Blog Tour and Giveaway: Antipodes – Michele Bacon

Hello everyone! I am really excited to bring my review to you during my stop on the Blog Tour for Antipodes by Michele Bacon. Although I am the last stop on this amazing tour, do not forget to check out the other tour stops. If you are near Seattle, you do not have to take our word for it…join the launch party for Antipodes April 3rd at Secret Garden Books.  (Psst…I was also told there will be excellent cake!)

Now, let’s continue on to the tour with the synopsis.

When Erin Cerise steps off her plane in Christchurch, New Zealand, she is focused intently on her mission: do something unique that will erase the mess she made of her life on her 17th birthday. She’s already lost her swim team captainship, her boyfriend Ben, and her reputation. Her mother is certain studying abroad will regain Erin’s chances of a good future. Once Erin sees her uninspiring host family and city, though, she’s not so sure.

Before Christchurch, Erin wasn’t always intense and focused. Years ago, a mission sounded like a fun adventure, and the only ivy she cared about was the stuff growing around her grandparents’ back porch at their peaceful Upper Peninsula home. When had her priorities gone upside down?

Now Erin balks at NZ’s itchy school uniforms, cold houses, and her hosts’ utter inability to pronounce her name correctly. Christchurch does boast amazing rock climbing, gorgeous scenery, and at least one guy who could make her forget Ben if she lets him. With months ahead of her, Erin slowly begins to draw on the years behind her, one step back into her memories at a time. As she rebuilds her life from the other side of the world, she finds that when life turns your world upside down and you’re far from home, every way you move takes you closer to where you came from. 

This book is a prime example of character development as the story progressed. When the story begins, Erin is one of the most annoying and frustrating characters I have read about. She is selfish, rude, whiny, and very entitled. She treats her host family with distaste and disrespect initially. About halfway through the story, she changes. She had been forced into intensive studies to prepare for an Ivy League University and Medical School. Her parents always pushed her to be the best and get a great education, go to a great school, and get a great job with great pay.

When her life is turned upside down and she is left with no choice but to study abroad as an attempt to redeem herself, she develops an entirely new outlook on life. We see Erin change from this snobby, rich, high schooler. She becomes compassionate, understanding, and wants to do more with her life. It is amazing to see her character change so much through her experiences in the story. Erin is flawed, making her seem more real.

I really enjoyed the imagery provided as scenes took place. I have never had a book make me want to travel to its location so incredibly much. Christchurch, NZ is now on my bucket list of places to visit. The author provides information at the end of the book about which parts were true and which she manipulated in her telling of this story. Seeing NZ through the eyes of a close-minded teenager really shows how the beauty can change you. The peace and tranquility are entirely different than what we are used to in the states. Sometimes, we all need to slow down a little to discover who we really are.

There were some spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors…but not enough to make me put the book down. The one thing I did not enjoy was the ending. It seemed as if the end is where a huge amount of action would take place. Erin traveled back home. She is about to confront her parents, see her best friend again for the first time in 5 months. I hope there is a sequel so that I can learn what happens to Erin. Does she go back to Christchurch?

All in all, I enjoyed this book. It was a book filled with great characters, a detailed plot, and such imagery that you will want to book your flight and start packing for this quaint town. This is a wonderful contemporary, coming of age novel. The emotions presented are vivid and bring you closer to the characters. Such a well-written novel.

About the Author

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Michele Bacon writes novel-length fiction for young adults and older adults. When she’s not writing, she’s skiing, playing tabletop games, traveling, or dreaming of travel. She lived in Christchurch, New Zealand for over a year, and is eager to return. Today, Michele lives in Seattle with her partner and three children. She is also the author of Life Before.

Now we are at the fun part…the giveaway! Be sure to rack up all the points you can to win a copy of Antipodes! Now enter the Rafflecopter giveaway and have fun! Remember to check out the other blog tour stops from earlier this week.