The Temps

In his adult fiction debut, DeYoung (The Exo Project) takes aim at both the dangers and absurdities of the modern technological landscape. Embittered by his failure to launch an exalted literary career, Jacob lands a temp job at the sprawling campus of megacorporation Delphi Enterprises. When a yellow mist descends on an outdoor rally for permanent staff, the resulting rage frenzy leaves thousands dead and 350 temps sealed inside the building to await their fate—or determine a new path forward. Just as they’re finding equilibrium, new details emerge to throw the cause of the disaster in question. Paul Heitsch narrates with the perfect slightly whiny tone for Jacob’s periodically mopey attitude without resorting to caricature. He also creates an expansive vocal landscape for the novel’s other point-of-view characters, including disillusioned classics major Lauren, frustrated business student Dominic, and emotionally wounded yoga instructor Swati. While built in the grand tradition of the straightforward zombie apocalypse, the story has plenty of twists, a good dose of humor, and plenty of sharp observations about how technology infiltrates our daily lives.