Helpful Score: 15
WOW... just... WOW!!!
I just finished all three "Fifty Shades" books and I really cannot write a review about the books individually, so my review applies to entire series, which I consider to be one story.
I had heard so much about this series that I was almost afraid to start reading it. It seems like people either really love it or hate it. I, for one, really loved it!
I was expecting something much darker and, while there are certainly elements of BDSM in the story, the focus is on the growing relationship between Christian Grey - a very rich businessman with LOTS of baggage - and Ana Steele - a college student turned recent graduate with a surprising inner strength, who refuses to lose herself to his will.
There were a couple of scenes in the entire series where I almost hated Christian for reacting in certain ways, but overall, I really liked both characters throughout the books. Both were flawed to various degrees and had to work and compromise with each other around those flaws to grow as individuals and as a couple.
I certainly wasn't expecting the humor I found in the books. Some of my favorite parts were Ana's internal dialog with her "subconscious" and her "inner goddess" throughout the story. I also really liked the emails exchanged between the two main characters.
You absolutely have to read all three books to get the entire story and I HIGHLY recommend having "Fifty Shades Darker" on-hand before you finish "Fifty Shades of Grey". Trust me - you will want to go straight from the first one into the second one.
In addition, at the end of the last book ("Fifty Shades Freed"), there is an extra short story that re-tells the incidents of their first couple of meetings from Christian's point of view. (They were told from Ana's point of view in the first book.)
All in all, I am very glad that I read these books and that I had all three on-hand before I started reading the first one. I rarely give books 5 stars, but these books get a perfect rating from me because they drew me into the story to the extent that when I finished the last book, I felt a sense of loss because I will miss these characters. In my opinion, that is the mark of a great story-teller and a great story. I look forward to future works by Ms. James.
I just finished all three "Fifty Shades" books and I really cannot write a review about the books individually, so my review applies to entire series, which I consider to be one story.
I had heard so much about this series that I was almost afraid to start reading it. It seems like people either really love it or hate it. I, for one, really loved it!
I was expecting something much darker and, while there are certainly elements of BDSM in the story, the focus is on the growing relationship between Christian Grey - a very rich businessman with LOTS of baggage - and Ana Steele - a college student turned recent graduate with a surprising inner strength, who refuses to lose herself to his will.
There were a couple of scenes in the entire series where I almost hated Christian for reacting in certain ways, but overall, I really liked both characters throughout the books. Both were flawed to various degrees and had to work and compromise with each other around those flaws to grow as individuals and as a couple.
I certainly wasn't expecting the humor I found in the books. Some of my favorite parts were Ana's internal dialog with her "subconscious" and her "inner goddess" throughout the story. I also really liked the emails exchanged between the two main characters.
You absolutely have to read all three books to get the entire story and I HIGHLY recommend having "Fifty Shades Darker" on-hand before you finish "Fifty Shades of Grey". Trust me - you will want to go straight from the first one into the second one.
In addition, at the end of the last book ("Fifty Shades Freed"), there is an extra short story that re-tells the incidents of their first couple of meetings from Christian's point of view. (They were told from Ana's point of view in the first book.)
All in all, I am very glad that I read these books and that I had all three on-hand before I started reading the first one. I rarely give books 5 stars, but these books get a perfect rating from me because they drew me into the story to the extent that when I finished the last book, I felt a sense of loss because I will miss these characters. In my opinion, that is the mark of a great story-teller and a great story. I look forward to future works by Ms. James.
Helpful Score: 5
I finally got this trilogy finished. The story line was there but took 3 books to get to it and could have been done in one. I skimmed over quite a few pages of this. Only so much SEX can I believe in. I'm all for fantasy, but I guess I like mine tinged with a little more reality than this. OH well, now I can say i read all three books that most of the world seems to be so excited about.
Helpful Score: 4
If you have already started reading the series then keep on going, if you have not started, wait for the movie.
This is the third book in the Fifty Shades Trilogy.
Fifty Shades Trilogy
1. Fifty Shades of Grey
2. Fifty Shades of Darker
3. Fifty Shades of Freed
You knew it was going to happen. They are married and ready to buy the house with the white picket fence, nursery and a Playroom? What could this book possible bring to the story? This book is filled with Yada Yada Yada. The book just rattles on with a pinch of sex thrown in. It seems like the same conflicts are there and they keep on being hashed out. Just when you start to fall asleep they throw in some drama to wake you up. Then it is back to Yada Yada Yada and she ties up the ending with a leather bow.
After all the talk about this series I am disappointed. I think the second book was the best in the series. After reading the series I wonder if there will be a book about Christians life Pre Ana or maybe a book from his point of view. I would be interested in side books written by Christians staff or ex-submissives, it would be nice to hear their thoughts.
This is the third book in the Fifty Shades Trilogy.
Fifty Shades Trilogy
1. Fifty Shades of Grey
2. Fifty Shades of Darker
3. Fifty Shades of Freed
You knew it was going to happen. They are married and ready to buy the house with the white picket fence, nursery and a Playroom? What could this book possible bring to the story? This book is filled with Yada Yada Yada. The book just rattles on with a pinch of sex thrown in. It seems like the same conflicts are there and they keep on being hashed out. Just when you start to fall asleep they throw in some drama to wake you up. Then it is back to Yada Yada Yada and she ties up the ending with a leather bow.
After all the talk about this series I am disappointed. I think the second book was the best in the series. After reading the series I wonder if there will be a book about Christians life Pre Ana or maybe a book from his point of view. I would be interested in side books written by Christians staff or ex-submissives, it would be nice to hear their thoughts.
Helpful Score: 1
Im glad this series has glided to its fairy-tale close. The second installment, Fifty Shades Darker had considerably lowered my expectations, but after the marathon of sex scenes in the beginning of Freed I began to enjoy the story a little more again, as a melodramatic romance rather than as erotica. If only people resolved their issues so quickly and completely upon falling in love in real life
Tiffany K. (tiffanyak) -
Helpful Score: 1
More of the same. If you liked the earlier ones, you'll like this one as well. The writing leaves much to be desired, of course, but the core story itself is somehow addicting. There are some pretty big shifts in this book, and they make it fun to read. Overall, I think the first one was the best, mainly because it actually truly amused me at parts, but I had fun finishing the series as well.
