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I've read the baka-tsuki version of every main story up to Alicization, which I won't start until the translation is finished. This review is for every non-side up till then, not just the first volume.

The series is very good. Poorly written, but very enjoyable. You can tell the author was younger when he wrote it and each arc is vastly different from the others as he progresses as an author.

Story 7/10
Every arc is different here. Vastly.

First arc Sword Art Online
the story basically serves as a medium with which to explain the world to you. The romance factors are a bit exaggerated since the ... main characters are extremely plain. Still a very fun read.

Second arc Fairy Dance
Lots of fun if you exclude the incest bits that are made blatantly apparent early enough for this not to be a spoiler. The series could have easily take a Luke/Leah approach to make it less gross... but it didn't and the story suffers as a result. The villain is also much more despicable than I'd like. I know you're supposed to want the villain to lose, but rarely does a villain disgust me as much as the fairy king wannabe.
Easily has the weakest story of any of the arcs barring the bits they cut from the animu, which were cool.

Third arc Phantom Bullet
Actually has an interesting story in its own right. Neat world, and basically a mystery novel done kinda well. Kirito munchkins out in full form here though, so brace yourself. Aside from that it's fairly solid.

Fourth Arc Mothers Rosario
Arguably a filler arc, but in my opinion the best in the series. It focuses on Asuna instead of Kirito, which is the first plus. And the other plus is that it actually makes the characters matter in the story. I cried when sad things happened because they mattered and felt good when good things happened.

Art. NA/10
It's a book. Letters are still letters and are usually of similar prettiness.

Characters. 7/10
Again, this is largely on an arc by arc basis.
First arc the characters are fine. Kirito and Asuna aren't quite so munckiny and it's nice.

Second arc had only 2 likable characters, Asuna and Yui. Everybody else, including Kirito, was bland. Yui is actually probably bland too, but she's adorable and makes up for the bland by the sheer force of cuteness.

Third arc characters are alright, but not good. Kirito goes full munchkin, making hm a bit less cool.

Fourth arc, again, is the best. Characterization is a bit lacking in all the previous installments of the series, here it isn't. You don't get to know the characters on a personal level per se but they matter.

Enjoyment. 9/10
Loved it. I can't really explain why, but it was a fun ride. Bland characters, sub-par plots, and poor writing in the earlier bits should make for a not-fun story. They didn't. I had lots of fun reading it.

Overall 8/10
Something I'd recommend reading if you like japanese books and aren't a literature snob that demands perfection. Not super deep, but it brings up some interesting world ideas and pays good homage to video games in a way that doesn't feel like nerd fanservice. And the fourth arc just blew my mind.

PS. The secret H chapter is so cheesy it will make your computer smell funny.

And because every review on this site needs this line and I know you all care deeply about this fact. First review.