I bought this volume after finishing volume 3, because it was excellent. I had a feeling that the series had found its stride in volume 3, and I was correct. This volume is just as good as volume 3, if not better. It continues the story of Lux and Gwen's troubled friendship while also delivering on story-plot satisfaction and set-pieces battles. There is also a bit of humor that I know SAO fans will appreciate (even haters might enjoy this part!)
The premise of this particular volume is
a joint effort by the Slyphs and the Cat-Siths to defeat a new group of
Player-Killers, the Batty Bat guild, which is led by Lux's old
friend-turned-evil, Gwen. The Batty Bats have been going around Slyph territory
killing players and causing other trouble, and so Lady Sakuya of the Slyphs wants
to stop them and maintain order. The Girls Ops group are recruited to be part of this
operation.
What follows is a confrontation between
the Girls Ops group and the Batty Bats guild in their hideout. There are three
distinct segments of this battle, and all three of them are well-developed,
both in terms of the art and panels and in the progression of the battles
themselves. There are some clever tactics (Angel Rings, FTW!) and a key
difference between the two groups hits in a majorly emotional and satisfying
way.
However, the sword and sorcery battles
and anti-PK mission are not the only selling points here. No, there is more to
it. One could say a "fourth" battle takes place, one very different
from the previous three. It is just as well developed, and has a very sweet and
satisfying aftermath. I'm looking forward to volume 5.
Defeat Means Friendship is a trope that is used in a lot of fighting series, and often times the bridge between "defeat" and "friendship" is not made clear. Basically, the fighters reach some kind of understanding during the fight or become fire-forged friends while later fighting a common foe. That is not the case here.
After the battle is over, Lux has to put in a lot of effort to mend her friendship with Gwen. It requires quick thinking, a good bit of faith, and an honest heart-to-heart in physical reality. Even then, it might not have worked out if Gwen didn't realize that she wanted to mend their friendship as well, even if it meant accepting changes to that friendship (such as sharing Lux with three other friends).
The art continues to be cute, and continues to deliver on battle sequences as well. There is a battle with a large creature in this volume, similar to volume 1, but I had an easier time following it. Overall, it appeared better presented. The middle fight is fantastic; very atmospheric.
Trickster Eric Novels gives "Sword
Art Online spinoff - Girls' Ops volume 4" an A+
Oh, you wanted to know which humor that even SAO haters might like? I can't do it justice here. Trying to explain it wouldn't be as funny.
Click here for my next book review: I've been killing slimes for 300 years and maxed out my level, light novel volume 1
Click here for my previous book review: Wandering Witch - The Journey of Elaina 1 (read for fun)
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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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