The Kiss

Witch & Wizard #4

by James Patterson, Jill Dembowski

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?
James Patterson's epic dystopian saga continues as the witch and wizard who have inspired countless imaginations must rally together before the world they fought to save collapses.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Dystopia, Magic, Paranormal, Fiction, Witches

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Official US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Reviews

[dyanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ok James Patterson, enough is enough.



I am going to GAG. Someone hand me a plastic bag so I can barf into it.

Here's pretty much what happened in chronological order, more or less: learns new book is coming out. gets sort of excited but thinks Mr. Patterson writes too many crappyish books. Goes to website. Sees description. Thinks so far, so good . Sees free excerpt section. Gets all worked up. Think first 2 chapters were okay. Then reads this...

“I can understand your friend’s mistake,” a voice says in a low, playful tone into my ear.
When I turn around, my stomach does a triple flip. It’s the beautiful stranger. Up close, he seems to tower over me, and his features are chiseled, strong. I’m so flustered I spill my unwanted punch.
He smiles and leans in even closer. “That smoky voice…” I inhale the leathery smell from his jacket and his aftershave, and feel dizzy. “Your flaming red hair… Everything about you smolders.”
Yet it’s his eyes that seem to blaze, even in the dim light. They’re simultaneously intense and bemused. I can’t seem to look away.
I also can’t seem to speak.
It’s the most forward thing anyone has ever said to me. Normally I’d give a guy some kind of sharp verbal slap for coming on like that, but there’s something different about this one. It’s like he knows I’d suck up anything that comes out of that perfect mouth... (more stupid conversation...spare you the details)
“Who does that guy think he is?” Byron grumbles beside me.
“What?” I look at him, startled that the rest of the world hasn’t fallen away.
“Interrupting our conversation, waltzing in here like he owns the place, and pestering you when you’ve made it clear that you’re obviously not interested.” He frowns. “He’s way too old for you, anyway.”

INCOMING LOVE-TRIANGLE ALERT!!!



For the people who've read the first 3 books....HOW THE HELL IS THIS WISTY?

So...





I can't believe I'm still going to read this book... Am I trying to make life miserable for me or what???





UPDATE

final reaction:

...
JAMES PATTERSON,





I HOPE YOU GET A BUNCH OF ANGRY LETTERS THAT MAKE YOU ALL




YOU DESERVE IT!

Why, you ask?

Oh James, how ignorant you are of the damage, the havoc you have caused.

So hear me out.

Now James, this is for your own good. You realize what agony you have cost those millions of people who took that seriously big mistake of trusting you?! You lack what people call consistency. What happened to the first three books of Maximum Ride? What happened to humor and action and books that were ACTUALLY good books, not anything like the CRAP you write now?

Because you know, calling this THING you wrote a book is an insult to books that are actually good. I personally think it should be called "a waste of paper, ink, batteries of ereaders and a shame to society" and since that's too long, we can call it AWPIBESS (pronunciation? I think it's something along the lines of "OP-i-bess").

James, now listen to me sweetheart. Please, just STOP writing and actually THINK for once. You know those people who just talk and never think? You are a person who just writes and never thinks.

Did God come down from the heavens and say, "James Patterson, I curse you that from this day on, every hope of a decent series you write shall be ruined with books that are so filled with crap people might mistake it for a clogged toilet."?

Well if he did, you would take care NOT TO WRITE ANY BOOKS AT ALL TO SAVE US FROM THIS SORT OF MISERY!

But I'm not giving up on you yet, James. Not just yet.

If you actually used that lump of gray cells in your head that is known as a B-R-A-I-N, you might actually write things that can be known as, *gasp* GOOD books! WOW! Think about that!

But let's get back to reality.

Right now, you've been cast into a pit made especially for authors who write REALLY crappy books.

AND NO ONE WANTS TO READ CRAP! PAPER IS PRECIOUS! YOU'RE KILLING TREES FOR THE WORST REASONS POSSIBLE! LISTEN TO THOSE CRIES! THE CRIES OF THE POOR TREES AND THE POOR READERS WHO ARE READING YOUR BOOKS IN GOOD FAITH!LOOK WHERE YOU'VE BROUGT THEM NOW!

Tut, tut James. I am VERY disappointed in you. I demand that you sit in a corner and think about what you have done until you can write a decent book again, you bad, BAD boy.

Love,
Dyanne

[miguel]

UPDATE: They're gonna re-release it with a matching cover for the old covers of Witch and Wizard!

UPDATE: I just noticed. Who the heck is that girl in the cover? It better not be Wisty! Wisty is supposed to be young-looking, full of freckles and soft and nerdy looking face. Not an adult model-looking girl. Pfftt.

What? a 4th book? Are you kidding me? Sure, the ending is a bit off but a new one? What if this turns out like Maximum Ride? From three books to eight books? I'M PANICKING! the new cover looks lame. fudge. i love the old cover where the letters have faces, hands, and feet. WHAT HAPPENED?
I hope this won't end up like Maximum FREAKING Ride!

[Katlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some parts were good, some parts were bad. Then there was the instant love.


Then there were cool parts, and the just plain creepy.
It was just a load of oddness.

[Johns · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay, I have to complain about a few things.

The Cover. What the hell is up with the cover? If that beautiful baboon is supposed to be Wisteria Rose Allgood, I will bust Dahvie Vanity's walnut. Like, for real.
The Title. Yeah, what the fuck is up with the title? I mean "The Kiss"? LOL Oh James, your attempt at romance amuses me with Wisty. (Still worship you though. . . .)

The Plot. Eh, this seems a bit iffy with me. I read the summary and it sounds like it could end with me burning it or end up with me loving it so much I will sit crying in my room and saying I'll kill someone who takes it from me. (I've done that before; don't touch my books)

Characters. I have only one thing to say about the new Characters' name that is supposed to be Wisty's love/downfall:
LOL! Heath?! Looking at a candy bar a lot, Mr. Patterson?

The Reviewers. Yes, I understand I'm writing a review too; I get that. But I honestly see no point in comparing this to Maximum Ride; totally different series, totally different plot. Seriously. WTF?


That is all.

[Katie]

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU JAMES PATTERSON!?????!??!?!?

Listen. I fell in love with the Maximum Ride novels. Even though the last couple books weren't very good, I still read them.

I read all three of the Witch and Wizard series, and this is so stupid. I'm betting it's going to be a stupid love triangle!!!!


*LATER*

It's staring up at me. That nutso face on the cover. It beckons, "Read me! READ ME!" I am tempted. Should I finish the series? Or save myself from the potentially terrible plot that is enveloped inside?

Ehh, I'll let my sister read it.

[Elle! · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this is book 4 in the trilogy.........Wait...Hunh???? This is book four in the series of THREE. My initial reaction was followed by a massive eye rub and squinting at the book again.

My reaction after the first two chapters.



By the End of the Book:



Before this: I merrily went my way and purchased the novel. Yes PURCHASED. I know it was stupid but I trusted and accepted myself as a James Patternson Cult Member. I mean I love his work. So I read it and.... Boy I didn't know what I was in for.

Book Four Wha - what?!!!: were the first words to come to my head. They killed this series a long time ago when they went to the Shadowland and Brian and Wisty kissed. The Fire was the LAST book, the last amazing book. Then ... it came to life again resurrected form the dead like a freaking Zombie from the Walking Dead. He , James Patterson decided to have a cash cow with a forth book, the sneaky possibly billionaire. I may be a JP sheep but I know when I am being messed with it.

Stuck between a 1 and a 2.5 because this book SUCKED.I loved the three others. "Why so much suckery? "one may be asking, well let me explain.

Summary:The book alternates POV of Wisty and Whit, witches and wizards who took down The One Who is the One, faced a Hitler reminiscent regime and now are revering in their happiness. Only one thing, take every crappy YA "I saw a magical seductive boy across room who wasn't human" and smash it into one.

In this book , we encounter a massive problem: It's Heath...He's a Wizard King ( so lame, buries face) who threatens the peace. Plus, he's supposedly sexy. this description made me want to fork my eyes out. He's a Sexy He Man Male.

In one of my reviews I mentioned a "sexy he male" was a guy is stars in Paranormal YA books, where is perfect and double the male hence "He Male". But Heath is triple the man. so he gets three "He Male Man." Usually flat guy characters the only thing round about them are their muscles .

Heath is perfect. He gets descriptions of his beauty in a very basic amateur way to appeal to YA crowds. This book just is awful. I hate you Heath... I want to find a pen and poke at you until you are covered in inky spots.

JP writes snap crackle zip commercial novels basically no descriptions. Fast pace, guns etc. I usually don't read the actual novel, I listen to his novels on recording because it's more movie like. But this I got the actual book, it was painful. He tries to craft a half romance in his short action sentence way. It didn't work.

Setting: Deserts, mountains, parties.... Everywhere oh and Fantasy world. This world is everywhere not in the good way.

Genre: Romance, fantasy. :(

It sort of starts like City of Bones after the win of the Hunger Games.

As the summary says above:

James Patterson's epic dystopian saga continues as the witch and wizard who have inspired countless imaginations must rally together before the world they fought to save collapses.

THE LIES!!!!!

This was nothing like that. It was his creepy attempt at a romance. If you never read the series but like books like Twilight, Dark and Lovely or any of those Twilighty books. You should start with The Kiss as a stand alone. The Kiss more like Dismissed (yes that was lame).

[Nicole Sol · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so intense and pretty much the whole book makes you do a cartwheel from your emotions. While reading this i was angry and i repeatedly insulted the characters in my mind but i forged on. There are so many twists to this story, but i loved each and everyone of them. You think you know how it's going to end but then the story just sends you another curveball. I know people always say that. "You dont know how it's going to end." But i'm usually very good at predicting what's going to happen in a book. But in this case i actually thought it was going to end one way and i was completely wrong. The ending is super surprising and i must admit it broke my feeble, little, weebly wobbly heart. But James Patterson has striked again with this rich, action-packed, emotional, deep novel that will send anyone on a ride. If you have read and loved the past books of this series i recommend this book to you whole-heartedly.

[Kaede]

I'm sorry but, if I recall, a trilogy meant THREE books. You know; tri=three and all that stuff? So now it's a saga? And you're ending the series off with a book dedicated to passion and romance? Nice move James Patterson and ghost writer. Nice.

I'm so reading this. And for all the wrong reasons.

[Zane Desjarlais · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best of the series so far!

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I TOTALLY KNEW IT!!!!!

SPOILER ALERT!! -ish

I KNEW Heath was bad news!! The twist at the end was SO GOOD! XD I absolutely loved the twist at the end with Heath/Pearce. It's interesting how Patterson had a messed up, sociopathically disturbed guy -- who I think has semi-good tho twisted intentions, but just a lil unhinged -- and have him fall in love, something The One was never really capable of. Maybe his love for Wisty will set him on the right track??

XX SPOILER ENDED!! XX

I can't wait to see how Patterson takes this lil twist... GAH! I want to read the next book already to see what happens next SO BAD! It's a great twist but I really am hoping Byron wins Wisty's heart honestly! He's normal and has actual non-twisted HUMANITY and goofiness that makes you instantly fall in love with him ^_^

[Sanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really missed this guys. Whist and Wisty are good example of how should look love between siblings. But, I wish there was more Byron. From asshole, he turned to real sweetheart. And Wisty should be with him.

To be honest, I think this part was the best so far.

[Ricky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a bit worried when it was announced that this book was coming out. Not because I thought it would be bad, but because I thought it would just suffer from the same negative-review attack that The Final Warning suffered, unfairly too because it's a very good book.

Any negative reviews this one gets are similarly undeserved.

I was initially wondering how Patterson could possibly continue the series, but he definitely found a way to do it more than satisfactorily. I'm halfway through it and already wondering where he'll go from here. Another supporting character is dead (not gonna say who) and a certain General Bloom is letting power go to his head - so he's basically The One without magic. (Or is he? I don't know yet, but I'm starting to suspect.) And the dreaded Mountain King is coming...oooohhhhh, scary.

What I really like about this one is that it expands the world of W&W somewhat, showing that even though it takes place in a Twenty Minutes In the Future setting, it still seems to be set in a Land-of-Oz-y place, surrounded on all sides by impassable landscapes like mountains, desert, deadly river, and endless forest. It's so weird and wonderful and Tim Burton-y and I want to see a new trilogy exploring all these bizarre environments.

Update: After finishing, I have to say that this is without a doubt the best in the series thus far. One quote from Wisty sums it up nicely. From page 222: "Yes, there's always room for things to get worse." Or, more accurately, better.

[Gretchen Schott · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Kiss was better than I expected but my expectations were low. I love the main characters Wisty & Whit Allgood. I want to see how their story ends. I was so disappointed in the 3rd book in this series The Gift, I almost didn't pick this up. I'm glad I did. It renewed my my excitement about the story of these two siblings.

The authors are trying to evolve & invent a new world which fringes on descriptions we have read in stories like The Hunger Games & Fahrenheit 451. Government is corrupt. Free expression of thought is suppressed. Innocence & faith of children overcome all. Plus a little magic thrown in to keep it interesting.

This story includes a love story which is developed perfectly for a tween to read & relate to. After 4 books I just wonder how many more times can their city be threatened by "powerful forces", have to be rebuilt, & magic saving the day.

There will be a 5th book. You can tell by the ending that the love triangle will need closure. I would hope the authors go back & focus on those qualities which endeared readers to Wisty & Whit & provide some closure that befits their character flaws & strengths. It reads today as if the storyline is trying to copy what so many YA authors are trying to recycle with wizards, magic, strife & romance.

I also hope the authors take time to build the story. (which means James Patterson...don't over saturate the market. Reflect, collect & write. We can wait for a proper story ending. Even if it means a year or two...)

[Jaidenk · Rating 3 out of 5]

My book isThe Kiss by James Patterson. It is the fourth book in the series Witch and the Wizard. It is after Wisty and Whit beat The One Who is the One in the third book. They are celebrating at a party and they see strange men that look like they still follow the One Who is the One. Then after the party they confront a strange looking man named Heath. Wisty kind of likes Heath and Heath is saying that he likes her but he might be lying. The book goes on but I don’t want to give any spoilers.

I would give this book a 8/10 rating. It has the perfect amount of adventure and magic to be a good book. I would read the books before this book before you read this. With the other books I would rate the same rating. This book kept me on the edge of my seat at all times.

[Wolf (Alpha) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very thrilling book. I like that Wisty and Whit were finally recognized for their action and that people were not trying to kill them for the moment. I liked that Pearl tried her hardest even though she was in a bad condition. I like that Njar saved Ross, Janine, and Whit even though he could have been killed. I loved that Janine loved Whit enough to sacrafice her life for him. I like that Whit & Whisty made things right in the end.

[Audree Del Rosario]

Well hello there Witch and Wizard # 4. I thought the series ended in the fire?!??!? It was such a good ending why would you want to add a love story to it? What happened to Byron, I thought maybe Wisty and him... Oh whatever. I want this book but I'm not expecting it to be as great as the first three which we all know was supposed to be TRILOGY. *sigh

[T Billi Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed each and every page of this book. Each book in this series gets better and better! Why isn't this series produced for television?! I can gladly write a script or two. It's THAT damn good.

[aconstellationoftomes · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 stars

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.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the best of them all. Lordy May, I think it's brilliant, and you know I've been reading these books for too long when I give it 3 stars and call it brilliant. I think, and this is my opinion because I looove stories around cobblestoned, medieval, Sarah J. Mass villages, that they should have focused on Pear a lot more. Ooooh if they made Pearl a badass Celaena-type but bad because she'd been brainwashed and made her hella awesome... yaaaaaassss. This book was quick-paced and followed a good plot, and was much better than the first 3 combined. I think they should've made 1 2 and 3 into 1 book and have The Kiss as the 2nd and then I'm hoping the next book will be just as good. I do have to complain that the front cover and title of The Kiss is awful (I have to read at school here guys) and I think they realised they needed to add romance to get more readers, and the little 'one kiss could destroy the world' was a bit overdramatic and not emphasized at all (which was good because it was irrelevant). BUT. I liked it. I'm a little confused about Celia but that's... okay? There's another book for that.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wizard 4

[T Billi Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed each and every page.

Each book in this series gets better and better !! Why isn't this series produced for television? I can gladly write a script or two.

[Khanh · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a bunch of garbage. I don't understand why Patterson kept switching writing partners.

[Rob Picano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the more interesting, plot-twisted books within the series. Book 4 has a new story line aside from those in the first three with the same characters we know.

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised to find this book as exciting and action packed as the rest in the series. After how things ended in the third book, I was pretty sure the next two books would struggle to keep the momentum that has been consistent in the series as a whole. I should know not to doubt James Patterson by now.

After having defeated Pearce and killing The One, Wisty and Whit are looking forward to the rebuilding of their city. A counsel is formed that consists of officials elected by the people, both children and adults. This counsel is to govern the people and restore hope and stability. It seems that everything is finally going to work out, but then how can there be two more books in the series. That would be just boring.

Enter the newest drama.... Children getting kidnapped. The Mountain King is sending his people down to kidnap the children and bring them back up the mountain. Here they are "brainwashed" into running and doing the Mountain King's bidding. The have been "cleaned."

The Magicians are blamed by General Bloom, an adult that slowly becomes the new dictator, residing over the Counsel as the only one who can read the Book of Truths. He twists the situation to suit his own wants and desires, eventually creating a special adults only counsel to handle the more adult situations of the town. He turns everyone against Whit, Wisty, and all Magicians. Eventually he relocates all Magicians to the edge of the dessert, forcing them into a small area that restricts their magic. Here they are packed like sardines and await for Bloom to carry out his plan of using them as the frontline of defense in the war to come against the Mountain King.

Wisty falls in love with a stranger named Heath. He is someone that seems both good and chaotic. He is a Wizard, though he keeps his powers hidden when Bloom calls for a Magician registry. Byron and Whit both distrust Heath and try to warn Wisty. This causes a divide to grow between Wisty and Whit. It seems that Byron and Wisty are not, in fact, a couple. I had thought that she had finally given him a chance given how they acted at the end of the last book. But she still struggles with whether he is to be trusted or not, and feels that he is a friend at this point. Byron seems to be willing to always continue to show his affection for Wisty, never seeming to give up and move on. (As soon as Heath appeared, I didn't trust him. There is just something off and I definitely had a theory about him. But I won't say what it was.) :-D

Wisty and Heath begin to use their powers together. Their joining is uncontrollable and powerful. It is intoxicating and both Wisty and Heath seem to crave being together, fusing, loving. They are deeply in love and form a bond that allows them to fell each other over distances. They are inseparable and begin to spend all of their time together.

Eventually, Bloom declares war on the Mountain King, blaming both the kidnappings and the stoppage of the water that the City depends on to survive. The Mountain King as forsaken the treaty that has been upheld in the past. But Whit wants to avoid war at all costs, since they are still trying to recover from The One Who Is The One. Whit decides that he will go up the mountain to negotiate with the Mountain King.

As he prepares to leave, he runs in to Mama May. Pearl Marie has gone missing, kidnapped by the mountain people but never reported. This strengthens Whit's resolve to head up the mountain, now to save Pearl as well as negotiate. Janine, Sasha and Ross decide to join him on his journey. Wisty, however, decides that she will stay behind in the city. She claims that she is staying behind to help the Magicians and protect their parents, but Whit believes that she is choosing Heath over him. They are growing apart, but there is no time to work things out. His group sets out to climb the mountain.

While Whit is away, Wisty and Heath grow stronger together. They use their powers to help rescue the children of the city, finding that if they concentrate, they can see what has occurred in the past. This leads them to find where the kidnappings are occurring and they rush off to save the children scheduled to be abducted that night. Together they defeat the mountain men, but Heath freezes one of the men completely, killing them. Wisty begins to fear their power together and runs away.

While this occurs, Whit and his team are struggling in the mountains. They run into the mountain guards and struggle to escape. They are bombarded with arrows and Whit uses an immense about of M to stop the arrows and turn them back on the shooters. One arrow is missed, piercing Sasha in the chest. After fleeing and protecting them, Whit doesn't have enough M to save Sasha and he dies bravely in their arms. (I think Ross might have been in love with Sasha, possibly they were in a relationship, because he definitely feels the loss the hardest.) They bury Sasha and continue on their journey, eventually finding a camp where some of the kidnapped children are running a track and beating themselves for being failures. They plan on scouting out the camp the next day, but never get the chance when they are captured and brought to the Mountain Castle.

It turns out the Mountain King's grandson is dying, and his parents are willing to ask Whit to help save him. At the castle, Whit finds the boy on a bed of ice, apparently the Mountain King's idea of how to cleanse the boy and save his life. Whit knows that the cold will only kill the boy. He also knows that he can't allow him to just die. So he heals the boy and everyone around rejoices. That is until the Mountain King barges into the room with his solders. He is furious that Whit is still alive and that he saved the boy and proceeds to almost kill the boy. Right at the end he releases him and throws Whit into a prison that is connected to a snow leopard den. He and his friends are going to be the leopards morning meal. Pearl Marie is in the castle and Whit tries to convince her to free them. But Pearl Marie is no longer herself, calling herself Rat and doing the Mountain King's bidding. She has all the prisoners strip down to their underwear, so that the snow leopards will have their scents.

The following morning finds the glass wall that separates the prisoners from their awaited fate slowly rising inch by inch. Right before the leopards are able to squeeze through, Whit and company are saved by none other than the Mountain King's grandson. He fells that he owes his life to Whit and couldn't allow them to die. He directs them to the Mountain Witch, who brought the group there in the first place, and stays behind to stand watch. The Mountain Witch provides them with some furs, since they are still basically naked, and helps them escape. She warns that they will be chased and need to stay on the road and move quickly. They run out and hurry to get home, until Whit realizes that he is unable to leave behind the captured children. He tells Janine and Ross to keep going, since they have already risked enough and he doesn't even know if he will make it back alive. Ross turns to leave but finds that Janine has decided that she will stay with Whit. Near freezing and turning blue, the group separates and Whit and Janine head back into the forest. But they are unable to find the camp again and waste all the time searching before they are found by the trackers. All seems lost as the trackers circle in on them, snow leopards included.

Wisty and Heath are back in the city, and Byron finds them to show them something. He brings Wisty and Heath to the desert. There they see the camp that is in the process of being built. It looks like the training grounds for the N.O. military, but Byron informs them that it is where the Magicians are to be transferred to "for their own safety." Wisty walks up to the fence that surrounds the encampment and touches it. She flies backwards, electrocuted by the fence and confused that Byron is holding the fence and feels nothing. It is a special fence that will only harm Magicians. Wisty realizes that she needs her brother to help fight this new threat and save half of the city. Heath says that her brother isn't needed, that he is there for her, but she insists. Finally, Heath admits that her brother is most-likely already dead. He is from the mountain and knows that the Mountain King wants to kill both of them. Wisty is furious that he didn't tell her this when Whit was leaving and finds that she can no longer trust him. She vows that she will go up the mountain and save Whit, with or without his help. He surrenders and states that the fastest way up the mountain would be for them to use their magic. They combine powers and after a try or two are able to transport themselves up the mountain to Whit, finding him surrounded by trackers and about to die.

Wisty calls to Whit, and this distraction could cost him is life. A snow leopard pounces down from an overhead rock, but Janine pushes Whit out of the way and is attacked instead. She is tossed around in the leopards mouth like a rag doll, and it seems unlikely that she will survive. But the snow leopards are still there, surrounding Whit and Janine. Whit knows that he has to remove the threat of the leopards before he can heal Janine, but time is precious. He fights off the leopards with his bare hands, going crazy at the thought of losing Janine. Wisty sprints towards her brother as he tries to heal Janine, but Heath stops her. He tells her that she needs him to help, and together they basically burn down the forest and cause the trackers to run away. Surrounded by flames and smoke, Whit pushes himself and manages to heal Janine.

The Mountain Witch arrives on the scene and knowledge is dropped on Wisty. Heath is apparently the grandson of the Mountain King. He is also the son of The One Who Is The One. Wisty feels betrayed and can't believe what she is hearing. She pulls further from Heath, no longer even being able to stand his touch. The Mountain Witch takes Heath and they disappear back up the mountain. Whit and Wisty carry Janine back down the mountain. Upon reaching the bottom, Byron meets them and tells them that all of the Magicians, their parents included, have been rounded up and transported to the camp. Whit and Wisty are wanted once again. Byron takes Janine to safety and the siblings head to the camp. They make it to the camp with no issues and see their parents. All in the camp are packed in like sardines, roasting in the hot desert sun. The buildings were never finished and have no roofs, so there is no escape from the heat. Whit and Wisty decide they need to head to the counsel and set everything right.

Upon arriving, they find that they have been removed from the counsel. The counsel is now only made up of adults. Bloom uses surveillance to show that Whit, Wisty, and Heath are all traitors. They are arrested, and Pearce enters the room. Shocked Whit and Wisty are taken to a dungeon to wait for war to start. Whit is brought to the front lines and chained to other Magicians waiting to die. Wisty is caged and immobilized. She is carried to the middle of the battlefield, a present for the Mountain King offered by Bloom.

The Wizard King uses his powers and takes control of the field. Everyone suddenly wants to be cleansed, surrendering with no fight. The cage and bars fall away from Wisty and she makes a stand. Heath appears and helps Wisty to regain control of the crowd. They work towards removing the Mountain King's mental hold on everyone. Together they are strong enough to override the Mountain King. But Heath wants to take it further, using the people and controlling them into trying to kill the Mountain King. Wisty fights against Heath, eventually being able to pull away and remove her power from the equation. But the Mountain King is already on the ground. Heath walks up and kills the Mountain King... by melting his face off! Wisty knows of only one person who has this power. In front of her eyes Heath melts into Pearce. Wisty is disgusted, but Pearce is convinced that she will be able to love him anyway. He is consumed by their power. Whit joins Wisty and together they attack Pearce. They are on the verge of killing him, but the Mountain Witch intervenes. She begs for her son's life, stating that the treaty will be reinstated now that the Mountain King is dead and they will never have a problem with them again. Unable to deny her request, they allow her to take Pearce and leave.

Afterwards, Whit and Wisty work towards once again restoring the city. A new counsel if formed, made entirely of children all under 19. Each month new representatives will be elected. Adults can give input, but can't actually vote. Bloom is exiled to the desert, now the commander of a troop of monkeys. Janine is the currently elected leader of the Council. Every citizen has a copy of the Book of Truths. All seems like it is right with the world. Will the next book just be dedicated to them actually succeeding in restoring the City for once, or is there a new dictator waiting to destroy all hope again.

[Ash Mustard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt bad for Wisty in the end

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling story of first love, jealousy and deception. The Allgoods find that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It is as important to win the peace as it is to win the war.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kiss, Book Number 4 excellent... Love this series***** It's so different, from what I usually read.

[ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personally, this book is my favorite so far in this series. It was juicy, interesting, it kept me thinking, and there were some new characters. This book was filled with different emotions, at points it was sad, at points it was funny. The connection between Wisty and Heath, a new character, is cool and unique. Overall, this book was ecstatically amazing!

[Gdalton72 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book The Kiss by James Patterson starts off slow but you just can’t turn away and it progressively gets better and better going into more and more detail, to the point where you can almost close your eyes and see what's happening. There's a lot of twists and turns and you visit many different places throughout the story, such as the mountains and the streets, the back roads, and even a frozen lake. It has a great way of getting you into the book with all the action and drama that happens, for instance the scene where their on the football field and for the first time in forever Whit got tackled and Whisty fell in love with the demon known as Heath.

This book is very easy to get attached to with all the lovable characters. It has a great way of continuing where the last one left off, Starting you off right in the middle of a political event. Sometimes there can be some confusing parts and stuff that really doesn’t make sense. Overall the book is an amazing book and I would highly recommend this book and the series to anyone that likes action suspense, suspense and drama books.

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read and enjoyed the first three books in the Witch and Wizard series, but this seemed a desperate grasp at keeping the series going. (I thought it was a trilogy until this book was released.) My first impression came from the cover. I hate the cover. It's all about Wisty, when Whit is supposed to be an equal character. At least that's how the series started. (Well, maybe it started more with Whit, but I digress.) The first 3 covers had a single letter: W (Witch & Wizard), G (The Gift), and F (The Fire). Following suit, "The Kiss" should have a K, but instead it has the face of a sexified girl with hair that doesn't match the image of the character she's supposed to portray.

That brings me to the time frame. I was under the impression that maybe a year has past since the first book started, but that would put Wisty at 15 and living in her own apartment with her parents' blessing. After all they've been through, this is not believable. And there's a point where she talks about "years under the New Order's rule." So I'm really confused as to the timeline in the series.

From the beginning (Witch & Wizard), I have thought that the characters were dumbed down. I may not remember how I thought when I was 14 or 17, but Whit and Wisty come across as 9-12 sometimes. And the whole M thing is a bit annoying, too. Every time they talk about their magic they say something like, "I reach for my M. . ." Really? Too lazy to type it out? I just don't think that kids that age would come up with a nickname that lame, if they used a nickname at all.

But perhaps the most annoying part of this particular book in the series is just how far it strays from the original picture that this reader got from the first three books. Inconsistencies bug the hell out of me, and this was overflowing with them. Let's talk about foolball. In the first book, on the very fist page, football is football. Whit is a star player all through high school. However, in "The Kiss" it is suddenly foolball like that's all it ever was. But that's far from the only issue. Foolball is nothing compared to the fact that the setting went from a tyrant taking over a city (read country) in a world much like the one we live in today, to the City and its citizens being isolated from all else. There's a raging river to the east that nobody has ever been across, the Mountains to the north, and some sort of mutant lizard people in the western desert. No mention of the south. No City citizen has ever set foot in the desert, even though I'm pretty sure Whit and Wisty ended up there in the first book. But the point here is that it went from a world like ours to a fantasy world between book 3 and book 4. Incredibly annoying.

They should have left it alone as a trilogy. There may have been a couple loose ends, but they did not need tidying. And this was not the way tidy them even if they did. This book left us agin with those loose ends. The same ones, in fact. I guess that means another book is on the way. ***sigh***