Pivot Point [Hardcover]

Kasie West (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 12, 2013

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“An expertly plotted, deliciously clever story.” (Kiersten White, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of PARANORMALCY )

“West’s premise is a winner, and Addie is the kind of heroine readers would want as a best friend—loyal, unpretentious, and thoughtful.…What truly makes West’s story memorable, however, is Addie’s wry humor…and the book’s fascinating exploration of how life can change with one simple choice.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) )

“With superb storytelling, a masterful blend of paranormal and normal, a helping of wit and humor, and a mouthwatering romance, PIVOT POINT is one of the most delicious books I’ve read.” (Elana Johnson, author of POSSESSION )

“The unique structure, seeing two alternate realities playing out at once, leaves you pleading with the characters—don’t answer that phone, don’t go in that house, don’t talk to that person. PIVOT POINT is at once tense and romantic, challenging and engaging. It’s a truly remarkable debut.” (Robison Wells, author of VARIANT )

“West’s debut showcases riveting storytelling.” (Kirkus Reviews )

“West takes [an]… intriguing premise and infuses it with a conclusion that will surprise and please the romantic teen reader.” (Booklist )

“West has created an intricately woven story of two possible futures. This debut novel…is a welcome change.” (School Library Journal )

About the Author

Kasie West lives with her family in central California, where the heat tries to kill her with its 115-degree stretches. She graduated from Fresno State University with a BA degree that has nothing to do with writing.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: HarperTeen (February 12, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062117378
• ISBN-13: 978-0062117373
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.2 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (117 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #254,116 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A stay-at-home mom of four children, three of them girls, ranging in age from twelve to four, Kasie West hears lots of melodramatic versions of large-than-life events. She graduated with a BA in liberal studies, with a strong focus on linguistics and psychology, from Fresno State University. She lives in Fresno, CA.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Pivot Point Keeps You Guessing--So Creative February 12, 2013

By Kimberly Sabatini

Format:Hardcover

I'll be honest. Most of the time I know what's going to happen in a book. Maybe not the smallest details, but the big picture is usually there--I'm a good predictor. If the writing is really good--and most of the time it is--it doesn't take away from my enjoyment of the story. But from time to time, I like it when I'm stumped, frantic and half-crazed, wondering where this novel is going to end. PIVOT POINT by Kasie West took me there and I loved it!!!

Addison Coleman's life is one big "What if" and I was immediately fascinated by this and what it meant for the story line, but also because it is a life concept that has always intrigued me. Have you ever had that urge to take one road and found a way to talk yourself out of it, only to end up stuck in traffic wishing you had listened to your instinct? Addie has the ability to look down both of those roads and decide which one has the better outcome. BUT...knowing both paths doesn't necessarily make choosing any easier. In fact, sometimes being cognizant is even harder. PIVOT POINT had me on the edge of my seat trying figure out how it was going to end. Without giving any spoilers--I'll tell you it ended perfectly--with the proper balance of satisfaction and anticipation for the next book. I LOVED this book and it still has me thinking!!!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Edge of your seat, unique February 1, 2013

By JLW VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

Pivot Point is a unique novel. What would you do if you could look into your future? How could you live with the things you would find out about others and yourself? This novel was a roller coaster ride to the very end. I have not laughed and cried in one book in a very long time. I have to admit, I was worried about getting annoyed with the alternate chapters, one for each choice, but I loved it. With the chapters alternating, I was in even more of a hurry to read and keep reading. The mystery behind this story was great, and I honestly did not see it coming. The ending was so heartbreaking, yet wonderful, that I literally got tears in my eyes. Our heroine is strong, beautiful yet totally relatable. I wanted to be her friend so that I could laugh at her witty banter, and the love interest in this is so sweet, sigh.

What can I say? I can not stop gushing about this novel. In a sea of YA fiction, this is a keeper. Love, sacrifice, self image, and hard choices are eloquently examined in this uniquely wonderful novel. With creepy villains and lovable side characters, this is a must read for any lover of YA fiction.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars First 5-star read of 2013! February 15, 2013

By Christal

Format:Hardcover

Pivot Point wasn't a perfect book, but I enjoyed it so much that I just didn't care. I actually read this all in one night because I couldn't bear not knowing what was going to happen to Addie. Kasie West has made a fan in me and I cannot wait to pick up the next book in this series!

Addie lives in the Compound, a secluded world populated by Paranormals - humans with enhanced mental abilities. When her parents announce their divorce, she has to decide whether to remain in the world she's always known with her mother or leave with her father and live among the Norms. This would be a difficult choice for most teens, but Addie has a special way of looking at things... divergence. She can Search the possible futures of her choices and see what her paths will look like. As Addie Searches the paths of living with each parent, she finds out much more than she bargained for.

Normally, knowing that half of this story never actually happened would have really bothered me. Here, though, Ms. West has created such an engrossing story and sympathetic character in Addie that I didn't care; I was along for the rides. I loved seeing both possibilities and how Addie would react in different situations. I loved how both paths flowed and intertwined with each other and how the characters from each would overlap. I loved seeing how Addie would be affected and changed by the different decisions she might make and how her choices affected the lives of the people around her. Everything about this plot device just worked for me and I am so glad that I gave this book a chance.

Based on the premise of this book, you would think it might be a really heavy science fiction, but it wasn't. The prose was light and airy and clipped along very quickly. The romance in each path did tend to dominate the plot at times, and I would have liked to see the Paranormals use their powers more, but I barely gave those gripes a passing thought because I was so engaged with Addie and her worlds. I will say that if teenage angst and romantic entanglements do not interested you, you should probably pass this book on by. Also, if you are expecting a really straight-forward science fiction, just keep on going. If you don't mind some YA romance and want to experience a unique and moving character study, this is your book.

Addison "Addie" Coleman was a wonderful main character with a strong, relatable voice. I believed that she was a high school junior and felt that her reactions were appropriate. She was likable, slightly depreciating, and funny. The humor never felt forced but it was there and kept me smiling throughout many parts of this book. Addie's best friend, Laila, was an integral part of her life and I was happy to see that she remained important in both storylines. It was nice to see a balanced and well-adjusted female friendship take center stage.

Being a YA book, of course there is a love interest or two. Thankfully, Ms. West didn't fall into the love triangle trap and, instead, let Addie focus on only one guy for each path. In the Norm world, Addie meets Trevor - a senior at her new high school. He is sweet and cute and just Addie's type. They made great friends but it was easy to see the sparks between them from the beginning. Trevor was good for Addie and helped to bring her out of her shell. In the Para world, Addie ends up dating the high school quarterback, Duke. The way Addie and Duke came together didn't feel as organic but they did still share some sweet moments and Duke helped her to realize she shouldn't make snap judgments about everyone. Having read the book, I know which guy ends up being the better choice for Addie but I don't want to spoil it for new readers. Suffice it to say, there is a lot more going on with one of these guys than we first expect and the relationship between him and Addie takes a dark turn.

Throughout both storylines, there is a murderer in the Para community and Addie's father is involved with the investigation. The way this plays out in the end of each Search creates a really tough choice for Addie about which life she will ultimately choose. It was hard to see her make that choice, but I respect her decision and think she is very strong for doing what she does. Can you tell I'm trying to keep it vague here? Don't read spoilers though, go into this blind and you will appreciate the outcome so much more. I have to say that I thought the ending wrapped up a little too quickly, but I was so happy to hear that this was just the first in a new series. The next book doesn't come out until 2014, and I will be waiting (impatiently!) for my next dose of Addie and her wonderful world.

Thank you to Edelweiss and HarperTeen for providing an ARC copy of this book!