Rating: Summary: Captivating, but a bit overdone in parts Review: I agree with previous reviews that the book is an engrossing mystery with believeable characters that many gay teens can identify with. The basic plot, the killing of a gay student which the police are writing off as a foiled robbery rather than a hate crime, is one that is developed well. And the "who done it" is unlikely to be guessed by many.The only criticisms I have is that the author goes a bit overboard in some respects, such as surrounding Killian with new acquaintances who first decide they are gay after spending a few minutes talking with him. Also, the descriptions get to be a bit hard to take in parts (like "We walked across the emerald green grass, daffodils waved their cheery heards, and robbins hopped out of our way...")
Rating: Summary: A Travesty Review: I cannot believe how many good reviews this novel got. Granted, it's Aterovis's first, but that doesn't make it any less terrible. Thomas Harris penned a book that will go down in history on his second attempt. "Bleeding Hearts" is amateurish at best, pathetic at worst. The book revolves around Killian Travers Kendall, a boy of 16 who, in a matter of days, not weeks, but DAYS, discovers he's gay, goes through boyfriends like Kleenex, has several of his friends murdered, and cries nearly enough to dehydrate himself. The writing is all over the page, loose. I felt as if I was trying to read a pageful of worms wriggling all over the page. I have read nearly 300 mysteries and thrillers, including Fred Hunter, Michael Craft, Lev Raphael, Mark Richard Zubro, Krandall Kraus, and several other men and women who write "gay mysteries", so I like to believe that I know what I'm talking about when I write a review on one. Josh Aterovis should seriously consider going into a different profession. Do yourself a favor, if you want a nice gay mystery, read Richard Stevenson or Fred Hunter, or Mark Richard Zubro. Leave Killian with his black Beetle Bug and Asher.
Rating: Summary: Super work of fiction Review: I don't know Josh and am not related to him so I thought I would let everyone know that I LOVED his new book. The characters are very real and I found myself missing them when I had to put the book down. Bleeding Hearts is a great read and I'm looking forward to seeing more works from this new author.
Rating: Summary: A great read Review: Killian lives in a small town along the Eastern Shore of the US, and after he meets the new kid in town, Seth, he starts wondering whether he might be gay. After Seth is murdered and Killian barely survives the attack, he struggles to recuperate and to come to terms with his new awareness. He begins to come out to family and friends, and his father quickly kicks him out of the house, so he ends up living with Seth's dad. Killian tries to figure out the whole dating thing after two of his friends also come out as gay and express interest in dating him, and all along Killian is determined to find out who killed Seth. When another of Killian's friends is murdered, he finds that not only is his life in danger, but also those of his friends. And the assailant might be closer to home than he thought. In spite of the tendency toward melodrama and some plot contrivances, "Bleeding Hearts" is a strong and heartfelt story about a young man coming to terms with himself. It reminded me a bit of "Brain and Body" by Richard Frost and "Outcast" by Stuart Thorogood.
Rating: Summary: Please let his other books be published soon! Review: Okay, so I was a little apprehensive about this book at first, since the words "gay romance" raise a red flag for lesbians everywhere...but what I found in the pages as they quickly and excitedly turned was a wonderful story that transcends age, gender, orientation, and geographical location. It inspired me so that I found his other novels online and practically went blind tearing through them on my computer screen! I loved "Reap the Whirlwind" and the slightly longer "All Lost Things"... but I can honestly say that I hope they come into print soon, the purist that I am. Thank you, Josh Aterovis, for giving me a reason to give gay-themed fiction another chance!!!
Rating: Summary: Enthralling Review: READ THIS BOOK! Mr. Aterovis has managed to put together memorable characters and an excellent who-done-it. That along with his gifted storytelling, make this an enjoyable read and one you will find hard to put down.
Rating: Summary: Gay Coming-of-Age Thriller Review: The hero of this novel, Killian, discovers he is gay when a new boy comes to his school. He makes friends only to lose his friend when he is stabbed to death. Killian is convinced it's a planned murder, the police think it's a mugging gone wrong. In short order, Killian is outed, leaves home, moves in with his friend's dad, and eventually, after many troubles, discovers who the killer is - truly, the last person you expected. It's a first novel, so not perfect. But I found it hard to put down, and despite the occasional unconvincing sections, it was a fun read, with an exciting denouement. I enjoyed it enough to buy the sequel. One thing I especially like about all this writer's works is that he doesn't "cheat" by writing graphic scenes of intercourse, but instead shows the warmth and love and affection of gay relationships. Aterovis's thriller is as good as any by Michael Craft, Lev Raphael, or Mark Zubro. Not as good or as gritty as Joseph Hansen, but then they aren't either! Major complaint: hero weeps too much <g> Still, he does go through a lot . . . . Nigel
Rating: Summary: Gay Coming-of-Age Thriller Review: The hero of this novel, Killian, discovers he is gay when a new boy comes to his school. He makes friends only to lose his friend when he is stabbed to death. Killian is convinced it's a planned murder, the police think it's a mugging gone wrong. In short order, Killian is outed, leaves home, moves in with his friend's dad, and eventually, after many troubles, discovers who the killer is - truly, the last person you expected. It's a first novel, so not perfect. But I found it hard to put down, and despite the occasional unconvincing sections, it was a fun read, with an exciting denouement. I enjoyed it enough to buy the sequel. One thing I especially like about all this writer's works is that he doesn't "cheat" by writing graphic scenes of intercourse, but instead shows the warmth and love and affection of gay relationships. Aterovis's thriller is as good as any by Michael Craft, Lev Raphael, or Mark Zubro. Not as good or as gritty as Joseph Hansen, but then they aren't either! Major complaint: hero weeps too much Still, he does go through a lot . . . . Nigel
Rating: Summary: Good Writing, Good Tone, Good Story Review: The main character in this story, Killian, is such a gentle and thoughtful soul. He reminded me of the younger brother played by Timothy Hutton in that old movie, Ordinary People. He's having a hard enough time growing up without having to deal with being gay. His friends don't seem at all supportive, he's not sure about his parents, and it all scares him, and then a new kid at school who is gay is murdered. Killian nearly gets it, too, but despite being stabbed manages to survive. The book takes another turn at this point. Killian grows close to the other young guy's father, and it is with that support that he is able to work to find out who killed his friend. A lot was happening in this book with the coming out and the mystery and the high school stuff. It's not a light book, but it is very gripping in parts with a sort of noirish feel to it. Young guys and girls will both like this, and I recommend it.
Rating: Summary: Amazing story Review: This story is amazing in the way that Killian comes out... a real coming-of-age story that affected myself and anyone I asked to read the book. The murder mystery ties it all together, forcing the reader to confront his or her own feelings towards coming out and homophobia.
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