This book made me ache someplace deep in my chest and the emotions I experienced cannot be easily summarized in this review. I have loved K. Ancrum's work for years and this is just one more example of her genius. Her short, evocative passages sharply render the loneliness and the struggles of what is it like to be a strong independent child who craves nothing more than to be soft and vulnerable and able to rely on someone for once. Icarus was a fantastic protagonist, fascinating and charismatic, with a vibrant cast surrounding him, a night job that requires some suspension of disbelief and a beautiful love for a boy trapped in the highest room in the tallest tower. Ancrum's work always features fierce friendships that leave me breathless and a true sense of community. The love and strength that can be found within a collective in her work that never fails to make me sob. I could write somewhat endlessly about this book and what made it work for me but I want you to read it for yourself so I will leave things here. Please read it if you're looking for a touching, heavily poetic, YA novel.

DNF 56% - ⭐⭐⭐

Following my rule of 3 starring any DNF books.

I honestly had no investment in any of the characters, everyone was flat for me. I am not even sure if there was a plot.

I struggled to over 50% and simply could not pick the book up again.

Icarus is a boy who wants the whole world but isn't allowed to touch it. And when he steals touches anyway, it hurts. It burns.

K. Ancrum is a master of chemistry, story, strangeness, and love. I was so captured by these characters and the magnetic prose that paints their world. The friendship! Art! Details! I loved this as much as The Weight of the Stars which is saying quite a lot.

I really liked the plot of the story and was couldn't put it down until I finished it to find out how it would end. I loved the small gestures he made for Helios such as bringing him coffee because he said he could not have any. While overall I enjoyed the book it wasn't what I thought it would be. I wouldn't call it a thriller or even a heist book like it was marketed. He does steal but it's not the main plot of the story in my opinion. It has a nice flow to it but I wish the chapters were not so short. It made it choppy and frustrating to read and I ended up skipping over the chapter titles altogether. I will definitely be purchasing this to add to my collection.

More a reimagining than retelling, this contemporary YA is equal parts queer romance and high stakes thriller. ICARUS follows the blossoming love between a young art thief and the son of his target; Helios. With perfect pacing and a believable tone of voice for the modern high school senior, you’ll find yourself having a hard time putting this title down. Beyond the surface there is a highly compelling generational connection between these families, one laced with love, betrayal, death and deception.

I wanted to like it, but I just couldn't get into it.

I got around 50% before I had to stop.

The characters were good, I just couldn't get into them or care about them. I might have to try this again at a different time.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

Loved this. Was shocked to find out it was YA. The writing was so beautiful and mature that it read very much like an adult book with teen characters. While the writing was fabulous but there was also a sense of childlike fancy and whimsy to the premise that made it so hard to put down.

These characters FLEW off the page. They were so vibrant and interesting. Helios and Icarus are gray and human—I could have read 200 more pages of these characters finding themselves and finding each other. The love story was brilliant and hard won. The retelling aspect was just enough that it made sense but still a very creative and interesting approach. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it as retellings are almost never my thing, unless they’re queer, and obviously this VERY much was.

This book brings us back to classic K. Ancrum writing. The kind of writing where it’s a few paragraphs, a few pages at most, where the last line of the section is something ~devastating and profound~. It makes for a really quick reading experience but I just don’t love that kind of writing. I found this to be my reaction to Kayla’s other books as well. I read an advance e-arc of this so maybe it was still in draft form, but a lot of this felt very surface level, as if the author never went back to edit the draft.

The writing is very beautiful and not as purpley as The Wicker King. I enjoyed that it wasn’t so flowery because I often find it difficult to follow the narrative of a book that is written too flowery.

There is a very tender relationship that was delightful to see in YA.

I absolutely adored this book, as soon as I picked it up I was unable to put it down. K. Ancrum has beautifully crafted a world where Icarus must carry out his fathers revenge plot and everything about his life is touched by that expectation. A beautiful exploration about how your parents trauma can infiltrate every moment of your life, and sometimes love isn't a good enough reason to maintain a relationship with someone who hurts you. I've been telling everyone that they're going to need to read this book the second it comes out.

Content/Trigger Warnings: Domestic Abuse, Substance Abuse Disorder, Disease, Death (Prior to Story)

This was a gorgeous and mesmerizing read. Loosely based on the Greek myth of Icarus this story follows Icarus Gallagher's exploits as a cat burglar under his father's tutelage. Everything is fine until he is caught by Helios, the sun of the wealthy Mr. Black, while he is stuck inside under house arrest. Instead of turning Icarus in he asks him to keep him company during his time inside and with that follows a tender story of self-discovery, healing, and mystery.

The story is funny in a sense that it isn't SUPER linked to the original Greek myth but it certainly takes a lot of inspiration. The writing is lush with prose, while having what I call the "John Green" effect (the fact that teenagers absolutely don't talk like poets haha), it's still gorgeous and incredibly satisfying to read. There are quotes in this book so incredible that I can't wait to post them once the final book is out and published!

The nuanced way that Ancrum tackles hard is incredible. This is a book for people who had to be adults way before they actually turned 18. The diverse cast as well as the way they are so tender yet fierce in their care for each other is admirable and had me rooting for all of them throughout. The love story is a little fast but hey, it's a teen romance!

This is a must read.

**minor spoilers ahead**
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.


”You stole so much from me,” Icarus continued. “Time I can’t get back, friendships I could have had, experiences I can never ever share. She died, and I get that and it was painful and it was horrible, but you never gave me a chance to live.”


5 ☆

i don’t usually start my reviews with a quote from the book because i like to keep them as spoiler-free as i possibly can, but this one really stuck with me. i chose it because, to me, it perfectly sums up what a wondrous thing this book is. a thieving son telling his thieving father that the most precious, the most invaluable thing he ever stole was his own son’s time and youth. how tragically poetic, how poetically tragic is that? it knocked the breath out of me. and everything about this book is just as magnificent. because there are books that are just that, and there are books that remind you of why you love reading so much; there are stories that are just that, and stories that contain entire universes within their words, and icarus is the more we all look for. icarus is everything i could have hoped it to be. icarus is just everything.

thank you to harper teen & netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review. all opinions are my own.

Reviewing as a middle school librarian, these are the things I’d note when book talking this unique, moving story about risking intimacy even when it feels dangerous.

1. The pacing is sophisticated- short vignettes reveal elements of Icarus’s life in no particular order at first-his fears, his acquaintances, his habits. Then about halfway the vignettes build into more of a linear plot with purpose.


2. The characters and dialogue are fresh, real and yet timeless. I felt the same way I did reading Catcher in the Rye about the universality of teen experiences and encounters.

3. The romance is, yes, erotic without being explicit. Exquisite and prolonged descriptions of touch (which matter even more for Icarus) are unusual in YA.

Would definitely recommend for high school libraries.

Gorgeous romance with lots of aueernesss and a lot of heavy discussion of friendship and how to help peeps. Thanks for the arc

I really enjoyed this book! It was a unique story that is unlike any books I have read previously. The characters were interesting and easy to understand. I really enjoyed reading from Icarus’ perspective and how he interacted with so many different characters and types of people. The romance aspect of this story was also very sweet! Icarus and Helios seemed immediately comfortable with one another (because they were made for each other, literally). They have these sweet soft moments, but you know outside of the dark bedroom, everything is kind of dull and grim. I felt on edge while reading because I knew something horrible was going to happen. I was honestly expecting something much worse to happen before the end of the book and was happy with the actual outcome.

There were several small things I did not care for when reading this book. Firstly, I thought the character names were a bit too dead on. Icarus, a reference to Icarus who flew too close to the sun and died, was an obvious foreshadow to the end of the book. Helios is literally the Greek god of the sun (the sun that melted Icarus’ wings, duh). Not to mention, they’re not very believable names, is anyone really naming their son Icarus or Helios? (Not that any other aspect of this book was that believable). I also was unsure when or where this book was set. Some of the descriptions throughout the book made me feel like I was reading a historical fiction but then characters would pull out a cell phone. Additionally, I felt there were a lot of small details in this book that were not necessary. Many odd interactions or scenes could have been taken out entirely and would not have affected the story at all.

Overall, I would recommend this book for romance readers! It had nice character interactions and a few great messages!

This definitely had a lot of promise! Ever since I read The Song of Achilles, I've been on a lookout for good greek mythology retellings, and this definitely hit the spot. It's not perfect, but quite intriguing and engaging. Happy to add this to our collection for mythology fans.

The Wicker King absolutely changed my life when I read it back in 2018, and now as I finish Icarus, I feel my life changing once more. K. Ancrum is a gem whose works really tap into areas of the teenage experience that are often pushed under the rug or not considered. She depicts teenagers with remarkable kindness and tenderness. The consistent theme of her works is that teenagers take care of each other in the face of things they can't really control, and it breaks my heart every time. I love this book, and I cannot recommend it enough. The author's note alone left me crying uncontrollably. If you haven't read anything by K. Ancrum, this is not just a recommendation, but a requirement.

An aching, lyrical novel that depicts its characters with such tenderness. Ancrum has once again crafted a masterpiece that will have you feel so deeply, you'll forget where you are.

I really enjoyed this book! I think it captured loneliness and longing for new things so well. I really appreciated. The book started slow for me but picked up so much I couldn’t put it down! I loved watching the relationships develop throughout the story

This was an interesting storyline around a famous myth. I loved the characters and the writing style. Something was missing though, but I do not know what. It was a good book overall, a little slow. 3 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

i finished icarus 3 hours ago as of writing this and have been sitting in quiet contemplation ever since.

there are very very few books i love from the first page and then forever onwards but icarus fell into that little niche category. a book i will forever adore and always always think about.

icarus, is a story of a thief, fuelled by a parents desire for vengeance and a misguided boys endless desire to be what was wanted of him. icarus is a story of resilience and vulnerability and the opportunity to be more and less than what’s expected of you - and icarus gallagher, the namesake of it all, is easily one of my favourite characters ever.

unlike the usual vulnerable learning to be strong, icarus is strong and learning to be vulnerable. this book hits you with all of its tenderness and gentle touch, it hits you in learning to have friends for the first time and being hugged and cherished for the first time and it hits you in the way all first loves do.

icarus is a thief, of paintings mostly, but icarus has to learn how to be a thief of people too in order to save the boy trapped inside his home, helios. helios - the sun. and just like the myth, in a poetic justice, icarus will forever fly too close to his sun.

this story is for the touch-starved, the healing, the wonderful and all those that find love between pages. the romance is so sweet, there’s intersex rep with the love interest and hEDS rep for the mc! and it’s gorgeous and gorgeous, full of all the fluidity of both a dancer and a painter. i would love this book tattooed on my soul. i will love this book forever.

the relationships, both platonic and romantic are what you yearn for. something sweet and hopeful and as gentle as anything could ever be. this story is a romance in the sense that isn’t everything romantic when you’re given just a slip of freedom? that chance at something more.

if you can’t tell, i love this book. and i’m amazed i found my favourite book of the year 4 days before the year ends. i want to immediately annotate a physical copy but alas i will have to wait till march.

and icarus, i hope you get the world you fought so hard for.