Project Hail Mary

OH. MY. GOD. What did I just read? Is this the greatest sci-fi ever? Well, I'm not the expert (this is only my second sci-fi), but I absolutely loved it!

It's easy to see why Project Hail Mary won Best Science Fiction on Goodreads. The writing is phenomenal—it hooks you right from the start. Dr. Ryland Grace's race against the clock to save humanity is filled with urgency, and the science jargon is explained in such a simple, engaging way. I honestly wish he had been my Physics teacher!

Why should you pick this up? Without giving spoilers, this book offers a fresh take on space exploration. The challenges and solutions presented are unlike anything I've seen in Hollywood or read elsewhere. It doesn't follow the typical ‘save humanity' formula, which is so refreshing.

If you're new to sci-fi, this is the perfect place to start. Read the spoiler filled review below (of course I would not give story changing spoilers), I can assure you it will only affirm you to consider Project Hail Mary.


SPOILER FILLED REVIEW! PROCEED WITH CAUTION (again, not so many spoilers too)
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Dr. Ryland Grace wakes up in a spaceship, confused and disoriented, with two dead bodies beside him. He can't remember his own name, let alone why he's there. Slowly, through flashes of memory, he pieces it together: he's in a completely different solar system. But why? And what could possibly be threatening Earth that a mere science teacher would be sent on this critical mission?

Well, here's where it gets interesting.

Ryland Grace may be a science teacher, but he's also a microbiologist with a controversial theory—he believes that life doesn't necessarily need water to survive. This idea becomes crucial when humanity discovers a microorganism called Astrophage, which is consuming the Sun's energy. The Sun has already dimmed by 0.01%, and if nothing is done, it will dim by 5% in the next 20 years, plunging Earth into an Ice Age.

Despite not being an astronaut, Ryland becomes a key figure in the efforts to solve the Astrophage problem. Tau Ceti, a distant star, is mysteriously unaffected by the microorganism, and the spaceship Project Hail Mary is sent to investigate. How Ryland ends up alone on this mission, light-years away from Earth, is something you'll need to read for yourself.

Along the way, Ryland meets an alien named Rocky from the planet Erid, who is facing the same Astrophage crisis. Rocky's entire crew has died, leaving him alone on his mission. Together, Ryland and Rocky work to save both of their planets, navigating language barriers, technological differences, and the challenge of cooperating on the biggest problem either of them has ever faced.

What I loved about Project Hail Mary is how it flips the typical extraterrestrial narrative. Instead of the usual triangular-faced aliens and UFOs, we get humble beginnings—extraterrestrial microorganisms. It makes you wonder what could evolve from such life over time. Plus, the bond between Ryland and Rocky is the heart of the story. Their problem-solving, technological exchanges, and camaraderie make this more than just a space adventure—it's a brilliant exploration of friendship and cooperation across species.

I've left out plenty of details, and I really hope you pick this up to experience the rest for yourself. Trust me, there's so much more to discover in this story!