Hey, guys! I just finished We are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson. Wow, it was amazing. I think it might have been my favorite book of 2016 (so far). While it is not for everyone, it was incredible.
I read The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley as a pre release last year and really enjoyed it, so I knew that Shaun Hutchinson had talent. I had no idea how much, however, until I read We are the Ants.
The Cover:
The Cover:
I love it. It shows the sky with the stars moving quickly across the sky in the middle of nowhere. The emotional impression the cover conveys, for me anyway, really summarizes the mood of We are the Ants. I also just think that it looks beautiful and subtly eye-catching. A+ cover
Official Description:
There are a few things Henry Denton knows, and a few things he doesn’t.
Henry knows that his mom is struggling to keep the family together, and coping by chain-smoking cigarettes. He knows that his older brother is a college dropout with a pregnant girlfriend. He knows that he is slowly losing his grandmother to Alzheimer’s. And he knows that his boyfriend committed suicide last year.
What Henry doesn’t know is why the aliens chose to abduct him when he was thirteen, and he doesn’t know why they continue to steal him from his bed and take him aboard their ship. He doesn’t know why the world is going to end or why the aliens have offered him the opportunity to avert the impending disaster by pressing a big red button.
But they have. And they’ve only given him 144 days to make up his mind.
The question is whether Henry thinks the world is worth saving. That is, until he meets Diego Vega, an artist with a secret past who forces Henry to question his beliefs, his place in the universe, and whether any of it really matters. But before Henry can save the world, he’s got to figure out how to save himself, and the aliens haven’t given him a button for that.
Point of View:
First person from Henry's perspective
My Review:
There are books that I believe everyone should read, books like We are the Ants, where you are missing out on a fundamental part of your life if you don't read. This book is a little weird, but, man, does it work. Do yourself a favor and read it.
The premise is very interesting. Henry Denton can press a button to save the world, but he can't make up his mind about whether the world is worth saving. Events in his life will make him hopeful and consider saving the world, yet other events will rip apart his hope and make the world seem as if it needs to be put out of its misery. His thoughts are fascinating, you will bond with Henry, and you will be sucked into his world.
The writing is beautiful. It seamlessly morphs between serious and heavy topics such as the eventual end of... everything and then change focus to something light and humorous in the next sentence. We are the Ants seems dark, and it is, but it is also funny. It has ironic humor that provides a welcome respite from the heavy topics and keeps the book quick to read and mildly up-lifting.
For example, every few chapters, there will be a page or two describing a potential apocalypse scenario that could happen if Henry doesn't push the button.
Also, quick warning, this book does contain a gay relationship. (It isn't the focus of the book, but it is a factor.) There is also some "mature themes." There is nothing too serious, but I would recommend We are the Ants for high schoolers and up.
I strongly recommend this novel. It is amazing in basically every way. The writing style alone was worth reading for. (If still in doubt, I recommend reading the first pages as the style remains fairly consistent.)
Phrase:
All Star Plumbers
If You Liked This Book, You May Also Like:
The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Winger
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
If you're looking for a good book, check out my Suggestions Page!
Happy Reading!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookshelfSecret
I read The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley as a pre release last year and really enjoyed it, so I knew that Shaun Hutchinson had talent. I had no idea how much, however, until I read We are the Ants.
The Cover:
I love it. It shows the sky with the stars moving quickly across the sky in the middle of nowhere. The emotional impression the cover conveys, for me anyway, really summarizes the mood of We are the Ants. I also just think that it looks beautiful and subtly eye-catching. A+ cover
Official Description:
There are a few things Henry Denton knows, and a few things he doesn’t.
Henry knows that his mom is struggling to keep the family together, and coping by chain-smoking cigarettes. He knows that his older brother is a college dropout with a pregnant girlfriend. He knows that he is slowly losing his grandmother to Alzheimer’s. And he knows that his boyfriend committed suicide last year.
What Henry doesn’t know is why the aliens chose to abduct him when he was thirteen, and he doesn’t know why they continue to steal him from his bed and take him aboard their ship. He doesn’t know why the world is going to end or why the aliens have offered him the opportunity to avert the impending disaster by pressing a big red button.
But they have. And they’ve only given him 144 days to make up his mind.
The question is whether Henry thinks the world is worth saving. That is, until he meets Diego Vega, an artist with a secret past who forces Henry to question his beliefs, his place in the universe, and whether any of it really matters. But before Henry can save the world, he’s got to figure out how to save himself, and the aliens haven’t given him a button for that.
Point of View:
First person from Henry's perspective
My Review:
There are books that I believe everyone should read, books like We are the Ants, where you are missing out on a fundamental part of your life if you don't read. This book is a little weird, but, man, does it work. Do yourself a favor and read it.
The premise is very interesting. Henry Denton can press a button to save the world, but he can't make up his mind about whether the world is worth saving. Events in his life will make him hopeful and consider saving the world, yet other events will rip apart his hope and make the world seem as if it needs to be put out of its misery. His thoughts are fascinating, you will bond with Henry, and you will be sucked into his world.
The writing is beautiful. It seamlessly morphs between serious and heavy topics such as the eventual end of... everything and then change focus to something light and humorous in the next sentence. We are the Ants seems dark, and it is, but it is also funny. It has ironic humor that provides a welcome respite from the heavy topics and keeps the book quick to read and mildly up-lifting.
For example, every few chapters, there will be a page or two describing a potential apocalypse scenario that could happen if Henry doesn't push the button.
Also, quick warning, this book does contain a gay relationship. (It isn't the focus of the book, but it is a factor.) There is also some "mature themes." There is nothing too serious, but I would recommend We are the Ants for high schoolers and up.
I strongly recommend this novel. It is amazing in basically every way. The writing style alone was worth reading for. (If still in doubt, I recommend reading the first pages as the style remains fairly consistent.)
Phrase:
All Star Plumbers
If You Liked This Book, You May Also Like:
The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Winger
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
If you're looking for a good book, check out my Suggestions Page!
Happy Reading!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookshelfSecret
