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Sword Art Online 1: Aincrad

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Sword Art Online 1: Aincrad

By: Reki Kawahara, Stephen Paul - translator
Narrated by: Bryce Papenbrook
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About this listen

 Read the novel that ignited the phenomenon!In the year 2022, gamers rejoice as Sword Art Online - a VRMMORPG (Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) like no other - debuts, allowing players to take full advantage of the ultimate in gaming technology: NerveGear, a system that allows users to completely immerse themselves in a wholly realistic gaming experience. But when the game goes live, the elation of the players quickly turns to horror as they discover that, for all its amazing features, SAO is missing one of the most basic functions of any MMORPG - a log-out button. Now trapped in the virtual world of Aincrad, their bodies held captive by NerveGear in the real world, users are issued a chilling ultimatum: conquer all one hundred floors of Aincrad to regain your freedom. But in the warped world of SAO, "game over" means certain death - both virtual and real... Adventure Fiction Literature & Fiction Science Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Game Technology Virtual World

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All stars
Most relevant
I've been a huge fan of the Anime series based off this light novel series since it aired way back when. Sadly though as a blind 'reader' I was unable to access the source material....until now!

Getting to read the story of SAO as it was written is so much fun, especially as it is narrated by the voice actor who voices Kirito (main protagonist) in the Anime adaptation. Really gives it a nostalgic feeling getting to hear his voice again reliving some iconic scenes from the show but also giving us a more in depth look into Kirito as a person and why he acts how he acts. Sadly though, like the adaptation, the story arch for this chapter in the overall series is a bit short for me. It has a huge impact and does feel natural to end the way it does....however I would have liked to see the story spread over several books with more exploration of the early days of the game.

Apart from that though, its a great, thrill ride of a listen and as I mentioned earlier, the voice acting for the narration is outstanding. You can really immerse yourself in the world of SAO through Papenbrooks delivery. Can't wait to listen to the rest of the series as is drops novel by novel!

Where it all began....

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Like many I watched SAO when the anime began to air, started to enjoy the games and read the manga.

It had never dawned on me though to read the LN. Till I saw the book had been published on Audible - highly enjoyed it and will absolutely be continuing the series.

Bryce Papenbrook reads like the pro he is!

Superb

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As a hard anime and light novel fan I absolutely loved this audiobook rendition! My only complain is Bryce’s honestly painful rendition of Asuna’s voice. Please oh please bring in Cherami to handle the female characters, or any female VA honestly. I know this series is planned to be continued as an audiobook, but given how many more female characters and POVs will be introduced in the next volume alone, please hire a female VA to handle all their voices! Biggest stickler! I know many SAO friends who instantly stopped listening as soon as they heard Bryce’s Asuna. I myself powered through, but only because I already know the story and played this in the background. Otherwise, all of Bryce’s work for the majority of the book, absolutely fantastic job! Great emotion! Great story telling! I personally thought Klein’s voice was a little low effort, but wow some of the voices surprised me as super awesome/well done! Daizan and Nishida were my surprise favourites!

TL;DR: Fantastic job! Except… female/Asuna voice sounding painfully bad! Just hire a female VA and this would be a 9/10, otherwise it’s a solid 7/10 for me :D

Awesome to hear Kirito reading as Kirito, but not some much as Asuna… 😅

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Absolutely amazing can't wait for them to make the rest of the series avaliable. Will be buying as soon as they drop

Hurry up and complete the series

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brilliant story, great character development and the voice acting is on point. well worth a go if your a fan of this genre.

just awesome

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