Book Review: "Aries Rising" by Bonnie Hearn Hill

High school sophomore Logan McRae, an Aquarius, only wants two things this year: to get accepted into a prestigious summer writing program for journalism students, and get hot senior Nathan to ask her out. In order to get into the writing program, she'll have to get cranky English teacher Mr. Franklin - or Frankenstein, as the kids call him - to recommend her to the nominating committee. To go out with Nathan, she'll have to get him to notice her first. Both possibilities seem remote. Until she discovers an astrology book buried in her father's closet.


Fearless Astrology seems like the answer to her prayers. It promises to transform her life through astrology. She decides to use the book to her advantage and sets about uncovering information about her teachers and friends, which she plans on using to read their star charts. Can she get Frankenstein to love her writing enough to secure a position in the writing program? And get Nathan to like her?

Aries Rising is the first story in the "Star Crossed" trilogy by Bonnie Hearn Hill. While the basic story isn’t unique, the premise is, and one many teens will enjoy: can you use astrology to help you understand the people around you well enough to be able to figure out what motivates them? And then take that knowledge and apply it to yourself so that you can get along with them better? And get what you want? All without being manipulative?

Logan becomes the star of the school with her star charts and readings. But then things go wrong. The more she thinks she understands people, the more she claims to be able to figure things out, the more things go wrong. Like when she claims she can figure out who belongs to The Gears, a group a kids who start off vandalizing the school and quickly progress to making threats against the teachers. But the boys continue their pranks and the kids at school turn against her.

Hill walks a fine line with Logan. She’s basically a nice kid who just wants to understand people and why they are who they are. It would be easy for her to use her new-found knowledge about astrology to manipulate those around her into doing her bidding. And if this were another type of story, that’s exactly what would happen. But Logan looks past the façade most people show the world to the person within. They become real people – even her teachers – with real emotions that motivate them. She begins to relate to them differently, and in doing so, she grows and matures.

This is a teen book different from so many others. Logan is an ordinary teen, a little insecure, who feels like everyone else is far more confident. There is a teen girl’s desire to have a boyfriend, and not just any boy, but the hottest one in school. But the importance of this quest diminishes the more she delves into astrology and begins to understand more of the world around her.

Each chapter of Aries Rising begins with a relevant quote taken from Fearless Astrology and ends with a journal entry that expands on Logan’s feelings about what happened within that chapter. We also get to read some of the essays she writes in her attempt to gain Frankenstein’s approval. Throughout the book, Logan talks a lot about what she learns about the sun signs of her friends and teachers. As she feels more comfortable with what she’s learned, she also talks about the influence of the moon and rising signs. There was a lot of astrological information thrown out there and it was all a bit confusing.

But I like the way Logan grows, as a person, a friend, and as a writer. She is a believable character, although she and her friends don’t always use the slang I hear kids using these days. Like when they say “boy” instead of “dude.” Or “dated” instead of “went out with” or “hooked up with.”

It was refreshing that astrology wasn’t presented throughout the book as the magical way to get what Logan wants (a la Harry Potter). In fact, she has a terrible argument with her father over her using the book, and he warns her to be careful. The only magic about it at all is the way it helps Logan gain self-confidence.

But all in all, this was a fun read. Logan is an enjoyable character whom I wouldn’t mind seeing more of, and in fact, am looking forward to reading her further adventures. There is a sneak preview of Taurus Eyes, the second in the series, in the back of the book, and the third adventure is titled Gemini Nights.

Check it out - I know you'll enjoy the entire "Star Crossed" series.