The Kiss (Witch & Wizard, #4)

by James Patterson and Jill Dembowski

PASSION HAS NEVER BEEN MORE DANGEROUS. Whit and Wisty Allgood, a witch and wizard with extraordinary abilities, have defeated the ruthless dictator who long overshadowed their world. But for the first time in their lives, the powerful brother and sister find themselves at odds as Wisty is drawn to a mysterious and magical stranger named Heath. Wisty has never felt as free as she does with Heath, especially when the two of them share and test their magic together. But when a merciless Wizard King from the mountains suddenly threatens war, Wisty must make an excruciating choice. Will she unite with Whit to fight the mounting dangers that could return their world to a tyrant's domain? Or will she trust the beautiful boy who has captured her heart? ONE KISS COULD DESTROY THE WORLD. James Patterson's epic saga continues as the witch and wizard who have inspired countless imaginations must rally together before the world they fought to save collapses.

• ISBN10: 0316101761
• ISBN13: 9780316101769
• Publish Date: 19 November 2013 (first published 17 December 2012)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Little, Brown & Company
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

I ended up liking The Kiss more than I expected to.

The plot is predictable and recycled, because once again, Whit and Wisty have to fight against a corrupt leader, but I didn't mind the plot direction and approach. The scenes on the mountains are the most interesting and the idea of people's reaction towards magic, because of the past, is understandable. However, the topics aren't nuanced and lack depth. The villains are also better, but they're still stereotypical. (show spoiler)[I knew that Pearce wasn't dead, but I didn't expect him to fall in love with Wisty and I don't even understand it. I also knew how things were going to go with General Bloom, but he still made me angry.] (hide spoiler)  

I don't get what most of the characters see in Wisty. After her experiences, I can't believe that she'd trust someone so blindly and not listen or even give an ear to her brother, who has been on her side since the beginning. I could kind of understand her PoV and stance, but she acts before she thinks and the way she approaches situations and deals with them, makes her exasperating. Her character growth is non-existent.

There is more romance in The Kiss and the instalove is terrible. I couldn't deal with Wisty or Heath. There is no relationship development and Heath's dialogue is cliché and cringy. How in the world does Wisty find the things he says attractive? I don't get it. On another note, Byron deserves better.

In previous books, Whit was just there, but in The Kiss he becomes a likable character. This is the first book where I got a sense of who he is and what he's about through his actions instead of what other characters say. His experiences in the mountains made him seem heroic. I also like the Whit and Janine pairing.

I'm glad I decided to give The Kiss a chance. It might not be the best book I've ever read and it might miss the mark, but it tries to do some interesting things and is a fast-paced and engaging read.

[Kim Deister]

Once I get into a series, I have to finish it... no matter what. This is where I am with this series. I love James Patterson as a rule and I loved the first two in the series. I had issues with the third and I am faced with more here with the fourth. There is another coming later this year and I hold out hope.

Some of it was very good and some of it was head-shakingly not so good. The insta-love between Wisty and Heath drove me insane. It is a YA cliché that I abhor. It colored the entire rest of the story for me. Based on the previously established relationship between Wisty and her brother Whit, I have a hard time believing that he would have just let that go as he seemed to.

The action and the intensity of that aspect was good. There were parts that had me on the edge of my seat. There were also times when I was so frustrated with the "good" characters that I was on the verge of losing my mind.

Things to love...

--The action and the intrigue.

Things I wanted more/less of...

--Less insta-love.
--Less clichés.
--Less companion writers.

My Recommendation...

I will read the next book, but I am truly hoping that the use of companion writers stops. I think his work is much better on his own.