Mainstream-Mini Review: Redshirts by John Scalzi

Redshirts 

By John Scalzi

Published by TOR BOOKS

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.

~ MY REVIEW ~

This book is why I love being a shamelessly declared GEEK! I not only sought this book out, but enjoyed every inch of it in all its nerdy glory. Being a Treky myself, Redshirts called out to me in so many ways. I rarely laugh when reading a book, even one that is pointedly comedic. But, oh my, I laughed out loud and often, while reading this.

Scalzi has such a perfect writing style, which puts focus on all the things I love about science fiction. Whether you think of Redshirts as a blatant parody or merely a satirical look into Sci-fi's most expendable characters, you will find something to love about this book. 

Scalzi even goes as far as to point out commonly overlooked aspects of the Star Trek franchise: Why are there no restraints on the ship, to stop the crew from flailing about?

I found this plot to be original as well, with a great twist and fun, quirky characters. I would have enjoyed this story even if it was not centered around a Treky based universe. 

If you like sci-fi and a read that will satisfy your inner nerd to the fullest, go read Redshirts!

Let's Talk Book to Movie! With Guest Blogger Spencer Blohm

Books have always been inspirations for film. It’s no wonder, since novels have lots of plot and character depth, which means scriptwriters and filmmakers have plenty to work with when creating a movie. Below, you’ll find a recent Movie Adaptation, and the news surrounding it:

Divergent By Veronica Roth - In Theaters March 21, 2014! 

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Yay yay! Divergent is almost upon us, and I am so stoked for it. 

I can not wait to see what Hollywood has brought to this epic dystopian story. After Divergent's publication in 2012, Veronica Roth jumped quickly into my Top 5 authors of the year and stayed there. I LOVED this book, much more than Hunger Games, which the literary community seems to make comparisons to on a regular basis. 

Let's welcome back media blogger Spencer Blohm, to discuss the deets on what is sure to be a blockbuster hit!

~ Divergent Movie Adaptation ~

With less than a month until the film hits theaters, the anticipation of the big screen adaptation of Veronica Roth’s tale of a dystopian Chicago is just picking up. The all star cast is led by up and comers Shailene Woodley and Miles Teller (previously on screen together in The Spectacular Now) who will play Beatrice (Tris) Prior and Peter. In addition to these two, other star castings include Kate Winslet, Zoe Kravitz, Maggie Q, Ashley Judd, and Tony Goldwyn. 

The film chronicles the journey of Tris as she struggles to fit into her newly chosen faction of the city. After being classified as a “Divergent” through an aptitude test, meaning she showed equal aptitude for three different factions, Tris is forced to choose where she will make her new home. She decides to leave her native Abnegation, a place for the selfless, in favor of Dauntless, meant for the brave. She faces a daunting (of course) initiation that, if she fails to pass, would leave her factionless, without a home. For residents of Chicago, especially, this film is a must-see. The book was written by Chicagoland native and the movie was filmed almost entirely in the city during last summer. It’s going to be fun to see famous Chicago spots like the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, 17th Church of Christ, Scientist, and Michigan Avenue given the decaying and futuristic treatment by set designers.

Thanks so much for being with us for another Book to Movie talk!

I'm excited to hear the verdict after Divergent releases in theaters on the 21st!

Join the St. Patty's Day Party!

Join your favorite YA and NA authors as we celebrate being Irish for a day and play on Pinterest. There will be over 45 e-book giveaways! 

You can join the Facebook party HERE!
You won't want to miss it!

Participating Authors:

Lila Felix   A. W. Exley  Melissa Pearl   

Jessica Gibson  Cindy M. Hogan  
Sarah Ashley Jones  

Marie Landry  Rachel Morgan  Jennifer Snyder 

Stacey Marie Brown  Jessica Therrien  
D.L. Raver 

Stacey Wallace Benefiel  Marilyn Almodóvar  Angee Taylor 

A.O. Peart  Devyn Dawson  Rick Chiantaretto 

Raine Thomas  L.P. Dover  Tamara Hart Heiner  

Leigh T Moore  Meradeth Houston  
Amber Argyle 

Tawdra Kandle  Carlyle Labuschagne  
Lisa Collicutt

Christy Dorrity  Stephanie Fowers  
Kristina Renee

Faith McKay  Charlotte Abel  Jamie Ayres

A.M. Hargrove  Charli Webb  Amy Harmon  

Alyssa Rose Ivy  Kristie Cook  Lani Woodland

T.M. Franklin  Laura Howard  Sharron Riddle

Eliza Tilton  S. M. Boyce  Bethany Lopez 

Dawn Leigh  L.A. Casey  Emma Adams  

Amber Garr  Liz Long