Second Ascension: Book One

About This Audiobook

Reece Brooks doesn’t just flip the script on classic fantasy tropes—he rips it in half and uses the pages for kindling. *Second Ascension: Book One* isn’t your grandpa’s portal fantasy: it’s a razor-sharp indictment of power disguised as a high-stakes adventure. The premise alone should hook any listener who’s ever scoffed at the idea that only the elite get to be heroes. Brooks crafts a world where Adventurers aren’t just untouchable mercenaries or chosen ones—they’re corporate assets with expiration dates. The magic system? Brutal. The worldbuilding? Immersive. And the political intrigue? It oozes like acid through the cracks of a crumbling empire. If you’re craving fantasy that doesn’t just entertain but *challenges*, this audiobook delivers—with Jonathan Waters as your guide through the chaos.

Waters’ narration is the secret sauce here. He doesn’t just read the lines; he *embodies* the cynicism of a system where even the chosen can’t be trusted. His voice cracks with exhaustion for the protagonist, drips with venom for the villains, and somehow still finds room for dry wit when the absurdity peaks. The pacing never drags, even at 27 hours, because Brooks knows how to dangle just enough chaos to keep you racing forward. This isn’t a story where the hero saves the day—it’s one where the hero might just burn the whole damn system to the ground, and you’ll cheer for the match."

"review": "I went into *Second Ascension* expecting a standard fantasy romp with a twist. What I got was a gut-punch of a story that sneaks up on you like a mugger in an alley. Jonathan Waters’ narration is the kind that makes you forget you’re listening to an audiobook. His voice for the protagonist, Elias Veyne, manages to be both weary and magnetic—like if a disillusioned knight tried to sell you a used spaceship with a straight face. Waters nails the tonal shifts too: one moment he’s delivering a monologue dripping with corporate jargon, the next he’s barking orders in a firefight with a delivery so tight you’d swear he’s sprinting alongside the characters.

That said, the book isn’t without its flaws. The middle act sags a bit as Brooks piles on worldbuilding, and the romance subplot feels tacked on, like the author paused to remember they were supposed to include a love interest. But the payoff? Worth every minute. The climax hits like a freight train, and the ending leaves you desperate for the next book. If you’re tired of fantasy where the good guys always win, this audiobook will scratch that itch—just don’t expect to feel clean afterward."

"tags": ["dark fantasy audiobook