Antipodes
Author: Michele Bacon
Publication Date: April 3rd, 2018
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Formats: Hardcover, Ebook
Pages: 400
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 days before 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, Erin’s not so sure.
Before Christchurch, Erin wasn’t always intense and focused. A mission used to sound 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 scratchy 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 and then another, as she rebuilds her life from the other side of the world to find that when life turns your world upside down and you’re farthest from home, every way you move takes you closer to where you came from.
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Antipodes by Michele Bacon was a really interesting novel with a great premise, characters that brought the story to life, and a really amazing writing style that completely captivated me from the first chapter. Plus, I absolutely adore the cover and the beautiful shades of blue that really make this book stand out.
When I first read the synopsis for Antipodes I wasn’t really sure what t o make of it – it sounded like an interesting contemporary, but I was curious as to what made it stand apart from others in the same genre. Turns out, this book is absolutely amazing – and pretty much everything about it set it apart from others that sound like it.
I think my favorite part about this book was the beautiful storytelling that Michele Bacon brought to the novel. She clearly has a great talent for writing, keeping things interesting, and of course, building a story that is completely out of this world. The characters, t he plot, and the settings were all superb, and I couldn’t put the book down.
Erin’s character was so well written and relatable and I found myself really drawn to her. She was smart, independent, and didn’t want anything to hold her back. She found challenges such as trying to fit in and get used to other kids in the school setting she is forced into, and I just found here really fun.
The plot of the book was well developed and it was interesting to read. I loved following Erin’s story and learning about what she was doing and her background, and how it fit into the present day situation where she is in a school that she isn’t used to full of people she doesn’t know.
This isn’t just another young adult contemporary – this novel is full of hope, fun, and a sweet main character who you can’t help but fall for. Michele Bacon has a great flair for writing and drawing in the reader, which is the kind of thing that I look for when I pick up a book. Definitely a great read!
Note: I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review – thank you!
I was born in Trumbull County, the only square county in Ohio, where books were my favorite means of escaping an unhappy childhood. Writing was my transparent attempt to create the things I craved: big happy families, international adventures and unconditional friendship. From a young age, I was drawn to people’s stories, and I still want to know how you met your best friend or fell in love with your partner.
In high school, I embraced my inner geek and wrote my first novel. In college, there were short stories and still more novels. I graduated from The Ohio State University with a B.A. in English, with concentrations in critical theory and creative writing.
Full-time work sapped my creative brain for several years, but my professional life was one of reinvention. In state government, business management consulting, and nonprofit fundraising, I adapted easily and absorbed the languages of different professions. My last paying job was as an independent fundraising consultant for nonprofit organizations. That was seven years ago.
Since then, I have been writing and traveling (and, let’s be honest, chasing down small people who don’t like to wear clothes). I’ve traveled to all 50 states and dozens of other countries, always collecting pieces of characters and ideas for stories. I recently spent a year on sabbatical in Christchurch, New Zealand, where I may have left my heart at Ilam School. Now that we’ve settled back in the States, I’m writing for adults and young adults, exploring the Pacific Northwest, and baking like a fiend. (You’d thinking baking would be the same everywhere, but it’s not. Something is different about kiwi butter.)
When an idea strikes, I scrawl sweeping plot outlines, character idiosyncrasies, and ideas for scenes on the nearest blank spot of paper. My current manuscript was born of those torn slips of paper, used envelopes, lollipop wrappers, fuel receipts and–once–that little paper bit that keeps a nursing pad sticky until it’s time to use it. My manuscripts are better than the quality of papers where they began. Promise.
Outside of writing, I am a tabletop game enthusiast, passionate skier, and lover of prime numbers. I also am a mentor at the Moving Words Writing Clinic, and a freelance copyeditor.
I live in Seattle with my husband and three growing children.
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3 winners will receive a finished copy ANTIPODES, US Only.
Week One:
3/26/2018- Pretty Deadly Reviews– Interview
3/26/2018- Here’s to Happy Endings– Review
3/27/2018- Kati’s Bookaholic Rambling Reviews– Excerpt
3/27/2018- Lattes & Paperbacks– Review
3/28/2018- Wonder Struck– Review
3/28/2018- Portrait of a Book– Review
3/29/2018- BookHounds YA– Interview
3/29/2018- Shelf Rider– Review
3/30/2018- The Reading Life– Excerpt
3/30/2018- RhythmicBooktrovert– Review
Week Two:
4/2/2018- YA Books Central– Interview
4/2/2018- Blushing Bibliophile– Review
4/3/2018- Lilly’s Book World– Review
4/3/2018- MetalPhantasmReads– Review
4/4/2018- Caffeine And Composition– Review
4/4/2018- Two Points of Interest– Review
4/5/2018- The Infinity Words– Review
4/5/2018- Novel Novice– Guest Post
4/6/2018- Paulette’s Papers– Excerpt
4/6/2018- books are love– Review
I would love to visit New Zealand! The book sounds very insightful!