Books Like Project Hail Mary – 12 Brilliant Sci-Fi Reads for Fans of Andy Weir

If you’ve just finished Project Hail Mary and are wondering how any other sci-fi book could possibly compare… you’re definitely not alone. Andy Weir’s bestselling novel has become hugely popular for a reason: it combines hard science fiction, humour, emotional depth, first contact, survival, and genuinely lovable characters into one incredibly addictive read.

Whether your favourite part was the clever scientific problem-solving, the space survival elements, the friendship between Ryland Grace and Rocky, or the optimistic tone, there are plenty of books that capture a similar feeling.

Below are some of our favourite books like Project Hail Mary — perfect for readers who love intelligent, accessible sci-fi with heart.

1. The Martian by Andy Weir

This is the obvious place to start if you haven’t already read it. Before Project Hail Mary, there was The Martian — another brilliant survival-focused sci-fi novel packed with humour and scientific ingenuity.

Mark Watney is stranded alone on Mars after being accidentally left behind by his crew. What follows is a tense, funny, and surprisingly uplifting story about problem-solving against impossible odds.

If your favourite parts of Project Hail Mary were the science-heavy solutions and witty narration, this should absolutely be your next read.

2. Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky

For readers who loved the first-contact elements and big scientific ideas in Project Hail Mary, Children of Time is an incredible choice.

Humanity searches for a new habitable planet while an entirely different intelligent civilisation evolves in unexpected ways. It’s ambitious, imaginative, and filled with fascinating explorations of communication, survival, and evolution.

This one leans a little more epic and philosophical than Andy Weir’s work, but it delivers the same sense of wonder and discovery.

3. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

One of the reasons readers adore Project Hail Mary is the surprisingly emotional friendship at its centre. If that was your favourite aspect, you’ll probably love The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.

This character-driven sci-fi novel follows the crew of a tunnelling spaceship travelling across the galaxy. It’s warm, hopeful, funny, and packed with brilliantly imagined alien cultures.

Think less “high-stakes survival mission” and more “found family in space” — but with the same optimistic energy that made Project Hail Mary feel so special.

4. Mickey7 by Edward Ashton

If you enjoyed the humour and accessible writing style of Andy Weir, Mickey7 is a fantastic follow-up.

The story follows Mickey Barnes, an “Expendable” crew member sent on dangerous missions because he can simply be reprinted every time he dies. Naturally, things get complicated when one of his clones survives unexpectedly.

It blends existential sci-fi ideas with fast pacing, humour, and a very likeable narrator — making it one of the closest tonal matches to Project Hail Mary.

5. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

For readers who particularly loved the alien-contact storyline in Project Hail Mary, The Sparrow is a must-read.

A group of Jesuit priests travels to another planet after humanity intercepts mysterious alien music from space. What begins as a hopeful first-contact mission slowly becomes something much darker and more emotionally devastating.

This book is far heavier and more philosophical than Andy Weir’s novel, but it explores many of the same ideas around communication, humanity, and understanding alien life.

6. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

If you loved the fast pacing and constant “how will they solve this?” tension of Project Hail Mary, then Dark Matter is well worth picking up.

This sci-fi thriller explores alternate realities, identity, and quantum physics in an incredibly readable and cinematic way. It’s less focused on hard science accuracy than Andy Weir’s work, but it delivers the same addictive page-turning energy.

7. A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

For readers who enjoyed the wider political and cultural aspects of space exploration in Project Hail Mary, this award-winning sci-fi novel is an excellent next step.

It follows an ambassador navigating a sprawling interstellar empire full of political intrigue, memory technology, and complicated alien cultures.

It’s denser and more literary than Andy Weir’s work, but incredibly rewarding if you want intelligent science fiction with rich worldbuilding.

8. Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey

The first book in The Expanse universe combines space mystery, realistic science fiction, and compelling characters brilliantly.

Like Project Hail Mary, it makes space feel dangerous, vast, and scientifically believable — while still remaining extremely entertaining and accessible.

If you’re looking for something bigger in scope after finishing Andy Weir’s novel, this is a great series to dive into.

9. Recursion by Blake Crouch

Another excellent choice for readers who enjoy science-heavy thrillers with emotional stakes.

This one explores memory, time, and reality itself in a story that constantly escalates in scale and tension. Like Project Hail Mary, it balances big sci-fi concepts with genuinely human storytelling.

10. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

This recommendation may seem a little unexpected, but hear us out.

While it’s much more absurd and chaotic than Project Hail Mary, readers constantly recommend it for fans of Andy Weir because of its humour, lovable characters, fast pacing, and surprisingly emotional moments.

It’s basically a blend of sci-fi, fantasy, gaming chaos, and comedy — and it’s ridiculously fun.

11. We Are Legion (We Are Bob) by Dennis E. Taylor

This is probably one of the closest matches to Andy Weir’s tone and style.

Bob Johansson becomes an AI space probe exploring the galaxy, creating clones of himself along the way. The result is funny, clever, science-heavy, and full of creative space exploration ideas.

If you loved the balance of humour, optimism, and scientific curiosity in Project Hail Mary, you’ll almost certainly enjoy this series too.

12. Hyperion by Dan Simmons

For readers wanting something darker, more ambitious, and deeply immersive, Hyperion is one of the greatest sci-fi novels ever written.

It’s more literary and complex than Project Hail Mary, but it shares the same sense of awe, mystery, and cosmic scale that makes space opera so addictive.

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Happy reading 🚀📚