Earth will move toward an ice age if scientists can't complete this mission, Project Hail Mary. Love the premise! Being a huge fan of "The Martian", I was so excited to get Andy Weir's new arc. The story is fairly fast-paced with a lot of science and speculation. I didn't understand most of the science but wow, I was amazed at the depth of knowledge and research that went into writing this novel!

There are moments when the plot slows down and drags a bit but overall, I loved the dialogue between the characters as well as the genuine reactions and emotions the astronauts faced while preparing for the do-or-die space mission. The humor, interlaced with tense moments, was perfect and what kept me engaged throughout the novel. Great read for fans of Andy Weir and doomsday science fiction.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing - Ballantine Books, and Andy Weir for an advanced eBook copy in exchange for my honest review.

Electronic ARC provided by NetGalley.
4.5 stars

I loved The Martian but was kind of meh on Artemis, so I'm happy to say that "Project Hail Mary" is much more like The Martian in both atmosphere and setting. This book is original, creative, tense, and full of the sciency problem solving that made The Martian feel so grounded in reality.

Ryland Grace is our main character and narrator- a teacher who has somehow ended up as the sole survivor of a desperate deep space mission to save the Earth. The nature of the threat, and how Grace ended up on the front lines, is detailed in flashbacks scattered throughout the book. I don't want to say too much about what happens during the story because it's best to be surprised, but it's clear that Weir put significant thought into the science behind the various situations in which Grace finds himself. The book is full of clever problem solving, and despite the rather epic plot, the narrative always feels at least somewhat grounded. Grace is a likeable narrator, and the main supporting character is also fantastic.

If you've been wondering whether Andy Weir can pull off another sci-fi bestseller like The Martian then I think you'll be pleased with "Project Hail Mary." It's a creative and intelligent sci-fi adventure and I'm sure Hollywood is already fighting over the film rights.

An excellent return to form by Andy Weir. A great concept well done with an ending that you do not see coming. After a slight misstep Weir is back in form

Andy Weir is back in his element after an unfortunate second novel that, to my mind, is better left forgotten. Project Hail Mary tells the story of a lone astronaut trying to save humanity by using lots of science. As with The Martian there is beacoup de science, but it's described so well that it still feels fun. I read this book at the edge of my seat - the stakes are high and the back and forth story telling between past and present is gripping.

I received a free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Get ready to science the crap out of this book!

Mr. Weir is back with another madcap adventure, this time to save the human race! As usual, things don't quite work out the way they were supposed to!

I absolutely LOVE this man's writing style. Even while explaining high-concept scientific fundamentals (which he does often), his writing is always accessible, well thought out, and loaded with dry wit.

While in places the story is a bit formulaic, the journey taken is not, with a number of unexpected surprises that take a simple end-of-the-world disaster story on a whole other route.

Overall, I'd heartily recommend Projecy Hail Mary. Strong escapist SciFi rooted in the plausable!

Project Hail Mary is Andy Weir at his best. He brings you along for the ride in solving problems you can barely comprehend, and makes it feel like fun! The fact is that his genuine love of science shines through so that even someone like me with no claims to scientific knowledge will enjoy the journey. The setting details and world building are just right. I really don’t want to go too much into plot as I don’t want to spoil the read. In addition to science this read contains action, suspense, adventure, friendship, reflections on humanity and social problems, and really raw moments that induce visceral reaction. It’s been a while since I’ve been so engrossed in a novel. Thanks for writing it Andy Weir! I’ll be singing your praises to my patrons in the library.

Loved it! A welcome return to form from Andy Weir for fans of The Martian, this was a perfect read during the week of the insurrection--a fast-paced escapist science fiction adventure about using human ingenuity, science, and cooperation to solve problems and meet the Other. Recommended.

In Project Hail Mary author Andy Weir returns to form in a story of unlikely heroes, aliens, science, and space exploration. Weir captured me with his first book "The Martian", and in "Project Hail Mary" he outdoes himself with fully realized protagonists, dire, existential threats, clear science, strong supporting characters, and a storyline which challenges not only the characters, but the reader as well. I look forward to recommending this read when the book comes out.

This book is every science fiction fan’s dream come true! Every box gets checked - from trying to save the world to meeting your very first alien. Hand me an Andy Weir book any day and you’ve got a reader who won’t stop until the ride is over. 5 very big stars.

Another excellent offering from Weir. A recommended first purchase for most fiction collections, particularly those where realistic SF is popular.

Andy Weir has woven together another sci-fi novel for his fans, blending technical believability with dramatic storytelling. His fans will not be disappointed with this one!
Thank you for the ARC! I know my patrons will enjoy this one.

A wonderful follow up to The Martian--rich sci-fi, steeped in realistic detail. I've already recommended it!

What an incredible book! I was immediately drawn in and had trouble putting the book down. The storyline was full of conflicts, surprises, and wonderful characters. Andy Weir does a wonderful job of balancing technical information and storyline. I never felt too bogged down with information (and there is a lot of technical, biological, chemical, and physiological information), nor did I ever feel that it interrupted the flow of the story. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loved The Martian or enjoys high-stakes space adventures.

Project Hail Mary is, beyond any doubt, one of the best books I have ever read. Thrilling, poignant, and stellar in every regard.

Every time I read Andy's books, I think they cannot get better. BUT, they do! This was amazing and I could not put it down. My heart raced as I tore through the pages of this action packed adventure. I may not always understand all of the science but the story makes sense and it was such a fun adventure.

If you are a science fiction fan who geeks out on step-by-step procedures of how to answer questions such as where am I, where am I going, how do I survive, etc., then this is definitely a book for you to enjoy. I am not that kind of science fiction fan. I don’t like feeling like I’m in a science classroom, being taught how to survive in space. The Martian had some of this, and I enjoyed that book. However, Project Hail Mary had way too much of this instruction. It just became tedious, and reading the book became a slog. That’s not to say that some parts of the book weren’t enjoyable, but they were far and few between. This is not a book that I would recommend

Although I enjoyed this book I did find the science and math too in deep. I honestly enjoyed some of the scientific explanations but others were too long or esoteric. The story moves quickly and has many exciting plot developments. This not a nail biter like The Martian. It almost feels like a cozy sci-fi novel. The ending is bittersweet but satisfying and gratifying. The is great story and a positive uplifting story of cooperation. We need more examples of this cooperation in our daily lives. Like and recommend this book.

Andy Weir is back with another AMAZING Outer Space Adventure to save the world and the universe. A must read for Sci-Fi and Weir Fans!

From the author of “The Martian” comes another thriller set in space with a single hero managing incredible life-or-death challenges through his knowledge of science and “McGuyver-like” engineering skills. At the beginning of the book, Ryland Grace is waking up after what we discover is a long chemically induced sleep. His body has been cared for by robotic arms and his memory of the past is spotty at best. The challenge he faces slowly unspools in flashbacks of his time on earth, working as a part of an international team confronting the biggest threat to humanity that has ever existed.

I really want to stop explaining it there because it is so much fun to not know where this book is going and just have things happen for the reader. Lots of big surprises in store and a ton of science, mainly astrophysics, to learn about. Like “The Martian,” the book focuses on one lonely character out there on his own, making all of his own decisions and having to rely on his own wits to get by. Ryland Grace has the same sarcastic and matter-of-fact attitude as Mark Watney from the earlier book. Fans of the movie and the book will love this one as well.

This the story of Randall Grace who wakes up in space and is not sure how he got there. Between flashbacks and real time we find out the answers. The story building is really amazing. This guy has some imagination!! Some of the scientific stuff can get dry at times but it doesn't last long. This is well worth the read!