How to read Project Hail Mary for cheap (or free) before the movie comes out

Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship with no idea who he is. He doesn’t know his name, why he’s there, or who the two corpses were that didn’t wake up when he did. When his memories slowly come back, he remembers the mission: to save the world. And despite what he thinks at first, he may not be as alone as he believes.

Project Hail Mary is about a former middle-school science teacher who becomes involved in a desperate, last-ditch effort to save humanity from a mysterious space phenomenon that could spell extinction for the human race. Alone with just his wits and steady stream of one-sided commentary, Grace must MacGyver his way through the mission with science, engineering, and sheer creativity.

If you enjoyed The Martian, you’ll want to pick up this book before the movie adaptation (starring Ryan Gosling) comes out on March 26, 2026. But with so much anticipation, popular subscription services like Kindle Unlimited aren’t giving away the story for free. Luckily, there are still a few ways to read it without spending a dime — or very few, at least.

Where to read Project Hail Mary for free (or cheap)

Like Ryland, you’ll have to get creative

Project Hail Mary isn’t on Kindle Unlimited, but you can buy the Kindle version for around $15. If you prefer a physical copy, paperback copies are on sale for $14 on Amazon right now, and hardcover copies ring in at about $22. They aren’t the cheapest way to read, but they do sit pretty on a shelf for years to come.

However, the first way to read for free is through Amazon: if you have an Audible account, you can use some of your monthly credits to listen to the Project Hail Mary audiobook at no extra cost. If you don’t have an Audible account, you can sign up for a 30-day free trial to listen for free.

Subscription cost

$15 per month

Rollover Credits

Yes

Offline downloads

Yes

Audible is a subscription-based audiobook platform from Amazon.

If audiobooks aren’t your thing, you can read Project Hail Mary through Libby. Libby lets you use your library card to read, reserve, and check out e-books from your local branch or network. You might have to join a waitlist or place a hold since the hype around the movie is probably driving demand up, but there is a chance you may be able to access it instantly.

Since Project Hail Mary was published in 2021, there’s also a chance that you could find a used copy at your local book reseller. Used books are typically marked down substantially, which makes it better for your wallet as well as the environment.