This is where the Girls Ops series truly kicks off. I checked this out of my local library at the same time as volumes 1 and 2. The first pair had their flaws, especially the second one, but the third one does not.
For one thing, it doesn't rely on Kirito's shadow. The "Kuro" avatar does not appear. Likewise, Kazuto himself does not appear. This volume is completely about the Girls' Ops main cast, so their own characters are on display in a way that hasn't happened since the second volume of the main series.
For the second thing, it doesn't rely on fanservice, not even in a Take-That sort of way, like the second volume. The closest thing to it is more like Fan Disservice, and it is a powerful and dramatic moment. Don't worry about a repeat of volume 2; this one is pure story and feels.
You see, this story goes into Hiyori's past in SAO, during the two years she spent living as "Lux". It was very unpleasant for her to say the least. It is here that the significance of many things in volume 1 and volume 2 become clear. Why did her friendship with Rossa mean so much to her? Why wasn't she able to trust anyone before meeting Rossa? What was that mark on her thigh that Silica glimpsed when the Lux avatar appeared for the first time in Alfheim? Why did she wear a pareo like a security blanket? The third volume delivers on the answers to these questions, and in a majorly emotional and skillful manner.
I say with no exaggeration that it is volume 3 that redeemed the series for me. Volume 1 was okay, nothing special. Volume 2 was a borderline disgrace, saved only by Lisbeth realizing that she was being Wrong Genre Savvy about Beach Episodes. Volume 3 took all the build-up from the first two volumes and delivered a magnificent pay-off.
What is the actual volume's content? Lady Sakuya of the Sylphs calls the main cast for a tea party so she can tell them about a new group of player-killers in Sylph Territory. Shortly afterward, the main cast discovers that the leader of the player-killers is an old friend of Hiyori's. Well, former friend by now. The encounter triggers the release of Hiyori's past as Lux.
Hiyori really didn't want her new friends to learn about her activities during SAO, because she is deeply ashamed of them. They involve the infamous assassin guild, Laughing Coffin, and how they made her an offer that she couldn't refuse. It is a wonderful delivery of exposition, with a satisfying climax that serves as a springboard into the next volume.
The art work here does a great job of delivering the emotional content of the story. The battles are also easier to follow here than in volume 1, likely due to the human sized enemies.
Trickster Eric Novels gives "Girls' Ops volume 3" an A+
Click here for my next book review (for fun): Sleepy Princess in Demon Castle volume 2
Click here for my previous book review (for fun): SAO Spinoff Girls Ops volume 2
Brian Wilkerson is a independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor 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.
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