Review: Pivot Point

Pivot Point by Kasie West
Publication Date: February 12th, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: YA Paranormal

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.

I don't know why, but I pre ordered this book 3 months before it came out, and I am so glad I did. Pivot Point glues you to it's pages, and I finished it in one night.

The book starts out very quickly. Addie comes home from her supernatural school to hear the news that her parents are getting a divorce. Her mom is staying in the Compound, while her dad is moving to the normal world. Addie has to pick who to live with.

She calls her best friend over and, to help decide, uses her powers as a searcher to see both paths in the future. There is no dragging whatsoever in the beginning. You get a quick introduction, and then into the action. Just the way that keeps the audience interested in the book.

One path, the one with her dad outside the compound, shows Addie adjusting to "normal" high school. She finds friends, one of which, Trevor, could be more of a friend. Addie learns valuable lessons about life outside her supernatural community.

When with her mom, Addie hangs out with her best friend and a famous school football player, Duke. The paths intertwine, in each you'll earn unique information about a mystery. Another enjoyable aspect in the book. Each path also has it's consequences and perks. Very true to real life.

Addie is a very relatable heroine. She is nice, realistic, and unique. I especially think book lovers will love and understand her. Her best friend, Laila, is a pretty cool character too. She is funny and supportive, although in some ways she is very alike other best friends in YA.

The whole Compound idea is very interesting and fun to read about, each person has a power or ability. There are so many cool ideas the author throws into the book, human lie detectors, telekinetics, perceptives, mood controllers, and more. And the world created seems like a regular teens world, with the normal drama, only with a supernatural twist!

Overall, I would recommend this to all supernatural lovers. The characters were deep and the plot and writing was addictive. Pivot Point is a great read!

5/5 Stars
I can't wait to read Kasie West's next novel, The Distance Between Us!

Feature and Follow Friday

Today's Question Is... 

What is a book you didn't like that everybody raved about or what book did you love that wasn't popular?

Books I didn't love: Well, one is The Summer I Turned Pretty. I mean, it was good, but not great. Please don't hate me for saying that! Also, I just couldn't get into the Book Thief, or Born Wicked. Sorry, sorry, sorry!

Books I did: No one seemed to like A Beautiful Dark. I, however, enjoyed it. Just a little of paranormal fun with a good message. No mind blowing writing. But then again I didn't expect anything more.

I also loved Of Poseidon, which got pretty bad reviews on Goodreads. Another book is Half blood. A lot of people called it a copycat (maybe it is, I haven't read Vampire Academy yet) , and complained about the main character being whiny. I loved the main character! And I devoured it in one sitting.

Link me up to your posts! I will always follow for a follow!

Review: Justice- Deck of Lies Book One

Goodreads Description: A House of Cards...

When you build an entire life on a foundation of lies, it only takes one truth for the whole thing to come crashing down. I never invited the truth in. I never went searching for it. I never had any reason to suspect that the two people I loved most were dishonest with me every second of every day. 

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I made one bad decision, and in a single day my entire world changed. If I'm ever going to discover the truth about myself and my parents, I have to trace all the lies back to their source. I have to try to find the truth that they're hiding. 

The more I discover about myself, and my past, the more I realize that lies really are better than the truth. But now that I know the lies are all around me, I can't stop until I've discovered them all. I'll pull each lie away, one by one, and examine it to see what's underneath…until this house of cards crumbles into dust at my feet. 

I just hope I can survive the crash.

Wow, this book was very enjoyable. It kept me hooked, and the story didn't seem too rushed for only 146 pages. This fairly addictive, well written novel is a must read for people looking for something fresh, quick, and mysterious.

The description is not very elaborate, which is, as it turned out, a very good thing. I haven't been this surprised only 20 or so pages into the book for a while! Because of this, however, it makes it a little difficult to write this review, so if I am vague, it is just so I don't spoil anything. And it would be a shame to spoil this twisty plot!

So, Justice starts out with Rain Ramey attending her first day at ultra fancy Sloane Academy. Almost nobody is very nice for her. She has made enemies of two very popular girls, already. It doesn't help that she isn't rich. By this point I was getting a feeling in the pit of my stomach. It was good writing and characters, but the ideas just didn't seem that original, and I was kind of thinking this was a lost cause. Where could it go without just blatantly copy another plot?

But then, Rain gets in trouble with the police, after being framed by aforementioned popular girl, Carsyn. They take Rains fingerprint and analyze it. All of the sudden, her parents are in handcuffs and she is let off easy. What happened? Well, I can't tell you anything beside that! No spoilers!

The rest of the book was amazing. Pages 18 to 146 were very addicting. Filled with unique characters, and mysteries. The whole time I was questioning everyone and everything. There are definitely some lies, mysteries, and things I doubted or felt like something wasn't right! I can't wait to find out in the next book!

Rain is an awesome protagonist to root for. She has a nice voice, is realistic, and relatable. Sometimes I felt like she could be stronger though. I hope we see character growth throughout the series. River was another one of my favorite characters. He is sweet and unique, but has his own mystery behind him, actually a couple. I love how he was there for Rain whenever she needed him, though.

Carsyn, the mean, popular gurl, was very er... The word I am looking for is hateable. Although her parents are partly to blame probably. They barely deserve to be called parents. I wasn't sure about some of the characters. Owen, a boy at Sloane Academy seemed a little off to me. Is he bad or good? I know I don't trust him. Plus, he goes out with Carsyn.

Overall, I recommend this book highly. The plot is wonderful and the characters are amazing. I am addicted to the mystery and lies!

4/5 bookcases

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a awesome meme hosted at the Breaking the Spine!
This Week I am Waiting On...
You look Different in Real Life by Jennifer Castle

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Goodreads Description: The premise was simple: five kids, just living their lives. There’d be a new movie about them every five years, starting in kindergarten. But no one could have predicted what the cameras would capture. And no one could have predicted that Justine would be the star. Now sixteen, Justine doesn’t feel like a star anymore. In fact, when she hears the crew has gotten the green light to film "Five at Sixteen," all she feels is dread. The kids who shared the same table in kindergarten have become teenagers who hardly know one another. And Justine, who was so funny and edgy in the first two movies, just feels like a disappointment. But these teens have a bond that goes deeper than what’s on film. They’ve all shared the painful details of their lives with countless viewers. They all know how it feels to have fans as well as friends. So when this latest movie gives them the chance to reunite, Justine and her costars are going to take it. Because sometimes, the only way to see yourself is through someone else’s eyes.

Smart, fresh, and frequently funny, “You Look Different in Real Life” is a piercing novel about life in an age where the lines between what’s personal and what’s public aren’t always clear.

Doesn't this sound unique? And such a pretty cover. What are you waiting on this week? Link me up!

It's Monday! What are you Reading?

      It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted, for the YA version, at Teach Mentor Texts and originated at Book Journey. This meme shows what you are reading, what you plan to read, and what you read the last week!

Review: Masque of the Red Death

Goodreads Synopsis: Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population, and those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery makeup . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club--in the depths of her own despair--Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club, and Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find not just something to live for, but something to fight for--no matter what it costs her.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed Masque of the Red Death. I admit that I mostly bought this book for it's cover, and wasn't at all impressed by the synopsis. However, the writing, story, and narration were fantastic. I am eagerly anticipating the second book.

The main character, Araby, is a believable and refreshing character. She has a story behind her, and one to come. Her voice develops the story to a beautiful novel. There is a fine line between a tragic, realistic, raw narration and a plain irritatingly broody and whiny one. Thankfully, Araby, and all the characters in the story, are the first. I hope in the second book the author keeps the lines just as clear.

The disease was very interesting, unlike what I first though. It is not just another illness and cure story. There is more than that! Ohhh! I get excited just thinking about the plot in this book! It twisted and amazed me throughout the entire story! Bethany Griffins imagination is incredible.

Sometimes I thought things seemed a bit rushed a the end. It kind of took a quick turn and then ended. Needless to say, I wasn't the biggest fan if the end. However, it did make me immediately add the next book, Dance of the Red Death, to my to-read list on goodreads.

As of the love interests, Will and Elliot, I am not sure which team I am, they both have these major faults... But are still amazingly written and I liked them anyway. April, Araby's friend, is another broken character done well. She is maddeningly realistic. She hides behind a pretty dress. But she is still very strong.

Overall, I would recommend this to fans of imaginative, beautiful writing. Griffin keeps you on the edge of your seat in this gripping tale!

4/5 bookcases

P.S It is a little depressing and dark, but in a well written way, that has you glued to the pages. It adds to this book's charm, unlike other books I have read. Masque of the Red Death is a treasure of a book. 

Stacking the Shelves

This is my first Stacking the Shelves post,  hosted by Tynga's Reviews

Well, I got a lot of books this week, and some are kinda fluffy, but I am going to Mexico over Spring Break and need some good books to read on the beach!!!

Purchased

• Saving Francesca
• Graffiti Moon
• Decked with Holly
• Awkward
• Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress
• How to Hook a Hottie
• Dante's Girl
• Audrey, Wait!
• In Your Room
• Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality
• Just One Day
• Bloodlines

Review: Scarlet

Goodreads Description: Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

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Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Oh, why on Earth (and Luna) do I have to wait so long for the next book? Cress, the third book, comes out in 2014! I am going to die!

I loved Scarlet even more than Cinder. The characters are amazing, the plot thickens, and you receive the same witty dialogue you had in the first book. Marissa Meyer is a genius! This book leaves nothing to be desired (except for a third book in your hands, ready to read.)

The book starts off with scarlet meeting wolf, and learning from her father that her grandmere is held captive by tattooed torturers. I really liked scarlet and wolf. A lot more than I thought I would, actually. Scarlet is smart, sassy, and has a temper. Wolf is, well, mysterious and kind, with some secrets of his own that have you questioning his motives.

In the beginning, Cinder is escaping prison with the help of another criminal, Thorne. I do love cinders story. Scarlet just expands on her lunar abilities and role of playing princess Selene. Thorne, a new character, is quite enjoyable to. Some people say he will take part in a love triangle between, him, the prince, and Cinder. I am not so sure though, in this book he seems interested in other girls, and the prince and Cinder still have a attraction to each other they deny. I wish we got to see more of the Prince Kai, even though we got some chapters narrated by him.

The sci fi world in The Lunar Chronicles is totally awesome and astounding. Cyborgs, Space Ships, ID chips, and more punctuate the story and create a vivid, unforgettable setting. I do love the covers to these books, they fit the book perfectly. I hope they come out with a cover for cress soon! The dialogue in Scarlet is realistic and fits with each characters personality, and with the Sci fi setting.

Overall, I would recommend this to any and all fans of Cinder. The story is an amazing, action packed adventure, with characters you will never forget.

5/5 bookcases

P.S Am I the only one who wishes someone will tell Prince Kai about the true identity of  Princess Selene?