Project Hail Mary is an outstanding book! Ryland Grace wakes up on a space ship and doesn't know who he is, where he is, or why he's there. He knows he has been in a medically induced coma for quite some time, and his team mates are mummified in their medical beds. Slowly he starts remembering that he was a scientist and a teacher, now he has to save Earth. The plot is told in this dual timeline of present on the spaceship, Hail Mary, and the past in flashbacks that explain how Grace got on the ship and what his mission is.
Weir has hit it out of the park with this book. He walks the line of being very technical which will appeal to the science buffs, but presenting it in an easy to understand way that just fits with the story, so the average person will understand and enjoy it. I generally don't mention authors other works in my review of a specific book, but in this case I feel like I need to. I think after the smash hit The Martian, some were disappointed in Artemis. Maybe not the book itself, but Jazz was so obnoxious she actually detracted from the likability of the story. Project Hail Mary is a fantastic book, and you will enjoy your time on the Hail Mary with Grace. I truly hope you take this journey with him. Thank you #NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to give my voluntary and honest opinion on #ProjectHailMary.

Loved this book. I have to admit I probably loved The Martian more, but that is just me and my preferences. This book is well written with great science detail, just like in The Martian. Project Hail Mary has a more fanciful threat and overall situation, with a central character in need of redemption which distinguishes it from The Martian. I found the story engaging and the central character interesting. In Project Hail Mary, the Earth faces a situation that threatens all life on Earth. The only hope is a desperate project to build an interstellar space craft to take three astronauts to another nearby star where there is hope for a solution to save the Earth. Unfortunately, the trip to the nearby star will be one way for the three astronauts, who will arrive in an induced coma, awaken and hopefully find the answer to save the world; after which, all three will take their preferred exit from life before their life support runs out. When the ship arrives, the central character awakens to find his two fellow astronauts did not survive their coma induced journey, leaving him alone. Complicating things further, he is experiencing temporary amnesia and wakens having no idea why he is where he is, or what he should do. The story is told both in real time and in flashbacks as the main character remembers bits and pieces of who he is and what his mission is all about. Will the Earth be saved? Will the main character survive what is intended to be a one way trip?

AHHHHHHH I loved this book so much that I took a very extra long lunch break during my workday to finish it because I HAD to find out what happened. The combination of crazy science fiction that COULD be possible with the mystery of what exactly was going on was just right. I don't want to say too much because there are so many fun surprises along the way, but if you loved The Martian, you will absolutely adore this book!
---
Official review from instagram:
This is why I love science fiction. Could this scenario happen? Could some sort of bacteria start eating the sun’s energy, threatening the earth and causing us to send someone to the stars to find a solution in another galaxy? I don’t know, but Project Hail Mary is written in a way that makes it seem like it’s right around the corner, adding an element of bated breath. But that makes the book sound totally terrifying, which it’s not — it’s mostly an extremely fun adventure story about this solo traveler, Ryland, as he explores how to, quite literally, save the world. But first he has to remember that he’s on the spaceship to do just that — oh didn’t I mention that he wakes up from a coma with no memory of his mission or where he is or what’s going on? Yeah. It’s a rocky start. There’s so much to love about this book, and it was my favorite kind of reading experience — a wild ride that I can’t put down. If you loved The Martian, I think you’ll be super into this book. Thanks to @penguinrandomhouse for the NetGalley eARC — it’s out May 4!

I loved this book, The Martian was good, I wasn't a huge fan of Artemis but with this one I feel Andy really returns to his strengths. I was surprised by the ending, and honestly I'm not sure if I liked it or hated it, but I think if he had chosen a different ending it would have probably would need a sequel to cover everything.

If you like The Martian, you'll like this. Sure a lot of the science went over my head, but just like reading The Martian without being a botanist, you can still enjoy this without being a scientist.

Reminiscent of The Martian, Andy Wier again takes plausible future science and weaves a humorous story that kept me hooked. With energy from the sun decreasing, humanity sends a last ditch research effort to a nearby star to figure out what’s going on. Told in flashbacks, the main character is slowly recovering their memory (a possible side effect of the suspended animation?), when they find out that we are not alone in the universe.

Loved this book. I was hooked from the beginning and it only got better. Think of a combo between 'the Martian' and 'The Arrival. Can't say enough good things here. Wish int did not have to end. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC. I will totally get this one for my friends.

Very much in the vein of nerdtastic scifi <i>The Martian</i>, Andy Weir’s new novel returns to outer space science and MacGyvering. There are surprises and revelations from the first page, so I feel any plot I give you would be a spoiler, assuming you’re like me and like to experience the unfurling of a mystery rather than knowing it before you go in (if you’re not like me, then read the blurb the publishers wrote which gives away a bit more than I would want to know).

Like <i>The Martian</i>, there are a lot of challenges which our Everyscienceman protagonist solves through ingenuity and calculations. Though it’s put into layperson’s terms I did find myself la-la-la-ing over some parts. The mention of “kinetic energy” brought back terrible flashbacks of Mrs Noise and my A Level Applied Math (which I got a C for, so you can see why I’m doing a little skimming)

After trying a female lead in <i>Artemis</i>, which I enjoyed though many people apparently didn’t, the author has gone back to his original template: the protagonist here is like a family friendly Mark Watney. I could easily see him being played by Matt Damon - aw shucks bland with a sharp wit.

The plot rumbles along moving between the past and the present, but it does sag a bit in the middle (did <i>The Martian</i> do that? I seem to recall it did). However, the last third picks up the pace and interest for a thrilling and emotional resolution.

I loved this book from Andy Weir! At this point it's pretty clear that Mr. Weir doesn't have a lot of range when it comes to writing the personalities of his main characters. I'm okay with that. I find his lead characters likable ...
even loveable. The hard science in a "relatable" package is actually a schtick I could get used to. Combined with the thrilling space adventure and heart-pounding "first contact" I devoured this book. Keep them coming!

I loved this book. I was actually holding my breath at times when I was concerned for Grace during space walks. I am going to recommend this to everyone - even my non SF reading library patrons. It is such a good story and even though I didn’t understand the science I understood the emotion.

For some reason I could not connect to the story or the characters in this one. There is an audience out there for this, but I just wasn't the target. The plot setup was interesting though!

Ryland Grace wakes up from a coma to find himself on a space ship. His crewmates did not survive the journey. This is especially unfortunate because their mission is critical for all of mankind: the interstellar equivalent of pond scum has infected our solar system and this voyage to the only unaffected star could be Earth's salvation. Now, humanity's survival depends on an amnesiac eighth grade science teacher. How this came to be, and the herculean feats of science Grace performs, make for a gripping hard scifi adventure. Weir does not neglect the humor, either.

Andy Weir has done it again! A near-future race for survival with one crazy-smart guy doing smart and funny things. But this time, he’s not just saving himself, he’s saying the entire human race.

Rhyland Grace is a failed researcher and successful junior high science teacher until he gets commandeered onto the team of scientists trying to figure out why the sun is dying. But he doesn’t know that right now because he’s hurtling through space with amnesia. It’s a whole thing.

As usual, Weir’s science is complicated but easily understood through the narrative. And there are many laugh out loud moments as he makes mistakes on his near impossible mission. My only complaint is that Rhyland Grace is basically Mark Watney without the potatoes. Now I really like Mark Watney, so I’m fine getting to spend time with him and all. But it’s a bit like watching Bruce Willis act. Wait, is he acting?

But that wasn’t much of a downside all told. I still really geeked out and enjoyed this one immensely!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are mine.

‘Project Hail Mary’


What an adventure! I couldn’t put this book down once I started. My type of SciFi, just a little stretch from today’s technology and this tale is totally believable.

The human characters (Ryland Grace, et al) portrayed are someone who could live next door and act in what could be seen as norman…..except I didn’t see then ending until it happened. Real fun! And, upon thinking about the climax, circumstances were in line with the character development.

I found that flashback to prior events of Ryland’s life made understanding his current circumstances easy.

Andy Weir’s “The Martian” was GREAT reading and “Project Hail Mary” was equally GREAT; making PHM one of the most enjoyable of the past year!

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of PHM.

When Ryland Grace wakes up in a space ship, he has no idea how or why he’s there. His two other crew mates are dead and he can’t even remember his own name. As his memories start to return, Grace realizes that he has been sent on a suicide mission to save Earth from a so-called “space algae” that is rapidly dimming the sun’s output. Grace must determine why the star Tau Ceti, which is similarly affected with the space algae, or Astrophage, is not dimming like the sun. He soon realizes that someone else has made the trip to Tau Ceti for the same reasons when he discovers an alien ship. Aboard the ship is another sole survivor, whom Ryland calls “Rocky.” Over time, Ryland and Rocky learn how to communicate and work together to unlock the secret to Astrophage and saving their planets. This was a fast-paced, thrilling read with lots of science thrown in. I was excited to see how the mission would play out and charmed by the relationship between Rocky and Grace. Rocky was such a funny, sweet character and brought out the best in Grace. I didn’t always enjoy Grace’s “oh golly” personality when he was solo, but once he teamed up with his alien buddy, that mostly went away. Overall, a highly enjoyable sci-fi thriller that should please both casual and seasoned fans of the genre.

Andy Weir did a really great job with this story. You can see all the extensive work that was involved in the plot, the math, the dialogue, and the science. His story felt a little like one part The Martian and one part Stories of Your Life and maybe one part something else familiar. I think fans of The Martian will really love this one and sink their teeth into all the STEM elements that are throughout the whole book. The story itself is great, it’s engaging and heartfelt. I know there was some criticism from the language used in The Martian and that put off some of people. There are zero swear words in this book and I wonder if that was with the intent to gain those put off by his first book. One of the other issues people had with The Martian was that it was a tad math/science heavy. Those same people will hate this book because there is a whole lot of math and science, but it fits the story. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was for that reason. Math and science heavy, there was about sixty to seventy pages of the last 25% of the book that dragged on a little too slow for the overall pacing of the book. It kind of killed the mood and tone and made me need to finish rather than want to finish. With that said it was still great and fans of Andy will enjoy this.
Thanks NetGalley

"Project Hail Mary" was definitely better than Weir's previous novel, "Artemis." However, I still think I prefer "The Martian" more. I am not much of a science fiction reader, though, so maybe that is why I didn't enjoy this one as much as others have.

I think that I may enjoy this more as an audiobook than trying to read it.

Recapturing the magic of the Martian should have been impossible - at least space exploration related setting.

Yet Andy Weir has done it again.

Project Hail Mary features the same charming humor, mix of real world science and believable theoretical technology that captures the imagination. Our amnesiac hero gives his all towards saving humanity from an alien invasion - but in this case it isn’t just Earth at risk. Our main secondary characters are as enjoyable and diverse as previous Weir books. The ending leaves open some possibility for a continuation for these characters, and personally I’m interested in tales of the humans left behind, especially Grace’s students.

Know that like the Martian this is a very character driven book, with a lot of lab work, inner monologue, and science passages. Hail Mary does come with a framework flashback story being told along with the main story, which helps with the stretches Grace is alone.

Honestly the most unrealistic part of the book is the fact human governments actually work together, despite this Weir’s solution is elegant and simultaneously infuriating.

If you are a fan of the Martian, this is a book you will not want to miss!

Everything I love about Andy Weir's other books is on full display in Hail Mary: intelligence, silliness, sheer problem-solving gusto. It's a really fun diversion to follow a character that can smart his way to solution after solution and still remain relentlessly irrepressible. This book is something I really needed right now.

I have enjoyed Andy Weir's books since the Martian. I thought that could not be topped but then Artemis was released. LOVED IT. Now this, omg!! Project Hail Mary is science fiction and some fantasy at its best. I do not want to reveal too much to spoil anything, but this is his best yet!! You must read this if you like a little thrill and mystery added in to the science fiction element. A favorite for sure and a re-read!

Thanks to Netgalley, Andy Reid and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I will be telling everyone about this book.

Available: 5/4/21

Wow! What a story. I was captivated from the opening pages; the pace never let up and the story never lagged. I was swept up and carried into another solar system to solve Earth's problems and it was such a plausible plot that I never once scratched my head and said "Oh, come on. Get real!". What an amazing read.

Waking up in an unfamiliar environment, a man does not remember where he is or even who he is. He is confronted with two bodies who have clearly been dead for a very long time. He is alone with only a robot's voice and arms for company. As the man becomes more awake, he starts having flashbacks that slowly begin to piece together what has happened, where he is and who he is--Dr. Ryland Grace, a junior high science teacher on board a space craft in another solar system. How he came to be there is a slow reveal, but the why is immediately known: an alien life form is diminishing the sun's energy at a high rate and life on Earth is facing extinction if Grace does not learn more about this life form and how to defeat it.

That's all I'll give out about the plot. The story is far more expansive and engrossing. My only complaint about the book is more a failing on my part. I'm no science nerd and even though I enjoy hard science fiction--currently The Murderbot Diaries and the Expanse series--the science in this book was way beyond me and I suspect it will be so for most casual readers. Fortunately, it isn't necessary to understand every calculation or scientific principle to enjoy the book. And the humor, I forgot to mention the humor! In such a dire situation, Weir infuses touches of humor that makes the story even more enjoyable and the characters more believable.

I've been fortunate to have read some very good books this year, but I know this one will rank right up there as one of my favorites by the end of the year.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Ballantine Books for granting my wish when requesting this ARC. The publication date is May 4, 2021 but true sci-fi fans will want to pre-order it so they don't forget and can begin their journey with Ryland Grace as soon as physically possible.