Icarus and Apollo

by Jay Bell

For his entire life, Icarus has been told that he’s destined for greatness, although he would settle for finding a lover that held his interest. Only when he learns of his special connection to the sun god Apollo does Icarus set his sights on the heavens. Infatuated, he does everything in his power to attract the handsome deity’s attention. This quest is complicated when the sins of his father incur the king’s wrath. To save his family, Icarus must take flight, but will the Fates show mercy and guide him into the arms of the divine love that he so desperately seeks?

Jay Bell weaves a passionate retelling of the classic myth of Icarus, adding a gay twist that reveals what truly happens when a brave heart dares to fly too high.

Genres: Greek Mythology, Queer, Fiction, Novella, Fantasy, Retellings, Mythology

92 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 22, 2022

About the author

Jay Bell is a proud gay man and the award-winning author behind dozens of emotional and yet hopelessly optimistic stories. His best-selling book, Something Like Summer, spawned a series of heart-wrenching novels, a musically driven movie, and a lovingly drawn comic. When not crafting imaginary worlds, he occupies his free time with animals, art, action figures, and—most ardently—his husband Andreas. Jay is always dreaming up new stories about boys in love. If that sounds like your cup of tea, you can get the kettle boiling by visiting www.jaybellbooks.com.

Reviews

[Tanner Lenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this author on TikTok and saw this short story and thought that it was a very unique retelling of the story of Icarus. This was a beautiful tale but I couldn’t help but be left with wanting more, which I suppose can be expected of a short story. The only other thing I didn’t like was Icarus’s random attraction to he Minotaur…like that was so unnecessary.

[Jaime Scharfhausen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atacar tan duramente al corazón de un homosexual debería estar prohibido.

[Mads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t get me wrong it was great, but for me it was lacking plot. Like we obviously know what’s gonna happen, it’s about Icarus, but it’s a retelling. I feel like she just told the same story with different words, I didn’t feel emotionally connected to any of the characters at the end but I still loved it because I will always love Greek mythology and the writing deserves an award, but I will definitely try another Jay Bell book sometime ❤️

[De Loves to Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, especially the first half. I enjoyed Icarus’s shamelessness in the the beginning regarding his desire for Apollo. It’s just so different from the 2nd half but I enjoyed this retelling.

[Carlota Pita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Um pequeno conto sobre um romance entre Ícaro e Apolo, usando-o como motivo para o fado do primeiro.

É sempre agradável quando os escritores modernos tentam dar alguma justiça à tragédia de personagens antigas. Tudo o que nos chega, nos dias de hoje, resultou da interpretação de mentes que muitas vezes ou não alcançavam, ou não queriam alcançar certos aspetos pouco politicamente corretos.

O esforço que existe hoje em dia para dar alternativas a histórias que sempre serviram de lições penosas é admirável, porque nos faz pensar que a vida não é preto ou branco.

Aqui foi mesmo isso que aconteceu: a justificação do comportamento inconsequente de Ícaro. Um amor e paixão tão fortes que fez com que a sua tragédia tivesse valido a pena. ("Heart is all that I possess").

O mesmo aconteceu no caso do minotauro. Um monstro que não seria tão monstro como quem o aprisionou. Quem não gosta de um monstro humano?

Gostava, no entanto, que se tivesse explorado um pouco mais a relação de ambos antes da queda fatídica.

[B. Sylphaen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well known myth, but with a touch so delicate yet so passionate that every word pulled me into the story, like the labyrinth threatening to never let me leave. Icarus is such a wonderful protagonist, so full of life, his soul leaps through the pages of the novel, sharing his love for love itself, so intense that it could burn up the sun.

Beautiful retelling of this myth. The perfect lenght too. It is worth the read even if you have Icarus's tale memorized.

[Natascha Eschweiler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually a bit disappointed by this, but then I always expect a lot from Icarus retellings. This time around, Icarus was little more than a horny young man attracted to anything with a nice physique despite going on and on about his undying love for Apollo. The prose was good, though, so there's that. (And the short appearance of Hades was much appreciated as well.)

[Kizuki · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is, in fact, a great gay retelling of the greek myth, Daedalus & Icarus. yet the story focused too much on the myth, more than the romance it could have ventured with Apollo. if only Jay Bell took his time writing this to a full-length novel it could've been amazing; but this felt short and forced to have a happy ending. still an enjoyable read with great writing style.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The rest of the story

I Greek mythological we know the story of Icarus flying too close to the sun and the wax in his wings melting and him falling into the sea and drowning. Jay has supplied the ending to that story and it makes an enjoyable read.

[Brandon DeJong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute short story that added a twist to the well-known story of Icarus. It has love, revenge, plot twists, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story, though I would have loved to see it made into a longer work.

[Cedar · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Louis A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great retelling of the myth.

[hali summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid, good, satisfying read! I love twists on mythology and this was well done 👏👏👏

[aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Gail Overholt · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason, I thought this story would have a different outcome than it did. A "happy ending," so to speak. In a way, I guess it did, it just wasn't the happy ending I'd hoped for. Icarus wouldn't fly into the sun, fall into the sea, and drown.

Jay Bell paid close attention to the details of the myths of Daedalus and Icarus. (I say "myths" because there is more than one.) His writing is excellent. There were times he pulled me into the moment. I felt the magic Icarus felt when he was flying. How he longed to get closer to the sun because the sun is Apollo.

Speaking of Apollo, he appears in only two scenes in the book, yet he remains front and center because he is always on Icarus's mind.

The author's notes at the end of the book added some great insight into the story. If you love Greek mythology (which I do), I think you'll enjoy this retelling. The myth remains intact, but There is hope in the end.

[Alicia Ceasar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I love Icarus and I’ve been looking for books exactly like this. I do wish it would have been a bit longer.

[Sofia R · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

[Sean Lang · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know, I had high hopes. I love Jay Bell, but I trudged through this one.

[Jenn (not Lily) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars
This is the best thing I've ever read by this author!

[Emma Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly this was so weird but good I guess.

[Amber Dickerson]

"His words are a knife plunged into my heart, but I make no attempt to pull it loose, for at least it belongs to him."

Cute short story. The plot tension never quite stuck, and the stakes felt low, but I still had a lovely time with it.