BOOK REVIEW // Children of Icarus

Pages: 313

Published: Aug. 1, 2016

Genre(s): YA, Fantasy, Mythology

Source: NetGalley/eARC

Cover Rating: 🌟🌟🌟 (Ehhh... I'm in LOVE with the wings, but I think the fonts could use some tweaking and I'm not a huge fan of the empty spaces.)

There were several things that made me want to read this book... the fact that it has a blurb that never once actually mentions the main character's name. WHAT. Insanity. Who is this person? I need to know now. 

There's a labyrinth. I mean, labyrinths practically equate to adventure if we're being honest here.

And the angel wings on the cover. Angel wings are cool. Really cool.

All that and what I'm trying to say is--I pretty much knew nothing about this book before reading it. Which leads me to saying it. was. amazing. Everything about it was unexpected and quite uniquely original.

PROS:

• The history of the mc's civilization. If anyone starts mentioning Greek mythology and deceiving, twisty histories, I am so in. What's even cooler imo is that the story that this book grew from was the one about Icarus, who flew on wings of wax and feathers but then fell to his death. I think the author did a really good job of staying true to the old story but utilizing it in a very new way. 
• I mentioned deceiving histories, right? Throughout this whole book I kept asking myself, "WHAT THE FRICK IS GOING ON??" The truths and the lies were so well mixed that I felt as naive as the main character. Who was super naive. What is going on?? How did these people end up here?? WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE. You know the saying about those people who make you think you know a lot about them but you actually don't. Yup. That applies really well here. 

• Worldbuilding. I love a rich, intricate, unique story world and that's exactly what I got. It was so lushly described and SO different from any book I'd read before. Okay, you might be saying something like uh Selena what about The Maze Runner, it also has super duper creepy beasties and confusing mazes and young children. Well. You're right. BUT this book has like a weird religous/cult aspect to it that didn't make it similar when I was reading it. It's not sciencey/techy (fear my intelligent use of words) at. all. 
• The main character's development throughout the book was amazingly done. There were huge changes, growth from a shy, incapable mouse (which sounds mean but is completely accurate) to an independent, strong warrior. It just felt really gradual and natural, not choppy or too abrupt.

CONS:

• That being said, I have to admit... I was not a fan of the main character for the longest time. Aaand I feel a little guilty about that because admittedly she is pretty relatable to me, to the younger me especially. But being anxious, being shy, being a shadow...does that mean you have to weep uncontrollably when you could be doing SOMETHING to survive? Does that mean that you lose all will to live before you've even tried? Does that mean you stand shivering in fear because you believe so much that you are useless that you risk hurting other people or yourself? Not to me. So I do understand her, I just don't agree that that was the way to deal with things. As you can see by my rant, I was pretty mad about that. *sheepish grin*

• There were actually a lot of characters I didn't like, but I don't think it was as much bad character writing as it was ohmigod the labyrinth has turned everyone into loonies that are unlikeable as heck. Plus, they were the people in charge so you can see how lovely that would be. 
• Connections between people. I do really like complicated and confusing books. However, I do also sometimes appreciate having things explained by the end of the book. There are a lot of characters, maybe too many, that didn't really seem to have a specific purpose in the story. And don't introduce 50 people (it wasn't really 50 but it felt like it) in the first half and then never mention them again afterwards. Like, why?
• Lastly, the plot dragged on pretty slowly in some parts SPOILER ALERT *like when the main character was learning how to fight for herself in the labyrinth.* Sometimes characters aren't always doing exciting things, I get it. It got pretty repetitive after a while though. 

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟🌟

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.