News & Reviews

The Tension of Opposites has been nominated for
YALSA's 2011 Best Fiction for Young Adults,
the 2010 Cybils Awards, and the 2012-2013
Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award.

"Tense! The constant push and pull of friendship, pain, love, and jealousy is beautifully drawn. A definite must read." – Jay Asher, author of the New York Times bestseller Thirteen Reasons Why

“Tessa’s pain is realistically drawn, and her recovery—which still pales with what Elle has to deal with—is authentic and hard-won; debut author McBride effectively uses Tessa’s love of photography as an expression of her growth. Tessa’s concern for what she sees as poor choices on Elle’s part . . . as well as her questions about Elle’s captivity create true tension in a well-paced story with some emotional punches that really connect.”

Publishers Weekly

"Tessa's first-person viewpoint and the rapid, immediate dialogue are right on, with Elle's family, in the schoolyard, and with Max. Told without explicit detail, the headline drama about sexual predators will pull teens, and so will Tessa's intense conflict between friend and boyfriend."

Booklist

"The Tension of Opposites is a smart and arresting debut. It's engrossing and fascinating, painful and hopeful . . . McBride treats the subject matter with respect . . . This is one novel definitely worth reading."

Deseret News

“I'm not sure I can write a review that does this novel justice. All I can say is that it is one of those novels that I highly recommend reading. Scratch that. I recommend that you rush out the day it is released, curl up in your favorite reading spot, and devour it. Seriously, it is that good! THE TENSION OF OPPOSITES is an amazing debut novel that is not to be missed! And I CAN'T WAIT for McBride's next novel!”

Sara
The Hiding Spot

“Fascinating debut from Kristina McBride - The Tension of Opposites is just one of those books you have to read in one sitting. Kristina's writing grabbed my attention in the first few sentences, had me on the edge of my seat by the second chapter and held every ounce of my attention until I finished the book. Plus, there is a boy (swoon) who will leave you head over heels for another fictional character.”

Pixie
Page Turners

“With raw, intricate writing that is rapt with striking imagery, a wrenching but painfully realistic plot and characters that are too young to be facing these situations yet have been thrust carelessly into them at the hand of one man make this book a worth it though heartrending read. An emotional roller coaster with a few missing sections of track, this is a book that will gut but leave the reader changed. The development of the characters is profound and the final pages are welcomed if only for relief from the world created. This isn’t a book for the fainthearted as it hits on very rough issues but it is, undoubtedly, worth the emotions. This is a very stunning debut highlighting elaborate characters, stunning writing and a mastery of human emotion and turmoil and easily one for the Best Reads shelf.”

Kari
A Good Addiction

“I loved it. I loved the characters and the elements throughout the book. As much as I didn't want to know what happened to Noelle, part of me did because I felt like I needed to know to get closure. I think this was a brilliant book.”

Cindy
Princess Bookie

“All in all The Tension of Opposites is one of my favorite books for 2010. McBride has made a fan out of me and I’m looking forward to seeing what she writes next. I would recommend this book to anyone . . .”

A Life Bound by Books

“This book will grab you from page one and not let go until the last word is read . . . you will fall in love with these characters.”

Jennifer
Crazy-for-Books

“First off, let me say that I hold high expectations for a book. I’m picky, so to actually pick a book up, I expect to love it. Most don’t live up to these somewhat ridiculous high standards. Not only did the Tension of Opposites live up to those expectations, but exceeded them.”

Bailey
Abyss