Icarus

Starred review from December 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.

Starred review from January 1, 2024
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)

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Starred review from February 1, 2024
Grades 10-12 *Starred Review* Seventeen-year-old Icarus is a cat burglar, stealing art from a wealthy neighbor and replacing the stolen items with forgeries by his artist father. On one of his forays, he is discovered by a boy his age named Helios, who, it turns out, is the son of the house's owner. Icarus flees but must come back and is discovered by Helios a second time. Helios promises not to turn him in if Icarus talks to him. Icarus learns that Helios is virtually being kept prisoner by his father, wearing an ankle monitor and denied access to human contact. Icarus agrees to converse and return, and as the two boys get to know each other, their feelings grow and, maybe, turn to love. Icarus dreams of escaping his own father, and Helios agrees to go with him if he can escape his father. There is a great deal more in this superb, plot-rich novel, especially in how the boys' relationship grows and deepens. Ancrum does a beautiful job of developing the two originally enigmatic characters. Moreover, the book is beautifully written (red hair is "violent, sanguine," eyes are "lilac with lack of sleep"). Psychologically acute, subtle, and sophisticated, the story promises a crossover readership that will find the novel a gift, as will its intended audience.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

May 1, 2024
In this loose retelling of the Greek myth, Icarus Gallagher is a seventeen-year-old art thief. He breaks into Mr. Black's home, steals his art, and replaces it with forgeries by his father, Angus -- largely as revenge for Mr. Black's role in Icarus's mother's death years earlier. This revenge comes at a cost, however. Angus has strict rules that keep Icarus distanced from others, and he isn't the novel's only abusive father. One night, Icarus meets Mr. Black's son, Helios, who is essentially under house arrest. Against Icarus's better judgment, they strike up a friendship, and then a romance -- and then they must face their inner demons as they plot their escape. Written in brief vignettes that hover somewhere between flash fiction and prose poems, the narrative begins as an impressionistic character study of Icarus. Gradually, a plot emerges, 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. Jonathan Hunt

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

May 3, 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

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2024
In this loose retelling of the Greek myth, Icarus Gallagher is a seventeen-year-old art thief. He breaks into Mr. Black's home, steals his art, and replaces it with forgeries by his father, Angus -- largely as revenge for Mr. Black's role in Icarus's mother's death years earlier. This revenge comes at a cost, however. Angus has strict rules that keep Icarus distanced from others, and he isn't the novel's only abusive father. One night, Icarus meets Mr. Black's son, Helios, who is essentially under house arrest. Against Icarus's better judgment, they strike up a friendship, and then a romance -- and then they must face their inner demons as they plot their escape. Written in brief vignettes that hover somewhere between flash fiction and prose poems, the narrative begins as an impressionistic character study of Icarus. Gradually, a plot emerges, 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.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)