Redshirts by John Scalzi

I think knowing the conceit of this book, since it was recommended to me by at least two people, took me a little bit out of the story itself.

Andy Dahl is about to join the spaceship Intrepid. He's going to added on with four other people, two he knows. But there's something strange on board the ship. The crew tend to scatter whenever the officers come around. And four is a large number of people to replace at one time. As Andy and his crewmates begin to explore, they begin to realize that not all of them will survive to a happy ending.

Three and a half stars

This book came out June 5, 2012

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Starter Villain by John Scalzi

I heard about this book on a podcast and thought it sounded interesting. And it was. The whole story revolves around one man who finds himself thrust into the role of a villain. Formerly a journalist and now a substitute teacher, Charlie is divorced and living with his cat. Cats now that he's found another one. But his life is upended when his uncle dies. Charlie didn't know much about the man so he is absolutely shocked by the flowers at the funeral home celebrating his death and the man who comes to stab the dead body. When Charlie goes home, he only barely avoids being blown up in a fire that destroys his entire house. 

Suddenly, Charlie is thrust into a world with literal life-or-death stakes. He also has to deal with dolphins that not only talk, they're unionizing. Oh, and the cats are intelligent as well. In fact, they're management. And they've been watching Charlie.

A different take on the role of villains and it took some time to get on board but I quite enjoyed it in the end.

Four stars

This book came out September 19, 2023

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own