Redshirts

This is a really difficult novel to review relatively spoiler free, which of course I shall intend to do so. The novel on one level is in the galactic space opera genre where various illogical things take place on the ship the characters are assigned to. The characters on the ship are roped into various missions which typically end with some poor person on the crew's death.

Before long, if you're clever (or have read some spoilers) you pick up on what's happening but if you're a bit dim Scalzi gives one the big 'aha' moment. When it came I thought, 'wow, this is cute' and it really put a smile on my face. After heading off in a completely different direction, the novel then, well turns off in another completely different direction.

The wrap-up is cute and quite touching whilst being a little schmaltzy.

I found the book very clever and self aware of the genre, without being 'too clever for it's own good'. It's fun, I wanted to talk about it to others. Really enjoyed this one.