We Are the Ants

Shaun David Hutchinson’s We Are the Ants presents a contemplative young adult narrative that merges speculative fiction with intimate character study. At its center is Henry Denton, a high school junior navigating the aftermath of profound personal loss while managing daily struggles with depression and anxiety. The story introduces a singular premise: three years prior, Henry was abducted by extraterrestrials who returned him to Earth with a daily responsibility. Each morning, he must decide whether to pull a lever that would destroy the planet or leave it untouched. This recurring choice becomes a metaphor for Henry’s internal battle with purpose, grief, and the weight of existence. Hutchinson explores themes of mental health, queer identity, friendship, and moral responsibility through a quiet, introspective lens. The novel balances its otherworldly conceit with grounded depictions of teenage life, offering readers a thoughtful examination of how individuals find meaning when confronted with overwhelming uncertainty. Its restrained prose and unflinching emotional honesty have established it as a distinctive voice in contemporary young adult literature.