Ancrum, K. Icarus. HarperCollins/HarperTeen, 03/2024. 400pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-0-06328-578-1. GRADES 9–Adult. OUTSTANDING.
In this Greek myth remix, Icarus is the son of a brilliant art forger who forces him into a life of crime. Fearing exposure, the seventeen-year-old, with black hair and brown eyes, avoids close relationships with his peers until he is drawn into the orbit of a charismatic teen named Helios (“the sun”). Icarus is a contemporary, believable high schooler, with an intense and suspenseful story arc. Spare prose, rich sensory details, and intricate plotting bring primary and secondary characters, including those in the LGBTQIA+ community, into sharp focus as motivations and desires are revealed. The story includes scenes of parental abuse, a subject addressed in a moving author’s note. Surprisingly, no information is provided about the original tale, but the reimagined story of Icarus and Helios stands firmly on its own.
Jenny Andrus, Independent