What do you think?
Rate this book
Temporal Boom
THIRTY YEARS AGO, THE WORLD ENDED.
NOT EVERYONE, HOWEVER, GOT THE MEMO...
The nation formerly known as Australia struggles on, its barren red lands stalked by eleven beings of strange and anomalous power, known as the Portents.
Their very existence defies all science. A trail of brutal and inexplicable deaths follows those who encounter them.
Quinn Kelly got too close to a Portent once and survived, although the run-in has left her permanently altered.
When Quinn begins to display an affinity for time, there are many who would stop at nothing to use her for their own ends.
Quinn, however, would much rather use her preternatural powers to start a punk band - and there is no man, woman, nor overzealous cyborg detective on Earth who can stop her!
"A fantastic romp of sci-fi comedy that delights in its fresh voice and riveting plot..." Allan, Readalot reviewer
NOT EVERYONE, HOWEVER, GOT THE MEMO...
The nation formerly known as Australia struggles on, its barren red lands stalked by eleven beings of strange and anomalous power, known as the Portents.
Their very existence defies all science. A trail of brutal and inexplicable deaths follows those who encounter them.
Quinn Kelly got too close to a Portent once and survived, although the run-in has left her permanently altered.
When Quinn begins to display an affinity for time, there are many who would stop at nothing to use her for their own ends.
Quinn, however, would much rather use her preternatural powers to start a punk band - and there is no man, woman, nor overzealous cyborg detective on Earth who can stop her!
"A fantastic romp of sci-fi comedy that delights in its fresh voice and riveting plot..." Allan, Readalot reviewer
614 pages, Paperback
Published February 29, 2024
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 21, 2025
What an absolute joy to read! Voss has written a delightful cast of characters in a complex but exciting narrative! You will be left guessing to the very end on how Mildura vanished, but most importantly, you will be hoping against hope that all the characters scrape through and make it out in one piece.
You would expect that with such dark topics like the world ending and reality distorting powers inducing suffering that the book would have moments that are difficult to stomach at times but Voss has such a way with words and humour that even the most harrowing of moments are light.
I don't typically read books with a lot of swear words, but the story was so compelling, and the characters so enjoyable, that I couldn't stop turning the pages! Thanks for an awesome book and I look forward to more by this author.
You would expect that with such dark topics like the world ending and reality distorting powers inducing suffering that the book would have moments that are difficult to stomach at times but Voss has such a way with words and humour that even the most harrowing of moments are light.
I don't typically read books with a lot of swear words, but the story was so compelling, and the characters so enjoyable, that I couldn't stop turning the pages! Thanks for an awesome book and I look forward to more by this author.
August 27, 2025
What an absolute hoot of a book! If you like science fiction and enjoy music this is the book for you. It’s so clever. Set in a post apocalyptic Australia- the only country left after the world ends. We follow two story lines - one a prototype robot cop and his minder investigating the disappearance of Mildura and the other a group of music sellers (music is banned). The world has ‘portents’ that are apparently attracted by noise that are ‘unreality’ and cause damage and strange powers for some people impacted. It’s complicated and fun with so many reference points to our current world including the big koala!!
April 9, 2024
Prime Priority: Determine the existential status of Mildura.
Secondary Priorities: empty
A newly woken cybernetic prototype called the Detective clearly has their work cut out for them. In a disturbingly literal sense, it turns out.
This story is set in a future Australian dystopia, where residents live in fear of unnatural - in fact unreal - catastrophic events. The Portents that cause these seem to be drawn by sound, so shouting, or even talking outside of a soundproofed structure is strictly prohibited - let alone singing or playing music. But can music ever really be successfully banned?
Does the disappearance of the town of Mildura have anything to do with the recent increase in black market music availability?
Follow the two timelines to find out.
One story follows the co-habitants of a sometimes-pink RV as they swindle their way to their next meal.
The other follows the Detective and their appointed watchdog supervisor, Bill, as they try to figure out what happened to an entire town and its population that appear to have disappeared in the blink of an eye.
This story is quirky, inventive, fast-paced and constantly surprising. Just when you start to figure things out, you realise you must be way off the mark.
Temporal Boom is exactly the book you need when you can’t figure out what sort of book you feel like reading. It’s a fun ride, it’s clever, it will keep you guessing and you will fly through it faster than a time-smith (or a punk rock-star with a Portent on her tail, which is pretty much the same thing).
Looking forward to seeing what this amazing debut author has in store for us next!
Secondary Priorities: empty
A newly woken cybernetic prototype called the Detective clearly has their work cut out for them. In a disturbingly literal sense, it turns out.
This story is set in a future Australian dystopia, where residents live in fear of unnatural - in fact unreal - catastrophic events. The Portents that cause these seem to be drawn by sound, so shouting, or even talking outside of a soundproofed structure is strictly prohibited - let alone singing or playing music. But can music ever really be successfully banned?
Does the disappearance of the town of Mildura have anything to do with the recent increase in black market music availability?
Follow the two timelines to find out.
One story follows the co-habitants of a sometimes-pink RV as they swindle their way to their next meal.
The other follows the Detective and their appointed watchdog supervisor, Bill, as they try to figure out what happened to an entire town and its population that appear to have disappeared in the blink of an eye.
This story is quirky, inventive, fast-paced and constantly surprising. Just when you start to figure things out, you realise you must be way off the mark.
Temporal Boom is exactly the book you need when you can’t figure out what sort of book you feel like reading. It’s a fun ride, it’s clever, it will keep you guessing and you will fly through it faster than a time-smith (or a punk rock-star with a Portent on her tail, which is pretty much the same thing).
Looking forward to seeing what this amazing debut author has in store for us next!
October 5, 2025
What a fabulous story! So refreshingly original, imaginative and funny. Loved the characters, setting and humour.
April 6, 2026
THE BEST BOOK I'VE READ ALL YEAR! This has perhaps the best opening chapter in history; a Detective investigating the disappearance of Mildura. Not a disappearance 'in' Mildura. The disappearance OF Mildura. Because the entire town of Mildura has, apparently, ceased to exist. And things only get better from there, as we follow the Detective in the present - and Quinn in the past - as each converge on the mystery of Mildura's disappearance. This is a mystery told backwards, and Voss pulls it off flawlessly; we know what happened, but we don't know why, or how, or by whom. Learning the answers to these questions occupies nearly the entire 650-page beast of a book, and deserves to - because it all passes in a flash, and (no spoilers) the answers to those questions, and everything else we learn, everyone we meet, and every place we visit along the way is well worth the trip. The tension and suspense of this mystery is nothing short of fantastic, as our foreknowledge from the present timeline creates a bomb-under-the-table tension for the past.
I adored the Detective from page one - being the target audience for nonbinary cyborg secunits I MEAN SIN-SEEKERS with autistm, this was a done deal, but I adore this iteration all the same. . I was slower to warm to the human characters, but each of them had made their way into my heart by the end, and I was impressed at how side characters ended up feeling oddly human, from Justin Waratah and his or Dingo's . And all of their names are awesome - Quinn Kelly in particular, but shoutout to William Wattle, and also Spencer and LaTrobe (I see what you did there...)
This world is also absolutely delicious; the world concept of Neon Genesis Evangelion dovetails flawlessly with the SCP Foundation and lands in post-apocalyptic Australia, where music is illegal, Sydney is a nuclear wasteland of Opera Houses, and eleven deadly SCPs roam the nation, leaving destruction and also superpowers in their wake. It's a fantastic concept, and Voss explores it here in loving depth, fully realising both the horror-tragedy of the apocalypse and the absurdity of the business-as-UNusual aftermath. I adore seeing Australia like this, and although the relic gimmick sometimes crosses into the silly, this feels like the kind of science fiction I was born to read. I'm also so thrilled to finally see the NGE concept get the exploration it deserves - no psychoanalysis copouts here! For specifics, .
And above all, beneath all of the character and worldbuilding excellence, this is a story about changing the world - about hope, and protest, and fighting for a better future even when it seems impossible. Amid the very real apocalypse of climate change, living in Australia inexorably spiralling into a destruction of its own making, this kind of story is deeply relevant and more important than ever. Watching Quinn spread her wings at last brought tears to my eyes, and although I had been expecting , I was too pleased by to be disappointed. I would love to read another story in this universe - but this ending is conclusive enough to stand on its own.
The sheer style of this book is breathtaking - Voss takes us on a very wild ride, but their confidence at the wheel is self-evident, and I could only sit back and enjoy a real adventure. Voss had an absolute blast writing this book, and you can tell. The humour, the Australianisms, the odd but excellent blend of cosmic horror and absurdity - simply outstanding. No wonder this won an Aurealis award!
The best book I've read all year, and easily one of my favourites of all time.
I adored the Detective from page one - being the target audience for nonbinary cyborg secunits I MEAN SIN-SEEKERS with autistm, this was a done deal, but I adore this iteration all the same. . I was slower to warm to the human characters, but each of them had made their way into my heart by the end, and I was impressed at how side characters ended up feeling oddly human, from Justin Waratah and his or Dingo's . And all of their names are awesome - Quinn Kelly in particular, but shoutout to William Wattle, and also Spencer and LaTrobe (I see what you did there...)
This world is also absolutely delicious; the world concept of Neon Genesis Evangelion dovetails flawlessly with the SCP Foundation and lands in post-apocalyptic Australia, where music is illegal, Sydney is a nuclear wasteland of Opera Houses, and eleven deadly SCPs roam the nation, leaving destruction and also superpowers in their wake. It's a fantastic concept, and Voss explores it here in loving depth, fully realising both the horror-tragedy of the apocalypse and the absurdity of the business-as-UNusual aftermath. I adore seeing Australia like this, and although the relic gimmick sometimes crosses into the silly, this feels like the kind of science fiction I was born to read. I'm also so thrilled to finally see the NGE concept get the exploration it deserves - no psychoanalysis copouts here! For specifics, .
And above all, beneath all of the character and worldbuilding excellence, this is a story about changing the world - about hope, and protest, and fighting for a better future even when it seems impossible. Amid the very real apocalypse of climate change, living in Australia inexorably spiralling into a destruction of its own making, this kind of story is deeply relevant and more important than ever. Watching Quinn spread her wings at last brought tears to my eyes, and although I had been expecting , I was too pleased by to be disappointed. I would love to read another story in this universe - but this ending is conclusive enough to stand on its own.
The sheer style of this book is breathtaking - Voss takes us on a very wild ride, but their confidence at the wheel is self-evident, and I could only sit back and enjoy a real adventure. Voss had an absolute blast writing this book, and you can tell. The humour, the Australianisms, the odd but excellent blend of cosmic horror and absurdity - simply outstanding. No wonder this won an Aurealis award!
The best book I've read all year, and easily one of my favourites of all time.
July 9, 2025
This was unexpectedly fun. As I continue my occasional dalliance with indie authors I am forced, more often than not, to throw the book away in disgust at the poor writing and uninteresting characters. This has neither.
We follow a cyborg detective and a young girl called Quinn in parallel narratives. Both provide interesting insights and intermittent chuckles while driving the plot along at a decent enough clip. The final mystery - of how an entire town vanished - is well handled and I particularly enjoyed the revelation at the end.
There's something about the world ending and these strange beings called Portents that now wander the planet, or possibly just Australia. They are drawn by sound, so much like the Quiet Place movies, speaking or making noise outside is forbidden, etc. This may seem all too commonplace these days, but Voss delves into the wake of these events and creatures to create a truly fascinating world with some very strange scenes, mostly revolving around time travel, as the title might suggest.
The trap with many authors trying to be too original is they spend too long describing their creations, showing them off as it were, and not enough time on the plot and characters. Voss, again, manages to avoid both of those pitfalls and takes us on a strange trip through the Australian landscape and the town of Mildura. I've been to Australia a couple of times, but never Mildura. If I ever go back, it's definitely on my list.
But this is also a story about music and the irrepressible nature of those who create it. I think that is where the novel is at its strongest. While the mystery element is interesting, and the resolution satisfying, it's that desire for expression that need to release that speaks most to me in the story.
I shall have to put Voss on my list of indie authors to explore along with D. Harrigon and J.E. Hannaford.
We follow a cyborg detective and a young girl called Quinn in parallel narratives. Both provide interesting insights and intermittent chuckles while driving the plot along at a decent enough clip. The final mystery - of how an entire town vanished - is well handled and I particularly enjoyed the revelation at the end.
There's something about the world ending and these strange beings called Portents that now wander the planet, or possibly just Australia. They are drawn by sound, so much like the Quiet Place movies, speaking or making noise outside is forbidden, etc. This may seem all too commonplace these days, but Voss delves into the wake of these events and creatures to create a truly fascinating world with some very strange scenes, mostly revolving around time travel, as the title might suggest.
The trap with many authors trying to be too original is they spend too long describing their creations, showing them off as it were, and not enough time on the plot and characters. Voss, again, manages to avoid both of those pitfalls and takes us on a strange trip through the Australian landscape and the town of Mildura. I've been to Australia a couple of times, but never Mildura. If I ever go back, it's definitely on my list.
But this is also a story about music and the irrepressible nature of those who create it. I think that is where the novel is at its strongest. While the mystery element is interesting, and the resolution satisfying, it's that desire for expression that need to release that speaks most to me in the story.
I shall have to put Voss on my list of indie authors to explore along with D. Harrigon and J.E. Hannaford.
March 13, 2026
This is the most unique original story I've ever read!! People say there are no original ideas anymore, and I'd usually agree, until I read this one.
It's weird, but also strangely makes sense. And is an absolute ride!!
Firstly, the Australian town of Mildura has completely disappeared. Like all the buildings, people, everything, is gone!
There's a girl who can reverse time if she's listening to music, but only by the length of the song. Unless the song has multiple layers, like multiple instruments and singers, which will allow her to reverse time for longer than the length of the song.
There's also other people with other magical abilities.
And then there are these weird things called Portents that are completely warped (you need to read it for them to make any sense) and screw up the reality around them (plus occasionally blow things up).
All this in a dystopian Australian setting.
It's absolutely wild and brilliant!!
If you're sick of the same old stories regurgitated, then this is the book you're looking for.
It's weird, but also strangely makes sense. And is an absolute ride!!
Firstly, the Australian town of Mildura has completely disappeared. Like all the buildings, people, everything, is gone!
There's a girl who can reverse time if she's listening to music, but only by the length of the song. Unless the song has multiple layers, like multiple instruments and singers, which will allow her to reverse time for longer than the length of the song.
There's also other people with other magical abilities.
And then there are these weird things called Portents that are completely warped (you need to read it for them to make any sense) and screw up the reality around them (plus occasionally blow things up).
All this in a dystopian Australian setting.
It's absolutely wild and brilliant!!
If you're sick of the same old stories regurgitated, then this is the book you're looking for.
May 1, 2025
What a ride this book was! Dual pov between a cyborg detective trying to discover how the city of Mildura just disappeared and a teenage time traveler who must have something to do with it, this book is one of the most unique books (of such high quality) that I've read in years. The world is filled with unreality events which lead to amazing scenes such as megafauna roaming an underground city and dealing with being fed to the sharks... over the top you wonder? Hell no. JM Voss weaves these amazing scenes in so skillfully you know that they simply just had to happen. I am an absolute fan and fingers crossed for the Aurealis prize.
November 25, 2025
Absolutely loved this book, couldn't put it down.
I read a lot of sci fi and lived how original this was. The world building is rich, at the right level of detail and very well done, I liked the character progression and the Australian humour.
At times it reminded me a bit of the Murderbot it series and of Terry Pratchett's Disc World (specifically The Last Continent).
It feels like a second book could definitely be written after this one, I'd absolutely buy that one too!
I read a lot of sci fi and lived how original this was. The world building is rich, at the right level of detail and very well done, I liked the character progression and the Australian humour.
At times it reminded me a bit of the Murderbot it series and of Terry Pratchett's Disc World (specifically The Last Continent).
It feels like a second book could definitely be written after this one, I'd absolutely buy that one too!
April 30, 2024
“Prime Priority: Determine the existential status of Mildura.
Secondary Priorities: ”
A newly woken cybernetic prototype called the Detective clearly has their work cut out for them. In a disturbingly literal sense, it turns out.
This story is set in a future Australian dystopia, where residents live in fear of unnatural - in fact unreal - catastrophic events. The Portents that cause these seem to be drawn by sound, so shouting, or even talking outside of a soundproofed structure is strictly prohibited - let alone singing or playing music. But can music ever really be successfully banned?
Does the disappearance of the town of Mildura have anything to do with the recent increase in black market music availability?
Follow the two timelines to find out.
One story follows the co-habitants of a sometimes-pink RV as they swindle their way to their next meal.
The other follows the Detective and their appointed watchdog supervisor, Bill, as they try to figure out what happened to an entire town and its population that appear to have disappeared in the blink of an eye.
This story is quirky, inventive, fast-paced and constantly surprising. Just when you start to figure things out, you realise you must be way off the mark.
Temporal Boom is exactly the book you need when you can’t figure out what sort of book you feel like reading. It’s a fun ride, it’s clever, it will keep you guessing and you will fly through it faster than a time-smith (or a punk rock-star with a Portent on her tail, which is pretty much the same thing).
Looking forward to seeing what this amazing debut author has in store for us next!
Secondary Priorities: ”
A newly woken cybernetic prototype called the Detective clearly has their work cut out for them. In a disturbingly literal sense, it turns out.
This story is set in a future Australian dystopia, where residents live in fear of unnatural - in fact unreal - catastrophic events. The Portents that cause these seem to be drawn by sound, so shouting, or even talking outside of a soundproofed structure is strictly prohibited - let alone singing or playing music. But can music ever really be successfully banned?
Does the disappearance of the town of Mildura have anything to do with the recent increase in black market music availability?
Follow the two timelines to find out.
One story follows the co-habitants of a sometimes-pink RV as they swindle their way to their next meal.
The other follows the Detective and their appointed watchdog supervisor, Bill, as they try to figure out what happened to an entire town and its population that appear to have disappeared in the blink of an eye.
This story is quirky, inventive, fast-paced and constantly surprising. Just when you start to figure things out, you realise you must be way off the mark.
Temporal Boom is exactly the book you need when you can’t figure out what sort of book you feel like reading. It’s a fun ride, it’s clever, it will keep you guessing and you will fly through it faster than a time-smith (or a punk rock-star with a Portent on her tail, which is pretty much the same thing).
Looking forward to seeing what this amazing debut author has in store for us next!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews