Review – Split Second (Pivot Point, Book 2) by Kasie West (5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Science Fiction
Size: 368 pages
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 11, 2014
ISBN-13: 978-0062117380
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd book in the Pivot Point series
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5 stars

This is the second and final book in the Pivot Point series (at least I think it is). This was just as engrossing and fast-paced as Pivot Point was, I could not put it down.

There are spoilers ahead from the first book, so just a warning in case you haven’t read Pivot Point yet.

Addie chose the future in which her best friend didn’t die; but she has had her memory of that other path erased. She is miserable. She chose a path in which her best friend betrayed her and her boyfriend used her. She can only have faith in herself that the other path would have been worse. On top of all this her ability is acting up and she can suddenly slow time…for a cost. Then her dad offers to have her visit over winter break and Addie jumps at the opportunity to leave all her troubles at the Compound behind. Then she meets Trevor on the Outside and seems drawn to him, she can’t quite remember why though. Meanwhile Addie’s best friend Laila has figured out how to restore memories and is desperate to restore Addie’s for her so that she can remember Trevor.

This book was absolutely engrossing and engaging, just like the first book in this series. I absolutely could not put this book down, I just breezed right through it. The book alternates between Addie’s POV and Laila’s POV. West did an excellent job of giving the two girls very distinct voices. I never was confused about whose POV I was reading from.

Addie is struggling a lot in this book. She knows her dad is keeping secrets from her and is drawn to Trevor but can’t figure out why. She ends up making friends with Stephanie (Trevor’s ex) which makes her struggle with her feelings towards Trevor all the more awkward. Not to mention the Compound’s agents seem convinced that Addie is a danger to herself and others. Add to all of that the fact that Addie can now slow time and she has a lot to sort through in this book.

It was interesting to hear from Laila in this book. Laila has a lot of issues at home, her dad is addicted to suppressors and her brother is struggling with his lack of any special abilities. Laila turns to bad-boy Connor in a desperate attempt to figure out how to restore memories. The chemistry between Laila and Connor is well done. They have this very snarky and sarcastic relationship that is funny to read about but also full of excellent tension.

There isn’t as much plot to this book as Pivot Point. Basically Addie is trying to figure out some secrets around her family and dodge the Compound’s agents. Addie is also trying to make a choice about which life is better for her…life inside or life outside the Compound.

Things are tied up nicely. The whole book is very well written, incredibly engaging and hard to put down, and very fast-paced.

Overall this book was just as engaging and wonderful as Pivot Point, I really enjoyed it. There are some very cool ideas in here, some great mystery, and some sweet romance. Both this book and Pivot Point are highly recommended to everyone, especially fans of paranormal/sci-fi books.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Series Reading Challenge
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge