jcpdiesel21's review against another edition
3.0
Admirable in content, but not as well executed as I would have liked. King grapples with a lot of tough topics in this book, and I found Lucky to be very realistic and sympathetic as a main character with a distinctive voice. However, it often felt like there was too much going on to appreciate Lucky's journey and the simplicity of the plot. The metaphors throughout are too heavy-handed at times and while I liked the idea of Lucky escaping from real life into his dreams, him bringing back physical mementos from these excursions is odd and was tough for me to wrap my brain around. After devoting such a large chunk of the book to Lucky's time in Arizona, the ending and resolution to his main problem feel rushed and unsatisfying. There's a good story in here, but unfortunately it gets bogged down a bit.
shonaningyo's review against another edition
4.0
I avoid books that have anything to do with war, specifically because war novels bore me. Even a book where one of the subjects is a person who has been in a war I avoid. It's just me. But I was stunningly surprised by this book.
Lucky Linderman starts his narration off with informing the reader that he got in trouble at school for handing out a questionnaire entitled "If you could commit suicide, which method would you choose?" . He then tells us that he wasn't suicidal or depressed and that people shouldn't be up in arms about it and be hauling him off to the counselors and staging meetings with his teachers and principal.
So we have someone who is a little dense , no surprises there since he is a teenaged boy. Another thing, Lucky doesn't feel LUCKY on account that his Dad does everything he can to avoid him and his mom, his family's basically given up on the idea that his grandfather--whom went MIA in the jungle during the Vietnam War -- will return to them alive or dead, and he is plagued by a bully who is obviously one of those big tough guys that loves to push around anyone smaller than him.
So classic teen angst heading your way. Or not.
Lucky is just trying to keep his head down and get through life without all these annoying flies and whiney bugs in his ear all worried about him. He just wants to get this douchebag off his back and quit picking on him, he wants his Dad to just talk to him for once, and he wants a sign that his grandfather is alive. He escapes reality by dreaming of himself in the very jungles that he believes his grandfather still lives in, and chats with his long-lost relative as if they've known each other all their life (Grandpa didn't get to see Lucky's Dad grow up, or even get to see Lucky as a baby, no duh).
It's a tale of trying to run away from all that's bothering you, to hunker down and pretty much meditate within yourself of all that causes you suffering and pain in this world, and finally, when the time is ready, you emerge from within yourself and stand up to face the demons tormenting you.
It was very well written, with a great main character and nice supporting cast. The grandfather was cool to read about too, and the transformation of the scab into different U.S. states was a hoot to read as well (did I just say "hoot"? What am I, an owl?) . That part, though, when he said that his scab rubbed off on his pillow due to it being all wet from the aloe lotion? Ewwwww....Sick.
I recommend this book for anyone who wants to read about a kid trying to get through loss, trying to hold onto faint hope, and trying to rid himself of a bully physically and emotionally torturing him everywhere he turns.
Lucky Linderman starts his narration off with informing the reader that he got in trouble at school for handing out a questionnaire entitled "If you could commit suicide, which method would you choose?" . He then tells us that he wasn't suicidal or depressed and that people shouldn't be up in arms about it and be hauling him off to the counselors and staging meetings with his teachers and principal.
So we have someone who is a little dense , no surprises there since he is a teenaged boy. Another thing, Lucky doesn't feel LUCKY on account that his Dad does everything he can to avoid him and his mom, his family's basically given up on the idea that his grandfather--whom went MIA in the jungle during the Vietnam War -- will return to them alive or dead, and he is plagued by a bully who is obviously one of those big tough guys that loves to push around anyone smaller than him.
So classic teen angst heading your way. Or not.
Lucky is just trying to keep his head down and get through life without all these annoying flies and whiney bugs in his ear all worried about him. He just wants to get this douchebag off his back and quit picking on him, he wants his Dad to just talk to him for once, and he wants a sign that his grandfather is alive. He escapes reality by dreaming of himself in the very jungles that he believes his grandfather still lives in, and chats with his long-lost relative as if they've known each other all their life (Grandpa didn't get to see Lucky's Dad grow up, or even get to see Lucky as a baby, no duh).
It's a tale of trying to run away from all that's bothering you, to hunker down and pretty much meditate within yourself of all that causes you suffering and pain in this world, and finally, when the time is ready, you emerge from within yourself and stand up to face the demons tormenting you.
Spoiler
And you dragon kick their asses back to the bowels of Hell from whence they came! Huzzah!It was very well written, with a great main character and nice supporting cast. The grandfather was cool to read about too, and the transformation of the scab into different U.S. states was a hoot to read as well (did I just say "hoot"? What am I, an owl?) . That part, though, when he said that his scab rubbed off on his pillow due to it being all wet from the aloe lotion? Ewwwww....Sick.
I recommend this book for anyone who wants to read about a kid trying to get through loss, trying to hold onto faint hope, and trying to rid himself of a bully physically and emotionally torturing him everywhere he turns.
alzahra's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
blakehalsey's review against another edition
5.0
I really believe that A.S. King is one of the best YA writers out there. Best writers period. Her style is crisp and insightful, funny and poignant, and the way she blends magic and realism is simply astounding. It's seamless. It's easy to believe. I loved Lucky Linderman. Fell in love with him, actually, and I'm happy to know he exists in the world, struggling, fighting, being weak and being strong. He was an extremely realistic teen male character and there is no doubt in my mind that there are real boys out there just like him, which makes me even more thankful King breathed him into being.
erykahjoy's review against another edition
5.0
a.s. king is unrivaled in ya literature. everybody sees the ants is a moving and essential book. she perfectly captures the feeling of being bullied and families that are struggling with a range of issues. she shows her readers that they are not alone and there are ways to heal and move forward. plus King does it with a bit of magical realism that gives a perfect story that extra something special.
anais201717's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Violence and War
scarlettdowd's review against another edition
5.0
i didnt expect to like this as much as i did. good book is good.
ama_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the story, but wasn't as keen on the narrator.