This is an easy must read.
It surprised me and even made me cry. As always Andy's signature self-deprecating humor brings levity at just the right moments. Plus I learned lots of sciencey details - which grounds the story and makes it believable.

This is quite possibly Andy Weir's best novel yet. Though there are some parts where the suspension of disbelief wears thin, the emotional payoff for staying absorbed in this universe is incredibly high.

Wow! This book is amazing on so many different levels. Not only is the science totally off the charts, but the relationships between the characters is as well—on earth and in space. Saving the world was not at the top of middle school science teacher Mr. (Dr.) Grace’s to-do list, but when he is drafted into his role, he proves more than able. Lots and lots of science and math involved, but in a way much more interesting, informative, and entertaining. Lots of time spent in the (brilliant) mind of the main character as he overcomes countless obstacles. Fantastic!

Andy Weir has cemented his position as a prominent science fiction author with his first novel, The Martian, and only continues to do with each subsequent release. Project Hail Mary finds Ryland Grace as the sole survivor of a mission that holds the fate of earth and humanity in the balance. Upon waking up, he finds his crewmates dead and a seemingly impossible journey ahead of him... A wonderful edition to the science fiction genre for those who enjoyed Weir's other titles, or those who find themselves in need of an escape from our current world and its' troubles.

Andy Weir has done it again! He's created characters you care about and a story that sucks you right in. He explains science and math in easy to understand ways and makes them interesting. He doesn't go into enough detail that it bores or confuses people but he provides enough of the science background for things that it makes all these impossible sounding things seem possible. I have had at least two dreams about time dilation since I started reading this book and it's a concept I don't really understand.

I will be recommending this to readers who like sci-fi and those who don't. There is something here for everyone. Great characters, high-stakes situations, action, adventure, and aliens. It is only February but I can already say this will be one of my favorite reads of the year. I can't wait for the next book from Andy Weir.

There will be many reviews comparing this to The Martian, but they're aren't that similar once you get past the two main points: it happens in space, and there's science.

In Project Hail Mary there is less MacGyvering by the protagonist, less detailed scientific explanations, and much less swearing. The Martian is a space adventure, pure and simple. PHM is all about relationships, and why we might actually care to save the planet.

Loved it. Suitable for most ages. Will let my 11 year old read it when it comes out.

I loved Project Hail Mary! What a great set up for a character to need to save the world, and I loved the buddy comedy aspect of how they figure out what needs to be done. I would love to read another book set in this world.

This was my first Andy Weir book, and now I want to go back and read everything else he wrote! I loved this book, and I don't often read sci-fi. The science is understandable and felt plausible, which is big for me since I wouldn't know. Weir's writing is witty and intelligent, and wholly entertaining.

I think this book was witty and exciting. I am grateful to have read it, and I might be a sci-fi reader now! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this early!

In Project Hail Mary, Weir returns to his bread and butter writing a la The Martian, but you also get the sense of him trying something new thematically. The pacing of PHM was perfect, with an ending that left you thinking--it was better than what I expected to happen.

CW: medical content, panic attacks, vomit, brief scene with animal testing, detailed discussion of assisted suicide and methods

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for sending me a free ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Project Hail Mary is a sweeping and creative science fiction adventure, brimming with twists and Weir’s signature laugh-out-loud humor and easy to understand science. I had no idea where the plot was going most of the time, but I definitely enjoyed the ride and guessing where the story would turn next.

One of my favorite aspects of Project Hail Mary (without giving anything away) is how each character’s salvation rests with helping others, and how no character could actually solve the problem at hand without teamwork and shared resources. Each of the primary characters all answer the same question in their own way: how far would you go to save your species from extinction? I really enjoyed watching this story play out in ways I did not see coming.

However, some sections of Project Hail Mary were too medically descriptive for my taste. I’m sure they were fascinating and creative, I just didn’t want to read them. There’s also a scene with detailed discussion on assisted suicide (this is a suicide mission, after all), which still feels on the edge of insensitive. Yes, it is part of the story, but do we really need to go into the step-by-step of different methods? I think Project Hail Mary could have included these scenes without describing every detail.

I also think this book could have benefited from another perspective: I found many of the questions I had were left unanswered by the end and I wish there had been a POV from someone still on Earth. By the time Grace wakes up on the Hail Mary, 13 years have already passed on Earth, which would have put the rest of humanity in the middle of some of the scientific predictions we learn about as Grace regains parts of his memory. Although, I understand why Weir would not want to tackle that storyline in an already almost 500-page book. With that said, I’m glad there was some focus - however small - on the “real” world consequences for the characters’ actions as they try to save humanity’s future by adapting their present realities.

Thank you again to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the privilege of reviewing an ARC.

Confession time: I’ve never actually read The Martian. I heard so many people raving about it, and I saw the movie, but once I’d seen the movie I didn’t really feel any urge to read the book. I’m rethinking that decision now, just because I loved Project Hail Mary so much.

Project Hail Mary has a more speculative premise than the Martian, but still grounded heavily in science, without getting too opaquely technical and hard for the layman to understand. The explanations are broken down into concepts which are more easily understood, just like in the Martian. The book also has the same practical scientific problem-solving approach to every complication that comes across the main character’s path. The plot is very twisty-turny as things go wrong and they have to scramble to find a solution. There is a mystery aspect to the story as the main character fills in his missing memories through interspersed flashbacks. Extra twists are thrown in as the missing memories are revealed which shed light on the mysterious and perilous situation our main character has found himself in.

I really appreciated the sense of humor that runs throughout the book, even when the main character is in dire circumstances. It helps to balance out the technical passages. I also - and I'm trying not to spoil anything here - but I really liked the unlikely friendship that develops between our narrator and a highly unexpected character. “Unlikely friendship” is one of my very favorite tropes and adored its use here, as well as the character in question! Science fiction can easily get bogged down in technicality and lose its sense of heart. This is not one of those. I almost cried while reading this at work.

There were a couple of nitpicky little drawbacks to the book. My main complaint is that some of this guy’s abilities stretch credulity. His memory recall for random science facts is incredible, and despite not mentioning anything about musical training, he apparently can recognize distinct musical tones extremely well. At one point he says he only knows “rudimentary programming” yet the script he writes sounds (to my layman’s ears) more than rudimentary. Sure, he’s a genius scientist, but there are just a few little moments that made me go, “really?” But there weren’t so many of them, and the ones that happened were not so egregious, that it completely threw me out of the story or made me want to stop reading. I was still completely engrossed in the story. Even with those minor issues, I’m still unreservedly giving this five stars.

I'm not often a fan of sci-fi as I tend to gravitate towards historical fiction and fantasy, but I did enjoy The Martian. I'm very glad I gave this book a try, although it did cost me a few hours of sleep. Yes, the science in this book is complicated, but Weir does an admirable job of making it understandable for those who might not have a scientific background. A very solid read.

I can proudly honestly excitedly announce a GRANDIOSE WINNER now!

I know my overcooked brain cells don’t have enough capacity to absorb every complicated, detailed, elaborated scientific facts and fantastic world building which amazed me at least thousand times but I fell so hard what I could understand which is enough for me to enjoy this book!

It truly hugged my inner weirdness and nerdy proportionally!

Since the Martian I was expecting something equally blistering, earth shattering, marvelous from this author! After the disappointment feelings I got from Artemis, I am truly satisfied with my space journey, intriguing mystery and another one man against the universe to save lives theme!

Ryland Grace wakes up from miles away from his home, lying down on a soft bed, surrounded by cameras watching his every move, wearing breathing mask tight on his face, naked, connected to more tubes he may count! And this is not the only weird thing about his situation: he is accompanied by two corpses and as a computer keeps asking what is two plus two.

Did I also mention he didn’t remember anything about himself including his name! And as we discover more about him by catching glimpses from his past, we realize this man is only hope to save the universe and he’s the sole survivor of desperate deep space mission ( you may call it suicide mission) Through the scattered quick flashbacks, we gather more information how he was assigned for this project !

I don’t want to spill more about details which I always do : because the surprise elements and unexpected twists are important to enjoy this journey!

Even though this looks like a long journey, narrated by one man who barely gathers his memories and rediscovers his identity ( so ironic, right, a world’s future depends on a man who tries to redefine who he’s and how he finds his real mission to exist), this book is truly a precious, addictive gem! It is smart, complex, entertaining but in the meantime thrilling, claustrophobic: the dark parts equally balanced the witty, enjoyable parts.

And let me tell you something, I loved to spend my time in Ryland’s mind. He was such a great narrator who has dark and witty sense of humor. You easily engage with him and deeply feel his dilemmas, struggles!

Overall: maybe it’s too early to declare but I feel like this will be my best sci-fi reading of this year!

I’m so thankful to Mimi Chan and fantastic Goodreads team to share this remarkable, one of the best reads of the year with me!

I highly recommend this extra smart, compelling, entertaining, well crafted novel! I’m planning to reread again in near future! At some parts I found it more enjoyable than Martian!

I immensely enjoyed reading this book. After reading The Martian and Artemis, I was sold on Andy Weir and his writing style. My favorite thing about Project Hail Mary is how Weir can write a situation that seems completely impossible and make it seem realistic. The flashbacks from the past that pop up from time to time really help to give the book depth and allow the reader to completely understand the plot. I would suggest this book to anyone who is a fan of science fiction, or for anyone who likes to escape their world (pun intended) by getting into a really good book!

Andy Weir has done it again. If you like The Martian, you're definitely going to like this one. Project Hail Mary is everything that science fiction should be: intrepid adventurers, dangerous scenarios, and actual science. One of the things I love the most about Weir's writing is that the science is definitely complicated, but he makes it understandable to the non PhD reader while not being condescending. I always feel like I learn something, but it's disguised as fun. And that redemption arc....this is a new favorite!

After loving The Martian, I was ready to love this book but was disappointed. The science was fascinating, but the plot and conclusion too hard to believe in. Liked the snarky alien.

I love, love, loved this. I loved it even more than Weir's first book, "The Martian," which was 5/5 stars for me. "Project Hail Mary" has everything I loved about "The Martian," plus a plot that is even crazier, more thought-provoking, and heartwarming. It made me cry multiple times. I'll be recommending this to all of the sci-fan fans I know. Thank you, Netgalley!

This is really fun, and a return to the style of The Martian for Andy Weir. I don't want to give away too much of the plot here, but I will say that from my point of view (definitely not a scientist!) this all seems very plausible. I enjoyed working my way through the scientific parts, trying to picture what was being built, and there were enough humorous parts to allow me to relax between those parts. Recommended!

This is SO, SO good. It has best elements of The Martian (detailed technical details! engineering mistakes and engineering heroism! optimism!), far fewer of the clunkier parts (ABBA references, POV shifts back to Earth), and some fantastically well-done new elements that I won't spoil. Getting to see Andy Weir grow even stronger as a writer is a genuine pleasure.

I really appreciate the relentless optimism that Weir brings to sci-fi. I adore Neal Stephenson and Kim Stanley Robinson, but their versions of this book would be focused on the dark horrors of space and humanity's inability to think of future generations. Right now, Project Hail Mary is exactly what I need.

Fans of The Martian and Arrival will really like this.

If you are a fan of The Martian and other science fiction, then you will definitely love this book. Without giving the plot, or book, away, the story takes place on earth where the sun is slowly dying. But what's causing this? An astronaut wakes up in space with no recollection of how he got there and what the mission is. This book is an interesting look at humanity, friendship, and the size of us versus the rest of space.