Redshirts

As the title indicates, this is a story about the bit-part characters on a ship not entirely unlike the one from a certain famous franchise, written from their perspective. In particular, about what happens when they realise their role in the grand scheme of things, and what they decide to do about it. To say more is to spoil the plot, but I can say that it's a combination of black comedy, a humorous swide-swipe at bad TV SF, and that... well, it's all very meta.

The story is pretty good, although (as the author makes a point of saying) not without antecedents in other works. I do have a criticism, however, although I have to concede that it may have been relevant that I was feeling rather ill when I read the book - not always conducive to really enjoying something.

But, anyway, the criticism is the codas at the end, which feel out of place and rather self-indulgent. I get what the point of them is - they're describing how the events of the story have had life-changing effects on the characters who are bit parts in it. All very meta, and, frankly, a worthy idea. But it's one that doesn't quite work, perhaps as much because of the change of tone as anything else. And, so, yeah, its the codas that knock this down from a 4-star to a 3-star book.