For instance, in the anime, we don't get such a strong sense of the bond between Kirito and Eugeo, and particularly their respective envy and admiration.
On one side, Euego sees Kirito as this ace warrior: flawlessly confident, highly skilled, possessing the wisdom to know how to act in all situations, and can even toss a witty quip in combat while concentrating on a spell.
On the other side, Kirito sees Euego as this sword prodigy who will definitely surpass him in short order and who possesses the determination that he lacks. It's like he thinks of Euego as the real deal, a real swordsman hero out of a story, while thinking of himself as only a gamer who happens to have lots of experience playing such a role.
Because of this, they both see themselves as less capable facing their respective challenges in this volume than the other. It also underscores the setback each of them faces in the latter parts of the novel.
I could go on about how much I like this story, such as Euego's cleverness in his duel with Bercouli, or Kirito talking Alice onto his side, and how Alice breaks the Seal of the Right Eye, the fair-folk way that Quinella charms Euego, and how all this is written, and the emotional content added to make it all more than simple exposition, but that would make this review too long. Suffice to say, the source material is well worth a read, even if and especially if you've watched the anime already.
Trickster Eric Novels gives Sword Art Online- Alicization volume 13 an A+
Click here for my next book review: She Proclaimed Herself Pupil of the Wiseman - volume 2
Click here for my previous book review: Magical JxR volume 1
Brian Wilkerson is an independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor's degrees in English Literature and History (Classical Mediterranean Period concentration).
His fantasy series, Journey to Chaos, is currently available on Amazon as an ebook or paperback.
