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Ascending Carbon: Prologue to the Series
This short novella (56-pages) is a prologue to the Ascending Carbon (1 First Ascent, 2 Second Ascent, 3 Third Ascent). It's a stand-alone story that introduces the characters and tells the origin story that will continue throughout the series. Enjoy!
It’s 2035, and TV reporter Sahalie Spark works the science and technology angle on assignments that take her around the planet. She could be interviewing elite Olympic athletes about their training regime one day and unveiling miraculous new technology the next. Her sense tells her that a complex world filled with misinformation demands a sleuth who can sort reality from fiction. But the job isn’t limited to scientific education. There’s deadly trouble brewing overhead, and Sahalie has precisely the credentials and the steady voice required by an increasingly uneasy public.
Do you like fun, science-based fiction like The Martian? Want the page-turning pace of Da Vinci Code? Tired of dystopian and ready for a story of discovery and inspiration? Then, you'll love the Ascending Carbon Series.
It’s 2035, and TV reporter Sahalie Spark works the science and technology angle on assignments that take her around the planet. She could be interviewing elite Olympic athletes about their training regime one day and unveiling miraculous new technology the next. Her sense tells her that a complex world filled with misinformation demands a sleuth who can sort reality from fiction. But the job isn’t limited to scientific education. There’s deadly trouble brewing overhead, and Sahalie has precisely the credentials and the steady voice required by an increasingly uneasy public.
Do you like fun, science-based fiction like The Martian? Want the page-turning pace of Da Vinci Code? Tired of dystopian and ready for a story of discovery and inspiration? Then, you'll love the Ascending Carbon Series.
72 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2025
27 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Phillips
53 books340 followersDouglas Phillips is the best-selling author of the Ascending Carbon Series, the Quantum Series, and more. The books are page-turning adventures that imagine scientific discovery as the path toward a positive future for humanity. Each story draws the reader deeper into mysteries that require intellect, not bullets, to resolve.
Doug has science degrees in Geomorphology and Meteorology, has designed and written predictive computer models, reads physics books for fun and peers into deep space through the eyepiece of his backyard telescope. He lives in Seattle, travels the world with his wife, hikes with his two sons, and becomes a child all over again with his grandchildren.
"I love science fiction, especially stories that begin with real science then ask, what if? I've studied a wide range of science throughout my life. Now, I'm turning that experience into the stories I've always wanted to read."
http://douglasphillipsbooks.com/
Doug has science degrees in Geomorphology and Meteorology, has designed and written predictive computer models, reads physics books for fun and peers into deep space through the eyepiece of his backyard telescope. He lives in Seattle, travels the world with his wife, hikes with his two sons, and becomes a child all over again with his grandchildren.
"I love science fiction, especially stories that begin with real science then ask, what if? I've studied a wide range of science throughout my life. Now, I'm turning that experience into the stories I've always wanted to read."
http://douglasphillipsbooks.com/
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 11, 2025
After he published First Ascent, Douglas Phillips decided to write this prologue to give a little background to the story which, apparently, will be a trilogy.
Let me start by saying that, while I greatly admire Phillips’ writing and already love the premise and storyline of this series, I am never sure why authors decide to publish a prequel. If you needed this background for the first book, then why didn’t you just put it into the book itself?
Maybe you learned, after the book came out, that readers wanted a lead up. But I ask, why write it? I loved the first book in this series and, while I enjoyed reading this introduction, I really found it unnecessary. Cannot people use their own imaginations to understand where the story came from?
Phillips, as you can see from my reviews, I find you an excellent author of hard science, science fiction. Please do not, suddenly, decide that your readers are idiots who need this type of handholding.
That said, I am eagerly awaiting Second Ascent - promised early 2016 - and Third Ascent expected late 2016.
Quick aside - as someone who is not an author and who is envious of those who can write well - how the heck do you know how long it is going to take to write, edit, and publish your next two books??!! However you do it, please keep them coming!
Let me start by saying that, while I greatly admire Phillips’ writing and already love the premise and storyline of this series, I am never sure why authors decide to publish a prequel. If you needed this background for the first book, then why didn’t you just put it into the book itself?
Maybe you learned, after the book came out, that readers wanted a lead up. But I ask, why write it? I loved the first book in this series and, while I enjoyed reading this introduction, I really found it unnecessary. Cannot people use their own imaginations to understand where the story came from?
Phillips, as you can see from my reviews, I find you an excellent author of hard science, science fiction. Please do not, suddenly, decide that your readers are idiots who need this type of handholding.
That said, I am eagerly awaiting Second Ascent - promised early 2016 - and Third Ascent expected late 2016.
Quick aside - as someone who is not an author and who is envious of those who can write well - how the heck do you know how long it is going to take to write, edit, and publish your next two books??!! However you do it, please keep them coming!
October 31, 2025
Mr. Phillips has written a prologue that introduces a key character and new material that is formally introduced in his latest series "First Ascent." Just as intriguing, educational and fascinating as the novel. It integrates space elevators first introduced by Dr. Arthur C. Clarke. Materials development and technology have come a long way since the 1960's.
Mr. Phillips is very much involved in the physics and cosmology science community.
Mr. Phillips is very much involved in the physics and cosmology science community.
January 12, 2026
Excellent hard scifi
My only complaint about this book was that it was too short. It was worth reading just for the explanation of a Kessler event. This is the kind of hard sci-fi that I just can't get enough of. Real science. Something that not just entertains, but informs.
My only complaint about this book was that it was too short. It was worth reading just for the explanation of a Kessler event. This is the kind of hard sci-fi that I just can't get enough of. Real science. Something that not just entertains, but informs.
November 25, 2025
Typical Douglas Phillips work - outstanding!!
I have read everything Mr. Phillips has written - multiple times. I can’t wait for a series of Ascending Carbon🤠
I have read everything Mr. Phillips has written - multiple times. I can’t wait for a series of Ascending Carbon🤠
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews