Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden Book Review

Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden is a new Christian fiction book release from Bethany House.  This is my first time reading one of Camden’s books and I wasn’t disappointed.  I was attracted to this book because the cover intrigued me.  My husband is in the Navy and I’ve often wondered about what it was like to be involved with the Navy in the 1800′s.  Against the Tide ended up being less about the Navy and more about the story of Lydia Pallas, an immigrant who found herself orphaned in Boston Harbor as a child.  Despite growing up in a less than stellar orphanage, Lydia taught herself multiple languages and landed a job as a translator for the U.S. Navy.

With her own apartment, a steady paycheck and a comforting routine to her credit, Lydia finally feels in control of her life and secure as she enters adulthood.

It is only after her translation work puts her into contact with Alexander Banebridge, a charming man with incredible political connections and a mysterious past, that her life begins to spiral out of control as she begins a secret and somewhat criminal campaign with Banebridge.

I was very pleasantly surprised by this novel.  The historical details were accurate, the pace quick and the characters deep.  I truly enjoyed unraveling this mystery and could not wait to get to the end of the story, although I was sad when it was finally over. I personally related to Lydia’s conflict to want stability and control and her desire to turn to planning and routine to give her that satisfaction instead of relying on Christ.

This is one of the best Christian fiction books I’ve read this year as it tied in mystery, romance and history in a seamless yet meaty story.

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