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Second Ascension #1
Second Ascension: A LitRPG Regression Adventure
They said only the wealthy and powerful could become Adventurers. They said those same Adventurers would never betray humanity. They lied.
Dean was there when the last Kingdom fell. A common soldier with no real talent or power, he watched as the army was overrun. One by one, the kingdom's most famous and powerful adventurers were broken and killed.
All except one.
From where he lay dying on the battlefield, Dean saw the Spear Saint betray mankind… dooming them all. On the cusp of death, he is offered a choice. A chance to go back in time and choose a different path - one that could grant him the power to change his fate entirely. But nothing is as simple as it seems. Behind the scenes, a silent war rages between powers unseen. Soon, their agents will hunt him, drawing him into a conflict that spans not continents, but entire worlds.
Second Ascension is an underdog series that follows the story of an unremarkable soldier who would one day rise to become one of humanity's greatest legends. Filled with epic battles, fight scenes, and rich worldbuilding, this series is perfect for fans of Ultimate Level One, Defiance of the Fall, and Apocolypse Reborn.
Dean was there when the last Kingdom fell. A common soldier with no real talent or power, he watched as the army was overrun. One by one, the kingdom's most famous and powerful adventurers were broken and killed.
All except one.
From where he lay dying on the battlefield, Dean saw the Spear Saint betray mankind… dooming them all. On the cusp of death, he is offered a choice. A chance to go back in time and choose a different path - one that could grant him the power to change his fate entirely. But nothing is as simple as it seems. Behind the scenes, a silent war rages between powers unseen. Soon, their agents will hunt him, drawing him into a conflict that spans not continents, but entire worlds.
Second Ascension is an underdog series that follows the story of an unremarkable soldier who would one day rise to become one of humanity's greatest legends. Filled with epic battles, fight scenes, and rich worldbuilding, this series is perfect for fans of Ultimate Level One, Defiance of the Fall, and Apocolypse Reborn.
944 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 29, 2026
Second Ascension is AI slop. It looks like a book, but it doesn’t actually function like one. The first few chapters feel strong at first, mostly because they closely mirror the premise of Apocalypse Reborn with only small changes. That early clarity doesn’t last.
Up until the main character gains his class, the story is uneven but still readable. After that point, it turns into a series of disjointed events that don’t grow naturally out of what came before. There is no real sense of cause and effect holding things together.
The characters are especially shallow. Their motivations come down to simple good or bad, with no depth behind their choices or interactions. There is no real opportunity for development or meaningful interaction between people. At the same time, the world itself never solidifies. The author pulls in familiar genre elements, but they are just dropped in as surface detail. There are no clear rules, no internal logic, and no sense of a coherent setting where the story actually takes place.
What’s most concerning is how much this reflects a growing trend. This is the kind of writing that mimics the shape of a novel without the substance. It makes you question how anyone could rate it highly without noticing how little is actually there.
In the end, Second Ascension is not just bad. It is structurally empty.
Up until the main character gains his class, the story is uneven but still readable. After that point, it turns into a series of disjointed events that don’t grow naturally out of what came before. There is no real sense of cause and effect holding things together.
The characters are especially shallow. Their motivations come down to simple good or bad, with no depth behind their choices or interactions. There is no real opportunity for development or meaningful interaction between people. At the same time, the world itself never solidifies. The author pulls in familiar genre elements, but they are just dropped in as surface detail. There are no clear rules, no internal logic, and no sense of a coherent setting where the story actually takes place.
What’s most concerning is how much this reflects a growing trend. This is the kind of writing that mimics the shape of a novel without the substance. It makes you question how anyone could rate it highly without noticing how little is actually there.
In the end, Second Ascension is not just bad. It is structurally empty.
June 5, 2026
4.5 stars. Held my attention, though could have used a bit of editing down for length. MC is competent, as should a regressor be, and I'll read book 2 when it arrives. Hopefully a bit shorter next time.
April 17, 2026
terrible
The first two chapters are gold
At mid the book turns into something else the writing is good but all characters added are terrible this could have being so good yet we get this I really feel like my time was wasted with this book
The first two chapters are gold
At mid the book turns into something else the writing is good but all characters added are terrible this could have being so good yet we get this I really feel like my time was wasted with this book
May 1, 2026
It turns into a different, much more boring, book after he gets his badge. He just walks off for no reason? What about the demons in the sewers etc.? Then there's a series of ho-hum adventures with grateful villagers and quaint inns and what have you. Really strange.
May 13, 2026
Basic shallow litRPG dump. Premise was interesting to begin with but went progressively down hill.
July 18, 2026
awkward first appearance
It is a good book with a good story if you skip some scenes. A very good book length, good adventure, good action and okay characters. The world, culture, and society to me were not believable and I would be happy with the whole thing being brought to ruin by demons. It was odd to read a book that was left justified instead of the normal center text justification and there was slightly more left indentation as well.
There are lots of awkward scenes. The scene with Bast at the beginning is cringe and I almost stopped reading there. With his smith sister; it is awkward in what she doesn’t give him early and what she does give him later. The entire temple scene is very awkward. The mc with sword in hand, deciding to instead try and football tackle a large monster with his shoulder is awkward. The large heavy object worn on the back instead of stored in the inventory is awkward certainly in the rain and while swimming. In the midst of battle, dialogue, handshakes, kisses, and going for your dropped weapon 15ft away instead of taking out your other weapon from inventory is also awkward. The author did a terrible job of explaining the inventory, looting and the kill notifications which again, made it awkward.
However, the cardinal sin of LitRPG books was committed and that is stat errors. On page 64 (Kindle app for phone) the mc has 10 strength, on page 90 the mc gets +1 strength, on page 97 the mc still has 10 strength. As the author you either care like the mc would about their stats and personal growth or you apathetically make stuff up which you clearly do throughout the book.
It is a good book with a good story if you skip some scenes. A very good book length, good adventure, good action and okay characters. The world, culture, and society to me were not believable and I would be happy with the whole thing being brought to ruin by demons. It was odd to read a book that was left justified instead of the normal center text justification and there was slightly more left indentation as well.
There are lots of awkward scenes. The scene with Bast at the beginning is cringe and I almost stopped reading there. With his smith sister; it is awkward in what she doesn’t give him early and what she does give him later. The entire temple scene is very awkward. The mc with sword in hand, deciding to instead try and football tackle a large monster with his shoulder is awkward. The large heavy object worn on the back instead of stored in the inventory is awkward certainly in the rain and while swimming. In the midst of battle, dialogue, handshakes, kisses, and going for your dropped weapon 15ft away instead of taking out your other weapon from inventory is also awkward. The author did a terrible job of explaining the inventory, looting and the kill notifications which again, made it awkward.
However, the cardinal sin of LitRPG books was committed and that is stat errors. On page 64 (Kindle app for phone) the mc has 10 strength, on page 90 the mc gets +1 strength, on page 97 the mc still has 10 strength. As the author you either care like the mc would about their stats and personal growth or you apathetically make stuff up which you clearly do throughout the book.
April 17, 2026
Well, now I'm going to have to check out Mr Brooks back-catalogue.
This regression, save the world premise has been done before. Typically these book quickly devolve into yet another OP MC progression story. Brooks avoids this trap, keeping the mission front-of-mind and focussing on the objective rather than flaunting fast progression or revelling in the hidden power trope.
Dean's titular second life is nothing like his first. Rather than a regular soldier with a bog-standard combat class, he dives into the adventurer career (think super-heroes) to infiltrate the main society that eventually betrays humanity... all while building a power-base/team that might be able to alter events.
Meanwhile, it seems the great enemy of mankind suspects some time-based cheating has happened. Thus, they have changed their plans and accelerated the schedule. They're also hunting for someone just like Dean. No pressure though, right?
This regression, save the world premise has been done before. Typically these book quickly devolve into yet another OP MC progression story. Brooks avoids this trap, keeping the mission front-of-mind and focussing on the objective rather than flaunting fast progression or revelling in the hidden power trope.
Dean's titular second life is nothing like his first. Rather than a regular soldier with a bog-standard combat class, he dives into the adventurer career (think super-heroes) to infiltrate the main society that eventually betrays humanity... all while building a power-base/team that might be able to alter events.
Meanwhile, it seems the great enemy of mankind suspects some time-based cheating has happened. Thus, they have changed their plans and accelerated the schedule. They're also hunting for someone just like Dean. No pressure though, right?
August 31, 2026
Second Ascension is a regression story much like many others of the same kind. In this one though, I have to give points to the author for making this one at least somewhat unique in that the main character chose a god that isn't directly related to himself, I'm pretty sure that's the first time I've seen that, and it definitely adds some interesting story elements as well.
Likely to read more in this series, although I hope the second book deals a bit more with the actual history (as it was, and as it now becomes) than the first one did, those are typically the interesting parts for me in the kind of stories.
Likely to read more in this series, although I hope the second book deals a bit more with the actual history (as it was, and as it now becomes) than the first one did, those are typically the interesting parts for me in the kind of stories.
July 6, 2026
There is way too much action and different challenges stuffed into the book. It feels like it goes from 8 to 10 and stays there for the majority of the book - no room to breathe or build anything but the next city shattering event after the previous town shattering event. There’s also a ridiculous amount of antagonists and foreshadowings of future antagonists. And oh boy do you get to read their moustache twirling in detail. And the world… there doesn’t seem to be any redeeming qualities. Corruption everywhere, abuses of power, violence in every flavour - disgusting people. Started to wonder if there was anything worth saving, barring maybe couple other characters. Just too much. Exhausting to read.
August 22, 2026
A good spin on the regressor set up.
This was a nice spin on the trope. Usually it jumps right into the MC being OP and just going wild. This one has a slower set up that I found myself appreciating, it also features an MC with a ruthless streak that made things a little interesting too. Just because it was a bit of a question how he'd respond to certain situations. I'm definitely curious to see where the story goes with the class/system set up because it seems pretty limited so far, but I'm hoping it has more depth than it seems later on.
This was a nice spin on the trope. Usually it jumps right into the MC being OP and just going wild. This one has a slower set up that I found myself appreciating, it also features an MC with a ruthless streak that made things a little interesting too. Just because it was a bit of a question how he'd respond to certain situations. I'm definitely curious to see where the story goes with the class/system set up because it seems pretty limited so far, but I'm hoping it has more depth than it seems later on.
April 23, 2026
Honestly, too damn long. I suspect it's a symptom all these serial chapter writers face when they become novelists. And also, likely from a similar source, riddled with continuity errors. Nothing too egregious but small things that happen often enough to be a serious annoyance.
But for all that, it was a fun read and had a few excellent lines sprinkled throughout. Not sure if I'll read the sequel, but maybe.
But for all that, it was a fun read and had a few excellent lines sprinkled throughout. Not sure if I'll read the sequel, but maybe.
May 13, 2026
“monstrous as any beast”
A bit of 80s movies sword and sorcery, a bit of regression time travel (send your memories to the past, leave the trauma).
Doesn’t skimp on smart monsters (dungeons are scary, are they subdimensions of hell?) that actually talk. Also, people are monsters, too.
Wonder if Dean has a Saint on his paternal side (or would it feed the anti-monarchy theme that average Joes can have power).
A bit of 80s movies sword and sorcery, a bit of regression time travel (send your memories to the past, leave the trauma).
Doesn’t skimp on smart monsters (dungeons are scary, are they subdimensions of hell?) that actually talk. Also, people are monsters, too.
Wonder if Dean has a Saint on his paternal side (or would it feed the anti-monarchy theme that average Joes can have power).
June 27, 2026
I'm not far into the book
I'm not far into the book but a pair of something is two things not 3Things That would be a set Of objects And your character control In the 1st chapter is the guy A magistrate or counselor make up your mind it gets very confusing When you can't tell if you're talking about the same person That's being read about Make up your mind what is he You can't Keep Keep changing a characters Title in the middle of a sentence or a chapter and you've done both
I'm not far into the book but a pair of something is two things not 3Things That would be a set Of objects And your character control In the 1st chapter is the guy A magistrate or counselor make up your mind it gets very confusing When you can't tell if you're talking about the same person That's being read about Make up your mind what is he You can't Keep Keep changing a characters Title in the middle of a sentence or a chapter and you've done both
August 5, 2026
Disappointing
I kept waiting for it to get good.
The writing was excessive and repetitive. The characters were underdeveloped. The action was like reading a bad comic transcription. The plot points were generic; I predicted a every major plot point of the last 300 pages during the middle 300 pages.
It is not actually bad. It simply has nothing to recommend it.
I kept waiting for it to get good.
The writing was excessive and repetitive. The characters were underdeveloped. The action was like reading a bad comic transcription. The plot points were generic; I predicted a every major plot point of the last 300 pages during the middle 300 pages.
It is not actually bad. It simply has nothing to recommend it.
June 20, 2026
A solid story and first book
The story is solid, the characters well written... And the overarching plot and world building good....
Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers, Nocturne and Warborn
The story is solid, the characters well written... And the overarching plot and world building good....
Highly recommend
JD Glasscock
Author of the Series Blood Brothers, Nocturne and Warborn
July 14, 2026
Great start to a series
Great start to a series.Picked this on a whim , grabbed it on KU and very glad I did. Very interesting take on levelling , love d the characters and the story ..Overall highly recommend
Great start to a series.Picked this on a whim , grabbed it on KU and very glad I did. Very interesting take on levelling , love d the characters and the story ..Overall highly recommend
July 18, 2026
meh
This book just didn’t grab me. It definitely needs better editing. A lot small things just didn’t make sense. Also the MC is pretty unimpressive. He’s not particularly, smart or strong. No special abilities. He’s utterly uninteresting.
This book just didn’t grab me. It definitely needs better editing. A lot small things just didn’t make sense. Also the MC is pretty unimpressive. He’s not particularly, smart or strong. No special abilities. He’s utterly uninteresting.
March 24, 2026
Great book
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
Great book I can't wait to read the next book in the series I would recommend this author to anyone
March 24, 2026
good
A bit of girl boss Mary Sue that is annoying, but overall a good read with lots if action. Could use some editing to reduce the length.
A bit of girl boss Mary Sue that is annoying, but overall a good read with lots if action. Could use some editing to reduce the length.
March 31, 2026
Outstanding read
Excellent work. Bloody enjoyed the creative system and unique character origins. Highly recommended for anyone who’s a fan of the genre.
Excellent work. Bloody enjoyed the creative system and unique character origins. Highly recommended for anyone who’s a fan of the genre.
April 5, 2026
Excellent new story!
I couldn't put this book down! The MC was a good change of pace from other books in this genre. Definitely looking forward to the next entry!
I couldn't put this book down! The MC was a good change of pace from other books in this genre. Definitely looking forward to the next entry!
April 10, 2026
Excellent
This is an excellent book with a dynamic main character and a compelling storyline. I can’t wait to see what awaits Dean in the future.
This is an excellent book with a dynamic main character and a compelling storyline. I can’t wait to see what awaits Dean in the future.
April 21, 2026
Very good book
This is a fine fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the monk. I anxiously await the author's next novel.
This is a fine fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like the monk. I anxiously await the author's next novel.
May 1, 2026
5 stars
Best new series I have read since Azaroth Healer. Simply excellent ! I am looking forward to the start of an excellent series.
Best new series I have read since Azaroth Healer. Simply excellent ! I am looking forward to the start of an excellent series.
July 1, 2026
Really good book!
Dean is a good guy who wants revenge for his people. He's leveling quickly. He has friends that are worth having. It's a really good story!
Dean is a good guy who wants revenge for his people. He's leveling quickly. He has friends that are worth having. It's a really good story!
September 26, 2026
Good Action
Fights good not great. Story great. Characters good. Recommend. Finally Litrpg regression without Ai crap. Slow parts don’t last for too long.
Fights good not great. Story great. Characters good. Recommend. Finally Litrpg regression without Ai crap. Slow parts don’t last for too long.
June 13, 2026
The book starts strong and interesting but becomes long winded and partly boring later on. I found it interesting that the story starts once he is already established after his regression but the story still refers to events from earlier in his second life. As i found out later, Amazon uses the same data for book 1 and 2..
I found the Wren plot rather annoying as it combines the stale tropes of "damsel in distress" with "the girl who is key to everything ". Furthermore, i would have preferred to watch the mc establish himself before going against such overwhelming odds.
I found the Wren plot rather annoying as it combines the stale tropes of "damsel in distress" with "the girl who is key to everything ". Furthermore, i would have preferred to watch the mc establish himself before going against such overwhelming odds.
October 20, 2026
I would bet on heavy use of AI. Character names change, the plot wanders like a drunken sailor. Someone dictated 2 chapters to Claude and went on vacation.
April 24, 2026
I just started this book.
It is written better than most in this genre.
It is more mature and rational than many authors can generate.
I will modify this review if the story goes to Hell later...
Update: I am almost finished with the book.
Not a bad story, but the motivations of the characters seem simplistic, naive and childish (esp. the Tasha character...not very bright!).
I like watching the growth of the protagonist, but he is turning into a jock and adrenaline junkie who wanders the world with no plan. Me Strong. Me Hit To Fix All Problems Good...Oooo look, a pretty girl to attach myself to for no particular reason...
*To the reader who asked if I would recommend this book, sadly the answer is no. (Goodreads would not allow me to answer your query directly. Sorry.)
It is written better than most in this genre.
It is more mature and rational than many authors can generate.
I will modify this review if the story goes to Hell later...
Update: I am almost finished with the book.
Not a bad story, but the motivations of the characters seem simplistic, naive and childish (esp. the Tasha character...not very bright!).
I like watching the growth of the protagonist, but he is turning into a jock and adrenaline junkie who wanders the world with no plan. Me Strong. Me Hit To Fix All Problems Good...Oooo look, a pretty girl to attach myself to for no particular reason...
*To the reader who asked if I would recommend this book, sadly the answer is no. (Goodreads would not allow me to answer your query directly. Sorry.)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews