A review by unrealpunk
2010: Odyssey Two by Arthur C. Clarke

3.5

This is a much more human-level typical space adventure than 2001 or Childhood's End, and human-level is not one of Clarke's strengths.  (Although I will give him credit for at least attempting a bit more representation in 2010.)  2001 may be on a level that's nearly impossible for a sequel to match, but I was a bit disappointed by the relative lack of imagination, ambition, and polish of 2010.  It's like a fictionalized, less awe-inspiring, less poetic version of parts of Carl Sagan's Cosmos, which was published before 2010.  If you're contemplating reading 2010 and have never read Cosmos, I'd recommend getting Cosmos first; and the same for Pale Blue Dot.  Hopefully 2061 and 3001 will advance the Monolith/Starchild mythology a bit further than this one does.