Publishers Weekly
★ 12/18/2023
Seventeen-year-old Icarus Gallagher is his own kind of art thief; he only steals pieces from the collection of the wealthy Mr. Black, all under his father’s instruction as part of a decades-long revenge scheme. He’s never been noticed, but that all changes when Icarus enters the supposedly empty mansion for another heist, only to discover Mr. Black’s son is there under house arrest. Helios Black, also 17, strikes a deal with the burglar: he won’t turn Icarus in, as long as Icarus returns to keep him company. Soon, Icarus finds himself opening up to the homebound teen, and he in turn learns of the physical abuse that Helios has endured from Mr. Black. As Helios’s homelife worsens, Icarus determines that he cannot stay beholden to his father’s vengeful ploys forever; he plots to get both himself and Helios out before their situations come crashing down on them. Via lyrical language that winningly captures the magic and dreamlike aura of young love, Ancrum (Murder of Crows) expertly weaves together brief, propulsive chapters brimming with riveting action, powerful emotion, and deeply felt romance. In this intimate poetic reimagining of the Icarus myth, Ancrum crafts a subversive triumph that is a love letter both to healing from trauma and to the importance of connection and empathy. Characters are intersectionally diverse. Ages 13–up. Agent: Eric Smith, P.S. Literary. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
"The sparse prose in this unconventional, must-read of a trauma-infused borderline thriller is packed with emotional breadth." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Beautifully written...Psychologically acute, subtle, and sophisticated." — Booklist (starred review)
"Via lyrical language that winningly captures the magic and dreamlike aura of young love, Ancrum (Murder of Crows) expertly weaves together brief, propulsive chapters brimming with riveting action, powerful emotion, and deeply felt romance. In this intimate poetic reimagining of the Icarus myth, Ancrum crafts a subversive triumph that is a love letter both to healing from trauma and to the importance of connection and empathy." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Rhythmic. Moody. A book of aching. K. Ancrum tells a story you can't get out of your skin.” — Olivia A. Cole, author of Dear Medusa
“Beautiful, brilliant, and bold, K. Ancrum proves once again that not only is she one of the best storytellers of this generation, but a true poet, as well. Icarus is the perfect blend of an exciting heist, poetic prose, and an aching romance between two star-crossed lovers. Absolutely unputdownable!” — Aiden Thomas, Three-Time New York Times Bestselling Author of Cemetery Boys, The Sunbearer Trials, and Lost in the Never Woods
"With stunning prose and a deft hand, Ancrum doesn't simply rise to the challenge of navigating a compelling tale of love, trauma and vengeance, she soars. An instant classic for those who desire complex stories, beautiful writing, and engaging storytelling." — Kosoko Jackson, Lambda Award Winning Author of I'm So Not Over You
"Icarus is a masterpiece. A passionate, heartrending story on the value of emotional intimacy and human connection. K. Ancrum's concise flash-fiction style allows readers to devour the story in one sitting, or savor each word like individual brush strokes on a work of art." — Erik J. Brown, author of All That's Left in the World and Lose You to Find Me
“It's a myth that inspires even today. K. Ancrum remodels it entirely in a young adult fantasy that's easily one of the most acclaimed titles of the year (and it's only March).” — Parade
"In her extraordinary fifth novel, Icarus, K. Ancrum performs a confident high-wire act, balancing the weighty manifestations of connection, desire and contradiction." (starred review) — BookPage
“Gradually, many secrets are revealed, suspense builds, and the romantic tension between the characters ratchets up—all of it enhanced by the vivid prose in this refreshingly succinct novel.” — Horn Book Magazine
"Both romance and thriller fans will likely be gripped by this memorable love story, tinged with mythology, built around a mystery made up of bitter secrets between the two families" — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)
In Ancrum's character-driven Icarus, flying too close to the warmth of the sun, to the unique light offered by each person, is not a matter of gross overreach but is, in fact, a necessity, a basic condition of humanity and interconnectedness, even at the risk of violent crash and burn. — BookBrowser Review
"Ancrum weaves themes of socio-economic class, love, gender, and revenge, making this a compelling read. A poignant exploration of family, identity, and self-discovery." — School Library Journal
School Library Journal
05/03/2024
Gr 10 Up—Ancrum offers a compelling narrative that will undoubtedly resonate with many YA readers. In this gripping tale, readers are introduced to Icarus, a seemingly ordinary high school student harboring a complex double life. By day, he maintains a facade of casual indifference, but by night, he assumes the role of a skilled cat burglar, aiding his father, Angus, in an illegal art forgery operation. Icarus breaks into the wealthy Stuart Black's home and photographs the expensive art collection for his father to make replicas for his son to later replace so he can sell the art on the black market. On a chance break-in one night, Icarus discovers a captive named Helios, Stuart Black's child. This sets the stage for a captivating story of intrigue. Helios and Icarus forge a friendship, and later a romance, that blossoms with Stuart's frequent absences from home. The romance and love become complicated with layers of backstory between Angus and Stuart, as well as Helios's past. Ancrum crafts a story that captivates on many levels. The sparse yet fastpaced chapters keep the narrative engaging and relatable, ensuring that readers will find themselves eagerly turning pages to uncover the next twist in the plot. Ancrum weaves themes of socio-economic class, love, gender, and revenge, making this a compelling read. VERDICT A poignant exploration of family, identity, and self-discovery, offering late teens a thought-provoking journey as they navigate the complexities of emerging into new adulthood.—Roy Jackson
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2023-12-06
A queer art thief stealthily steps into a love story.
Seventeen-year-old Icarus Gallagher, who has black hair and brown eyes, leads a double life. Mostly, he’s busy being a high school senior. But also, he’s an art thief, trained by his widowed father, Angus, a professional art restorer. Due to the nature of their side hustle, Icarus has to abide by his father’s strict rules: He’s not allowed to get close to people, go to parties, or invite anyone over. Icarus is so deprived of emotional attachments that even being touched accidentally is distressing. Since he’s allowed to have acquaintances, resentful Icarus, clever boy that he is, has created a workaround to his dad’s edict: He simply gets to know one person in every class he’s in. These siloed friends provide him with the bare minimum of human connection. Until one night, when Icarus does another routine break-in at the notoriously violent Stuart Black’s mansion and meets Black’s son, Helios, a beautiful, red-haired, ankle monitor–wearing dancer. What unfolds is a narrative filled with suspense, romance, and heartbreak with secrets unraveling at a breakneck speed once Helios and Icarus breach the rules their controlling fathers have imposed upon them. The sparse prose in this unconventional, must-read of a trauma-infused borderline thriller is packed with emotional breadth.
A slow-burn mystery fueled by a few broken people and a heavy dose of caring ones. (Thriller. 14-18)
