Review: Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King

Release Date: October 3, 2011
Age Group:Young Adult
Received From: Publisher
IBSN: 9780316129282
Blurb:

Lucky Linderman didn’t ask for his life. He didn’t ask his grandfather not to come home from the Vietnam War. He didn’t ask for a father who never got over it. He didn’t ask for a mother who keeps pretending their family is fine. And he certainly didn’t ask to be the recipient of Nadar McMillan’s relentless bullying, which has finally gone too far.
Lucky has a secret—one that helps him wade through the daily dysfunction of his life. Grandad Harry, trapped in the jungles of Laos, has been visiting Lucky in his dreams—and the dreams just might be real: an alternate reality where he can be whoever he wants to be and his life might still be worth living. But how long can Lucky remain in hiding there before reality forces its way inside?
Printz Honor recipient A. S. King’s distinctive, smart, and accessible writing shines in this powerful novel about learning to cope with the shrapnel life throws at you, and then taking a stand against it.

 A.S. King was quickly added to my favorite authors list with Please Ignore Vera Dietz. I adored The Dust of 100 Dogs and Vera blew me away, so you could say my expectations were a little high for this one and it did not disappoint.

Lucky was an incredible character. He was very, very real. Bullying is something that I didn’t see in school. I’m certain that it went on, but it was behind closed door. Bullying has always seemed horrifying to me. The helplessness of Lucky’s situation is so very believable. He’s just a normal boy, but he doesn’t have anyone in his corner. There’s no one to stand up for him. It’s impossible not to relate to him in some way. I just wanted to take care of him. I wanted to kick that kid Nadar’s ass. I wanted to shake his mom and dad to get them to snap out of it and take care of their kid properly. I couldn’t, though. Because this is a book. It’s not real. It’s so well written that I felt like it was. These characters and situations evoked a lot of emotions in me. That is the mark of a incredible book.

King has a style that is completely different than any other YA author out there. It’s strange and quirky. It’s poignant and heartbreaking. She really has an amazing talent. There’s these completely real aspects of book. Things that will ring true with lots of people. Then there’s this alternate reality with ants and dreams of Vietnam. Was it real? Was it all in Lucky’s head? I think everyone that reads will be able to take away something different. I think you should just read it and find out what it is for you.

Really, read this. If you haven’t read her other books read those too. A.S. King’s spot on my top favorite authors list is now set in stone. She’s one of the most creative writers I have ever had the pleasure of reading. Do yourself a favor and read her books.