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This is a discussion topic for the January 2017 Book of the Month,"We are the ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson.

What is your overall opinion of "We are the ants"? What do you like most about it? What do you like least? Will you recommend the book to other people? Why or why not? Please remember to add your actual rating using the the book's page on Bookshelves.

-- January 2nd, 2017, 9:21 pm --

I have read it a few months ago and loved it. It was my first GLBT and I am impressed. The story was engaging, the characters believable, and the great pace of the plot kept me turning the pages. It dealt with some heavy topics like depression, Alzheimers, suicide, bullying, but in a light way. I thought the alien abduction concept was brilliant and added to the story. The book is heartbreaking and powerful, and it certainly makes you stop and think about life. I rated it 4 stars out of 4 and recommend it of course.

You said it very well

You make it sound great!

I also have to give this book a 4 out of 4 stars rating. I thought that the author handled a lot of serious topics in a sensitive manor. He touched on suicide, Alzheimer's, abandonment, bullying and many lgbt issues. He explored survivor guilt in a genuine way. He also touched on the concept of an acknowledged gay having a relationship with someone who is still in the closet.

In the realistic sections the book brought tears to my eyes. These sections were aimed at young adults and still appealed to older readers. However, I don't feel that the science fiction sections were written as well. The alien descriptions seemed rather amateurish. I also didn't care for the dates in the diary titles. I personally feel that if fictional world wide events are dated in the reader's past, it takes away from the story. I wish that the author had left off the year in these titles.

Despite these few minor gripes, this is still a 4 star book.

I just finished reading it, and I also am giving it a 4 out of 4 stars rating. Gali, you were right on how the author did a nice job in dealing with the heavy topics, and how the book makes you think about life. The plot just consumed my every thought as I read and it was so hard to put down.

I've read a few books that have included a gay couple, but this is the first one that I felt the author dealt with the relationship(s) naturally and extremely well. This was absolutely a great choice of BOTM!

I think I have to rate this 3 out of 4 stars. I'd heard a lot of good things about this book so I was really expecting a lot out of it. It just didn't live up to the hype for me. I think it was a bit overwritten and tended to repeat itself.

One of my favorite relationships was actually between Henry and Marcus because it really showed the reader just how much Henry is struggling. He is coping with Jesse's death by staying in an abusive relationship because that's what he thinks he deserves. For me, his interaction with Marcus offered more insight into Henry's feelings than any other aspect of the book.

I enjoyed this book and all the heavy topics it focused on. Although the ending left me with so many questions I have to give it a 4 out 4 stars. My favorite relationship in the book was between Henry and his Nana. He did so many amazing things toward the end to help her find her memories again. It was so sweet and sad at the same time. I was also extremely happy that Henry finally acted on his feelings for Diego.

I enjoyed the book. I didn't like how it ended only because I want more. I rate it 4 out of 4

I rated the book 4 out of 4 stars. I enjoyed the scientific world ending scenarios and the relationships that Henry formed over the course of the story. To see Charlie mature was interesting. I had hope for Marcus for a while but his drug and alcohol abuse and other insecurities caused him to spin out of control. I loved Diego. His genuine zest for life was refreshing in an otherwise heart-wrenching tale. I thought that Hutchinson did a great job with the many complex issues that were addressed in the story. Overall, a great read!!

I rated this a 4 out of 4. As others have said, the heavy topics were handled really well and sensitively. I really enjoyed the progression of Henry's character from start to finish. Also, I think the book showed that even if life feels like it's terrible, it can get better with some effort and sometimes it's okay to seek help from other people.

I completely agree. I really liked the LGBT aspect as well because I haven't read many books like that. Usually characters that are LGBTQ are side characters or minor ones in the background. I definitely liked the themes of this book. It was very emotional at times and I actually found myself tearing up sometimes. I give kudos to authors who can make people really feel while reading.

I very much enjoyed reading this book and read it long before it was chose as BOTM. As most YA books do, this one did touch on several heavy topics others have posted about but, in a new way that did not seem like "teen problems" but issues we could all deal with. I would give this book 4 out of 4 stars and after reading all the above comments, have to agree with all the positive feedback about We Are the Ants.

peprica21 wrote: I would give this book 4 out of 4 stars and after reading all the above comments, have to agree with all the positive feedback about We Are the Ants.

I can't find anything negative about it either. I usually read sci-fi but I'm thinking about reading this book. Can anyone give a reason for *not reading* it?

The review is well written and and the book is worth reading.

I've always been wanting to read this book. After reading all the reviews, it just makes the story more compelling.