A review by thelittleb00kworm
The Kiss by Jill Dembowski, James Patterson

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

 

Summary


After the intense final battle in The Fire, Whit and Wisty Allgood are struggling to find their place in the world they helped save. The New Order has been defeated, but chaos still reigns—people fear magic, and there’s no clear leadership in place. Just when it seems like things might settle down, a new threat emerges.


Enter Heath, a mysterious, charming wizard king who claims to want peace, but may have his own hidden agenda. Wisty falls hard for him, and her growing attraction threatens to divide her from Whit and the Resistance. Meanwhile, Pearce—the powerful, sadistic former enforcer of The One Who Is The One—is still alive and has his own deadly plans for revenge.


As Whit tries to hold the Resistance together, Wisty struggles with her feelings for Heath and the dark power growing inside her. With new enemies rising, the Allgoods must once again fight for their world—but this time, their biggest battle might be against each other.


Major Themes & Takeaways


💔 The Dangers of Blind Trust & Manipulation


  • Wisty falls for Heath too easily, ignoring warning signs about his true nature.
  • The book explores how love can be both empowering and dangerous—especially when it blinds you to the truth.



⚡ Power & Corruption


  • Wisty’s magic is stronger than ever, but she struggles with controlling it.
  • The question arises: Will she become the very thing she fought against?



🤝 Family vs. Independence


  • Whit and Wisty’s sibling bond is tested for the first time.
  • Whit tries to protect her, but Wisty wants to make her own choices—even bad ones.


🔥 Romance vs. Duty


  • Wisty and Heath’s romance feels intense and all-consuming, but it’s built on lies.
  • Whit, who’s always been the protector, must accept that Wisty has to make her own mistakes.



Strengths of The Kiss


✅ A New, Unexpected Conflict


  • Instead of another war against The One, we see how society rebuilds—and how new threats can arise even after a revolution.
  • The idea of magic users being feared and hunted adds a fresh twist.


✅ More Emotional Depth


  • Unlike previous books, this one focuses more on emotions, relationships, and personal struggles.
  • Whit and Wisty’s growing tensions feel real and impactful.


✅ A Complex Love Interest (Sort of…)


  • Heath is a more developed villain than The One.
  • His charisma and charm make him dangerous in a different way—he doesn’t use force, but manipulation.


✅ Pearce Returns as a Stronger Villain


  • Unlike The One, Pearce feels personal—he’s fueled by rage, revenge, and a twisted obsession with Wisty.
  • His return adds real danger, and his methods are more unpredictable than The One’s dictatorship.


Weaknesses of The Kiss


❌ The Romance is… Not Great


  • Wisty and Heath’s relationship moves way too fast.
  • There’s no real development—just instant attraction, and then suddenly she’s risking everything for him.


❌ Wisty is Frustratingly Reckless


  • She ignores every warning sign about Heath.
  • Her choices feel immature, making her hard to root for at times.


❌ The Plot Feels Recycled


  • Once again, there’s a charismatic leader who gains too much power and turns out to be evil.
  • The book follows the same structure:
    • Wisty rebels against Whit’s caution.
    • She trusts someone she shouldn’t.
    • Everything falls apart, and Whit has to clean up the mess.


❌ Not Much Character Growth


  • Wisty doesn’t learn from her past mistakes—she’s still reckless, still making bad decisions.
  • Whit, while more level-headed, doesn’t change much either.


Final Verdict on The Kiss

Category | Rating (Out of 5)
Plot & Pacing | ⭐⭐⭐ (Intriguing premise, but repetitive)
Character Development | ⭐⭐ (Wisty regresses, Whit stays the same)
World-Building | ⭐⭐⭐.5 (Explores the world post-New Order)
Magic System | ⭐⭐⭐ (More powerful magic, but still vague rules)
Villain & Conflict | ⭐⭐⭐.5 (Pearce is good, Heath is manipulative but predictable)
Romance | ⭐⭐ (Rushed, unbelievable)
Overall Entertainment Value | ⭐⭐⭐ (Some strong moments, but frustrating choices)

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)


A decent continuation, but weaker than the first three books due to forced romance and repetitive storytelling.


Who Should Read This?


✔ Great for:


  • Readers who enjoyed the first three books and want to see what happens next.
  • Fans of villains who manipulate rather than use brute force.
  • Those who like romance-driven fantasy stories.


🚫 Skip if you dislike:


  • Instalove and love triangles    .
  • Repetitive plots that feel too similar to previous books.
  • Main characters making frustratingly bad choices.


Final Thoughts


The Kiss had potential, but falls into predictable patterns. While it introduces new conflicts and a different type of villain, it also suffers from repetitive mistakes—Wisty’s reckless decisions, rushed romance, and yet another leader who turns out to be bad.

That said, the book does set up some interesting conflicts that could lead to a stronger conclusion in The Lost. If you’ve made it this far into the series, you might as well see how it all ends.