I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Idle Ingredients by Matt Wallace Series: Sin du Jour #4
Published by Tor.com on February 7 2017
Genres: Adult, Urban fantasy
Pages: 224
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: Not my favorite of the books so far, but still a very funny and imaginative installment in the Sin du Jour series.
At some point I thought maybe Matt Wallace’s series would start to feel “been there, done that,” but thankfully, he seems to have an unlimited supply of humorous fodder up his sleeves, with plenty more ideas brewing for the rest of the series. This is the fourth installment out of seven planned novellas (one for each of the seven deadly sins, in case you didn’t know), and while the first book (Envy of Angels) is still my favorite, there’s plenty to love about each one. Idle Ingredients is the first book of this series that felt like more of a transitional story, with a weaker plot that didn’t draw me in as much as the plots of the previous books. Nevertheless, it was still a fun read, mostly because of Wallace’s hysterically funny characters.
When the story begins, our characters are trying to recover from the horrific events at the end of Pride’s Spell. Lena has quit the Sin du Jour team, but Chef Luck has tracked her down and asked her to return to the line. They need her help, as Hell’s catering company has just been hired for a series of events revolving around the upcoming election of a shadow government called the Sceadu. But just as Lena is getting reacquainted with her old job, a beautiful woman named Luciana Monrovio appears in the kitchen and tells the crew she’s been hired by Allensworth, the owner of Sin du Jour. She’s the new “liaison” and her job is to oversee all of Sin du Jour’s events and keep an eye on the staff. The men are instantly smitten with Luciana and eagerly go along with her changes, but Lena and the other women on the staff are suspicious.
When Luciana relegates Lena to the pastry area (“I don’t bake!” Lena grumbles in response to this), takes over event planner Jett’s old job, and puts Boosha in a coma, Lena knows something is up. She also realizes the men won’t be any help this time around, so it’s the women to the rescue, to stop Luciana from whatever the hell she’s trying to do.
Once again, Wallace’s snarky humor and dialog is front and center. I particularly loved that the women of the story are the clear-headed ones (and you’ll understand the reason for that when you find out just who—or what—Luciana is). Wallace is great at subverting the “manly man” trope, and he gleefully pokes fun at the drooling males of Sin du Jour as they fall under Luciana’s spell.
Unlike the previous books, which were full of crazy, over-the-top action scenes, the political storyline in Idle Ingredients just didn’t have the same excitement (go figure). Wallace introduces us to some new creatures called elementals, but they weren’t really necessary to the story, even though they did add to the author’s very cool worldbuilding. The most interesting parts of the story took place behind the scenes, as Lena and her friends try to stop the evil Luciana from completing her task. Wallace also throws in some foreshadowing of things to come, and I can see how he’s building an overall arc that will ultimately tie the whole series together.
Overall, I had fun reading Idle Ingredients, but it felt sort of fractured to me. With very short scenes and chapters that cut back and forth among a huge cast of characters, the short length couldn’t quite do the story justice. I’m hoping for more of the old Matt Wallace magic the next time around, when Greedy Pigs hits the shelves in May.
Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.
Read my reviews: Envy of Angels | Lustlocked | Pride’s Spell
I loved this one and loved learning more about Boosha. She was my favorite part about this story. I just got an ARC of Greedy Pigs yesterday and it seems a little longer. However, once again it has a political element, which did seem to lose me on this one. However, I’m betting Wallace will have some comical insight into politics today woven within his pages.
Barb (boxermommyreads) recently posted…Weekly Reads (02/10/17)
I felt like there was a little too much going on in this one, with not enough time given to each character. I do love Boosha and I want a story that centers around her! I just got Greedy Pigs too and can’t wait!
Your review just reminded me that I need to start this series ASAP! From your comments I’ve always understood that I would have fun with these stories – even if this particular book doesn’t seem to have met your full appreciation. In a planned series of several books that’s almost bound to happen, and I hope the next one will work better for you 🙂
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…Short Story Review: INHUMAN GARBAGE, by Kristine Kathryn Rusch
I almost feel like this is the “middle child” of the series (which technically it is!). I’m looking forward to the next one for sure:-)
I’ve been intrigued by this series for a while but never actually knew what it was about. Novellas about each of the seven deadly sins…colour me intrigued! Snarky humour and great dialogue are just two more selling points.
Danya @ Fine Print recently posted…5 Reasons to Read: Island of Exiles by Erica Cameron
They are so good, and even though this wasn’t my favorite, the series overall is worth checking out.
One of these days I am going to give Envy of Angels a try
Lisa @TenaciousReader recently posted…Friday Firsts – Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
It’s my favorite!
I’ve never heard of this series before but novellas about the seven deadly sins sounds awesome. Thanks for sharing your review 🙂
They are really funny and well-written, Uma, if you’re ever in the mood for quick and funny stories:-)
Eep, this is out already, isn’t it? The next book is already on the horizon too, I better catch up! I should be starting this soon 🙂
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum recently posted…Mogsy’s Bookshelf Roundup: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads
I do love the sound of these – they all sounded quirky and fun but I don’t think I’d realised they were the seven sins – how intriguing! I might wait for them all to come out and then jump on board. Doesn’t sound like I’ll have to wait too long.
Lynn 😀
This sounds like a very interesting series, I’ll go check it out 🙂 sort of like urban fantasy, I guess?
Hi again, Tammy,
I just read the first book and I know I am hooked 🙂 tell me, is there any way to notify the publisher/author that I’d love to be on their list for any new ARCs or Matt’s if they’d consider me? I don’t know how I would go about contacting them 🙂 maybe you have advice?
AvalinahsBooks recently posted…Foxglove summer – #RiversOfLondon urban fantasy series #5
I’m a big fan of Matt’s twitter feed. This series is high on my TBR pile.
Matt Wallace does sound like an amusing author!
This series sounds fantastic! Humorous urban fantasy is probably my favorite style, although UF in general is pretty awesome 🙂 Excellent review, and I’ll certainly be on the lookout for this author and series.
I just love the idea of a supernatural catering company.