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. 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.
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.