Sword Art Online 5: Phantom Bullet

Phantom Bullet continues the tradition of SAO switching up VRMMOs every two volumes. Instead of using classical fantasy worlds instead we use classical sci-fi worlds, one that is post-apocalyptic with a world ravaged by war and a base established by humans who returned to this post war world. Mostly filled with men soldiers, females are uncommon. Once such female, Sinon, serves are our resident girl trying to rise to the top among all the men. At the core of her being lies a vulnerable heart still afflicted by a traumatic experience involving guns. With real world therapy failing her, she takes it into her own hands—trying to get over this fear by confronting it via a videogame.Kirito, on the other hand, used to his classical worlds has little to no interest in using guns yet has too as he investigates a player that when they kill someone in game they are killed in real life. This utilization of guns results in him infiltrating this world, befriending Sinon, and facing Death Gun himself.I found the setup and execution to be intriguing and compelling. After getting through the first 50 or so pages, the volume became quite a page turning. Simply seeing Kirito wield a beam saber, as he does on the cover, make it work in this world of guns is something else. Beyond that, Sinon is a refreshingly well written character that just leaves you wondering how she will handle dealing with Kirito as well as her own issues.It is a shame, however, that some side characters, like Shinkawa, are upstaged and pushed aside when Kirito is involved. How girls are simply enamored by Kirito instead of the dudes that legit have crushes on them, even confessing to them, is beyond me…jk, I think Kawahara just likes having everyone vying for his affection.Overall, like the volume, and, for people who watched the anime, in my opinion, it feels like the emotional storytelling is stronger here than there.

After the rather... ahem... uneventful Fairy Dance arc (hey - it was a good story just rather bland after Aincrad!) - Kawahara gives readers a terrific chapter. This covers the first half of the Phantom Bullet arc of SAO. The second half should be released before Christmas in the US.In this arc, the reader is transported to a different type of MMO - a game where experience and spoils are given for PvP kills as well as PvE. As such, the world of Gun Gale Online is a pretty 'Wild West' kind of world. Players compete to win the Bullet of Bullets (terrible name) with the winner reaping real life rewards and cash. Enter onto the scene a villain called Death Gun - he apparently has a way to kill players in real life by shooting them in the game! (no spoilers!) In fact the novel opens from his point of view and his assassination of Zexeed, the most current BoB winner.Most of the novel centers around a new heroine: Shinon and Kirito of course. They folks from SAO have all taken a bit of a backseat in this installment. We also read much about Shinon in real life and her tragic past.The volume ends on a bit of a cliffhanger unless you've seen the anime! Highly recommended!

Love SAO and the light novels are entriquing and add a bit more depth to the series.

Asuna has less of a role in this arc (or at least the first volume of this arc?) than I'd like, but otherwise the story fun. It draws connections back to SAO while further developing Kirito as a character and introducing traumatized newcomer Sinon.

I really enjoy the anime. Reading these books just made it even better because it explains what the anime doesn't show, what the character is thinking or feeling. Even provides a bit more backstory which is always welcome. I look forward to reading more.

I loved the anime before I even read the books. And I have loved the books so far, thought Fairy Dance took ALO too seriously (its a GAME, who cares about the politics! Asuna is in danger!) I really love Phantom bullet (Lighsabers WHOOT!), but there were a few issues I cannot let slide.when I read the translation to English I found more than a few typos, missing words, added words, or improperly placed adjectives creating odd sentences. Did anyone else have these problems when reading it, or is it just my edition?Please pm or comment if this has been an issue for you too. I do not want to buy it again to find the same problems XD

Kirito reenters the world of VRMMOs, this time logging in to Gun Gale Online in order to investigate the Death Gun, an in-game item rumored to be responsible for real-world deaths. He immediately runs into trouble when, after transferring his old avatar into the new game, he discovers that he looks a bit more feminine than he'd anticipated! With the help of Sinon the sniper, he enters the Bullet of Bullets tournament and tries to adapt his old skills to the new gun-based combat of Gun Gale Online. He'll need every friend he can get and every trick in the book, though, to learn the truth about the Death Gun!

Recommend this so much, if you enjoyed the anime you’ll love this

My son loves the series and loves reading the books he is collecting them at the moment

So, Kazuto transfers his character to Gun Gal to investigate some suspicious murders that have been happening in the game, with the victims dying IRL.

S.A.O is a great series from the start, the Phantom Bullet certainly increases my love of the series.This book once again transports the reader into another exciting world. The idea behind S.A.O is brilliant and for any gamer a must read!Thanks and congratulations to Reki Kawahara for an outstanding series!!