AAR

[Lynda X]

Elizabeth Camden’s AGAINST THE TIDE is, for me, ultimately unsatisfying. Lily, the daughter of an immigrant Greek fisherman, comes to America with her poverty-stricken family, reminding me of A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN. AGAINST THE TIDE is about the fight against legal--common and easily obtained--opium and its dangers. The hero, Bane, has been fighting a larger-than-life villain, the professor, who smuggles opium into the country without paying government taxes. Although historically accurate, the professor’s ending does not fit his crimes; it’s like imprisoning Al Capone, a gangster responsible for mass corruption and murders, for tax evasion. Camden has forgotten that romances are more than what logically or historically would happen in a situation, that romances need magic and real justice.

Camden does not match the hero and heroine well. Bane is charming, but he is resigned to his never being with Lily permanently, partially out of personal guilt and his rightful fear that it might cost her life. Crusading against the legality of opium and paralyzed by fatalism, Bane has tormented the professor, but has not prevented his destruction of children, nor stopped him from smuggling opium. It is Lily who risks her life, it is Lily who rescues people; it is Lily who destroys the professor, and it is she who suffers agony to marry Bane. In turn, Bane insists (understandably) that she free herself from a personal oppression before he will marry her as he introduces her to religion. Bane is good and idealistic, but a distant (and dare I say it?) chilly, unsatisfying hero.

[SaltyGirl]

Hmmmmm..... I had the opposite reaction. I thought this was a wonderful, deeply emotional read with just a touch of wit.

But I get what you mean about the punishment not fitting the crime for the Professor..... I thought the exact same thing!

I thought the best part about this book was the chemistry between the H&H. It sparkled. I felt like they really adored each other, but circumstances were keeping them apart. The tone shifted between humorous, heart-breaking, and chilling.....with just a touch of gothic. This one goes on my keeper shelf!