John Scalzi: Redshirts (Paperback, 2013, Tor Books)
Softcover, 317 pages
Published Jan. 14, 2013 by Tor Books.
THEY WERE EXPENDABLE . . . UNTIL THEY STARTED COMPARING NOTES
Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Union since the year 2456. It's a prestige posting, with the chance to serve on "Away Missions" alongside the starship's famous senior officers.
Life couldn't be better . . . until Andrew begins to realize that (1) every Away Mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces; (2) the ship's captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these confrontations; and (3) sadly, at least one low-ranking crew member is invariably killed.
Unsurprisingly, the crew belowdecks avoid Away Missions at all costs. Then Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his and his colleagues' understanding of what the starship Intrepid really is . . . and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their …
THEY WERE EXPENDABLE . . . UNTIL THEY STARTED COMPARING NOTES
Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Union since the year 2456. It's a prestige posting, with the chance to serve on "Away Missions" alongside the starship's famous senior officers.
Life couldn't be better . . . until Andrew begins to realize that (1) every Away Mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces; (2) the ship's captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these confrontations; and (3) sadly, at least one low-ranking crew member is invariably killed.
Unsurprisingly, the crew belowdecks avoid Away Missions at all costs. Then Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his and his colleagues' understanding of what the starship Intrepid really is . . . and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their own lives.
Redshifts was funny, goofy, satirical. Definitely a fun read. I went in blind without a synopsis and I'd recommend the same for you.
If you're a fan of lower decks or the Orville you'll probably like it. Or truly hate it. But at 300 pages it is worth the risk.
Layers and layers of (mostly) fun and thought provoking reading.
Most importantly: DRM-Free
More like 3.5 stars for me.
Redshirts starts fairly strong, detailing the story of a bunch of new Ensigns on the starship Intrepid. It doesn't take long for them to notice that something is off on this ship, because Ensigns have an incredibly high fatality rate on Away Missions. They start to investigate and find out how this comes about, which in turn turns this book into probably the most meta book I have ever read. In fact, it turns so meta that everything after the explanation falls a bit flat for me.
However, the book is saved by the three codas at the end of the book, which are less satire and more serious. The last coda in particular was very touching.
The writing was enjoyable, and so I will have to check out more of Mr. Scalzi's work.
This book was hilarious and fun to read. Scalzi is a genius storyteller.
I'm beginning to dislike the star-rating system, though. I would give this 3.5. Why no higher?
Halfway through the book I felt betrayed. I was expecting one thing and Scalzi turns the book around and gives me something else.
Is it still good? Absolutely, but I thought it would be better given the great start and thus felt completely underwhelmed.
It's like when you are reading a mystery and the author reveals the first possible solution. You expect him to reveal a few more and then completely surprise you with a new solution that is nonetheless perfectly consistent with the story and ultimately more satisfying. This is not that type of book: you get the first solution, and that's it. That's the answer. Just have to wrap up the story now.
Fortunately, the humor and characters manage …
This book was hilarious and fun to read. Scalzi is a genius storyteller.
I'm beginning to dislike the star-rating system, though. I would give this 3.5. Why no higher?
Halfway through the book I felt betrayed. I was expecting one thing and Scalzi turns the book around and gives me something else.
Is it still good? Absolutely, but I thought it would be better given the great start and thus felt completely underwhelmed.
It's like when you are reading a mystery and the author reveals the first possible solution. You expect him to reveal a few more and then completely surprise you with a new solution that is nonetheless perfectly consistent with the story and ultimately more satisfying. This is not that type of book: you get the first solution, and that's it. That's the answer. Just have to wrap up the story now.
Fortunately, the humor and characters manage to make it enjoyable throughout.
A more detailed review is up on my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2012/06/book-review-redshirts-by-john-scalzi.html
