by Andy Weir

• Science-Fiction
• Space-heist

Artemis is a science-fiction novel set in the first city on the Moon, a settlement known as Artemis. The story follows Jazz Bashara, a smuggler who makes a living supplying prohibited items to the city’s residents. Life on the Moon isn’t easy if you’re not a wealthy tourist, and for many people, bending the rules is often the only way to get by. Well, for everyone except Jazz’s law-abiding father. 

When Jazz is offered the chance to pull off her riskiest job yet, the reward is far too tempting to refuse. However, what begins as a simple criminal venture quickly spirals into something much bigger, as Jazz finds herself caught in a conspiracy that threatens far more than her own future. 

One of the things I immediately appreciated about this book was its protagonist. It was refreshing to read about a strong female lead of Saudi Arabian descent who comes from a traditional Muslim family, even though Jazz herself no longer follows the religion she was raised with. 

This is a fast-paced, entertaining novel that throws you straight into the action. The blend of crime, humour, and science-fiction makes it incredibly readable and difficult to put down. 

That said, having already read Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary, I couldn’t help but compare the two. While Artemis is an enjoyable story in its own right, it didn’t quite capture me in the same way. However, the books have very different tones. Project Hail Mary is ultimately a more wholesome and emotional adventure, whereas Artemis embraces its criminal underworld from the very beginning. 

The novel explores themes of economic survival, class division, crime, morality, family relationships, and friendship. Combined with plenty of twists and turns, these themes help keep the story engaging throughout. 

Most of the novel is told from Jazz’s perspective, and her witty, conversational narration gives the story a lot of personality. It often feels as though you’re right inside her head, experiencing the chaos alongside her. 

Overall, I really enjoyed Artemis. While it didn’t quite reach the heights of Project Hail Mary for me, I would still recommend it to fans of Andy Weir’s writing or anyone looking for a fun, humorous space heist packed with action and intrigue.