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Moderate: Child abuse, Violence
Minor: Chronic illness
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Icarus and his father are art thieves. But they don't steal from random people, only from Mr. Black, who has something to do with the death of Icarus mother. One day, when Icarus breaks in, he is surprisingly caught... by Mr. Black's son, Helios! From then on, Icarus visits more often, and they form a special bond that makes him feel free.
This was beautiful. Loosely inspired by the myth, but very much it's own thing (so no bad ending). It's a rather calm story for most of the time. We follow Icarus through his daily life at school, getting closer to the friends he is not supposed to have, and breaking in to see Helios. They slowly get to know each other and their secrets. I also liked how open they were with their attraction. The lovestory unfolded without much drama and was just lovely ❤️ Icarus is so touch-starved that he reacts really sensitive. I just love stories where people get to feel love and care for the first time 🥹
Another highlight in this regard were also the friendship moments. The way they noticed this pain and tried to help in any way. How he was just so happy with them. That one scene after the party made me really nostalgic 🥹❤️ I just thought the atmosphere was often also really... flirty? Like, is everyone so touchy with their friends? 😂 I could also see a poly relationship in their future 👀
Speaking of which, the ending was nice, but I wanted a bit more at the end. Felt a bit sudden. Sure, the most important things were done, but not everything was explained, especially what their future is really going to look like.
I was also surprised to encounter the same short chapters as in "The Wicker King." For that one, it made sense with the story, but here I didn't feel like it was necessary. I guess that is just the style of the author, and it's not like it's bothering me. On the contrary, I think you read quicker this way 👀
Anyway, really nice book I'd totally recommend 🩵
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief
Minor: Drug use, Sexual content, Death of parent
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol
Moderate: Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Self harm
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse
Minor: Chronic illness, Death of parent
Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Death, Drug use, Death of parent, Dysphoria
Moderate: Child abuse, Violence
That said, I wouldn’t consider it a retelling of the Icarus myth like a few people describe it… it diverges significantly from the main plot points of the original stories, so I would say it’s more so inspired by it.
This book takes a few themes (and names, of course) from mythology, but it’s just an entirely different story.
It is enjoyable on its own, so please treat it as completely separate and different from the myth when you read it! :)
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence
Minor: Death of parent
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail