Icarus by Kayla Ancrum

“Love, care, and tenderness. They are our birthright. They are not 'too little'; they are what matters most. When instinct tells you to pay attention and choose tenderness, do it.”

- Kayla Ancrum

This is a story of friendship, vulnerability, and being willing to put yourself on the line to chase after what your heart truly desires. Sometimes we find ourselves caught in a cycle of being isolated, overwhelmed, wearing ourselves thin, and we don't realize how truly awful it is until we are seen by others and experience their love. As we follow Icarus through his journey, these lessons become more and more apparent. 

Icarus is an art thief, breaking into the home of Mr. Black to steal priceless artwork and replace them with the forgeries his father makes. Forced into this life from a young age, he has intentionally walled himself off from both meaningful connection and the spotlight. Things change during a break-in when he is discovered by someone, and this moment breaks a crack in the walls Icarus tries so hard to uphold. Just like a crack does, it spreads until Icarus finds himself face-to-face with light he didn't know felt so good.

I deeply recommend this book. Please give it a read and let your heart strings be tugged, just like mine were. And if you find yourself wanting to chase after a light, don't be afraid to fly. For even if your wings melt, there will always be people to catch your fall.

- Leo H.