Redshirts by John Scalzi

Redshirts

A Novel With Three Codas

John Scalzi, Mary Robinette Kowal

Tor/Forge · Print & ebook · October 12, 2021

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Who it’s for
A brisk, clever space-opera riff that keeps the jokes moving and the ideas tidy.
Genres
Funny Sci-Fi, Space Opera, Time Travel Fiction
Published
Tor/Forge, October 12, 2021

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For younger readers: Defy the Stars, Soul of Stars, Aetherbound

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About this book

Redshirts is John Scalzi’s Hugo Award-winning novel of the starship ensigns who were expendable...until they started comparing notes. Tor Essentials presents new editions of science fiction and fantasy titles of proven merit and lasting value, each volume introduced by an appropriate literary figure. Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid, flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456.

Continue reading

It’s a prestige posting, with the chance to serve on "Away Missions" alongside the starship’s famous senior officers. Life couldn’t be better…until Andrew begins to realize that (1) every Away Mission involves a lethal confrontation with alien forces, (2) the ship’s 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. With a new introduction by Mary Robinette Kowal, author of the Hugo-winning The Calculating Stars.

Clever Orbit

A brisk, clever space-opera riff that keeps the jokes moving and the ideas tidy.

Come here for

  • Sharp, self-aware humor
  • Genre play with a serious, polished edge

Expect

  • Layered pleasures
  • A sustained, easy read

Where it sits

Space Opera85%
Funny Sci-Fi84%
Time Travel Fiction68%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Funny Sci-Fi
  • Space Exploration Fiction
Authors
John Scalzi, Mary Robinette Kowal
Publisher
Tor/Forge
Published
October 12, 2021
Format
Print & ebook
Reading lane
Funny Sci-Fi