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linnean8's review
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
the_novel_approach's review
4.0
Seth Connelly has moved to a new city in Maryland. On his first day at his new school, he meets Killian Kendall. Killian hangs out with a few friends, one of whom is Asher Davis, and they sometimes tease Seth. Killian is not sure about being friends with Seth, but, reluctantly, he spends some time with him and a friendship begins. Killian learns that Seth has dealt with both the good and bad of being gay, from the moment he realized he was, and Seth also awakens something in Killian which he must now face—that he is gay too.
It takes a tragedy for Killian to see how bigoted and hateful not only his schoolmates can be but his own father too, so he struggles with the thought of coming out. He knows he’s not ready and so he makes a pact with Gilly Sheridan to be his cover. Not only does this turn out to be a huge mistake, but the Sheridan family is strange and dysfunctional. He meets Gilly’s aunt, who is different from the rest of the Sheridans, and she claims that he has a “gift”.
With Killian facing Seth’s murder, he is determined to find who committed this horrific crime. As more deaths occur, Killian and Asher find themselves in danger as they’re caught up in the dark, disturbing, and gruesome crimes.
I’ve read very few YA novels, but when I read the blurb for the fourth Kendall Killian series installment, The Truth of Yesterday, I was curious. Since I hate not reading a series from the beginning, I started with this first novel, Bleeding Hearts, and must say Josh Atervois did a really good job of making his teenage characters interesting. I hope I’m addressing the storyline correctly, but to me this is a coming of age story which also covers many life occurrences. The plot involves a young man, Seth, who opens up Killian’s mind and heart to face that he’s gay. Asher, Killian discovers, has also been keeping a secret, and Killian and Asher both learn not to hide who they are and to stand up for others and their beliefs. Killian also faces the way his views change towards his parents, especially his mother’s strength and his father’s abusiveness. He also finds a loving father figure in Adam Connelly, Seth’s father, and gains a brother in Kane.
As for the murder mystery, it’s dark and well plotted. Aterovis addresses various forms of abuse that lead up to a sad and horrible ending. All in all, I was impressed with this first novel and have plans to read the next three books in this series. I’m looking forward to seeing what Josh Aterovis has planned for Killian, and where life takes him.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach
It takes a tragedy for Killian to see how bigoted and hateful not only his schoolmates can be but his own father too, so he struggles with the thought of coming out. He knows he’s not ready and so he makes a pact with Gilly Sheridan to be his cover. Not only does this turn out to be a huge mistake, but the Sheridan family is strange and dysfunctional. He meets Gilly’s aunt, who is different from the rest of the Sheridans, and she claims that he has a “gift”.
With Killian facing Seth’s murder, he is determined to find who committed this horrific crime. As more deaths occur, Killian and Asher find themselves in danger as they’re caught up in the dark, disturbing, and gruesome crimes.
I’ve read very few YA novels, but when I read the blurb for the fourth Kendall Killian series installment, The Truth of Yesterday, I was curious. Since I hate not reading a series from the beginning, I started with this first novel, Bleeding Hearts, and must say Josh Atervois did a really good job of making his teenage characters interesting. I hope I’m addressing the storyline correctly, but to me this is a coming of age story which also covers many life occurrences. The plot involves a young man, Seth, who opens up Killian’s mind and heart to face that he’s gay. Asher, Killian discovers, has also been keeping a secret, and Killian and Asher both learn not to hide who they are and to stand up for others and their beliefs. Killian also faces the way his views change towards his parents, especially his mother’s strength and his father’s abusiveness. He also finds a loving father figure in Adam Connelly, Seth’s father, and gains a brother in Kane.
As for the murder mystery, it’s dark and well plotted. Aterovis addresses various forms of abuse that lead up to a sad and horrible ending. All in all, I was impressed with this first novel and have plans to read the next three books in this series. I’m looking forward to seeing what Josh Aterovis has planned for Killian, and where life takes him.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach
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