My dad is the one who introduced me to Andy Weir’s first book, The Martian, so when I heard about this one, I was absolutely ecstatic.
I love this book! I had so much fun with the main character, Ryland Grace. You could definitely tell that he was a school teacher. His speech patterns and the way he explained things throughout the story gave me flashbacks to my own middle school days.
I can’t wait for this book to come out officially so I can share it with my dad.
Thank you to NetGalley for granting my wish on an ARC of this book.

ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange of an honest review

In his latest novel, Andy Weir returns to the formula that brought him success with The Martian. If you loved that book, you'll love this one! And we can all keep pretending that Artemis never happened.

In Project Hail Mary, junior-high teacher and microbiologist Ryland Grace finds himself in outer space- a lone astronaut tasked with saving the human race. That's all the plot I'm giving you! I went into this book knowing nothing and was thrilled to discover this story as I read. I want to give you that same gift by not setting up the plot for you at all. Enjoy it on the page! And do it soon, because I want someone to discuss this with.

Andy Weir pulls off another successful sci-fi novel with Project Hail Mary. I absolutely loved The Martian and felt opposite about Artemis so I was hoping he'd come out with another blockbuster.

Rylan Grace is a junior high school science teacher who loves his job. He is the narrator of this novel and you will learn more about him as the story goes on. In the first chapters Rylan doesn't know his name or anything about his past as he was in an induced coma for years.

He is on a spaceship and needs to remember his name and certain facts for the onboard computer to unlock areas of the ship. As he slowly remembers details of his former life we learn he was an esteemed scientist with excellent credentials before he burned some career bridges.

Without giving spoilers here it's established Earth will undergo a life extinuishing event. Dr Grace is one of the scientists who may be able to help change the outcome. In my opinion the science, hypothesis and formulas were interesting at first but I could have used less of it. Fun to read and then I felt like I may need to scroll along.

The memories of "life before" and the interaction Dr Grace has with another space entity was interesting. I particuarlly liked the last chapters and the outcome so it was overall a 4 star book for me.

Not on par with The Martian but 100% better than Artemis. We love Andy Weir in our home and have recently purchased his first book (again) after someone failed to return our loan :-( We also just watched the Martian recently - I think this book would have potential to become a cool space movie as well. Ridley Scott, are you listening? :-)

Publication date May 4, 2021 by Random House - Ballentine. Genre: Mystery, Thrillers, Sci Fi and Fantasy.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader's copy of this book. I was not compensated for the review, all opinions are mine.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for granting my wish and allowing me to read an advanced copy.

This is hands down the best book I have read this year so far. I am in absolute awe.

Long story short without giving away too much information, Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship and has to figure out why and how he got there. The whole fate of humanity rests in his hands.

So I've slept a night and I can't stop thinking about this book. First of all, if you are at all interested in space and don't mind not understanding a lot of the math and science interspersed throughout the book, then you will probably enjoy this book. Also, it's written in the first person and at times feels very scattered. You are experiencing the same thoughts and emotions as Ryland Grace as he navigates his current situation while also experiencing flashback about what brought him to this point in time. I will say, I can see this book not being for everyone.

I found it funny and suspenseful, and there were many times I got goosebumps while reading. And like all good books, the ending made me cry. The characters in the book were so likeable that I became really attached and invested in them. I WOULD DIE FOR ROCKY. I read this first on Kindle and have already ordered a hardcover copy. I can't wait to reread this book.

A middle school science teacher races to save the world in The Martian author’s new sci-fi adventure. When Ryland Grace wakes up from a coma on a spaceship millions of miles from Earth, his crewmates are dead and he can’t remember his own name. He knows he was working on the Petrova problem: the sun is dying, and if he can’t figure out how to revive it, a new ice age will end life as we know it. But all is not yet lost— by relying on his own wits and a new friend, he might yet save us all. VERY science-y, often funny, surprisingly poignant. MGM already snatched up the film rights with Ryan Gosling to star.

Space is scary. At least weir's space is scary but I want to go. He is so good at this intense action genre. Make sure that you have plenty of time to read this book as once you start putting it down and going to sleep is impossible

Ahoy there me mateys!  I received this sci-fi eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  So here be me honest musings . . .

The third book by this author, this be an excellent, fun, and intense read.  It follows Ryland Grace who wakes up in a craft with a fantastic case of amnesia and then has to save the world.  I almost want to get amnesia about this book so I can go back on the journey all over again.  Is that enough to get ye interested?  Because this book be so full of twists, fun reveals, and just plain awesome.

Scared that the science involved be too much for ye?  Fear not, much like the martian, the science is explained in an understandable way for the non-sciency person.  The only small flaw be some of the coincidence and unbelievability but the thrills be worth it.  I highly recommend.

So lastly . . .

Thank you Ballantine Books!

All I have to say is Andy Weir has done it again!  In this book, Project Hail Mary, Weir takes us to a new world in order to save our planet,  Earth. Dr. Grace has woken up from a years long coma to witness a new solar system. With no memory of how he got there, he slowly starts to peice together what has happened. As his memories come back to him, Dr. Grace discovers that he must figure out a way to save our planet from destruction.  In order to do this, Dr. Grace meets and works with an unlikely partner, an alien life form he names Rocky. Rocky is from the planet 40 Eridian and has come to the solar system of Tau Ceti for the same reason as Dr. Grace, to determine why a small, microscopic organism is devouring energy from sunlight. With his wonderful humor,  Weir takes us on an incredible adventure to save not just our world but that of an alien world. 

I typically do not read Sci-Fi, but Weir sure knows how to write a book for the general reader. His humor makes this book such a fun and exciting read. And, as with his book The Martian, Weir describes space travel in way that everyone can understand without losing any kind of technical aspect.  I was immersed in a new world in ways I never thought possible. I highly recommend Project Hail Mary to ask the adventurous readers out there. As this book tells us, you never know what's out there and what we can do to save not just Earth but the whole galaxy.

I received an advanced copy of this book from #NetGalley and the publisher, Ballantine Books, in exchange for an honest review.

I've read both of Weir's other books, and I got to say I think this one is my favorite of the three. And that's saying something, I LOVED The Martian. This one has a few points in it's favor that make it really work, Weir has deftly weaved his hard science approach to scifi with a first contact story that looks at the idea of aliens living on completely incompatible environments to us humans. Ryland Grace, the main character, is a bit of a toned down Mark Watney, he's got the same sense of humor (useful for carrying alot of the plot singlehandedly) but has nuance to his character that Watney lacked. The real stand out of this book was Rocky, an alien from a distant star system that's facing the same problem Earth is. Despite being extremely different (Rocky is described as a five limbed rock creature reminiscent of a spider who sees with sound due to his planet having an extremely thick atmosphere) the two manage to work together for the mutual benefit of both of their home planets. For a book that takes place almost entirely within one tiny spaceship, Weir has created a rich world that is backed up with scientific fact that is fun to read from start to finish.

Astronaut Ryland Grace is in trouble. Waking from suspended animation he has found his two crewmates dead and he is suffering from amnesia. Ryland can’t remember his name or his mission. As his memory slowly returns, he realizes that he may be the only person who can avert a major catastrophe back on earth. He only has to figure what’s going on and what to do about it.

I really liked Andy Weir’s previous book, The Martian. So, I wondered if Project Hail Mary would meet my high expectations. And the answer is a resounding Yes! Once again Weir has produced an excellent book that is well-written, well-conceived, extremely clever and imaginative, and just plain good. The protagonist is resourceful and resolute, and he meets his many challenges head-on. The scientific descriptions are so well-done that they make the book even more interesting rather than weigh it down. The story itself moves along at a nice pace, the action is consistent, and the dialog is believable and enjoyable. Andy Weir and his writing is the real deal.

Especially if you like sci-fi that is more real than imaginary I would highly recommend that you give Project Hail Mary a go. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Now, I wonder…when will this become a movie. I can’t wait!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

Andy Weir has outdone himself with Project Hail Mary. What would humans do if the earth started to lose its strength and no oe knows why? Why would a junior high school science teacher be the second in command of a global project to save the earth? What would a person do if they were sent on a suicide mission to accomplish this feat? These are the premises that the aptly named novel is built on. . Just at the various points that I was almost overwhelmed by the physics in the book (and yes, to all of you more scientifically minded readers, this book is for you!) a new fascinating human interest plot line is carried through. Great read! Thank you Net Galley!

3.5 / 5 stars.

The premise of Project Hail Mary, on the surface, is reminiscent of The Martian. This story turns out to be much more speculative and far-fetched than The Martian, while still being rooted in science and technology. As a reader, I found that Project Hail Mary required more suspension of disbelief than The Martian, but overall it was an enjoyable read.

We meet our protagonist, Ryland Grace, as he wakes up alone on a spaceship, without his memories of who he is and what he's doing there. As the story continues, the narrative switches between Rylan's present time in the spaceship and memories from his past, which are sprinkled in throughout the story. These glimpses into the previous years of his life are helpful for characterization and some background, but I found that they sometimes interrupted the pacing of the story.

Project Hail Mary, especially the beginning of the story, has a very strong leaning towards the science and the technical, which came across as more of an info dump than the science parts in the rest of the book. I didn't necessarily mind it myself, but if readers aren't trained or interested in those subjects, I can imagine it could lead to disinterest or frustration.

Overall, I liked the book. It was an enjoyable read, and the ally that Rylan meets as he's trying to save the world is one of my favorite characters from the story. The relationship between them that forms throughout the book is one that I personally loved. Despite the more speculative nature of this book, it was entertaining, and Andy Weir did a great job at wrapping everything up in a satisfying way.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book so much. It has everything - science, aliens, humor, and mostly heart. I read it slowly because I wanted it to last as long as possible, but I could have easily read it in one sitting.

The story opens with an amnesiac discovering he is in space with two dead fellow astronauts. As his memory slowly comes back, Ryland Grace learns he is tasked with saving Earth from a destructive bacteria that is literally eating the sun. With the help of an unlikely ally, Grace, onboard his ship, The Hail Mary must race against time to save humanity.

Simply put, if you love science fiction, space science, or aliens - read this book. If you loved The Martian, definitely read this book.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this electronic advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. I absolutely LOVED this book! Andy Weir has the remarkable ability as a writer to capture complex science and the beauty of humanity all in one and the result in Project Hail Mary is so deeply satisfying. I loved the characters and the way the story was done, and most of all I loved the ingenuity and friendship that were at the heart of this book. I savored every bit of this book and I absolutely plan on recommending it to all my nerdy friends! This is definitely a new favorite of mine!

A complimentary copy was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. If you really want to read this now, ask for an ARC. I've requested ARCs I never thought I would be approved for so it doesn't hurt to try! Do note, this IS and ARC! Final editing is not complete and some of the story may change between the ARC and final release, to include fixing things like typos, etc.

This is an extremely interesting story and I give high praise to Andy Weir for crafting such an elaborate tale. I became of fan of AW when I read The Martian and the humor in that book is very much present in Project Hail Mary. I highly recommend this story. 5 stars!

I won't go too much into the plot because that will RUIN the book! Basically Earth is in trouble because the Sun is loosing energy and pushing Earth into another Ice Age. The world is working together to find a solution and Project Hail Mary is exactly like it sounds, life on Earths last hope for survival. A strict selection process is used for the astronauts on the spaceship Hail Mary, and our Hero (Dr. Grace) meets them by far. His journey will take him roughly four years, 13 years Earth time, and then he must send the solution back to Earth, which will take another 13 years Earth time. All told, Earth will experience 26 years of climate change, food and water shortage, and death of many species of life.

A solution is found and sent back to Earth, but that isn't the end of the story, an SO MUCH happened to FIND that answer! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and I admit to skipping to the end to see what happens (when I was about 50% in) and then I went back and finished reading. For me this was like a scary movie you watch between your fingers! I was so worried something would go wrong, that there would be a problem that couldn't be fixed. Things DO go wrong, in a BIG WAY! Not saying how it ends, so read it to find out.

I went on an emotional journey and LOVED every minute. You don't need to be a sci-fi lover to enjoy Project Hail Mary, you just need to be a lover of books, and good stories with great writing. As in The Martian, Project Hail Mary is full of science speak which goes way over my head, but honestly I didn't need to understand it (also it was dumbed down later for people like me) to know there was a solution. Read the blurb because all is not as it appears for Dr. Grace. I wish I could say more! One of the downsides to having an ARC, you can't talk about it or give things away!

Andy Weir has a pleasing, cinematic way of writing. You can imagine all of it playing out in the movies but without the staccato writing that is characteristic of actual scripts.

The main character in this novel assumes a MacGyver kind of role after waking up from a medically-induced coma in a space capsule - the “Hail Mary.” As his memories come back, we learn with him what the nature of the mission is and how he ended up on the ship. There is a lot of math and physics, but he explains it all patiently, and there are surprises galore. His creativity is amazing.

I liked this book much more than his previous books, and I liked *them* a lot. But with this book, you get an ending that is sheer perfection.

Evaluation: I hate to say too much about the plot, because discovering it is part of the joy of reading it. It is smart, often funny, and profoundly touching. Don’t miss it!

Wow! Just wow! I was hooked from page one! A one man misson into space to save Earth??! Yea, I want to read that!

This book was amazing! If you loved The Martian like I did, you can rest assured the latest by Andy Weir is going to be a must read for you! Heck, I think I loved it more! The writing is so fast paced, kept me on the edge of my seat, addictive, and you will not want to put it down with all the plot twists and surprises!

Dr. Grace is the perfect protagonist with aspects of his life being slowly revealed and witnessing his character growth throughout the book! I loved his witty humor and so many times I caught myself laughing out loud to his antics. And ugh! I wish I could go into more detail of other aspects I loved, but I don't want to ruin it for anyone! Let's just say you will love it, I had goosebumps, and I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this book. I'd highly recommend this book to a friend (heck, I already did before I even finished it!).

***Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House—Ballantine for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Ryland Grace was a junior high teacher—and then he was the sole survivor on an interstellar Hail Mary trip to save humanity. When he wakes up from a coma alone on the ship, he has to piece together his own missing memories enough to figure out what needs to be done to keep the Earth from certain destruction.

I loved the Martian, so I came into this with high expectations. Project Hail Mary did not disappoint. Andy Weir once again balances lighthearted humor with suspense with expert care. The plot is genuinely interesting and keeps you guessing; the backstory of memories was just as interesting as the main story and I found myself rooting for both the main characters. It follows a similar pattern to The Martian in that it’s clearly by the same author—he knows his niche well—but aside from the same witty writing style and overall doomed-astronaut storyline, it’s clearly still its own unique storyline.

Despite my complete lack of a scientific background, everything was easy enough to understand (although I definitely can’t speak to the accuracy of any of it). Occasionally, some of the dialogue felt a bit cheesy, but this was a minor issue. My biggest complaint would be the length—the book held my interest throughout, but the long chapters just made the book feel long. If anything, the chapters could’ve been divided up more.

Overall, if you’ve liked Andy Weir’s earlier books, you’re sure to like this one, too. It’s great for any space nerds (that’s me) or fans of science fiction. Project Hail Mary is perfect for a good laugh, but still makes you think.

I found this book to be a little long for my liking. It was not as good as his first book and I was hoping for more. The time line going from present to past was sometimes abrupt and hard to follow, I felt it was a little unbelievable and the ending was a little to predictable.

Ryland Grace is a teacher on a one-way mission to save our planet. The odds are stacked against him and he’s definitely going to have to do some wild troubleshooting. If you enjoyed The Martian and Weir’s science-under-duress adventure writing, this book will delight you. It goes big and bold in its plotting and the emotional payoff follows suit. Hail Mary sticks this landing.

Some cringy dialogue did not significantly affect my investment in the story or characters. Recommended for Star Trek fans who like to dream about where human ingenuity can take us and who love to watch a plan come together.