ab_bee 's review for:

Redshirts by John Scalzi

5.0

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Really cool book. Funny, meta, surprising, and with more heart and depth than I expected. 

I also never felt "lost" without being a Star Trek fan. This actually felt like a book for writers/creatives more than space show fans. 

• Twist at end got me - was not expecting the story within the story that got revealed with Jimmy. Really meta, but really interesting. 
  • Steve mentioned a reddit post on how Jimmy could be a fanfic writer. Cool concept 
• Codas had me tearing up - was surprised at how emotional they were, especially the second one with the son finding out about Hester's sacrifice to save him. And the first/second/third person structure was very artistic as well (again with this being a book for writers). 
  • first Coda was also really interesting 
  • second Coda's point on "living a life that matters" got me. Also the life is short, make the most of it vibe.
  • third Coda was a great end to the book, giving the wraith/writer his happy ending
    • I also really liked the conversation with her and her sister, and her sister's response to "what if" life branch conversations, that everyone has, of essentially "I'm happy, this is where I'm meant to be and who cares". 
• Fate / Free will - lots to think about here regarding fate and free will, what is reality, and what ultimately does it matter?