Here’s a new one for all those Greek myth lovers out there! I know there’s plenty of us. This is a contemporary re-telling of the story of Icarus. You remember him, he flew too close to the sun and melted his wings? In this case, Icarus is an art thief. His father, an accomplished art restorer (and forger) has more or less trained him for one particular job. He steals art from the home of Mr.Black, a wealthy collector who shares a mysterious past with Icarus’s father. To keep this illegal activity a secret, Icarus holds everyone at arm’s length. He isn’t used to being touched, he keeps his friendships at school to surface level, and he reports back home. Until one night, Mr. Black’s son, Helios, catches Icarus in the house. What follows next is the unraveling of all Icarus’s carefully structured relationships. Can he have a friend after all? Maybe something more? Will he finally be able to leave his father’s employ and pursue his own life out of the shadows?
I found this novel to be achingly romantic, heartbreaking, and beautifully written. Icarus is such an incredible character I was immediately invested in, and I only felt closer to him as the story progressed. It’s actually quite suspenseful, since you’re never sure where these relationships are going or how they might fall apart.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the intensely wonderful friend group Icarus collects, (despite not being allowed to actually have friends). Can you imagine being in high school and having a job that meant you weren’t supposed to let anyone get close to you? The caring and love shown by these teens is everything!
The author’s note at the back was particularly touching. More than just a novel, it’s a reminder to care for those around us. To see them as we want to be seen. I would certainly recommend this book to teens looking for an interesting, romantic, and even tragic read. It's a great read for Pride Month or any other month!
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