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I really enjoyed Artemis. It isn’t quite on the same level as The Martian for me, but it’s still a fun, fast-paced read that kept me turning the pages. Andy Weir has a real talent for making science feel interesting without it becoming overwhelming, and the setting of a city on the Moon is easily the strongest part of the novel. It feels believable, well thought out, and lived in. I found myself wanting to know more about how everything worked, from the economy to the everyday routines of the people living there.
Jazz is an entertaining main character. She’s clever, sarcastic, and far from perfect. I liked that she makes mistakes and has to deal with the consequences rather than effortlessly solving every problem. That said, I didn’t connect with her quite as much as I did with Mark Watney. At times her dialogue felt a little forced, and there were moments where I wasn’t completely convinced by her voice. It wasn’t enough to spoil the book, but it did stop me from becoming fully invested in her story.
The plot starts off fairly small before gradually growing into something much bigger. Once everything gets moving, it becomes a genuinely exciting thriller with plenty of twists, close calls, and clever problem-solving. I especially enjoyed the sections where Jazz had to rely on science and engineering to get herself out of difficult situations. Those scenes reminded me why I enjoy Andy Weir’s writing so much.
The supporting cast was decent, although I would have liked a few of them to have been explored in a bit more depth. Some characters stand out, while others feel like they’re mainly there to move the story along. I also thought a couple of plot developments wrapped up a little too neatly by the end, but they were entertaining enough that I didn’t mind too much.
What really makes the book work is the setting. Artemis itself feels like the real star of the story. It’s easy to imagine people actually living there, running businesses, making money, breaking the law, and just trying to get by. The world-building strikes a nice balance between detailed and accessible, giving enough information to make the Moon feel believable without slowing the pace.
Overall, I had a great time reading Artemis. It’s an entertaining mix of science fiction, crime, and adventure with plenty of humour sprinkled throughout. While I didn’t love it quite as much as Andy Weir’s other work, it’s still a very enjoyable novel with a unique setting and enough excitement to keep me hooked from beginning to end. Definitely worth reading if you enjoy smart sci-fi with a grounded, realistic feel.
Gareth Ellis - Author 