Project Hail Mary was an enjoyable read. I consider it to be in a similar vein to the Martian, though they have different characters and settings. The author's use of the internal monologue keeps things light and amusing. I found the main characters likable and well fleshed out for their roles. This is not wild fantastic sci-fi. It is a very reality-based space adventure as are many of the author's other books. I personally enjoy these better than a space-opera style story or sci-fi that plays fast and loose with the laws of physics.

Weir's writing style is easy to read, while not being dumbed down. He works in explanations on the science behind much of what is happening in the story without it feeling unnatural. Things after the middle of the story were starting to feel a little drawn out and I was anticipating the possible endings. Without giving the ending away, I will say, I was pleased with the fact that it was not highly predictable.

If you've liked Andy Weir's books in the past, I would definitely recommend this one. I give it 4.5 stars.

Such a great fun read! I loved the Martian but this may have topped it. I love the science and the adventure!

My favorite science fiction novels are heavy on the science, have complex characters, and a cohesive plot. Weir delivers them all in “Project Hail Mary.”

Without including any spoilers, this is a tale of disaster, friendship, and redemption. Weir effectively uses flashbacks to help us understand how the past bears upon the present. One of the things I liked most about it was the ending, which left a path open for a new beginning should Weir choose to tell another story.

I give this 5 stars. If you’re a fan of science fiction you will love it. If you aren’t, you’ll still probably like it and learn some things in the process.

My gratitude to Ballantine Books via Netgalley. The opinions shared here are my own.

This book was so much fun. I wondered if it would hold up to The Martian, and it totally did - a brand new, clever premise filled with moments of nerdy science and unexpected joy. A fantastic pandemic pick-me-up.

Man, I like reading Andy Weir. His books make me feel like maybe I too could be super interested in science and talk about ~velocity and ~beakers and ~chemicals instead of books all day. Clearly he knows his stuff (probably?) but I obviously don't know enough to refute it, but he makes it so it doesn't really matter. The science is there if I wanted it, or I can just be like "sure, that sounds great" and move on because it's not essential to the plot. It's dork stuff, made accessible for everyone, and I appreciate that.
I don't necessarily think I loved Project Hail Mary as much as The Martian, but I was happy with the book anyway, especially the ending because honestly I was very worried about Rocky!!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I am clearly in the minority here, but I didn't really like this book. #1 - The science. Okay look, it was cool and I was very interested in it at first. Then it got technical. Way too technical. Needlessly so. This was far and away my biggest issue with PHM. The science was just way too overly complex. The bulk of the book is spent explaining the complexities of different areas of science (molecular, physical, environmental) and I understood maybe 3% of it. My overcooked brain cells don’t have enough capacity to absorb every complicated, detailed, elaborated scientific fact that this book had to offer. The book just got carried away with the scientific details that it took away from the enjoyability of the story for me. More time could have been spent on fleshing out the plot as it lacked depth and the characters were not well developed.

‘Project Hail Mary’ by Andy Weir (Ballantine Books, 476 pages, $28.99)

Andy Weir’s completion rate for launching super-smart science fiction novels stands at 100 percent, and that includes the newest, “Project Hail Mary,” to his critically and popular past successes, “The Martian” (2014) and “Artemis” (2017).

Weir’s latest interstellar roller coaster of a story is as thrilling as anything he’s produced to date, and this time he’s upped the ante. Now it’s all of mankind that’s being threatened, and with everything riding on a reluctant astronaut — a middle school science teacher tasked with solving the riddle of the impending extinction of the Earth — the odds of survival are not in mankind’s favor.

Raymond Grace wasn’t always a junior high school teacher. Once noted as a brilliant molecular biologist, his fall came with the publication of a paper contesting the idea that life requires water. But now, with the sun suddenly and inexplicably dimming at a rate that portends an “instant ice age,” the teacher is tapped for his theoretical knowledge at the highest level of an global scientific consortium.

As the novel opens, Grace finds himself awakening from an induced coma on a spaceship. His two crew mates are dead and he’s alone — the HAL 9000 wannabe doesn’t count — until he discovers an alien spacecraft and a friendly alien aboard.

As with each of author’s stories, hard science propels the narrative — you can’t help but gain an education from an Andy Weir novel — and here it’s used to wonderful effect in advancing the dynamic and emotional relationship between Grace and the alien he names Rocky. 

With time short and the knowledge that the trip to save humanity is a one-way voyage, “Project Hail Mary” is a testament to survival, friendship and John 15:13. 

The term page-turner is too often batted about, but you’ll want to finish this one in a single sitting.

Where to start with this one..

If you absolutely loved The Martian as much as I did, Andy Weir’s next story does not disappoint! I’ve been waiting what felt like forever for him to release another book as anything this man puts out, I will definitely be picking up immediately!!

If you can help it, I’d 100% recommend going into this book blind. I did, and every scifi twist and epic turn just had me swooning for more. For fans who love lots of science behind their space operas, the author does a fantastic job in what feels like solid research for every aspect of this book (as if I would truly know if it was all factual..).

The first half of this one has a lot of survival instincts that we’ve seen in his previous novels. Every chapter keeps you guessing between the two timelines and slowly introduces new information that you gobble up right away. And, if you enjoy humor in your characters, this literally had me chuckling at some parts.

There are unlikely friendships that form you can’t help but love. Which took me by surprise when it first happened.. it gives a whole new perspective to this area (you’ll know what I’m talking about when you get to the second half of the book).

The writing is emotional with tons of high-stake moments that create this super fast-paced story, and you can’t help but just enjoy every word you read. It’s been a long while since I had that serotonin-releasing feeling that only an amazing story can release for me, and this one is it! A totally unforgettable experience that I highly recommend for any reader who loves space, survival, and the world beyond our universe.

I gave this unique story a perfect 5 out of 5 stars!

Great book by the author of The Martian! This book was wonderful, although there was lots of science jargon that sometimes made it difficult to read. But Weir does a great job of explaining things in layman's terms. I loved the book, and hope it will be made into a movie like the Martian!

Andy Weir consistently strikes the perfect balance writing engaging science fiction that is still realistic coupled with a humorous tone that most scientists lack (we aren’t funny when discussing science lol).

From start to finish, I LOVED this book. Dr. Ryland Grace is a hilarious character. If I woke up after an induced coma on a space ship not remembering my mission, I would’ve definitely done a lot of the things he did. The way he geeked out when he remembered all of the instrumentation in the lab was by far my favorite.

I don’t want to give anything away, but the second half of this book is incredible. I don’t even want to give any hints because [spoilers].

This book really is the perfect blend of engaging inner monologue, adventure, questioning what if, the possibility of alien life forms, and pushing the boundaries of science.

Andy Weir does it again! Ryland Grace, middle school science teacher, wakes up not knowing where he is and finds himself on a race to save the world. Depleting sunlight, interstellar travel, relativistic physics, alien life and so much more - Weir takes readers on a nerdy scientific blast of a ride.

Thank you Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

First, I need to say that had I known how long it would take me to read this, I would have started it much earlier than I did. I figured 4-5 days would be more than enough and I would be fine. I was completely wrong. So. Very. Wrong.

I don't "do" science and math. My brain is not wired that way, and going into this book, I had NO IDEA that there would be so much math and science. I didn't actually know much about the book at all [I try to not read the blurbs because I have been spoilered before] and I absolutely did not read any early reviews [WHAT part of no early reviews do these people not understand, but I digress] so I would remain clueless going in. Ha! Clueless is a good word to how I remained for most of the book. It was like when the teacher in the Peanut's specials would talk; every time Ryland Grace would talk math and science, that is how it came across to me. It was a huge obstacle for me when reading this [and I learned early on that looking things up did not clarify anything for me. At all]. I may have complained about it once or twice [or fifteen or sixteen or twenty] times and one person responded with "WHY are you still reading it then?"

I kept reading because almost from the first page, I was hooked. I was engaged. I wanted to know who this person was [initially, Ryland cannot remember who he is and why he is in space <--this is NOT a spoiler, it happens in the first chapter], why he was there and what was going on [arms that feed you, give you drugs, ask you questions...SO cool and interesting], and by chapter 3, I WAS INVESTED. So even when I was bogged down by the science [there were days when I could only read one chapter at a time because my brain would hurt after I was done], I HAD to finish. I HAD to know what happened. Because there are things that make you REALLY invested as the story goes on and you are just rooting for the win - IT HAS TO HAPPEN. And I would have read for days more to find out the end.

I don't think I have ever given a book that I didn't understand much of 5 stars before. That alone should tell you just how good the writing is [this is my first Andy Weir; I have "The Martian" to read, so I had no idea just how brilliant this man's writing was. I will absolutely be reading The Martian now, just not this year. My brain cannot do that much science and math in one year! LOL], and it IS amazing. Mr. Weir knows how to tell and spin a story and even non-science people like myself can get sucked into the humanity and fragility of this story and its protagonist. Ryland Grace is one of my favorite characters now and that list is short. To be on that list is to have made a huge impression on me and he absolutely does; I admire his tenacity and willingness to do what was right - there were moments where he could have chucked it all, but he is loyal and invested and he cares [maybe even too much so] and he is everyone of us [except for the science and math ;-) ]. I believe that most people would have done and felt and thought exactly what he did throughout it all. And he made me cry. WHO cries at the end of a sci-fi novel? This girl did. There was just so much emotion in the last few chapters, that there was nothing to do but cry. But maybe that was just me.

I can recommend this book highly - even if you aren't a science/math person. It is just such a great story, that all that gobbledygook just doesn't matter [well, some of it matters and most of the stuff that matters is fairly easy science to understand. It helped me to have people to bounce the story off of as that helped me understand some it more] as you are just sucked in by what is happening and what Ryland is doing. And he is such a great main character - flawed and human and seriously, everyone of us. It is just such a great read. I am grateful for getting the chance.

Thank you to NetGalley, Andy Weir, and Random House Publishing - Ballantine/Ballantine Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this as good as The Martian? Probably not.

Do I care? No.

I read Weir's books because of their plots (which are always riveting), the science behind them (which to my untrained eye seems solid) and Weir's voice (which is just the right amount of irreverent). This novel delivers on all fronts.

I am a Spanish speaker who just came to understand what a "Hail Mary pass" is fairly recently. However, he title is more than apt as Ryland's mission depends on good luck or mystical blessings. The result is a book that is hard to put down a readers wonder if the end will be a Hail Mary or a fumble.

I enjoyed this book so much. In fact, I texted my dad at least twice while I was reading to tell him he really needed to get and read this book.
I don't want to say a lot about the plot because it is much more fun for the reader to discover things along with the main character. But what I loved is basically what I loved about the Martian (although these are very different books)
1) Clever use of technology - and I think Andy Weir is very good at making science exciting!
2) Inner dialogue with humor
3) All of the characters working hard in support of a major goal.
4) The drama of things going wrong.

Anyway, this was such a good and exciting book. I thought about it all night after I finished reading.

I got this copy from netgalley to review. But I've also bought the audio and l will for sure be getting another for my Dad.

Weir hits another home run and moves firmly into my top five favorite authors. Hail Mary returns to the vibe of The Martian, as scientific detail, resourcefulness, and on-the-fly innovation are required in order to survive. Masterfully drawn characters endeared themselves to me with personality, grit, and determination. Sarcasm and humor add a delightful new element to Weir's work, I was sad to see this one end. Well, well done.

The geekiest of geekfests. I did not think it was possible to be geekier than The Martian, but apparently I was wrong. This was geekier.

The concept of this book is very imaginative: The book begins with our hero waking up with no idea of who or where he is. He soon discovers he is in a spaceship, and that his crewmates are dead. He's alone and he has to figure out what his mission is. His memories come back little by little, and we learn what he is in space to do just as he does. The book continues, alternating between flashbacks and the present time, with the tension getting ever higher after we realize that the fate of the Earth is depending on his success.

I liked this book a lot, but I will admit that there was a little too much science for me at times. It is clear that the author did a lot of homework to make sure this book was as realistic as he could make it. I appreciated that, but it did make my eyes cross a few times. I also think I liked the character in The Martian better than this guy. These are the only reasons I am not giving it 5 stars. I can't wait to share it with SciFi fans at our library.

Man I wanted to love this book so bad. I was sucked in at the beginning but once it got going the timeline where he was back home learning of what had happened and how he became the one to go to space was boring. It was too much scientific talk for me. I did love the parts where he was in outer space. I was sucked in ever time I was on those parts. But the minute it went back boy did it drag. Though I do think this would make a great book to screen adaptations and I would be there opening night.

Andy Weir's first book, The Martian, was a huge hit about an astronaut stranded on Mars and the effort to rescue him. It resulted in a movie that was also a hit. His second book, Artemis Moon, was a mystery on the moon and didn't get quite the same attention but it was an enjoyable story. Now, with Project Hail Mary, Weir returns to a similar situation as The Martian. The result? A good read that doesn't quite recapture the incessant readability of his first book.

Ryland Grace wakes up to find himself alone on a spaceship with no memory of who he is or why he is there. Through trial, error, and patience, he begins to recover his memory and figure out just what is going on. And much to his astonishment, he realizes that he is the only hope of saving Earth from certain doom and he might not be qualified for the task.

Project Hail Mary is told in both the present time and with flashbacks, as Grace's memory returns in fits and spurts. This helps to put his present situation in context and provides Weir the opportunity to make several important reveals that wouldn't have near the impact if the story was told in a straight linear style. There are also several twists and turns that keep the reader guessing as to just how this story will turn out.

Weir has created a relatable character with Ryland Grace. I don't want to reveal too much and spoil it, so I'll just say that the first person narrative and Grace's self-deprecating humor work really well. I felt invested in Grace's struggle to figure out who he is and his quest to save humanity.

The story is also entertaining. There are enough twists to keep things interesting and Weir's writing style carries the reader along. Additionally, I never quite felt sure about how things would turn out and I did not see the ending coming in advance. I appreciate that because many books telegraph the resolution well in advance.

Overall, I enjoyed Project Hail Mary. While not on the level of The Martian, it was still an intriguing story with an interesting premise and protagonist. I would recommend it to fans of Weir's other books.

I received a preview copy of this book from Random House Publishing - Ballantine and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Project Hail Mary was amazing. I read it until I fell asleep and picked it back up when I woke up in the morning. A book I wanted to read as fast as I could, but didn't want it to end. Ryland Grace wakes up alone, in an unfamiliar place, with wires and tubes attached in some sort of medical facility. He has now idea where his is or why he might be there or even who he is. As he gets his wits back, he realizes that he is on a spaceship, leaving him even more puzzled. Through flashbacks as he regains his memory, we find out what his mission is and how he ended up here. Now he just needs to figure out how to save Earth. There was just so much, but it is all spoilers. So all I can say is Read This Book!

This was my first Andy Weir book, and I am a fan! I laughed, I cried, I couldn’t put it down, I didn’t want it to end. I loved the characters, the story and the tone. It’s like sci-fi with a heart.
It’s a little heavy on the science, but it wasn’t critical to the story for me to understand it all. All the stars for this one. A fave of the year for sure.
Thanks to net galley and Random House/Ballantine Books for the arc.