Reviews

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

mcongdon's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

jana_heady's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

4.5 stars, rounding up 

I really loved Weir's The Martian, which I read a few months ago, and having heard even better things about this novel I was very excited to pick it up.

In most ways, it did not disappoint. Weir continues to write science-based sci-fi that is engaging for both those who love physics and those who do not. I felt that, overall, he did a good job exploring alien species in this novel. He pulled together many elements to create a unique culture for the alien species that was complex and, for the most part, believable. That said, the ease of commonication between species in a short amount of time was not as linguistically complex as I would have liked. His writing style, while not exactly a "fast, easy read" is certainly digestable and keeps you engaged. 

My biggest complaint is that Ryland Grace is just a carbon copy of Mark Watney from The Martian. Their personalities are indistinguishable--both snarky, brilliant, brilliant, and with the thinking process in problem solving. This is partly understandable because both are semi-isolated austronauts in extreme situations, but it didn't feel that he worked very hard to create a unique character for Ryland Grace. 

Overall, the ending was spectacular and the interactions between Grace and Rocky were very touching, and I have a good time reading this novel.

aurynorange's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

If I was a sci-fi girl I would’ve probs liked it more! But for someone who isn’t into sci fi typically I still enjoyed!!

thepeonyinink's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

x_vermilion_x's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

jickiesbookshelf's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

AMAZING AS AUDIO 

leilorenzo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

savysav's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

laraloops's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I can see why this was so recommended and as an audiobook too. The slow mystery and reveal of the plot was great, ,the main character I could see getting a little bit on someone's nerves but if you liked the narration of the Martian you will likely find this one fine as well. I thought that this book improves upon some of the unbelievable aspects of the Martian - mainly being the fact they sent so many people back just for one guy. While it is optimistic, I find the main character's conflicts and reasons for going on this trip to be much more riveting. While the Martian is just about exploration of Mars at the end of the day this book gives it some more tension. 

I did feel that the very end felt a little rushed but I'm interested to see how this is going to be adapted to the big screen. 

acgamer47's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5