Split Second (Pivot Point #2)

What I Loved:

It's impossible to write a Kasie West review without exclaiming over how compulsively readable her books are. I raced through PIVOT POINT and found myself doing the same with SPLIT SECOND. There's something so natural about West's writing style that makes it seem like you're right there in the pages with the characters.

And the characters are one of the driving forces of the novel. With SPLIT SECOND, we have the addition of Laila's narrative. Usually, I'm not the biggest fan of multiple points-of-view, but I should not have worried with this book. Laila's narration is so different from Addie's. I was concerned that their voices would blend together, but I didn't even need to look at the chapter headings to know whose narration I was reading. Their voices leap off the page and though the two are best friends, they're very different from each other. Their differences really strengthen their relationship. I loved how even though Laila made a mistake and betrayed Addie, they work through it because they know they love each other.

The romance is certainly upped in this sequel. Trevor barely even knows Addie, so it was definitely a bit heartbreaking to see her remember what she's lost. Though I have to give mad props to Kasie West for making their relationship seem just as effortless and right as the first time around. Their connection is visceral. You know they belong together. But wait...there's more! Addie and Trevor aren't the only lovebirds in this story. I adored Laila and Connor's blossoming relationship. They have that perfect slow-burn going, where they start off annoying each other and then realize how much they actually care.

What Left Me Wanting More:
By reading the reviews already posted by YABC Editors, I found out that this was the last book in this series! I honestly thought there would be more. The Compound hasn't been fleshed out enough for me yet. I would really love to see greater exploration of how The Compound's actions have affected the world at large. SPLIT SECOND presented the reader with troubling insight into how The Compound operates and it could be very interesting to dive deeper into the consequences of such drastic decisions.


Final Verdict:
SPLIT SECOND is a fun, romantic sequel with excellent character development and heart-racing action.

What I Loved:
Split Second begins heavy on the dramatic irony. The reader is the only one who knows the truth of what happened in the other outcome of Addie’s search, and the reader desperately wants her to remember. Having watched Trevor and Addie fall in love slowly over the course of Pivot Point, they now no longer really know each other, and the reader is in an agony of need for them to just kiss already.

At first, I wasn’t thrilled about the addition of Laila’s POV to Split Second. Generally, I’m pretty heavily opposed to the addition of a perspective later in a series. In this case, though, it really worked. Getting to be in Laila’s head is a treat, because, as much as I love Addie, I think I like Laila even more. She’s so sassy and confident. Plus, by being in both heads, it’s even more obvious how much Laila and Addie really do care about one another. I friendship it, guys.

Another excellent element of Split Second is the depths of characterization given to bad guys from Pivot Point. Stephanie, who was Trevor’s mean girl ex-girlfriend in Pivot Point, is shown in an entirely different light in Split Second. It’s really nice to get her side of the story, and show that she wasn’t truly a terrible person. Similarly, Duke, while not exactly redeemed, gains in complexity, and becomes a bit less of the jerk he was before. I love how Kasie West added these elements of redemption.

Kasie West writes romance so perfectly. I ship both ships in this book SO hard. She has this brilliant way of putting so much tension into the relationships, even the shorter time spans offered by Split Second. Addie and Trevor still have so much in common and get along so well. Connor and Laila share a quick wit and are adorably snarky to one another. Plus, Kasie West’s kiss scenes. I can’t even. West manages to deliver cheesy lines in a totally non-cheesy way, and to make me believe them in a way I usually have trouble doing.

The plot is, minus some issues I’ll reference next, even better than Pivot Point‘s. Where Pivot Point hinged on that one search, Split Second follows Addie’s evolving abilities in time manipulation. She can now slow time down, an ability which proves very helpful in her attempts to discover family secrets and what happened in the alternate timeline she didn’t take. Since everything that happens in Split Second actually happens, it’s a bit more immediate and intense.

What Left Me Wanting More:
As a series conclusion, though, I’m less sold on Split Second. As a second book in a series, it’s brilliant, but I don’t feel like it’s closed the door on this world. However, from what I’ve heard, there will not be any more books in the Pivot Point series. An open-ended ending can be a good thing, but, in this case, it felt abrupt and the characters are left in rather tenuous circumstances. As Blythe (Finding Bliss in Books) said in our discussion, an epilogue to close out a bit of the future would really have tied everything together. There are just so many things on ability advancement that are raised but not really handled.

The Final Verdict:
It should really say a lot that my biggest problem with the series is that I wish there was more of it. I wholeheartedly love the characters and world Kasie West created in Pivot Point, and think that I actually enjoyed Split Second even more. These books are ideal for character-driven readers, and an excellent choice for contemporary readers looking for a safe gateway into other genres.

A HUGE thank you to Steph from Cuddlebuggery for sharing her ARC with me!

Split Second is the fast-paced, feel clutching, edge of your seat sequel to Pivot Point. It has an expertly crafted story, creative and interesting plot twists and well developed characters, all of whom made me literally laugh-out-loud at one point or another. (I may have even snorted water through my nose.) The romance is heart-achingly tender and the last line is made of perfection. PERFECTION!

It was kind of nice to read a story where, despite their abilities and the clash with the Norm world, these teens aren't staging some huge rebellion. (Maybe it's just me, but those stories tend to stress a body out sometimes.) Yes, Addie, Laila, Conner and even Duke are still challenging the system, but they're also acknowledging that real change doesn't happen all at once. They're also learning some important lessons about how to use their talents for good instead of evil. The characters who choose the Compound over the Norm world have their reasons, all of which are realistic and valid to the story and vice versa.

This sequel does not disappoint, but don't take my word for it, step into the box and Search it for yourself. ;)

Thank you Kasie West for another fantastic book, I will read anything you write!

Favorite Quote(s): "How does it feel to know that even though you have an advanced mind, the girl you love wants me?"

"Let's hope not, because we've packaged ourselves handily."

"If someone ends up hitting me by mistake, I will them clean and won't even care."

"Oh yeah, let me put on my girlfriend glasses and study them real close."

At this point in my reading career, I am utterly convinced that Kasie West writes books just for me. No one can dissuade me that she goes to her desk at the end of her day and says, "Now, what amazingly cute story can I write to make Steph Sinclair explode into a confetti parade of happiness?" The thing is, after reading a grand total of three of her books in one year, she has never failed me on this front. The humor is spot on, the characters are entirely lovable, and I know without a doubt when reading one of her books my feels are in good hands.

I was surprised to find that Split Second not only is told from Addie's point of view, but her best friend Laila's as well. This worried me because I obviously was going into this book looking for three things: Addie and Trevor, Trevor and Trevor. I had imaginary conversations with West about this (as one usually does with their favorite authors).

Me: Seriously, though, Laila is cool, but TREVOR.

West: I got your feels, yo.

Me: Yes, but...

West: Don't worry. The story will be so sweet, it'll melt your teeth down to their core.

Me: In that case, please be on the lookout for my dental bill.

I was initially concerned that I wouldn't like Laila's narration passages as much as Addie's, but it turns out I was just as as interested in hers because West evenly distributed plot twists and romance to both heroines. What I didn't expect was to find Laila's character so much more complex than I originally thought from Pivot Point. We get an opportunity to really understand her family life and why she tries to control everything. She's a very relatable character, though at times frustrating, particularly when it comes to her feels for Conner. By the way, prepare to swoon, guys, because Conner and Laila's chemistry does not disappoint. I couldn't decide what I wanted more: More scenes of Conner and Laila or Addie and Trevor. I swear I ran out of SHIPPING tape with these couples.

What I really love about Kasie's books are how effortlessly her dialogue comes. And this is where I once again tell you Kasie wrote this book JUST FOR ME. This is not your everyday "Hey, I'm trying to be funny, watch me make a joke" humor. For example, my husband would never get this book because he prefers his humor more lively and story-like. Split Second has an obvious, dry humor feel to it where the characters are hilarious without attempting to make a joke.

"How does it feel to know that even though you have an advanced mind, the girl you love wants me?"

Not only is it their dialogue, but it's their "too cool for school" mannerisms and ability to still maintain that AND make me laugh at the same time, that make this book so perfect. It's like watching The Road Runner running from Wile E. Coyote in the episode where it's possible he might actually get eaten this time. But you aren't really worried because he's The Road Runner, and then the next thing you know Wile is falling off a cliff.

I'm not even sure if that makes any sense, but Kasie's books just send me to my ultimate happy place. What more can a reader ask for? Oh yeah! Swoony characters. Split Second does not disappoint in that department. I actually was a little shocked at how much I had forgotten from Pivot Point. Not the important details, but the minor ones. However, that turned out to be a moot point since Addie also doesn't remember what happened. It's a little genius when you think about it because enough of the story is recapped for you to fall in love with Trevor and Addie again, but at the same time, not too much to annoy someone who has decided to marathon the series. So when we I ran into Trevor being his oh-so-adorbs self doing things like this, swooning was not a problem. Trust me.

"So then I can probably do this." Ever so slowly he brought his lips to mine. Even though I saw it coming, it still took my breath away when our lips touched.

Of course, the critic in me can't shut up to save her life, so I do have a few things I wanted more of.

- I would have loved to see more of a resolution with Laila and her family. What happens to her brother and father?

- I'm unsure how I feel about The Compound issue. On one hand, I love how Addie is just a normal girl, solving only problems she is able to solve. She's no Mary Sue with a boat load of powers, ready to conquer any and everything. There's only one other YA novel I read this year that did that (Dualed by Elsie Chapman) and it's refreshing. But on the other hand, something's got to give. I can't believe that things will go on and The Compound will do whatever without consequences. Even though Split Second is the final book in this series, it just doesn't feel finished to me. Of course, this could be just my way of pleading to the universe for Kasie West to write another Pivot Point novel.

- I'd like to know more about Addie's powers.

Overall, Split Second is a solid follow-up to Pivot Point. It's fresh, fun and addictive. I'd recommend it in a heartbeat to anyone simply looking for a fun read. Plus, any book that gives me the following feels is okay in my book. Thanks for the cavities, Kasie!

**squishy bookish feels**

*ARC was provided by the publisher (thanks, Harper!) and despite me giving favorable reviews to all of Kasie West's books so far, no one has paid me for my services. Such is my life, alas.