Pivot Point by Kasie West Review

Pivot Point by Kasie West
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Years ago I saw a Sundance Film Festival entry starring Gwyneth Paltrow called SLIDING DOORS. The premise of the story hinged on whether or not the main character missed or caught her train. Two stories played out before the audience, occasionally intersecting but giving the divergence caused by the one act of missing or catching a train. I was smitten by the entire movie. The result was that some of the life played out in both versions but they both ended differently.

So this book is similar in that regard except that Addison has a paranormal gift and lives in a compound with other Gifteds. Her parents are divorcing and her choice is to stay with her mother in the Compound or live among Normals with her father and keep secrets. With a best friend and a developing relationship with a hottie, the answer seems simple. Except Addison's gift is that she can Search her divergent paths.

With humor, excellent dialogue, character development, and enough detail to satsisfy the reader, Addison alternates chapters of both lives for the following six weeks. There were moments I forgot she was Searching because of the storytelling. I also had absolutely no idea who was diabolical or which path she'd choose right up until the end. One small spoiler is that there is romance on both ends of her choice. Different boys from different worlds, obviously. One I liked better than the other but both had their moments of sway. it depended on your point of view.

Meanwhile, there is a crime unsolved that her father is consulting on. Who is killing the teenage girls in the compound? Both stories provide clues and the answer may influence Addie's choice.

I have already ranted about character development, story telling, plot. Additionally, both points of view are so convincing, the choice is even difficult for the reader. The characters are multi-dimensional, making them that much more believable.

Ranting and Ravings: It's clean! I will recommend it to my own daughters. One Search of a choice gives Addie a version where she is assaulted by a boy from school but she comes out of it unscathed but deeply disturbed by his character. I don't recall swearing but there could have been farm words. No sex. Some kissing. Clean dialogue.

It's a winner.

View all my reviews I received a free copy of this book from publishing company in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.