Pivot Point is a contemporary veiled with a paranormal vibe, but not of the werewolf or vampire variety, but of the special abilities variety. Addie’s ability is to see into possible futures when faced with a choice. This is her biggest choice yet: to live with her mom or to live with her dad when they decide to get a divorce. Warning: there is mild, vague almost-spoiler below… it’s hard to discuss my feelings on the story without a vague mention of the ending…
When I started reading Pivot Point and came to realize it was more contemporary than sci-fi, I didn’t think I would end up liking it as much as I did. However, the interesting and yet totally believable technology of the Compound, Addie’s personality, and her interactions with Trevor all drew me into the story. And though I knew ahead of time this was the concept, I still found it really neat basically the whole book is two different stories, and only one of them will actually play out. Elements from both stories also show up in the other story in unexpected ways.
It seemed really obvious to me early on which life was the superior one, but then something happens towards the end of the Search that forces Addie to question what to do in order to both keep a promise and to help the person she cares about most. Though I wanted to believe she could somehow solve the problem differently than she chose to, her solution was creative and probably the best choice she could make under the circumstances.
I could really relate to Addie’s character. She always does the right thing, she isn’t impressed by people just because they’re popular, and she loves to read. That was what made it hard to watch her seem to change in one of the possible paths, but after it was all said and done everything made much more sense. The fact that she had a best friend who was so different from her I could also relate to, because I too have been known to stay loyal to old friends who are completely different from me.
I also found the overall writing style enjoyable as well as the story, and even though the story felt fairly complete on its own, it did make me want to check out the sequel when it comes out.
Content Advisory: Some mild language and violence, and a non-graphic mention of sexual assault.
Have you read Pivot Point? What were your thoughts?
Great review! I really loved this book and its parallel stories concept. I preferred the storyline with Trevor too, with Duke she indeed changed too much, and not for the good.
I’m really curious to read the second book 🙂
Yes, me too, especially since it will have more Trevor!
I agree, this book feels more contemp than sci-fi. The powers are really interesting though and I loved the possibilities of the the different paths. Really looking forward to Split Second.
The powers were interesting and a unique spin on what could have otherwise been just another contemporary!
Nice review! I agree with you about this book. I liked Addie a lot, but one of the potential paths really bothered me. And I was surprised with the choice she had to make in the end, but I don’t know what else I could have expected.
I was hoping she would choose the other life but could somehow prevent the BAD THING from happening, but she did go through that thought process and just didn’t think it was possible. So yeah, it surprised me too.
Pivot Point really did read like a contemporary rather than a paranormal. I liked Kasie West’s writing style too. I think I will give all of her books a try.
I’ve heard that her book The Distance Between Us is really good, but the premise sounds kind of dumb to me. But I don’t know, since so many people like it, and I did like Pivot Point maybe it’s better than it sounds. 🙂
Yeah the poor girl meets rich boy idea has been done before, but I really liked the book because the main character Caymen has a very unique voice and was fun to read.
I would recommend it if you are in the mood for a contemporary.
That’s the other thing, I don’t read much contemporary as I rarely am in the mood, but I’ll keep it in mind!
I skipped over the review since I haven’t read it yet, but couldn’t quite manage to not read your quote graphic. It’s already tugging on my heart-strings and I don’t even know the characters!
I bought Pivot Point when it was on sale a few weeks back and still haven’t gotten around to reading it. You’ve inspired me to make a planned-reading list for Rinn’s Sci Fi November though, so I will definitely get to it in the next couple of months!
It’s not as sci-fi as I hoped it would be, but it’s still a good read!
I really liked this book also and without (hopefully) being spoilery I accepted the ending but really wanted something else – some other solution than what she chose.
Yeah, I felt she must have been able to make another choice but still find a way to avoid certain other things from happening!