What do you think?
Rate this book
Second Ascent
Extraordinary simplicity. Mind numbing geometry. How could any of it be real?Sahalie Spark has a secret. It seems to be an ordinary glass prism that splits light into colors. But educational toys aren’t magically delivered to eighth floor balconies, and they certainly don’t wink when you’re not looking. She wants to share, but first she’ll need to understand this thing.
Materials scientist Adam Estrada has his own problem. How is a three-dimensional container larger on the inside than on the outside? He’s crafting an experiment to find out, but it will require cooperation from an alien who weaves exotic carbon allotropes like Nana knits baby socks.
High above the equator, a new space megastructure is taking shape. But for all its wonders, there’s trouble brewing on this colossal ring of carbon. The humanity it supports comes in two distinct forms. Both seek the new frontier but only one of them can Sense Beyond.
Book Two in the Ascending Carbon Series steps into unexplored territory where minds and imagination intertwine.Note to The Ascending Carbon Series isn’t like most of the modern sci-fi you’ve struggled through. Here, there are no alien wars, no dystopian futures, no horror or gratuitous cruelty, and no gruesome scenes disguised as “action”. This is science fiction as it used to be—an exotic treat for the mind that takes readers on an adventure of what could be, with a positive outlook for the future of humanity. In a word, fun!
Materials scientist Adam Estrada has his own problem. How is a three-dimensional container larger on the inside than on the outside? He’s crafting an experiment to find out, but it will require cooperation from an alien who weaves exotic carbon allotropes like Nana knits baby socks.
High above the equator, a new space megastructure is taking shape. But for all its wonders, there’s trouble brewing on this colossal ring of carbon. The humanity it supports comes in two distinct forms. Both seek the new frontier but only one of them can Sense Beyond.
Book Two in the Ascending Carbon Series steps into unexplored territory where minds and imagination intertwine.Note to The Ascending Carbon Series isn’t like most of the modern sci-fi you’ve struggled through. Here, there are no alien wars, no dystopian futures, no horror or gratuitous cruelty, and no gruesome scenes disguised as “action”. This is science fiction as it used to be—an exotic treat for the mind that takes readers on an adventure of what could be, with a positive outlook for the future of humanity. In a word, fun!
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2026
About the author
Douglas Phillips
45 books347 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/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 27, 2026
I am a fan of hard science, science fiction. While faster than light travel makes for great space operas, a look at a possible, not too distance future, based on real science is what I am after. Douglas Phillips, with degrees in Geomorphology (yes, I had to look up what that is) and Meteorology definitely writes his books based on actual science.
My complaint with book one in the series, First Ascent, was that the characters seemed two dimensional. In Second Ascent Phillips returns the important characters from book one and definitely gives them more depth.
Our protagonist, Sahalie Spark, returns in book two wiser and more goal driven. She is only one of three people in the world that had direct contact with “The Filament” and is seeking to simultaneous learn more about them while educating the world.
In book one these three people received a “magic wire” from the Filament. Now each of them have received a four inch prism. As before, no message or instruction manual comes along with the gift. So, in addition to the globetrotting adventure, battling conspiracy theories, and working on her budding romantic relationship, Halie has to solve the riddle of the prism.
Second Ascent starts out slower than First Ascent and it took me a bit to get into it. Some of this might be that Phillips was feeding the reader some background information from book one in case they had not read it. He might also have been laying the groundwork for the complexities that came later on. Either way, it was not long before I was back into the story and off on the adventure.
At the heart of this story is the issue of consciousness; what is it, where does it come from, and where does it go. Phillips goes into this a bit more in the Afterword where he explains that he is not a reductionist; someone who believes we are only chemicals and electrical impulses. He references a work by Schrödinger (of cat fame) which sounded interesting enough that I have already purchased the book Mind and Matter.
In the Afterword, Phillips also takes a shot at all of the garbage circulating on the internet, something that is featured in the book. As he puts it so well, “In some cases, people believe this garbage because they lack an education in science or have no critical thinking skills, but belief in conspiracy theories reaches to the heart of human psychology: people want to believe they’re smart, especially when they’re not.”
My complaint with book one in the series, First Ascent, was that the characters seemed two dimensional. In Second Ascent Phillips returns the important characters from book one and definitely gives them more depth.
Our protagonist, Sahalie Spark, returns in book two wiser and more goal driven. She is only one of three people in the world that had direct contact with “The Filament” and is seeking to simultaneous learn more about them while educating the world.
In book one these three people received a “magic wire” from the Filament. Now each of them have received a four inch prism. As before, no message or instruction manual comes along with the gift. So, in addition to the globetrotting adventure, battling conspiracy theories, and working on her budding romantic relationship, Halie has to solve the riddle of the prism.
Second Ascent starts out slower than First Ascent and it took me a bit to get into it. Some of this might be that Phillips was feeding the reader some background information from book one in case they had not read it. He might also have been laying the groundwork for the complexities that came later on. Either way, it was not long before I was back into the story and off on the adventure.
At the heart of this story is the issue of consciousness; what is it, where does it come from, and where does it go. Phillips goes into this a bit more in the Afterword where he explains that he is not a reductionist; someone who believes we are only chemicals and electrical impulses. He references a work by Schrödinger (of cat fame) which sounded interesting enough that I have already purchased the book Mind and Matter.
In the Afterword, Phillips also takes a shot at all of the garbage circulating on the internet, something that is featured in the book. As he puts it so well, “In some cases, people believe this garbage because they lack an education in science or have no critical thinking skills, but belief in conspiracy theories reaches to the heart of human psychology: people want to believe they’re smart, especially when they’re not.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
Incredibly well crafted science fiction story based on actual science and mathematics. The story arc of this series raises the questions: what if an alien presence came to help humanity? How would they help? How would humanity react?
Underlying these questions are actual hard material science, mathematics and physics explored in an entertaining and informative manner. Further, the story explores the sociological impact of current social media and news media.
A highly entertaining, educational and provocative read that leaves the reader pondering about tribalism and our world views.
Underlying these questions are actual hard material science, mathematics and physics explored in an entertaining and informative manner. Further, the story explores the sociological impact of current social media and news media.
A highly entertaining, educational and provocative read that leaves the reader pondering about tribalism and our world views.
May 8, 2026
Another Enjoyable Imaginative Douglas Phillips Book
I’ve been a fan of Douglas Phillips since his quantum series. There was so much dystopian sci-fi being created today. I find his positive hopeful story telling uplifting and pleasant. His writing is solid, his character development is strong, and he teaches me so much new science in each book. Please keep these stories coming, Doug. They are great!
I’ve been a fan of Douglas Phillips since his quantum series. There was so much dystopian sci-fi being created today. I find his positive hopeful story telling uplifting and pleasant. His writing is solid, his character development is strong, and he teaches me so much new science in each book. Please keep these stories coming, Doug. They are great!
May 5, 2026
Second Ascent
Amazing read! Couldn't put it down! Would highly recommend this book to any sci-fi fan. Absolutely loved the characters and where the story is leading them. Can't wait for the next book
Amazing read! Couldn't put it down! Would highly recommend this book to any sci-fi fan. Absolutely loved the characters and where the story is leading them. Can't wait for the next book
May 6, 2026
Can't wait for this future travel to arrive! Well written and developed!
A little "preachy", but it all hangs together at the end, and enjoyable.
I forecast a follow-on book....which I will eagerly consume!
A little "preachy", but it all hangs together at the end, and enjoyable.
I forecast a follow-on book....which I will eagerly consume!
May 13, 2026
Second Ascent
This book got quite a bit stranger than the first. It does take quite a leap into what seems like fantasy. I suspose this is necessary to provide a coherent explanation for the space elevators.
This book got quite a bit stranger than the first. It does take quite a leap into what seems like fantasy. I suspose this is necessary to provide a coherent explanation for the space elevators.
April 23, 2026
Another Good Read
Mr. Phillips continues to provide imaginative and interesting story lines that compels readers to not to put his books down until the last word has been read.
Mr. Phillips continues to provide imaginative and interesting story lines that compels readers to not to put his books down until the last word has been read.
May 6, 2026
A great follow-up to First Ascent. It appears there is a third volume in the works, I can't wait to read it too. I do think this will be the way of the future for space travel, and I believe the technology will progress to achieve this someday.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews