Title: Redshirts

Author: John Scalzi

Publisher: Tor 2012

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 317

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

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 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) 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.

Oh such fun! Random fun fact: Scalzi was writing this book while working on Stargate: Universe. Love that show and really really enjoyed this book. Throughout most of the book, I found myself chuckling at the references and absurd situations. I loved following Dahl and his friends as they attempt to understand just what is wrong with the Intrepid. I could have told them, but you know, characters have to figure it out for themselves. My one issue was the book was the length. I thought it was a lot longer than it was, but the main story ended a bit abruptly. I would have liked a bit more of a conclusion to the story on the Intrepid. However we did get some interesting codas involving various other characters. I did enjoy those. Fun book for science fiction fans.

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