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melaschnie's review
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Chronic illness, and Drug abuse
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, and Death of parent
melissafelicia's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
An Icarus myth retelling about a traumatized queer art thief/forger? Sign me up!
This was such a sweet story about healing friendships, young love and standing up to abusive parents. The dedication immediately made me feel things and definitely don't skip the author's note either, I've rarely read such a beautiful ending to a book.
This was such a sweet story about healing friendships, young love and standing up to abusive parents. The dedication immediately made me feel things and definitely don't skip the author's note either, I've rarely read such a beautiful ending to a book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
bonriki's review
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Chronic illness
ankiaisreading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Torture, Addiction, Blood, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, and Violence
lettuce_read's review
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Addiction, and Child abuse
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Chronic illness and Death of parent
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
“If you’re such a good thief, then why haven’t you stolen me yet?”
I absolutely adored this young adult, contemporary coming-of-age story about Icarus Gallagher, a 17-year-old thief who steals exorbitant art from Mr. Black's home, and replaces it with his father Angus's forgeries. Due to their lifestyle, Icarus has to keep a distant profile, meaning he doesn't have many close friends at school, and they certainly have never come to his home, full of stolen art and forgeries! One day, Icarus is caught by the son of Mr. Black, Helios, but instead of exposing Icarus, Helios simply asks for him to stay and to befriend him. Helios is confined to the Black house, and is not allowed outside, so Icarus continues to climb up to Helios's window and visits him, developing the deepest connection he's ever had.
Icarus and Helios' unraveling of their generational trauma, and why Mr. Black has been Angus Gallagher's target for so long is paced perfectly alongside the buildup of Icarus and Helios's romance, a slow and beautiful burn. They discover exactly what led to this hatred, jealousy, and need for revenge. The teens also explore their chronic illnesses and other parts that make up their identities, parts that they hadn't particularly shared so openly and bravely with anyone else.
I appreciated how as Icarus's relationship with Helios grew, so did his friendships with Celestina, Luca, and Sorrel. It was like ... once Icarus opened himself up to one person, it became a muscle he began to more comfortably flex with others. Once he was brave, vulnerable, and hopeful with Helios, it allowed him to try it out with others in his life. Platonic love and friendship is such a beautiful part of life; Icarus discovers this as he lets himself be loved and cared for, in ways he hadn't known were possible. Growing up with his spiteful and vengeful father Angus, -who didn't physically hit him, but also never showed him softness or unconditional affection- this was Icarus' only frame of reference for connection, companionship, love.
To be shown the love you never knew you craved? That's one of the most unique yet universally humbling feelings in the world. To be fully seen, wanted, and encouraged as you are? How wildly freeing and magical. I'm sure so many of us could remember the first moment we felt wholly and unconditionally supported or loved. It's an illuminating moment, to realize that you had been lied to when subscribing to the idea that you had to be stronger, smarter, quieter, etc. When you realize you actually never had to make yourself smaller, palatable, a "good" kid; and you were indeed always worthy of being loved or cared for, it's something words just don't do justice.
The chapters were short, so I felt incredibly accomplished each time I picked up this book and finished a *few* chapters hehe. K. Ancrum is an author I will continue to read from, and Icarus is a story I will return to. The author's note had me sobbing, and was just the reminded I needed about how we show up for each other, and how powerful and impactful such small moments can be.
representation: I don't want to spoil the journey for yall, but there are characters with Ehlers Danlos syndrome, a character navigating addiction, and an intersex character. There is achillean romance and a Black side character.
see content warnings below & take care while reading <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Violence, Confinement, Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Abandonment, Chronic illness, and Domestic abuse
ellariawrites's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ARC sent to me by the author. 4.5 stars
The thing I adore about Ancrum's writing is that her books are healing to read. They touch you gently, soothe your soul, and leave you feeling a bit more hopeful about the world. Icarus is no exception. Taking place in a small town, we follow the story of a teen who steals arts, and yet has had so much stolen from him. This story was soft, gentle, breathtaking, and filled with a kind of grief that made me want to hug our main characters and cry with them. But this story is also bursting at the seams with hope, love, and kindness, and is an amazing testament to the beautiful bonds of friendship. I deeply enjoyed unravelling the plot and learning how all of the characters came to be who they are. Many parts had me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath as I eagerly turned the page to see what happened next. I highly, highly recommend reading it! You won't be able to put it down!
SPOILERS BELOW:
My only wish is that we got to spend a bit more time with Helios, especially when all was said and done. I would've like to see more of him and Icarus interacting once both of them were no longer confined. Who are they once they're free? Did they move in together after all? Did Icarus get to meet Helios' mom? What was Paris like? I would've liked to see a bit more of that.
The thing I adore about Ancrum's writing is that her books are healing to read. They touch you gently, soothe your soul, and leave you feeling a bit more hopeful about the world. Icarus is no exception. Taking place in a small town, we follow the story of a teen who steals arts, and yet has had so much stolen from him. This story was soft, gentle, breathtaking, and filled with a kind of grief that made me want to hug our main characters and cry with them. But this story is also bursting at the seams with hope, love, and kindness, and is an amazing testament to the beautiful bonds of friendship. I deeply enjoyed unravelling the plot and learning how all of the characters came to be who they are. Many parts had me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath as I eagerly turned the page to see what happened next. I highly, highly recommend reading it! You won't be able to put it down!
SPOILERS BELOW:
My only wish is that we got to spend a bit more time with Helios, especially when all was said and done. I would've like to see more of him and Icarus interacting once both of them were no longer confined. Who are they once they're free? Did they move in together after all? Did Icarus get to meet Helios' mom? What was Paris like? I would've liked to see a bit more of that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Confinement
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, Violence, and Addiction
Minor: Dysphoria, Drug use, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Medical content
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