Let’s get this out of the way: Project Hail Mary is overhyped. It’s a fun read, but it feels like “my first science fiction” novel. Now, that’s not necessarily bad—it’s got fast pacing, a solid story, and some great characters (well, at least three of them, and they get most of the spotlight, so it makes sense). But overall, it felt incredibly familiar, especially if you’ve read The Martian. The vibe is almost identical. Project Hail Mary doesn’t try to reinvent anything—it’s the sci-fi wheel, unchanged, rolling along because it works. And hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?
What saved this book for me was the science. That’s what really kept me going. I loved how Andy Weir incorporated the science of space travel, alien biology, chemistry, and physics into the story. It’s well done, and having a background in science definitely helped me appreciate it more. The way he explains complex concepts is clear without being condescending. It’s not boring, and even if you’re not a science geek, you can follow along just fine. The science is there, and it’s rock solid.
The next best thing? The dynamic between two of the main characters, Rocky and Grace. Honestly, their interactions are the heart of the story. They’re adorable, and I couldn’t help but love them.
Now, here’s where I break from the crowd: I don’t get the hype. Sure, it’s fun, but the book lacks a sense of wonder. It moves at breakneck speed, and everything gets resolved so fast that there’s never any real mystery. For a hard sci-fi novel, that’s a problem. I want the unknown to linger, for tension to build up. In Project Hail Mary, things are solved almost as soon as they’re introduced. It makes the stakes feel lower, even though they should be sky-high. If you love a fast-paced page-turner, you’ll probably love this. If you’re looking for something that lets you sit with the science and the mystery, you might feel let down.
There are two timelines: one on Earth and one in space. To me, the space storyline is miles better than the Earth one. While the two are connected nicely, everything that happens on Earth feels flat. It’s just not that compelling. The one standout on Earth is Stratt, who does whatever it takes, even if it’s morally gray. She’s interesting, but she’s also the exception.
And let’s be real: even though the stakes in this book are higher than The Martian, it never feels as intense. Watney and Grace are basically the same character, but Watney is way more interesting. I felt more invested in The Martian because it was fresh, and everything here feels like a rehash of that.
Ultimately, this book feels a bit watered down, and it seems like it’s aiming for a younger or broader audience. It’s perfect if you want to introduce someone to sci-fi or get them into reading. But if you’re well-versed in the genre, you might find it underwhelming. That said, it’s still worth reading. It’s fun, well-written, and tells a heartwarming story, even if it doesn’t push any boundaries.
A lot of people are calling Project Hail Mary Andy Weir’s best work, but for me, The Martian still holds that crown. Maybe it’s because I read it first, so the novelty made it more enjoyable, but Project Hail Mary just feels like The Martian 2.0. I haven’t read Artemis yet, and I’m not sure if I will, but who knows—maybe someday.
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