Author: Kristina McBride
Publication Date: May 25, 2010
Genre: YA Realistic Fiction
Copy provided by: Traveling ARC Tours
Summary (via Goodreads):It’s been two years since Noelle disappeared. Two years since her bike was discovered, sprawled on a sidewalk. Two years of silence, of worry, of fear.
For those two long years, her best friend Tessa has waited, living her own life in a state of suspended animation. Because how can she allow herself to enjoy a normal high school life if Noelle can’t? How dare she have other friends, go to dances, date boys, without knowing what happened to the girl she thought she would share everything with?
And then one day, someone calls Noelle’s house. She’s alive.
A haunting psychological thriller taken straight from the headlines, The Tension of Opposites is a striking debut that explores the emotional aftermath of a kidnapping on the victim, and on the people she left behind.
Why I read this: Sara from The Hiding Spot raved about how great this book was, so I had to check it out.
Plot: A very eye-opening look at what happens after trauma - a girl kidnapped and raped for years is found and returns home. Her best friends must deal with having her friend back, but as an almost entirely different person. I loved the struggle between moving on and trying to get back her friend's lost years. Definitely a moving story.
Characters: Tessa is quite the friend - driving away any other friends while her friend was missing. But as Noelle warms up to her again, Tressa seems only concerned with her friend's happiness and not her own.
Tessa's love interest is quite the major hottie. Also, he's quite a realistic character, as he sees that Tessa only cares about her friendship with Noelle when she returns, including when they are together. He shows Tessa that she can't just push her own feelings and life away any time Noelle needs her.
Relatability: I can relate a little to Tessa. I was a bit of a loner in high school for a while and know how that feels. There's definitely a lot the reader can relate to - changing friendship, romance, and finding happiness.
Cover Commentary: Very enticing and really makes you want to pick it up.
Rating: 5/5 Roses 
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i'm pumped for this one (when it finally is released in Australia). love the premise and the cover and this review makes me want to read it even more :)
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the titles that I have been subtly drawn to for a while now. I hope to get to read it sometime, because I've heard nothing but good stuff about it. Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI've just added this to my TBR. It's not in my library system at the moment, but I'll keep looking for it there and at the bookstore near my house. Thanks =)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a powerful book. Going to check it out. I read Still Missing last month, and I'm not sure if I could handle another abduction/rape/coming back into the world story just yet.
ReplyDeleteSuperb review. "The Tension of Opposites" sounds like a really good read.
ReplyDeleteLove this title and cover. Thanks for the review. Adding this one to my to-read list for fall. (Also, thanks for all your work on Book Extravangza last month!) - Stasia
ReplyDeleteWow. This sounds like a very difficult book to read, but at the same time, I really, really want to check it out. Especially since it got such a high rating from you! Thanks for the review! :D
ReplyDeleteGreat review! Another one for my neverending list ;)
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