was good enough that her parents were around.

“If you need something to hold on to until you feel grounded, I can make a pretty good anchor.”

Aside from friends and family, Addie has two budding love interests in Pivot Point, one from each alternative choice. On one hand is Duke, smirky, smug and a quarterback. On another is Trevor, cute, sweet nice guy who gets Addie. While I was a little drawn to Duke, out of curiosity, I was hands-down, all for Trevor. He was sensitive, caring, good-natured and ohmygoodness all the swoons!!!!

While I found this book engaging to read, I must say I was disappointed by the lack of action and world building. Pivot Point felt very much like a contemporary novel, just one with people who have super mental abilities, and while I would normally be in favor of the genre, I was not always so impressed than I probably would have been if the story structure and setting were more detailed.

An illusion is an illusion. Reality always exists despite the facade.

Having said that, I did really really like this book. It has a good plot and a wonderful set of characters. The ending leaves you completely wanting more- Kasie West doesn’t fail to seize her reader’s attention and heart.

Rating: