Reads All The Books: We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson

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Author: Shaun David Hutchinson

Publication Date: 19 January 2016

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Series: StandAlone

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary, LGBT
Age Recommendation: 16 and up

Rating: 5 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~

Book Description:

Henry Denton doesn’t know 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.

Since the suicide of his boyfriend, Jesse, Henry has been adrift. He’s become estranged from his best friend, started hooking up with his sworn enemy, and his family is oblivious to everything that’s going on around them. As far as Henry is concerned, a world without Jesse is a world he isn’t sure is worth saving. 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.

My Review:

I can't begin to tell you how excited I was when this book came across my path for review. I fell head over heels for Shuan David Hutchinson's writing after reading The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley, so I jumped at the chance to read and review We Are the Ants and I have to tell you I am so glad that I did. This book tangled me up in knots, it made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me swoon. This book made me look deep inside myself as well as made me think outside of my little world and consider the deeper impact of how all the smallest pieces of us make up the amazingly big picture that is our life.

When I finished this book I was so elated about how much I loved it that I wanted to shout to the world that every one should buy this book, everyone should read this book. I wanted to tell you all how amazing it is and how important it could be, but at the same time this book left me completely devoid of speech. How can it be so hard to explain something so great? You would think that the words would fly from my mouth (or fingers) that I would know exactly what to say to you and how to say it. You would think that it would be a simple thing and yet as soon as I finished reading I sat in my comfy chair completely blown away and completely mute.

I realized that the reason I don't have the words to tell you is because I don't believe that the words I can give you are worthy of the emotions that this book gave me. They aren't worthy of the impact that this book could have on...well anyone. This book may be classified as a YA, some will say that this book is a LGBT book (and it is, but it is so much more), do not let those labels fool you or stop you from picking up this book. In fact one of my favorite aspects of this book is that yes the main character in this book is gay, but you know what, it is what it is. This isn't a topic that is ever talked about as being one thing or another. He is gay, he is a teen, he is struggling, he is a lot of things, but all that matters is he is Henry!

This book crosses all the lines of what it should be or what it is supposed to be. This is a book that simply should be read because it is a book that will show you a world you perhaps didn't know existed, a world that maybe you try and pretend doesn't exist. It will show you the struggle of an 'everyday' family, the struggles of growing up and the struggles of growing old. This is a book about love, life, death, choices, heartache, struggle, family, friendship, tears, and laughter. This is a book that hits on topics of Alzheimers, bullying, suicide, divorce, abuse, sex, and love.

In fact I think that my favorite thing about this book in the end is that it is in my opinion (I imagine others won't see it this way) it is a love story. It is the story of first loves, the story of familial love, the story of friends who love and most importantly the story of learning to love yourself.

And that is where my words begin to run out. I could tell you what happens in the book but I think you should and I know you want to read that for yourself. I could try and sit here and expound on more reasons to love this book, but I have a feeling if you aren't sick of my bookish excitement yet you will be soon if I continue. I can tell you that GASP there was a part I didn't like...that I wish we had more closure when it came to the aliens, but will that make a difference in the end on whether you should read this book or not. No. I can tell you that I wish to see someone be redeemed, but you know people aren't always redeemable and honestly who is to say that the character doesn't redeem himself in the future, does he have to redeem him self now as a lost teen, does he have to redeem himself ever? No.

What I will do is finish up by telling you that this book is so worth reading. It is a fast-paced read, but it's impact is something that will stay with you long after you close the back cover. It is a book that should be a standard in how to write YA. It is a book that will give every reader something to think about but it is also a book that very well may change a reader's life, may save a reader's life. Usually I would tell you here that this would be a great read for any fan of YA Contemporaries or YA LGBT readers, but I am going to say that this is would be a great read for ANY and EVERYONE. Due to some sexual situations I do recommend for older teens (16 and up) but you know your children best, if your 14 year old is mature enough to handle sex scenes then buy this book...but know that there is quite a bit of 'romance' that goes on, none of it overly explicit, but it is there. This is a book that I can tell you without doubt, even though we are only 21 days into the new year, will be one of my top favorite reads by the end of the year!

~ HAPPY READING ~

Giveaway:

3 Finished Copies of WE ARE THE ANTS

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shaun is a major geek and all about nerdy shenanigans. He is the author of The Deathday Letter, fml, and the The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley. He can be reached at shaun@shaundavidhutchinson.com. He currently lives in South Florida with his partner and dog and watches way too much Doctor Who.

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