Accel World, Vol. 14 (light novel)

アクセル・ワールド / Accel World Light Novels #14

by Reki Kawahara

Prepare for a full dive!
Sparks have been flying on the Umesato campus ever since Kuroyukihime discovered that Haruyuki invited not one but multiple girls to the exciting school festival. However, when Rin collapses in the real world after Magenta Scissor infects her with an ISS kit, Haruyuki and the others put aside their issues to save their friend! The first step of their plan is to pull off a daring rescue to free Aqua Current, but lying in wait at the Castle's gate is Seiryu, one of the Four Gods...Even if they have Aqua Current on their side, how will they overcome Seiryu's horrifying ability Level Drain?!

Genres: Light Novel, Science Fiction, Action

240 pages, Paperback

First published June 7, 2013

About the author

Kawahara Reki (川原礫) is the writer of Sword Art Online and Accel World. He also uses the pen name Kunori Fumio. His hobby is cycling.

Reviews

[Tuna · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is commendable that Kawahara can pack so much content into a volume that only last 20 minutes of real world time. The mission to save Aqua Current’s real body from Seiryu, then the battle royale of sorts against Magenta Scissors and Avocado Avoider, and then the major battle against the guardian of the tower, Metatron, all in such a short span would be considered phenomenal or even too fast paced for most stories, but for Accel World, it was well paced and actually entertaining that it felt natural. I loved it a lot.

I did have some concerns initially about a battle royale being written. In my opinion, it is always hard to transfer something with so much action to the written medium as its seems difficult and challenging to make sure the reader can see and understand all that is going on. I found that it largely worked for the battle. There were some parts where it was a bit too much going on, especially with attack names, but the battle was handled so briskly and well written that it wasn’t something that I would totally skip over and just reach the end.

Metatron battle was one of the best written team battles in the entire series, like wow at how awesome it was done. I enjoyed seeing everyone involved and in action. So good.

I did have some concerns with the ending, but I guess needed a way to make it dramatic and also to get Haruyuki there in time (though he could have given him Gale Thruster again).

[Michael Brough · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read!

First off, this book is distinctively noticeable in that there are many plot points and character developments that have happened that sprinkled throughout the book are references to these past events as well as explanations. Basically, if you have to wait a decent amount of time between reading the light novels, this works well in that you are able to be reminded of all the important points, although it's beginning to get to the point that there is a rather sizable universe with unique characters that need to be remembered to understand the full story.

2 major stories in this book and it is really jam-packed with plot, and almost no real-world time (most of the story takes place in the game). It does kind of leave off on a cliffhanger, but this was an amazing book that was really enjoyable to read. Kawahara definitely has some depth in between plot points as well as growth of characters, and this book should be bought in conjunction with vol 15.

[Ricardo Matos · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as Accel World goes, this is a 4 star. The main plot develops quite a lot, there's no fan service. If it weren't for those Kawahara moments "he heard a voice that told him the answer!", I would have given it 5 stars.

[Ray Rappisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best volumes yet with breathtaking battles in the last third, nail bitingly good. The new adversaries are fantastic and make this a superior book in the series.