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Pivot Point (Pivot Point, #1)

Kasie West

Start date: August 1, 2013

Finish date: August 26, 2013

Discussion: Book of the Month

Why we're reading this: Chapters 1-9 (89 pages) August 1-7
Chapters 10-19 (90 pages) August 8-14
Chapters 20-29 (93 pages) August 1…more
[close] Chapters 1-9 (89 pages) August 1-7
Chapters 10-19 (90 pages) August 8-14
Chapters 20-29 (93 pages) August 15-21
Chapters 30-End (70 pages) August 22-26
Live Chat August 28

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Book of the Month

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last updated Jul 19, 2013 07:39PM

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What Members Thought

Jan 21, 2013 Susan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-read-2013

Pivot Point is a wonderfully compelling and highly engaging novel. Definitely a head spinner, it will suck reader's into the story, leaving them gasping at every twist and turn. Kasie West has written a stunning new young adult debut novel, that is sure to entertain and wow fans of the genre. Filled with murder, mystery, suspense, and intrigue, Pivot Point will leave reader's speechless with its captivating premise and amazing brilliance.

West pens a novel dripping with so much originali ...more

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Feb 01, 2013 Andi (Andi's ABCs) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: series, favorites, own, would-recommend, rereads, kindle-archive, amazon-review

3/11/2023: its been 10 years since I read it and it 100% held up. Still love it!

I can’t even put into words my love of this book. I honestly feel like saying it was amazing is doing a disservice to it. Amazing is so over used, for me anyway, when talking about a book. But I can’t think of anything else to really use to describe Pivot Point. To say I fell in love with is it a huge understatement, and reading this book proved to me that I need to read/find more books like it. Like Parallel by Lau 3/11/2023: its been 10 years since I read it and it 100% held up. Still love it!

I can’t even put into words my love of this book. I honestly feel like saying it was amazing is doing a disservice to it. Amazing is so over used, for me anyway, when talking about a book. But I can’t think of anything else to really use to describe Pivot Point. To say I fell in love with is it a huge understatement, and reading this book proved to me that I need to read/find more books like it. Like Parallel by Lauren Miller, I am completely enthralled with the concept West used in this creatively told novel about two different life paths.

Pivot Point is Addie’s story. Addie has lived in her paranormal compound her whole life where she has been surrounded by other paranormals like herself. Each person has some sort of power varying from mind erasing(Addie’s BFF) to detecting lies(her dad) to telekinesis(some of the football players, to Addie’s own power as a Divergent, a person that can look into the future when given a choice to decide which path to take. When Addie finds out her parents are splitting she must decide if she wants to live in the compound with her mom or move to the Norm world with her dad. Using her power to search her two futures Addie is faced with deciding between her heart and the lives of the people around her.

First and foremost I must start by saying the characters in this book were pretty amazing. It’s very rare for me to find a book that this is true about, but I really enjoyed each and every single one of them. They all had a purpose and I found that purpose to be understandable without it being dumbed down for the reader. The way they were all written translated seamlessly into both words and that is a kudos to West. You can tell she really thought about the little things that make a book work and character connection is one of those things. What I really loved was the 4 main-ish characters, Addie by far being the lead, with Laila, Trevor and Duke her supporting cast. Laila was the kind of friend that stringent Addie needed. She brought Addie out of her shell but in a natural way. Duke, the school heartthrob that made Addie question some things about herself and the people around her, and Trevor, oh Trevor! He may be one of the cutest cowboys that ever did cowboy! SWOON I tell you. Perfect swoon for Trevor. But really it was all Addie and her interactions with this people that brought the whole thing together. That and West’s amazing focus on detail.

I can’t say enough how the little things in the book is what brought it all together for me. Never once was I worried that I would be confused about which “reality” I was in before reading it, and West made sure I wouldn’t have to be with the way she wrote it. You don’t think a lot about what it takes to make a great book, unless you are an author I imagine, but the tiniest of details makes all the difference and the difference was made in Pivot Point, right down to the very very end with an ending that blew me away, broke my heart, made me hopeful and set up the series quite nicely.

Straight up, Kasie West is a genius. I mean, hardcore genius. This book was so chockfull of awesome. From the dictionary words at the beginning of each chapter distinguishing the Norm World from the Paranormal World, to the tiniest of details used to connect both worlds in some way, to the amazing characters, West created what I would classify as a masterpiece. It was entertaining and thought provoking and had a great love story that made you want more. To be honest I am usually annoyed when I get sucked into another series, but I just can’t be with this one. Pivot Point was written in such a way that it actually demands a series be made out of it. So bravo to you Ms. West for not only creating this epically awesome book, but for making me excited there will be more. Even if you think paranormal isn’t your thing, trust me on this, Pivot Point will convert you it is that good. ...more

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Mar 21, 2013 Elizabeth rated it really liked it

Addison Coleman lives in a paranormal compound (aptly named the Compound) separate from normal people. She and the rest of the inhabitants have various psychic powers and access to much more advanced technologies than the norm world. Her ability makes her able to see the outcomes and futures of decisions she will make. Her life is thrown into turmoil when her parents get a divorce. Her mother will stay in the Compound, but her father will move to the norm world. She has to decide who she lives w Addison Coleman lives in a paranormal compound (aptly named the Compound) separate from normal people. She and the rest of the inhabitants have various psychic powers and access to much more advanced technologies than the norm world. Her ability makes her able to see the outcomes and futures of decisions she will make. Her life is thrown into turmoil when her parents get a divorce. Her mother will stay in the Compound, but her father will move to the norm world. She has to decide who she lives with, so she Searches both decisions 6 weeks into the future to see which one will have the best outcome. When she knows the truth, what will she choose?

Pivot Point follows a linear story until Addison's Search for the two potential futures. Then, the chapters alternate from the reality where she chooses to live with her father and the reality where she chooses to live with her mother. Each chapter is headed with the definition of a word with "para" in it for the setting in the paranormal world or a word with "norm" in it for the normal world. I really liked this and it helped keep me on track in the beginning while getting used to the jumps back and forth. In both realities, there are fixed events that change slightly but happen all the same even if Addison isn't there. Both stories are effected by the murders of young girls going on in the Compound and the football team at the Compound high school using their powers for more than just winning games. Both stories are interesting, but I personally liked the norm world story line better and I hoped Addison would choose it. Pivot Point's concept had me intrigued, but I was interested to see how the plot would be handled after the two paths finished, which is where it lost me a little bit.

A few things irked me about the book. I am so unbelievably tired of love triangles. This one works better than most, but one of the love interests has to be thrown under the proverbial bus to make the choice clear for the heroine, just like in the Hunger Games series. Why did both have to have a romance? I just think it was unnecessary. I also didn't like the assumption that once she saw what would happen, Addison wouldn't be able to change anything. She made it sound like our decisions are so small that it wouldn't change the ultimate outcome. I completely disagree. I think the author just addressed this to make the story less complicated than it should be by eliminating the impact of changing smaller choices within the outcome of the big choice.

Overall, I enjoyed Pivot Point, but I didn't love it. The writing was engaging and fluid, making me finish it in a few days despite not having much time to read. I really liked some characters, but others bothered me. I didn't see the ending coming, which is wonderful since YA books can be so predictable. I would definitely read more from Kasie West. ...more

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Jan 02, 2013 Bonnie (A Backwards Story) added it

Shelves: 2013

It's harder and harder to find a unique concept nowadays, because so much has been done. Whenever one is discovered, it's like a breath of fresh air. Kasie West's debut novel, PIVOT POINT, outwardly seems traditional, but is full of innovative ideas. West's voice is full of humor, resulting in witty dialogue and an easy-to-read narrative. There's enough mystery and intrigue to keep readers guessing all the way up until the very end, too.

West surely sat back and wondered what would happen if, ins It's harder and harder to find a unique concept nowadays, because so much has been done. Whenever one is discovered, it's like a breath of fresh air. Kasie West's debut novel, PIVOT POINT, outwardly seems traditional, but is full of innovative ideas. West's voice is full of humor, resulting in witty dialogue and an easy-to-read narrative. There's enough mystery and intrigue to keep readers guessing all the way up until the very end, too.

West surely sat back and wondered what would happen if, instead of clairvoyance, where one can see into the future, there was such a thing as divergence, where, when faced with a choice, one could see both outcomes and choose the right path to follow in life. Who wouldn't want to be able to save themselves from heartbreak or danger in this fashion? West used this thought process when creating PIVOT POINT, which centers around a girl named Addie who lives in the Compound, a secret society of sorts where everyone has Paranormal mind abilities. Hers is divergence. The Norm world, where we live, is, well, normal. The Norms no longer believe Paranormals exist because of events in the past (such as the fact that World War I was actually started by a Paranormal) that led to their persecution. One day, Addie comes home from school only to be told that her parents are getting divorced. She must now decide who to live with through her gift of divergence, but neither path is as flawless as she would like. Will Addie choose the path that makes her happier, or the one that will make her miserable, but keep everything in balance?

When I first started reading PIVOT POINT, I had to decide how to handle the chapters. One chapter is told from Addie's life with her mother, followed by a chapter with her father. The two are easy to tell apart because West features a definition atop each chapter that has a word with PARA or NORM in it. I was afraid I'd have trouble telling the two stories apart, and almost read in alternating chapters. I'm glad I didn't, though, because there are hints dropped in both chapters about seeing things from the other side, and reading them back to back through the same timeline makes things stand out in a way a reader may forget by skipping around.

For some reason, I was under the misconception that PIVOT POINT wasn't a series, but a stand-alone. I was wrong. The book doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but absolutely leaves readers intrigued for more based on the decision Addie ultimately makes and the way it changes her life. The way Addie makes her choice is something I would never want to face myself. Her decision is difficult, because there are pros and cons about both lifestyles that will change everything. If you're looking for something intriguing, witty, fast-paced, and unique, PIVOT POINT is definitely a book for you! ...more

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Aug 08, 2012 Bailey (IB Book Blogging) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, harperteen

PIVOT POINT has it all: a charming heroine, hot boys, a fun best friend, and a plot that keeps readers guessing. West is a rising star among the YA genre who is sure to make it big with PIVOT POINT. While the ending will leave readers wanting much more, it leaves off at the perfect point. This is such a fantastic book that I already have a finished copy preordered for my favorite book collection. Don't let yourself miss out on PIVOT POINT.

Addie's ability to Search out different routes in her fut PIVOT POINT has it all: a charming heroine, hot boys, a fun best friend, and a plot that keeps readers guessing. West is a rising star among the YA genre who is sure to make it big with PIVOT POINT. While the ending will leave readers wanting much more, it leaves off at the perfect point. This is such a fantastic book that I already have a finished copy preordered for my favorite book collection. Don't let yourself miss out on PIVOT POINT.

Addie's ability to Search out different routes in her future makes me very envious. If only I could be able to see what the future holds in store for me and decide which path leads to a better life. On the other hand, knowing what happened in the other reality would be very confusing and hard to come to terms with. Thank goodness for Addie that she has her best friend Laila (whose name I adore), who can Erase memories if needed.

Addie's strength makes me want to be more like her. I'm not sure how she could be so selfless in the end and decide to do what she did. I admire her loyalty to those she loves. And Trevor. Holy Trevor. He has got to be added to my book boyfriend list. He is the perfect combination of real life boy with a little added yumminess to make him unique among the many, many swoon-worthy guys of YA. If only I could have my very own Trevor!

While it may seem like it would be a bit confusing going back and forth between different realities each chapter, West does it with such an ease that you have to wonder if she herself has the ability to Search. ;) It was really interesting to pinpoint similarities in each that somehow weave the events together. Both choices have their negatives as well as some very nice positives that make it very difficult for Addie to choose which one to go with. In the end, it's her huge heart that decides it for her. I'm very hopeful for the next book!

2013 is shaping up to be a really awesome year in the YA genre if PIVOT POINT is any indication. I am eagerly awaiting more from West and her characters in PIVOT POINT! ...more

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Feb 20, 2013 Amy at bookgoonie rated it really liked it

Shelves: own, ya, ebook, read-a-long, paranormal, 2013-read, sports

I am so glad I joined the #BookBFFs in their read of PIVOT POINT. Reading with friends always makes the experience better and without them I might have let this book sit too long.

Addie is totally blindsided by her parents declaration of divorce. And as much as every kid wish they had a choice in which parent to live with, you can’t imagine how it feels for your parents to tell you to search your future for which is best. OMG! Her parents must really respect her as a person to let her make her ow ...more

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Mar 30, 2013 Alexa (Once Upon a Chapter) rated it it was amazing

This review was originally posted at Pages of Forbidden Love

My Thoughts:
I know over the past few months that this book has been reviewed by some of my favorite bloggers and each and every one of them loved this book. At first glance I wasn’t sure I was going to like it and I put it off as a book I was probably never going to read. Then a Goodreads group I’m part of decided this book would be the book of the month and so I decided to get a copy from the library and try it out. Worst case scenari This review was originally posted at Pages of Forbidden Love

My Thoughts:
I know over the past few months that this book has been reviewed by some of my favorite bloggers and each and every one of them loved this book. At first glance I wasn’t sure I was going to like it and I put it off as a book I was probably never going to read. Then a Goodreads group I’m part of decided this book would be the book of the month and so I decided to get a copy from the library and try it out. Worst case scenario I would read a little bit and not like it and put it down…

What on earth was I thinking doubting all of the raving reviews on this book! I started this book late one night when I should have gone to bed and found myself glued to the story for the next 100 pages and only talked myself into going to sleep and continuing the story the next morning by sheer force of will! I was instantly drawn into needing to know more about Addie and her gift. Plus I wanted to see what was going to happen in each of her paths. What was going to happen if she went with her Dad or stayed with her Mom, I NEEDED to know what was going to happen. So I basically kept flipping page after page like a crazed person in order to find out. What I found was a great girl with a unique gift that I needed to know more about and there were so many quotes in this book I love because they remind me of inside jokes I have with people. Plus the author brought up the movie The Parent Trap which I love, it is my favorite movie!

Along the way I also found an amazing guy named Trevor who I loved from the beginning and just fell more and more in love with as the story went on. This is truly how authors should do romance! I liked that Trevor and Addie fell for each other slowly and I don’t think they ever called it love! *Runs around jumping and screaming that this is amazing and I love it so much that some authors can trust teens to fall in love slowly!* I remember there were some chapters with him that I was so enthralled with, Trever certainly stole my heart before the end of the book.

“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.”

Overall, this book was so much more than what I expected. I loved that the author had this idea that the whole book would be about the two paths and it was so interesting to see two lives of one girl unfold and then watch her have to make a choice. I swear it was just a rush and you need to read it for yourself because once you start there is no going back with this one.

“Thank you seems like too little…or maybe too much, since he couldn’t possibly understand how much I needed to hear what he just said. How much I needed to know that even without my ability, I am someone worth knowing. That every little and ridiculous quality I exhibit makes me who I am.”

5/5 ...more

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Jul 03, 2013 Terri rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, young-adult, science-fiction, contemporary, library

Addison’s ability is called “Divergence,” which I didn’t like. I realize that Veronica Roth doesn’t have a monopoly on the word “Divergent” but I wish that West had found a different word to communicate this distinct plot point.

At first, the alternating “paths” each chapter really threw me. It was especially bad if I put the book down and came back, and couldn’t remember which “path” I was returning to first. I still think labeling them “Compound Path” and “Norm Path” would’ve been helpful. As I Addison’s ability is called “Divergence,” which I didn’t like. I realize that Veronica Roth doesn’t have a monopoly on the word “Divergent” but I wish that West had found a different word to communicate this distinct plot point.

At first, the alternating “paths” each chapter really threw me. It was especially bad if I put the book down and came back, and couldn’t remember which “path” I was returning to first. I still think labeling them “Compound Path” and “Norm Path” would’ve been helpful. As I got more into the story though, it stopped bothering me as long as I was careful to determine which path I was in before starting the chapter (if it wasn’t obvious, and it usually was). The story was paced really well, with whatever events or information being revealed in each chapter back to back. Since you’re getting different versions of information in each “path,” the reader has a better idea of what’s really going on than Addie does.

That said…

As far as predictability goes, there were several elements that were pretty obvious. About halfway through the novel, I guessed what would happen although I did NOT guess the character roles exactly right, which was a pleasant surprise. (Kasie West, you sneaky author! That red herring character totally had me. I was 100% fooled.) (view spoiler)

What I liked about Pivot Point is that right up until the end, I wasn’t sure how I felt or what I wanted to happen. In most books, you’ll think okay, the character is trying to do *this* and *this* is how I want that to happen. Pivot Point kept me indecisive until the end! Which future did I want her to pick? Would she pick her familiar life in the Compound, surrounded by other kids with talents, where she was being pursued by a charming football player who seems to be defying all the jerkwad stereotypes? Or would she choose the “Norm” world, where she’s woefully out of touch and having to make new friends, getting along with Trevor, an artistic guy who seems to like her and want to be her friend? Reading the synopsis, the football love interest (Duke) isn’t even named. You think that the Duke path will be the one that she obviously does not choose because he’ll probably turn out to be a stereotypical YA jerk. But things happen that you’re not expecting, and neither of the characters are the sum of their stereotypes. It also doesn’t read as a “real” love triangle because by the end of the book, there is a clear choice, a clear preference, and a clear idea of which of the guys is a jerkwad and which one makes us (me) swoony.

Pivot Point really surprised me, and I can’t BELIEVE I waited so long to read it! When it was over, I was ALL CAPS EXCITED. Actually, I’m still pretty intensely excited about it, so much that I demanded my BFF read it and now she too is all jumpy and anxious for book 2. MWAHAHAHAHA lova ya Susie. ;)

ALSO: Can I just give Kasie West some bonus points for redeeming the name “Trevor”? Sure, my first thought will still be “Neville Longbottom’s oppressed pet toad” but my SECOND thought will be “Pivot Point!” and that’s pretty awesome. ...more

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Sep 19, 2013 Becca ♡ PrettyLittleMemoirs rated it it was amazing

Addie Coleman isn't a ordinary teenager, and those around her aren't quite "regular" either. She is a Searcher, which means that she can see the both conclusions of a choice she wants to make, and can choose whichever outlook is better suited to that choice. So when her parents spring on her that they're getting a divorce, Addie knows her gift will truly be an asset.
The choices Addie is faced with aren't quite so simple, as she thought. She can either move out of the Compound where she and the ...more

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