Book Review: Aura by Kylie Malchus

Goodreads Description:

Kira's life is gray. A drab cubicle, a less-than-caring boyfriend, and a sick mother occupy her thoughts. Her life is a fairy tale and her prince is Jesse Conley, the sweet and slightly awkward boy of her dreams. At least, that's what her magical paintings tell her. The only problem: Jesse is an unreachable world-famous pop icon. After suffering heartbreak, can Kira learn to see the colors again? 

Have you ever had an experience where you're driving, you look down to change the station on the radio, to check your phone, or to take a sip of that enticing diet Dr. Pepper, and in the second your eyes fall back on the road, a 40-ton, eighteen-wheeler semi truck hits you head-on? Kira Weston hasn't either.

But it's a pretty similar experience when, at sixteen years old, her young life is turned upside-down, around, inside out, and kneaded until chewy. She's whisked away by the voice of a world-famous singer, expected to be disappointed and less than disappointed when it comes unexpectedly, through the brightest reds of true love and, as naivety withers, through the darkest grays of family illness, merciless call-center work, and her boyfriend's emotional abuse. She follows the colors, wide-eyed and faithful, clinging to magic. Disappointment arrives at last; Jesse Conley, the humble, stuttering musician and Kira's sworn future love, makes a public announcement that shatters her life's course.

The unexpected would be understandable--plans changing--if Kira couldn't literally paint the future, a future that clearly disagrees with the present. She's a freakin' wizard, in a freakin' fairy tale, going to freakin' magical places a socially-awkward, aspiring artist never would have dreamt of going. Gray streaks the pages of her story, but following the colors is what her canvas tells her is fate. Kira has two choices: fighting the dragon, believing in magic, and seeking her stuttering prince, or drowning in the pessimism society tells her is grown-up.

Why her? She doesn't even like diet Dr. Pepper.

Title: Aura
Author: Kylie Malchus
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Fantasy, YA
Format: ebook

Pages: 394 pages
Publisher: Createspace
Source: Purchaesd on Smashworld though it was free over the Christmas holidays

From the prologue I knew I was gonna like the book cause the main character is a freaking fangirl who falls for a freaking pop star with a freaking amazing voice and songs... yah story of my life...

Aura is a great modern day Fairy tale with a twist and coming of age story about fangirl, family, following your dreams, painting your future and having faith!

We follow Kira as the story jumps back and forth for the span of 6 years of her life. She loves art and Jesse Conley's music and one day while painting a picture she somehow manages to paint his future. Eventually she manages to meet Jesse and they formed a unique friendship.

Kira is like any fangirl out there hoping to be 'THE ONE' for her Idol. But then life and reality takes a toll making it full of hurdles to be with him. Humble, selfless, putting her family needs before hers, she is also sarcastic, strong and logical. Her character is likable, relatable and realistic. Though her character tends to make some decisions that are "practical, in her case practicality didn't exactly work well for her life making her miserable. She's not loving her job, life and the relationship she's in but eventually she learns to take the risk and follow her heart and passion. Overall she was a great character to follow and is someone I want to be friends and probably fangirl buddies with.

I love how family oriented this book was and was entertained with her interaction with her family, Its obvious they are very close. Her mum Ellie, is great and supportive and younger sister Aurie is freaking awesome! Wiser beyond her years and a great voice of reason to Kira, I always look forward to reading the scenes with Aurie.

Then there is Milo, Kira's best friend. Both on the same path of of not sure what they want to do after High School they got a job at a local call center. I liked Milo and was kinda shipping him and Kira at times. Even so their 'bromance' was great to read about and I love how he's on a similar page to Kira.

Best for last we have Jesse aka the Popstar. Adorable, awkward, sweet and down to earth with a hint of mysteriousness, I love the guy to bits! The more I read about Jesse the more I think the fact he's like a hybrid of two of my favorite singers, David Archuleta and Harrison Craig!

'Musical' themed books are usually a hit or a miss for me as I sometimes tend to find authors not so great song writers. However I did like the musical element of the book was played out and was not cheesy or overly done.

The relationship between Kira and Jesse is a crazy rollercoaster! One moment I'm giggling and loving the cuteness of their interaction but the next... I think I heard my heart shattering for a second there... *cries*! Their friendship and romance was well paced out and adorable to read!

Plot wise was fast pace and engaging. I didn't want to put the book down! I love how it bounce back and forth trough time without confusing the plot. The final act of the book was my most favorite as I was on the edge of my seat and though this book sounds like a 'rom-com drama' story, there was some great action sequence in that last act! Also the plot twist was freaking good! Like I never picture the book to go to that direction good!

As for the ending, I kinda have mix feeling about one thing... but other than it was super sweet and I had a huge smile on my face reading the final pages.

Definitely check out Aura by Kylie Malchus



Also I found out about the author a while ago when she made the artwork for a music video called 'Don't run away by David Archuleta' which is my favorite David Archuleta music video to date! Check out the video and the song!

Since I'm in a David Archuleta fangirl mode (I love him and his song like the Directioners love their One Direction since I was 15 when I first watch him on American Idol) here are some Archu song recommendations for those of you who have never heard of him:

1) Crush aka the David Archuleta Classic

2) The entire The Other Side Of Down Album

I love the entire album and to me its his best album to date with its happy-go-lucky positive theme.
Though if I were to choose my top picks will have to be the title track The Other Side of Down, Elevator, Falling stars and my all time favorite Parachutes and Airplanes.


 3) Rainbow from the OPM album

A while ago he did a TV show called Nandito Ako in the Philippines and released a 'soundtrack' called Forevermore where he covers Original Pinoy music. Of all the songs in the album this is my favorite especially the remix edition. Also the music video = me swooning at his cuteness!

Alright hopefully I didn't overly ramble my Archu fangirl heart but anyways Check him out and also check out this book!