The Tension of Opposites

By Kristina McBride

When Tessa's best friend Noelle disappears right before the start of eighth grade, Tessa's life changes completely--she shies away from her other friends and stops eating in the cafeteria. Now, two years later, Noelle has escaped her captivity and is coming home, in one piece but not exactly intact, and definitely different. Tessa's life is about to change again as she tries to revive the best-friendship the two girls had shared before Noelle--now Elle--was kidnapped; puts up a futile resistance to the charming new guy at school; pursues her passion for photography while trying to build the bravado to show her photos to the public; and tries to balance her desire to protect and shelter Elle with the necessity to live her own life and put herself first.

“Tense! The constant push and pull of friendship, pain, love, and jealousy is beautifully drawn. A definite must read.”
– Jay Asher

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Dec 28, 2010
• ISBN: 9781606842911

Kristina McBride

Kristina McBride has published two novels for young adults—THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES and ONE MOMENT. Kristina is a former high school English teacher and yearbook advisor, as well as an adjunct professor at Antioch University Midwest. Kristina has a thing for music, trees, purses, and chocolate. You might be surprised to learn that Kristina was almost kidnapped when she was a child. She also bookstalks people on a regular basis. Kristina lives in Ohio with her husband and two young children. Visit her online at http://www.kristinamcbride.com.

Reviews for The Tension of Opposites

[thehidingspot · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Tension of Opposites is one of those novels that pulls you in from the first lines and refuses to let you go until you've read every last word. Devour is almost too tame a word to describe how quickly I read this novel... inhale might be a better fit. It's always a magical experience when a reader finds an author whose writing style fits perfectly with his or her preferences - and I'm happy to say that I experienced that magic with Tension. I feel that I should mention that the the description of Tension only conveys the darker elements of the plot, despite the fact that there is plenty of lighter material in the novel as well. Not only are both light and dark elements present, they are perfectly balanced. With a novel that addresses such a heavy topic, attempts at lighter material may be awkward and disrupt the flow of the novel, but this isn't so with Tension: it plunged into the inky dark depths of emotion and managed an amazing love story. The fact that the story is told from the point-of-view of the victim's best friend offered a unique perspective and, I think, ultimately allowed McBride to write such a balanced story. I would have been frustrated if the entire story was dark, since Tessa is the narrator and I wanted her to move past the traumatizing event and find happiness, despite the horrors that Noelle suffered. It will never be something that she will forget, but she can't postpone her life indefinitely, no matter how much she loves Tessa.In ways, I thought the fact that Noelle lost so many things provided even more reasons that Tessa shouldn't. Noelle had those things taken... Tessa shouldn't just give them up.Tessa and Noelle's relationship was painful and heartbreaking. I felt for Tessa... She waited so long to regain her best friend, guilty and afraid to live her own life after Noelle's had been cruelly shattered. When Noelle returns home, Tessa knows that things won't be the same, but nothing can prepare her for the new Noelle... Elle, who doesn't seem to have even a glimmer of Noelle left in her. At the same time, I understand why Noelle had to adopt this new persona: Noelle, Tessa's best friend, is dead. I think McBride accurately conveyed Tessa's POV, which is different than most other YA novels dealing with the same topic, as they usually told from the victim's POV.One of the brightest elements of the novel is the romance between Tessa and Max, the boy who finds a way past Tessa's carefully constucted walls and into her heart. Max and Tessa's relationship is one of my absolute favorites... and I read a lot of good love stories. I think the realistic quality of their story is what really won me over... I believed in their story. That and the fact that there is the definite possiblity that it might not work out between them and I desperately believed that they should be together! Tessa's ready to do anything to help Noelle, including giving up her own happiness... and Max.

[sithereandread · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES, by Kristina McBride, was a bone-chilling thriller that explores the ripple-effect that a kidnapping creates. Although Noelle was kidnapped two years prior, her best friend, Tessa, held onto the hope that she was still alive and would come back home. When Noelle's brother told Tessa that Noelle was found and coming home, she believed that her friend was back but the opposite was true.I really enjoyed this book. There were two stories that revolved around Tessa, one with Max and the other with Noelle, AKA Elle. Tessa did not want to move on with her life because it felt wrong that Elle couldn't move on while she was gone. But when Tessa met Max, she finally found someone she could really connect with. At the same time, she was trying to protect Elle when she didn't need protecting.I also liked the added element of photography. The artistic eye that both Tessa and Max had added to their charm as a couple. And the assignment that was lingering over them throughout the book really tied it all in. The resulting project for Tessa was really fantastic. Her experiences with Max and Elle gave her a new perspective on life in the hope that she might be able to finally let go of "Noelle".The kidnapping had such an effect on all the characters, it was a bit startling to deal with at first. Elle was very unpredictable. It was heart-breaking to learn what she went through during the two years she was gone and it made her so strong, but I waited for her to snap at any moment. This young girl grew up very quickly and it was difficult to deal with for everyone around her. But I love how through it all, both Elle and Tessa realized that nothing could ever go back to what it was, but something new and beautiful could be created.This book is definitely a must-read.

[lal30367 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is amazing. The plot twists and turns you all the time. YOu can feel all the emotions runnning through you. Sadness, Happiness and counfution.I give this book a 5 out of 5. amazing read.

[silenceiseverything · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have to start out by saying that The Tension of Opposites followed [book:Living Dead Girl|2954411] by Elizabeth Scott for me, so that probably hurt my rating of this book as that one was pretty great and this one just fell short. Just thought I'd mention in that in the interest of full disclosure. Anyway, back to The Tension of Opposites, I thought that this book was just okay. I don't fully understand why I didn't love it, it's just that I felt like I was going through it for the sake of going through it. I wasn't fully connected to it.I loved the premise of having a kidnapping story told through the eyes of someone other than the person who was kidnapped. That rarely happens and if it does, it's told from the perspective of the parents. The Tension of Opposites focuses on the victim's best friend and her reactions to everything that has happened, as well as her wallflower behavior as a consequence to the events. Again, I liked that unique aspect of it. However, I think that the thought of it was way better than the actual execution. For one thing, I didn't feel connected to any of the characters. Since the story is told from Tessa's (the bff) point of view, we don't get the whole story on Elle and her reactions and I just found her a more interesting character than Tessa, herself. Tessa was just so wishy-washy and I was annoyed with her throughout most of the book. I understand being there for a friend and I commend her for it, but it really was a bit much. Tessa was full out obsessing over Elle. If I were Elle, I would've told her to back off at least to have a minute to breathe.However, while I did understand a bit where Tessa's boyfriend was coming from when he said that Tessa needed to focus more on herself, he came off a bit jerky when focusing on herself was supposed to be focusing on him completely. He just came off kind of douchey and self-obsessed with the whole "Baby, I need attention" facade. I'm sorry, but I don't find needy men attractive. In fact, I find them way annoying. And "dude, who's name I totally cannot recall right now" was no exception.I did like the rest of the supporting characters. I liked Darcy and thought that she was a pretty kick-ass friend and I absolutely loved Cooper. In fact, I totally could've read a whole book from Cooper's point of view and his reactions to his sister's kidnapping. Now, there is an intriguing character. I really did love Coop's relationship with Elle. I thought that it was so sweet.So, all in all, I thought that The Tension of Opposites was just okay. It was a page-turner and it did keep me reading, but I just didn't feel a tangible connection to any of the characters besides wanting to know how they would end up. And again, Tessa was mildly annoying. I do recommend it as it was a pretty compelling read, but it just wasn't my favorite novel.

[bookswarm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's a terrible nightmare, especially for parents, to have a child taken from them, to have no word if she's alive or dead. And, when their child finally comes home, she's been through something so traumatic, she's a totally different person. I can't even imagine.But this story isn't told from the parents' perspective. It's told from the viewpoint of Noelle's best friend in the whole entire world, Tessa. Tessa is an introvert, more comfortable behind the lens of her camera, while Noelle was the extrovert, dragging Tessa out into the world. But as soon as Noelle disappeared, Tessa retreated, abandoning everyone but Darcy (who is too stubborn to allow Tessa to ditch her).Then, Noelle returns. Her hair is stringy and black. She demands to be called Elle, because Noelle is dead (metaphorically). At first, she won't talk to anyone, even Tessa. And Tessa is frantic to see her. After all, she's been dreaming of her friend for two years.In the midst of all this drama, Tessa finds a guy, Max. Max is gentle and understanding but with the stubbornness required to get behind Tessa's wall. He was a great character. I'd date him and I got frustrated with Tessa's reluctance to do so.Actually, I got frustrated with Tessa quite a bit. I mean, I totally get being an introvert. But to close yourself off from the world and refuse to interact with it when your friend disappears? Yes, it's a terrible thing but she lets it take over her entire life. And when Noelle finally comes back, Tessa is even more obsessed with her, ditching Max on multiple occasions because she thinks Noelle needs her.Despite my frustration with Tessa, I still blazed through the novel because I wanted to see what happened with Noelle, with Tessa and Noelle, and with Tessa and Max. The interesting, dynamic (and, at times, frustrating) characters really make this novel shine, and McBride tells a difficult story very well.

[booksandwine · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Tension of Opposites by Kristina McBride pertains to the aftermath of a tragic event, and what people do to deal with the wake of such an event. When Tessa was a little girl, her best friend was kidnapped. The story centers around Tessa during her junior year, if I remember correctly, forgive me if I don't it's been a few weeks since I read the book. Anyways, we can see the psychological effects of this event on Tessa as she is portrayed as painfully shy, withdrawn and scared of her own shadow. She's got all this pent up guilt because she has a shot at a life which her best friend will never have. Cut to the future, where her kidnapped BFF, Noelle re-emerges. We see how exactly Noelle copes with surviving her ordeal which definitely included sexual assault, and how Tessa tries to fit back into Noelle's life.The Tension of Opposites is not an easy book. It is not a beach read. However, this book will wrench your heart into a vice. You may want to lecture/shake Tessa, as her cautiousness can be overbearing. Let's be real here, I don't expect to get a laugh out of a book dealing with tragic events. What I did expect, I got -- I felt empathetic, I was moved, my heart did pound at some parts because there is some suspense. I got a story which absolutely engrossed me.Too often, we complain about how in YA, girls often choose the boy over the friend. Girls will ditch their friends for the flavor of the week. We see friendships tinged with toxicity, where it seems status matters more than companionship. I loved that in Tension of Opposites, Tessa chooses the friend. She is there when she's needed -- even when Noelle may not particularly want her there. We see the girls have a few spats, which is apt to happen between friends. I love that I got a portrait of friendship put through the ringer -- so to speak. Of course, realize changes do occur, one can't come back from being assaulted, kidnapped, and abused and still be the same person.The book is definitely not all doom and gloom though. There is a boy. Isn't there always a boy? From what I remember, he struck me as being sensitive, yet was not exactly perfect. By this I mean, he struck me as a jerk, yet there was reason. However, being a jerk is way not cool. BUT on the one hand, I don't want male characters to be perfect, on the other, let's not idolize DBs. Either way, I liked that he was well-rounded.

[katiedoll_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

For someone who grew up watching true crime and investigation shows, I was a bit nervous that this book would be completely unrealistic and dolled up for the pages. Fortunately, Kristina McBride did her research. The Tension Of Opposites was mysterious, intense and very real.We didn’t get much of a glimpse into Tessa’s life while Noelle was missing, but when she comes home, it’s a whirlwind of drama and emotions as she tries to rebuild her friendship with Noelle, who doesn’t want anything to do with her anymore. And while getting inside Noelle, or ‘Elle’ as she dubbed herself after arriving home with a darker attitude, would’ve been interesting, I was immediately hooked on Tessa’s thoughts while she dealt with her once best friend’s extreme personality change. It’s something that crime and investigation shows don’t show too much of - the friend that is hurting just as much as anybody in the family is.But while Tessa tries to cope with Elle’s fascination for breaking rules and being in the spotlight, she finds light in an enigmatic boy named Max. He’s insanely sweet and keeps her level, and their romance is so special because it’s flawed and realistic. It’s not perfect and giggly and it’s definitely not something from a fairytale; Max can be a bit impatient and Tessa has a tendency to put Elle above everyone else, including herself. It was just another reason why I loved how raw and real this story was; it was completely believable. All of it.Overall, The Tension Of Opposites is an intense and suspenseful novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Kristina McBride writes an enthralling story that proves that even the safe return of a missing child can be as dark and depressing as the kidnapping in the first place. With perfectly written raw emotions, an admirable teenage romance and realistic crime scenarios, I definitely think this one is worth checking out!

[joannemepham29_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I thought this book was okay but not great, and I felt the emphasis on the friend of the kidnapping was too great. I never felt the character who was the victim's pain, or felt any sympathy for her because she was the side story really. All in all this was well written, but a little slow in the plot considering the basis for the story.

[girlonamission · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ever since Noelle disappeared Tessa pretty much disappeared as well......mentally. She couldn't live her life as normal while worrying about what happened to Noelle. So she decided not to live her life at all but to simply exist. No dating, hanging out, meeting new friends, school dances, or anything that might be considered fun.When Noelle came back, all of my questions were answered slowly throughout the rest of the book; how he kidnapped her, how she escaped, what sick things he did to her and how she will move on from it. When she comes back, Tessa feels as though she has to protect her, thus still not making a life of her own. Tessa was definitely the wet blanket because she reminded me of someone's mom lol. She was never able to truly relax and made it so others couldn't as well. The romance aspect that was slipped in was hot one minute and the next, completely ice cold. It didn't seem like it really belonged there.One thing I did like was that it wasn't just about Noelle being kidnapped. In books there's always a story about a girl being kidnapped but no one ever writes about what happens if she comes back and how it effects their family and friends. Unfortunately this didn't turn out to be as good as I'd imagined it would be BUT it was good enough to continue reading.Recommended for those looking for an emotional read mixed with high school politics.

[crazypplrok · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When I first heard about this book, it sounded like any other kidnapping book. I was wrong. Turns out it was so much more. It tells not only the story of Noelle coming home and her recovery, but also the recovery of her family and Tessa, her best friend from before the incident. The entire book is in Tessa’s point of view and follows her on her journey of self-discovery after holding herself back for the two years that Noelle was gone. We also learn some of the things that Noelle went th...more When I first heard about this book, it sounded like any other kidnapping book. I was wrong. Turns out it was so much more. It tells not only the story of Noelle coming home and her recovery, but also the recovery of her family and Tessa, her best friend from before the incident. The entire book is in Tessa’s point of view and follows her on her journey of self-discovery after holding herself back for the two years that Noelle was gone. We also learn some of the things that Noelle went through while being a captive and the repercussions of those devastating years.I was surprised at the way that Noelle acted once she started socializing again. She was angry, of course, but she was also extremely self-destructive. Some of the people around her had me going “heartless bastards” and I wondered if they really knew the impact of their actions. *Note that I am not talking about the kidnapper; he knew what he was doing and was fully aware of the consequences.Overall I would recommend this book to anyone that can handle the reality of a situation such as this. Pick up The Tension of Opposites and you won’t be disappointed.

[stephxsu · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Tessa’s best friend Noelle was kidnapped off the street two years ago. For two years, Tessa has held on to the small sliver of hope that Noelle might still be alive. She has even put her own life on hold while waiting, trying not to make new friends or experience high school things like falling in love while Noelle is gone.Then, Tessa gets the news that changes her life yet again. Noelle is alive. But her two years in captivity have changed her a lot, and she’s no longer the girl Tessa remembers her to be. Tessa is torn between growing into her own person with a first love, and staying loyal to her hurt and hurtful friend.THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES is one of the nicest contemporary realistic YA fiction novels I’ve read in a long time. This is a great achievement by debut author Kristina McBride, easy readable, and full of relatable characters and turbulent emotions.Kristina McBride’s writing pulls us into Tessa’s world from the very first page, and carefully explores the pain and confusion of the effects of trauma on a friendship. Tessa’s struggles to balance her own happiness with that of her friend’s is extremely well drawn, its subtleties clear and real. It’s not that we may necessarily agree with all of Tessa’s actions and beliefs: it’s more that we can see why she chooses to do what she does, just like a confused teenager dealing with a terrifyingly strange situation would.The characterization is good, but not quite as good as I thought it could’ve been. Oftentimes Tessa’s inner turmoil seemed detached from her borderline cheeky conversations with her crush and friends. I also wanted to get a better sense of Tessa and Noelle’s friendship before the kidnapping, to contrast that with the drastically different relationship shown us in the novel. Noelle’s development felt choppy sometimes, one minute harsh, the next almost unconvincingly vulnerable. And I was unconvinced that Max, the love interest, would fall immediately for her and continue to pursue her after she so continually pushes him away. This is more wishful thinking for how teenage relationships go, than reality.But perhaps these small issues I had with the book are actually regular behaviors for people in this situation, because one of the greatest things about THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES is that it is a prototype: I have not read anything like it before. And the small issues are basically me nitpicking anyway. Overall, this book was a fantastic read, and goes down like a smooth cup of your favorite refreshing beverage, with a thoughtful aftertaste.