Summary: We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinson follows the story of Henry Denton, a teenager who's been repeatedly abducted by aliens since his boyfriend's suicide. The aliens offer him a choice: press a button to save the world from impending destruction, or let humanity perish. Struggling with depression, grief, and the complexities of his personal life, Henry grapples with the decision while reflecting on the pain and beauty of existence. The novel dives into themes of loss, love, mental health, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe. It's an exploration of human emotions and the challenges of navigating life's hardships.
Opinion: The most compelling aspect for me was how it fearlessly tackled some heavy subjects. From grief and depression to identity and existential pondering. All while creating an otherworldly alien abduction plotline. It also made me reflect on how we often underestimate the complexity of the battles people fight within themselves. The author's writing style was a total win for me. It was filled with a dash of dark humor that balanced out seriousness of the book. I was disappointed at some points. One thing I was disappointed about was that it was too emotional. I felt as if there were too many emotional scenes and it let the story drag on. The emotional scenes still had good backstories behind it, nonetheless. I would recommend this book to people who like emotional journeys. If you're into a book that makes you wonder about your life with the big picture questions, then you should read this book. I give this book a ⅗.