If you didn’t already know, I am a big fan of Andy Weir. While I still haven’t finished Artemis, I really loved both The Martian and Project Hail Mary. If you’re looking for a simple introduction to science fiction, with engaging plots, well-rounded characters, and semi-realistic science, you should try picking up some Andy Weir.
The Martian was, to me, the ideal way to understand what science fiction is all about. I learned that the intention is simply to stretch the boundaries of human imagination and ask, over and over, what if? Weir accomplishes this task very well, managing to include several subplots and just enough hope for the protagonist to keep you engaged.
Project Hail Mary, I found, required a larger stretch of the imagination. As it incorporates aliens into the novel, it is certainly less realistic and therefore loses some of the tension inherent in more relatable stories like The Martian. Despite this, I liked Project much better, as the character was created to be unreliable, the story was less predictable, and the world-building was more unique. While the ending sucked, I was impressed by Weir’s commitment to the direction of the novel.
I strongly recommend that anyone even slightly intrigued by sci-fi check out one of these two stupendous books!