All The Write Stuff: Icarus

This suspenseful queer YA romance from critically acclaimed author K. Ancrum reimagines the tale of Icarus as a star-crossed love story between a young art thief and the son of the man he’s been stealing from.

Icarus

by K. Ancrum

Genre: YA LGBTQ Contemporary Romance

Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, this suspenseful queer YA romance from critically acclaimed author K. Ancrum reimagines the tale of Icarus as a star-crossed love story between a young art thief and the son of the man he’s been stealing from—think Portrait of a Thief for YA readers.

Icarus Gallagher is a thief. He steals priceless art and replaces it with his father’s impeccable forgeries. For years, one man—the wealthy Mr. Black—has been their target in revenge for his role in the death of Icarus’s mother. To keep their secret, Icarus adheres to his own strict rules to keep people, and feelings, at bay: Don’t let anyone close. Don’t let anyone touch you. And, above all, don’t get caught.

Until one night, he does. Not by Mr. Black but by his mysterious son, Helios, now living under house arrest in the Black mansion. Instead of turning Icarus in, Helios bargains for something even more dangerous—a friendship that breaks every single one of Icarus’s rules.

As reluctance and distrust become closeness and something more, they uncover the gilded cage that has trapped both their families for years. One Icarus is determined to escape. But his father’s thirst for revenge shows no sign of fading, and soon it may force Icarus to choose: the escape he’s dreamed of, or the boy he’s come to love. Reaching for both could be his greatest triumph—or it could be his downfall.

EXCERPT

ICARUS FILIFORMIS

Icarus was his father’s son.

They were of a height, they had the same wiry frame, the same black limp hair, the same big ears, the same deep-set brown eyes, the same unhappy mouth. He thought his father was ugly, so he knew he must be ugly too.

They were both artists, though Icarus was slightly worse.

Both did restoration; but Icarus’s was slightly clumsier.

Both thieves, but Icarus was faster.

Both quiet, but Icarus knew how to talk to other people.

Both friendless, but Icarus knew how to make people like him.

They walked at the same pace, moved with the same grace, had the same size hands and similar handwriting.

They both kneeled in penance, chins to the sky, fisted rosary. His father liked to keep his eyes closed. Icarus needed to keep his eyes open to stay tethered to faith.

And wasn’t that just the way?

Angus Gallagher shut tight like a sarcophagus. Icarus Gallagher, eyes open, mouth open, waiting.

IKE

He lowered the Monet to the ground and unfastened the backing from the frame. Now that he was able to put them side by side, he could tell that the forgery was lighter in weight, and the canvas it was painted on much softer and more delicate than the original cloth.

The painting his father made was slightly too yellow, but without the other work next to it, it wouldn't be easy to tell. This clearly was not a room that Mr. Black went into particularly often.

Icarus pinned the replacement painting to the old frame and folded a protective sheath of silk around the original Monet, before placing it in the carrier on his back.

Then he climbed the small stack again and hung the painting where it belonged in the center of the wall. When Icarus bent down to pick up the books and replace them, his headlight landed on two feet.

Icarus jerked up with a gasp and turned around.

He stumbled backwards over the books, catching himself against the bookcase. His headlight spinning crazily around the room as he faltered, eventually landing steady on the person in front of him.

Dressed in a slightly too-small blue linen pajama set, another boy stared back, very calm. He had bright red hair—mused as he'd obviously been asleep—and soft brown eyes. He was taller than Icarus and broader in the shoulders. But he wasn't armed or standing like he was about to attack.

He looked resigned, but curious.

"How long have you been doing this?" He asked.

Fun new thing!

Problems it solves: Why is Icarus named Icarus? Who is Icarus's Mom? The Thing about having pictures of her around the house.

Icarus is a type of fern. Their house originally had many plants and I just turned them to ferns. Icarus's mom is a botanist and Angus only paints her wearing green. Helios is slightly younger than Icarus.

So the whole thing went.

Angus: My wife and I are naming our son Icarus (Plant named after Myth)

Ramona: (gasp! A sign Angus loves classism as much as I do!! Perhaps this is a Sign™) I will name my child Helios (The Myth and also the greatest love of Icarus)

Angus: that's nice hehe (platonically)

Ramona: I'm glad you feel that way (romantically)

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Book Links:
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/icarus-k-ancrum/20231778

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Icarus-K-Ancrum-ebook/dp/B0C9J8RZD3

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/icarus/id6450704280

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/icarus-k-ancrum/1143700314?ean=9780063285804

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/K_Ancrum_Icarus?id=fOzHEAAAQBAJ

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/icarus-46

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/icarus-by-k-ancrum

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/181110014-icarus

About the Author

K. Ancrum is an author of award winning contemporary YA notably THE WICKER KING, DARLING and most recently the triple starred ICARUS. K. is a Chicago native passionate about diversity and representation in young adult fiction. She currently writes most of her work in the lush gardens of the Chicago Art Institute.

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Author Links

Website: https://kancrum.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kayla.esbjorn

X: https://twitter.com/KaylaAncrum

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.ancrum

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/k-ancrum

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/K.-Ancrum/author/B077SZQ3N

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16371347.K_Ancrum

Giveaway

$10 Amazon

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