Review: Pivot Point by Kasie West

Pivot Point
Series: Pivot Point #1
Author: Kasie West

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)


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.

MY THOUGHTS

Pivot Point is the first book in the Pivot Point series by author Kasie West.

When I first saw the cover for this book, it sparked an interest in my mind.  I love that cover and I applaud the cover artist for it.  Then I read the summary and I was definitely interested in reading about Addison.  Then I read the book and can honestly say that I loved it.  I loved the theme, suspense, plot, and characters so much more than I though I would.

Since Addie can see into the future and see which decision she makes will have the outcome she wants.  She is called a Searcher and the name fits the power.  She has to search the outcomes to see which one would be best.  When her parents divorce, she sees one future with her living with her father and one future where she is living with her mother.  In both futures there are love interests and her best friend.  There is also mystery and suspense in each as well.

With each chapter alternating between both outcomes, we get to see the decisions that Addie is going to be forced to make in each one.  The author did a wonderful job of balancing the dialogue and narration without over doing it on either.  The characters were enjoyable and I found myself telling my family 'just one more chapter' before doing something for them.

If you are looking for a fresh and new paranormal read in the young adult genre, then Pivot Point should be your starting point.  I can't wait to see what the author is going to bring us for the second book in the series!

MY RATING

Outstanding book that will stay on my bookshelf for rereading!

AUTHOR WEBSITE / GOODREADS / AMAZON

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Something Strange and Deadly
Series: Something Strange and Deadly #1
Author: Susan Dennard
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Source: Amazon Vine
ISBN: 9780062083265

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)


The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance.

MY THOUGHTS

I think I am one of the last people to read this book.  I think I kept putting it off because of all the mixed reviews I have read about it. Now after finishing it, I am left scratching my head trying to figure out how to rate it or even make some sort of sense in this.

I did like the book.  It had action, details, and of course paranormal with steam punk thrown in.  It kept me interested enough that I didn't feel the need to step away from it for long periods of time.  It even had the perfect balance of dialogue and narration.  With that being said, I still don't know what it was that is keeping me from rating this higher on the scale.  I think it is mainly because it just didn't wow me as much as I was hoping since there are so many paranormal young adult books out there that did.  The cover was so amazing to me that it built the book up in my mind to blow my socks off.  This is another con of judging a book by its cover.  I think the steam punk is the main factor though.  For some reason I just can't get into this type of setting for my book reads.

I am sure readers of this genre and style are more than likely loving this book, but for readers who don't usually read steam punk/historical/paranormal thrown into one story should go into it not expecting to be wowed at first.

MY RATING

Okay book, but it left me wanting more!

BUY FROM AMAZON

Dark Days Author Reveal #3

Today is the day that I have been dying to share! It is my turn in the Dark Days of Winter 2013 Tour! *WOOT WOOT!*

This tour has been veiled in secrecy and we weren't allowed to tell anyone until a certain day which author was paired with what blog.

Today is my day for the reveal! I am super excited to share who my author is. I stalk her website all the time because I am stalkerish you would say when it comes to fabulous authors!

Without further rambling from me, here is my author for Dark Days 2013!

It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?
In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.

AUTHOR WEBSITE / GOODREADS  

Follow the tour to see what other authors are 

participating and which bloggers are hosting them!

TODAY!

 http://www.memyshelfandi.com 

is shedding some light on another Dark Days author. 

TOMORROW! 

The reveals continue at 

http://www.emilysreadingroom.com 

& 

http://ya-sisterhood.blogspot.com!

And to keep up with all of the reveals:
http://www.pitchdark.com/blog/the-dark-days-are-back/

Team Human by Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan

Team Human
Author(s): Justine Larbalestier & Sarah Rees Brennan
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal
Source: Amazon Vine
ISBN: 9780062089649

SUMMARY
(From Goodreads)


Just because Mel lives in New Whitby, a city founded by vampires, doesn't mean she knows any of the blood-drinking undead personally. They stay in their part of town; she stays in hers. Until the day a vampire shows up at her high school. Worse yet, her best friend, Cathy, seems to be falling in love with him. It's up to Mel to save Cathy from a mistake she might regret for all eternity

On top of trying to help Cathy (whether she wants it or not), Mel is investigating a mysterious disappearance for another friend and discovering the attractions of a certain vampire wannabe. Combine all this with a cranky vampire cop, a number of unlikely romantic entanglements, and the occasional zombie, and soon Mel is hip-deep in an adventure that is equal parts hilarious and touching.

MY THOUGHTS

How do you write a review on a book that is so different that what you were expecting?  When I first saw the cover of this book, I thought I would be reading about a group of teens and adventure.  Then I read the back of the book and thought that it might be a lighter than the normal drama and angst with some adventure still.  Then when I started reading the book I found it was so much different than what I thought.

This book actually had me laughing out loud at times.  I loved the humor that the authors injected in the paranormal world created. With all of the paranormal books that are out there, it is refreshing to read something that pokes fun at it sometimes. What I loved is how this book is written to be one that you don't take to heart.  I also loved the witty and comical dialogue of the characters.

If you are looking for a read that will lift your spirits and revive your interest in vampires and such, then I recommend getting a good laugh from this book.  It pokes fun at things, keeps you smiling, and gives you just a feel good feeling when you are in a funk from paranormal overload.

MY RATING

Very Good! I would recommend this book!

BUY FROM AMAZON

*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*