Fabulous reads – Sci-fi novel is out of this world

Artemis, Andy Weir, Penguin Random House, ISBN: 9780091956950

Andy Weir, the best-selling author of The Martian, returns with his highly-anticipated second novel, Artemis.

It is a clever title, considering Artemis is considered in Greek mythology to be Goddess of the Moon.

In this case, Artemis refers to the book’s setting: Artemis is the first and only human city on the moon.

A near-future thriller, the story takes place in the late 2080s and is told from the point of view of female protagonist, Jasmine (Jazz) Bashara, a 26-year-old porter who supplements her meagre income by smuggling in contraband items for the lunar elite.

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Jasmine is of Saudi Arabian heritage, but she has lived in Artemis since the age of six.

She is also a constant thorn in her father’s side as she is an independent, spirited young woman who walks a fine line between doing the right thing, and doing what’s best for herself. Jasmine’s inner monologue is a delight to read and her criminal behaviour is easily forgiven because of the motive behind it.

When Jasmine is offered a get-rich-quick job, she jumps at it, but soon finds herself caught up in a web of deceit and conspiracy. Unfortunately, it’s not only her life at stake, and so, with a motley crew of characters, she plans to pull off the ultimate heist. In 1/6th gravity, of course.

Weir’s style is easily recognisable throughout the novel, as is his signature love of all things scientific. Entertaining, fast-paced, and action-packed, Artemis is another great offering from an author who has certainly made his mark in the sci-fi genre.