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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Pivot Point was my first read of 2013. After a slight false start and DNF-ing a different novel, I picked up Pivot Point without even really knowing what it was about. I can honestly say that this is one of the best books I've read in a while. I would compare it to Altered by Jennifer Rush, which I also adored, due to the two sharing the same mystery element and for being able to capture my attention so well.
Along with the ending, which I will get to momentarily, my favourite part of the book was the way the timelines connected. If you have read the summary, then you will see that Addie looks into the future to see two potential timelines and how they would work out if she chose them. Pivot Point alternates between the two timelines, and we get to see just how different Addie's life would be.
Full review here: http://www.booksofamber.com/2013/02/pivot-point-by-kasie-west.html
Along with the ending, which I will get to momentarily, my favourite part of the book was the way the timelines connected. If you have read the summary, then you will see that Addie looks into the future to see two potential timelines and how they would work out if she chose them. Pivot Point alternates between the two timelines, and we get to see just how different Addie's life would be.
Full review here: http://www.booksofamber.com/2013/02/pivot-point-by-kasie-west.html
*3.5 Stars*
It’s been a while since a read any book or wrote reviews (credits to my hectic college life). SO when I began reading Pivot Point I was skeptical if I would be able to complete it or not. But it is so addicting that I couldn't stop myself from reading it till the very last page.
“Because an illusion is an illusion. Reality always exists despite the facade.”
I’ve always wondered how it would be to know the outcome of your one particular choice, so the synopsis of this book seemed interesting enough to me.
Pivot Point by Kasie West is a fluffy, somewhat girly read with its own share of twists and turns. I loved the way the story swings between two alternate realities in alternate chapters. Moreover, Addie was amazing, our little heroine. I adored her to pieces.
Considering two main guys, I loved one and hated the other. It’s very obvious that I pick Trevor (Surprise, surprise).
"Just promise me something. If this is a Search and you don't pick me, don't pick this path, for whatever reason, promise me you won't Erase me.”
These lines literally broke my heart! *sobs*
Though the book wasn’t that much on the mystery part but it was right there on feels!
And the best part to be very honest was that ending. Seriously, did Kasie really end this book that way? Huge round of applauds for her this particular act. I know the story is going to pick up in Split Second but I want to have the feeling of this ending inside me for some more time.
It’s been a while since a read any book or wrote reviews (credits to my hectic college life). SO when I began reading Pivot Point I was skeptical if I would be able to complete it or not. But it is so addicting that I couldn't stop myself from reading it till the very last page.
“Because an illusion is an illusion. Reality always exists despite the facade.”
I’ve always wondered how it would be to know the outcome of your one particular choice, so the synopsis of this book seemed interesting enough to me.
Pivot Point by Kasie West is a fluffy, somewhat girly read with its own share of twists and turns. I loved the way the story swings between two alternate realities in alternate chapters. Moreover, Addie was amazing, our little heroine. I adored her to pieces.
Considering two main guys, I loved one and hated the other. It’s very obvious that I pick Trevor (Surprise, surprise).
"Just promise me something. If this is a Search and you don't pick me, don't pick this path, for whatever reason, promise me you won't Erase me.”
These lines literally broke my heart! *sobs*
Though the book wasn’t that much on the mystery part but it was right there on feels!
And the best part to be very honest was that ending. Seriously, did Kasie really end this book that way? Huge round of applauds for her this particular act. I know the story is going to pick up in Split Second but I want to have the feeling of this ending inside me for some more time.
RTC. It was ok, not my favorite Kasie West. But it was definitely interesting! First book done for the 24 in 48 readathon!
Du YA léger, facile et plaisant à lire, même si selon moi l'héroïne aurait pu être un peu plus développée. Un roman dont le début m'a un peu inquiétée (je ne m'enthousiasme plus trop pour les émois lycéens), mais qui m'a au final convaincue. J'ai notamment trouvé sa construction aussi prenante qu'originale puisqu'on y suit deux futurs potentiels de l'héroïne, futurs qui vont peut à peu se retrouver liés.
OH. MY. GOSH.
THIS BOOK. THISBOOKTHISBOOKTHISBOOKTHISBOOK.
I cannot even handle how freaking EPIC this book is. I was not prepared to become absolutely obsessed with this book, BUT OH WHOOPS I BECAME OBSESSED ANYWAY.
*calms down slightly* Okay, I need to stop fangirling for a second so I can explain to you guys just how amazing this book is.
Addie is a Searcher, which means that when she's faced with two choices, she can search the future to see both outcomes. The chapters of the book alternate between a chapter about one possible outcome and a chapter about the other possible outcome. It's a very complicated and potentially difficult way to tell a story, but Kasie West NAILED IT. At first, I thought this format would make the book confusing and hard to follow, but it wasn't. Not at all. I had no trouble keeping up, and I was incredibly impressed with Kasie West's storytelling.
The main character, Addie, was someone I wasn't sure I was going to like at first. But once I got a few pages into the book, I realized that I really liked her. She doesn't fit into any kind of category that's typical for a protagonist of a YA book. She's just...normal. When I was reading about her, I felt like I was reading about a normal teenage girl. I understood all of her actions--even if I didn't always agree with them--and nothing about her annoyed me or made me dislike her. She was a protagonist who I became emotionally invested in, and I loved reading from her point of view.
I'd say the second most important character in Pivot Point is Laila, Addie's best friend. What can I even say about Laila? I love her! She's not a sidekick or the comic relief or a side character. She's an actual main character with layers and character development and her own story. It was so refreshing to read about a best friend who was treated as someone extremely important in the book, even more important than the Cute Boys.
Ahh, the boys. Yes, there are two. One of them is a [BLEEP] who I disliked pretty much since the first few pages. The other one is someone I grew to love as the story went on, and I just have SO MANY TREVOR FEELS. <3 Both guys were compelling characters who surprised me in countless ways throughout the book, and I loved getting to know each of them, even though I may not have liked one of them. :P They were both really cool characters with lots of secrets that Addie gradually uncovers as the book goes on. At first, I wasn't sure how well romance would fit in with a book like this, but I was proven wrong. The romance fit perfectly in Pivot Point, and Addie's relationships with these two guys proved to be very important to the plot.
This book was so complex and CRAZY. There are so many plot twists flung at you as you're reading, and you can never know what to expect next. Pivot Point was an addicting read that I couldn't help but finish in a matter of hours. It was so well-written and simply amazing. Kasie West is a genius.
Also, hey, that ending? Yeah, I'm not really cool with that. I need the sequel NOW please.
You can find more of my rambling at readwriteramble.blogspot.com
THIS BOOK. THISBOOKTHISBOOKTHISBOOKTHISBOOK.
I cannot even handle how freaking EPIC this book is. I was not prepared to become absolutely obsessed with this book, BUT OH WHOOPS I BECAME OBSESSED ANYWAY.
*calms down slightly* Okay, I need to stop fangirling for a second so I can explain to you guys just how amazing this book is.
Addie is a Searcher, which means that when she's faced with two choices, she can search the future to see both outcomes. The chapters of the book alternate between a chapter about one possible outcome and a chapter about the other possible outcome. It's a very complicated and potentially difficult way to tell a story, but Kasie West NAILED IT. At first, I thought this format would make the book confusing and hard to follow, but it wasn't. Not at all. I had no trouble keeping up, and I was incredibly impressed with Kasie West's storytelling.
The main character, Addie, was someone I wasn't sure I was going to like at first. But once I got a few pages into the book, I realized that I really liked her. She doesn't fit into any kind of category that's typical for a protagonist of a YA book. She's just...normal. When I was reading about her, I felt like I was reading about a normal teenage girl. I understood all of her actions--even if I didn't always agree with them--and nothing about her annoyed me or made me dislike her. She was a protagonist who I became emotionally invested in, and I loved reading from her point of view.
I'd say the second most important character in Pivot Point is Laila, Addie's best friend. What can I even say about Laila? I love her! She's not a sidekick or the comic relief or a side character. She's an actual main character with layers and character development and her own story. It was so refreshing to read about a best friend who was treated as someone extremely important in the book, even more important than the Cute Boys.
Ahh, the boys. Yes, there are two. One of them is a [BLEEP] who I disliked pretty much since the first few pages. The other one is someone I grew to love as the story went on, and I just have SO MANY TREVOR FEELS. <3 Both guys were compelling characters who surprised me in countless ways throughout the book, and I loved getting to know each of them, even though I may not have liked one of them. :P They were both really cool characters with lots of secrets that Addie gradually uncovers as the book goes on. At first, I wasn't sure how well romance would fit in with a book like this, but I was proven wrong. The romance fit perfectly in Pivot Point, and Addie's relationships with these two guys proved to be very important to the plot.
This book was so complex and CRAZY. There are so many plot twists flung at you as you're reading, and you can never know what to expect next. Pivot Point was an addicting read that I couldn't help but finish in a matter of hours. It was so well-written and simply amazing. Kasie West is a genius.
Also, hey, that ending? Yeah, I'm not really cool with that. I need the sequel NOW please.
You can find more of my rambling at readwriteramble.blogspot.com
First off...don't hate me for what I'm going to say,okay?
The world building in this book is kinda crappy , but, the idea of superpowers, superheroes, and the Compound was exemplary. However, the writing style of the author was kind of...how do I put this...well basically it was dull. Miss West, you got a great idea here, but how you wrote the book didn't seem to excite me. I felt no thrill during the parts of Laila and this Poison guy; the intimate moments between Trevor and Addie just didn't click.
OH AND ANOTHER THING, I TOTALLY SAW THE "DUKE-USING-ADDIE-FOR-SOME-PARTICULAR-REASON" COMING. . Couldn't this get any more ridiculous???
Why would I give 2 stars then you might ask?
First, a star for the spectacular idea of having a world of norms and people with extraordinary abilities. Second, another star for the complexity of the characters strikes me at awe, despite the fact that I was unable to connect with them.
The world building in this book is kinda crappy , but, the idea of superpowers, superheroes, and the Compound was exemplary. However, the writing style of the author was kind of...how do I put this...well basically it was dull. Miss West, you got a great idea here, but how you wrote the book didn't seem to excite me. I felt no thrill during the parts of Laila and this Poison guy; the intimate moments between Trevor and Addie just didn't click.
OH AND ANOTHER THING, I TOTALLY SAW THE "DUKE-USING-ADDIE-FOR-SOME-PARTICULAR-REASON" COMING. . Couldn't this get any more ridiculous???
Why would I give 2 stars then you might ask?
First, a star for the spectacular idea of having a world of norms and people with extraordinary abilities. Second, another star for the complexity of the characters strikes me at awe, despite the fact that I was unable to connect with them.
actual rating: 2.5
this book only started getting interesting to me around 80-90% but by then i was already tired of it and just waiting for it to be done. it took too long for me to be able to channel the appropriate amount of energy into caring about it sighhh
anyways, long story short: pivot point focuses on addison "addie" coleman, our mc who is one of the perceptives (or psychologically advanced humans) gifted with the ability of divergence which is kind of like clairvoyance but not really in that addie can "search" her future pertaining to two paths to a certain extent and then choose whichever actions will lead to the better future. ok maybe not better but the less crappy of the two. we are also introduced to laila her best friend who is able to erase others' memories, duke, bobby and trevor who play important roles in this story as well. addie's parents are getting a divorce and she has 2 options before her: stay with her mom in the special compound where all the other psychologically advanced humans stay or go with her dad outside of the compound and live among the "norms". obviously, addie decides to search both options to see which one will play out better and let's just say she's caught between a rock and a hard place. addie can also potentially come off as one of those "i'm-not-into-him-because-i'm-not-like-those=other-chicks" in the beginning but you realize that there's a good reason for that coming down to the end.
as with the movie inception i am left with many questions: are addie's abilities to see into the foreseeable future limited only to two choices? because there are so many different paths that people can take and every little action alters the future so that it's not always set in stone. speaking of, if addie searches the future and she has two paths before her, if she chose to do something differently wouldn't that just negate the future she saw leading to a whole new future? how then would the search for a new future change if she decides to alter any one of her actions? does that mean then that she can only see the future if she does everything exactly as she foresaw? my brain hurts from thinking about this too much omg. also there's a love triangle but not in the traditional sense of the word, in that addie can see her future with two potential love interests but it's not at the same time so it technically isn't one because she doesn't actively get closer to both of them at the same time. (side note: i'm rooting for trevor).
i was going yo say something else but i honestly can't remember what it was at this moment. will i be picking up the sequel? meh, maybe but not in any great hurry i can assure you.
edit: wait i remember now! each of the chapters start off with a word that has either para or norm in capital letters and its definition and i suppose that's to clue you in to whether the chapter is about addie's life in the compound or outside of it but it took me a while to realize and by the time i did i was already annoyed because the words don't necessarily have anything to do with the chapters or the story itself. they're really just random af and they threw me off a bit.
this book only started getting interesting to me around 80-90% but by then i was already tired of it and just waiting for it to be done. it took too long for me to be able to channel the appropriate amount of energy into caring about it sighhh
anyways, long story short: pivot point focuses on addison "addie" coleman, our mc who is one of the perceptives (or psychologically advanced humans) gifted with the ability of divergence which is kind of like clairvoyance but not really in that addie can "search" her future pertaining to two paths to a certain extent and then choose whichever actions will lead to the better future. ok maybe not better but the less crappy of the two. we are also introduced to laila her best friend who is able to erase others' memories, duke, bobby and trevor who play important roles in this story as well. addie's parents are getting a divorce and she has 2 options before her: stay with her mom in the special compound where all the other psychologically advanced humans stay or go with her dad outside of the compound and live among the "norms". obviously, addie decides to search both options to see which one will play out better and let's just say she's caught between a rock and a hard place. addie can also potentially come off as one of those "i'm-not-into-him-because-i'm-not-like-those=other-chicks" in the beginning but you realize that there's a good reason for that coming down to the end.
as with the movie inception i am left with many questions: are addie's abilities to see into the foreseeable future limited only to two choices? because there are so many different paths that people can take and every little action alters the future so that it's not always set in stone. speaking of, if addie searches the future and she has two paths before her, if she chose to do something differently wouldn't that just negate the future she saw leading to a whole new future? how then would the search for a new future change if she decides to alter any one of her actions? does that mean then that she can only see the future if she does everything exactly as she foresaw? my brain hurts from thinking about this too much omg. also there's a love triangle but not in the traditional sense of the word, in that addie can see her future with two potential love interests but it's not at the same time so it technically isn't one because she doesn't actively get closer to both of them at the same time. (side note: i'm rooting for trevor).
i was going yo say something else but i honestly can't remember what it was at this moment. will i be picking up the sequel? meh, maybe but not in any great hurry i can assure you.
edit: wait i remember now! each of the chapters start off with a word that has either para or norm in capital letters and its definition and i suppose that's to clue you in to whether the chapter is about addie's life in the compound or outside of it but it took me a while to realize and by the time i did i was already annoyed because the words don't necessarily have anything to do with the chapters or the story itself. they're really just random af and they threw me off a bit.
Pivot Point by Kasie West
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
First of all, I'm so glad it was my first read of 2013! Because if these are the type of books that I am going to get this year, then I'm so effing excited.
Pivot Point introduces us to Addison Coleman. Addie isn't your typical teenager though, she and everyone who lives in the compound with her have special powers. Some people's powers are a bit more interesting than hers, but she's unique in that that aren't many who have her talent. She's what is called a Searcher. When she is faced with a choice, she can look into her future and see what the outcome of each path might be. Some people mistake her talent for clairvoyance, but that's not accurate as she can only see something that affects her.
When Addie's parents break some devastating news to her, (divorce) she is forced to make a decision, but in order to do so, she has to search her future to see which path has the best outcome. Does she stay with her mom and live within the walls of the compound and continue to develop her skills or does she leave and move to Dallas with her father to live amongst the 'norms'.
The book is told in alternating chapters from each option, and while I was afraid I would forget where I was, I never did. In fact, I found that once there started to be some overlapping it made it even more interesting because I was trying to predict what was going to happen. See Pivot Point isn't just your typical YA angstfest... there is a bit of a mystery to solve as well.
This book is very character driven and I really loved the characters that West created. Addie was instantly likable in both worlds... in fact I almost loved her more in the 'norm' world most simply because her awkwardness at being the new girl was endearing and I absolutely loved getting to see the growth of her relationship with Trevor.
Trevor is Addison's new best friend at her new high school. Even though at first he seems a bit distant, they eventually hit it off and best friendshipness ensues, and the build of their relationship was one of the best I've read in quite some time. It's not insta-love, instead Addie focuses on the friendship and the banter between the two is possibly my favorite.
"I'm answering the ad for a zombie hunter."
"Would you be able to start immediately? Apparently my life is in danger."
"Can you describe the zombie that's after you?"
He hums a little. "He's a really old guy with an English accent, he might have a goatee and he'll definitely be carrying around a really think, boring book. You might be able to pry it from his decaying hands and beat him back to death with it. Or maybe just reading it to him would work."
Then there is Duke, who is her love interest at the compound. Duke is THE guy... you know the one, the football quarterback, the most popular, loved by all. Only he's suddenly interested in Addie. Addie is completely confused by this but rolls with it. I was immediately suspicious of him... and that's all I'll say about that.
What I loved most about this story is that even though the relationships Addie forms are very important to the story, the plot isn't sacrificed in the name of romance. Don't get me wrong... there is romance and wonderful, sweet romance at that.
"What about you? What's your type?" I ask.
"I thought that was obvious."
He pulls me toward him and when his lips touch mine, I try not to audibly sigh. I can't help it though, and he chuckles again, against my mouth. In the back of my mind I still wonder if we're right for each other, but the rest of my mind doesn't seem to care.
BUT there is also this incredibly told story that pulls you in and won't let you stop reading until you turn that last page. If you can't tell, I'm trying to keep my review a bit on the vague side as to what happens because this story has mystery and suspense as well.
I think that what I loved most about this story though is the fact that it was so original and different than a lot of what I've been reading lately. Trevor, Addie, Rowan and Laila have quickly become some of my favorite characters. All were likable and funny and just plain perfectly written.
Like I said, I'm so glad this was my first read of the year, and I look forward to book 2 and more from Ms. West in the future and mark me down as a fangirl!
This review can be found on my blog, Fic Fare:
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
First of all, I'm so glad it was my first read of 2013! Because if these are the type of books that I am going to get this year, then I'm so effing excited.
Pivot Point introduces us to Addison Coleman. Addie isn't your typical teenager though, she and everyone who lives in the compound with her have special powers. Some people's powers are a bit more interesting than hers, but she's unique in that that aren't many who have her talent. She's what is called a Searcher. When she is faced with a choice, she can look into her future and see what the outcome of each path might be. Some people mistake her talent for clairvoyance, but that's not accurate as she can only see something that affects her.
When Addie's parents break some devastating news to her, (divorce) she is forced to make a decision, but in order to do so, she has to search her future to see which path has the best outcome. Does she stay with her mom and live within the walls of the compound and continue to develop her skills or does she leave and move to Dallas with her father to live amongst the 'norms'.
The book is told in alternating chapters from each option, and while I was afraid I would forget where I was, I never did. In fact, I found that once there started to be some overlapping it made it even more interesting because I was trying to predict what was going to happen. See Pivot Point isn't just your typical YA angstfest... there is a bit of a mystery to solve as well.
This book is very character driven and I really loved the characters that West created. Addie was instantly likable in both worlds... in fact I almost loved her more in the 'norm' world most simply because her awkwardness at being the new girl was endearing and I absolutely loved getting to see the growth of her relationship with Trevor.
Trevor is Addison's new best friend at her new high school. Even though at first he seems a bit distant, they eventually hit it off and best friendshipness ensues, and the build of their relationship was one of the best I've read in quite some time. It's not insta-love, instead Addie focuses on the friendship and the banter between the two is possibly my favorite.
"I'm answering the ad for a zombie hunter."
"Would you be able to start immediately? Apparently my life is in danger."
"Can you describe the zombie that's after you?"
He hums a little. "He's a really old guy with an English accent, he might have a goatee and he'll definitely be carrying around a really think, boring book. You might be able to pry it from his decaying hands and beat him back to death with it. Or maybe just reading it to him would work."
Then there is Duke, who is her love interest at the compound. Duke is THE guy... you know the one, the football quarterback, the most popular, loved by all. Only he's suddenly interested in Addie. Addie is completely confused by this but rolls with it. I was immediately suspicious of him... and that's all I'll say about that.
What I loved most about this story is that even though the relationships Addie forms are very important to the story, the plot isn't sacrificed in the name of romance. Don't get me wrong... there is romance and wonderful, sweet romance at that.
"What about you? What's your type?" I ask.
"I thought that was obvious."
He pulls me toward him and when his lips touch mine, I try not to audibly sigh. I can't help it though, and he chuckles again, against my mouth. In the back of my mind I still wonder if we're right for each other, but the rest of my mind doesn't seem to care.
BUT there is also this incredibly told story that pulls you in and won't let you stop reading until you turn that last page. If you can't tell, I'm trying to keep my review a bit on the vague side as to what happens because this story has mystery and suspense as well.
I think that what I loved most about this story though is the fact that it was so original and different than a lot of what I've been reading lately. Trevor, Addie, Rowan and Laila have quickly become some of my favorite characters. All were likable and funny and just plain perfectly written.
Like I said, I'm so glad this was my first read of the year, and I look forward to book 2 and more from Ms. West in the future and mark me down as a fangirl!
This review can be found on my blog, Fic Fare:
I have read and loved all of Kaise West's romance books, so I knew that I had to pick up her debut novel. I was a little skeptical at first because I had never read a sci fi novel by West, but I was so happy with this book. Once again, West has made me fall in love with all of her characters and her beautiful romances. I loved seeing Addie live out both of her lives, and I fell in love with the world that West wrote in her series. I cannot wait to start the next one. I need to know what happens to Addie and I really hope that she remembers. Because if she doesn't remember Trevor and all of their beautiful story I will be so disappointed!