I am out of breath, looking over my shoulder, missing turns and looping back, searching for signs that there is a way out, and straining to hear whether the end or hope is nearer. I am only flipping through pages, but truly, it feels like I'm in the labyrinth, running with Daedalus, the Minotaur on our heels.

Daedalus is Dead is a novella reimagining the tale of the Minotaur and the fall of Icarus through a grieving father's eyes. It is short and compact, but what unfolds is a maze of memory and reflection, internal and external strife, fatherhood and sacrifices, desires and delusions, heroism in all its ugly glory, and shifting perspective. Flashbacks and revelations of Daedalus' life and deeds were woven seamlessly throughout the story, and this structure added to the labyrinthine experience. The story is told in First Person Direct Address, making the writing intimate and confessional in tone. There are times when the writing is a bit too simple, sparse, and stripped, but brimming with emotion and insight in others.

I really loved how this story added something new to Daedalus' tale. The twists and turns and the chaos embedded in the story truly mimicked the experience of being lost, looping back to different points in Daedalus' life each time, which brought new meaning to every interaction. This can be a turnoff for some readers, but every turn intrigued me and kept me on my toes. Each character was given the grace they deserved (except Minos; me and my homies hate Minos), even Daedalus, though he was flawed. I also appreciated the way the story handled heroism and survival under the tyranny of men and gods. It seemed like a simple tale at first, but with each new turn, I could see the magnificent structure that Sullivan was constructing in the grander narrative arc. Yet, it never lost its unending focus on Daedalus' love for Icarus.

This story asked me to sit with Daedalus' emotions, conflict, grief, and mistakes, and by the end, I had to ask myself two questions: Were his sacrifices worth the forgiveness he sought? If I were in his place, would I (and could I) also keep running?