Review Wednesday: Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James

*This is a book meant for adults due to some inappropriate content for people younger than 18.*

*DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW UNTIL YOU HAVE READ FIFTY SHADES OF GREY. THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILER. If you want to read this series, read my review about Fifty Shades of Grey by clicking on the link: Review: Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

Title: Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty Shades #3)
Author: E.L. James
1st Date of Publication: January 19, 2012
ISBN: 978161130606
# of Pages: 551
Genre: New Adult, Adult Romance, Erotica Romance
Age Rating: 17+ (Language, Violence, Sexual content)

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:

When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and, ultimately, repelled by Christian’s singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her, Christian agrees.

Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian’s opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past.

Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to make Ana’s deepest fears turn to reality.

Setting: Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington

Point of View: 1st Person- Anastasia "Ana" Steele

Goodreads Rating: 3.89

My Rating: 3.95


Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Title
View on the Cover: Who is actually the one in handcuffs?
View on the Title: How is there freedom? And if so who?

Pros:

• This book was a quick read like the other two previous books. It was full of action and mystery more so than the previous books.
• The conflict in this novel is really intense, which represents how intense the relationship between Christian and Ana.
• Christian's character really grows in this novel and you really get to know why he is who has become. He also learns how to get out of his comfort zone.

Cons:

• The book very predictable in my opinion. I knew exactly what was going to happen even to the end. I felt that some of the fun in reading it was taken away.
• Ana seems to become extremely pathetic and incapable of anything throughout the novel.

Critics' Reviews:

"In a class by itself."  —Entertainment Weekly

 E.L. James's Website:

http://www.eljamesauthor.com/

Other Recommendations:

Beautiful Burn by Jamie McGuire
Easy by Tammara Webber

Review Wednesday: Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James

*This is a book meant for adults due to some inappropriate content for people younger than 18.*

*DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW UNTIL YOU HAVE READ FIFTY SHADES OF GREY. THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILER. If you want to read this series, read my review about Fifty Shades of Grey by clicking on the link: Review: Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

Title: Fifty Shades Darker (Fifty Shades #2)
Author: E.L. James
1st Date of Publication: September 16, 2011
ISBN: 9781612130583
# of Pages: 532
Genre: New Adult, Adult Romance, Erotica Romance
Age Rating: 17+ (Language, Violence, Sexual content)

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:

Daunted by the singular sexual tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house.

But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven, and demanding Fifty Shades.

While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront her anger and envy of the women who came before her and make the most important decision of her life.

Erotic, sparkling and suspenseful, Fifty Shades Darker is the irresistibly addictive second part of the Fifty Shades trilogy.

Setting: Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington

Point of View: 1st Person- Anastasia "Ana" Steele

Goodreads Rating: 3.88

My Rating: 3.90


Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Title
View on the Cover: I really liked how the embellished mask looked like. When I first saw this, I thought maybe either Ana or Christian might be wearing a mask figuratively and/or literally.
View on the Title: Does the book get darker or do you find a darker history about another character(s)?

Pros:

• This book was a quick read and kept me captivated as it took me another three days to finish this book.
• I really enjoyed the character development with Christian. The reader gets to learn a tiny bit more of why he is so messed up and such a control freak along with his unusual form of enjoyment. But, you still do not get to know enough of the story to understand his character.
• I like how Ana becomes more ballsy when it comes to wanting things or impressing Christian. Where she lacks in having freedom, she makes up for in audacity to keep Christian at her fingertips.

Cons:

• I knew Ana was going to go back to Christian because he is just that interesting. I felt that her character weakens throughout the novel because she barely fights him about being overprotective. I feel that she becomes less herself in this book.
• What bothered me the most about Christian was that he is a complete blockhead when it comes to Ana staying with him. He keeps pleading to her not to leave and she continues to reassure him that she will not. It bothers me that this is such a common occurrence in this book.

Critics' Reviews:

"In a class by itself."  —Entertainment Weekly

 E.L. James's Website:

http://www.eljamesauthor.com/

Other Recommendations:

 Clipped Wings by Helena Hunting
Beautiful Oblivion by Jamie McGuire

Review Wednesday: Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

*This is a book meant for adults due to some inappropriate content for people younger than 18.*

Title: Fifty Shades of Grey
Author: E.L. James
1st Date of Publication: May 25, 2011
ISBN: 9781612130286
# of Pages: 512
Genre: New Adult, Adult Romance, Erotica Romance
Age Rating: 17+ (Language, Violence, Sexual content)

Buy on Amazon

Book Description:

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

Erotic, amusing, and deeply moving, the Fifty Shades Trilogy is a tale that will obsess you, possess you, and stay with you forever.

Setting: Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington

Point of View: 1st Person- Anastasia "Ana" Steele

Goodreads Rating: 3.68

My Rating: 3.75


Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Title
View on the Cover: Why a tie and why so detailed?
View on the Title: Why is the word grey spelled this way rather than gray?

Pros:

•  It is not your typical mother's sort of romance story, which is the reason why I started reading this book.
• I could not put this book down because it keeps you hooked and wanting to read more. The book is over 500 pages and I finished it in 3 days when I had to work all 3 days with each a 10 hour shift, That's crazy in my opinion and I read a lot.
• The characters are pretty good and seemed consistent throughout the book.
• Ana is pretty great. She is smart and very sassy, but very innocent. She really grows in this book as she learns more about Christian Grey. Plus, she's an English major which makes her more lovable in my eyes.
• Christian is a bit different and hard to like at first because he is so detached from the world, which is what his character truly portrays.
• I really liked the ending and it would have been even a great stand alone book despite a cliffhanger for the next book.

Cons:

•  I felt that the writing was a bit too simplistic, and I felt like some parts were lesser intelligent than young adult books. There could have easily been more depth with each character.
• It seemed to be a little cliche as Ana becomes a damsel in distress in her recklessness, which forces Christian to come save the day and be very controlling.

Critics' Reviews:

"In a class by itself." —Entertainment Weekly

 E.L. James's Website:

http://www.eljamesauthor.com/

Other Recommendations:

 Easy by Tammara Webber
Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire