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.

Project Hail Mary was such a treat to read. Andy Weir has such a sense of nerdiness to his writing that you can't help but be curious to learn more. This read takes us to the life of teacher, Ryland Grace, who finds himself attached to a machine, cameras everywhere... in the middle of space. The story is in two different time periods so we learn what happened before and what is currently happening on his journey and how he got there.

Through all the twists and new surprises I was hooked from the start. If you have not have the joy of ready an Andy Weir book, I would recommend this as a fun place to start.

Thank you NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and author Andy Weir for this ARC!

I really loved this newest book from Weir. Though I had to just nod and smile at the math and science, I appreciated the heart and story in this novel and the relationship between Rocky and Grace. Excellent book. 4.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What can I say but...wow. I was truly excited to be given the chance to read Project Hail Mary, the newest book by Andy Weir. For those unfamiliar, Andy Weir wrote The Martian - then turned into an award-winning motion picture! The Martian is one of my favorite books, and when I saw that Mr. Weir wrote another space science fiction (with a huge helping of science!) - I truly couldn't wait to read it!

And it did not disappoint. This is now one of the best books I've ever had the enormous pleasure to read, and I believe that it is probably Mr. Weir's best book yet.

Dr. Grace wakes up unable to even remember his own name. As he collects himself and his memory starts to return, he realizes that he is in deep space and on an emergent last-chance effort to save the human race from an extinction event. How did he get here? Is he alone? Will he have a hope to succeed? Saying any more would give away the plot! Reminiscent of The Martian, and yet totally different, I followed Dr. Grace's adventures with such attention that I forgot real life existed for several hours. There's a healthy dose of human psychology, a huge amount of fascinating science, and enough adventure to keep you on the edge of your seat. I was truly disappointed when the book was over - but not disappointed with what I believe was the absolute perfect ending!

This is a not-to-be missed book. Andy Weir is truly a literary genius that can take science and make it relatable and exciting for every reader! I highly recommend, and I believe this will be a top read of 2021!

Thank you very much to NetGalley, Random House, and the author for my ARC! All opinions are my own.

A million thanks to Random House/Ballantine and Netgalley for providing the ARC of Andy Weir’s new novel! For fans of The Martian, Andy Weir seems to be back (after his previous Artemis which I was so disappointed with I didn’t finish). Remember “science the shit out of this” from The Martian? That describes this book to a tee. A fascinating science/adventure/survival tale with SO much heart! Highly recommended for everyone.

I love Any Weir. The Martian was gifted to me by my best friend and Artemis was a great adventure. With a lot of Science Fiction books, I don't feel smart enough to know what they are talking about. Weir is able to give us the science behind his stories, but then does a good job of breaking it down so the Average Joe/Jane can understand. I also love the characters. He does a good job of distinguishing voices and making us like the MC even if we don't agree with their choices. I whole heartedly recommend this book!

Big thank you to Random House/Ballantine Books and Netgalley for granting my wish to read and review this book. I immensely enjoyed Andy Weir's last two books. He has a way of pulling the reader in and its so hard to put the book down. Ryland Grace is the star of the book waking up alone (he finds his crew mates didn't make it) with amnesia on a ship trying to figure out how he got there and why. Through flash backs he remembers its to save humanity. I can't say enough good things about this book. I identified with Ryland's emotions and enjoyed his journey. I have previously seen reviews about language in AW books (I didn't have any problem with that....I prob would say worse given the situation) but if you worry about it this one has no language.

Although I found myself skimming some of the more detailed scientific content, I really enjoyed the rest of the story. I was fully connected to the story and rooting for the characters. The ending was so good! It went in a direction I did not expect. I think fans of The Martian will love this one.

This book was un-put-downable from the get go. Signature Weir humor is laced throughout the novel, interspaced between tense explosions, and touchingly tender moments. Weir takes complex science terms, and simplifies them to grounding plot points. The Mythbusters would be proud.

In Project Hail Mary, the sun is beset with an alien infection, reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth. The dimming is set to launch famines, war and plagues, if a small team of astronauts can’t find a solution from the neighboring star.

We follow Ryland Grace, middle school science teacher turned human savior as he awakens from a coma and reestablishes the pursuit for a solution. Along the way he comes in contact with Rocky, an alien who is on a similar mission to save his home world.

This unlikely duo pairs up their scientific knowledge and engineering skills to merge environments, share language and create a solution for the star infestations.

Using flashbacks, Grace reorients himself on the mission, and continues to understand the backstory of the program as he searches for a cure for the sun. The dual character development of prior experience on earth with the dynamic problem solving was a joy to read. My only complaint is the reveal of the amnesia source. The order of the flashbacks doesn’t entirely make sense, though it does build tension across the novel.

The ending was satisfying, if revealed a tad early for my taste. The closing scene was delightfully tender, and wraps up the fate of Earth well.

Despite the space cowboy set up, there’s amazing commentary on the human condition, learned culture and friendship. Weir writes space disasters just as well as cultural exchanges. For anyone who has dreamed of seeing ‘the little blue marble’ this is a must read.

I rarely rate a book five stars, but my goodness, this book is amazing! Where to begin... The character development is excellent. The hard science-fiction plot is both believable and exciting. The humor is laugh-out-loud funny. It's a delight from start to finish. It's my new favorite Andy Weir book and will be a strong contender for my favorite book of the year come December.

I am a library paraprofessional and received an advance copy from NetGalley. Opinions are my own.

This book was incredible. If you’re a fan of hard scifi--where the science and tech matters and is accurate, then you’ll love this. I actually don’t dabble too much in hard scifi, it usually takes me out of the story because of the amount of science on the page.

Project Hail Mary has a lot of science on the page, I mean a lot. But it’s done in a way where it didn’t take me out of the story. I could practically hear the character explaining this to me.

It makes sense given his job as a school science teacher.

When I say there’s a lot of science, it’s all very detailed. A lot of math and theories I could never actually follow. The great thing about it? It never went on long enough for me to get bored. And the main character would interrupt the flow of numbers and jargon. It was entertaining even in dire situations.

The voice of this book was great. I felt like I really knew Ryland Grace. A man who never swears because he teaches kids. A man with a casual sense and who can make even the most hard core scientific theories easy enough to understand.

I will absolutely be recommending this book and purchasing it. I never read The Martian but with Project Hail Mary, Andy Weir has a new reader.

I received an ARC of this book, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher.