Pivot Point by Kasie West

Pivot Point by Kasie West
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release date: February 12, 2013
Pages: 352

Summary: Addie lives inside the Compound, a secret city for those with supernatural abilities. Addie’s ability is a type of Clairvoyance (though she’ll grimace at the generalization): when faced with a choice, she can “see” how each choice will affect her future. Unfortunately, Addie’s parents have just dropped a bomb: they’re getting divorced, and she needs to decide whether she wants to live with her mom (inside the Compound) or her dad (who is moving Outside to live with the Normals). So she uses her ability to see which parent she should choose.

My thoughts: You know those really great two-for-one sales? That’s what Pivot Point is—two books in one. And it’s very clever about it, too. The chapters alternate, giving us at Addie’s two different futures. But then things start to connect and blend together, leaving the reader wishing that Addie could have both futures. And that is where Kasie West nails us. Pivot Point is a very quick read, but when you take a step back (to get a glass of water or go to the restroom only, because there’s no way you’re putting this book down to sleep), you realize that you care about the characters.

For such a plot-driven story, this is quite an achievement.

But let’s talk about the plot for a moment. So far, Pivot Point has been the most difficult book for me to put down this year. Kasie West ends almost every chapter with a cliffhanger, or at least suspense, but relief will only come after the next chapter (the trouble with alternating chapters!). While somewhat tortuous, I loved this aspect of the book. What’s more, I loved that the story was more than just the sum of its cliffhangers. It has some interesting commentary on “typical” teen subjects—divorce, major life decisions and changes.

Pivot Point is a book for all readers—ones who enjoy realistic and paranormal fiction alike. Because of the dual nature of the story, you get to enjoy the best of both worlds. But, like I’ve hinted before: be sure that you have at least three hours set aside before reading. It’ll be very difficult to stop.

4.5/5 stars
For those who like: splashes of paranormal, romance
Comment question: What’s the biggest decision you’ve ever made?