July 2016 Book of the Month | In a Nutshell: * Dystopian deception * Greek myth * Survival
A labyrinthine world of brutality, deception and monstrous creatures awaits in this intense coming-of-age fantasy about fighting to survive. Being chosen to enter the angel-guarded labyrinth is the greatest honour that can be bestowed on the children of Daedelum. That's what people pray for, and that’s what Clara wants; to be chosen, and reunited with her brother. But the reality of life within the labyrinth is very different. Shortly after entering it, Clara is attacked by terrifying screeching creatures, and the novel’s unnamed protagonist is left without her cherished childhood friend. She’s taken in by the Fates, a group of Icarii dedicated to teaching newcomers “how to adapt and survive”. Within the labyrinth, people are either scavengers or caretakers. Whichever you are, it's a brutally basic existence, plagued by the ever-present threat of the screechers. “This isn't the kind of place where you play at being a hero,” she’s warned. “Escape when and however you can”.
Crippled by introversion, the protagonist ends up adopting Clara's name after a Fates companion overhears her crying it out her sleep, and she can’t face correcting the mistake. But trouble comes when the truth emerges, and then there's the Executioner… Soon enough, there's danger from every quarter. Who to trust? Where to go? What to do? The tension is high, the writing is taut, and this sharp, strident fantasy will be relished by fans of The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner. ~ Joanne Owen
A Piece of Passion from editor, Penny West; I read Children of Icarus in two days, and I would have read it in one, had I taken all of the manuscript home with me. If I can recommend one book that will captivate you into turning the pages to find out what happens next, this is it. Behind the book is an author with a story of her own. At 18, her first book was published in her home country of Canada, with the sequel following a year later. She has travelled internationally as guest author to book festivals and spoken in many schools about following a dream and never giving up. Now still only 21, with Children of Icarus publishing in the UK in July and in the US in August, Caighlan is coming to the UK this summer to promote her new book. I can’t wait for her fans to get to meet her and be inspired by her love of writing.
Icarus was the surprise hit at Book Expo America. We gave away promo copies and just weren’t prepared for the queues and excitement over what fans had heard so far. One pair talked about how they follow the author online and can’t wait for the chance to meet her one day.
As for the book itself, it starts with a delicious dread as the narrator spends her days secretly wishing she won’t be chosen to enter the labyrinth. Worthy teens are chosen every year to make the sacred journey that will end in them becoming angels and immortal. Why shouldn’t she be desperate to take part? But she is chosen and is, of course, right to fear the labyrinth. Then there is a twist you will never see coming that changes everything. The build-up explodes as all hell breaks loose.
I fell in love with the central character in the first chapter – she’s quiet, scared, not your typical female ultra-hero, but she has an inner strength that unfolds as the story progresses, and I could really connect with that. You see, female protagonists are analysed in a way their male counterparts aren’t. Katniss has set the bar – a female lead must be strong, a born warrior. But what if she isn’t? What if she’s traumatised by the horrors she’s seen and suffers from possible social anxiety? What if she’s always lived in the shadow of a best friend she idolises and doesn’t know how to cope when forced into the spotlight? Everyone deserves to be represented in literature and told it’s ok if sometimes you’re afraid or don’t know what to do.
She makes a choice to keep going and that’s when she finds true strength. The kick-ass moments we later see are all the more satisfying because we travelled alongside her and saw how hard she fought to get there.
(And she is absolutely not saved by a love interest.)
This is a book close to my heart and the labyrinth is one of my favourite worlds to get lost in. I can’t wait for other fans of YA to experience the same.
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