Redshirts

A Novel with Three Codas

By: John Scalzi

Narrated by: Wil Wheaton

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2012 John Scalzi (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Wheaton Can’t Miss

A really fun lesson based on an original and fun concept. What if the secret lives of red shirts were real and your favorite sci-fi show existed in its own universe that was based on the episodes of the show.

An imaginative tale from many angles!

Honestly, I wasn't sure I liked this book at the beginning, but loved it by the end!!! Very thought provoking. I am very glad I listened.

A must for every Trek fan

A delightful, fast-paced, unique story, read simply by Trek’s own Wil Wheaton. Beautifully done.

Fantastic

Does that nice thing Scalzi excels at which is blending hilarious dialogue with poignant story and situations. Plus, and trekkie will love the story. I did find the repetitive use of "he said" "she said" a little annoying, but that's such a minor negative, it should not turn you off the book.

everything I hoped it would be

Stranger Than Fiction meets Galaxy Quest. Wheaton narrating gives it exactly the credentials it needs to make it a home run. No other narrator would have worked.

Fun story. For me, Coda 3 was like finding an Easter Egg!

First off, I agree with the review “He said. She said. He Said.
She said. They said…”
So I suggest reading that review before this one. And then I would like to add I was entertained by both the story & the 3 Codas after the main story. But the last Coda, #3, zeroed in on my heartstrings and was by far the most memorable part of the story, or rather after story.

To Mr Scalzi, Wow! You gave that character (in Coda 3) such introspection! So much so that I felt as if I was peering into and out from a real persons thoughts, feelings and journey to Self Actualization. I felt I was able to work through the character’s thought process and conclusions to her Self. And in the last scene, after I felt some emotional exhaustion, you concluded the Coda with a spark of hope and potential for the chance of what was a originally supposed to be a fabricated & scripted Fairy Tale of an unblemished true love with a possibility and seed for that “Story Book” love to become a reality for a character who was almost in mourning for a love lost, not her own, but was one she respected and was able to empathized with, as if it were her own. You nailed it. Thank you.
And Wil, thank you for your performance. You always bring it.

Fun Story

I enjoyed the different perspective on a well know universe, lot of laughs and a much deeper emotional experience then expected.

so meta it got boring

Up front, I like many of Scalzi's books. He writes memorable characters and enjoyable stories. This one had so many awards, I really wanted to settle into another great story, but it didn't happen. The plot never meshed, characters lacked depth, and although I understood what he was doing, it just wasn't fun. Skipped most of the "codas" at the end. They added nothing to the story and the first one got so whiney so quickly, I moved on.

A surprisingly great listen!

I’ve read/listened to a few of John Scalzi’s books before and always enjoy them, so maybe I’m biased. But I got so much more than I was expecting from this one! I was expecting more of a “red shirts rebel against authority” and got something else entirely. I don’t want to spoil this for anyone, so I’ll just say I hope you have fun reading it too! And definitely listen to each of the Codas as well.

Great!

This was a lot of fun - so much so I was disappointed when it ended. I don't know that it could be extended well anyway, but I thoroughly enjoyed it as is. I think any fan of Star Trek will enjoy this story