Bleeding Hearts (Killian Kendall #1) - Josh Aterovis

[PaperMoon]

There's an interesting (series of children's books) title by Lemony Snicket called A Series of Unfortunate Events. It came to my mind when trying to find some catch-phrase to describe this book (first of the Killian Kendall mystery series) by Josh Atarovis. Bleeding Hearts can be subtitled as "A Series of Unbelievable Events and Coincidences" IMO.

Teenage Killian Kendall is used to being the odd-one-out at school. With no friends and just some jock-type acquaintances he hangs about with, Killian's existence gets up-ended when newbie classmate, lanky good looking red-headed Seth sits next to him in class. From then onwards, Killian's life goes on an over-drive roller-coaster ride. As a killer goes on a throat slashing rampage, Killian has to determine and re-evaluate who he can trust to survive - family and friends aren't who they seem to be!

The pacing is quick, there's plenty of high drama, and loads of emotional angst amidst small town prejudice and homophobia (Maryland). I did find it a little tiresome after a while with so many characters (males and females alike) bursting into tears. I found it incredible that so much tribulation was placed on Killian's plate - and yet, much of these barriers/obstacles/trials seemed 'resolved' fairly quickly or easily; I found myself rolling my eyes from the second half of the book onwards.

Now don't get me wrong, tension and problems should be resolved ... or else readers are left with great frustration and dissatisfaction. I just had issues with the sheer number of issues being 'solved' in one book. I feel it would have been better to leave some threads up in the air for dramatic angst and future resolution - this is a series of books with a teenager coming of age so what's the hurry eh? I also had difficulty accepting so many gay characters started popping out of the woodwork once Killian realises that he's gay.

As for Killian himself ... he does make some very poor choices, has a bad temper and prone to speak (yell) before thinking things through ... which of course has significant ramifications on his family , social and love-life. I'm not sure what it is about Killian as a character but I didn't quite warm to him as I have with similar characters from other authors (e.g. Skyler Foxe (Haley Walsh) or Kevin Conner (Scott Sherman) or even Jory Keyes (Mary Calmes).)

Now I know Mr Aterovis has won a couple of awards for books in this series and has many fans but my reaction to this book can be described as an adult going back to reading a beloved childhood series only to find that age and experience has significantly diminished the enjoyment of the tone and quality of the books - Bleeding Hearts is like reading a gay version of Nancy Drew or Trixie Belden paperback. Just two and a half stars from me.