Project Hail Mary - A Book Review from a BA in Creative Writing.

I just want to start out that it is crazy to me that I couldn't title this "from an undergraduate in Creative Writing" since I finished my degree path.

With that side bar out of the way, here is a book review of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, from a BA in Creative Writing (& English).

---

Let's Dive Into This Book Review:

This book was absolutely amazing, Weir never disappoints with his science fiction. Plus, it is hard not to keep thinking about the book, since the movie adaptation pops up everywhere- from Instagram reels, to Pinterest fan art, etc. etc..

Project Hail Mary is a hard science fiction novel following a middle school teacher, Ryland Grace, turned astronaut on his path to save the world from an alien microorganism ("Astrophage") that is consuming the sun's energy.

Grace was sent into space to save the human race from the rapidly dimming sun, but he wakes up from a medically induced coma with amnesia. Allowing us to learn about the impending doom and his backstory along with him.

Project Hail Mary is a tale of friendship, self-sacrificial duty, and scientific problem solving. While celebrating human resilience and the looming doom over humanity, this story will pull at your heart strings in ways you would never expect from a hard science fiction novel.

---

Moving slightly past the brief synopsis, let's get into my more of own thoughts and perspectives of the book...

AMAZE AMAZE AMAZE

I love everything about Weir's science fiction novels, and for the longest time I thought that no other hard science fiction novel set in space could BEAT The Martian (also by Weir) on my favorites list. Let's just say, that Hail Mary leaped over it without taking a second to look back.

I want to preference, I have not seen the movie adaptation yet. All of my opinions and perspectives within this review are solely based off of the novel. If you are reading this and you have only seen the movie, what are you waiting for? question. Go to your local bookstore and GET THE NOVEL!

Let's start with the star rating...

I would have to give this novel a 5 out a 5 stars!

★★★★★

(I want to note that the next sections MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS! If you have not seen the movie, or read the book, read the next parts at your own risk. Some of the major stuff you might already know about due to the trailers and previews from the film; however, I will try to keep the MAJOR spoilers to a minimum.)

I can easily give this book a 5/5 rating because it constantly made me want to keep reading. Everything from Grace and his science, Rocky and his comedic relief, and the perpetual tension of the suicide mission.

I loved learning about the backstory of the space expedition as Grace "learned" (remembered) it. Something about switching back and forth was perfectly paced and placed so it maximized the readers attention and didn't become a distraction.

I genuinely wish that all science fiction novels could be like this. Well that might be a drastic overstatement. I just wish there were more hard science novels that encapsulate me like Weir can. When I read Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer, I wish there was more science like I found within this novel. I know realistically they are drastically different novels, but part of me just wishes there could be more science.

Will I pick up the next book in the series? Probably, but that is not the point of this blog post. Let's get back to Project Hail Mary.

More specifically everyone's favorite alien of this decade. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Rocky. I think he is hilarious, sensitive, and the perfect counterpart to Grace's heavy scientific thinking. Yes the Eridian alien is a very science, engineering based character, but everything from his silly spider-like structure and his (English) vernacular is a perfect contrast to the impending doom of their races, and Grace while on the Hail Mary trip.

I also love the depiction of Rocky in the movie clips I have seen. The little spider, rock puppet is perfect. I have also seen a lot of creative adaptations to the side character. For example, fan illustrations and crochet stuffed "animals." (I am absolutely crocheting my own personal Rocky. Make sure to check out my Instagram to see when he is finished!)

I definitely think the whole story and plot line was a win for me. The scientific backing made me love the book even more. However, my absolute favorite part was how Rocky spoke since there was a difference in languages (duh 10+ light years in distance would do that to you). First off his native language is chords, like music, but made by vibrating his vocal chords within his body like a whale! WOW okay Weir, that was an absolutely amazing thought process. However, when we hear his English translation, he always ends his questions with the word "question."

“Usually you not stupid. Why stupid, question?”

-Rocky, Project Hail Mary

If you have seen me in person, you know that I have been constantly doing this in typical, everyday conversations. I think it's absolutely hilarious.

---

Planet Adrian from Project Hail Mary film adaptation 2026. (Image found on Pinterest)

I have a feeling this might be my favorite book of 2026. It is still very early in the year to tell, but who knows! It definitely has been my favorite one so far in 2026.

What are you waiting for? Question. Go read Project Hail Mary! Now now now!

xx,

Kylie Rose