Recommended Reading – Redshirts

Author: John Scalzi

Genre: Comic Science Fiction

What’s It About?

Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the 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, with the chance to serve on Away Missons alongside the starship’s famous senior officers.

Life couldn’t be better…until Andrew begins to pick up on the fact 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) sadly, at least one low-ranked crew member is invariably killed.

Unsurprisingly, the crew below decks avoid Away Missions at all costs. 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.

Why I Recommend It:

• It’s a Star Trek parody done well, and with love for the source material
• The core cast of characters are lovable Underdogs
• It’s genuinely hilarious, but also manages to be a well crafted high stakes story
• The best Sci-Fi Comedy since Galaxy Quest (and I adore that film)
• You’ll be sad that it’s over, because it’s so good you just want more immediately

Coffee Rating:

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