Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas

Author: John Scalzi

Reader: Wil Wheaton

Short Review: In the 25th century, several new members have just joined the crew of the Intrepid, the flag ship of the Universal Union. They quickly discover that many things which happen on the Intrepid are hard to explain, and they search for a deeper explanation. Fans of Start Trek will see the parody at work immediately, but the book is much more than a one-trick joke. Told with a nod to cheesy sci-fi and a great deal of humor, Redshirts still manages to give a serious commentary on the nature of characters in science fiction, and the nature of human existence in general.

Long Review: John Scalzi has established himself as a writer who can combine imaginative science fiction universes with believable characters, while telling a story with a decent amount of humor and a surprising touch of human sentimentality. Redshirts upholds that reputation in every regard and provides an entertaining visualization of something that has been a long-running joke to science fiction fans.

Roughly the first half of the story concerns the new crew members joining the Intrepid and discovering the “reality” under which the ship has been operating for the past several years. We get to go along on several away missions, each of which is both a nice parody of a typical sci-fi plot line while also introducing original twists and jokes at the situations themselves. Wheaton’s reading greatly enhances these segments because it really conveys the characters’ sense of dismay and ultimately sarcasm at what seem to them like increasingly unlikely situations.

The second half of the book involves the characters’ attempt to resolve their situation, including the discovery that they might not be completely in control of their own lives.

In a manner similar to the film The Cabin in the Woods‘ critique of stereotypes in horror films, by the end Redshirts has managed to be both humorous and entertaining on its own while also holding up many of the weaknesses of episodic sci-fi television and even offering a solution to the writers of such shows. Given the fact that Redshirts is currently in development to become a show of its own, we’ll soon see if this advice is taken to heart.

Boneshaker

Author: Cherie Priest

Readers: Kate Reading and Wil Wheaton

Short Review: A steampunk adventure set in an alternate-history Seattle where the Civil War just won’t end, airships abound, mad scientists run amok, volcanoes make zombies, and intricate questions about liberty and rights continually rear their heads.

Long Review: For no good reason whatsoever, a paper copy of this book languished on my shelf for a few months before I finally broke down and bought the audio version. Initially, I’d been hesitant to listen to it because I was never a of Star Trek (I know, I know) so I didn’t have any particular connection to Will Wheaton. I also hesitate to get hooked on series that are still being written. I finally got over it and dove right in, listened to the whole series, and then listened to them again. I’m itching to start a third time, but figure I can wait for the next installment.

Will Wheaton does a great job narrating the sections of the book following Zeke, a runaway teen trying to prove that his father was a good man. Kate Reading reads the sections following Zeke’s mother Briar Wilkes, the daughter of Seattle’s late Sheriff and widow of a disgraced scientist and inventor. I adored both readers, but I particularly fell for Kate Reading’s voice. She strikes the perfect balance between Briar’s strength and the desperation that she struggles with as she searches for her son and tries to survive the nightmare that Seattle has become in the wake of her husband’s actions.

Priest is an excellent researcher, and this series really showcases her knowledge of 19th century American history. I’m often hesitant to read historical fiction or alternate histories because I find weak research so annoying, but there’s nothing to worry about with Priest’s books. She picks the perfect things to extend the Civil War in her story, and develops a creepy, fascinating plot to explain her changed Seattle.

Moreover, Priest develops excellent characters. Many series fizzle out after the first few books because the author only manages to build a few solid, interesting characters. With this book, Priest introduces a cast of fascinating people, all of whom I want to follow for book after book. The women she writes are particularly interesting, and Zeke reads true as a good but confused teen. Priest set the hook deep with Boneshaker, and I can’t wait to see where she’ll go with the rest of the series.