“Project Hail Mary” is not the first book I’ve read by Andy Weir. Like many people, I was introduced to his writing through “The Martian.” To my surprise—as I don’t typically consider myself a hard science fiction fan—I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed it so much, in fact, that I decided to give Weir’s most recent book a try.

If you loved the “science-your-way-out-of-it” energy of “The Martian,” chances are you will also enjoy this interstellar odyssey. It must be said: the protagonists of both books feel remarkably similar. Ryland Grace possesses that same snarky, hyper-competent voice we’ve come to expect from Weir, making him feel more like a familiar archetype than a brand-new creation. Still, it’s a brilliant blend of hard science, existential dread, and the kind of dry, self-deprecating humor that makes a solo mission across the galaxy a captivating read.

The story drops us into the shoes of Grace as he wakes up in a sterile infirmary with total amnesia and two dead crewmates. The amnesia-driven plot and the use of flashbacks to piece together the backstory are, admittedly, well-worn tropes in modern literature and not particularly original here. However, the way Weir paces these revelations keeps the stakes high as the horror of the situation sets in: he is Earth’s last hope. A solar parasite is dimming the sun, and he is on a one-way trip to find a cure before humanity freezes.

Weir leans heavily into the “competence porn” that made his debut famous. Grace is a disgraced scientist turned middle-school teacher, and his internal monologue as he calculates thrust and biology is infectious. You don’t just read about the science; you feel like you’re solving the mystery alongside him.

However, what sets “Project Hail Mary” apart is that the “solo” mission gets interrupted. Deep in the Tau Ceti system, he discovers he isn’t the only one lurking in the dark. This unexpected encounter shifts the book from a lonely survival story into a deeper exploration of communication and cooperation. Weir manages to make the “unknown” feel grounded in physics while maintaining a sense of genuine wonder.

“Project Hail Mary” is a scientific thriller that proves that even in the face of certain death, curiosity and a bit of math can be the most powerful tools in the universe. I give it an 8 out of 10.

– S –