Project Hail Mary: A Novel

If you loved The Martian but felt Artemis missed the mark, I have great news: Andy Weir is back in top form. Project Hail Mary is a breathtaking, "hard" science fiction thriller that manages to be scientifically grounded while remaining emotionally resonant. What makes this a 5-star read: The Protagonist: Ryland Grace is exactly the kind of lead Weir excels at writing. He’s brilliant, funny, and relatable. Watching him use the scientific method to solve life-or-death problems is genuinely addictive. The Pacing: This is a thick book, but it reads like a sprint. The "amnesia" hook at the beginning pulls you in immediately, and the stakes never stop escalating. The Science: It’s "hard" sci-fi, meaning there’s a lot of physics and biology. However, you don't need a PhD to enjoy it. Weir explains complex concepts through Grace’s trial-and-error in a way that makes you feel like a genius just for following along. The Heart: Without spoiling anything, this book has way more emotional depth than I expected. There is a specific element of the plot (you'll know it when you get there) that elevates this from a "space survival story" to a beautiful exploration of friendship and sacrifice. Who is this for? Fans of The Martian (obviously). Anyone who likes "competence porn"—stories about smart people solving impossible problems. Readers who want high-stakes sci-fi that isn't overly cynical or "grimdark." This book is fundamentally optimistic. Bottom Line: This is easily one of the best sci-fi novels of the last decade. It’s clever, funny, and surprisingly moving. I stayed up until 3:00 AM to finish it, and I’d do it again.

Awesome storytelling. The science is good and compelling. What a great way to make the reader contemplate self, place in the stars and what it is to be human. Great book!

I don't read a lot of sci-fi because it's just not my favorite genre, but man did I really enjoy this one! It was so profoundly interesting and heartbreaking and utterly terrifying that it had me on the edge of my seat multiple times. I definitely recommend the audio version of this. The narrator does a great job and getting to hear his conversations with Rocky was just truly heartwarming. I loved the timeline jumps between the present and the backstory leading up to present although with the audio it was a bit challenging because there really wasn't an indicator of the change like you'd see in a book, so it would take my brain a second sometimes to realize we'd changed timelines. My only real critique is that it got sooooo technical and detailed at times that I would find myself spacing out (no pun intended). The science was incredibly interesting and important to the story but just a lot at times. But this is a definite read!

4.75 ⭐️’s Project Hail Mary was my book club pick for November. I went in fairly blind aside from knowing it involved a crisis and space. So many people have recommended this book to me, specifically the audiobook, and I have to agree. I don’t even know how it’s possible to eyeball read this one (IYKYK). The story opens with Dr. Ryland Grace waking up not knowing who he is or where he is and we quickly realize that he has amnesia. As his memory slowly returns through flashbacks, he discovers he’s the sole survivor of a three-person crew on an interstellar mission to save humanity from an alien life form called Astrophage that’s consuming Earth’s sun. The dual timeline structure between past and present is incredibly engaging as we piece together the mystery alongside Grace. We learn about the Petrova Problem, how he became involved in Project Hail Mary, and the desperate race to find a solution before Earth faces catastrophic crop failure and mass extinction. I don’t typically read straight sci-fi (I’m more fantasy-adjacent), but this book grabbed my attention pretty quickly and I easily became obsessed with this story. There’s genuine humor, unexpected emotional moments, and I found myself both laughing and crying, sometimes within the same chapter. The science is fascinating without being overwhelming, and Andy Weir does an incredible job making complex concepts accessible while keeping the stakes incredibly high. I cannot stress this enough: listen to the audiobook. Ray Porter’s narration is phenomenal, and there are elements of the story that simply don’t translate the same way on the page. Trust me on this, it is a completely different (and superior) experience. My only critique is I wanted more. The single POV structure means that once Grace’s memories catch up to present day, we lose insight into what’s happening on Earth, and I was desperate to know how humanity was surviving through the crisis back home. Either way, I still really enjoyed Project Hail Mary. Going in blind was a solid decision. I thought this would be comparable to The Martian (lone astronaut problem-solving in space), but I was completely blown away by the direction it took. This book surprised me in so many ways. It’s been a solid 4ish weeks since I’ve finished listening and I am still thinking about this book. If you’re even remotely interested, pick up the audiobook and let yourself be surprised.

This was spectacular. An exciting story for both myself and my teenage daughters. A lot of science fiction is light on science and heavy on the fiction. If something scientifically impossible impedes the flow of the story, there's just some magic to fill the void. Project Hail Mary is the opposite. The science is done meticulously, involving physics, biology, and even a little chemistry. And this is done in a way that is accessible and easy to understand. Along the way, it explores questions about ethics, language, and culture, all while telling a story that is gripping, adventurous, and often hilarious. The characters are relatable. I loved it start to finish.

Project Hail Mary is one of the most gripping, emotionally satisfying, and cleverly written sci-fi novels I’ve ever read. From the very first page, I was hooked by the mystery and momentum—and it never let go. The story blends science, survival, and humor with perfection. The pacing is spot-on: never slow, never rushed. Just like The Martian, Andy Weir’s signature wit shines through, but here he adds a surprising amount of heart and emotional depth—especially in the bond between the characters. The climax is absolutely epic, and the conclusion left me stunned in the best way. It’s not just a great sci-fi story—it’s a celebration of friendship, sacrifice, and problem-solving at the edge of the universe. If you want a book that makes you laugh, think, and maybe even tear up a little—this is it. A modern sci-fi classic.

I'm not a big fiction reader tending mainly to stick to non-fiction science, history, biographies etc but enjoyed The Martian so thought I'd give Project Hail Mary a go and am thoroughly pleased I did. The story is interesting and well-written and I enjoyed the past / present way of telling the story. The science is well-researched and plausible and the inter-play between the characters very enjoyable.

I am a little speechless. What a beautiful book. I read it in a frenzy. Thank you Andy Weir!!! Erik

I absolutely adored PHM. It has everything: adventure, humanity, encounters with alien life forms, suspense, science, and, yes, emotion. I was in awe of the book. What a story. A rather ordinary science teacher is sent to a distant star to save planet Earth and meets an alien, Rocky, who is trying to save his own planet. A beautiful friendship blossoms between the teacher and the alien. It's such a beautiful story. Not a scientific person myself, I wasn't in the least put off by the science in the book. In fact, it's wondrous. This will stay with me for a long time. A truc sci-fi masterpiece and a great story, whether you like the genre or not.

Great book finish reading 4 times, and decided to support the author with a hardcover copy, recieved in great condition in a nice little amazon box.