Customer Reviews

Bleeding Hearts

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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!!!

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.

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.

Killian Kendall is 16, he's oblivious to matters of his heart, and, when his new friend is murdered, he is about to be whacked upside the head with a terrible dose of reality. Josh Aterovis has written a gripping and topical story about one boy's struggle to find love, acceptance, and chosen family in the face of intolerance. Killian is a real winner--I haven't met a character as kind-hearted and fully presented since Billy Sive. This young man's story, told from his point-of-view, is well-executed, so good, in fact, that I read it all in one sitting. It's an excellent story, ably told, and certain to be just the first of many novels from a talented and capable new author. I highly recommend it!

...though you do have to suspend your disbelief a little. Characters do have a habit of suddenly discovering they are gay, and they do have a habit of falling for each other left and right, but if you have an ounce of Romance in you, you will find the book as hard to put down as I did.

I don't read a whole lot in my spare time, and rarely even finish book's most of the time, but wow I couldn't stop reading this. The story, originating from the net, gained many fans over a short amount of time, and for very good reasons. This is a book where the characters come alive, and you actually put yourself into their lives, and you feel what they feel. I would recommend this book to everyone, and feel that this book deserves much praise, and Im happy to finaly see it avaliable in the published form. My thanks go out to the author Jost Aterovis!

I have known Josh now for many years. I actually knew his fiance longer, who introduced me to the book when it was online. I was immediately in love with the book. I read it many times, including one time he sent it to me to proof before he send it to Rennaisance. I read the second one (which made me cry-- a lot) and the third one (my favorite), all of which he hasn't published yet. If there is one book you read this year, believe me, Bleeding Hearts should be it. It has suspense, love, action, murder, and sorrow. Killian is one of my favorite characters ever, because he is so *real*. I hope you will pick up BH one day. I LOVE YOU JOSH!!!!!! -Jonathan

Whew! In the few weeks between Labor Day and Thanksgiving Killian survives two murder attempts, has three of his friends murdered, suddenly realizes he is gay, acquires three boyfriends and one girlfriend, and is savagely beaten by his father and tossed out of the house. Needless to say, all of this leads to much weeping and someone or another breaks down in tears on nearly every other page. Still, the twenty-four-year-old author delivers a gripping first novel and displays much talent as a writer. The characters, although a bit too young to be this intense, and a bit too cutely named (Killian and Gillian?), are likable enough and the story moves at a racing pace. This book is one of this genre that I will keep instead of tossing away.