Despite everyone's best attempts, the Great Separation and resurrection of Aincrad have begun to dismantle the world of SAO. Now Kirito and his friends must head straight into the heart of the floating castle and stop Premiere's other half, Tia, but can they make it in time to save their beloved game?! Stakes are high in this final showdown of Hollow Realization!
With the defeat of Genesis Tia loses it and begins the final process to destroy the world and recreate Aincard. This tale is full of all sorts of emotions across the spectrum as the fate of the world is nigh and only those that understand the plight and care for the NPCs in the land can stand a chance to stop everything from unfurling before its too late. Being based on a game I am not sure how much of this story is accurate to the original but those that have read the original Sword Art Online books will understand certain liberties were taken with this series leading to an alternative non canon universe that may or may not continue with several at another time with some open ended situations that will give fans plenty of chances to come up with their own stories or perhaps the game it self would tell us the ultimate fate of certain characters. Only time can tell but being able to see Asuna and Yuuki pull off a full two page spread of them doing a Double Mother's Rosario is way cooler then any move poor Kirito could muster. :)
I’m so glad I’m done with this series. The end got a bit boring. I can tell why this was originally a game. I think it probably works a lot better in that format. The writer did a great job adapting it as best as possible, but this definitely was not it’s intended medium. There were a couple parts I really liked, though. When all of the character’s PTSD from SAO started kicking in, it broke my heart. But it was so sweet how Kirito remembered how he got through SAO with Asuna, and she was still there with him giving him strength. Also I really ship Klein and Liz, I have for forever and do more and more with every piece of new content I read. Anyway, I also thought the double Mother’s Rosario was so cool! And I loved the Eugeo cameo in the mini story at the end!! Such a pleasant surprise.
HR is an emotional minefield - just having Yuuki back is like a stab to the heart, and then in this volume, Kirito has to deal (briefly) with his first loss in SAO, and seeing her even for just one panel is enough to leave me in tears.
but I was not prepared for the side story at the very end. I don't know whose idea it was, but it is perfect and adorable and gut-wrenching.