The Temps | Andrew DeYoung

About The Temps by Andrew DeYoung

Step inside a hilariously dark, paradigm-shifting vision of the corporate apocalypse with The Temps. Written with sharp wit and gripping tension by Andrew DeYoung, this phenomenal sci-fi satire was named a Best SFF Book of the Year by Book Riot. It delivers a surprising, profound tribute to the absurdities and paranoia of modern capitalism, tracking a group of underpaid millennial contract workers fighting to survive the end of the world while trapped inside a massive suburban office complex.

Plot Summary & Key Themes

Jacob Elliot didn't exactly dream of a temporary job sorting mail at the sprawling headquarters of Delphi Enterprises. However, after surviving two post-college years of exploitative unpaid internships and living in his parents' basement, he desperately needs the paycheck. Then, on his very first day on the clock, the unthinkable happens: a mysterious, lethal toxic gas suddenly descends upon an outdoor company assembly, instantly wiping out all the salaried, full-time regular employees and leaving the low-tier temporary staff stranded alone inside the vast corporate compound.

Wandering through the wreckage of the company that marginalized them, Jacob connects with a vibrant cast of fellow contract survivors: Lauren, a disillusioned classics major who translates her degree into writing brainless online personality quizzes; Swati, a resilient fitness instructor trying to outrun a toxic relationship; and Dominic, an ambitious business school student who will do absolutely anything to climb the remnants of the corporate ladder. Together, the group constructs a miniature, self-made society that is part hedonistic spring break and part satirical office culture. Yet, their temporary paradise is violently shattered when a shocking discovery forces them to uncover the dark truth behind their mysterious employer and the catastrophic event that brought their world to an end.

Book Details & Specifications

• Title: The Temps
• Author: Andrew DeYoung
• ISBN-13: 9781684427604
• Format: Hardcover / Paperback (Keylight Books / Turner Publishing)
• Genre: Dystopian Science Fiction / Satirical Fiction / Corporate SFF Thrillers
• Themes: Millennial Grind Culture, Corporate Absurdity, Apocalyptic Survival, Human Connection

Why Read This Book?

• A Sharp, Relatable Millennial Satire: Perfect for readers who loved the workplace paranoia of Severance and the dark comedic survival mechanics of Station Eleven.
• Critically Acclaimed Sci-Fi: Explicitly celebrated by Book Riot as one of the best SFF releases of the year for its unique ability to weave sharp economic critique into a fast-paced thriller structure.
• Brilliant Character Dynamics: Features a beautifully flawed, fiercely relatable ensemble cast that explores what it truly means to build authentic human community in a highly transactional digital age.