K. Ancrum

Icarus goes to high school by day, being careful who he befriends and how many friends he keeps, trying hard not to make attachments that would necessitate hanging out outside of school. By night he’s an art thief, trained and working for his father, who is hell-bent on revenge against one man, Mr. Black, living in a mansion and collecting all kinds of priceless art. Then one night when Icarus sneaks into the mansion to replace an original Monet with the replica his father has painted, he show more gets caught. By Mr. Black’s son, Helios. And Icarus’ first real friendship begins, and leads the way for his other, tentative friendships to become real as well.

It's difficult to summarize this YA novel because it’s unlike anything else I’ve ever read, and in a very good way. It’s sort of a retelling of a Greek myth but not really; it’s sort of a romance but not really; it’s sort of a heist story but not really. It’s all of these and much more. I absolutely adored it. Icarus is such a great character, and his coming-of-age story is so soft and lovely. Yes, there’s some harshness here, but overall it feels warm and wonderful. Icarus will stay with me as a friend for a long time, I think. show less

We first meet Icarus in the middle of an art heist. His father Angus, a professional art restorer, has been training Icarus for years in not only restoration, but also in breaking and entering undetected into the mansion of Mr. Black, a man against whom Angus has vowed revenge. The two have spent years replacing Black's authentic works of art with replicas. But during one of his clandestine missions inside the mansion, Icarus is startled by the presence of someone who shouldn't be there: show more another teenage boy, Helios.

This is an achingly sad and beautiful story. The writing is poetic, and I found myself returning to reread earlier passages to savor them again. Icarus and Helios are both prisoners in their own way, each wounded and hurting and finding in each other a kindred soul. I so wanted them just to experience some happiness! It's really a lovely, lovely book. Highest recommendations. show less

An inventive retelling of Peter Pan, in which Wendy is a teen who has just moved to Chicago with her family, and Peter is the mysterious, dangerous, and manipulative guy who runs a sort of street gang and is being tracked down by Detective Hook with a vengeance.

I love this way of spinning Peter Pan’s character. He’s possibly supernatural, or maybe just a creeper, but he’s absolutely not the good guy.

5/5
An eerie and delicate story of haunting, love, and friendship in a small town.

CW // death, suicidal ideation, ghosts, possession, exorcism, bullying, financial struggles, strong language, the sweetest queer romance EVER ♡

THIS WAS BEAUTIFUL. I CANNOT EVEN.

I love this twist on a possession. I love how Ancrum showed Hollis talking vs. Walt. Their friendship and romance is so sweet and pure and I LOVE IT.

If you've ever lived in a small town, you'll understand this book on such deep show more levels that it'll be painful. It truly is a love letter to small towns and their resilience. Watching Hollis grow from a dark, hopeless teen into something better was so touching and inspiring. It's books like these that make me happy to be alive.

The romance is sweet and gentle. Ancrum writes it so well! I love the differences and the similarities. Times change but time doesn't. You'll understand when you read about the pantry and the springs and seeing life through Walt's eyes.

The chapters are really short and that helped create the eerie and spooky vibes. I really liked it, considering the last book that did this didn't work because there were several other characters. This works well, I think, because we're only in Hollis's head. There's no numbers but each chapter has a name, usually one word that I never fully understood half the time. But it worked. I was on edge.

I'm so glad to have found this at my local library, but honestly, I need a copy for myself. This is my #1 book of 2025. Please check your local library for a copy or purchase it! show less