Reviews

Ryland Grace wakes up with 2 dead bodies around him, memories gone as to how he got there, and finding out he's on a spaceship headed directly for a star. Grace would later go on to find out the reason for the ship as he’s tasked with discovering the secret to a mysterious creature that is consuming the heat from the Sun; dooming planet Earth. All alone and lightyears away from Earth, Grace believes he’s alone on this mission. Until he finds out that the mysterious parasite has affected other worlds as well, so his mission may not be as alone as he once expected.

There’s something unique about the Weir’s writing that always makes his novel a fun ride. There were quite a few instances I found myself thinking that Ryland Grace could just as well be a cutout of Mark Watney. From their personalities, their love for Science, and the many side comments they have throughout Project Hail Mary and The Martian. However, I can’t fault Weir for making characters who have similar personalities, as it’s the plot and Science that makes his books special.

I loved that so much of the Science used was one that I could remember from my first year University classes and could follow along with the logic of each section. Beyond plot and character, it’s simply fun to read Weir’s character’s use Science to breakdown, deduce, and solve every problem that comes along. It’s what made the Martian special, and makes Project Hail Mary special as well. One of the major highlights especially came in Grace’s first contact with Rocky. I loved the slow deduction that they used to understand one another, and the friendship built between the two.

For anyone who loved the Martian, I’d highly recommend Project Hail Mary. It has all of the same wit and humour that Weir brought along in The Martian, but raises the stakes. This time however, I loved that Grace had a companion in Rocky, and the heartwarming friendship that develops between them. Something that was lacking in the Martian as Wanted felt alone in many ways. Overall, another Science filled and fun novel from Weir that may surpass his work on the Martian.