I loved how Icarus feels subtle and insightful. It examines complex messy family dynamics and relationships full of resentment, duty, and unspoken consequences. Keep reading this book review of Icarus for my full thoughts.
Summary
Icarus Gallagher is a thief.
He steals priceless art and replaces it with his father’s impeccable forgeries. For years, one man—the wealthy Mr. Black—has been their target, revenge for his role in the death of Icarus’s mother. To keep their secret, Icarus adheres to his own strict rules to keep people, and feelings, at bay: Don’t let anyone close. Don’t let anyone touch you. And, above all, don’t get caught.
Until one night, he does. Not by Mr. Black, but by his mysterious son, Helios, now living under house arrest in the Black mansion. Instead of turning Icarus in, Helios bargains for something even more dangerous—a friendship that breaks every single one of Icarus’s rules.
As reluctance and distrust become closeness and something more, they uncover the bars of the gilded cage that has trapped both of their families for years. One Icarus is determined to escape. But his father’s thirst for revenge shows no sign of fading, and soon it may force Icarus to choose: the escape he’s dreamed of, or the boy he’s come to love. Reaching for both could be his greatest triumph—or it could be his downfall.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Icarus is an insightful and multi-faceted story. The retelling aspect in particular felt so beautiful and immersive talking about ambition, revenge and betrayal as this backdrop to a story about vulnerability and love. I immediately fell in love with Icarus and how he feels so isolated. His story is about opening up, the power of friends to support and cherish us. It’s also a story about love and whether it’s a source of weakness or strength. Whether our love for someone inspires us to fly or is a pressure point against us.
My heart was in my chest the entire time reading. It’s an emotional story about the difficult and sometimes abusive relationships we have with our parents. About the nature of pride and ambition. How we can allow ourselves to be wrapped up in this cycle of betrayal, sabotage, and never buried grievances. The wounds we pass on in our family, the pain and the sadness, longing, and trauma.
Book links:
About the Author
K. Ancrum, is the author of the award winning thriller THE WICKER KING, the interstellar lesbian romance THE WEIGHT OF THE STARS and the upcoming Peter Pan thriller DARLING. K. is a Chicago native passionate about diversity and representation in young adult fiction. She currently writes most of her work in the lush gardens of the Chicago Art Institute.
Author Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16371347.K_Ancrum
Website: https://kancrum.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.ancrum
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaylaAncrum
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