Book Title: Icarus
Author: K. Ancrum
Publisher: HarperCollins
Number of Pages: 400
ISBN: 0063472805
Date Published: Apr. 22, 2025
Price: INR 400 / $15.99
Book Review
K. Ancrum’s “Icarus” spins the old Greek myth into a tense, queer YA thriller full of stolen art, family grudges, and first love. Icarus Gallagher works for his dad, Angus, swapping real paintings for perfect fakes in rich homes—always targeting one man, Mr. Black, who blames for his mom’s death. Icarus lives by strict rules to stay safe and hidden, sneaking in and out like a shadow. But one night changes it all when he meets Helios, Mr. Black’s son, locked away under house arrest.
Instead of snitching, Helios asks for company, trading silence for chats that break Icarus’s walls. What starts as wary talks turns into real friendship, then deep feelings neither expected. They dig into family secrets—abuse, revenge, and traps holding both boys back. Icarus dreams of escape for them both, but his dad’s anger grows, forcing hard choices between loyalty and the boy who sees him truly.
Ancrum nails the push-pull of toxic homes, with Icarus learning to feel soft after years of hardness. The mansion feels alive, gothic and creepy, matching their hidden meets full of tension and sparks. Romance builds slow and real, mixing trust with fear, while heists add pulse-racing thrills. Side looks at mental health and found family hit home without preaching.
Pacing stays tight, mirroring teen urgency, though some twists feel rushed near the end. Fans of forbidden love, like in ‘Aristotle and Dante’, will eat up the emotional layers. Ancrum’s voice shines bright, making heavy stuff hopeful and raw. Inside the book, every page’s indentation looks spacious and easy to read.
Grab “Icarus” for a quick, heart-pounding read that flips wings into wings of escape—perfect for YA lovers craving love amid the chaos.
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