If you start this book and think, "Wow, this is crap," keep reading. It's purposeful crap. You'll have to wade through a bit to understand the point. Too much exposition. Horrible dialogue. Just bad writing in general -- but it does get better. I promise. 
 It's a joke. Maybe not exactly the "funny" kind of joke -- though I did laugh while reading -- but it's a writer playing with writing and I can't help but appreciate that. 
 Playing off the idea that the guys in the red shirts always buy it on Star Trek episodes, Redshirts follows a group of new guys on the ship Intrepid as they figure out why so many of the crew keep dying and what to do about it. It's pretty absurd at points, but it works. Don't take it to seriously and enjoy.