People from Earth keep going missing, yet nobody knows why.
A mysterious discovery over 70 years ago may hold the answer.
To find it, Amanda will need to investigate the UFO crash in Roswell, New Mexico.
But can she unlock its shocking secrets in time to save her daughters?
Is it possible this town’s bizarre history will unlock her future?
Failure is not an option.
She must succeed.
Filled with stunning twists and turns, Inside Ascension is an adventure that will leave you breathless!
If you like KF Breene, Jaymin Eve, Shannon Mayer, Kelley Armstrong, Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Faith Hunter, Kim Harrison, or Shayne Silvers, you won’t want to miss Proebstel’s books!
The Levels of Ascension Series should only be read by people who can root for an underdog, love fast-paced action, and like a style of magic that even a Muggle would love.
USA Today bestselling author, Amy Proebstel, writes epic dragon fantasy, magical realism fantasy, sweet paranormal romance, clean contemporary romance, and sweet young adult medical romance. When she's not busy writing about young heroines and dragons saving the world, she spends her time binge-watching YouTube adventures, taking her husband and daughter flying, playing with her Pomeranian and Pomskies, or reading. If you like her books, she recommends you also check out Anne McCaffrey and Ava Richardson. They're the reason she started writing.
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Feel free to email Amy at Amy@LevelsofAscension.com.
This is the second in a series set in a world where Tuala and our Earth sit in parallel dimensions. I would recommend people read the first one so as to acclimatise themselves to the new world and characters. However, there is sufficient backstory in the second book. There are many things to like in this book. The characters are likeable, and there are a number of plot twists throughout, which keeps the story moving along. There are quite a number of characters, and the male characters, in particular the bad guys, are stand outs. The author has a deft hand in painting male characters, and the sections which focus on them are the best of the book. In particular, the trials of Petre as he deals with a demanding baby are very funny, and the author paints a wonderful comedy sketch of the situation. The parts with Ninan are also quite interesting as he battles with his conscience. The created world of Tuala is one reasonably similar to Earth, with the addition of magical healing crystals and the society that develops from possessing such crystals. Some interesting features are described, with rituals, healing wise women and religion all linked to the magical crystals. However, there are numerous changes of point of view, place and time, which makes for confusing reading. It may have been explained in the first book, but some chapters are written as the main characters’ memories in a hospital, which was disconcerting. The book is quite short, and written as a continuation of book 1 and then into book 3. It was an interesting read, with some really good characters, and a pleasant alternate reality world.
After reading the first book, I had high hopes for book two by felt confused by the events that took place. That coupled with the fact that the book has an ending that left me feeling unsatisfied (that’s the best I can do... no spoilers here!) caused me to drop this to 4 stars. However, don’t take that to mean that the book isn’t good. It well written and you will be transported into these duel worlds just as I was. A cliffhanger ending that leads into the next book... which I will read because I just have to know what happens. It’s creative with painstaking attention to detail of the multiple lives and intertwining stories that create these worlds.
Although this is not my preferred genre to read, I found that I enjoyed this book and the fantastical world and characters of Tuala. I found the scenes with Petre trying to be a father to Jena quite entertaining. As a metaphysicist myself, I also enjoyed the crystal and healing work discussed in the book. I was told that book 2 explained everything from book 1, however, at first, I found myself lost trying to understand Amanda's story and I wish I had read book 1 first. I suggest that others who are interested in this series begin with the first book. All-in-all, a very enjoyable read. I just wanted to add that it would've been very helpful for the author to include segment subtitles, for example - "back on Earth" or "Meanwhile in Tuala."
The main story opens on Earth, and this proves to be because a great deal of information is needed to explain how Amanda comes to have had twins who are on an alien planet. This slows the action for a new reader, me, so I suspect those who have read book one would skip it, possibly spoiling what does turn out to be a good story. It’s intriguing to find a supportive human family in a paranormal/sci-fi book, and the machinations of the villain who awaits in the parallel world of Tuala create plenty of mystery and suspense.
This was a crazy read, but in a good way. It's a story set on Earth, and its parallel, Tuala. The story flip flops from one period to another, and can sometimes be a bit confusing, but saying that, I really did enjoy the way the story was put together. Nice and simple, easy to read, apart from constant moving from one parallel to another.
The dialogue was strong and well written. You could relate to the characters, which is always a good thing, and there's a nice little semi-cliffhanger ending. If you like alternate Earth stories with a good hook, then you need to pick this one up.
I came close to giving this book one star less because I’m not a fan of stories that end on a cliff-hanger in an attempt to get the reader to buy the next book. However, to be fair, this is a good second book in the series, and the bumbling efforts of Petre the master criminal as he tries to look after a baby were hilarious.
I would have liked more detail on the world of Tuala, especially the socio-political structure of the Elders. I felt there was a rich layer of detail that could have been explored to show just how different Tuala was.
There is also a secondary plot around Amanda’s psychotherapy back on Earth that I felt did not contribute to the overall story. That’s a pity, as it starts out by giving the reader a great mystery; Did the events of book one happen, or is Amanda going mad? Unfortunately, this is never resolved because the main plot whisks Amanda back to Tuala.
As I haven't read the first book of this series, it took me a little bit of time to get oriented. What drew me in the story were the characters, especially Amanda. The author's word is interesting and mostly based on dialogues in character interactions. A very interesting read!
The author has lived and breathed her fantasy world to the extent that the reader can become immersed in it as easily as if it really existed. She has taken the concepts of crystal healing and powers of the mind and extended them into a tale of an alternate dimension existing alongside the world we know. Humans in the alternate reality have the ability to teleport not just on their world of Tuala but between Tuala and Earth. The main protagonist, Amanda, is an Earth-born woman who has been accidentally teleported through one of the closely-guarded gates between the two worlds. In the first book she has been held captive and has given birth to twin daughters. In the second book, Inside Ascension, she has difficulty dealing with her experiences. She had to leave her daughters on Tuala while escaping the clutches of the antagonist by fleeing to Earth. The book focuses on her quest to be reunited with her children.
There is a clever use of character development to foster changes in plot, producing several twists and turns throughout the story. Amanda is someone who elicits sympathy for her plight and the reader can relate to her easily – she has endearing qualities without being perfect. I liked the other actors as well, even the antagonist. The portrayal of people who are not entirely noble, nor entirely wicked, is realistic.
An attention to descriptive detail engages the reader with scenes that become vivid as a result, but it occasionally spills over into excess, slowing the pace rather than enhancing the story. An example of that occurs during a restaurant scene where there is a lot of detail regarding what food is being ordered and eaten. It is irrelevant and doesn’t add anything to the narrative or the reader’s empathy with the characters. There is also a lot of head-hopping and I think the book would be tighter if multiple points of view could be changed and reduced to a minimum of one or two of the characters. That could be done easily in most of the scenes where it takes place.
Although this is the second book in the series it is the first book I picked up and I did feel a need to read the previous book to understand the story. However, I was soon able to get my bearings and enjoyed going with the flow. There are interesting and novel ideas regarding time travel and the safeguards employed to ensure that it had no impact on the unknowing inhabitants of Earth. In particular I liked the use of teleporter pods, the movement of freight via teleporter terminals and the link between personal crystals and the elemental energy surrounding them and their connection to teleporter travel. I felt it was all integrated seamlessly and well thought out. I also liked the switches to a psychiatrist dealing with Amanda on Earth, which added an element of intrigue. There are other nice touches in the book like amnesia linked to travelling through the gates and I loved the various twists as they occurred. It kept my interest going to the end.
First things first, this is the second book in the Levels of Ascension series from Amy Proebstel. I mean, sure, this should be obvious but I say it for a very practical reason - if you use the Look Inside feature on Amazon, you'll find the first couple of chapters and preface are very heavy on the infodump side to catch readers up to what has gone before. Don't be put off by that, the rest of the book doesn't follow in those early footsteps. The story picks up from where book one left off - in which lead character Amanda found herself in the land of Tuala, a strange world where time moves differently, and when she was torn away from that world, had left her children, twin girls, there. Understandably, she wants to get back to her children and is helped by her parents, who piece together that the strange telepod devices resemble the supposed flying saucer found in Roswell. And off they go to try to find a way back. Meanwhile, the villain of the first book, Petre, is hunting for Amanda in Tuala, unaware that she is now on Earth - and he hires a man named Ninan to seek her out. Ninan's investigation is the best part of the novel. He's a really interesting character - being used by a villain for his own purposes but seeking out a place in the world of his own, and beginning to question Petre's purposes. Sadly, though, there's a lot of the novel that is slowed down by lengthy dialogue and with not a lot of action - and a couple of major plot points pretty much happen by coincidence rather than design. Amanda's return to Tuala doesn't happen until quite late in the book - despite pretty much finding the right person to talk to about it in Roswell almost right away. To be honest, Amanda is largely peripheral for a swathe of the book, and that doesn't seem to be the best position to have the main character in. Add to that a remarkable amount of head hopping between characters - we even briefly see the world from the perspective of one of Amanda's babies for some reason - and it's hard to really get into the flow of the book. If book one hooked you, then this does pick up right where it left off - and positions us at the end for the third in the series, and Proebstel does a good job of getting the reader up to speed at the start for those who missed book one. For me, though, the roaming viewpoint and lack of driving character action kept me from really engaging.
This is the second book in the Ascension series. Although I haven’t read the first one, yet, I was able to pick up right away in the fast-paced storyline. The author gives a preface to catch you up on book one details on crystals to help you out.
Right away, Amanda announces to her parents that she gave birth to twin daughters while on another planet, when she didn’t even know she was pregnant when she left. Amanda and her parents take a trip to the planet Tuala where they can prepare meals using their minds (I wish I had that ability), and wise women who replace doctors and religious leaders, to get the daughters. Where else do they go to travel to a different planet? None other than Roswell, New Mexico. When she gets there, she views cheesy alien-related tourist attractions and finds out that the “planet” Tuala is actually an alternative plane of reality on Earth.
The story has many points of view and intertwines them beautifully. Ninan is employed by Petre to find a missing woman named Jesisca, and by Bryon for a day job. Bryon and Petre have a history as Ninan are about to find out.
The writing and pacing are tight, and you really root for both Ninan and Amanda. You feel the rich world of Tuala. I recommend this fun read for sci-fi and fantasy fans. Can’t wait to go back and read book 1
This was an enjoyable science fiction fantasy with some intriguing magical elements, including time travel. The mystical precept, involving the Tuallan people's use of crystals, was particularly interesting. The author goes in-depth to explain this, as well as provide the new reader who has not read book one with all the information necessary to begin this episode. We are thrown into the adventure with the protaganist, Amanda, suddenly finding herself back on Earth, separated from her twin infant daughters. They have somehow been left behind, most likely in grave danger, on the parallel world of Tualla. She must find a way to get back to them and it isn't simple, even with the help of her parents. Challenges abound, not least her ruthless nemesis, Petre, who will not give up his search for her. The time differences between the two worlds throws up another test. How will she overcome the betrayal and problems stacking against her? Not to spoil the mystery, I will only say that the adventure unfolds, providing some answers... Recommended for fantasy fans.
In Inside Ascension by Amy Proebstel we follow Amanda in her journey toward reconnecting with her twin daughters whom have been left behind in Tuala, an alternate dimension from Earth. This is the second book in a well-written series woven together by a brilliant author. Her characterization not only of Amanda but also of the supporting characters is very realistic which makes them relatable and easy for the reader to empathize with.
As both a writer and reader I am a fan of imagery and descriptive writing and I feel that Proebstel did an amazing job with providing great tones and visual cues within these scenes. There are the occasional points where it seems to be a bit of overkill but, as noted above, I am guilty of it as well. I really enjoyed the concepts that were explored with this writing and definitely will be doing some backtracking to read the first novel in the series and the follow up to this second installment.
Through a freak accident, Amanda finds herself back on Earth, but this time she has left something very valuable back on Tuala — her two children. She has to go back if only she could figure out how.
I had read Book 1 of The Levels of Ascension series by Amy Proebstel, and I was looking forward to reading Book 2. Inside Ascension: Book Two of the Levels of Ascension takes up where Book 1 had left off. However, saying that, you do not need to read Book 1 to pick up the threat of Book 2 as Ms Proebstel gives an in-depth recap of what has gone on before.
Like before, there is a large cast of characters. There is some very memorable character, such as the terrible Petre — who is as despicable in this book as he was in the first. I enjoyed the addition of Ninan, who Peter employs to track down Amanda.
I thought the story was well crafted, with smooth dialogue and an adventurous plot.
Book Two of the Levels of Ascension did not disappoint. Amanda Covington is still a compelling main character, this time, as she tries to return to Tuala to find her baby twins, Jena and Julia. Her parents, Chris and Diane, and Roswell guide, Shemallal, lend credibility to her experience lest anyone thought it was a dream. Petre MacVeen is just as disgusting as ever, still lying, stealing and cheating. New characters Ninan and Fransnia are endearing, and Bryon and his wife, Alena, just as lovable. Doctors Gascon and Medin are still of opposite opinions, and ex-fiance, Nealand is sadly seen for his true colors. The story's twists and turns pulled me in immediately and the tension involving Amanda's twins is equally fascinating and frustrating. The book ends on the perfect note with Amanda's return and Jena's disappearance. I can't wait for the next installment!
“Inside Ascension” follows the story of Amanda, who has firmly set her mind on doing anything possible and impossible to get reunited with her twin daughters, lost to her in Tuala. As she tries to find her way back to the twins, Petre, her former captor, is just as determined to find her and reclaim her as his wife. The situation takes a dangerous turn when Petre learns about the existence of his “daughter,” whom he decides to kidnap. The plot was even more riveting and fast-moving than in the first book, and I couldn’t help but hold my breath while reading several particularly gripping parts. Also, I appreciated the chapters in which Petre had to deal with an infant, which made me chuckle on quite a few occasions. I couldn’t help but root for Amanda and the girls, and I’ll definitely continue with the series as I’m enjoying the plot very much. Five stars!
I didn't read the first book of this series, but I can say I feel I had a good understanding of the essential points that happened in that book because the author provides the necessary details through the characters. I want to visit Tuala, where they can prepare and cook food with one's mind. :) The author has also described the place to make it real; lots of fascinating things that people can do there.
The story is told from several points of view, giving it a lot of depth. I particularly liked the parts of the story with Ninan on Tuala, as he struggled with giving the evil (or at least mostly selfish) Petre information about Amanda/Jessica. There is plenty more suspense to the story. It'll keep you reading to see what happens next.
Amy Proebstel has hit another home run in the second installment of her Ascension series.
Amanda’s adventure continues as she finds herself back on Earth, desperate to find a way back to Tuala, where she fears her six-month-old twins are in grave danger. On Tuala, the villainous Peter achieves a new low as his narcissism shatters all boundaries of human morality.
Does the arc of the moral universe tend toward justice? Can a Master Deceiver be deceived? Proebstel will have to answer these questions for you.
As with the first book, the writing, suspense, dialogue, pacing and description are masterfully done. Again, Proebstel provides a satisfying ending with a tease of things to come.
Highly recommended, especially to sci-fi or fantasy fans, but really to anyone who love a great read!
As Amanda is trying to open the portal to the parallel universe and get back to her twins, Petre, our villain is back and continues to create havoc. At the same time, crystals do not lie and a black crystal given to one of the twins at birth signify the dangers looming ahead. It was a non-stop adventure for me and may I say how much I loved reading about Petre? The scenes with him and the baby were hilarious for me. I was laughing out loud. The universe the author has created continues to draw my interest. The books in the series remind me of French movies, there is nice character building, interesting storyline and it is not a sprint to the finish line. I look forward to reading the third book in the series.
Finally someone returns to the Bermuda Triangle and writes about it! Seems like we’ve forgotten the spookiness surrounding it… I loved this book. The author didn’t spare any details when it came to the opposite reality (Tuala) and it’s never easy to create a completely opposite reality without confusing the reader. It’s a problem I sometimes see in TV series as well. But this author did it quite well. The book is clever, interesting. Amanda’s experiences get into your heart .This book is good, clever, interesting. It pulls you in and while it’s never easy to create a completely opposite reality (Tuala), the author does it extremely well and with such detail. Great read.
I absolutely LOVED book one in this series, and book 2 did not disappoint! Amy Proebstel created another fantastic fantasy adventure that kept me hooked from the first page.
I really loved getting to read more about Amanda and her adventures as she is back on Earth, and needs to find a way back to Tuala. She has a lot of challenges to face in this book, and I found myself on the edge of my seat.
The writing is tight, the characters likeable with great depth, and the world building phenomenal. I highly, highly, recommend this book and series to anyone who loves fantasy and adventure!
O thoroughly enjoyed this second installment of the Ascension series and can't wait to read the book 3! The story picks up with Amanda searching for a way back to Taula, to get back to her children. While this is occurs, Petre comes back into the fold and causing a lot of heartache and distress for all in his wake, but I must say he does get a good dose of karma in one Chapter. No spoilers on that because you will chuckle at his distress. There's plenty of drama and interesting aspects added to the story which I appreciated. I highly recommend this one and as I said, eagerly awaiting the third installment!
Fantasy fans will love Amanda's story. The first paragraph gave me pause. Amanda announced she is having twins and then the question of how is it possible follows. The story is set at a good pace and readers who didn't read the first book like me, aren't left behind. They are caught up on events at the beginning of the book. The characters are well formed and the action and twists kept me reading. This was an enjoyable read.
Whilst I enjoyed the first book in this series, it took me a while to understand it, so I could not help wonder if the same would occur with this second book in the series.
This book was worth it. Totally worth it. If I could kick the bad guy into touch ... I won’t give spoilers, but this book really grabbed me and the ending?