The Fire (Witch & Wizard, #3)

by James Patterson and Jill Dembowski

The Fire held my attention while I was reading it, but once I put it down, I forgot about it. 

My biggest issue is that the plot progression doesn't feel natural. Whit and Wisty gain new powers and abilities whenever it's convenient for the plot. Their magic fades and comes back in full force to suit the plot and it's vague and wishy-washy. I also don't understand how Whit and Wisty's powers make other people stronger. There's no rules or reason behind the magic. It doesn't make sense and isn't explained. 

The Fire is fast-paced and action-packed, but the plot is predictable and a little all over the place. There are some interesting aspects such as touching on The One's past and alluding to the fact that the children who work for the New Order might be brainwashed, themes and messages, but everything is shallow. 

There's also more telling than showing. We are told that a character is a certain way and because we don't see it, they seem distant and flat. Whit and Wisty are indecisive, act before thinking and don't stand out. The villains are caricatures and no matter how much I tried, I couldn't take them seriously. I don't know how the characters ended up getting things done because they all stay failing. I also like the idea of Byron and Wisty, but the execution is terrible.
 
The Fire was meant to be the last book in the Witch and Wizard series, before two more books were added on, and I suppose that the ending is satisfying, but also a little weird. The characters go back to their normal lives, like nothing happened. Whit and Wisty's parents also come back to the world of the living so easily, but there is some explanation for it, so I'm going to let it slide. Patterson has a tendency to bring his characters back from the dead (*ahem* Maximum Ride) and I have a suspicion that Whit and Wisty are going to regret not checking that Pearce died. 

I am going to read the last two books in the series, because I own them and I don't feel like reading these books is a chore, so why not.