Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Clarke takes his best shot at relational fiction and misses. Review: Clarke's first Rama book was great and a true classic - bcecuse it focused on the science (theRaman spacecraft). The characters were simply the background for the mysterious cylinder. Clarke (perhaps on Gentry's proding?) reverses the formula and fails at trying to write science fiction that focuses on the fiction more than the science in the final two Rama books in the trilogy. Science fiction writers authoring fiction is fine. There are some great (science) fiction writers - namely, my favorite author, Ray Bradbury. For authors like Bradbury - science and technology merely serve as the backdrop for the human element. And Clarke tries the same formula but these last two Rama books just don't add up. They're extremely poorly written - disjointed, unhinged, and messy. Being a poor fiction writer but a great scientist (or science/technology writer) is forgivable and in the case of the first Raman book, can create a classic. But when these kind of writers author a fiction that almost entirely forgoes the technological/science element they end up extremely poorly written. Really: these books are extremely bad fiction. There's no redeeming mystery at all because the book moves at such a slow pace that I found myself skipping/skimming most of it. If you've never read anything but science fiction you might find this a breath of fresh air. But if you're accustomed to reading great fiction (ie. Salinger) then forget about these last two Raman books - they're not science fictions, they're poorly written soap operas.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Amazing Review: As some have pointed out, this is diffrent from the first Rama, but that does not make it a lesser book. There is much more character devlopment in it, and I've found it to be much more then just a good book. There is so much to this, I would recommed it to anyone.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Not the best Clarke Review: As a reader has already so eloquently put it 'Gentry Lee sours Clarke'. I couldn't agree more. Admittedly, the original book had characters that were none too interesting, but I would much rather have an exciting story that moves along at a reasonable pace than read some character development for page after page. The rama series steadily declined after the original book, something which may or may not have been due to Gentry Lee's involvement, who can say. All I know is that by the time I got to the last book in the series (Rama Revealed) I was lucky to finish it. Admittedly all of the books have an interesting contribution to add to the whole Rama story but they get less and less enjoyable as you go down the series.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Maybe I've read too much Clarke but... Review: I think that RamaII is by far the BEST of the Rama series. It's easy to read, the characters are believable (and typical) and it really sets up the series to explode with a thousand new ideas and images that make the Rama series so awesome. I think, after Rendezvous with Rama, Gentry Lee really added a lot to the entire series. Having read his alone book writen in the Rama Universe, Bright Messengers, I can see the differences in Rama II from Rendezvous that makes the difference in the entire series. I cannot imagine the Rama series surviving was it not for Gentry's additions to Clarke's work. Having said that, read the rest of the books, I'm sure you'll understand that I am saying then.
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: It could have been better... Review: After the first Rama novel, this one was quite dissapointing. It could just be that Clarke needs to find a new theme other than large black monoliths.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Sequels never were a good idea... Review: ... especially in this case. Rendevous With Rama was a breathless 1 day read, full of tension and amazement. It leaves you desprately trying to picture the thing in your mind. Rama II is simply drivel. Clarke tries to give us lots of stuff about his "characters" but writes like a schoolboy. Who cares about the characters? You won't, that's for sure. Then there are the tedious, naive descriptions of the earth's history since the first Rama.... skip past them. In fact skip the whole book. Or read Rendevous again which is a classic. Or go and find something else. Don't waste your money.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Detailed Splendor of Technology and Humanity. Review: Rama II comes back to the same universe as depicted in Rendezvous With Rama about a hundred years later when a second cylindrical craft approaches the solar system. This time every detail is lovingly described and the characters are given in complete four dimensions. You can literally see the awesome power of Rama behind your eyelids when you blink while reading this and long after. Alien landscapes, and all-too-human beings. Masterpiece.
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Good but Rendevous with Rama was much more imaginative. Review: If your looking for a sequel that captures your imagination the way Rendevous with Rama did, then this book will let you down a tad. Although both are good books in and of themselves, I was a bit disappointed when I read Rama II. It didn't have the same fervor of imagination present in Rendevous with Rama... Gentry Lee does great in developing characters but fails somewhat, in my opinion, in developing a good sequel that picks up where the last book left off.
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Love it or hate it. Review: As you can tell for the entire Rama sequel trilogy, you either love it or hate it. I for one felt that the book dealt to much with the stupid characterization. No longer is this a sci-fi, but more of a grotesque liberalized piece of ethnic garbage. However, when the focus switches from the characterization then it turns into a very good book. Nothing short of genius.
Rating: ![1 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-1-0.gif) Summary: Gentry Lee sours Clarke Review: While the first novel (Rendezvous with Rama) was admittedly populated by two dimensional characters, it was nevertheless a great read. The focus of the story was where it should have been-- on the mysterious, awe-inspiring space craft code-named Rama. This grotesque sequel, however, seems to place the focus on a group of characters you wouldn't want to spend so much as an evening with. Rancid soap opera almost totally obscures whatever imagination and wonder remained from the first novel.
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