Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - Icarus

Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

bookobsessedmommy's review

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious 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

4.75

Icarus tries to live as inconspicuously as possible to keep his home life a secret, but is startled to realize that more people notice him and care about him than he could have imagined. I have never read a book quite like this before, with its combination of poetry and prose and dash of Latin. (Initially this threw me off, but the context, spirit of the language, and my remedial spanish made it knowable in a strange way.) The short chapters make the story go by quickly, and even though it jumps around a bit I rarely felt lost. Icarus is on this epic journey, and I rooted for him and everyone connected to him so hard. His friends are the absolute best, even the school associates who were ready to move heaven and earth for him. (Or one crappy dad.) Angus' arc, even though we don't hear much from him, is a complex mix of heartbreaking and infuriating. I think my biggest complaint is that I wanted more explanation on one specific situation.

I cannot understand how the Helios situation persisted. Did he not need to be enrolled in school? Maybe the dad paid them off. Didn't his mom have calls? She never came to see him? She knows the dad is abusive, so why would she let him take him? Yes, this entire book is far fetched for a ton of reasons, but this one is like dust in my eye. I just can't ignore it.

Elements of the resolution felt rushed to me, but this is one of those books I can see myself reading over and over because there is just so much meat on the bones. The author's note nearly made me cry, so I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from K. Ancrum.

Content Warnings

brep23's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Content Warnings

samanthachen's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

What a unique writing style. I loved this book. It was a challenging read in parts (see TW), but so beautiful. To me, it all comes down to love. In any form. This book represents love and what it means to have loving support.

Content Warnings

tnemelce's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

pjthom's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

4.75

Content Warnings

melaschnie's review

Go to review page

4.5

Content Warnings

melissafelicia's review

Go to review page

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.

Content Warnings