Volatile Chemistry by Michelle Marquis and Lindsey Bayer
Siren Warrior Chronicles, Bk 7
Whiskey Creek Press -Torrid
Sci-Fi Futuristic
ISBN: 978-1-60313-851-2
Reviewed by Patrice F.









Gypsy has gained her freedom from General Kharon’s madness—for now.  The mysterious appearance of Titan is only part of the riddle.  She knows that his help has come with a price, a horrendous one.  The question is who was willing to pay such a brutal fee to save her?  Gypsy isn’t certain she wants to know the answer to the puzzle because whenever Titan is involved soul agony and death follow.

Well, well, it seems that the old cliché, “The plot thickens” has seized the wheel in Volatile Chemistry.  Please excuse me because I was forced to hold on with both hands as everything became fast-paced and crazy.  This installment centers on Desmond, whose development and struggle is becoming an important part of this series.  He offers a contrast to Gavin, his father, and a source of support for Gypsy.

Gypsy and her ongoing battle to overcome the Primal Fever, along with General Kharon’s pursuit and ambitions, are instrumental in forcing her into responsible adulthood.  Two main scenarios compel her to change and take accountability for her decisions.  It’s painful and a terrible lesson but it changes the direction of her life and relationships.  Caracalla has a few decisions to make and is tested until he is faced with the consequences of his actions.   Gavin and Harlan are on their A game as usual while dealing with the fall out of Harlan’s abduction and a few other personal concerns.

There are some new interesting faces, male and female, human and alien spicing up the plot, and now I can’t wait to see how these new players fit into the thick of what’s coming.   Of course, Titan makes an appearance, and everything becomes more chaotic, grim and downright ugly.  This diabolical nemesis is the catalyst that forces change on everyone.  The best part is the chain reaction of events that unwind to an amazing finale.

It may be book seven but Volatile Chemistry proves that the Siren Chronicles is bigger, better and tighter than ever, and certainly not letting up!  This latest novella landed quite a few psychological punches to my brain and I’m punch drunk with eagerness for more.  There’s loads and loads of foreshadowing brewing, and the climax of the story delivers.  Every time I think I know where this storyline is going, Marquis and Bayer slam dunk my assumptions into the nearest bin of “Wrong, sucker!”  Never has being off mark felt so good.  All the while the narrative keeps me dangling.  My only regret is that at some point the series will end.  In the meantime, I recommend you catch up because if you haven’t started already, you’ve got a lot of good reading ahead of you.