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Sin du Jour #3
Pride's Spell
The team at Sin du Jour—New York’s exclusive caterers-to-the-damned—find themselves up against their toughest challenge, yet when they’re lured out west to prepare a feast in the most forbidding place in America: Hollywood, where false gods rule supreme.
Meanwhile, back at home, Ritter is attacked at home by the strangest hit-squad the world has ever seen, and the team must pull out all the stops if they’re to prevent themselves from being offered up as the main course in a feast they normally provide
Starring: The Prince of Lies, Lena Tarr, Darren Vargas. With Byron Luck. Introducing: the Easter Bunny.
Pride's Spell is the third installment in Matt Wallace's Sin du Jour series.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Meanwhile, back at home, Ritter is attacked at home by the strangest hit-squad the world has ever seen, and the team must pull out all the stops if they’re to prevent themselves from being offered up as the main course in a feast they normally provide
Starring: The Prince of Lies, Lena Tarr, Darren Vargas. With Byron Luck. Introducing: the Easter Bunny.
Pride's Spell is the third installment in Matt Wallace's Sin du Jour series.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2016
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554 people want to read
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February 11, 2022
Wallace is doing an interesting thing with his urban fantasy series centered on the adventures of a catering firm the works with the supernatural. As he states on his website:
"Each book has a standalone plot, in this case centered around a single event the company is catering, but it carries over a lot of the stories and character arcs from the last book. It’s like an old-fashioned serial. There are cliffhangers, there are monsters of the week, and there’s a fast-paced world you check in with every few months to get the next part of the Big Story." (source page)
The books are a blend of culinary escapades, physical action and general silliness, wrapped around a curious emotional core and sprinkled with pop culture references, and honestly, they're like chocolate-covered popcorn: a little salty, a little sweet, and really, really hard to stop.
In this installment, Bronko, the famed former tv chef, is experiencing hellish torments, but reasons why remain unexplained. Meanwhile, his crew is obligated to two catering engagements on opposite sides of the country--the Half-and-Half convention in New York (although as Jett reminds us, that's ablest and is disrespectful to centaurs and minotaurs) and a big-budget movie premiere in Los Angeles. The newest employees, best friends and roommates Lena and Darren, remain at odds over her sexing the sous chef. It's complicated to work together when you aren't speaking to each other. Since procurement is done, Bronko gives the Stocking & Receiving Department the week off. However, as we all know, the minute you get a week's vacation, things are going to go to hell. Or rather, Hell will come to you.
While it is a fun, fast-moving story, the narrative is a bit choppy. Initial scenes alternate between Bronko's torment, the dastardly Hollywood producers, Lena's surly perspective and various events with members of the Stocking team. I'm not sure the sections with the movie producers were strictly needed, although it added to the tension. While it did give Wallace a chance to farcically describe the Hollywood system, it was a little overt:
"Apparently less than ten percent of all writers and directors are women."
"We can't get it any lower than that," Producer Two complains. "A few are bound to slip through now and then. It's not a foolproof system."
I enjoyed the dryly sarcastic tone, offering such insights as "Behind him, Cindy performs a physiological miracle by rolling her eyes without her eyes ever moving in their sockets" and "In fact, in Hell it will become known as the single most horrific death ever to occur on Earth. That's like winning the Oscar for best picture down there."
Unlike some pulpy urban fantasy books (looking at you, Geekomancy), I thought Wallace maintained congruence between events and tone, not losing sight that death and dismemberment are horrible experiences. That said, there's also a bizarro element to the series, particularly when Hell
I've read the first in the series but missed the second, Lustlocked (now rectified), and my word of advice for would-be readers is that this is truly a serial in the old-fashioned sense. Unlike my recent reading experience of the frequently repetitive Mercy Thompson series, Wallace doesn't waste space on back story; often there will be no more than a sentence or two of explanation. There's definitely emotional and social changes as our two leads, Lena and Darren, start to individuate from each other and find their roles in the company. Starting at this book will prove confusing on both the character and world-building fronts, much like picking up on the third or fourth episode of a sci-fi tv series.
While I don't think the Sin du Jour series is meant to be taken entirely seriously, there's a core emotional weight to them that is intriguing, particularly in this one based on pride. I've discovered is that Wallace has achieved his goal--these are perfect pieces for when I want to sit down and devour something fun.
My review for Envy of Angels here
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for an advance reader copy
"Each book has a standalone plot, in this case centered around a single event the company is catering, but it carries over a lot of the stories and character arcs from the last book. It’s like an old-fashioned serial. There are cliffhangers, there are monsters of the week, and there’s a fast-paced world you check in with every few months to get the next part of the Big Story." (source page)
The books are a blend of culinary escapades, physical action and general silliness, wrapped around a curious emotional core and sprinkled with pop culture references, and honestly, they're like chocolate-covered popcorn: a little salty, a little sweet, and really, really hard to stop.
In this installment, Bronko, the famed former tv chef, is experiencing hellish torments, but reasons why remain unexplained. Meanwhile, his crew is obligated to two catering engagements on opposite sides of the country--the Half-and-Half convention in New York (although as Jett reminds us, that's ablest and is disrespectful to centaurs and minotaurs) and a big-budget movie premiere in Los Angeles. The newest employees, best friends and roommates Lena and Darren, remain at odds over her sexing the sous chef. It's complicated to work together when you aren't speaking to each other. Since procurement is done, Bronko gives the Stocking & Receiving Department the week off. However, as we all know, the minute you get a week's vacation, things are going to go to hell. Or rather, Hell will come to you.
While it is a fun, fast-moving story, the narrative is a bit choppy. Initial scenes alternate between Bronko's torment, the dastardly Hollywood producers, Lena's surly perspective and various events with members of the Stocking team. I'm not sure the sections with the movie producers were strictly needed, although it added to the tension. While it did give Wallace a chance to farcically describe the Hollywood system, it was a little overt:
"Apparently less than ten percent of all writers and directors are women."
"We can't get it any lower than that," Producer Two complains. "A few are bound to slip through now and then. It's not a foolproof system."
I enjoyed the dryly sarcastic tone, offering such insights as "Behind him, Cindy performs a physiological miracle by rolling her eyes without her eyes ever moving in their sockets" and "In fact, in Hell it will become known as the single most horrific death ever to occur on Earth. That's like winning the Oscar for best picture down there."
Unlike some pulpy urban fantasy books (looking at you, Geekomancy), I thought Wallace maintained congruence between events and tone, not losing sight that death and dismemberment are horrible experiences. That said, there's also a bizarro element to the series, particularly when Hell
I've read the first in the series but missed the second, Lustlocked (now rectified), and my word of advice for would-be readers is that this is truly a serial in the old-fashioned sense. Unlike my recent reading experience of the frequently repetitive Mercy Thompson series, Wallace doesn't waste space on back story; often there will be no more than a sentence or two of explanation. There's definitely emotional and social changes as our two leads, Lena and Darren, start to individuate from each other and find their roles in the company. Starting at this book will prove confusing on both the character and world-building fronts, much like picking up on the third or fourth episode of a sci-fi tv series.
While I don't think the Sin du Jour series is meant to be taken entirely seriously, there's a core emotional weight to them that is intriguing, particularly in this one based on pride. I've discovered is that Wallace has achieved his goal--these are perfect pieces for when I want to sit down and devour something fun.
My review for Envy of Angels here
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for an advance reader copy
May 31, 2016
The third book's the charm. Or, actually, it's pure hell.
Not for us, mind you, it's all for the characters. And what a hell of a ride it is.
I mean, seriously, after the last book, which I thought was pretty good and definitely funny and fun, I didn't quite expect a full and completely kick-butt tale of Hollywood human sacrifice, pools of chocolate, exquisite tacos from a truck, or awesomely choreographed fight-scenes.
I'm pretty sure that Tim Burton was not consulted for the Truly Strange bits, but I would be quite remiss if I didn't tell Mr. Tim Burton that he probably ought to read this book, tip his hat in serious pride for the spirit of this book, understand that this might be a good deal better than a lot of the more recent stuff he's come up with, and come back to Matt Wallace and tell him that Pride's Spell is now being made by him. I mean, fair's fair. This book is awesome.
I didn't even know, at least, not really, that all these wonderful chefs where so versatile with weapons! Or that evil cartoon bunnies could quite send such shivers down my spine.
So was it more a funny book, an action book, or a horror?
Well, heck if I know. All I know is that all three worked wonders in this one and I think this author has just earned a huge fan. :)
Thanks goes to Netgalley for the arc!
Not for us, mind you, it's all for the characters. And what a hell of a ride it is.
I mean, seriously, after the last book, which I thought was pretty good and definitely funny and fun, I didn't quite expect a full and completely kick-butt tale of Hollywood human sacrifice, pools of chocolate, exquisite tacos from a truck, or awesomely choreographed fight-scenes.
I'm pretty sure that Tim Burton was not consulted for the Truly Strange bits, but I would be quite remiss if I didn't tell Mr. Tim Burton that he probably ought to read this book, tip his hat in serious pride for the spirit of this book, understand that this might be a good deal better than a lot of the more recent stuff he's come up with, and come back to Matt Wallace and tell him that Pride's Spell is now being made by him. I mean, fair's fair. This book is awesome.
I didn't even know, at least, not really, that all these wonderful chefs where so versatile with weapons! Or that evil cartoon bunnies could quite send such shivers down my spine.
So was it more a funny book, an action book, or a horror?
Well, heck if I know. All I know is that all three worked wonders in this one and I think this author has just earned a huge fan. :)
Thanks goes to Netgalley for the arc!
June 17, 2016
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2016/06/17/...
Pride’s Spell is the third installment of Matt Wallace’s Sin du Jour series of novellas starring the ragtag crew of New York’s most exclusive kitchen and catering company. While these books can work perfectly fine as stand-alones, I was delighted to read this one and discover multiple overarching story threads and character paths finally coming together to form a larger picture.
Most of NYC’s in-crowd have heard of Byron “Bronko” Luck, a celebrity chef who used to have his own upscale restaurant and even a TV show. Now he is the head of Sin du Jour and the boss of the Lena and Darren, two ordinary junior chefs who have suddenly found themselves thrust into a world of the paranormal and bizarre. For one thing, Sin du Jour’s clientele is anything but ordinary. Lena and Darren’s first gig with the catering company saw them cooking and serving up a banquet for demons. Their second major job involved providing the food at a goblin wedding. But just when they thought they’ve had it with the weirdness factor, Bronko happily surprises the two of them with an assignment that actually sounds halfway normal: preparing a grand feast for a Hollywood movie premiere.
The team is split up. Understanding on some level that this is a test, Lena and Darren accompany Chef Bronko to California with only a few other staff in tow, while the rest of the crew stay behind to take care of the paranormal convention circuit, and Sin du Jour’s Stocking and Receiving department finally gets some well-deserved time off. Still, even as Ritter, Hara, Cindy and Moon are settling back to enjoy some much needed rest and relaxation, their enemies are not so accommodating. One night, all hell breaks loose as the New York team gets ambushed by the strangest group of assassins you could ever imagine. Meanwhile out west, Lena, Darren and Bronko are also dealing with troubles of their own, as they learn the hard way just how cutthroat the world of Hollywood can be.
No doubt about it, this was probably my favorite Sin du Jour tale so far. I was initially wary when came upon the book’s premise, expecting another celebrity-laden story related to the entertaining industry like in the last book, Lustlocked. Instead, Pride’s Spell had other ideas in mind. Matt Wallace deftly launches a two-pronged attack, hitting us with a storm of outrageous action and humor as both groups of characters scramble to deal with their respective crises. In New York, a wacky scenario unfolds as Ritter and his team are attacked by homicidal holiday icons, with the whole fracas finally ending in an epic showdown at Sin du Jour HQ where Dorsky and his kitchen crew have been holding down the fort while the big boss is out of town. In Hollywood, Lena and Darren struggle to come up with a suitable menu to suit the fastidious dietary demands of pampered celebs, while Jett and Nikki have sequestered themselves away to prepare the greatest, most transcendent dessert experience the world has ever seen. They say that sometimes, the after party is even better than the main event, but as we soon see, this is most certainly not the case for the Hollywood team.
In spite of its absurd plot, I thought there was a lot more substance to this sequel relative to the previous one. Looking back at my review for Lustlocked, my chief complaint was that it felt very much like a “throwaway” installment, a fun side-story that doled out plenty of action and laughs but ultimately added little to the overall series narrative or how I felt about the characters. On the other hand, while Pride’s Spell was every bit as zany and twisted, I thought it offered a lot more when it came to emotional weight. Finally, we can see how Lena and Darren have been integrating into the Sin du Jour family, making friends and forming attachments. In between all the cooking and fighting, we’re also seeing glimpses of who all these characters are on a deeper level, like how they’re starting to connect with each other, what kind of backgrounds they come from, or what makes them tick.
This was especially true for the Stocking and Receiving team. So far, Ritter et al. have featured prominently in their own mini-adventures in each book, and this one was no exception. Like a company of mercenaries, they’ve always stood a bit apart from the kitchen crew in my eyes, providing some extra thrills and comic relief on their rare ingredient-hunting escapades. This however was probably the first time I thought of them as more than a sideshow to the series, gaining a little more insight into the kinds of lives they lead when they’re not off doing jobs for Bronko.
Pride’s Spell ended up being everything I wanted and expected out of a Sin du Jour novella. It’s ridiculous but fun. Humor, action, insanity and violence are still key ingredients in this madcap urban fantasy series, but I’m also glad that we’re starting to see more development in the characters and their relationships. There’s a sense of everything coming together here, even tying in some elements introduced from the first book in the series, making me hunger for the next course. I have a feeling it’s all going to culminate into something great.
Pride’s Spell is the third installment of Matt Wallace’s Sin du Jour series of novellas starring the ragtag crew of New York’s most exclusive kitchen and catering company. While these books can work perfectly fine as stand-alones, I was delighted to read this one and discover multiple overarching story threads and character paths finally coming together to form a larger picture.
Most of NYC’s in-crowd have heard of Byron “Bronko” Luck, a celebrity chef who used to have his own upscale restaurant and even a TV show. Now he is the head of Sin du Jour and the boss of the Lena and Darren, two ordinary junior chefs who have suddenly found themselves thrust into a world of the paranormal and bizarre. For one thing, Sin du Jour’s clientele is anything but ordinary. Lena and Darren’s first gig with the catering company saw them cooking and serving up a banquet for demons. Their second major job involved providing the food at a goblin wedding. But just when they thought they’ve had it with the weirdness factor, Bronko happily surprises the two of them with an assignment that actually sounds halfway normal: preparing a grand feast for a Hollywood movie premiere.
The team is split up. Understanding on some level that this is a test, Lena and Darren accompany Chef Bronko to California with only a few other staff in tow, while the rest of the crew stay behind to take care of the paranormal convention circuit, and Sin du Jour’s Stocking and Receiving department finally gets some well-deserved time off. Still, even as Ritter, Hara, Cindy and Moon are settling back to enjoy some much needed rest and relaxation, their enemies are not so accommodating. One night, all hell breaks loose as the New York team gets ambushed by the strangest group of assassins you could ever imagine. Meanwhile out west, Lena, Darren and Bronko are also dealing with troubles of their own, as they learn the hard way just how cutthroat the world of Hollywood can be.
No doubt about it, this was probably my favorite Sin du Jour tale so far. I was initially wary when came upon the book’s premise, expecting another celebrity-laden story related to the entertaining industry like in the last book, Lustlocked. Instead, Pride’s Spell had other ideas in mind. Matt Wallace deftly launches a two-pronged attack, hitting us with a storm of outrageous action and humor as both groups of characters scramble to deal with their respective crises. In New York, a wacky scenario unfolds as Ritter and his team are attacked by homicidal holiday icons, with the whole fracas finally ending in an epic showdown at Sin du Jour HQ where Dorsky and his kitchen crew have been holding down the fort while the big boss is out of town. In Hollywood, Lena and Darren struggle to come up with a suitable menu to suit the fastidious dietary demands of pampered celebs, while Jett and Nikki have sequestered themselves away to prepare the greatest, most transcendent dessert experience the world has ever seen. They say that sometimes, the after party is even better than the main event, but as we soon see, this is most certainly not the case for the Hollywood team.
In spite of its absurd plot, I thought there was a lot more substance to this sequel relative to the previous one. Looking back at my review for Lustlocked, my chief complaint was that it felt very much like a “throwaway” installment, a fun side-story that doled out plenty of action and laughs but ultimately added little to the overall series narrative or how I felt about the characters. On the other hand, while Pride’s Spell was every bit as zany and twisted, I thought it offered a lot more when it came to emotional weight. Finally, we can see how Lena and Darren have been integrating into the Sin du Jour family, making friends and forming attachments. In between all the cooking and fighting, we’re also seeing glimpses of who all these characters are on a deeper level, like how they’re starting to connect with each other, what kind of backgrounds they come from, or what makes them tick.
This was especially true for the Stocking and Receiving team. So far, Ritter et al. have featured prominently in their own mini-adventures in each book, and this one was no exception. Like a company of mercenaries, they’ve always stood a bit apart from the kitchen crew in my eyes, providing some extra thrills and comic relief on their rare ingredient-hunting escapades. This however was probably the first time I thought of them as more than a sideshow to the series, gaining a little more insight into the kinds of lives they lead when they’re not off doing jobs for Bronko.
Pride’s Spell ended up being everything I wanted and expected out of a Sin du Jour novella. It’s ridiculous but fun. Humor, action, insanity and violence are still key ingredients in this madcap urban fantasy series, but I’m also glad that we’re starting to see more development in the characters and their relationships. There’s a sense of everything coming together here, even tying in some elements introduced from the first book in the series, making me hunger for the next course. I have a feeling it’s all going to culminate into something great.
August 19, 2016
This novella piles on the craziness at a breakneck pace. There really isn't a lot that can be said without spoiling it - all of the revelations are oh so fun. I learned about how movies are "really" made in Hollywood - with a special nod to all of the YA dystopia. And I learned all about Hell's most elite hit squad. The catered party description was also fantastic.
Anyway, this whole series is really fun with lots of crazy ideas that make some kind of twisted sense. Thanks to netgalley for letting me preview this one.
Anyway, this whole series is really fun with lots of crazy ideas that make some kind of twisted sense. Thanks to netgalley for letting me preview this one.
February 5, 2017
I received an e-ARC of this novella from NetGalley in exchange for a free and honest review.
Oh my god, Matt Wallace, stop doing this to me! I get so hungry reading the Sin du Jour novellas even WITH the gross out bits, and you could at least share a recipe at the end, right? I don’t even know what a maple rum panna cotta IS, but I’d try to make that right now if I had the recipe. UGH.
Pride’s Spell is the third in the Sin du Jour series, and yes – the best so far! The catering service for the supernatural world gets double-booked, and line cooks Lena and Darren get shipped off to the second engagement in LA to cater a movie premiere. It’s supposed to be a normal, not crazy job. The special Stocking & Receiving Department even has the week off!
But it’s Hollywood, where eviscerated authors and the ashes of dead bloggers are offered to the zombie movie moguls in return for blessings on new projects. So, you know…. Pretty much what I was looking for. (I laughed out loud during that chapter. Oh man, the YA dystopia commentary!)
Also, this time there are vegetarian and vegan options! And Hell comes trying to kill everyone!
Why’s this one the best so far? The opening prologue scene drew me in with growing horror in a way that a lot of prologues don’t even really pique my interest. The characters are firmly established. I could feel the tensions and conflicts in the relationships. The humor and banter and one-liners have gelled. By this point, I and other readers should know what to expect, but are still going to be surprised and amused by how events turn out. The biggest compliment I can give here is that this story is insane, but Wallace pulls it off without it spinning out of control.
Overall, I was impressed that Pride’s Spell felt strong and well-gauged. The parts fell into place easily and naturally. And it continues being one hell of a fun and wild ride! PLEASE let Cindy wear one of her magnificent dresses in a future book, because the woman deserves it. And everyone deserves a break after fighting off Hell and Hollywood.
May 12, 2016
It's really hard to do this review justice without giving away too much because it's the 3rd in Wallace's Sin du Jour series, but I will start off by saying if you aren't reading this series, what are you waiting for? This is a perfect read for people who like fantasy, horror, hilarious plots and wonderful, badass, snarky characters.
"Pride's Spell" takes up where "Lustlocked" left off. And while I was afraid Wallace had broken my heart with the cliffhanger of the last book, I should have known he would know how to ease the pain with his next installment. In "Pride's Spell," half of the crew travels to L.A to do a catering job for a movie release, which the other half stays behind so clearly someone's plan is to divide and conquer. There is lots of action fighting demons as well as a killer Easter Bunny and a killer Santa, complete with demonic elves and reindeer. If that isn't enough to pique your interest, I don't know what is.
I would love to know how Wallace's mind works, but then again, it might be a scary place to visit. He mixes in numerous genres and candy-coats them with enough pop-culture references that most people can easily understand. I never thought he would top the Goblin King in the last book, but he came pretty close with some of the people/things in this one. I wish these books were longer, and I totally regret that it will now seem like forever until the next installment is released. "Pride's Spell" was a wonderful ride I couldn't wait to get on but like most roller coasters, it ended much too quickly.
I received an advanced copy from TOR in exchange for an honest review.
"Pride's Spell" takes up where "Lustlocked" left off. And while I was afraid Wallace had broken my heart with the cliffhanger of the last book, I should have known he would know how to ease the pain with his next installment. In "Pride's Spell," half of the crew travels to L.A to do a catering job for a movie release, which the other half stays behind so clearly someone's plan is to divide and conquer. There is lots of action fighting demons as well as a killer Easter Bunny and a killer Santa, complete with demonic elves and reindeer. If that isn't enough to pique your interest, I don't know what is.
I would love to know how Wallace's mind works, but then again, it might be a scary place to visit. He mixes in numerous genres and candy-coats them with enough pop-culture references that most people can easily understand. I never thought he would top the Goblin King in the last book, but he came pretty close with some of the people/things in this one. I wish these books were longer, and I totally regret that it will now seem like forever until the next installment is released. "Pride's Spell" was a wonderful ride I couldn't wait to get on but like most roller coasters, it ended much too quickly.
I received an advanced copy from TOR in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2017
I have so much love for this series. :-)
For my review, can I just say. . . Page 214: "It's the God Puppy." :-)
No? Okay, I'll share more. . .
In this outing, Sin du Jour was hired to cater a movie premiere event in Hollywood. Only Bronko (!!!), Lena, Darren, Nikki, Jett, Pacific, and Mr. Mirabel went though. The rest of the line stayed in New York and catered . :-)
Naturally, things went out of control for both groups. :-)
In New York, (!!!) *hehehe*
And in Hollywood, the movie's producers had a special "treat" for our team in the after-after-party. :-)
Special appearances in this book included not just the Easter Bunny, but (!!!) :-)
Most of the aforementioned beings were after Stocking and Receiving and the line in New York. The latter being put in an appearance in L.A., after :-)
I wonder if ? I guess I'll have to read more books to find out. ;-)
In the end, Lena :-)
Oh! If you read my spoiler about the end to book #2, in this one, ? I hope to find out in a future book. :-)
I am really just loving this series. :-)
For my review, can I just say. . . Page 214: "It's the God Puppy." :-)
No? Okay, I'll share more. . .
In this outing, Sin du Jour was hired to cater a movie premiere event in Hollywood. Only Bronko (!!!), Lena, Darren, Nikki, Jett, Pacific, and Mr. Mirabel went though. The rest of the line stayed in New York and catered . :-)
Naturally, things went out of control for both groups. :-)
In New York, (!!!) *hehehe*
And in Hollywood, the movie's producers had a special "treat" for our team in the after-after-party. :-)
Special appearances in this book included not just the Easter Bunny, but (!!!) :-)
Most of the aforementioned beings were after Stocking and Receiving and the line in New York. The latter being put in an appearance in L.A., after :-)
I wonder if ? I guess I'll have to read more books to find out. ;-)
In the end, Lena :-)
Oh! If you read my spoiler about the end to book #2, in this one, ? I hope to find out in a future book. :-)
I am really just loving this series. :-)
August 2, 2016
OK, I told you a LONG damn time ago to read the Sin du Jour series and here we are book #3 and you haven't picked it up yet. WHAT are you waiting for??? Remember that time when you walked in on that famous ass British T.V. chef that screams lot and those two fantasy authors and those chickens at that El Ray network party? YEAH, that time..well that unholy sight produced these babies, and Thank the Lloyd and his mercy that they did.
These books are too damn fun. I am not reviewing one..I love them all like the pokemons. READ THIS SERIES!
(I'm done yelling now) 38 beans in a bowl of nine bean soup!
These books are too damn fun. I am not reviewing one..I love them all like the pokemons. READ THIS SERIES!
(I'm done yelling now) 38 beans in a bowl of nine bean soup!
May 29, 2016
Less funny this time, more terrifying. But the tons of absurd action (fighting the Easter Bunny, anyone?) and the tension between characters make this another great instalment in the Sin du Jour series.
These novellas are perfect to get you out of reading slumps, to lift up your spirits on a bad day, or just for any moment when you want to laugh about how all sorts of monsters are secretly living among us.
These novellas are perfect to get you out of reading slumps, to lift up your spirits on a bad day, or just for any moment when you want to laugh about how all sorts of monsters are secretly living among us.
June 20, 2019
These books are just so consistently good and this one might be better than the others. I read it so quickly, it was action packed and just a wonderful bite-sized story. I'm really growing fond of these characters and am excited that there are 4 more volumes of mayhem and adventure to read. That said, this third book feels like the end to a satisfactory arch and a good place to pause my binge read until I can get my hands on the later books.
June 26, 2025
Read as part of the 20205 tor reactormag.com short story Challenge
We learn a little more about Bronko and why he is the executive chef at Sin Du Jour. Oh yeah, and it turns out Hollywood is filled with people who will sell their souls for a Hollywood hit. Shocking, I know.
Interspersed between the snark and the bad-assery, there are some genuine scary and heart wrenching moments.
We learn a little more about Bronko and why he is the executive chef at Sin Du Jour. Oh yeah, and it turns out Hollywood is filled with people who will sell their souls for a Hollywood hit. Shocking, I know.
Interspersed between the snark and the bad-assery, there are some genuine scary and heart wrenching moments.
July 6, 2017
I have enjoyed all the books in this series but this was easily my favorite. It was probably the killer........oh I can't tell. Let's just say there are some crazy assassins roaming around in this book.
January 30, 2018
The sole sequence with the Easter Bunny has more creativity, farce, and wonder in it than I can take. God damn, I love this series, even if it's silly, even if it's over the top (BECAUSE, actually), even if it uses a dog-from-a-box to resolve conflict.
November 7, 2018
The same characteristic snark, humor, chaos, and surprising humanity that you've seen in the first two books. I would rank this one as better than Lustlocked, but not quite surpassing Envy of Angels. There are hints of some overarching plot lines and consequences of previous actions, which I appreciated.
August 12, 2020
Okaaaaay so why is there no next one available as an audiobook? Like whyyyyy?
This is like crazy spicy sweet popcorn that you need more of but you aren't sure is healthy for you brain. I want more and the damn wizard alchemist dude needs his own book.
This is like crazy spicy sweet popcorn that you need more of but you aren't sure is healthy for you brain. I want more and the damn wizard alchemist dude needs his own book.
April 9, 2021
PRE-PRODUCTION chapter had me in stiches, the rest is OK but not as good.
June 20, 2016
If you have not yet read the Sin du Jour series from Matt Wallace, or the short story "Small Wars" at Tor.com, hie thee to your bookseller of choice and get all three books, right now. Pride’s Spell is the third book in the series.
Matt Wallace cooks up (obvious pun intended) a perfect blend of urban fantasy and laugh-out-loud comedy. Add a side of brilliantly rendered characters navigating situations that would reduce most people to quivering piles of Jell-O, and you’ve got a series that never fails to satisfy.
In this installment, executive chef Bronko has a problem. Sin du Jour is catering the yearly TaurusCon buffet for minotaurs and centaurs, and a booking for a Hollywood premiere comes in at the same time. It seems the Hollywood types had such a great time at the Goblin wedding (book 2) that they’re clamoring for more. Bronko’s only option is to divide the staff and go temporarily bi-coastal.
If the gamer geek in you is screaming, “Don’t split the party!” your instincts are dead on. As soon as the staff are on opposite coasts, the shit hits the fan. On the East Coast, the convention goes off without a hitch because they expected at least some shit since they were serving centaurs. After they get cleaned up, they face an attack by unlikely assailants: The Easter bunny, Cupid, and a viciously evil Santa Claus. The battle is, of course, both violent and hilarious.
In Hollywood, the premiere party is dull to the point of numbing. The staff caters to the “eat nothing” crowd with variations on every food fad available. The real culinary fireworks are planned for the after party, where the VIPs are expecting a spectacle of epic proportions. However, the film producers have something even hotter planned for Bronko and his staff.
Pride’s Spell does have plot elements that begin in the first two books. Wallace gives enough backstory that you’ll be able to read this without trouble, but for the full effect, you should read the first two. Book one, Envy of Angels, is an award-worthy read. Lustlocked was an homage to the Goblin King (Yes, that one), published just a few days after his death, yet written before the public knew he was ill. There is another plot regarding Chef Bronko that began in Lustlocked that I’m avoiding because of spoilers.
I highly recommend the Sin du Jour series. The novellas are inexpensive, quick to read and guaranteed to entertain.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review originally published at The Bookie Monster.
Matt Wallace cooks up (obvious pun intended) a perfect blend of urban fantasy and laugh-out-loud comedy. Add a side of brilliantly rendered characters navigating situations that would reduce most people to quivering piles of Jell-O, and you’ve got a series that never fails to satisfy.
In this installment, executive chef Bronko has a problem. Sin du Jour is catering the yearly TaurusCon buffet for minotaurs and centaurs, and a booking for a Hollywood premiere comes in at the same time. It seems the Hollywood types had such a great time at the Goblin wedding (book 2) that they’re clamoring for more. Bronko’s only option is to divide the staff and go temporarily bi-coastal.
If the gamer geek in you is screaming, “Don’t split the party!” your instincts are dead on. As soon as the staff are on opposite coasts, the shit hits the fan. On the East Coast, the convention goes off without a hitch because they expected at least some shit since they were serving centaurs. After they get cleaned up, they face an attack by unlikely assailants: The Easter bunny, Cupid, and a viciously evil Santa Claus. The battle is, of course, both violent and hilarious.
In Hollywood, the premiere party is dull to the point of numbing. The staff caters to the “eat nothing” crowd with variations on every food fad available. The real culinary fireworks are planned for the after party, where the VIPs are expecting a spectacle of epic proportions. However, the film producers have something even hotter planned for Bronko and his staff.
Pride’s Spell does have plot elements that begin in the first two books. Wallace gives enough backstory that you’ll be able to read this without trouble, but for the full effect, you should read the first two. Book one, Envy of Angels, is an award-worthy read. Lustlocked was an homage to the Goblin King (Yes, that one), published just a few days after his death, yet written before the public knew he was ill. There is another plot regarding Chef Bronko that began in Lustlocked that I’m avoiding because of spoilers.
I highly recommend the Sin du Jour series. The novellas are inexpensive, quick to read and guaranteed to entertain.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review originally published at The Bookie Monster.
December 31, 2020
How Ritter ends up bashing in the Easter Bunny's skull with a sledgehammer is a funny story.
The Easter Bunny, Cupid, The Pumpkin King, Santa Claus, and some colonial zombies walk into an assassination...
...
This fucking series.
I swear to all that's unholy, it knows no limits when it comes to infernal farce.
Just when you think: Nah, this couldn't get any weirder; angel nuggets and lusty lizards at the Goblin Prince's nuptials is as far as it can go, right? Surely that's peak weird?
Apparently not because for the third deadly sin, Matt Wallace decides to up the ante by throwing literal hell into the party.
"Why would the damn devil create killer Easter Bunnies and fucked-up pumpkin monsters?"
"Because he thinks it's funny? I don't know."
Because murderous, overgrown bunny rabbits and human sacrifice atop a supersized Cherries Jubilee is perfectly within the realms of okay, let's do this thing.
Because what else makes sense when you're a caterer to the supernatural masses?
...
And... my brain is broken because HOLY SHIT, THAT'S THE MOST SENSICAL THING I'VE EVER HEARD, AND NOW I'M HUNGRY FOR SATANIC, FLAMBÉED FRUIT.
...
Which kind of sounds like I'm hungry for Satan's balls.
But I mean...
Hah! I'm not even sorry.
I did always wonder why Mia Sara chose wildling Tom Cruise over eternal goth sparkliness with horny Tim Curry.
I mean, sure, the forest's pretty and all, and unicorn murder is just plain unforgivable but did you see his, uh, palace?
...
But I pervily digress.
Back to the abject lunacy that is Matt Wallace's seven deadly sins series.
We've been to hell's chicken factory, we've scritched God behind his fuzzy little ear whilst feeding one of his chorus life-altering cupcakes; we've been hunted by overgrown lizards with the sex drive of a rampant teenager in the first flush of hormones, and we've fought flesh-eating clowns - that one wasn't great for my sanity, gotta be honest.
Shit's been downright certifiable, and Pride's Spell is no exception.
Although, one half of the story is set in Hollywood, the infamous Sin City.
Where else would the devil's disciples be congregating? Selling their souls for the next big YA franchise to catch the fickle zeitgeist? Lounging around like ravening Skeksi Knights of the Round Table, feasting on the flesh of starry-eyed screenwriters?
The bodies are stacked high near the door of a windowless conference room. A long-deceased Warner brother is currently devouring the heart of the writer Producer Two can't remember [the name of]. He sits eternally at the head of a granite slab conference table surrounded by all the big old-time Hollywood moguls.
They're not zombies, strictly speaking.
They don't need to eat human organs to survive.
They just demand them.
In truth no one living knows what they are anymore, but since the 1950s they've sat here in their best funereal suits, eyeballs black and flesh necrotic but never rotting off. They don't move from their chairs. They don't speak.
They just eat.
All day.
Every day.
It makes perfect sense.
Hollywood = devil worship.
Totally cromulent reasoning.
And of course the Sin Du Jour team end up catering one of the movie elite's opulent shindigs and find themselves in yet another sticky situation.
Sticky being the operative word with this one.
Who knew vanilla ganache could come in so handy when the the Devil's nipping at your heels?
Directly above the blazing sacrificial pyre, aimed at the spot where the giant cherries jubilee dessert stood just an hour ago, a thousand gallons of creamy, gourmet white chocolate pours from the ceiling.
It bathes the chefs first, covering them head to toe before splattering over the entire breadth of the pyre and beyond.
The torrential cream extinguishes every inch of flame with a bubbling chorus of "pops," giving rise to the distinct, but not entirely unpleasant smell of burnt marshmallows.
It even puts out the Oexial clansmen's torches slathering their ceremonial robes.
[...]
No one, not even the demons, speaks.
They don't seem to have the words to describe the last few seconds.
Who would, really?
[...]
"This is the deepest blasphemy!" the Oexial's elder announces from beneath a layer of ceremonial robe covered in a layer of vanilla ganache.
"It's a temporary delay," the producer assures him.
"My warriors will feast on your guts!"
The producer is unmoved. "Yeah? Get in line behind the Teamsters, pal."
"We didn't die, we didn't die, we didn't die," Darren is repeating frantically, gratefully, half his head and face obscured by frothy cherries jubilee topping.
I don't know of another author who would get away with this shit.
I really don't.
But i'm so glad Matt Wallace does because I've never been this hungry and this literary satisfied concurrently before.
I didn't even know it was possible.
Pride's Spell isn't even my favourite of the series so far.
I actually found it a little disconcerting to have the SdJ team separated the whole time, and maybe I was just in a mood or something, but the structure of the story felt kinda clunky to me.
As if the three distinct narratives running through the story didn't hold together properly.
But again, I might just have been in a weird mood.
I get in those sometimes; I'll start reading on the wrong night and it'll affect the whole experience.
Or is that just a me phenomenon?
...
But who cares, certainly not me, especially because Wallace used three words to make my shipping heart soar this time around:
"Oh, fuck it."
Three of the most beautiful words in the English language.
Even if it's not a full ship.
Maybe just a jaunt around the... peninsula.
Matt Wallace went there and I'm fucking delirious.
...
At least until the next shit storm hits Wallace's ragtag team of caterers to the occult.
At least until then.
May 31, 2016
https://koeur.wordpress.com/2016/05/3...
Publisher: Tor
Publishing Date: June 2016
ISBN: 9780765390011
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 1.9/5
Publishers Description: The team at Sin du Jour—New York’s exclusive caterers-to-the-damned—find themselves up against their toughest challenge, yet when they’re lured out west to prepare a feast in the most forbidding place in America: Hollywood, where false gods rule supreme.
Review: A novella a bit longer than average that reads in length like War and Peace.
Although the action was fairly constant and consisted of the CRASH-BOOM!! variety, the characters were woefully underdeveloped and relied on cursing or levity in tense situations to build a shallowness to scale. The storyline was barely cogent and seemed to lack logical progression in the midst of an undefinable world. Although I am new to this particular party, I should be able to reason out a story line within the current melee and work out an understanding of preceding novels and how they tie into each other. I was never given enough information to even intuit the disparate threads that make up a whole because I think the “whole” is never defined adequately. While the characters were boring in that you never really care what happens to them (patterned conflict resolutions), there were some fun instances with the Easter Bunny and others.
I suppose this is more of a cult following that I failed to understand with limited rhetoric in hand.
Publisher: Tor
Publishing Date: June 2016
ISBN: 9780765390011
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 1.9/5
Publishers Description: The team at Sin du Jour—New York’s exclusive caterers-to-the-damned—find themselves up against their toughest challenge, yet when they’re lured out west to prepare a feast in the most forbidding place in America: Hollywood, where false gods rule supreme.
Review: A novella a bit longer than average that reads in length like War and Peace.
Although the action was fairly constant and consisted of the CRASH-BOOM!! variety, the characters were woefully underdeveloped and relied on cursing or levity in tense situations to build a shallowness to scale. The storyline was barely cogent and seemed to lack logical progression in the midst of an undefinable world. Although I am new to this particular party, I should be able to reason out a story line within the current melee and work out an understanding of preceding novels and how they tie into each other. I was never given enough information to even intuit the disparate threads that make up a whole because I think the “whole” is never defined adequately. While the characters were boring in that you never really care what happens to them (patterned conflict resolutions), there were some fun instances with the Easter Bunny and others.
I suppose this is more of a cult following that I failed to understand with limited rhetoric in hand.
June 30, 2016
Once again the staff a Sin du Jour have their hands full. Not just with menu planning and execution, but insane situations and clients. This time half the staff is off to Hollywood. Some Hollywood big wigs are throwing a party and after hearing how Sin du Jour handled the Goblin wedding of the century, they’ve hired them to handle their shindig.
Now this would be great if there wasn’t a price or strings attached. Yeah, old clients reappear to enact revenge, and new faces or beings appear just to cause havoc and death. Santa Clause, Cupid and a rather vicious Easter Bunny all come together (along with a few others who I’ll leave as a surprise) to make a good time better, or worst, depending upon which side of the kitchen you’re on.
This was such a fun read. Why, oh why does it have to be over? I hope there is another story coming soon, because I need another fix of the Sin du Jour staff and the chaos that follows them.
Now this would be great if there wasn’t a price or strings attached. Yeah, old clients reappear to enact revenge, and new faces or beings appear just to cause havoc and death. Santa Clause, Cupid and a rather vicious Easter Bunny all come together (along with a few others who I’ll leave as a surprise) to make a good time better, or worst, depending upon which side of the kitchen you’re on.
This was such a fun read. Why, oh why does it have to be over? I hope there is another story coming soon, because I need another fix of the Sin du Jour staff and the chaos that follows them.
June 20, 2016
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this lately, but I love Matt Wallace’s Sin du Jour series so very, very much. Sure, I might have started off feeling a little tepid towards it, but it’s new entries have quickly become some of my most anticipated new releases. They’re only getting better over time, and Pride’s Spell is the best one yet. It’s a smart, action-packed, hilariously absurdist romp and probably the most fun thing you can read this summer.
Read the full review at SF Bluestocking.
Read the full review at SF Bluestocking.
February 16, 2022
These are fun and I really enjoy them. Amuse-bouches for the mind.
August 21, 2016
Really really fun and enjoyable. Especially the parts with Ritter and Cindy. Look forward to more of this series!
May 18, 2019
Pride's Spell is the third novella in the Sin du Jour series written by Matt Wallace and centered on the ongoing adventures of the magic-wielding culinary catering company Sin du Jour, starring Lena Tarr and Darren Vargas.
Working for Sin du Jour, a New York catering company serving weird and wondrous entities, has finally given chefs Lena Tarr and Darren Vargas some financial relief, but the gain is matched by danger in this delectable third installment.
Company owner Bronko Luck announces that they're doing the premiere party for an upcoming blockbuster film in Hollywood. It's a last-minute gig, but the Sin du Jour crew is up to the task, and they're excited about a change of scenery. Little do they know that a past mistake is catching up to them and revenge might be on the menu. Meanwhile, the film crew is being attacked by some very odd, very creepy assassins.
Pride's Spell is written rather well. Wallace throws in subtle and unsubtle pop culture references and skewers the vapid Hollywood scene while dishing out the black humor that makes this series so much fun. Lena and Darren are at the center, but each character has a story. Furthermore, there is a tantalizing peek at Bronko's history.
All in all, Pride's Spell is written rather well and is a good continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series, which I plan to continue in the very near future.
Working for Sin du Jour, a New York catering company serving weird and wondrous entities, has finally given chefs Lena Tarr and Darren Vargas some financial relief, but the gain is matched by danger in this delectable third installment.
Company owner Bronko Luck announces that they're doing the premiere party for an upcoming blockbuster film in Hollywood. It's a last-minute gig, but the Sin du Jour crew is up to the task, and they're excited about a change of scenery. Little do they know that a past mistake is catching up to them and revenge might be on the menu. Meanwhile, the film crew is being attacked by some very odd, very creepy assassins.
Pride's Spell is written rather well. Wallace throws in subtle and unsubtle pop culture references and skewers the vapid Hollywood scene while dishing out the black humor that makes this series so much fun. Lena and Darren are at the center, but each character has a story. Furthermore, there is a tantalizing peek at Bronko's history.
All in all, Pride's Spell is written rather well and is a good continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series, which I plan to continue in the very near future.
July 13, 2017
I really enjoyed this! An event in book two bothered me, and I was surprised to see the other characters in this book reacting the same way I did.
The plot was wild and exciting, once again. This series is action-driven, but the characters are so great. Ritter and Cindy are my favorites at this point, and I liked seeing their homes and learning more about them. I love the author's writing style, too - very witty with so many creative turns of phrase. And he just goes for it, including silly pop culture references without any shame, as well as cultural monoliths .
Anyway, I love this series. I guess these are meant to stand alone, but I would not recommend reading this one before book one.
The plot was wild and exciting, once again. This series is action-driven, but the characters are so great. Ritter and Cindy are my favorites at this point, and I liked seeing their homes and learning more about them. I love the author's writing style, too - very witty with so many creative turns of phrase. And he just goes for it, including silly pop culture references without any shame, as well as cultural monoliths .
Anyway, I love this series. I guess these are meant to stand alone, but I would not recommend reading this one before book one.
March 28, 2018
Following the events of the second book, a few weeks later the crew are double book, as one group stays and serves magical creatures, the other half goes to Hollywood to crate a movie premiere. And that's where the after, after party begins.
This was a step up from the first two books. At first I was hesitate as I wasn't sure where it was going, but this story was full of action and I liked it. I am liking we are seeing more from the characters and I am getting more of a feel of who they are. And this was a set up for what the series has to hold as the past comes to life, and we have a cameo from a character from a pervious book I was happy to see. In this story I fell out of love with Lena, as she annoyed the hell out of me. I understood why she was like this, but still she annoyed me.
Overall a 4.25 out of 5 after parties, cause this was a fun ride.
This was a step up from the first two books. At first I was hesitate as I wasn't sure where it was going, but this story was full of action and I liked it. I am liking we are seeing more from the characters and I am getting more of a feel of who they are. And this was a set up for what the series has to hold as the past comes to life, and we have a cameo from a character from a pervious book I was happy to see. In this story I fell out of love with Lena, as she annoyed the hell out of me. I understood why she was like this, but still she annoyed me.
Overall a 4.25 out of 5 after parties, cause this was a fun ride.
February 16, 2020
Feeling a little tepid about this one> I really enjoyed the first book, skipped the second as I had no interest in lust lizards and was hoping this one would really go to town in skewering Hollywood. There is definitely some of that going on but it wasn't quite as sharo and snarky. This series is absurdist and I suspect Mr. Wallace imbibed something and then perhaps thought how he could top a giant stay puff marshmallow man and came up with an evil santa and really nasty reindeer. That part of the story didn't do much for me. I had begun to think this book couldn't redeem itself but our favorite dog did make an appearance at the final bit of the novel & picked up enough that I might pick up book 4 at some point.
February 4, 2019
While Bronko and his crew put on a Hollywood after-party, the receiving team are attacked by holidays icons.
I'm not a big fan of ridiculousness, so I struggle a bit with this series. Silliness for the sake of silly usually makes me cringe a bit. Halfway through this book, I'd decided that I wasn't going to continue in the series. Then three fourths of the way through, I changed my mind. Some serious character building and storyline arc began to shape up and I've found myself ready to continue on. It's cooking, Bourdain style, slapped together with Hell (capital H). It's silly, but it's interesting enough to give at least one more a try.
I'm not a big fan of ridiculousness, so I struggle a bit with this series. Silliness for the sake of silly usually makes me cringe a bit. Halfway through this book, I'd decided that I wasn't going to continue in the series. Then three fourths of the way through, I changed my mind. Some serious character building and storyline arc began to shape up and I've found myself ready to continue on. It's cooking, Bourdain style, slapped together with Hell (capital H). It's silly, but it's interesting enough to give at least one more a try.
January 24, 2019
Never in my life, I imagined cheering for a Shih Tzu. But I have never read anything as funny, unexpected, imaginative, gross and delightful as the Sin du Jour series. Pride's Spell is my favourite one so far. The fight scenes are brilliant (Easter bunny!!) and I love all of the characters (so glad Bronko is,uhm, well...). It was nice to a have glimpse into the private life of Ritter and his crew and all in all I enjoyed the ongoing development of the Sin du Jour crew. Wow, and Jett never ceases to surprise me. I can't recommend this book enough, if you're looking for a fun, entertaining read!
I instantly bought the follow-up, Idle Ingredients!
I instantly bought the follow-up, Idle Ingredients!
June 28, 2018
My Review: Just when you think things might be a little normal and give you a bit of a break, Pride's Spell hits you. This got a bit beyond bazaar, I have to say that I found the Shipping & Receiving Department's storyline in this to be the best. I had so much fun reading Ritter, Cindy & Moon's adventures in this one. The attacks are so random and not from a source I would have expected. The drama that Bronko, Lena & Darren face gets a little too over the top for my taste. But all in all it was still a thoroughly entertaining story and I am definitely going to continue reading!
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