Mark Crocker reviewed Redshirts by John Scalzi
Review of RedShirts from memory
5 stars
Layers and layers of (mostly) fun and thought provoking reading.
Most importantly: DRM-Free
Audiobook
English language
Published June 5, 2012 by Audible Studios.
Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. It’s a prestige posting, and Andrew is thrilled all the more to be assigned to the ship’s Xenobiology laboratory. Life couldn’t be better…until Andrew begins to pick up on the facts 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) at least one low-ranked crew member is, sadly, always killed.
Not surprisingly, a great deal of energy below decks is expended on avoiding, at all costs, being assigned to an Away Mission. 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.
Layers and layers of (mostly) fun and thought provoking reading.
Most importantly: DRM-Free
A quick read, I enjoyed the humor and the discovery of the narrative qualities of this universe. The three codas were also well done. In between the two was the actual ending of the story, which was lacking somehow. Can't quite put my finger on it.
When available through the library, I'll re-read this as an audio book, read by the incomparable Wil Wheaton.
Addendum: Read while traveling in January 2015. Wil Wheaton rocks this reading. Think I was digging too far for a deep ending; was satisfied with the ending on the re-read.