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.

Always a good read with John Scalzi!

Another great, fun story!! But... I could have gone without the post scripts... but... love your stories John!!! 👍👍

There are synonyms for “said” aren’t there?

The basic premise of the book is highly engaging . However, Scalzi’s insistence on using “said” for what seemed like 101% of the dialogue grated; exchanges between two characters came across as if written by a fourth grader.

I was also thinking I was getting a novel instead of three interwoven novellas. While it’s an intriguing writing exercise, I would have much preferred a single book that was the advertised length.

Hilarious introduction to Scalzi

red shirts was my introduction to John scalzi and I have highly recommended it's to friends. it's a great science fiction story based on a science fiction we almost all know. I laughed out loud numerous times and found myself welling up in the appendices.
stalzys riding may not be for everyone. There is a lot of he said, she said, but overall this has led me to seek out a number of other stories he's written and I have yet to be disappointed!

Great story, great performance

The story was captivating and thought-provoking. The three Codas at the end we're the best part; they brought tears to my eyes.

A mildly entertaining book

It definitely isn’t a thrilling book but it’s mildly entertaining until you reach part two where the POV switches to an author with writers block, that is the last hour and a half of the book and I didn’t finish it. The main story is fun and different. Worth listening too. It’s certainly not Scalzi’s best sci fi but it’s not as bad with the “he said, he said, she said, he said” as his other audiobooks, which is nice.

Overall a Good Read

It is difficult for an in-depth review to avoid spoiling at least something of this story. Unfortunately, I read such a review before deciding on this novel. Fortunately the story was good enough to overcome the spoilers. While I understand the intentions behind the "Codas" I did feel as though they were not as well written as the novel itself. I appreciated the resolution, just didn't feel the delivery was quite as quality.

Loved it!

If you liked the original Star Trek or even Galaxy Quest you have to listen to this. Absolutely Fantastic!

Really interesting story!

Ever since I listened to The Kaiju Preservation Society narrated by Wil Wheaton, I had to listen to all the books by this author that were narrated by him. Not to mention this was one that had been on my TBR as well. While there was some parts at the beginning that were kind of slow and I was a little unsure where they were going, in the end I enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it!

Give it a chance

I will admit that the reviews stating that the repetition of “x said” “y said” is annoying are true but if you can get past that it’s a good book.

Good story. Slow start. Great extra endings.

I enjoy Will Wheaton, but in this audio book I had trouble keeping track of characters because they were all read the same.

Also, I read the physical book several years ago, or would have returned this title. It suddenly reached a “gripping” point, and then I could not stop listening.

The endings, all four of them, were great! I did a lot of happy crying!