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Sin du Jour #1
Envy of Angels
In New York, eating out can be hell.
Everyone loves a well-catered event, and the supernatural community is no different, but where do demons go to satisfy their culinary cravings?
Welcome to Sin du Jour - where devils on horseback are the clients, not the dish.
PRAISE FOR ENVY OF ANGELS:
"Matt Wallace tells a raucous, riotous tale of culinary madness - a jaw-dropping horror-fantasy restaurateur Thunderdome that makes the 'monkey brain' scene in Temple of Doom look like something you'd see on Nickelodeon. It's like I dropped a heroic dose of acid and turned on the Food Network for eight hours. It's funny and demented and sticks in you like a pinbone. Matt Wallace writes like someone just jammed a needle full of adrenaline in his heart - and then, in yours. From this point forward, I'll read anything this guy writes."
-Chuck Wendig, author of BLACKBIRDS and ZER0ES
"No one makes me think, 'Dammit, I should have thought of that!' like Matt Wallace. The Sin du Jour series is something I read with equal amounts of envy and delight."
- Mur Lafferty, Campbell Award winning author of THE SHAMBLING GUIDE TO NEW YORK CITY
Everyone loves a well-catered event, and the supernatural community is no different, but where do demons go to satisfy their culinary cravings?
Welcome to Sin du Jour - where devils on horseback are the clients, not the dish.
PRAISE FOR ENVY OF ANGELS:
"Matt Wallace tells a raucous, riotous tale of culinary madness - a jaw-dropping horror-fantasy restaurateur Thunderdome that makes the 'monkey brain' scene in Temple of Doom look like something you'd see on Nickelodeon. It's like I dropped a heroic dose of acid and turned on the Food Network for eight hours. It's funny and demented and sticks in you like a pinbone. Matt Wallace writes like someone just jammed a needle full of adrenaline in his heart - and then, in yours. From this point forward, I'll read anything this guy writes."
-Chuck Wendig, author of BLACKBIRDS and ZER0ES
"No one makes me think, 'Dammit, I should have thought of that!' like Matt Wallace. The Sin du Jour series is something I read with equal amounts of envy and delight."
- Mur Lafferty, Campbell Award winning author of THE SHAMBLING GUIDE TO NEW YORK CITY
225 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2015
101 people are currently reading
3187 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 519 reviews
January 30, 2022
If you want a quick UF read that is loads of fun, give Envy of Angels a try. I'm a bit tired of grim-dark, the awful state of humanity, etc., and is just what the nurse ordered (because a doctor would order an anti-depressant).
Best friends and unemployed cooks Lena and Darren are job hunting after being blackballed in New York City. Never mind why--suffice it to say that they are virtually untouchable and about to be reduced to looking for jobs in Jersey (this one of the ways you know the author actually talked to a New Yorker when researching the book). They get an offer to work on trial basis with a famous chef, Bronko,
"sorta Bobby Flay meets Guy Fieri, only--'
'--less douchey?"
Besides--he'll pay their last rate plus twenty per cent. Score! They head out and discover a hole-in-the-wall restaurant on a deserted street.
"Maybe it's some kind of new reality show,' Darren offers as they approach the front doors. 'you know, find young, hot, down-on-their-shitty-luck chefs and bring them to some weird-ass building in the middle of nowhere and surprise them.'
'I notice you tossed 'hot' in there.'
'I was talking about me.'"
Turns out, they actually have to pass an audition to work the line, and that's only the beginning of the unusual challenges they'll face in the first week.
Speaking of challenges, Wallace nailed the cultural aspects of the restaurant trade, so don't read this if you have a problem with cursing. Once, I took care of a chef for a month, and I'm pretty sure every sentence included the word 'fuck' in its many variations, and that was just in conversation, not under stress. There's staff rivalries, diners that threaten to kill you, and the head chef's insistence that everyone taste what they are cooking. How else will you know what you are creating? Here's the problem--the latest special ingredient presents more than the average ethical challenge.
Writing was just fun, clever, with a fast moving plot. I'd read more from Wallace, who has managed to walk the fine line of absurdity, seriousness and personal and ethical challenges. It reminds me somewhat of A. Lee Martinez, with a tone that's almost serious, putting characters you care about into somewhat bizarre situations.
Narrative jumps around a bit, split between our leads working the line in the kitchen and the 'procurement team,' whose job it is to obtain the more exotic ingredients. Our leading chefs provide the characterization and emotional touch-points, while the procurement team's plots usually provide a strong element of both danger and humorous takes.
I do wish that there was more about the kitchen and cooking process. Though a couple of the scenes focused on taste tests, I would have wished more fussing with ingredients and preparation. Besides, it would have been a nice way to develop characters further--why not maximize the set-up? Which leads me to the more fundamental concern: I think characterization could have used a bit more fleshing out, and potentially would have pushed this into book length. Characters weren't cardboard so much as reduced to minimal description, particularly once the cast includes the servers and the Stocking & Receiving department. Moon, who walks around with an external defibrillator and has already died six times today; Ritter, leader of the team, and Pacific, who seems to have an inexhaustible supply of ganja, get the most play.
It definitely went to a silly place, but really, all appropriate in the context of the world. Let's just say I'm more disturbed than ever by the idea of chicken 'nuggets.' The finish was solid with a bit of a pun-nish groan, but--hey--no cliff-hangers, so bonus! I'll absolutely be buying the rest in the series as they appear (currently Tor has bought 1 though 4 in a tentative series of 7).
Thanks to Lindsay for the review that encouraged me.
Best friends and unemployed cooks Lena and Darren are job hunting after being blackballed in New York City. Never mind why--suffice it to say that they are virtually untouchable and about to be reduced to looking for jobs in Jersey (this one of the ways you know the author actually talked to a New Yorker when researching the book). They get an offer to work on trial basis with a famous chef, Bronko,
"sorta Bobby Flay meets Guy Fieri, only--'
'--less douchey?"
Besides--he'll pay their last rate plus twenty per cent. Score! They head out and discover a hole-in-the-wall restaurant on a deserted street.
"Maybe it's some kind of new reality show,' Darren offers as they approach the front doors. 'you know, find young, hot, down-on-their-shitty-luck chefs and bring them to some weird-ass building in the middle of nowhere and surprise them.'
'I notice you tossed 'hot' in there.'
'I was talking about me.'"
Turns out, they actually have to pass an audition to work the line, and that's only the beginning of the unusual challenges they'll face in the first week.
Speaking of challenges, Wallace nailed the cultural aspects of the restaurant trade, so don't read this if you have a problem with cursing. Once, I took care of a chef for a month, and I'm pretty sure every sentence included the word 'fuck' in its many variations, and that was just in conversation, not under stress. There's staff rivalries, diners that threaten to kill you, and the head chef's insistence that everyone taste what they are cooking. How else will you know what you are creating? Here's the problem--the latest special ingredient presents more than the average ethical challenge.
Writing was just fun, clever, with a fast moving plot. I'd read more from Wallace, who has managed to walk the fine line of absurdity, seriousness and personal and ethical challenges. It reminds me somewhat of A. Lee Martinez, with a tone that's almost serious, putting characters you care about into somewhat bizarre situations.
Narrative jumps around a bit, split between our leads working the line in the kitchen and the 'procurement team,' whose job it is to obtain the more exotic ingredients. Our leading chefs provide the characterization and emotional touch-points, while the procurement team's plots usually provide a strong element of both danger and humorous takes.
I do wish that there was more about the kitchen and cooking process. Though a couple of the scenes focused on taste tests, I would have wished more fussing with ingredients and preparation. Besides, it would have been a nice way to develop characters further--why not maximize the set-up? Which leads me to the more fundamental concern: I think characterization could have used a bit more fleshing out, and potentially would have pushed this into book length. Characters weren't cardboard so much as reduced to minimal description, particularly once the cast includes the servers and the Stocking & Receiving department. Moon, who walks around with an external defibrillator and has already died six times today; Ritter, leader of the team, and Pacific, who seems to have an inexhaustible supply of ganja, get the most play.
It definitely went to a silly place, but really, all appropriate in the context of the world. Let's just say I'm more disturbed than ever by the idea of chicken 'nuggets.' The finish was solid with a bit of a pun-nish groan, but--hey--no cliff-hangers, so bonus! I'll absolutely be buying the rest in the series as they appear (currently Tor has bought 1 though 4 in a tentative series of 7).
Thanks to Lindsay for the review that encouraged me.
June 6, 2016
Darren and Lena are out of a job and the rent is due. They have spread the love all over town and now are black-balled from working pretty much anywhere.
They get a call from a chef that they had though was dead but he wants to hire them so they head over to his catering business. 'Sin du Jour'
They do a try-out to make sure they are fit for the team, then Darren goes into the forbidden pantry.
Umm now they are part of the crew.
You just thought Hell's Kitchen was rough.
The catering business serves a 'special' class of clients..and they just got a delivery of the newest menu item.
This kitchen does things their own unique way though. That old saying that 'it tastes just like chicken?' Takes on a whole new theme in this one.
Add in a few of these guys.
And you'll know what happened to the nugget craver.
Buddy reading with Wrongreader 2.0
If he puts up a review in the next year.
They get a call from a chef that they had though was dead but he wants to hire them so they head over to his catering business. 'Sin du Jour'
They do a try-out to make sure they are fit for the team, then Darren goes into the forbidden pantry.
Umm now they are part of the crew.
You just thought Hell's Kitchen was rough.
The catering business serves a 'special' class of clients..and they just got a delivery of the newest menu item.
This kitchen does things their own unique way though. That old saying that 'it tastes just like chicken?' Takes on a whole new theme in this one.
Add in a few of these guys.
And you'll know what happened to the nugget craver.
Buddy reading with Wrongreader 2.0
If he puts up a review in the next year.
August 8, 2017
An exciting urban fantasy story about cooking and restaurant business does exist!
It is a fat (pun intended) 3 star reading experience. Maybe if I read and like the sequels, I could revise the rating into 4 star. Restaurant as an urban fantasy theme is a cool idea, so I wish this series could getting better.
CON: there is not much explanations, and almost no background story could make readers unsatisfied. But more importantly, there is no character development. But Envy of Angels is a beginning part of a series where the characters could grows on later parts, the lack of growth is tolerable.
PRO: A SUPER FUN STORY. Some of the jokes really make me laugh. Most of the action scenes are exciting. I didn't believe it myself, an urban fantasy about restaurant business could be this good.
For originality aspect, even with a lot of stereotypes that I have read somewhere else, there are unique ideas where I can identify as Sin du Jour's characteristics.
It is a fat (pun intended) 3 star reading experience. Maybe if I read and like the sequels, I could revise the rating into 4 star. Restaurant as an urban fantasy theme is a cool idea, so I wish this series could getting better.
CON: there is not much explanations, and almost no background story could make readers unsatisfied. But more importantly, there is no character development. But Envy of Angels is a beginning part of a series where the characters could grows on later parts, the lack of growth is tolerable.
PRO: A SUPER FUN STORY. Some of the jokes really make me laugh. Most of the action scenes are exciting. I didn't believe it myself, an urban fantasy about restaurant business could be this good.
For originality aspect, even with a lot of stereotypes that I have read somewhere else, there are unique ideas where I can identify as Sin du Jour's characteristics.
October 18, 2015
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum http://bibliosanctum.com/2015/10/18/n...
I have to say, so far I’ve been very impressed with the variety of Tor.com novellas. Just as I’ve gotten myself settled in with a couple stories that are rather sober, more serious-like endeavors, along comes Envy of Angels barging into this black tie dinner party like your favorite uncle, the one who gets loud when he’s had too many but is always ready to entertain the crowd with a funny yarn.
I had such a great time with this book. Imagine Hell’s Kitchen meets Dresden Files, marinated in a flavorful blend of action and thrills, seasoned generously with humor. When I first glimpsed the conspicuously short publisher description for this novella, I had my suspicions about what this meant and now they have been confirmed: The less you know about this story going in, the better.
Fortunately, I can give the general gist of it without spoiling anything. Envy of Angels is about Lena and Darren, two ordinary down-on-their-luck New York chefs who suddenly find themselves landing the gig of lifetime at Sin du Jour, an exclusive catering company owned by one of the city’s hottest celebrity chefs. However, it soon becomes clear that Sin du Jour is no ordinary catering company. For one thing, their clients are demons.
When asked to serve a morally questionable item on the menu at their next event (and we’re not talking about veal), Sin du Jour owner and executive chef Byron “Bronko” Luck gathers his staff and puts it to a vote. Should they do what they’re told and go through with the whole thing? Or should they take the dangerous, near-impossible option and attempt to pull the wool over their devilish clientele’s eyes by preparing a substitute main course and praying they won’t notice? By the way, these types of hellish customers, when they don’t get what they order, aren’t just going to be sending it back. But guess what our characters decide to go ahead and do anyway.
The result is an extraordinary amount of story packed into this novella. Envy of Angels features plenty of action both in the kitchen and out in the field, and even includes a thrilling heist sequence starring Ritter, Cindy, Hara and Moon, the unforgettable foursome who make up Sin du Jour’s Stocking and Receiving Department.
The plot is also very addictive, especially when it gets more and more bizarre. Between getting completely sucked into the story and the sheer morbid curiosity to see what other crazy things might be happening next, I kept turning the pages and finished this book in no time at all. It was fantastically good fun. I really don’t want to give much more away, though in truth, there are moments so absurdly hilarious, so out-of-this-world-insane that I would be hard-pressed to describe them, anyway. Seriously. There are moments in here that you simply must experience for yourself.
One thing is certain though. I’ll never look at a Chicken McNugget the same way again.
I have to say, so far I’ve been very impressed with the variety of Tor.com novellas. Just as I’ve gotten myself settled in with a couple stories that are rather sober, more serious-like endeavors, along comes Envy of Angels barging into this black tie dinner party like your favorite uncle, the one who gets loud when he’s had too many but is always ready to entertain the crowd with a funny yarn.
I had such a great time with this book. Imagine Hell’s Kitchen meets Dresden Files, marinated in a flavorful blend of action and thrills, seasoned generously with humor. When I first glimpsed the conspicuously short publisher description for this novella, I had my suspicions about what this meant and now they have been confirmed: The less you know about this story going in, the better.
Fortunately, I can give the general gist of it without spoiling anything. Envy of Angels is about Lena and Darren, two ordinary down-on-their-luck New York chefs who suddenly find themselves landing the gig of lifetime at Sin du Jour, an exclusive catering company owned by one of the city’s hottest celebrity chefs. However, it soon becomes clear that Sin du Jour is no ordinary catering company. For one thing, their clients are demons.
When asked to serve a morally questionable item on the menu at their next event (and we’re not talking about veal), Sin du Jour owner and executive chef Byron “Bronko” Luck gathers his staff and puts it to a vote. Should they do what they’re told and go through with the whole thing? Or should they take the dangerous, near-impossible option and attempt to pull the wool over their devilish clientele’s eyes by preparing a substitute main course and praying they won’t notice? By the way, these types of hellish customers, when they don’t get what they order, aren’t just going to be sending it back. But guess what our characters decide to go ahead and do anyway.
The result is an extraordinary amount of story packed into this novella. Envy of Angels features plenty of action both in the kitchen and out in the field, and even includes a thrilling heist sequence starring Ritter, Cindy, Hara and Moon, the unforgettable foursome who make up Sin du Jour’s Stocking and Receiving Department.
The plot is also very addictive, especially when it gets more and more bizarre. Between getting completely sucked into the story and the sheer morbid curiosity to see what other crazy things might be happening next, I kept turning the pages and finished this book in no time at all. It was fantastically good fun. I really don’t want to give much more away, though in truth, there are moments so absurdly hilarious, so out-of-this-world-insane that I would be hard-pressed to describe them, anyway. Seriously. There are moments in here that you simply must experience for yourself.
One thing is certain though. I’ll never look at a Chicken McNugget the same way again.
November 17, 2017
★★★☆☆½
Confession Time:
I am not a writer. Nor do I have any aspirations of one day becoming one. I could take it a step further by revealing that, throughout school, English was one of, if not my least favorite subject. Part of my hatred stemmed from the reading curriculum. I’d like to give a proper tongue-lashing to the moron(s) responsible for choosing such books as Moby Dick, The Scarlet Letter, A Tale of Two Cities, The Grapes of Wrath, The Odyssey, and oh so much Shakespeare. All great literature to be sure, but are any of these books catered toward young children or teenagers? What idiot decided that kids would enjoy so much classical literature? Was there nothing to be gleaned from a more modern tale? I, personally, have gained a much broader understanding and respect for all of the stuffy old classics that I’ve read as an adult, than any I ever read as a child. Looking back, it amazes me that I ever became a reader with such an inauspicious beginning.
As a kid, reading used to be such a chore, a punishment even. And if reading classics wasn’t bad enough, the next thing you knew your teachers wanted you to discuss what you had read. Write a book report or the dreaded term paper. Pure torture, I tell ya. I’ve always been more of a science guy. Think Bill Nye, but lacking the nerd cred, warehouse full of money, or the hordes of female fans (he’s gotta be fighting ’em off with a stick, right?). The point being, that writing was never my forte, so it’s amazing that I now freely choose to dabble in writing a bit during my spare time. But please forgive me, if it takes weeks or longer for me to churn out a review, or if said review is lacking any pertinent information (case in point) or deep insight.
Synopsis:
When two out of work and blackballed NYC line cooks are given an opportunity to work for a legendary, James Beard Award winning chef, it all seems too good to be true. Especially considering his latest Michelin starred restaurant closed under mysterious circumstances, and said chef was rumored to be dead. Learning the gig is to take place in New Jersey curbs their enthusiasm somewhat, but they’re just desperate enough to leap at the opportunity. Come tomorrow, that’s a decision they may likely regret.
Sin du Jour is a high-end catering company with, strangely, but a single client: Uncle Sam. The secret branch of the government they work for is responsible for preventing the public from discovering the true nature of the world, and the terrifying creatures which hide in plain sight. This branch functions like a diplomatic agency keeping the peace between all manner of horrors. Catering meetings or peace summits, and dealing with those exotic ingredients preferred by Uncle Sam’s exclusive clientele is where Sin du Jour comes in.
However, the main course requested for this particular event is extremely off-putting. So much so, that the chefs debate whether or not it would be morally reprehensible to even serve such a dish. Failing to do so could lead to some major repercussions, but there just might be a way to pull it off .
. .
Conclusion:
This tasty little morsel is a far cry from those stuffy classics I read in school. Although it touches on some dark themes throughout, it does so with a lighthearted, comical approach. Throw in some truly absurd scenes, and a colorful cast of characters—such as a guy who carries around a portable defibrillator because he can’t seem to stop dying—and you know you’re in for a treat.
I’m no expert in Urban Fantasy, but this one may have crossed that arbitrary line into the realm of Bizarro fiction. This first installment of a planned seven novella series has the potential to be a nice palate cleanser, after a book slump, just don’t expect anything more than a light appetizer.
“Everyone else sees a legion of undead clowns worshipping a giant chicken, right?” Moon asks.
“Yes.”
“Yeah.”
Hara nods.
Moon is visibly relieved. “Okay, good.”
Yep, it’s that kind of story! Bon appétit. ;)
Confession Time:
I am not a writer. Nor do I have any aspirations of one day becoming one. I could take it a step further by revealing that, throughout school, English was one of, if not my least favorite subject. Part of my hatred stemmed from the reading curriculum. I’d like to give a proper tongue-lashing to the moron(s) responsible for choosing such books as Moby Dick, The Scarlet Letter, A Tale of Two Cities, The Grapes of Wrath, The Odyssey, and oh so much Shakespeare. All great literature to be sure, but are any of these books catered toward young children or teenagers? What idiot decided that kids would enjoy so much classical literature? Was there nothing to be gleaned from a more modern tale? I, personally, have gained a much broader understanding and respect for all of the stuffy old classics that I’ve read as an adult, than any I ever read as a child. Looking back, it amazes me that I ever became a reader with such an inauspicious beginning.
As a kid, reading used to be such a chore, a punishment even. And if reading classics wasn’t bad enough, the next thing you knew your teachers wanted you to discuss what you had read. Write a book report or the dreaded term paper. Pure torture, I tell ya. I’ve always been more of a science guy. Think Bill Nye, but lacking the nerd cred, warehouse full of money, or the hordes of female fans (he’s gotta be fighting ’em off with a stick, right?). The point being, that writing was never my forte, so it’s amazing that I now freely choose to dabble in writing a bit during my spare time. But please forgive me, if it takes weeks or longer for me to churn out a review, or if said review is lacking any pertinent information (case in point) or deep insight.
Synopsis:
When two out of work and blackballed NYC line cooks are given an opportunity to work for a legendary, James Beard Award winning chef, it all seems too good to be true. Especially considering his latest Michelin starred restaurant closed under mysterious circumstances, and said chef was rumored to be dead. Learning the gig is to take place in New Jersey curbs their enthusiasm somewhat, but they’re just desperate enough to leap at the opportunity. Come tomorrow, that’s a decision they may likely regret.
Sin du Jour is a high-end catering company with, strangely, but a single client: Uncle Sam. The secret branch of the government they work for is responsible for preventing the public from discovering the true nature of the world, and the terrifying creatures which hide in plain sight. This branch functions like a diplomatic agency keeping the peace between all manner of horrors. Catering meetings or peace summits, and dealing with those exotic ingredients preferred by Uncle Sam’s exclusive clientele is where Sin du Jour comes in.
However, the main course requested for this particular event is extremely off-putting. So much so, that the chefs debate whether or not it would be morally reprehensible to even serve such a dish. Failing to do so could lead to some major repercussions, but there just might be a way to pull it off .
. .
Conclusion:
This tasty little morsel is a far cry from those stuffy classics I read in school. Although it touches on some dark themes throughout, it does so with a lighthearted, comical approach. Throw in some truly absurd scenes, and a colorful cast of characters—such as a guy who carries around a portable defibrillator because he can’t seem to stop dying—and you know you’re in for a treat.
I’m no expert in Urban Fantasy, but this one may have crossed that arbitrary line into the realm of Bizarro fiction. This first installment of a planned seven novella series has the potential to be a nice palate cleanser, after a book slump, just don’t expect anything more than a light appetizer.
“Everyone else sees a legion of undead clowns worshipping a giant chicken, right?” Moon asks.
“Yes.”
“Yeah.”
Hara nods.
Moon is visibly relieved. “Okay, good.”
Yep, it’s that kind of story! Bon appétit. ;)
April 23, 2018
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.
This was just okay for me. I have heard great things about this series so this book has been on my to be read list for some time. I bought a copy of the book but had not had the opportunity to sit down and read it just yet so when I saw that the audiobook was available through my library, I decided to go that route. It is a rather short piece so I was able to finish it in just a couple of days. I didn't fall in love with this book but did enjoy some aspects of the story.
This book was weird. I like weird books so that shouldn't have been any kind of problem but this book is really weird. Not normal weird but undead clowns worshipping a giant chicken kind of weird. This book had a certain crazy that went along with the weird and I think it was just a bit much for me at times. It was definitely unique and unlike anything else that I have ever read.
Darren and Lena get the chance to work for a catering company called Sin du Jour. Sin du Jour is not your normal group of caterers. They have a very original menu and clientele that sometimes come to them with special requests. Serving the wrong kind of meal could have devastating consequences for the employees of Sin du Jour. I thought that the way that the staff of Sin du Jour interacted with each other felt rather authentic.
The narrator was just okay for me as well. I believe that this is the first time that I have had the chance to listen to Corey Gagne's narration. I have to admit that I didn't care for some of the voices that he used especially for the female characters. It was difficult to determine who was talking at times. I thought that he did have a pleasant voice that brought excitement to some of the scenes but I was never quite able to completely move past my dislike for some of the voices used. I would probably be willing to give this narrator another try in the future with a different kind of story.
I think that some readers may enjoy this story a bit more than I did. It was a really interesting concept with some really exciting scenes. The book did cause me to swear off all chicken nuggets at least for a little while. I am probably not going to continue with this series but I am glad that I decided to give this story a listen.
Initial Thoughts
This was weird. Not normal weird but undead clowns worshiping a giant chicken kind of weird. It was definitely unlike anything else that I have read before. The narrator was okay. I didn't care for some of the voices that he used especially for the female characters.
Book source: Library via Hoopla
This was just okay for me. I have heard great things about this series so this book has been on my to be read list for some time. I bought a copy of the book but had not had the opportunity to sit down and read it just yet so when I saw that the audiobook was available through my library, I decided to go that route. It is a rather short piece so I was able to finish it in just a couple of days. I didn't fall in love with this book but did enjoy some aspects of the story.
This book was weird. I like weird books so that shouldn't have been any kind of problem but this book is really weird. Not normal weird but undead clowns worshipping a giant chicken kind of weird. This book had a certain crazy that went along with the weird and I think it was just a bit much for me at times. It was definitely unique and unlike anything else that I have ever read.
Darren and Lena get the chance to work for a catering company called Sin du Jour. Sin du Jour is not your normal group of caterers. They have a very original menu and clientele that sometimes come to them with special requests. Serving the wrong kind of meal could have devastating consequences for the employees of Sin du Jour. I thought that the way that the staff of Sin du Jour interacted with each other felt rather authentic.
The narrator was just okay for me as well. I believe that this is the first time that I have had the chance to listen to Corey Gagne's narration. I have to admit that I didn't care for some of the voices that he used especially for the female characters. It was difficult to determine who was talking at times. I thought that he did have a pleasant voice that brought excitement to some of the scenes but I was never quite able to completely move past my dislike for some of the voices used. I would probably be willing to give this narrator another try in the future with a different kind of story.
I think that some readers may enjoy this story a bit more than I did. It was a really interesting concept with some really exciting scenes. The book did cause me to swear off all chicken nuggets at least for a little while. I am probably not going to continue with this series but I am glad that I decided to give this story a listen.
Initial Thoughts
This was weird. Not normal weird but undead clowns worshiping a giant chicken kind of weird. It was definitely unlike anything else that I have read before. The narrator was okay. I didn't care for some of the voices that he used especially for the female characters.
Book source: Library via Hoopla
April 8, 2018
* I was sent this for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review *
I am really happy that Tor.com decided to be so kind and post the whole of the Sin du Jour series out to me, having now read the first I can see that this is an Urban Fantasy series with oh so much potential. This follows a group of people who work in Sin du Jour, a catering company who cater to the masses of Demons, creatures and more. They are speciality chefs with a talent for whipping up some of the most divine and crazy exotic dishes you could ever think of, and we follow one of their events where the Demons are coming to town and they want to eat something special...
Two new recruits are our main character, Darren and Lena. They have been brought into the company without quite knowing what they are in for, but when they realise there's an Angel on the menu and the stock room is filled with bizarre things they know they are in over their heads. The question is whether they can weather the storm and fit in, and whether they can really serve up an Angel or not...
What I liked about this was that it's a strong start to a series and it felt like a great little intro to the world. We get to see a fully-formed company, but we're coming into it fresh like the two new recruits, and so things unfold before us in much the same way.
I also liked the magic of the world. This reminded me a little but of Chew (graphic novels) and The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake because the food is the focus, but unlike how in those you can taste emotions, this is a bit more bloody and gruesome and we get the chance to see all sorts of gore as the team try to navigate magic and mayhem and cater to the demons who could well decide to feast on them if they are displeased!
It's a romp and a fun story and I am looking forward to seeing where it will go next :) 3*s from me.
I am really happy that Tor.com decided to be so kind and post the whole of the Sin du Jour series out to me, having now read the first I can see that this is an Urban Fantasy series with oh so much potential. This follows a group of people who work in Sin du Jour, a catering company who cater to the masses of Demons, creatures and more. They are speciality chefs with a talent for whipping up some of the most divine and crazy exotic dishes you could ever think of, and we follow one of their events where the Demons are coming to town and they want to eat something special...
Two new recruits are our main character, Darren and Lena. They have been brought into the company without quite knowing what they are in for, but when they realise there's an Angel on the menu and the stock room is filled with bizarre things they know they are in over their heads. The question is whether they can weather the storm and fit in, and whether they can really serve up an Angel or not...
What I liked about this was that it's a strong start to a series and it felt like a great little intro to the world. We get to see a fully-formed company, but we're coming into it fresh like the two new recruits, and so things unfold before us in much the same way.
I also liked the magic of the world. This reminded me a little but of Chew (graphic novels) and The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake because the food is the focus, but unlike how in those you can taste emotions, this is a bit more bloody and gruesome and we get the chance to see all sorts of gore as the team try to navigate magic and mayhem and cater to the demons who could well decide to feast on them if they are displeased!
It's a romp and a fun story and I am looking forward to seeing where it will go next :) 3*s from me.
March 8, 2017
★★★★✮ 4.5 stars. For the full GIF-loving experience, read this review on my blog here.
I'm sure you've heard about this one. It's another fun, ass-kicking and quite inventive Urban Fantasy series, right along the lines of Rivers of London and the like. Except this time, we're talking catering. And not just any kind of catering.
I found out about this series from Tammy's blog. I wasn't going to pick up yet another new book (much less a new series), but it was so enticing that I had to give it a go. Come on, food, magic, urban fantasy? Demons? What's not to like?
Plus, it's quite cheap on Amazon. So I got it and started reading right away. And you know what? Yeah, it's a first book in a series, it's not written spotlessly and it does have some loose ends, BUT! I'm definitely picking up the series. What with all the insane laughing and quoting the absurd situations the characters found themselves in to my boyfriend and the internets and then laughing some more, I do recommend it.
And yes. Yes, those are chicken nuggets on the cover. Why is that the first thing everybody asks about..?
And yes. They are there for a reason. No spoilers, though.
The story begins with two young chefs (professional kitchen staff? Err, what do we actually call them...) They are out of work and rent is a pressing matter, so they'll basically go work for anyone at this point. When unbelievably so, a former famous chef calls them and asks them to be his temps for a gig. When I say former, I mean, someone presumed dead. This is where you might start picking up on the fact that we're not talking about a normal catering service.
Our main characters have their tryouts, pass them (more or less) and start working for the new boss. But, because one of them is a doof and can't do what he's told, they sort of… blunder into… a full-time position.
It's kind of the thing that happens in this place when you see something you shouldn't have seen.
So, putting that aside, the responsibility of the whole big and important gig basically falls on these two. I don't really understand how it makes sense in the story that two newbs would get to taste rare and very important ingredients and make decisions, as opposed to the actually seasoned kitchen staff, but it's the way it's done in this book. This was one of the things I had a problem with. But, things get better after this. They go from ‘slightly weird’ to ‘completely absurd’ in a matter of chapters, and in a really good way! Think giant birds and zombie clowns. God, it's SO GOOD.
The story never stops being bonkers after that - up to the very end, where the book ends with quite a nice twist of perspective at things. I know I loved it. Brilliant ending. So good that it added a whole new star to the book! Also, the writing gets a lot better by the middle, so I guess this series just needed a little bit to kick off. Give it a chance before you decide to DNF, if you do start this.
As for why Envy of Angels? Well, the basic problem of this story is that the characters have to decide - do they or do they not cook an angel for demons to eat?
So there you go. I mean, if that's not enough to convince you, then I don't know what is.
I'm sure you've heard about this one. It's another fun, ass-kicking and quite inventive Urban Fantasy series, right along the lines of Rivers of London and the like. Except this time, we're talking catering. And not just any kind of catering.
I found out about this series from Tammy's blog. I wasn't going to pick up yet another new book (much less a new series), but it was so enticing that I had to give it a go. Come on, food, magic, urban fantasy? Demons? What's not to like?
Plus, it's quite cheap on Amazon. So I got it and started reading right away. And you know what? Yeah, it's a first book in a series, it's not written spotlessly and it does have some loose ends, BUT! I'm definitely picking up the series. What with all the insane laughing and quoting the absurd situations the characters found themselves in to my boyfriend and the internets and then laughing some more, I do recommend it.
And yes. Yes, those are chicken nuggets on the cover. Why is that the first thing everybody asks about..?
And yes. They are there for a reason. No spoilers, though.
The story begins with two young chefs (professional kitchen staff? Err, what do we actually call them...) They are out of work and rent is a pressing matter, so they'll basically go work for anyone at this point. When unbelievably so, a former famous chef calls them and asks them to be his temps for a gig. When I say former, I mean, someone presumed dead. This is where you might start picking up on the fact that we're not talking about a normal catering service.
Our main characters have their tryouts, pass them (more or less) and start working for the new boss. But, because one of them is a doof and can't do what he's told, they sort of… blunder into… a full-time position.
It's kind of the thing that happens in this place when you see something you shouldn't have seen.
So, putting that aside, the responsibility of the whole big and important gig basically falls on these two. I don't really understand how it makes sense in the story that two newbs would get to taste rare and very important ingredients and make decisions, as opposed to the actually seasoned kitchen staff, but it's the way it's done in this book. This was one of the things I had a problem with. But, things get better after this. They go from ‘slightly weird’ to ‘completely absurd’ in a matter of chapters, and in a really good way! Think giant birds and zombie clowns. God, it's SO GOOD.
The story never stops being bonkers after that - up to the very end, where the book ends with quite a nice twist of perspective at things. I know I loved it. Brilliant ending. So good that it added a whole new star to the book! Also, the writing gets a lot better by the middle, so I guess this series just needed a little bit to kick off. Give it a chance before you decide to DNF, if you do start this.
As for why Envy of Angels? Well, the basic problem of this story is that the characters have to decide - do they or do they not cook an angel for demons to eat?
So there you go. I mean, if that's not enough to convince you, then I don't know what is.
April 3, 2016
Matt Wallace is the best writer you've never heard of. So, get to know him.
ENVY OF ANGELS is wonderful, a combination between Jim Butcher's THE DRESDEN FILES, the Marlon Brando movie THE FRESHMAN and the TV show "Hell's Kitchen." When you go to work for a paranormal catering company, you know shit is going to go South faster than a wrong turn at Albuquerque.
There are a lot of characters and this is a short book — only 40,000 words, novella-length — but Wallace does an excellent job at making each character live and breath. That's his biggest strength as a storyteller, really, a Stephen King-esque ability to breath unique life into a character based on only a sentence or two.
This is the first in the Sin de Jour series. I'll definitely be reading more.
ENVY OF ANGELS is wonderful, a combination between Jim Butcher's THE DRESDEN FILES, the Marlon Brando movie THE FRESHMAN and the TV show "Hell's Kitchen." When you go to work for a paranormal catering company, you know shit is going to go South faster than a wrong turn at Albuquerque.
There are a lot of characters and this is a short book — only 40,000 words, novella-length — but Wallace does an excellent job at making each character live and breath. That's his biggest strength as a storyteller, really, a Stephen King-esque ability to breath unique life into a character based on only a sentence or two.
This is the first in the Sin de Jour series. I'll definitely be reading more.
September 12, 2023
Delicious ;) Seconds please!
April 2, 2016
I have given up on this novella. I tried. I really did. I think the reason I hated this so much is because I kept trying to finish it. It's simply a short novella. How hard can it be to finish? With that in mind, I thought it wasn't exactly fair to give it 1 star.
I wanted to like this a whole lot more than I did. There is actually a really good story kernel here. This could've been so much better if it had been developed more and lengthened, perhaps put in some subtlety and character development.
First problem we come to is world building. To put it simply, there is none. This is obviously an UF but that's literally all we know besides the fact that the catering company works for the government (which has a branch that works with demons.) So, we know demons are a thing here. We know there was big bug monsters. We know that angels are here too. We get these desperate aspects thrown at us with absolutely no explanation why for anything. Why do they work for the government? Who knows. How did they capture this angel? God if I know (harhar!) How do they work with this random Indian medicine man?
The second issue is the cast. This is an ENORMOUS cast. This would be a challenging cast for a normal sized NOVEL, much less a novella. There are literally 15+ characters that are in the floating "main cast". Who the fuck are all these people? Who knows! By the time the group when to find that recipe (I can't honestly tell you how many nor even the name of their department), I kind of checked out.
The third is the plot and the shit that happens. A lot of people have mentioned already but there is a lot of convenient things that happen that stink of deus ex machina. Those bothered me but what was worse was just the general random scenes thrown in in an attempt to make a plot. Action is not the same thing as plot. Some were just ridiculous. Like having to have a knife fight on the first day, to draw blood twice, in order to have her vote counted. It's just randomly thrown out there.
Or like how, some time after this, we get this long scene were the guy who lost goes to see an alchemist to "heal" the wounds. He does all this stupid mojo shit, swears a lot, makes witty banter, and is gone. I'm reading this and thinking "has anyone heard of wound creme?" It was so unnecessary (it came with beating a dove to death) and bizarre. He wasn't hurt badly at all.
On top of that, the cliches really hurt the plot too. They're so painful. So they have to cook this angel they get. They cut off a hand and cook it up, so they can replicate the taste without actually killing the angel. You get 5 SECONDS to guess what angel meat tastes like. Don't even try. Just come up with the most cliche thing that comes to mind. Yes. That's right. Angels apparently taste like chicken.
Really?
Ops. Gotta go. My eyeballs just rolled out of my head. Best go catch them.
I wanted to like this a whole lot more than I did. There is actually a really good story kernel here. This could've been so much better if it had been developed more and lengthened, perhaps put in some subtlety and character development.
First problem we come to is world building. To put it simply, there is none. This is obviously an UF but that's literally all we know besides the fact that the catering company works for the government (which has a branch that works with demons.) So, we know demons are a thing here. We know there was big bug monsters. We know that angels are here too. We get these desperate aspects thrown at us with absolutely no explanation why for anything. Why do they work for the government? Who knows. How did they capture this angel? God if I know (harhar!) How do they work with this random Indian medicine man?
The second issue is the cast. This is an ENORMOUS cast. This would be a challenging cast for a normal sized NOVEL, much less a novella. There are literally 15+ characters that are in the floating "main cast". Who the fuck are all these people? Who knows! By the time the group when to find that recipe (I can't honestly tell you how many nor even the name of their department), I kind of checked out.
The third is the plot and the shit that happens. A lot of people have mentioned already but there is a lot of convenient things that happen that stink of deus ex machina. Those bothered me but what was worse was just the general random scenes thrown in in an attempt to make a plot. Action is not the same thing as plot. Some were just ridiculous. Like having to have a knife fight on the first day, to draw blood twice, in order to have her vote counted. It's just randomly thrown out there.
Or like how, some time after this, we get this long scene were the guy who lost goes to see an alchemist to "heal" the wounds. He does all this stupid mojo shit, swears a lot, makes witty banter, and is gone. I'm reading this and thinking "has anyone heard of wound creme?" It was so unnecessary (it came with beating a dove to death) and bizarre. He wasn't hurt badly at all.
On top of that, the cliches really hurt the plot too. They're so painful. So they have to cook this angel they get. They cut off a hand and cook it up, so they can replicate the taste without actually killing the angel. You get 5 SECONDS to guess what angel meat tastes like. Don't even try. Just come up with the most cliche thing that comes to mind. Yes. That's right. Angels apparently taste like chicken.
Really?
Ops. Gotta go. My eyeballs just rolled out of my head. Best go catch them.
December 9, 2015
Two young chefs begin work for a catering service with a unique clientele.
What if supernatural creatures existed? What would they be like? Where would they eat? This novella series answers that last question.
Comedy is hard to review and describe. If I even describe this as comedy, which it is, then that sets certain expectations around characters making quips and jokes. If I describe it as madcap, which it is, then that sets other expectations around pacing and absurdist situations. And if I try and describe the situations and why they're humorous then I'm just going to end up spoiling the book.
So I'll put it this way: the characters are played serious and the story is also serious. But the thing is written as if the universe and the author have a wicked sense of humor. There aren't any jokes, and the quips come more as acknowledging the absurdity of some of the situations the characters find themselves in. I did find myself laughing out loud quite a few times though.
I enjoyed it and will read more by this author. I believe this is the first of three novellas in the Sin du Jour series, so there's more of this universe to come.
What if supernatural creatures existed? What would they be like? Where would they eat? This novella series answers that last question.
Comedy is hard to review and describe. If I even describe this as comedy, which it is, then that sets certain expectations around characters making quips and jokes. If I describe it as madcap, which it is, then that sets other expectations around pacing and absurdist situations. And if I try and describe the situations and why they're humorous then I'm just going to end up spoiling the book.
So I'll put it this way: the characters are played serious and the story is also serious. But the thing is written as if the universe and the author have a wicked sense of humor. There aren't any jokes, and the quips come more as acknowledging the absurdity of some of the situations the characters find themselves in. I did find myself laughing out loud quite a few times though.
I enjoyed it and will read more by this author. I believe this is the first of three novellas in the Sin du Jour series, so there's more of this universe to come.
January 24, 2016
Darren and Lena are the newest chefs to join Sin Du Jour, a highly exclusive catering company with a highly unusual clientele. Overseen by a Michelin award winner, Sin Du Jour operates on government contract to host diplomatic banquets for – wait for it – demons! Their latest dinner service involves a unique ingredient, and the chefs are the only thing standing against all-out war between two rival gangs of Hell’s finest.
Envy of Angels is a quick, breezy, and very entertaining read. It’s also one of the most unique urban fantasies I’ve read in some time. Although Chuck Wendig’s Mookie Pearl was a tough foodie, Wallace’s crew are all about working the line and getting their hands dirty with flour and an array of other, far more mystical, ingredients. Think Anthony Bourdain by way of Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
There’s a rich vein of humor running throughout, despite a subject matter could delve deeply into the darkness. Although a sequence in which the Sin Du Jour Procurement team attempt a heist to steal a fast food chain’s secret recipe carries a richly macabre undercurrent, Wallace still finds the humor in a highly off-the-wall scenario. The tone, at all times, is kept as light as puff pastry.
What really caught my attention, though, were the flashes of insight toward Wallace’s world-building. Sin du Jour and the reality it operates in are subjects I want to read and learn more about. I want to get deeper insight into the government agency that employs them, and the demonic cultures they feed. This is only the first book in what looks to be a long-term project for Wallace, but I’m already supremely captivated even if, at times, this book feels more like an appetizer of things to come, rather than a fully satisfying entree that left me stuffed. But, I’m OK with that simply because this story was a heck of a lot to read. It also helps knowing that the second book, Lustlocked, comes out on Tuesday, because I’m definitely ready for another serving.
Envy of Angels is a quick, breezy, and very entertaining read. It’s also one of the most unique urban fantasies I’ve read in some time. Although Chuck Wendig’s Mookie Pearl was a tough foodie, Wallace’s crew are all about working the line and getting their hands dirty with flour and an array of other, far more mystical, ingredients. Think Anthony Bourdain by way of Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
There’s a rich vein of humor running throughout, despite a subject matter could delve deeply into the darkness. Although a sequence in which the Sin Du Jour Procurement team attempt a heist to steal a fast food chain’s secret recipe carries a richly macabre undercurrent, Wallace still finds the humor in a highly off-the-wall scenario. The tone, at all times, is kept as light as puff pastry.
What really caught my attention, though, were the flashes of insight toward Wallace’s world-building. Sin du Jour and the reality it operates in are subjects I want to read and learn more about. I want to get deeper insight into the government agency that employs them, and the demonic cultures they feed. This is only the first book in what looks to be a long-term project for Wallace, but I’m already supremely captivated even if, at times, this book feels more like an appetizer of things to come, rather than a fully satisfying entree that left me stuffed. But, I’m OK with that simply because this story was a heck of a lot to read. It also helps knowing that the second book, Lustlocked, comes out on Tuesday, because I’m definitely ready for another serving.
January 3, 2016
The nitty-gritty: A laugh-out loud skewering of the fast-food industry, filled with funny dialog and memorable characters.
I have to admit, when I first saw the cover for Envy of Angels, I immediately filed it in the “I hate the cover so I don’t want to read this book” compartment of my brain. Typically I don’t respond well to silliness, and a book cover with chicken nuggets on it was just too much for my delicate sense of humor. But then I read a couple of rave reviews, and soon after I hooked up with Tor.com and was sent an e-galley, and that’s all she wrote! Clearly I loved this novella, and I’m excited to already have the next installment, Lustlocked, loaded on my e-reader and ready to devour. (Yes, that pun was intended.) While I’m still not crazy about the cover, I can see where the design team was going, because yes, chicken nuggets play a big part in the plot. If you’ve never heard of Matt Wallace, then get ready, because he’s earned a position on my “auto-buy” list.
Welcome to Sin du Jour, a catering company that caters to some, well, very unusual clients. Their latest job is to serve a gathering of two rival demon clans whose tastes run to the…exotic. Chefs Darren and Lena are recruited to help the owner of Sin du Jour, Byron “Bronko” Luck, with the preparations and serving of this very important job, but Darren and Lena have no idea what they’ve gotten themselves into. When Bronko unveils the main course for the evening—an angel!—his employees decide to take a vote: do they kill an agent of God to appease some very dangerous demons? Or do they try to fake their way out of it and spare the angel’s life? What follows is a hilarious story about a group of desperate chefs and their search to perfectly recreate angel meat. What do angels taste like? How do you replicate angel blood soup? And how does one infiltrate the corporate offices of a major fast-food chain in order to steal their most secret recipe? You won’t find out until you read this fast-paced and non-stop laughter-inducing story.
Not only is Wallace’s story wonderfully fresh and creative, but his dialogue is so funny it had me laughing out loud. The circumstances his characters find themselves in are absurd to say the least, but that makes for a ridiculously funny tale with plenty of great lines. This is an ensemble cast, as all the characters play equally important roles. From the team whose job it is to secure all the hard-to-find ingredients for the meal, to newbies Lena and Darren who are way out of their league, to the owner of Sin du Jour himself, I had a blast with each one.
I didn’t think the story could get any crazier, but guess what? It did. The antics keep escalating up until the very last page, and even an over-the-top ending couldn’t keep the smile off my face. Wallace manages to infuse his story with heart, amidst all the hilarity, and I can’t wait to get started on Lustlocked. Highly recommended for readers who love well-written humor.
Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy. This review originally appeared on Books, Bones & Buffy
April 3, 2017
I didn't know that I wanted a Hell's Kitchen, Supernatural, Buffy the Vampire Slayer mash-up in my life until I finished this novella by Matt Wallace, but I'm so glad I know how much it worked for me now. I am definitely going to be reading this entire series of novellas. This book was just fun and the atmosphere reminded me of the humor that was prominent in Breaking Bad.
Two chefs are hired for a new job at Sin du Jour and they soon find that this isn't a normal catering company. I don't want to give anything else away other than that but just know that this is a great idea of a series, a restaurant that serves weird fantastical food, to weird clientele. As a chef at Sin du Jour, you make 5x the amount you would make at other restaurants, but there is a slightly higher chance you will get your arm chopped off, no biggie. Don't worry, there are wizards, sorcerers, or something that can reattach that arm no problem.
Bottom-line, you'll be smiling the entire time you are reading this and I've heard this is the weakest installment of this series. So if you want something fun to read in an afternoon and you don't know what you are in the mood for, I'd recommend this.
4/5
Two chefs are hired for a new job at Sin du Jour and they soon find that this isn't a normal catering company. I don't want to give anything else away other than that but just know that this is a great idea of a series, a restaurant that serves weird fantastical food, to weird clientele. As a chef at Sin du Jour, you make 5x the amount you would make at other restaurants, but there is a slightly higher chance you will get your arm chopped off, no biggie. Don't worry, there are wizards, sorcerers, or something that can reattach that arm no problem.
Bottom-line, you'll be smiling the entire time you are reading this and I've heard this is the weakest installment of this series. So if you want something fun to read in an afternoon and you don't know what you are in the mood for, I'd recommend this.
4/5
January 20, 2016
5 Stars
Envy of Angels by Matt Wallace is one really sweet novella. Like others have said it is a combination of a Food Network show that would be made by National Geographic or even The Animal Planet, set inside a universe created by Tim Button. This is a food story first, a comedy second, and a horror show third. Together they are served up to perfection through witty dialogue and the writing of Wallace. What does an Angel taste like?
This is a fun read. There are many laugh out loud moments that will bust your gut. The story starts out fast without much back story or explanation and things get cooking from there. The action is funny. The situations are funny. The whole thing just comes across as being Damn cool.
“Bronko ignores the chaos, the severed arm, the triage being performed on its owner, Moon shocking himself back to life, the barking dog, all of it. He steps over the Native American artwork fashioned in all-purpose flour and through the marijuana din, cutting a direct swath to the pantry door.”
I loved it. A must read for it's originality and humor. Highly recommended.
Envy of Angels by Matt Wallace is one really sweet novella. Like others have said it is a combination of a Food Network show that would be made by National Geographic or even The Animal Planet, set inside a universe created by Tim Button. This is a food story first, a comedy second, and a horror show third. Together they are served up to perfection through witty dialogue and the writing of Wallace. What does an Angel taste like?
This is a fun read. There are many laugh out loud moments that will bust your gut. The story starts out fast without much back story or explanation and things get cooking from there. The action is funny. The situations are funny. The whole thing just comes across as being Damn cool.
“Bronko ignores the chaos, the severed arm, the triage being performed on its owner, Moon shocking himself back to life, the barking dog, all of it. He steps over the Native American artwork fashioned in all-purpose flour and through the marijuana din, cutting a direct swath to the pantry door.”
I loved it. A must read for it's originality and humor. Highly recommended.
August 21, 2015
guess what angels taste like. c'mon, guess.
December 27, 2015
Well, that was a funny, fast novella. Well-written, good characters, extremely imaginative.
June 15, 2016
That was twisted, weird, and funny. Reading it really made me appreciate the cover :) I saw one reviewer call it Hell's Kitchen for demons, and I think that is the perfect description.
November 20, 2017
If I hand you a book and tell you it's about the adventures and misadventures of a supernatural catering company, that pitch would probably give you certain expectations. Like, this probably isn't a super serious book. That it's a little light and enjoyable, probably with some good action set pieces and plenty of banter.
Note: The rest of this review has been withheld due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook
Note: The rest of this review has been withheld due to the changes in Goodreads policy and enforcement. You can read why I came to this decision here.
In the meantime, you can read the entire review at Smorgasbook
June 4, 2021
A fast-paced and occasionally gross (to very gross) novella about a very unusual catering outfit, and their quest to serve a reasonable facsimile of the preferred main course to two rival Demon clans. The cover art is a Clue. It's a long shaggy-dog story, and pretty well done, though I could have done without the clown zombies. The ending is the world's oldest palindrome for "Dog." Silly and fun, except when it misses fire. One never knows with humor. . .
This was a Tor freebie that's been lurking in my files for years. I'm not sorry I read it, but I doubt I'll be seeking out more in the series. Not quite my sort of book.
This was a Tor freebie that's been lurking in my files for years. I'm not sorry I read it, but I doubt I'll be seeking out more in the series. Not quite my sort of book.
November 25, 2017
Honestly I had never heard of this book before it was offered as a free ebook in the tor newsletter for a few days. But reading the synopsis instantly captured me. A supernatural catering service, basically. How can that not make you curious? It made me so curious. Was this more on the humor side or is it more of a serious thing? I can tell you I think it means to fall more towards the humor side.
I love the idea of a supernatural catering. It stands out from the crowd just for that. Who even comes up with that? Sin du Jour is an interesting concept. But that is almost where it ends.
Because the writing is honestly not up there. There was not enough time taken to build the world properly. It makes it confusing at moments. We are weirdly thrown in with a random scene and then all of a sudden slow down when we move to other characters. It is bare bones. There are also too many characters for the amount of pages to really remember. It is just such a shame because there are some really awesome ideas in here. Like the idea of the angel which was well thought in comparison to how the world was build.
This also is so for the characters. They just aren’t deepened enough. And even when you go towards the humor end of things, you have to work on your character otherwise it just will not come across. Even if you want to make them caricatures. And it is annoying because with a bit more work I think there is a lot more potential to be taken from these characters.
Having said all that, it was a great breeze to fly through. And if you are just looking for a great, low commitment book or even series to break away from some other books, this will do the job.
I love the idea of a supernatural catering. It stands out from the crowd just for that. Who even comes up with that? Sin du Jour is an interesting concept. But that is almost where it ends.
Because the writing is honestly not up there. There was not enough time taken to build the world properly. It makes it confusing at moments. We are weirdly thrown in with a random scene and then all of a sudden slow down when we move to other characters. It is bare bones. There are also too many characters for the amount of pages to really remember. It is just such a shame because there are some really awesome ideas in here. Like the idea of the angel which was well thought in comparison to how the world was build.
This also is so for the characters. They just aren’t deepened enough. And even when you go towards the humor end of things, you have to work on your character otherwise it just will not come across. Even if you want to make them caricatures. And it is annoying because with a bit more work I think there is a lot more potential to be taken from these characters.
Having said all that, it was a great breeze to fly through. And if you are just looking for a great, low commitment book or even series to break away from some other books, this will do the job.
March 28, 2016
I wasn't quite sure what I was about to read when I picked this book up. I remember grabbing it for my Kindle one weekend when it was on sale for under $3.00 after seeing a few decent reviews. I also recall being on a horror kick when I grabbed it and wanting to check out some new authors. All I can say is for whatever reason I grabbed this, thank heavens I did!
This book was a total blast. Sin du Jour is a special catering company in New York whose clients consist of a certain branch of individuals the government wants to keep happy, and who they also want to keep a secret. We are talking about demons, monster, etc. here so that alone should be enough to make you curious. This book has it all - action, suspense, horror, great characters and monsters. We are talking different demon factions, a giant chicken, angels, alchemists and even humans. Come on, one of the companies mottos is "We don't serve werewolf, and we don't serve werewolves." I laughed out loud at that and since we had been snowbound for three days, I am sure my husband thought I was losing my mind.
It's really hard to describe this book without giving a lot away, but you seriously have to give it a chance. When I looked at the cover, I could never quite figure it out, but those are chicken "nuggies" making the body of the angel so that alone should make you want to grab it. It's a quick read and I already plan on starting book 2 tonight.
This book was a total blast. Sin du Jour is a special catering company in New York whose clients consist of a certain branch of individuals the government wants to keep happy, and who they also want to keep a secret. We are talking about demons, monster, etc. here so that alone should be enough to make you curious. This book has it all - action, suspense, horror, great characters and monsters. We are talking different demon factions, a giant chicken, angels, alchemists and even humans. Come on, one of the companies mottos is "We don't serve werewolf, and we don't serve werewolves." I laughed out loud at that and since we had been snowbound for three days, I am sure my husband thought I was losing my mind.
It's really hard to describe this book without giving a lot away, but you seriously have to give it a chance. When I looked at the cover, I could never quite figure it out, but those are chicken "nuggies" making the body of the angel so that alone should make you want to grab it. It's a quick read and I already plan on starting book 2 tonight.
Read
September 29, 2017A potentially highly enjoyable read with fun characters and a great concept, but the reading experience depleasurised by an extraordinarily lackadaisical editing job. I'm surprised and disappointed at such amateurishness from Tor, a generally really strong publisher.
April 21, 2016
Reviewed on my blog - Books by Proxy
4 Stars
In this madcap introduction to Sin du Jour – the most exclusive and eccentric caterers in town – Matt Wallace throws the reader head-first down a wilfully chaotic, potentially disturbing and really rather entertaining path. Envy of Angels is a wonderfully formed novella which impresses with its quirky storyline and its buffet of colourful characters who delight and disgust in equal measure. With a distinctive culinary twist to its urban fantasy label, the narrative is a non-stop riot from beginning to end and takes a refreshing look at a genre which often falls back on the same familiar tropes.
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When Lena and Darren are offered a job by one of the most prestigious chefs in town, they jump at the chance to work for his exclusive catering company, Sin du Jour. The trifling fact that said gastronome was supposed to have died several years ago does little to dissuade them from accepting such a unique opportunity – after all, what could possibly go wrong?
But there are only so many canapés two cooks can make before the strange and exotic ingredients liberally stuffed, rolled and baked into their dishes raise more questions than are answered. With a clientèle of dangerous demons and horrifying hellspawn renowned for their voracious appetites, just what on god’s green earth are Sin du Jour cooking?
-
With unimpeded curiosity come disturbing revelations – and none more so than in Envy of Angels. Wallace’s culinary take on the world of urban fantasy opens up a whole new avenue of delectable delights and disgusting creations for the reader to feast on. In a narrative where the clientèle and the main course compete for strangeness, Wallace concentrates only on the details required to drive the narrative forwards and to nail every disturbing picture and ridiculous situation home. With descriptions of entrées, appetisers, and various vile dishes taking the fore, Envy of Angels is a mêlée of madness, monsters and tasty morsels (apparently) which paints a vivid picture of a really rather disturbing world.
The cast of Envy of Angels are an insane assortment of the strange who burst into the narrative wielding knives, forks and copious amounts of zeal. From the rough and ready collection squad and the super chill bus-boys, to the ‘resigned-to-their-fate’ kitchen crew and the head chef himself, this is a novella which delights in throwing every one of its characters into the culinary equivalent of a warzone. And though these characters often slip into the style of caricatures, these quick snap-shot introductions go a long way to providing a clear picture of a world populated with an enormous cast of characters in a compact and driven narrative.
And into this world are thrust our two protagonists, Lena and Darren, whose lives are irrevocably changed when they come under the attention of the renowned gourmet, Bronko. Lena is a tough, self-assured ex-soldier who succeeds effortlessly but will always make certain that Darren is by her side. Darren meanwhile is a character who has hidden strengths, whose bravery may be smothered beneath an outer shell of cowardice but is nevertheless there. This duo are the anchor points in this strange new world, going hand-in-hand with the reader on a path of culinary enlightenment and around whom much of the action and chaos orbit.
The first novella in the Sin du Jour series provides a distinctive and refreshing outlook from an author who takes great pains to unceremoniously thrust the reader into unimpeded chaos. Constructed in succinct and direct prose, this self contained adventure succeeds in keeping the reader on the brink of the action in a world which is surprisingly familiar but retains an utterly unique (and slightly crazy) quality throughout. Wallace’s engaging style, undeniable wit and quirky narrative make this this strange foray into hell’s kitchen an effortlessly fun and disturbing joy to read.
-
If you’re craving a dash of the strange then Envy of Angels is the perfect dish – compact and amusing, this is a novella which takes the reader on an entertaining journey through Wallace’s wonderfully surreal mind. A short and wickedly sweet read, this is a story which all urban fantasy fans should try sinking their teeth into; but if you find yourself dining with a battalion of hellspawn, try not to think what it is you’re eating – the truth may be a little more than any human can stomach.
4 Stars
In this madcap introduction to Sin du Jour – the most exclusive and eccentric caterers in town – Matt Wallace throws the reader head-first down a wilfully chaotic, potentially disturbing and really rather entertaining path. Envy of Angels is a wonderfully formed novella which impresses with its quirky storyline and its buffet of colourful characters who delight and disgust in equal measure. With a distinctive culinary twist to its urban fantasy label, the narrative is a non-stop riot from beginning to end and takes a refreshing look at a genre which often falls back on the same familiar tropes.
-
When Lena and Darren are offered a job by one of the most prestigious chefs in town, they jump at the chance to work for his exclusive catering company, Sin du Jour. The trifling fact that said gastronome was supposed to have died several years ago does little to dissuade them from accepting such a unique opportunity – after all, what could possibly go wrong?
But there are only so many canapés two cooks can make before the strange and exotic ingredients liberally stuffed, rolled and baked into their dishes raise more questions than are answered. With a clientèle of dangerous demons and horrifying hellspawn renowned for their voracious appetites, just what on god’s green earth are Sin du Jour cooking?
-
With unimpeded curiosity come disturbing revelations – and none more so than in Envy of Angels. Wallace’s culinary take on the world of urban fantasy opens up a whole new avenue of delectable delights and disgusting creations for the reader to feast on. In a narrative where the clientèle and the main course compete for strangeness, Wallace concentrates only on the details required to drive the narrative forwards and to nail every disturbing picture and ridiculous situation home. With descriptions of entrées, appetisers, and various vile dishes taking the fore, Envy of Angels is a mêlée of madness, monsters and tasty morsels (apparently) which paints a vivid picture of a really rather disturbing world.
The cast of Envy of Angels are an insane assortment of the strange who burst into the narrative wielding knives, forks and copious amounts of zeal. From the rough and ready collection squad and the super chill bus-boys, to the ‘resigned-to-their-fate’ kitchen crew and the head chef himself, this is a novella which delights in throwing every one of its characters into the culinary equivalent of a warzone. And though these characters often slip into the style of caricatures, these quick snap-shot introductions go a long way to providing a clear picture of a world populated with an enormous cast of characters in a compact and driven narrative.
And into this world are thrust our two protagonists, Lena and Darren, whose lives are irrevocably changed when they come under the attention of the renowned gourmet, Bronko. Lena is a tough, self-assured ex-soldier who succeeds effortlessly but will always make certain that Darren is by her side. Darren meanwhile is a character who has hidden strengths, whose bravery may be smothered beneath an outer shell of cowardice but is nevertheless there. This duo are the anchor points in this strange new world, going hand-in-hand with the reader on a path of culinary enlightenment and around whom much of the action and chaos orbit.
The first novella in the Sin du Jour series provides a distinctive and refreshing outlook from an author who takes great pains to unceremoniously thrust the reader into unimpeded chaos. Constructed in succinct and direct prose, this self contained adventure succeeds in keeping the reader on the brink of the action in a world which is surprisingly familiar but retains an utterly unique (and slightly crazy) quality throughout. Wallace’s engaging style, undeniable wit and quirky narrative make this this strange foray into hell’s kitchen an effortlessly fun and disturbing joy to read.
-
If you’re craving a dash of the strange then Envy of Angels is the perfect dish – compact and amusing, this is a novella which takes the reader on an entertaining journey through Wallace’s wonderfully surreal mind. A short and wickedly sweet read, this is a story which all urban fantasy fans should try sinking their teeth into; but if you find yourself dining with a battalion of hellspawn, try not to think what it is you’re eating – the truth may be a little more than any human can stomach.
May 16, 2016
Fantasy lit's hottest spot is Sin Du Jour. Writer Matt Wallace has filled this perfect novella wall to wall with tautly paced mayhem and it has everything:
Paramilitary kitchen staff, a six foot praying mantis, a capital-A Angel, and a fresh hot batch of meatstery - you know, that thing where you're eating meat, but fairly certain it's not meat, but are afraid to know what it actually is so you just celebrate the mystery of it?
Wallace throws all of it in one ginormous blender, hits grind, and whips up the tastiest, funniest, most disturbingly appetizing concoction I've had the pleasure to chug since I first read Douglas Adams as a kid. I laughed, I winced, I laughed, I dry heaved, and then... Then I had some nuggets.
Paramilitary kitchen staff, a six foot praying mantis, a capital-A Angel, and a fresh hot batch of meatstery - you know, that thing where you're eating meat, but fairly certain it's not meat, but are afraid to know what it actually is so you just celebrate the mystery of it?
Wallace throws all of it in one ginormous blender, hits grind, and whips up the tastiest, funniest, most disturbingly appetizing concoction I've had the pleasure to chug since I first read Douglas Adams as a kid. I laughed, I winced, I laughed, I dry heaved, and then... Then I had some nuggets.
December 11, 2015
I don't like novellas, not that there aren't great ones, its a kdawg thing, I read fast and don't want something thats gonna last me a day.
(yeah, I'm weird)
that being said, have you ever wondered if the sandman slim series got shelved wrong in the bookstore and ended up next to Kitchen Confidential? yeah..me either. But it happens in one night of sweet book type loving, Envy of Angels was born.
yup super over simplification of my thoughts, this series is start of something great, go get it if you like to laugh and read a cracking story.
14 pancakes out of a stack of 5
(yeah, I'm weird)
that being said, have you ever wondered if the sandman slim series got shelved wrong in the bookstore and ended up next to Kitchen Confidential? yeah..me either. But it happens in one night of sweet book type loving, Envy of Angels was born.
yup super over simplification of my thoughts, this series is start of something great, go get it if you like to laugh and read a cracking story.
14 pancakes out of a stack of 5
July 21, 2015
You've heard of Molecular Gastronomy? Well, the Sin du Jour series is Molecular Narratology. With Envy of Angels, Matt Wallace serves up a deconstructed urban fantasy - all of the familiar ingredients are there but delivered in a fresh way.
You get your demons and angels and monsters and supernatural hunters, but this time, it's served up in the form of a procedural culinary drama, accentuated by a spicy sauce of inventive dark humor.
You get your demons and angels and monsters and supernatural hunters, but this time, it's served up in the form of a procedural culinary drama, accentuated by a spicy sauce of inventive dark humor.
February 8, 2017
Dave closes the book and starts stroking his chin.
"This book is not nearly as funny as it thinks it is," he says.
He furrows his brow for a moment and then stares out into the middle distance.
"Also," he says, "It's a little hard to read an entire novel written in third person present tense."
He puts the book on his discard pile and vows never to speak of it again.
"This book is not nearly as funny as it thinks it is," he says.
He furrows his brow for a moment and then stares out into the middle distance.
"Also," he says, "It's a little hard to read an entire novel written in third person present tense."
He puts the book on his discard pile and vows never to speak of it again.
January 29, 2022
A very silly, short urban fantasy book based around a magical catering company. It was entertaining. I've heard the series gets better as you go along, and since they are all so short, I'll probably read the next one or two.
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