A review by meganpbennett
The Martian by Andy Weir

adventurous challenging funny hopeful tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The Martian is an incredibly fast-paced survival adventure. Set on Mars. 6 days into a 30-odd day mission, the Ares 3 crew is forced to abandon the mission, and astronaut Mark Watney is injured in the rush to get to the MAV. Injured, and with an EV suit registering both massive, sudden depressurization and no life signs, his crew is forced to leave him behind, not even attempting a body recovery. Except...

He's not dead. Close, yes, but not dead. He does a quick repair on the EV suit, and makes it back to the HAB, where he quickly figures out that he has no way to survive until the Ares 4 crew lands, and no way to talk to Earth. 

The Martian is a page-turning thriller of a sci-fi novel - with understandable technobable that's probably pretty accurate - that manages to be extremely hopeful, even when there is no hope. It's terrifying, and yet... wonderful. 
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