About the Series
Matt Wallace, an American author of fiction and screenwriter, brings his unique background as a former wrestler and combat instructor to the literary world with his captivating Sin du Jour Affair series. This urban fantasy saga combines the supernatural with the culinary scene of New York City, creating a recipe for thrilling adventures and mouthwatering mayhem.
The series introduces readers to Lena and Darren, two aspiring chefs who find themselves applying for positions at a catering company unlike any other. Little do they know that their potential employer, Sin du Jour, caters exclusively to a supernatural clientele, serving up delectable dishes to demons, goblins, and other otherworldly beings.
As Lena and Darren navigate their way through their first gig, they quickly realize that surviving in this extraordinary culinary world is no easy feat. The stakes are high, and the consequences of failure could be far more severe than a bad Yelp review. With each book in the series, Wallace masterfully blends horror, humor, and haute cuisine, creating a reading experience that is as unique as it is entertaining.
The first novel in the series, "Envy of Angels," sets the stage for the culinary chaos to come. New York City's dining scene takes on a whole new meaning when real demons are involved in the mix. Lena and Darren find themselves thrust into a world where impressing the top chef, Byron Luck, could mean the difference between landing their dream job and becoming the main course.
A Taste of the Supernatural Elite
Wallace's portrayal of New York's supernatural elite is as colorful and demanding as their human counterparts. These otherworldly patrons expect nothing but the best, their tastes as refined and extravagant as their lifestyles. From diamond-dripping demons to cash-flush creatures, the clientele of Sin du Jour represents the crème de la crème of the supernatural world.
The author's vivid descriptions bring to life the opulence and excess of these catered events. Readers can almost hear the clink of champagne flutes and feel the buzz of excitement as supernatural beings mingle, indulging in earthly delights that one might not expect them to crave. It's a world where the opening of an envelope is cause for celebration, and where even the most fearsome of demons can appreciate the finer points of human cuisine.
Wallace's imagination shines as he explores the unexpected gourmand tendencies of supernatural beings. The notion that demons and other mythical creatures might develop a taste for human food adds a layer of humor and relatability to these otherwise otherworldly characters. It's this blend of the familiar and the fantastic that makes the Sin du Jour Affair series so engaging.
A Culinary Adventure Like No Other
As the series progresses, readers are treated to increasingly outrageous and hilarious scenarios. The second book, "Lust Locked," ups the ante with a royal goblin wedding that goes hilariously awry. Lena and Darren, now offered full-time positions, must navigate not only the complexities of catering to supernatural royalty but also the chaos that ensues when magic and desire collide.
The wedding of the Goblin King and Queen's son to a human bride sets the stage for cultural clashes and magical mishaps. As giant lizards run amok and the carefully planned celebrations descend into madness, our protagonists must prove their worth and save the day if they hope to secure their positions at Sin du Jour.
Throughout the series, Wallace maintains a perfect balance of humor, horror, and heart. His characters are relatable and endearing, even as they face situations that are anything but ordinary. The friendship and professional partnership between Lena and Darren form the emotional core of the story, grounding the fantastical elements in genuine human experiences.
Critical Acclaim and Reader Reactions
The Sin du Jour Affair series has garnered praise from both readers and fellow authors alike. Chuck Wendig, the acclaimed author of "Blackbirds," describes the series as "restauranteur Thunderdome," praising Wallace's work as "funny and demented." Such high praise from established authors in the genre speaks to the unique voice and vision that Wallace brings to urban fantasy.
Award-winning author Mur Lafferty expresses both delight and envy at Wallace's creation, a sentiment that encapsulates the series' appeal to both readers and writers. The Sin du Jour Affair stands out in a crowded genre, offering a fresh take on supernatural fiction that combines culinary adventures with otherworldly perils.
As the series progressed to its conclusion with "Taste of Wrath" in 2018, readers were treated to a total of seven books filled with culinary creativity and supernatural shenanigans. Each installment built upon the last, expanding the world and deepening the relationships between characters, while never losing sight of the humor and heart that made the series so beloved.
Matt Wallace's Sin du Jour Affair is more than just a series of novels; it's a feast for the imagination. By combining the high-pressure world of professional catering with the unpredictable realm of the supernatural, Wallace has created a unique literary experience that satisfies cravings for both humor and horror. For readers looking for a story that's equal parts delicious and dangerous, the Sin du Jour Affair series is a must-read culinary adventure that will leave them hungry for more.