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The Infinite World #4
Brambles and Thorns
Life was simpler when someone was around to tell him what to do. With a band of Adventurers looking to him for direction, whether he likes it or not, Trent Embra needed to figure out how to lead them.
But how was he supposed to lead when there were so many things Trent hadn’t figured out for himself?
An unidentifiable seed in his Storage, and whispers in his head, Trent points his team west towards the wilds. It was as good a direction as any. Maybe in uncivilized lands, Trent would learn what it meant to be an Adventurer and sort through what mattered most.
But how was he supposed to lead when there were so many things Trent hadn’t figured out for himself?
An unidentifiable seed in his Storage, and whispers in his head, Trent points his team west towards the wilds. It was as good a direction as any. Maybe in uncivilized lands, Trent would learn what it meant to be an Adventurer and sort through what mattered most.
821 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 29, 2022
283 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
February 10, 2022
First of all, i really enjoyed the series up to this point. But this particular book almost made me scream in frustration.
Overall, a massive let down compared to the other books in the series and i hope the author can get back to the quality he used to achieve.
Overall, a massive let down compared to the other books in the series and i hope the author can get back to the quality he used to achieve.
January 29, 2022
Alright
Lots of filler and the book doesn't start until 40% no real conclusion it just felt like the author got tired.
Lots of filler and the book doesn't start until 40% no real conclusion it just felt like the author got tired.
February 7, 2022
Filler
I like the series a lot but I must say this book felt unfinished it felt like filler and did not really move the story forward as far as I could tell. It bored me And it took about a week For me to actually finish it. The other books in this series so far I've flown through them in about A-day. I seriously had to push myself to get through the entire book I almost quit reading probably about 5 times but I do wanna read the next from the series because so far it's been good other than this book. If I didn't finish this one I'm not sure I would have been able to continue you in the series.
I like the series a lot but I must say this book felt unfinished it felt like filler and did not really move the story forward as far as I could tell. It bored me And it took about a week For me to actually finish it. The other books in this series so far I've flown through them in about A-day. I seriously had to push myself to get through the entire book I almost quit reading probably about 5 times but I do wanna read the next from the series because so far it's been good other than this book. If I didn't finish this one I'm not sure I would have been able to continue you in the series.
February 3, 2022
This was terrible
Look, I get you get paid by the page so you don't want to delete filler but... jesus. You might as well have made the first half a recipe book.
Look, I get you get paid by the page so you don't want to delete filler but... jesus. You might as well have made the first half a recipe book.
January 31, 2022
please delete and start over
I’ve really enjoyed the other books in this series, but this one was sorely lacking. So much filler. No plot progression. The MC spends most of book doing stupid things. Al also the author is establishing a troubling precedent. The MC surrounds himself with incompetent weaklings and carries them the whole time.
I’ve really enjoyed the other books in this series, but this one was sorely lacking. So much filler. No plot progression. The MC spends most of book doing stupid things. Al also the author is establishing a troubling precedent. The MC surrounds himself with incompetent weaklings and carries them the whole time.
March 4, 2022
well. that was... mum... a book
Wow, what just happened??
800 pages and virtually nothing happens or is accomplished.
Let's start with the good. The writing is generally solid. Do I recommend the series - yes. Am I going to read the next book - yes. Am I recommending this book - no.
I am hopung this was just a standard middle-book slip. But it feels a lot like robert jordan or george rr martin in their later books. 800 pages and virtually none of it mattered.
Could have been ok had he focused on character development, but truthfully, the secondary characters all feel just as two dimensional as they did at the start of the book.
There's a lot of promise in this series and this author, but none of it was realized in this book.
Wow, what just happened??
800 pages and virtually nothing happens or is accomplished.
Let's start with the good. The writing is generally solid. Do I recommend the series - yes. Am I going to read the next book - yes. Am I recommending this book - no.
I am hopung this was just a standard middle-book slip. But it feels a lot like robert jordan or george rr martin in their later books. 800 pages and virtually none of it mattered.
Could have been ok had he focused on character development, but truthfully, the secondary characters all feel just as two dimensional as they did at the start of the book.
There's a lot of promise in this series and this author, but none of it was realized in this book.
May 26, 2022
I'm honestly not much of a review writer, at least not when it comes to books. Still, I felt like I had to write at least something for Brambles and Thorns, mainly because it's my favorite LitRPG series, and this fourth installment was...well, a disappointment of sorts.
The thing about disappointments is that they are a relative thing, not absolute. A disappointment doesn't mean bad, it just means that it's less than you expected. That it left you wanting more, wishing more.
Brambles and Thorns is not a full book, and it shows. It's just a fragment of one, a meager first act that does little to satisfyingly continue it's amazing prequel Moonlight Banishes Shadows. We get just a taste of what's to come, of where we are going, of the development lurking in the shadows, but it's all promises, half-hearted ones at that, that are not delivered. Not even close.
Brambles and Thorns reads like you would read any book of the series, with zeal and excitement, your mind raging with possibilities and expectations. But then it just ends.
When in any of the other three books an arc would've finished, the amazing rewards revealed, and that interesting development finally blossoming, right before all that, the book ends.
There is no development, be it character, plot, or power. No, there is only the foundations of one, nothing else.
And still...I can't rate this book less that five stars, because if I haven't hinted at it enough, this book still promises. While the first three promised and delivered, yhea, this stops halfway, but the promises are oh so sweet, and it still gets me excited to just imagine the pay-off. I just like Trent too much, I just enjoy the plot and world too much, and I have nothing but respect for the author's approach to his writing, and the way he sees his story.
So for that, yhea, Five Stars, is it Moonlight Banishes Shadows? No. But I still got a dip into this amazing world, and although it left me hungry, the day the next book comes out, I'll be reading it.
The thing about disappointments is that they are a relative thing, not absolute. A disappointment doesn't mean bad, it just means that it's less than you expected. That it left you wanting more, wishing more.
Brambles and Thorns is not a full book, and it shows. It's just a fragment of one, a meager first act that does little to satisfyingly continue it's amazing prequel Moonlight Banishes Shadows. We get just a taste of what's to come, of where we are going, of the development lurking in the shadows, but it's all promises, half-hearted ones at that, that are not delivered. Not even close.
Brambles and Thorns reads like you would read any book of the series, with zeal and excitement, your mind raging with possibilities and expectations. But then it just ends.
When in any of the other three books an arc would've finished, the amazing rewards revealed, and that interesting development finally blossoming, right before all that, the book ends.
There is no development, be it character, plot, or power. No, there is only the foundations of one, nothing else.
And still...I can't rate this book less that five stars, because if I haven't hinted at it enough, this book still promises. While the first three promised and delivered, yhea, this stops halfway, but the promises are oh so sweet, and it still gets me excited to just imagine the pay-off. I just like Trent too much, I just enjoy the plot and world too much, and I have nothing but respect for the author's approach to his writing, and the way he sees his story.
So for that, yhea, Five Stars, is it Moonlight Banishes Shadows? No. But I still got a dip into this amazing world, and although it left me hungry, the day the next book comes out, I'll be reading it.
February 8, 2022
Unfocused, unfinished narrative
Most of this book is just repetitive world building fluff inserted into very awkward places. We are talking multiple different flashbacks interrupting current events multiple times sometimes covering the same thing. Very little if the book touches on Trent and his party and very little happens beyond boring training segments and a boring puzzle trial that isn't much of a puzzle. There was a lack of suspense. A lack of danger. A lack of progress.
For example, the book opens with characters we never see again and goes over events whose effects are only minorly and indirectly seen much, much further in the book. It could have been removed and the events left a mystery to be investigated for later, but no, we had to have a boring introduction world building a portion of the world that doesn't show up again. Completely amateurish.
Very little to recommend this book, but it is mechanically decently written. There are only a few grammatical issues. Typos are few and far between. Sentences are not overly long although they tend towards unnecessary length rather than concise brevity.
At the end of the day, it is a book. Read it for leisure, but don't expect much from it.
Most of this book is just repetitive world building fluff inserted into very awkward places. We are talking multiple different flashbacks interrupting current events multiple times sometimes covering the same thing. Very little if the book touches on Trent and his party and very little happens beyond boring training segments and a boring puzzle trial that isn't much of a puzzle. There was a lack of suspense. A lack of danger. A lack of progress.
For example, the book opens with characters we never see again and goes over events whose effects are only minorly and indirectly seen much, much further in the book. It could have been removed and the events left a mystery to be investigated for later, but no, we had to have a boring introduction world building a portion of the world that doesn't show up again. Completely amateurish.
Very little to recommend this book, but it is mechanically decently written. There are only a few grammatical issues. Typos are few and far between. Sentences are not overly long although they tend towards unnecessary length rather than concise brevity.
At the end of the day, it is a book. Read it for leisure, but don't expect much from it.
February 3, 2022
A bit of a let down
Having waited with baited breath for this book I am a. It disappointed. It seemed short and very much like a place holder. The whole book covers only a few days and does very little to actually advance the story. The writing is as usual quite good. Perhaps I am a victim of my own expectations but the book delivered none of what was intimated at the end of the last volume.
Having waited with baited breath for this book I am a. It disappointed. It seemed short and very much like a place holder. The whole book covers only a few days and does very little to actually advance the story. The writing is as usual quite good. Perhaps I am a victim of my own expectations but the book delivered none of what was intimated at the end of the last volume.
January 30, 2022
I love this world
Having the MC be almost entirely clueless about day to day things, even while the few bits he does know are applied incorrectly, makes for a lot of amusement.
As long as this is, there isn’t really enough movement. This focused on character development and world building more than conflict and narrative progress. New characters and a few old faces showed up in side tales.
In some ways, this novel didn’t need to be. The author needed to realize the details to continue to progress his world, but most of it could be added to a future novel in dribs and drabs. It has the essence of a training montage, without the mind numbingly boring repetitiveness. It’s all entertaining, and it fills a lot of holes, but the narrative barely creaks forward a half-step.
That sounds harsh, but please understand this is book 4 in a series. If you read the first three you should have known what you were getting into.
All of that said, I still thoroughly enjoyed returning to Trent’s world.
Having the MC be almost entirely clueless about day to day things, even while the few bits he does know are applied incorrectly, makes for a lot of amusement.
As long as this is, there isn’t really enough movement. This focused on character development and world building more than conflict and narrative progress. New characters and a few old faces showed up in side tales.
In some ways, this novel didn’t need to be. The author needed to realize the details to continue to progress his world, but most of it could be added to a future novel in dribs and drabs. It has the essence of a training montage, without the mind numbingly boring repetitiveness. It’s all entertaining, and it fills a lot of holes, but the narrative barely creaks forward a half-step.
That sounds harsh, but please understand this is book 4 in a series. If you read the first three you should have known what you were getting into.
All of that said, I still thoroughly enjoyed returning to Trent’s world.
July 1, 2022
Love this series, but honestly? With how much time the author spends on pointless things, this story will never get anywhere. Book 8 will just be Trent spending more time in dream trials. Maybe he'll be a year older by then... Oh sure, he'll have a thousand new skills, but the story will have still not gotten anywhere. On Chapter 14! Book 3 left off with them going to sleep outside a town. ON CHAPTER 14 AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T WOKEN THE HELL UP! wtf is that nonsense?
FOUR BOOKS! Four books that should have been one, IMO. It's the Hobbit trilogy all over again.
***
Reduced to 1 star. Dropped (but maybe just on hold, at least until more from the series is released). After reading some other reviews, it's clear this series is not going anywhere. Such a disappointment. This story had infinite potential. Squandered by word count quotas, it seems.
FOUR BOOKS! Four books that should have been one, IMO. It's the Hobbit trilogy all over again.
***
Reduced to 1 star. Dropped (but maybe just on hold, at least until more from the series is released). After reading some other reviews, it's clear this series is not going anywhere. Such a disappointment. This story had infinite potential. Squandered by word count quotas, it seems.
February 11, 2022
Could have been great.
This book added a bunch of POVs that really didn’t need to be included and felt like filler. Nothing really happens until maybe halfway through and even then it’s only just barely starting their journey. There was some progression but not nearly enough for how long this is, there were zero class upgrades and only some minor skill progression.
The new character that was added is infuriating and could use some major development, completely takes advantage of our still very naive MC. Trent’s nonsensical questions and bright curiosity towards the world is still fun but it’s also feels stagnant. Trent needs major development.
I still am very much enjoying this series but Wright really needs to start focusing on Trent and those around him.
This book added a bunch of POVs that really didn’t need to be included and felt like filler. Nothing really happens until maybe halfway through and even then it’s only just barely starting their journey. There was some progression but not nearly enough for how long this is, there were zero class upgrades and only some minor skill progression.
The new character that was added is infuriating and could use some major development, completely takes advantage of our still very naive MC. Trent’s nonsensical questions and bright curiosity towards the world is still fun but it’s also feels stagnant. Trent needs major development.
I still am very much enjoying this series but Wright really needs to start focusing on Trent and those around him.
February 7, 2022
Frustrating
Giving this 4 stars to support a series I've really enjoyed. Unfortunately, this book was a huge disappointment. There is no plot progress in any of the plot lines, over 40% of the book is gone before even a single day passes. Boring training sequences to learn basic skills, very little action, and Trent's super awkwardness in a leadership role all were frustrating to read through. The only trial is a long, fairly uninteresting puzzle trial at the end. With the books a year apart, I was hoping for a lot more.
Giving this 4 stars to support a series I've really enjoyed. Unfortunately, this book was a huge disappointment. There is no plot progress in any of the plot lines, over 40% of the book is gone before even a single day passes. Boring training sequences to learn basic skills, very little action, and Trent's super awkwardness in a leadership role all were frustrating to read through. The only trial is a long, fairly uninteresting puzzle trial at the end. With the books a year apart, I was hoping for a lot more.
February 1, 2022
great continuation of the story
First half of the books happens in Bellrise. All story threads are completed there. Trent gets a new ability which is going to be a game changer to increase his skills. New characters are introduces and possibly a new party member as well at the end of the book. One downside is less combat in the book and less levels. I hope that is addressed in the next book.
First half of the books happens in Bellrise. All story threads are completed there. Trent gets a new ability which is going to be a game changer to increase his skills. New characters are introduces and possibly a new party member as well at the end of the book. One downside is less combat in the book and less levels. I hope that is addressed in the next book.
February 19, 2022
Cliffhanger
This book ended in a cliffhanger, which I despise. I will always give books with cliffhangers a single star. Good authors don't have to resort to cliffhangers to bring readers back.
This book ended in a cliffhanger, which I despise. I will always give books with cliffhangers a single star. Good authors don't have to resort to cliffhangers to bring readers back.
May 11, 2022
A lot of filler. The first and third book were very good but this one didn’t even go anywhere. Super slow. First book built so much potential. Sad to see a series go bad.
January 31, 2022
Really fun read but was expecting more plot advancement
I was really looking forward to this book and getting back into the world of these characters. I wasn’t disappointed at all and throughly enjoyed the world building and character development that happens. That said I fee like the major plot was definitely overlooked in order to make Trent’s new team feel real and mostly compatible with each other while fleshing out more of the world and current event’s.
I was hoping that the team would get further into the wilds than they did and honestly was confused as to the authors choice for that. I’m sure there is a reason but if I had to point out one complaint that would be it for me.
Also the tease of knowing the Duke of Al Dross put out a proclamation and then not letting us know what it said kind of sucked. Because the build up to their independence and Sgt Cullens own pamphlet are freaking awesome.
I was really looking forward to this book and getting back into the world of these characters. I wasn’t disappointed at all and throughly enjoyed the world building and character development that happens. That said I fee like the major plot was definitely overlooked in order to make Trent’s new team feel real and mostly compatible with each other while fleshing out more of the world and current event’s.
I was hoping that the team would get further into the wilds than they did and honestly was confused as to the authors choice for that. I’m sure there is a reason but if I had to point out one complaint that would be it for me.
Also the tease of knowing the Duke of Al Dross put out a proclamation and then not letting us know what it said kind of sucked. Because the build up to their independence and Sgt Cullens own pamphlet are freaking awesome.
May 31, 2024
a between real stories book
An unfortunate step down in storytelling. Felt like a whole book that preps for future books without standing on its own
An unfortunate step down in storytelling. Felt like a whole book that preps for future books without standing on its own
September 20, 2022
Major spoilers throughout.
I enjoyed the world building, lore exploration, setup and teases of plots to come, dialogue and character relationship exploration, and delving into how dungeon/trial keepers work. It was lovely to get to know Keeper Dea, the elder spirit of the hunt, and several other supporting characters that will be or are in Trent's party. I like the world and premise, which feels like an increasingly intricate tapestry.
Trent is lovable in his flaws and has so much potential for continuing growth as a person, in relation to others, and in his status screen capabilities. He's full of interesting and juicy mysteries.
I listened to the audiobook versions and haven't seen print, so forgive my spelling of nouns.
The narrator Tim Campbell is truly exceptional and brought vivacious variety and professional, heart tugging and silly emotions, as well as the author's wordsmithing, to life.
The magic system, skill and class exploration, and political machinations and intrigue keep me guessing and wanting more. Funny banter keeps things light. Cullen is simultaneously so lovable and yet somehow forgivably awful in his purposeful meanness.
I'm immensely relieved Tersa is finally growing up, getting her shit together, and no longer being such a crass, selfish, careless, mean, impulsive, cruel, abusive, and unbearable person. Glad to get an update on her. I hope she comes back a changed and much more capable, healed, non-abusive, healthy person when reunited.
I loved the Orion moments too, and would have preferred a lot more about him. He has so much potential!! I hope he'll come west after bringing the Embra clan to Aldrossford, then mentor Kerry in summoning and Trent in riding, horsemanship, swordmastery and so on. The scenes where he bonded with the horse were beautiful and awe-inspiring. I was afraid he'd become evil from the Dominating Tyrant class; I'd like to continue to read about his overcoming the class's influence, and how badass he is now that he is back to his full strenftg, at last. I want to read his conversations with the Embra clan leaders.
There were so many plot threads that could be very interesting that were barely hinted at and not explored. I expect them to be addressed in the next book or several; if not, I'll be sorely disappointed. I wish at least SOME more of them had been wrapped up in this book.
The writing is good quality and immersive, well crafted, as always with this author, which I highly appreciate. I've read at least ten litRPG series as so far, and many of them suffer from poor quality writing, noticeably lacking editing, are rushed, or are too shallow in their approach to character development and relationships. Thus, the depth and detail in this series are refreshing.
I'm particularly intrigued to see: where Trent being a trial spirit goes; how Keeper Dea progresses; what truly motivates the elder spirit of the hunt and Eliora, and if they are actually allies to Trent or not; what The Wilds are like; what happens with Keeper Mortimer and his forfeit; how the kingdom reacts to the Dross secession and breaking of the king's tyrranical and limiting rules; how the new Dross kingdom changes and doesn't; if there's a major Tribulation in the al-verran kingdom, what that means and what can be done about it, and if it will also befall the baby Dross kingdom; how Felicia will react when she finds out Eliora's last name and origin; who killed Eliora's parents; how the party reacts to the new wildling healer who wants to join the team; how Kerry's summoner class progresses, how he accepts that his friend the wildling is what she is, and if he becomes a full Satyr and connects with his heritage and existing Satyrs or not; how Trent's elemental wrist buddies grow when he finally feeds them; how the dungeon/trial creationand editing process works; how Trent grows and changes in general; future adventures; what's up with the Devouring Fiend still being in the Bellrise dungeon well after Trent supposedly cleared the 5th floor of cursed and undead, what does it mean, and will he have to be the one to deal with it or can Cullen or someone else; why is Trent connected to the Devouring Fiend at all; how can Trent access his vast well of power without becoming a villain; etc.
Clearly, there is a lot in this book to love and sink teeth into. It's full of opportunities for interesting character progression and storytelling. I sincerely hope the author ties up even 3/4s of the plot threads he started with this one in the next ones.
The huge problem with this book, as many others have stated in reviews, is that it moved way too slowly. It was too long for how little the plot and time moved forward.
The overarching plot can be summed up in too few words for the extended length / duration of the book: the team bonded, wrapped up tasks in Bellrise, and found a field puzzle trial, completed the 1st floor of it. Trent became a trial spirit, birthed(?) a keeper from Althea's divine shard skillbook, the trial heart, and the trial chest, then trained several skills inside the trial while sleeping. Kerry gained the Summoner class. Elder Dross proclaimed secession from the al-Verran kingdom and is promoting free access to previously restricted knowledge, classes, skills and abilities. Cullen found Trent in Bellrise and expressed support, healing the emotional rift between them, and encouraging Trent forward while giving him a eense of home and family. Trent decided to go west towards the wilds and reluctantly signed a charter with 3 teammates, and then they barely began the journey. Trent's bully Jace was punished and subdued. Eliora's attempted murderer (follower of the Red Tiger) was thwarted and temporarily subdued, but not killed. Ellora learned something important about the "grandfather" who raised her to hate the Arashians. Keeper Dea agreed to take on the elder spirit of the hunt as a free agent (not subordinate) trial guardian, under duress while Keeper Mortimer threatened her. The main party cleared the first floor of Mortimer's trial, but barely survived, and Felicia and Trent are very badly injured; Felicia might be dying.
The other major problem with this book is that the ending is an unnecessarily abrupt and unfulfilling cliffhanger. The ending felt unfinished, rushed, not well thought out.
This felt like less than half a book of plot with 2 books' worth of lore and character introductions. There were too many perspective shifts, sometimes to side characters we never saw again and whose introductions and asides don't have a clear purpose or otherwise feel unnecessary, insignificant.
I'm hoping the person who probably survived the dungeon bomb in the Wilds and vowed to kill the Red Tiger warlord of the Wilds in the beginning comes back in the future, maybe as a companion. I assume the Red Tiger will be a future enemy of the main party because his minions tried to kill Eliora and then Trent. But he's definitely too powerful for Trent, and even his minion was.
If none of the side characters introduced in all those tangents don't return or have any other impact on the story, some of the chapters felt almost like a waste of time that could have been summed up as news, a conversation had or overheard, and kept the tale much more succinct and focused on the main character. I felt like Trent only had the limelight in dream trial training, and there wasn't enough of him in the book, and far too many strangers in the limelight.
However, I feel much more attached to and invested in his current party members, Drek, Dea and the elder spirit of the hunt, and thus appreciate all the time spent getting to know each of them deeply.
For my investment in future books in this series and author, even though the book could've been much better paced and shorter for what happened in the plot, I'm giving it 4 stars. If 3.5 stars was an option, I'd do that.
My jaw was clenched in frustration and impatience for a lot of this book, waiting for something to happen; I literally gave myself a bad migraine. Time dragged on. It's harder to skip ahead in audiobooks, and feels disrespectful to the author and narrator, so I didn't. But I wanted to, during a lot of the dream training scenes and tangents with strangers whom I didn't care about. I hope the author will be more willing to cut out whole chapters if needed in future books to stay more focused on the main plot and characters, without meandering so much.
But again, the world and lore feel so vivid with all the time spent exploring it, fleshing it out. So it wasn't a waste, just too much lore without enough movement towards goals, time passing.
I didn't mind less combat. That was a nice break. Too many litrpgs are almost entirely combat, which is tiring to hear as an audiobook without rest breaks, self-care, relationship and world building in the story. This felt almost like an intermission, which is ok, kind of refreshing.
I would have felt a lot more satisfied with the book if the team had at least finished the puzzle dungeon and maybe one more encounter, and especially if it felt like they were getting closer to reaching the Wilds, and if more time had passed, even if it was a jump cut or montage. It felt very frustrating and unsatisfying that, in a *Progression* fantasy genre novel, there was very little *progress*.
Trent is spending too much time supporting and raising his friends, and not enough time on his own progress. During almost the entire puzzle dungeon, he carried EVERYONE and did not let them take the lead or be the most active participant in solving any puzzles. For instance, one of the others could've cast the Ice Web spell instead of Trent's modified Fire Wall spell in the slime room. He keeps taking charge and doing things on his own, assuming the others are incapable, but they'll only grow fast enough to keep up if he lets them participate and be the ones to solve problems themselves, at least sometimes. I understand this might be intentional, as something he needs to learn about leadership and group tactics over time, and I hope he will learn it. He similarly also keeps sacrificing for the team and not letting them help him, even if it's for a good reason like trying to get Felicia to a healer. He needs to learn to listen to his companions and advisors better, when they're not literally hollering at and insulting him like Cullen and Tersa.
I loved the Drek-focused sections, and the new Tree Running skill. The narrator's Drek narration is particularly charming, heartwarming and cute. Trent needs to learn to encourage, praise and appreciate, be grateful for Drek in particular, as well as himself and companions better. I hope he's learning to.
Keeper Dea's affection and kindness towards him were so lovable. I hope she teaches him to give and take nurturing, even though he didn't receive it in his 1st year.
It kind of feels like Dea is a mother figure, Cullen is a father figure, Orion and Kerry are his brothers, Tersa is his sister, and Felicia is his potential future love interest, if he ever grows emotionally into a man rather than a young boy, in time. (It would be really creepy if he got involved with her before turning at least 16. If he ages during dream trial time, maybe that won't take long, with extra 5-hour snippets of time every day moving his age clock ahead?) The familial type bonds are so endearing and each unique. They really shine in this series.
Trent is so intensely and instantly drawn to and attached to horses. I've got to wonder what the deal is with that. I assume in a past life as an Arashian he was a skilled horseman who rode horseback often while fighting and traveling. Maybe he had a class or profession related to taming or caring for horses and other beasts? It'll be interesting to find out. Or maybe he was a horse elder spirit in a past life? It almost seemed like he felt attracted to the horses in a non-creepy but definitely odd way?
I'm really looking forward to reading future books in this series and by the author. I hope he continues and learns from, corrects some mishaps with this book with future books. I believe he can and will.
I enjoyed the world building, lore exploration, setup and teases of plots to come, dialogue and character relationship exploration, and delving into how dungeon/trial keepers work. It was lovely to get to know Keeper Dea, the elder spirit of the hunt, and several other supporting characters that will be or are in Trent's party. I like the world and premise, which feels like an increasingly intricate tapestry.
Trent is lovable in his flaws and has so much potential for continuing growth as a person, in relation to others, and in his status screen capabilities. He's full of interesting and juicy mysteries.
I listened to the audiobook versions and haven't seen print, so forgive my spelling of nouns.
The narrator Tim Campbell is truly exceptional and brought vivacious variety and professional, heart tugging and silly emotions, as well as the author's wordsmithing, to life.
The magic system, skill and class exploration, and political machinations and intrigue keep me guessing and wanting more. Funny banter keeps things light. Cullen is simultaneously so lovable and yet somehow forgivably awful in his purposeful meanness.
I'm immensely relieved Tersa is finally growing up, getting her shit together, and no longer being such a crass, selfish, careless, mean, impulsive, cruel, abusive, and unbearable person. Glad to get an update on her. I hope she comes back a changed and much more capable, healed, non-abusive, healthy person when reunited.
I loved the Orion moments too, and would have preferred a lot more about him. He has so much potential!! I hope he'll come west after bringing the Embra clan to Aldrossford, then mentor Kerry in summoning and Trent in riding, horsemanship, swordmastery and so on. The scenes where he bonded with the horse were beautiful and awe-inspiring. I was afraid he'd become evil from the Dominating Tyrant class; I'd like to continue to read about his overcoming the class's influence, and how badass he is now that he is back to his full strenftg, at last. I want to read his conversations with the Embra clan leaders.
There were so many plot threads that could be very interesting that were barely hinted at and not explored. I expect them to be addressed in the next book or several; if not, I'll be sorely disappointed. I wish at least SOME more of them had been wrapped up in this book.
The writing is good quality and immersive, well crafted, as always with this author, which I highly appreciate. I've read at least ten litRPG series as so far, and many of them suffer from poor quality writing, noticeably lacking editing, are rushed, or are too shallow in their approach to character development and relationships. Thus, the depth and detail in this series are refreshing.
I'm particularly intrigued to see: where Trent being a trial spirit goes; how Keeper Dea progresses; what truly motivates the elder spirit of the hunt and Eliora, and if they are actually allies to Trent or not; what The Wilds are like; what happens with Keeper Mortimer and his forfeit; how the kingdom reacts to the Dross secession and breaking of the king's tyrranical and limiting rules; how the new Dross kingdom changes and doesn't; if there's a major Tribulation in the al-verran kingdom, what that means and what can be done about it, and if it will also befall the baby Dross kingdom; how Felicia will react when she finds out Eliora's last name and origin; who killed Eliora's parents; how the party reacts to the new wildling healer who wants to join the team; how Kerry's summoner class progresses, how he accepts that his friend the wildling is what she is, and if he becomes a full Satyr and connects with his heritage and existing Satyrs or not; how Trent's elemental wrist buddies grow when he finally feeds them; how the dungeon/trial creationand editing process works; how Trent grows and changes in general; future adventures; what's up with the Devouring Fiend still being in the Bellrise dungeon well after Trent supposedly cleared the 5th floor of cursed and undead, what does it mean, and will he have to be the one to deal with it or can Cullen or someone else; why is Trent connected to the Devouring Fiend at all; how can Trent access his vast well of power without becoming a villain; etc.
Clearly, there is a lot in this book to love and sink teeth into. It's full of opportunities for interesting character progression and storytelling. I sincerely hope the author ties up even 3/4s of the plot threads he started with this one in the next ones.
The huge problem with this book, as many others have stated in reviews, is that it moved way too slowly. It was too long for how little the plot and time moved forward.
The overarching plot can be summed up in too few words for the extended length / duration of the book: the team bonded, wrapped up tasks in Bellrise, and found a field puzzle trial, completed the 1st floor of it. Trent became a trial spirit, birthed(?) a keeper from Althea's divine shard skillbook, the trial heart, and the trial chest, then trained several skills inside the trial while sleeping. Kerry gained the Summoner class. Elder Dross proclaimed secession from the al-Verran kingdom and is promoting free access to previously restricted knowledge, classes, skills and abilities. Cullen found Trent in Bellrise and expressed support, healing the emotional rift between them, and encouraging Trent forward while giving him a eense of home and family. Trent decided to go west towards the wilds and reluctantly signed a charter with 3 teammates, and then they barely began the journey. Trent's bully Jace was punished and subdued. Eliora's attempted murderer (follower of the Red Tiger) was thwarted and temporarily subdued, but not killed. Ellora learned something important about the "grandfather" who raised her to hate the Arashians. Keeper Dea agreed to take on the elder spirit of the hunt as a free agent (not subordinate) trial guardian, under duress while Keeper Mortimer threatened her. The main party cleared the first floor of Mortimer's trial, but barely survived, and Felicia and Trent are very badly injured; Felicia might be dying.
The other major problem with this book is that the ending is an unnecessarily abrupt and unfulfilling cliffhanger. The ending felt unfinished, rushed, not well thought out.
This felt like less than half a book of plot with 2 books' worth of lore and character introductions. There were too many perspective shifts, sometimes to side characters we never saw again and whose introductions and asides don't have a clear purpose or otherwise feel unnecessary, insignificant.
I'm hoping the person who probably survived the dungeon bomb in the Wilds and vowed to kill the Red Tiger warlord of the Wilds in the beginning comes back in the future, maybe as a companion. I assume the Red Tiger will be a future enemy of the main party because his minions tried to kill Eliora and then Trent. But he's definitely too powerful for Trent, and even his minion was.
If none of the side characters introduced in all those tangents don't return or have any other impact on the story, some of the chapters felt almost like a waste of time that could have been summed up as news, a conversation had or overheard, and kept the tale much more succinct and focused on the main character. I felt like Trent only had the limelight in dream trial training, and there wasn't enough of him in the book, and far too many strangers in the limelight.
However, I feel much more attached to and invested in his current party members, Drek, Dea and the elder spirit of the hunt, and thus appreciate all the time spent getting to know each of them deeply.
For my investment in future books in this series and author, even though the book could've been much better paced and shorter for what happened in the plot, I'm giving it 4 stars. If 3.5 stars was an option, I'd do that.
My jaw was clenched in frustration and impatience for a lot of this book, waiting for something to happen; I literally gave myself a bad migraine. Time dragged on. It's harder to skip ahead in audiobooks, and feels disrespectful to the author and narrator, so I didn't. But I wanted to, during a lot of the dream training scenes and tangents with strangers whom I didn't care about. I hope the author will be more willing to cut out whole chapters if needed in future books to stay more focused on the main plot and characters, without meandering so much.
But again, the world and lore feel so vivid with all the time spent exploring it, fleshing it out. So it wasn't a waste, just too much lore without enough movement towards goals, time passing.
I didn't mind less combat. That was a nice break. Too many litrpgs are almost entirely combat, which is tiring to hear as an audiobook without rest breaks, self-care, relationship and world building in the story. This felt almost like an intermission, which is ok, kind of refreshing.
I would have felt a lot more satisfied with the book if the team had at least finished the puzzle dungeon and maybe one more encounter, and especially if it felt like they were getting closer to reaching the Wilds, and if more time had passed, even if it was a jump cut or montage. It felt very frustrating and unsatisfying that, in a *Progression* fantasy genre novel, there was very little *progress*.
Trent is spending too much time supporting and raising his friends, and not enough time on his own progress. During almost the entire puzzle dungeon, he carried EVERYONE and did not let them take the lead or be the most active participant in solving any puzzles. For instance, one of the others could've cast the Ice Web spell instead of Trent's modified Fire Wall spell in the slime room. He keeps taking charge and doing things on his own, assuming the others are incapable, but they'll only grow fast enough to keep up if he lets them participate and be the ones to solve problems themselves, at least sometimes. I understand this might be intentional, as something he needs to learn about leadership and group tactics over time, and I hope he will learn it. He similarly also keeps sacrificing for the team and not letting them help him, even if it's for a good reason like trying to get Felicia to a healer. He needs to learn to listen to his companions and advisors better, when they're not literally hollering at and insulting him like Cullen and Tersa.
I loved the Drek-focused sections, and the new Tree Running skill. The narrator's Drek narration is particularly charming, heartwarming and cute. Trent needs to learn to encourage, praise and appreciate, be grateful for Drek in particular, as well as himself and companions better. I hope he's learning to.
Keeper Dea's affection and kindness towards him were so lovable. I hope she teaches him to give and take nurturing, even though he didn't receive it in his 1st year.
It kind of feels like Dea is a mother figure, Cullen is a father figure, Orion and Kerry are his brothers, Tersa is his sister, and Felicia is his potential future love interest, if he ever grows emotionally into a man rather than a young boy, in time. (It would be really creepy if he got involved with her before turning at least 16. If he ages during dream trial time, maybe that won't take long, with extra 5-hour snippets of time every day moving his age clock ahead?) The familial type bonds are so endearing and each unique. They really shine in this series.
Trent is so intensely and instantly drawn to and attached to horses. I've got to wonder what the deal is with that. I assume in a past life as an Arashian he was a skilled horseman who rode horseback often while fighting and traveling. Maybe he had a class or profession related to taming or caring for horses and other beasts? It'll be interesting to find out. Or maybe he was a horse elder spirit in a past life? It almost seemed like he felt attracted to the horses in a non-creepy but definitely odd way?
I'm really looking forward to reading future books in this series and by the author. I hope he continues and learns from, corrects some mishaps with this book with future books. I believe he can and will.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2022
, Is everyone a fool in this book? I mean including me for reading the whole thing?
I understand build-up books. This is not it. This is 90% filler with the author repeating the character's feelings three or four times.
And the worst thing, I hate almost all the characters I loved now. Carry, Felicia, Riya, and the hunter feel so disappointing. Trent, our MC has somehow turned into a stubborn idiot who would be much better as an immoral villain. He cares more about his curiosity than telling his party members about his dungeon notification.
I am done. I am not reading anything else from this series anymore.
I understand build-up books. This is not it. This is 90% filler with the author repeating the character's feelings three or four times.
And the worst thing, I hate almost all the characters I loved now. Carry, Felicia, Riya, and the hunter feel so disappointing. Trent, our MC has somehow turned into a stubborn idiot who would be much better as an immoral villain. He cares more about his curiosity than telling his party members about his dungeon notification.
I am done. I am not reading anything else from this series anymore.
February 15, 2022
The others books were much better
I feel like the author was moving to slow with one. He spent an entire chapter on why one of Mc’s shouldn’t sign a charter, then ended up signing anyways. Half way into the book and they’re still in town making preparation’s to leave. It was so many unnecessary chapters in here it drives you crazy. I understand the authors trying to tie everything together, but must the chapters I literally skip pass and still understood the story just fine. Like why would I care about how Eloira slept that night. They didn’t even get close to going west.
I feel like the author was moving to slow with one. He spent an entire chapter on why one of Mc’s shouldn’t sign a charter, then ended up signing anyways. Half way into the book and they’re still in town making preparation’s to leave. It was so many unnecessary chapters in here it drives you crazy. I understand the authors trying to tie everything together, but must the chapters I literally skip pass and still understood the story just fine. Like why would I care about how Eloira slept that night. They didn’t even get close to going west.
December 7, 2023
Brambles and Thorns is the fourth book in The Infinite World series by J.T. Wright. It follows Trent Embra, a young man who was transported to a fantasy world where he became an Adventurer, a person who can level up and gain skills by fighting monsters and completing quests. In this book, Trent leads a band of Adventurers to explore the wilds of the west, where he encounters new dangers, allies and mysteries.
The book has some strengths and weaknesses. On the positive side, the world-building is rich and immersive, with a lot of details and lore about the different races, cultures, factions and magic systems. The action scenes are well-written and exciting, with a variety of enemies and challenges for Trent and his team. The characters are also likable and diverse, each with their own personality, backstory and goals.
On the negative side, the book suffers from some pacing and plot issues. The story is very long (820 pages) and sometimes feels dragged out by unnecessary or repetitive scenes. The main plot is also not very clear or coherent, as Trent seems to wander around without a clear direction or purpose. Some of the subplots are also left unresolved or underdeveloped, such as the mystery of the seed in Trent’s Storage or the whispers in his head. The book also ends on a cliffhanger that might frustrate some readers.
Overall, Brambles and Thorns is a decent addition to The Infinite World series, but not the best one. It has some enjoyable moments and interesting elements, but also some flaws and shortcomings that prevent it from being a great book. I would recommend it to fans of the series who want to follow Trent’s adventures, but not to new readers who might be confused or bored by the slow and complex story.
The book has some strengths and weaknesses. On the positive side, the world-building is rich and immersive, with a lot of details and lore about the different races, cultures, factions and magic systems. The action scenes are well-written and exciting, with a variety of enemies and challenges for Trent and his team. The characters are also likable and diverse, each with their own personality, backstory and goals.
On the negative side, the book suffers from some pacing and plot issues. The story is very long (820 pages) and sometimes feels dragged out by unnecessary or repetitive scenes. The main plot is also not very clear or coherent, as Trent seems to wander around without a clear direction or purpose. Some of the subplots are also left unresolved or underdeveloped, such as the mystery of the seed in Trent’s Storage or the whispers in his head. The book also ends on a cliffhanger that might frustrate some readers.
Overall, Brambles and Thorns is a decent addition to The Infinite World series, but not the best one. It has some enjoyable moments and interesting elements, but also some flaws and shortcomings that prevent it from being a great book. I would recommend it to fans of the series who want to follow Trent’s adventures, but not to new readers who might be confused or bored by the slow and complex story.
May 23, 2022
Waste of a book.
There's next to no plot.
There's next to no plot.
February 10, 2022
Worth the wait
It was a long wait between books 3 and 4 but it was worth it.
We get some more great character development and get to spend some more time with these interesting people.
Definitely a few laughs, as there is a pretty funny dynamic between the members of Trent's party.
It was a long wait between books 3 and 4 but it was worth it.
We get some more great character development and get to spend some more time with these interesting people.
Definitely a few laughs, as there is a pretty funny dynamic between the members of Trent's party.
February 9, 2022
Enjoyable
A nice continuation of the series with introductions to new characters and further development to the supporting cast. This feels like it is still in it’s infancy as the world is slowly revealed. Hopefully the next couple books will tie in this beginning story arc and we get to view more of the infinite worlds.
A nice continuation of the series with introductions to new characters and further development to the supporting cast. This feels like it is still in it’s infancy as the world is slowly revealed. Hopefully the next couple books will tie in this beginning story arc and we get to view more of the infinite worlds.
June 9, 2022
I have read (or rather listened to this and all the others in this series) 3 times now. Each time I find out more because there are important points that are given away as throwaway dialogue and quick sentences that have bearing on the whole plot and the world that we are in...I find that the characters and dialogue are so imaginative...sparkling with wit, depth and understanding of the deeper messages that I actually seek in a book that will keep me imagining and rooting for the characters.
I so enjoy the fact that even the darker tones and the possible twists that MAY occur in the future are given slight whispers but human traits and PEOPLE can redeem themselves. ....So even there one cannot second guess what will happen in the future...We are left to wait for a few months maybe ...in order to find out what will happen to our band of adventurers and the many supporting cast.
The reading on Audiobooks by Tim Campbell is quite literally astounding, this and the quality of such vivid descriptive writing and a sensitive feel for dialogue means that this is a hugely powerful and entertaining series.
I so enjoy the fact that even the darker tones and the possible twists that MAY occur in the future are given slight whispers but human traits and PEOPLE can redeem themselves. ....So even there one cannot second guess what will happen in the future...We are left to wait for a few months maybe ...in order to find out what will happen to our band of adventurers and the many supporting cast.
The reading on Audiobooks by Tim Campbell is quite literally astounding, this and the quality of such vivid descriptive writing and a sensitive feel for dialogue means that this is a hugely powerful and entertaining series.
February 5, 2022
great book
This is a great sequel to continue the series. We get to see the continued development of Trent, Kerry, and Felicia. The only problem is the trap dungeon was not my favorite choice, plus there were some characters added at the beginning that didn’t play a part in the story. Overall though I love this series and the characters, hopefully we get to see more of this series.
This is a great sequel to continue the series. We get to see the continued development of Trent, Kerry, and Felicia. The only problem is the trap dungeon was not my favorite choice, plus there were some characters added at the beginning that didn’t play a part in the story. Overall though I love this series and the characters, hopefully we get to see more of this series.
July 14, 2022
My ty two pennies
I read the book twice by now. After the first time I was a bit disappointed the first time by the amount of fillers,lack of apparent progression of the story line and the cliffhanger ending.
After my second time I started to appreciate the slower pace and character building focus. It is a bit slower compared to the other books if you only focus on the stat growth, fights and dungeons. In this book Trent and his party, Orion and other characters undergo a siginificant change and improvment of their relations and personalities. I think that this was necessary before the next big part of the journey starts. I whished that Eliora would have gone through a bit more development.
I am still not a big fan on the cliffhanger ending :D
TLDR:
Did I like the book? yes
Do I recommend it? yes
Will I buy the next one? yes
I read the book twice by now. After the first time I was a bit disappointed the first time by the amount of fillers,lack of apparent progression of the story line and the cliffhanger ending.
After my second time I started to appreciate the slower pace and character building focus. It is a bit slower compared to the other books if you only focus on the stat growth, fights and dungeons. In this book Trent and his party, Orion and other characters undergo a siginificant change and improvment of their relations and personalities. I think that this was necessary before the next big part of the journey starts. I whished that Eliora would have gone through a bit more development.
I am still not a big fan on the cliffhanger ending :D
TLDR:
Did I like the book? yes
Do I recommend it? yes
Will I buy the next one? yes
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2025
JT Wright continues to impress in the 4th installment of his Infinite Worlds series. I picked up the first book for free on Audible and haven’t looked back since. Wright writes characters really well, the dialogue reads as organic conversation, and the story pulls you in. Can’t wait til more of these books come out!
—Aug 2025 re-read—
As has been the case for all the books in my reread of the series, book 4 held up really well. I wouldn’t say Wright’s is a big name in the genre but in my mind he rivals some of the bigger names out there. There are definitely some grammatical and typographical issues, but the story more than makes up for it. If you’re looking for a wholesome and entertaining fantasy read, I highly recommend The Infinite World.
—Aug 2025 re-read—
As has been the case for all the books in my reread of the series, book 4 held up really well. I wouldn’t say Wright’s is a big name in the genre but in my mind he rivals some of the bigger names out there. There are definitely some grammatical and typographical issues, but the story more than makes up for it. If you’re looking for a wholesome and entertaining fantasy read, I highly recommend The Infinite World.
January 31, 2022
Entertaining! Some hiccups while reading
I really want to give this book 5 stars! It's close! As always, I enjoyed J.T. Wright's writing immensely and I would recommend this book and series to anyone. I really sink into these books.
This one had a lot of detail filling that I genuinely enjoyed. Trent is having some moments of self doubt, which is good!
The final star was lost because I thought several parts were just blatantly confusing, and the ending felt oddly rushed and unresolved. The first three books felt like they ended, this one did not.
Still looking forward to the rest of the series!
I really want to give this book 5 stars! It's close! As always, I enjoyed J.T. Wright's writing immensely and I would recommend this book and series to anyone. I really sink into these books.
This one had a lot of detail filling that I genuinely enjoyed. Trent is having some moments of self doubt, which is good!
The final star was lost because I thought several parts were just blatantly confusing, and the ending felt oddly rushed and unresolved. The first three books felt like they ended, this one did not.
Still looking forward to the rest of the series!
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