10 Great Sci-Fi Books That Are As Good As Project Hail Mary

Following the success of Andy Weir’s novel, Project Hail Mary, and its popular movie adaptation, many readers are looking for other great science fiction books. Luckily, the science fiction genre is known for its long history of imaginative and thought-provoking stories.

If you enjoyed this, the best place to start is with more books by Andy Weir himself. Both the book and film versions of Project Hail Mary have unique qualities that make them both worth experiencing. He’s also the author of other popular sci-fi novels like Artemis and The Martian, all of which offer a similar satisfying read.

I’ve noticed a trend in sci-fi that really resonates with me, and Andy Weir’s books definitely started it. It’s that smart, modern voice combined with genuinely cool science fiction concepts. Authors like Ernest Cline, especially in Ready Player One, capture that same feeling. And I’ve been really enjoying Dungeon Crawler Carl lately – it dives into what makes us human, even when everything is totally crazy and impossible. It feels like it’s exploring similar territory as Weir, but in its own unique way.

As a sci-fi fan, I thought the Project Hail Mary movie really nailed the grand scale of the story – it felt appropriately epic! It’s definitely left me wanting more of that kind of big, imaginative storytelling. If you enjoyed that, and you’re already into stuff like Dune and Foundation, I’d highly recommend checking out the books those are based on – they’re fantastic next steps!

The Left Hand Of Darkness

Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness is a remarkable science fiction novel. It thoughtfully explores ideas about gender and identity, questioning our assumptions and offering a powerful message about the importance of friendship and understanding even when facing significant differences.

This novel follows Genly Ai’s journey to persuade the people of Gethen to join a galactic alliance. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of culture, set against an engaging science fiction landscape, and continues to be one of Ursula K. Le Guin’s most celebrated works, making it essential reading even today.

If you enjoyed the connection between Grace and Rocky in Project Hail Mary, you’ll find a lot to love in this engaging novel. It’s a deeply moving and insightful story that’s both heartwarming and makes you think.

Ancillary Justice

Anne Leckie’s Ancillary Justice is a captivating novel that delves into themes of power and identity. Set within a vast colonial empire and told across different timelines, it’s both a thought-provoking exploration and a thoroughly enjoyable science fiction story.

Readers who loved Project Hail Mary often connected with how it made a non-human character, Rocky, feel relatable. Ancillary Justice does something similar, but with the artificial intelligence of a spaceship. The novel explores this AI’s identity in a unique and impactful way, offering a truly original reading experience.

Ancillary Justice is a complex and thought-provoking novel, exploring themes of power and its effects, which makes it challenging to turn into a movie or show. However, the book is incredibly impactful and truly needs to be experienced firsthand to understand its power.

A Memory Called Empire

If you enjoyed the Earth-based parts of Project Hail Mary and are looking for another thought-provoking science fiction novel, A Memory Called Empire might be a great choice. Arkady Martine’s book offers a fascinating look at how cultures and societies change over time, exploring questions of power and highlighting the challenges that arise from significant cultural differences. It’s an intelligent and captivating read.

Against the thrilling context of a murder mystery, A Memory Called Empire is a compelling story exploring themes of power, how information is controlled, and the impact of these forces on individual lives.

This award-winning science fiction novel took home the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2020 and is considered a standout work in the genre. A sequel was released in 2021.

Leviathan Wakes

Fans of modern science fiction probably know James S.A. Corey’s Leviathan Wakes, but it’s worth highlighting. This novel kicks off a book series that became the fantastic sci-fi show The Expanse, and few space operas are as grand and thrilling.

Leviathan Wakes is a fantastic science fiction novel with memorable characters, a gritty, noir-inspired atmosphere, and thought-provoking themes about humanity facing extinction. It’s filled with realistic science and will especially appeal to readers who enjoyed Project Hail Mary.

There’s a lot to experience in The Expanse, with nine novels and many shorter works. But even if you only read the first book, Leviathan Wakes, you’ll find it’s one of the best science fiction novels of the last two decades.

All Systems Red

Martha Wells’ Murderbot series is incredibly popular, starting with this funny and thrilling science fiction novella. The story is told from the point of view of a character who isn’t quite human, offering a fresh and insightful look at people, all while keeping you hooked with its quick pace.

Already turned into an Apple TV show and hailed as one of the best sci-fi series of 2025, All Systems Red is a fast-paced and enjoyable read filled with clever writing and imaginative futuristic ideas. If you loved the humor and originality of Project Hail Mary, you’ll likely enjoy this book too.

Fans of shows like The Expanse will also likely enjoy the Murderbot Diaries series. It currently has seven books, with more planned, and a TV adaptation is also in the works.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy

Andy Weir’s work, particularly Project Hail Mary, shows a clear influence from Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Both are funny science fiction stories that tackle big, challenging ideas – like the potential end of the world – with a lot of heart, cleverness, and a unique style.

Though it prioritizes the humor and outlandishness over scientific accuracy, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is still a significant science fiction novel. It’s known for its witty satire and characters that readers can easily connect with, rather than a realistic portrayal of space travel.

This beloved science fiction novel started as a radio comedy and has since been adapted into a film and a BBC TV series. However, many fans agree that none of these adaptations have matched the brilliance of the original book, which continues to be highly recommended.

Old Man’s War

John Scalzi’s Old Man’s War series skillfully blends classic and modern science fiction. It shares similarities with stories like Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers and Joe Haldeman’s The Forever War, but is written in a fresh, engaging style that feels very current.

This book tells the story of soldiers who are reborn into younger, genetically engineered bodies to fight an alien war. It’s a funny and thrilling read, clearly written by someone passionate about science fiction. It proved incredibly popular, starting a long-running series and making Scalzi a major figure in the sci-fi world.

Although John Scalzi often emphasizes social issues more than Andy Weir, their writing styles have common ground. If you loved Project Hail Mary, you’ll almost certainly enjoy Old Man’s War.

Ender’s Shadow

While Ender’s Game is a classic science fiction novel, many believe Orson Scott Card’s follow-up, released about fifteen years later, is even stronger. This second book takes place at the same time as the first, focusing on the story of Bean, a young boy also training at Battle School.

Knowing the surprise ending of Ender’s Game allows Shadow to delve more deeply into themes of power and the morality of war. This makes it just as captivating as, or even better than, the first book, solidifying its place as a science fiction masterpiece.

If you enjoyed the relationship between the characters Grace and Rocky, and were captivated by the cool technology in Project Hail Mary, you’ll likely love this book too.

The Three-Body Problem

It’s unusual for science fiction that heavily emphasizes scientific accuracy to also be widely enjoyable, but Cixin Liu’s The Three-Body Problem managed to achieve that balance. Similar to Project Hail Mary, it’s a captivating story about a potential disaster for Earth, blending imaginative ideas with realistic science.

The science fiction novel Three-Body is gaining popularity with adaptations on both Netflix and Chinese television. It offers a thought-provoking and intricate exploration of what it means to be human when facing an overwhelming and potentially unstoppable danger, with a plot that takes many surprising turns.

I was completely blown away by Three-Body. It really makes you think about how an alien civilization, traveling across unimaginable distances, would even think about fighting a war. It’s become a must-read for me in the world of science fiction, and if you loved Project Hail Mary but are craving something a bit more complex and layered, I honestly think you’ll be captivated by this book too.

Hyperion

Dan Simmons’s Hyperion is widely considered a science fiction masterpiece, and rightfully so. The novel, beautifully written and structured like Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, takes readers on a spacefaring journey while deeply exploring themes of loss and self-sacrifice.

The captivating world and striking visuals of Hyperion would translate perfectly to a science fiction TV series. Beyond that, the book’s intense emotional depth and powerful writing make it essential reading, especially for fans of Project Hail Mary.

The story unfolds over several books, concluding with The Fall of Hyperion, Endymion, and The Rise of Endymion.

Like the central mission in Project Hail Mary, the Hyperion stories also deal with incredibly high stakes. But beyond that basic similarity, the two series are very different. This highlights the amazing range and creative freedom that science fiction offers authors, allowing them to craft original, meaningful, and captivating tales.

2026-04-13 17:55