ALC Review: Daedalus is Dead by Seamus Sullivan, narrated by Peter Ganim

Release date: 30 September 2025 

Rating: 5/5

Narrator: Peter Ganim

Synopsis:  A delirious and gripping story of fatherhood and masculinity, told through the reimagined destinies of Greek mythic figures Daedalus, Icarus, King Minos, and the Minotaur.

Daedalus of Crete is many things. The greatest architect in the world. The constructor of the Labyrinth that imprisoned the Minotaur. And the grieving father of Icarus—plunged into the sea as father and son flew from the grasp of the tyrannical King Minos.

Now that Daedalus is dead, he seeks to reunite with Icarus in the Underworld. Daedalus will confront any terror to see his son again—whether it be the vengeful spirit of Minos, the cunning Queen Persephone, or even the insatiable ghost of the Minotaur.

But a shocking realization follows in his wake. As Daedalus encounters the souls from his past, he begins to worry that his identity as a husband and father, mentor and friend was all a lie. And that the truth, stalking him in the labyrinth of his own heart, might be too monstrous for him to bear.

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Review

Daedalus is Dead has to be one of the best reimagined/retold Greek mythology books I've read. Sullivan's narrative perfectly embodies the labyrinthine life Daedalus may have lived in a tangled, hardly navigable timeline. Short yet dense, the book contains multitudes of every aspect involved in storytelling. I don't think SFF readers or fans of retellings will want to miss this one.

I seldom experience the absolute intricacy of structure Sullivan has laid out in this book. Set entirely in the afterlife, Daedalus reflects on his life and his desperate need to see his son again. The story doesn't feel like it's a reflection, though, but an experience of Daedalus' memories as the present via a wandering though the maze of his mind while simultaneously wondering but not caring that it feels nonsensical and pointless until the very end of all things. Trust me, the end is well worth the dizzying journey.

Ganim's narration was equally mesmerizing with a dramatic inflection and tone that set the hook once the story drew me in. The voice perfectly matched what I imagine Daedalus would sound like.

Overall, 5/5 for everything. I really loved this one in all aspects and can't recommend it enough. Pick it up in whatever format possible and give it a read. It's not long—under 200 pages—and it's such a fantastic read. I'm both shocked and disappointed Daedalus is Dead has no features in a book subscription or even as a special edition from anywhere. Here are some events Sullivan will be attending as the book releases from 30 September to 12 October. Why books as brilliantly written as this one don't get the appropriate amount of buzz or special edition treatment will continue to astound me. 

My thanks to Macmillan Audio and tordotcom for the ALC, for which I willingly give my own, honest opinion.

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