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1 Beaverton Science Fiction and Fantasy- A to Z

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Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas

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Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas Cover

ISBN13: 9780765316998
ISBN10: 0765316994
Condition: Standard
Dustjacket: Standard
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Staff Pick

I don't reread books often; I just don't have the time. But this is one book that will get reread annually, if not more often. While the bulk of Redshirts is a comedic romp that gleefully skewers the conventions of sci-fi television, the three codas at the end provide depth and poignancy to what has gone before.
Recommended by Billie Bloebaum, Powell's Books at PDX

If you're seeking formulaic and uninteresting fan fiction, then this is not the book for you. But if you're looking for adventure, romance, and death-by-ice sharks, then John Scalzi's your man. Ensign Andrew Dahl is assigned to the Intrepid, a laudable starship with a nasty reputation for death and chaos. Low-ranking officers are always, always the first to die on away missions. The bizarre and surprising truth behind all the flagellations and vaporizations defies time and reality, and Scalzi uses first-, second-, and third-person narration to stunning effect. It'll be on your Top 5 list, too. Pinky swear.
Recommended by Jordan G., Powells.com

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. Its a prestige posting, with the chance to serve on "Away Missions" alongside the starships famous senior officers.

Life couldnt be better… until Andrew begins to realize that 1) every Away Mission involves a lethal confrontation with alien forces, 2) the ships senior officers always survive these confrontations, and 3) sadly, at least one low-ranking crew member is invariably killed. Unsurprisingly, the savvier crew members belowdecks avoid Away Missions at all costs.

Then Andrew stumbles on information that 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.

Review:

"In a world where junior starship officers inevitably and dramatically die on planetside missions — a problem any Star Trek fan will be familiar with — ensign Andrew Dahl joins the crew of the Universal Union ship Intrepid, the pride of the fleet, and quickly realizes his life is at risk. As Dahl's fellow officers drop like flies and backstab each other to escape away duty, he decides to figure out exactly what's going on. The first third of the book is a darkly comic romp, skewering common plot holes and lazy genre conventions while making the reader eager for the ingenious reason for the 'coincidental' deaths. Sadly, and all too soon, Scalzi reveals an explanation that neither surprises nor satisfies. The rest of the book is increasingly strange and unfunny as Dahl breaks the fourth wall to demand answers. Scalzi explores life among the doomed redshirts with ingeniously morbid glee, but that's not enough to save the story from collapsing in on itself. Agent: Ethan Ellenberg, Ethan Ellenberg Agency. (June)" Publishers Weekly Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Review:

“John Scalzi sets his imagination to STUN and scores a direct hit. Read on and prosper.” Joe Hill, New York Times bestselling author of Heart-Shaped Box

Review:

“I can honestly say I can't think of another book that ever made me laugh this much. Ever.” Patrick Rothfuss, New York Times bestselling author of The Name of the Wind

Review:

“Scalzi takes apart the whole Star Trek universe and puts it back together far more plausibly — and a lot funnier too.” Lev Grossman, New York Times bestselling author of The Magicians

Review:

“A real joy to read....It's hard to imagine a reader who wouldn't enjoy this one.” Booklist, starred review

Synopsis:

From the bestselling, award-winning author of Old Man's War, a novel that answers the question: What happens when all the expendable ensigns on the exploring starship start comparing notes?
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About the Author

John Scalzi is the author of several SF novels including the bestselling Old Man's War sequence, comprising Old Man's War, The Ghost Brigades, and the New York Times bestselling The Last Colony. He is a winner of science fictions John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, and he won the Hugo Award for Your Hate Mail Will Be Graded, a collection of essays from his popular blog Whatever. His latest novel, Fuzzy Nation, hit the New York Times bestseller list in its first week on sale. He lives in Ohio with his wife and daughter.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 8 comments:
Nancy McClure, January 15, 2013 (view all comments by Nancy McClure)
Delightful to read. It has both characters to care about and meta-commentary on the world of creating speculative fiction. Not just for Star Trek fans (I never liked its statism) but it helps if you've experienced some SF stories in some media.
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Celtland, January 8, 2013 (view all comments by Celtland)
Redshirts is an outstanding book. Not only is it funny (laugh out loud funny in places), but the three codas are more thoughtful and make up the perfect ending. You don't have to be a sci-fi geek/junky to enjoy it, either. I normally read epic fantasy. (It's not a big jump from fantasy to sci-fi. However, after being used to 800-1000 page books, I love that I can read a complete story in 300-400 pages and still come away knowing my money was well spent.) John Scalzi is a master. I won some of his books in a Tor giveaway a couple years ago and became an instant fan. I've recommended Redshirts to all of my friends. It's a great read!
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Virtually snowbound, January 4, 2013 (view all comments by Virtually snowbound)
Who hasn't thought that the characters in sci-fi movies who wear the red shirts should notice that they're expendable and are usually the first to be eaten by outlandish alien animals, incinerated in intergalactic battles or simply sucked into the endlessness of space? This book is about what happens when they do notice and what it means. Quick moving, funny and even heartwarming, "Redshirts" is a great read.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780765316998
Subtitle:
A Novel with Three Codas
Author:
Scalzi, John
Publisher:
Tor Books
Subject:
Science / General
Subject:
Science Fiction and Fantasy-A to Z
Copyright:
2012
Edition Description:
Trade paper
Publication Date:
20130115
Binding:
Electronic book text in proprietary or open standard format
Language:
English
Pages:
320
Dimensions:
8.25 x 5.5 in 1 lb
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Related Subjects


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Fiction and Poetry » Science Fiction and Fantasy » A to Z

Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas Used Hardcover
0 stars - 0 reviews
$11.50 In Stock
Product details 320 pages Tor Books - English 9780765316998 Reviews:
"Staff Pick" by ,

I don't reread books often; I just don't have the time. But this is one book that will get reread annually, if not more often. While the bulk of Redshirts is a comedic romp that gleefully skewers the conventions of sci-fi television, the three codas at the end provide depth and poignancy to what has gone before.

by Billie Bloebaum
"Staff Pick" by ,

If you're seeking formulaic and uninteresting fan fiction, then this is not the book for you. But if you're looking for adventure, romance, and death-by-ice sharks, then John Scalzi's your man. Ensign Andrew Dahl is assigned to the Intrepid, a laudable starship with a nasty reputation for death and chaos. Low-ranking officers are always, always the first to die on away missions. The bizarre and surprising truth behind all the flagellations and vaporizations defies time and reality, and Scalzi uses first-, second-, and third-person narration to stunning effect. It'll be on your Top 5 list, too. Pinky swear.

by Jordan G.
"Publishers Weekly Review" by , "In a world where junior starship officers inevitably and dramatically die on planetside missions — a problem any Star Trek fan will be familiar with — ensign Andrew Dahl joins the crew of the Universal Union ship Intrepid, the pride of the fleet, and quickly realizes his life is at risk. As Dahl's fellow officers drop like flies and backstab each other to escape away duty, he decides to figure out exactly what's going on. The first third of the book is a darkly comic romp, skewering common plot holes and lazy genre conventions while making the reader eager for the ingenious reason for the 'coincidental' deaths. Sadly, and all too soon, Scalzi reveals an explanation that neither surprises nor satisfies. The rest of the book is increasingly strange and unfunny as Dahl breaks the fourth wall to demand answers. Scalzi explores life among the doomed redshirts with ingeniously morbid glee, but that's not enough to save the story from collapsing in on itself. Agent: Ethan Ellenberg, Ethan Ellenberg Agency. (June)" Publishers Weekly Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
"Review" by , “John Scalzi sets his imagination to STUN and scores a direct hit. Read on and prosper.”
"Review" by , “I can honestly say I can't think of another book that ever made me laugh this much. Ever.”
"Review" by , “Scalzi takes apart the whole Star Trek universe and puts it back together far more plausibly — and a lot funnier too.”
"Review" by , “A real joy to read....It's hard to imagine a reader who wouldn't enjoy this one.”
"Synopsis" by , From the bestselling, award-winning author of Old Man's War, a novel that answers the question: What happens when all the expendable ensigns on the exploring starship start comparing notes?
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