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.

Wonderfully Expanding Upon the Idea, “Never Go On A Mission With Kirk While Wearing a Red Shirt”

I read about four books a week and this is the first occasion in a very long time that I felt the need to review what I just read. The other reviews of John Scalzi’s Hugo Award-winning novel “Redshirts” that I’ve read on Amazon use some of the same buzzwords: meta, fast-paced, satirical, silly, enjoyable, fun, light. I’d certainly use the same words in my review (I already have), but the parts in Redshirts that resonated with me all had HEART in common. I could certainly see this book TV series sometime in the future, using the three codas as an extended series finale. I’m sure if you’ve read all of these reviews, you’re now pretty much informed about what this book is and how it’s split up. If you’ve spoiled yourself, that’s a shame. I went into this book with the bare idea in mind - that all the ensigns on the Intrepid keep dying (much like on Star Trek), and that was it. Not knowing what to expect certainly kept my interest and unlike some of the more critical reviewers of this book, I thought the Hugo was well earned. Think Galaxy Quest but with more on the line and a bit headier. I thought the three codas were a nice touch - Codas 2 & 3, I thought, were sweet. This is my introduction to Scalzi, and I guarantee I will be reading more of his work. Bravo, Mr Scalzi.

Fun and funny book

this is a fun and funny listen. Will Wheaton makes the characters easy to imagine

fun story, narration and writing could be better.

Like many reviewers said, too much use of "he said". It's most obvious during the early parts after the prologue, when there are a lot of conversations and character introductions.
Will Wheaton has a pleasant voice and is good at reading, but does no voices here so it's hard to tell the characters apart.
Overall though, I'm still glad I got it, I enjoyed my time with this book. Can recommend, but it has flaws.

If you've ever watched star trek....

Loved it!! Will Wheaton's performance was perfect! I've always wanted to read this and listening to it on my road trip was the perfect moment for this audio version. Highly recommend!

I’ve never finished an audiobook and then just restarted it again right away

I found this book delightful and hilarious.

This book was recommended to me by a Star Trek fan although I am only somewhat familiar with the show.

I still enjoyed myself very much. I have a feeling that this book will be even more engaging and hilarious to someone who is a true fan.

Red Shirts takes a self-conscious look at the Star Trek enterprise through the eyes of a low level, “red shirt“ and his crew of misfit friends.

The the characters find themselves hilariously mystified by the classic tropes and logical fallacies that came to characterize the much-beloved show.

I can’t say too much more because I don’t want to spoil any of the jokes. But I can promise you that even if you are only peripherally aware of the Star Trek franchise you will probably still really enjoy this book.

Will Wheaton added so much to the listening experience because he really captures the humor and the emotional tone of the story. My one small criticism would be that the character voices were not very distinct. This helps me quite a bit when I’m listening to a book and it’s not something that I realized I appreciate it until I didn’t have it.

However, it obviously did not significantly detract from my enjoyment of the book because, as previously stated, I finished the book and started it right over again.

Also, Will Wheaton’s narration lends so much to the humor of the book that I would still strongly prefer to listen to this book as a opposed to reading it.

Great for any star trek fan

I loved the story, including the codas towards the end. Other reviews have described it as the story ending early and the codas as something new. I disagree. It is a continuation of the story from different perspectives and I love the layers and flavor they added. The narration by Wil Wheaton was a special treat.

Absolutely Brilliant, Funny Trekkie Humor.

A great satirical play on Star Trek TOS. That alone would have made an entertaining book. But John Scalzi had to add depth to his satire. He brought life to even the "Extras" or "Red Shirts" in his own story with the three codas.

I laughed at the story. But became emotionally invested in the Codas. Brilliantly done.

Blah

Good storyline and performance but I didn't like the follow on short stories , it seemed to drag.

Boring

Could have been much better. Should have been much shorter. I was waiting for it to end for most of the book. And this is coming from a trek fan

Every science fiction fan needs this

A wonderful story and the narration perfect. Wholly recommend to any fan of science fiction.