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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Different
This is not a book I would have normally pick up and read. My book club chose this book. I was hesitant at first but then I started reading it, I was surprised how much I wanted to keep reading it and not put it down. I kept trying to figure out what was going on in the book. It was a different concept then any I have read before. It was a great book and I love the last 3 Codas. It gave the book more perspective.
This is not a book I would have normally pick up and read. My book club chose this book. I was hesitant at first but then I started reading it, I was surprised how much I wanted to keep reading it and not put it down. I kept trying to figure out what was going on in the book. It was a different concept then any I have read before. It was a great book and I love the last 3 Codas. It gave the book more perspective.
From chapter one, I knew Redshirts was going to be a favorite. (and it only got better.) This book is a high-flying, meta, and often hilarious scifi epic, especially for aspiring writers or anyone who's ever binge-watched Star Trek (although I've recommended it to everyone I've spoken to since finishing the book). It really has it all; intergalactic adventuring. Top-notch gallows humor. Borgovian Land Worms. Scalzi's writing style is fast-paced and funny, and his characters dynamic and easy to get attached to. Redshirts took me by the collar and, for 320 pages, swung me from uncontrollable laughter to soul-crushing existentialism. 11/10, would read again.
So good I read it from start to finish in one sitting.
Seriously, I'm writing this just after finishing it and my legs hurt.
I have a weakness for fiction that descends into meta. The works of Fforde delight me, and Pratchett's Theory of Narrative Causality makes that Discworld spin so brightly for me.
Redshirts is another work that I cannot recommend highly enough for people who enjoy the same thing.
What I thought was going to be a tongue-in-cheek exploration of a sci-fi trope became exactly that and so much more. Confusing but brilliant in all the best ways, my first foray into Scalzi has ensured that it won't be my last.
If you like science fiction, take a few hours out of your day, and read this. You never know, it might help a different version of you somewhere along the line.
Seriously, I'm writing this just after finishing it and my legs hurt.
I have a weakness for fiction that descends into meta. The works of Fforde delight me, and Pratchett's Theory of Narrative Causality makes that Discworld spin so brightly for me.
Redshirts is another work that I cannot recommend highly enough for people who enjoy the same thing.
What I thought was going to be a tongue-in-cheek exploration of a sci-fi trope became exactly that and so much more. Confusing but brilliant in all the best ways, my first foray into Scalzi has ensured that it won't be my last.
If you like science fiction, take a few hours out of your day, and read this. You never know, it might help a different version of you somewhere along the line.
This was one of the most extraordinary stories that I have ever read. I loved the concept of Galaxy Quest, that the crew of a show suddenly get zapped into space and their show suddenly becomes a quasi-reality. This story has a very similar feel to Galaxy Quest, with the story line, and the way that the story pokes a lot of fun at things, but there is an underlining current of seriousness to the story as well.
So a bunch of new recruits are sent aboard the Universal Union Capital starship Intrepid. They very quickly learn that the death rate amongst the junior recruits is extremely high, especially on away missions. There is some other weird stuff that is going on as well that leads to several of the new recruits starting to investigate what is going on, why all the deaths, all the weird stuff with the crew, like why is it that Lieutenant Kerensky can be nearly killed every single away mission, but not only miraculously survives each time, but is fit for duty just a few days later?
This is one of those books that is both a brilliant read, just for the incredibly fun Sci-fi story that is running through this book, but it is made all the more sensational by this underlying mystery of what is actually happening to the crew.
To fully appreciate this book, you have to really be a fan, or have an understanding of Star Trek and what happens to non-cast members on away teams, especially in the Original series, although, with so many spin-offs now, (Galaxy Quest being a prime example), it is not a necessity.
This is a combination of things, a thrilling Sci-Fi, Action story with a pretty interesting mystery running through it, but it also has a fair amount of humour running through it to, there are times you will be laughing yourself silly.
Scalzi is a brilliant author, he has written some fantastic stories, and this is another excellent addition to his collection. If you have enjoyed Galaxy Quest, this is a must, or if you ever wondered what happened to the poor extra’s on the away missions on pretty much all of the Sci-Fi shows – then you will get a definite kick out of this.
So a bunch of new recruits are sent aboard the Universal Union Capital starship Intrepid. They very quickly learn that the death rate amongst the junior recruits is extremely high, especially on away missions. There is some other weird stuff that is going on as well that leads to several of the new recruits starting to investigate what is going on, why all the deaths, all the weird stuff with the crew, like why is it that Lieutenant Kerensky can be nearly killed every single away mission, but not only miraculously survives each time, but is fit for duty just a few days later?
This is one of those books that is both a brilliant read, just for the incredibly fun Sci-fi story that is running through this book, but it is made all the more sensational by this underlying mystery of what is actually happening to the crew.
To fully appreciate this book, you have to really be a fan, or have an understanding of Star Trek and what happens to non-cast members on away teams, especially in the Original series, although, with so many spin-offs now, (Galaxy Quest being a prime example), it is not a necessity.
This is a combination of things, a thrilling Sci-Fi, Action story with a pretty interesting mystery running through it, but it also has a fair amount of humour running through it to, there are times you will be laughing yourself silly.
Scalzi is a brilliant author, he has written some fantastic stories, and this is another excellent addition to his collection. If you have enjoyed Galaxy Quest, this is a must, or if you ever wondered what happened to the poor extra’s on the away missions on pretty much all of the Sci-Fi shows – then you will get a definite kick out of this.
Fun read. 3.5 stars, but I’m being sting and not saying 4. Not as funny as the pull quotes claim, but still fun. I really enjoyed the codas - I think they had some of the best storytelling of the book.
On a somewhat related note, the writers of Star Trek Discovery would do well to read this and ask themselves serious questions, because they are in solid Chronicles of Intrepid company.
On a somewhat related note, the writers of Star Trek Discovery would do well to read this and ask themselves serious questions, because they are in solid Chronicles of Intrepid company.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was delightfully good fun, whether you're a fan of classic sci-fi TV tropes or not. I enjoyed the premise very much and this was easy--near compulsive--to read.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated