Reviews

Redshirts by John Scalzi

julesrenae81's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

odin45mp's review against another edition

5.0

I don't remember the last time I stayed up 3 hours past my bedtime just to read... but I did to finish this novel. It's not a great novel, but it touched me in all the right places. Why do you read, if not to escape mundane reality for a handful of hours and enter another world?

If you love Star Trek, or television science fiction in general, then you owe it to yourself to read this novel. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll enjoy the ride even if it stays past its welcome. It also has a few things to say about the human condition, in the tradition of Star Trek.

christianrhea's review against another edition

funny reflective medium-paced

4.0

kittycat2302's review against another edition

4.0

Very fun & enjoyable

I am very glad I read this after unfinished all of Star Trek: The Original Series! It made everything much more meaningfully funny, and Scalzi did a great job capturing the feel of the Redshirts from that series- and the feel of the often ridiculous science! The plot here was overall quite good - it lost a star for me just because I really didn't understand the last conversation between Andy & Jimmy and the implications of it. The three codas were a particularly nice touch, providing some extra closure on the whole book. Definitely recommend!

zoeygrey's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

archangelesq's review against another edition

5.0

I absolutely loved this book. I've read some of the negative reviews, and while I see their merit, I just cannot agree. While I do not rate it as equal to other 5 star books I have read, I enjoyed it more than books to which I have given 4 stars. I knew nothing about this book when I picked it up in a used book store, and it did not disappoint. I am a sucker for meta-fiction, so this one had me. I've never read anything by Scalzi, but he will be added to the list.

I will agree that I got more emotion from the codas at the end, but I do not see that as a bad thing. I think this book is a fun way to look at what makes us human, and I love stories like that. It was fun sci-fi. It made me want to watch Star Trek and/or Galaxy Quest.

My goal this year is to mostly read books I have never read before. This will definitely be going on the list of books that I will have difficult to not re-read in the near future.

rochellegermano's review against another edition

3.0

I think this book had been too hyped up for me, so I was expecting something much deeper. Other reviewers have pointed out how much this book relies on dialogue, with the plot floundering in the background, and I agree.

I did still enjoy reading it and would probably recommend it to others, especially Star Trek and Star Gate fans.

feyley's review against another edition

5.0

First off, how you dare you just do that thing at the end with Andrew AND THEN NOT FOLLOW THROUGH WITH ANY INFORMATION. Second off, that was an amazing book and I don't even know how to put my thoughts into words right now. Bravo, Mr. Scalzi.

evbyrd's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

3.5

soben's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.25