Nowhere near as good as I was expecting!

A man wakes from a coma. He has no memory of who he is. He soon realises he’s the sole survivor of a space mission, on board a ship called Hail Mary, positioned in another solar system. As his memories return in fragments, he understands that saving earth rests squarely on his shoulders.

I enjoyed the first 10% but from that point on most of the book dragged. I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters, there was a good twist at the 83% mark, and the ending was brilliant and emotional. Also, Andy Weir created a unique and imaginative alien race.

But when does a novel become more non-fiction than fiction? The answer to this question is Project Hail Mary. In-depth math and science were prioritised over the actual story. Pages of textbook-like explanations when a paragraph would have sufficed made for very slow, less exciting, boring reading. It’s a shame because otherwise the writing was excellent – dialogue, thoughts, behaviour, actions – were all spot on.

I have no complaints regarding the audiobook – Ray Porter’s performance was incredible. He nailed every accent and emotion, his computer voice was awesome, the humour he injected into his reading was delightful, and the sound effects were a clever addition.

I just wish it had of been the five-star read for me that it has been for most everyone else.

I’d like to thank Netgalley, Random House UK Cornerstone, and Andy Weir for the e-ARC.

Look. The Martian is still my favourite Andy Weir, and it would take some real miracle to change that, but Project Hail Mary came pretty close. I loved the mystery, the gradually returning memories, the relationships, the whole concept was fab. Definitely one I'll end up rereading at some point.

I can't stop thinking about this book. It is SO SO SO good. I also hear amazing things about the audiobook and when I inevitably reread this in the future, that will definitely be how I do it.

I think its easier to review this without spoiling it at all, because not knowing what's coming is half of the joy of it. But I loved Ryland's story, both in the now and in the past. I loved the way that Weir (as always) weaves so much science into the book without making it feel like you're stuck learning. I *adored* Rocky. And I think that's all I can say without spoilers!

This felt like it fell back on what worked so well in The MArtian - someone alone, making jokes and conducting science experiments. Which doesn't SOUND like a viable premise but there you go.

Read it, you'll have no regrets. I can't wait to go back to it. 4.5 stars.

This was the first Andy Weir I read and whilst I enjoyed it very much I felt some of the science jargon went over my head- not the books fault.

I loved the main character and the relationship with the ‘alien’ was truly wonderful and made me quite emotional at times which I wasn’t expecting.

The pace of the book could have been a little faster for my liking but I loved it and will certainly be seeking to read more of Weir’s books in the future.

Please find a link below for a podcast interview for the Two Book Nerds Talking podcast with sci-fi author Andy Weir about Project Hail Mary, aired on the 2nd June, 2021. Our conversation with Andy Weir touched on his love of scifi, his influences and writing process, and listen in as he nerds out on the design details of his spaceship!

I fell in love with this book. Andy Weir, you have taken me on a mind-blowing and geek filled journey that only you could scribe. Your style of writing is engulfing and real. The characters, the tumultuous and rewarding epicness, the love and dedication to science and the unknown. This read is powerful and full of emotion. Dr Grace is my new super-hero.

I honestly wasn’t sure what to think. I’m not a huge fan of SciFi but wow, this was far from what I expected. A science teacher ends up alone on a mission to save the world from a bacteria eating the sun. On the journey he encounters an alien and together they save both their plants. I felt so many emotions and became very attached to Rocky the alien. It was easy to read even though there is advanced maths and science involved. It was funny and heartwarming, and even if you don’t like SciFi you’ll like this story of friendship and courage. Well worth a read.

I loved reading the Martian so was thrilled to be accepted to review project Hail Mary by the same author. It’s an intriguing and spellbinding book about space

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy

Wow - science fiction for the thinking man. The story itself was creative, unpredictable and full of hope. But the secret sauce was in the detailed explanations and thinking - and the ability to make these biological and scientific concepts understandable for the layman.

The story was fascinating. Earths sun is dying due to an organism that feeds on its energy. This is happening at a rapid pace and will likely throw earth into an ice-age and mass extinction unless the sun's attrition can be stopped. An elite task force is assembled to resolve this, empowered with any level of money and power - after all the fate of earth is in the balance. Enter Ryland Grace who finds himself, firstly, one of the leading scientists and, secondly, the only survivor on a spaceship tasked with finding answers in another solar system. Due to a prolonged coma, his memory is fuzzy but its coming back and its up to him to find answers to save Earth...with some unexpected help from another civilization.

The creativity is incredible and the depth of methodical thinking is beyond. At all times, we understand what is happening and why, no matter how abstract or scientific the explanation. I loved that this was entertainment and education in one. The characters were well thought out - flawed but brave, persistent, determined and the detail was intelligent. The pace never dulls, as the story switches between past and present and although there is a lot to take in, it never felt like it was too much. This is one story I wont forget!

Thanks very much to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. Many thanks, Dave

When Astrophage - a tiny alien lifeform - begins to swarm, effectively reducing the power of the sun, all the spacefaring countries on earth band together to build the Hail Mary to make a desperate one-way trip to Tau Ceti, the only star in the near galaxy that seems unaffected. It's a suicide mission to try to prevent an extinction-level threat to humanity. Three astronauts are placed in a medically induced coma to sleep off the four years of the journey. It's not without its perils. Ryland Grace, a biologist formerly in academia, but now a high school science teacher, awakes unable to move, speak, or remember and gradually works out where he is and what is mission is. Unfortunately, his two crew-mates have died at some time during the journey, so Grace is on his own. Gradually he begins to recall memories of events which led up to him being an astronaut. Fortunately, Grace is smart. Just like Andy Weir's The Martian, he has to science-the-shit out of the situation. That's where the comparison with The Martian ends, because it turns out that Grace is not alone. Enter Rocky, an honest to goodness alien, vaguely spider-like in shape (but bigger) with five arms and a rocky carapace. The alien communicates by musical chords. He (it) perceives the world around him with a kind of sonar and has no eyes, but gradually, even though they can't survive in each other's habitat/atmosphere, the two achieve a level of understanding and friendship. Rocky - the last survivor of his own mission to save his species from the Astrophage, turns out to be a brilliant engineer. There's a lot of fascinating science in this book. I'm no scientist, but I'm assuming it's more or less accurate. The relationship between Grace and Rocky is fascinating, and the solution to the Astrophage problem will save both their worlds. I consumed this via Audible. The narrator, Ray Porter, is excellent.

This book has the distinct Andy Weir voice and while I found it humorous and engaging, I am starting to see parallels to Weir's other works that always places a white male at the center of the narrative. This time the characters is paired with a not so regular side kick, and it makes me wonder were Weir could take us if he shifted his central focus.

We've all had those kind of blurry awakenings when it takes us a second to remember what day of the week it is...well...imagine waking up not knowing who you are, or where you are....

...that's what happens to Ryland Grace, who wakes up on a spaceship, alone, not even remembering who he is. His mission...to unlock the secrets of "Astrophage" which is leeching energy from the sun, threatening all life on earth. Oh, and just to make it harder, his crewmates are dead - he's al alone. Until......

I won't go into the plot any more, I think that's enough to whet your appetite.

I'll go straight into what I think - well, it's a sci fi novel, but it's more than that - it's about friendship, hope and self sacrifice - which may even be more important than the sci fi element of the book, or perhaps I'm just getting a little sentimental in my old age. Whatver - I loved it, drawn in by the plot, lovable, characters and the whole adventure.

Wherther you like sci fi or not, it's still a great adventure and genuinely uplifiting - the science may be a bit much if you're not into sci fi novels, perhaps for non sci fi lovers, this would be a 4 star rather than a 5 star book. Whichever kind of reader you are, I think there's something in this book for everybody.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free review*

I thoroughly enjoyed the part of the novel that had to do with exploration in space, I did not really care for the vast majority of the novel that had to do with the situation on Earth. Stratt was annoying and while the one plottwist in the end of the novel was quite nice, one could see it coming to be honest. But I loved how our protagonist scienced his way through space, interacted with Rocky and tried to save humanity. The science was beyond me of course but it was well done and I LOVED the ending. :)

4.5 stars

Well this was one heck of a rollercoaster ride of a read. I cannot remember the last time that I loved reading a book as much as Project Hail Mary!

We follow Ryland Grace, an astronaut on a spaceship to, somewhere. The thing is that he has amnesia, and for a while he does not even remember his own name, let alone what he is actually supposed to be doing on this spaceship.

Honestly, beyond the blurb, I dare not say what else happens as it is honestly best to go into this knowing as little as possible. Both you and Ryland Grace are discovering what is actually happening at the same time, so you get to experience the highs and the lows of what he uncovers, both about his past and what his purpose on this spaceship is.

If you loved Andy Weir’s other space-based books, then you will surely love Project Hail Mary.

This was my first time reading something by Andy Weir and I found it very enjoyable.

I particularly liked the science and technology explanations.
I didn't love the main character - he came across as quite a bland personality and he very quickly had an enormous working knowledge of a variety of specialist scientific fields.
The set up itself concerning how he came to be involved and on the ship seemed unlikely.

I love Andy Weir and his writing is so easy to read, I suggest him to every person looking for an easy to understand Sci-fi, I'm aware a lot of people don't like the humour but I think it makes the story more human. Highly recommend!

I adored this book. Something about the way our protagonists rooted for each other had me desperate for a happy ending. The same race against time, lots of disasters some serious science plus MacGuyvering we've come to know form Andy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Confession - this was my first Andy Weir book. I didn’t read ‘The Martian’ (I will now, don’t come for me!). Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last chance mission and if he fails earth and humanity itself will perish. Except that right now, he doesn’t know that. He can’t remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it. All he knows is that he’s been asleep for a very long time. Alone on a tiny ship that’s been cobbled together by every government and space agency on the planet, and hurled into the depths of space, it’s up to him to to conquer an extinction-level threat to our species. And thanks to an unexpected ally, he just might have a chance. Quite an epic plot.

Weir is hilarious. His mix of humour and amazing narration just works. This was just so enjoyable to read and he was able to create the sweetest characters. I can’t remember ever being this invested in a sci-fi novel. I feel at times I got bogged down with the science stuff, but that’s just me personally, Weir made the it stomachable and I’m imagining most will enjoy how he’s incorporated it into the story. Science aside, this story is about friendship and hope.

If I were to sum up this book in a few words it would be emotive, imaginative and epic.

As always a massive thank you to NetGalley and the publisher #RandomHouseUK and #cornerstone for providing me with a copy of this ARC. An absolute privilege I am always grateful for.

Reviews posted on Goodreads and Instagram

This was a 5 star prediction for me, and from the start, it ended up being an easy 5 star read. I went into this hardly knowing anything about it - I didn't even read the synopsis - and I recommend you do the same, because that makes for the most enjoyable reading experience. This book masterfully built up my anticipation, and so much so that I had to read it in small doses and take breaks, because I just could not take the tension. But it also really paid off, because you get rewarded with literally so many twists and turns - ones that are actually interesting and that you usually won't see coming. I loved how suspenseful this book was, all the while never losing hope for a good outcome, and it was a really funny read as well, which did a good job relieving the tension.