I just finished Project Hail Mary and I am emotionally NOT OKAY 🚀😭

This book really said: “haha fun space science” and then absolutely ruined me.

We start with:

• no memory
• alone in space
• two dead bodies???

and somehow it turns into:

• saving humanity
• questioning morality
• and forming the most unexpected, beautiful friendship ever???

Ryland Grace:

• went from “I don’t want to be here”
• to risking EVERYTHING without hesitation
• not a hero… just human, scared, and still choosing to do the right thing

And then there’s Rocky 😭

• terrifying at first
• then weird
• then BEST CHARACTER EVER???
• “face hole happy/sad” will live in my brain forever

Their relationship??? Built from NOTHING:

• no shared language
• no shared biology
• just science, trust, and effort

And somehow it becomes: “my human friend” → I would die for you energy

The mutual sacrifices??? Absolutely illegal. I did not consent to these feelings.

Also Eva Stratt:

• terrifying
• morally questionable
• probably right
• still scary

The science: confusing → makes sense → suddenly I feel like a genius

The ending??? Quiet. Bittersweet. Perfect.

I LOVE that we don’t fully know if Earth survives. It’s not about the outcome—it’s about the choice to try.

And Grace ending up:

• not as a hero
• but as a TEACHER again 😭
• teaching alien kids
• using MUSIC to communicate???

HE FOUND A HOME ANYWAY.

Final thoughts:

• came for space survival
• stayed for the science
• emotionally destroyed by the friendship

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (no notes, only pain)

Just finished Hexed by the Tide by Lauren O’Brien — ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)

This one was a bit of a mixed bag for me, but overall still a good read, especially for a shorter book.

The biggest thing I struggled with was the pacing. It felt pretty rushed, and a lot of moments that should have had more weight or buildup just… happened and moved on. I really would have loved more time spent developing both the characters and the world, especially the magic system.

Given the title, I was expecting a lot more focus on the fmc's powers, but they felt a bit underutilised, which was a bit disappointing because the concept itself is super interesting.

The characters also could have been more fleshed out. Their emotional shifts and relationships sometimes felt a bit quick or underdeveloped, which made it harder to fully connect at times.

That said, it was still an enjoyable read. The premise is fun, the vibes are there, and it’s the kind of book you can get through quickly and still have a good time with.

And this quote?? Easily my favourite part of the whole book:

“Loyalty and love was not a promise of forever but a choice made again and again. To care so deeply was its own form of bravery.”

Honestly, lines like that make me wish the whole book leaned more into that depth.

Overall: not perfect, but definitely worth a read if you’re after something quick, tropey, and entertaining.

Thank you to the author for a ARC of this!

I LOVED THIS BOOK. 4.5⭐️ AND I WILL YELL ABOUT IT.

This book said “what if we took a man, threw him onto a dead planet, snapped the WiFi, and let ✨science✨ decide his fate” and I ate that up immediately.

I am an absolute SUCKER for:

against-the-odds survival

man vs. nature

“this should NOT be survivable but here we are”

AND THIS BOOK DELIVERS ALL OF THAT… IN SPACE??? HELLO???

Mark Watney is genuinely unhinged in the BEST way. The man is facing constant, creative, increasingly ridiculous ways to die and his response is basically: “lol anyway” The humor?? TOP TIER. The AUDACITY to be that funny while dying on Mars??? Iconic behaviour.

I did this as an audiobook and honestly?? ELITE decision. It made all the science feel way less intimidating and the jokes hit so much harder. Highly recommend consuming it this way if your brain sometimes goes “no ❤️” to numbers.

Speaking of — yes, it’s VERY science and math heavy. Like… aggressively so. You WILL get hit with equations, calculations, and “if I don’t do this correctly I will explode” energy. The book tries to explain it simply, and mostly succeeds, but my brain definitely clocked out a few times like: “we trust you king, survive however you need”

That’s the only reason it’s not a full 5⭐️ for me — sometimes I was just along for the vibes instead of the math.

OTHER THINGS I LOVED:

The problem-solving felt realistic and satisfying (big brain energy everywhere)

The tension?? Constant. You think he’s safe? WRONG.

The isolation aspect hits harder than expected

The sheer stubborn human refusal to die is honestly inspiring

Potatoes. That’s it. Just… potatoes.

Overall: chaotic survival, space disaster, science wizardry, and one man refusing to perish out of pure spite and sarcasm.

Would absolutely recommend if you enjoy stress, humor, and watching someone outsmart death repeatedly 💫