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The Infinite World #3

Moonlight Banishes Shadows

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Feeling unwanted and still reeling from his encounter in the Garden of Clarity, Trent Embra leaves the city to find out what else the world has to offer. Making his own decisions for the first time, an adrift Trent latches onto the Quest in his Status telling him to survive alone on the wilds for two weeks. With only the doctrine of Sergeant Cullen to guide him, and a sword to depend on, Trent puts his back to Al’drossford and heads south to find out how different life as an Adventurer is compared to the one he has been leading.

508 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 10, 2020

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About the author

J.T. Wright

4 books813 followers

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5 stars
2,387 (71%)
4 stars
724 (21%)
3 stars
191 (5%)
2 stars
32 (<1%)
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9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
1 review
November 30, 2020
I Demand More

Every once in a while I will come across a series that truly calls to me. It won’t matter how long it is between book releases, it won’t matter how many times I have to reread and reintroduce myself to the universe. When these series pop up I have no choice but to read through them in there entirety. This is one of those series. The multiple plot lines are done beautifully, not too much time away from the MC but still enough to keep up with the other characters and set up events down the road. The universe building is impeccable and if this series ever ends I fully expect MULTIPLE spin offs. The main character’s growth is so rewarding and smooth. The interactions and dialogue are seamless. All of this and so much more have fully earned the 5 stars that I was forced to award this book. Thank you to the author for this book and please, no matter how much it pains me to say, take as much time on the next book as is needed to keep the series at this quality.
Profile Image for Artrain.
157 reviews11 followers
November 30, 2020
Needs a heavy hand of editing I think. Dialogues are choppy and start-stop abruptly. There are too many instances of Person A speaking, and instead of Person B replying, it is Person A themselves that continues.
Most of the dialogues are also very simplistic and give off a feeling of reading a children's book.

But you won't come across dialogues until you're decently past the beginning portion. Most of the it is just a 3rd person account of the main character. And even that did not flow as well at it should have. Overall the biggest drawback for me was that at no point was I able to sink myself in the book. Sure the story is entertaining and kept me reading till the end, but I just ended up reading it because of curiosity rather than feeling invested.

The characters themselves don't help much. While we're finally freed (temporarily?) of the walking spam cannon that is Tersa, all the characters still have a naive stupidity to them that makes it hard to take them seriously. This goes doubly so for the main character. They basically feel like children until they do something that children don't do (like killing bad guys), and we realize that they're supposed to be independent "adventurers".

As for the story, majority of it is just standard progression stuff, with the characters basically just grinding to get stronger. I'd say 70-80% of the book is just that. Otherwise almost nothing of note happens to push the story along in any particular direction. And when something does happen, its so abrupt and unexpected that the reader is left feeling more like "what in the world was that?" rather than the feeling of climax from the story reaching a certain point.

While I do like progression mechanics, I think there has to be a solid foundation of a story underneath all the progressive grinding, and a path for the characters in the story to strive towards. As it stands, we're past the 3rd book and the main character still has no goal or aim other than being an adventurer, challenging trails and getting stronger. There has to be a 'why' that ties all these things together.
Also the stronger the main character gets, the more contrasting his nativity and lack of basic knowledge appears. And while we're constantly told that he learns very well, he definitely doesn't take any advice other than his own and continues bumbling around instead of learning everything he can first. The only reason he continues to survive is because he gets exactly what he needs, when he needs it.

On the whole I think its been a series where you put your brain aside, and just enjoy the progression.
Profile Image for Wilhelm Eyrich.
366 reviews28 followers
November 18, 2020
Better than expected.

After the filler book that book 2 ended up being, I was very pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this book. Lack of the useless Tersa, an emphasis on Trent and his character development, and a cast that doesn’t drag down the story was very welcome. The POV chapters weren’t overused and I actually think we could have used one or two more from Orian.

Trent is one of my favorite MCs and his mix of wisdom and pure innocent naivety is perfect. I still think the progression needs to be upped a bit if he is ever going to be a force that can actually affect the growing changes that are happening in the kingdom around him. I think this book was a great leap forward for that as he realized important changes that needed to happen.

Very much looking forward to the next book. 9/10
Profile Image for Mattias Back.
13 reviews3 followers
February 16, 2021
Lazy, low content, reused ideas.

The first book came from an interesting angle, bringing new ideas and a promising story. This book brings nothing new and does not move the story forward. Almost all of the content is about a dive into a dungeon and the related uninteresting fights that follows. It brings two new characters, that we don't really get to know, and quite honestly they feel very flat and generic.
This book feels lazy and greedy. There might be a story out there, and this could just be a way to monetise the series by creating a filler, but I am worried there is no more content to be had.
Profile Image for Johnny.
2,183 reviews84 followers
December 20, 2020
Book three

Mistakes: Don't think I saw any. If I did I was to caught up in the story to care.

Plot: Trials and new friends.

Characters: The MC is one of my favorites. I'm glad he is making some friends.

10/10 Can't wait for the next book.
47 reviews3 followers
November 20, 2020
The best of the three hands down. I loved book 1 and enjoyed book 2 which felt more like an interlude. Book three is wonderful. It really sets things up for the future.

Man i loved this book. There are a lot of little moments here that really make this great. Training, oh man the training is wonderful. I enjoy how the author tries to make each character read uniquely. An example being when he kills someone and his first reaction is frustration that his dagger hit the left and not the right eye. There are oddities to the MC that make him really interesting. I love how the character makes mistakes but realizes them and learns from them. For example he is way too trusting but realizes it and tries to adapt. He seems to constantly be learning.

I love how the author does the litrpg aspects and the crafting. Lots of new interesting items and skills. Great dialogue and inner monologue of the cast. I enjoyed the diversity of his skill use as well. The many fights were very well written. I enjoyed seeing the perspective of other characters watching him fight, being in awe of his skill. There is luck here that helps the character but the majority of it is skill and training. I really appreciate that.

I also really enjoyed the dogs perspective. Kerry and the others were a welcome addition. I look forward to seeing them develop. To be honest i'm so glad his buddy from the last 2 books had almost no role.
32 reviews
November 23, 2020
Amazing uplifting and engaging.

So many litrpg are written with poorly thought out transitions or plot lines. This story grabs your attention and keeps you involved without some harem plot or idiotic head scratching change of direction. Very balanced dialogues and smooth transitions.

Fast action and good character development. I was actually able to like the MC bumbling at times and not feel like taking a club to the MC.

Profile Image for Travis.
2,917 reviews49 followers
January 16, 2021
I really liked this one. The character develops well, and the story follows along, and although there are a few surprises, it turns out to be a pretty good book. Looking forward to more in the series.
Profile Image for David U..
151 reviews6 followers
July 6, 2021
This is an audiobook review. 4.5/5 Overall a great read with an interesting levelling system. Although it was annoying that the MC was still taken advantage off due to his general lack of knowledge/common sense, he showed a lot of growth in his mindset and his ability to make friends. I can’t wait for the next instalment!
161 reviews3 followers
December 7, 2020
Aho aho ahooooooooooo

Excellent story that continues from where it left off. You get a lot of new characters in the story and you get a lot of character development in the story. We see the main character grow in more ways than one and we finally get to see him make some friends. The pack terminology really sticks out in the story.

Now I have two concerns I hope the author reads these reviews to address them. First these are some long meaty stories and it would help to have a synopsis just to help us remember some of the key important points that were covered in previous books. I’m also a little concerned with the main characters growth when compared to those around him. We get to see every character grow but I worry he could become overpowering when compared to the rest of them. He just has so much more potential than everyone else around him it’s scary. I don’t see how that could be easily resolved unless you come up with a way to really grow the characters around him. One final note I think we do need to hear more from other characters in the story I won’t say who they are but mini will know who they are once they finish this book we need to hear more about how are they growing because it is clear they will come back into the picture someday..
286 reviews4 followers
December 12, 2020
Thank you for the meal!

Other stories have dull parts that you don't care about. Other stories have characters you can take or leave. Other stories have their ups and downs in quality. This story has all of those things but the difference is it does it all while wearing an awesome cape and cowl....speaking more plainly this story is a more or less a factory standard litrpg but done so well that it stands above many of the rest. Including those stories that have managed to add a twist to their worlds. You get a feeling of growth without getting drown in numbers and you get a natural feeling rpg-ness. Excellent work.
Profile Image for Farshad Torkashvand.
Author 1 book2 followers
December 6, 2023
Moonlight Banishes Shadows is the third book in The Infinite World series by J.T. Wright, a fantasy saga that follows Trent Embra, a young man who finds himself in a world of magic, monsters, and adventure. In this book, Trent leaves the city of Al’drossford to explore the wilds and complete a quest that will test his survival skills and his character.

The book has some positive aspects, such as the vivid descriptions of the world, the action scenes, and the variety of characters and creatures that Trent encounters. The author also introduces some new elements, such as the history of the world, the different factions and races, and the secrets of the Garden of Clarity. The book has a fast pace and a lot of twists and turns that keep the reader engaged.

However, the book also suffers from some major flaws that detract from the overall enjoyment of the story. One of the main issues is the lack of development and consistency of the main character, Trent. He is supposed to be a curious and intelligent person, but he often acts in a naive and passive way, asking meaningless questions instead of using his own logic and observation. He also seems to forget or ignore important information that he learned in the previous books, such as the nature and purpose of the history book that he received from the last book. The book had a great opportunity to show Trent’s history and background through the history book, which could be a magical artifact that can reveal the past of the world and its inhabitants. However, the author chose to tell rather than show.

Another issue is the behavior of the other characters and the people around Trent. They often act in a questionable and unrealistic way, either being too friendly or too hostile to Trent without much reason. They also seem to have little personality or depth, and serve mainly as plot devices or filler. The book has too many side stories that do not contribute much to the main plot or the character development, and only serve to distract and confuse the reader. The point of having a main character is to learn with him and have the journey with him, but these side stories take that away from the reader and take away the curiosity and immersion.

In conclusion, Moonlight Banishes Shadows is a disappointing book that fails to live up to the potential of the series. It has some good moments and ideas, but they are overshadowed by the poor execution and the lack of coherence and logic. The book could have been much better if the author had focused more on the main character and his growth, and less on the unnecessary and irrelevant details. I hope the author reads this review and these pointers help him in his future works.
2 reviews1 follower
November 16, 2020
Really enjoyed this book, just like the first one. The second one kind of felt more like the epilogue of book 1 and the prologue of (what is now) book 3 combined rather than its own installment. I am a bit concerned though that book 4 is likely going to be similar to book 2, as book 3 kind of ended quite abruptly - why not include the conversation with the tagalongs before the book ended at the very least? In addition, we saw almost 0 progress in Tersa and Orian's stories and so it feels like book 4 will be filling in a lot of the events that these 2 will accomplish while Trent is off trial hunting. Either way though, I am looking forward to book 4 - this one had a lot of character growth for Trent, and I like all the new characters in general.
106 reviews2 followers
November 17, 2020
Awesome book

An amazingly well-written book a great third installment to an amazing series definitely fun to read lots of twists and turns and some of the unexpected happenstance has throughout the book it was very fun and enjoyable from start to finish I couldn't put it down very much looking forward to many more books in the series it could be a great 20 books series I think at least waiting for more definitely read the first two books first
22 reviews9 followers
November 16, 2020
I eagerly anticipated this book. And it is easily worth the 5 stars that I’m giving it. The only area of improvement that I could find with this book is the title. But that isn’t a big deal. So I pressure anyone who sees this book and turns away just because of the title, to turn back and read it. You won’t be disappointed or dissatisfied. It’s a wonderful book and got me through a six hour plane flight with 2 screeching kids. For me to give it 5 stars in a bad mood just speaks of this books greatness. Nice work JT!
107 reviews
August 13, 2021
A mix of great and mediocre

This book is far longer than it needs to be. All the endless fight scenes with very little growth beyond stats is disappointing. There was less exposition which is good. Also less time spent on transient characters. All the hints of mysteries to come keep the readers interest and playing off the MC's naivete in fun. The last 10-15% of the book are the best. Actual characterization etc. It did make struggling through the rough patches in the rest of the series worth it and I look forward to a sequel.
Profile Image for Travis Kole.
120 reviews1 follower
January 20, 2021
When you see how highly this book is rated... It definitely deserves it. I have not read a series in a long time that has captivated me as much as this series. I got through all 3 books in about 2 weeks. I am pretty lenient with stars and as someone who checks reviews often before reading... You should read this series. My biggest dissapointment with this book was that I now have to wait for book 4.

Ill be honest, when I started this series I really didn't know where all this was going. The character started as a blank slate with unlimited potential and that still holds. The author manages masterfully taking care of an OP character. Look, when it comes to LITRPGS all of us that have read this genre are sick of 2 themes. OP main characters and stupid main characters and alot of the times those two are intermixed. We do have an OP character and the author has not been shy in demonstrating that is becoming more and more common as these books progressed.

Here is the thing. The story itself outways the sense that as a reader you cant root for Trent. Usually a main character gets to the point in a series where you just dont care to root for him because they always succeed. Trent succeeds alot of the time but the development of the character is very impressive. Now when you have a great MC, you really have to have good supporting characters to progress the story and as a reader I liked all but one character which is damn good.

In this story you see developed a few more support characters. Sgt. Cullen is an amazing support character through all three books and that doesn't change. Tersa takes a backseat in this one, but I still love her as a character and hope we see a little more in book 4. We get three new characters; Kerry, Felicia, and "Raven". All 3 are excellently developed and the author took the time to progress these characters in a natural way. Now, Raven didn't get a prominant role this book, but I believe her short story was a setup for Book 4. There is only 1 character I don't care for and he is an important character in Orion. I just don't care to read his arc and we see hopefully how his choices are going to come back to create an altercation with Trent.

This review is getting long and hopefully it comes off how much I really love this series. There is only 2 other LITRPG series that has got me this excited in a long time and that is Hugo Huescas Dungeon Lord series and Luke Chmilenko Ascend Online series. Read it and you wont regret it.
Profile Image for Arty.
121 reviews9 followers
September 18, 2021
*audio book review* I have it 2.5 stars actually because I could not finish it.
This is the the 3rd book of the series and It felt as if the characters don't seem to grow or learn. The MC is a 13 year old summons that doesn't know anything; as in, he is a blank slate and here lies the problem. The character is basically, a baby and that has yet needs to learn the ways of the world, as in he doesn't know how to act in polite society or the obvious dangers. This can become very annoying very fast as he makes mistakes that even a ten year old boy could identify. The character's lack of understanding or nativity makes the character an agent without direction or plan. Usually, chance or a Deus ex macanica comes to help him with convenient solutions. Also, the last three books is basically the MC, training and getting strong. However, reaching level 10 by book three isn't much of a growth.
The side characters are annoying, crude, simple and exists to make the book seem more "adult". The biggest turn off has to be the MC's "friend" (a junior guard); who thinks cussing and being arrogent brute is the path to be recognized as an adult. It was painful to listen to chapters of the side characters's point of view, of someone who thinks being a dominating brute or bully is the way to be a respectable solider. The Sargent keeps punishing or beating the dumb girl but she just want to be a "brute" like her abusive parents. I would have assumed by book three the author would help evolve the character after going through so many adventures with pointed learning experiences.
Expect no real growth with this series. It is basically, the author writing and focusing of verbal and demeaning assault of his various characters.
Profile Image for Catholic.
53 reviews
December 16, 2023
"Moonlight Banishes Shadows," the third book in J.T. Wright's Infinite World series, continues the story of Trent Embra. After his experiences in the Garden of Clarity, Trent leaves the city, feeling unwanted and adrift. Seeking to assert his independence, he takes on a quest to survive alone in the wild for two weeks, guided only by Sergeant Cullen's teachings and relying on his sword. As Trent ventures south, he begins to discover the vast differences between life as an adventurer and the life he has previously known. This novel explores themes of self-discovery and the challenges of forging one's path in an unpredictable world.

Listening to "Moonlight Banishes Shadows" on Audible was an engrossing experience. Tim Campbell's narration once again brought the story and characters to life. The character development and progression were excellent, particularly Trent's journey of self-discovery and independence. While I initially missed Tersa's presence in the story, the introduction of new, well-developed characters made up for it. Trent's new dog, Dreq, is a delightful addition to the series. Dreq's sporadic yet hilarious speech adds a light-hearted element to the narrative, enhancing the overall enjoyment. The simple yet classic concept of a boy and his dog adds a charming dynamic to the story. It seems like Trent is forming a new team, which is an exciting development. The author's skill in crafting engaging narratives and painting vivid scenes continues to impress. This series has quickly become a favorite of mine, and I highly recommend it to others.
Profile Image for Alesay.
286 reviews8 followers
May 28, 2024
4.4 stars. I liked this book a lot more than the previous one. A significant contributing factor was the lack of Tersa. I was pleased to see that she was only mentioned a few times.

This book had a lot more character/story progression, which was good. We also learned a little bit more about Trent and his supposed past. I'm very curious about who he used to be.

There are quite a few new characters introduced in this book. While I don't necessarily like all of them. I am overall happy that Trent (loosely) has friends (per se). I hope his group becomes more competent, trustworthy, and reliable.

I found it enduring how Trent's thoughts kept wandering back to Cullen. I liked how, despite the way they parted, the MC still aims (mostly) to follow the sergeant's doctrine (teaching) while going his own way.

On the downside, I'm starting to think that I don't like different POVs as much as I thought I did. While I enjoyed this aspect in the first book and appreciate knowing what's happening elsewhere, part of me doesn't care. I feel like it takes away a bit from Trent's story. I wish that there were fewer perspective changes.

I also didn't like how dumb and brutish some characters were at times. During those moments, they all sound/feel the same. While they all have different personalities, this seems to be a common character trait that a lot of them have.

Overall, I enjoyed this story, and I found the ending a bit bittersweet (I liked it).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
21 reviews
October 11, 2021
"The world is a Trial" - from a character in the book.

AMAZING. Just Absolutely Stunning. What a satisfying finish to Trent's first chapter of growth.

This book is all about Trent, and his growth is astonishing. The journey is a lot harder than book 1, and if anyone's worried about Tersa getting in the way, then you'll be delighted to know she only features for a mere few pages. Finally Trent has companions who are clever and more considerate, and can grow with him and appreciate him.

Aside from Trent's growth (both physical, directional and emotional. I'm really really impressed. And I feel sorry that he's forced to have to grow so fast... But at least he can play with Acrobatics skill without Cullen shouting at him to stop being stupid, ha), we also finally get hints of something that plays a larger role in the background, that Trent will be involved in, that ties in with his mysterious origin. The kingdom, the past and pending future of Al'dossford.

The meaning of the words, "The world is a Trial", by reading Trent's determination and approach, it'll give you strength and encouragement to overcome the obstacles and challenges in real life.

This is that rare a book.
1 review
January 23, 2021
Best so far.

This is LitRPG done right. The Infinite World is quickly becoming one of the best in the genre in my opinion. Truly a must read if you like LitRPG elements, with a good fantasy setting, and believable and funny characters.

While there are some inconsistencies and grammatical errors, at least in the version I read, this is still a great book. In fact, I believe it is the best in the series so far and shows that the author keeps improving. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but will say that the focus is almost completely on Trent this time, with just a few other POV switches to keep building the world and plot. This book also established what I think will be the main or one of the main plots, where as book 2 didn’t really seem to be setting much up. Here, purpose is being given, mysteries revealed, but also more questions asked! I really can’t wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Liesl Andrico.
440 reviews2 followers
October 4, 2023
Be warned - this series is not done with book 4.
This series is the first set of books I've read where the world and the people in it are all Dungeons and Dragons players. Children become Awakened when they gain a status, they have classes to fill, go on quests, delve in trials, kill things (that regenerate magically), get loot, and generally have adventures. The story follows several different story lines - a king, a scholar, the fools journey, etc. Yet, the message is the same - strive every day to learn, grow, and be the best you can be. Mistakes will be made, which is fine as long as you get better and stronger. I especially loved that the preface for books 2, 3, and 4 were written as histories for an entirely different perspective, perfectly summarizing the entire book that came before and at the same time giving additional context. I've enjoyed reading through book 4 and will pick up book 5 once it comes out.
184 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2024
still does not make justice to th first

The story continues fast-paced and solid. But the best part is what is happening? With the supporting characters.

Sadly, some of the characters didn't have their moment to shine, but some of the introduced characters stole the show for the better, especially the pup.

Trent, not so much; he recovers from his dark and tormented mood and becomes an arrogant poseur trying to pass as suave and cool when he is actually; humility is not humility when you look at others down; bringing people up is not teamwork when is done just to get rid of them.

A good leader does not abandon their team because he needs to shine.

Fortunately, the last chapter fixed this book, and the need to know what happens next to all the supporting characters will drive you to book 4.
Profile Image for Chris Pelham.
74 reviews6 followers
April 17, 2021
Let me edit!

This is such a good series but needs editing! I have found quite a few errors in need of editing.

Other than that I love this series! Great class system! Innovative system really. I like the trials system etc. World building isn't an info dump etc. Good story telling and character development. Feels like this could be quite the long series as well. Has been well crafted to allow for quite a few books with low power creep but still feel like the MC is powerful and important! Can't wait for the story to continue!

Again please let me edit it without reporting the errors to the great Zon!!
33 reviews
October 7, 2022
Exceptional

I’ll keep it short. The writing is fantastic. Emotional, gripping, humorous, and beautifully woven from start to finish. The growth of Trent and those around him feels natural. The banter between friends and foes is very entertaining. There’s mystery that is slowly unraveling itself as Trent grows and I’m here for it. The fighting is detailed, engaging, and ever evolving as Trent gains more confidence in his strength, and conquering his weaknesses, along with acquiring new moves as Trent comes face to face with trial after trial, both in and out. I can’t convey properly how much I loved reading this book. I immediately starting the next.
Profile Image for Jayden.
121 reviews8 followers
April 20, 2025
I'm still really enjoying this storyline. This book had a bit less of what I enjoyed in the previous books (and a bit more typos), but it didn't detract too much from the enjoyment.

Still, I'm hoping the main character will be more consistent the next book, and that the hints at the overarching plot will get less vague, since they are starting to get a bit annoying in their vagueness by now. Three books of them without any real answers is enough, I think.

I enjoyed seeing the main character gain some agency and try out his own style, though. He grew a lot during this book, and I'm curious to see where it'll go. Looking forward to the next book for sure.
28 reviews1 follower
February 24, 2021
Please keep it up

I love this series. The characters are likeable and fleshed out. The world building was done really well. I've been on a litrpg kick for a few years now and this is easily in my top 3, right up there with Arcane Ascension in my opinion. Wright, you did an amazing job with the naive main character trope. I have a soft spot for this type of character, but you really captured his essence. I've been left wanting for more answers and I absolutely can't wait to read your next book.
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