Helpful Score: 14
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.
Stephanie G. (thestephanieloves) reviewed Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty Shades, Bk 3) on + 241 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Mr. Grey has finally settled. He's still possessivestill a control freakbut his coming-to-terms with Anastasiato take care of each other, to love each other, for better or worseinspires a different sort of dynamic between the two returning characters. Their relationship isn't intense, it's just bipolar; this is best displayed in this last installment of the Fifty Shades of Grey series.
I was highly annoyed by Anastasia's weird internal conflict; she wants her kinky ways with Christian, trying to adjust to his lifestyle, but breaks down every time he obligescrying it's too much and it's too painful. Make up your mind, woman! Everything is repetitive as always. It's like EL James copy-and-pasted her sex scenes into each other because most of them have the exact same wording and structure, but different venues, e.g. bed, table, aircraft, toilet (yes, she went there... kinky!).
Ana and Christian's roller-coaster ride of a relationship isn't even dramatic or heartfelt anymore; it's just exasperating. I'm also not sure how the fuck so deeply committed to each other after having known each other for only two months. Two. Months. Anastasia doesn't even know what Christian does for a living, for crying out loud! All she knows is that he's some hoity-toity entrepreneur. I have suspicions he's an underground slave auctioneer but sadly, this tidbit isn't actually revealed in the book.
SPOILER START: And they don't get a prenup??/ He's a BILLIONAIRE and they don't get a prenup because he trusts her so much. Just let that sink in for about fifteen seconds. This series should be relabeled as fantasy, not romance. SPOILER END
The ending... ugh. Grossly idealized, but I one thing I liked is how the book concludes exposing Christian's full story. Getting to know him so deeply was probably the best part of the novel. His love for Ana is clouded with overprotectiveness and insecurity, but it's still deep nonetheless. The heart of the dilemma is his need for control and his need for Anastasia. She believes the two aren't mutually exclusive, but even so, they just might be his ruin. These emotions are brutal, and they're actually sweetknowing where they come from, but really: that's the only thing that kept me reading.
Stylistically, you guessed it! Pretentious big words thrown around carelessly, but otherwise very basic, very weak. It's a shame to erotica writers that James identifies herself as one of them.
Pros: Great character-building // Christian's past
Cons: Let's put it like this: Book 1 should never have happened, Book 2 is dumb, and Book 3 is dumber. That's all you have to know
Love: Real quotes from the book that I needed to share with you:
He looks so sexy and genial.
(What?)
He's so adroit.
(What?)
I'm so aroused.
(I would be, too, if I orgasmed at the slightest breeze.)
(Two reasons to shoot me now:)
1. Mr. Orgasmic was using his fine-motor sexing skills on me.
2. Why are his feet so hot?
(Accurately displaying the length of Anastasia's attention span, or lack thereof:)
I will never understand this man. Hmmthis crème brulée is delicious.
I glance at my watch: 2:15 p.m. He should be here soon. My tea is cold... Ugh!
Verdict: Don't bother reading the actual book, because I can summarize the entire thing up for you here: sex; fight; makeup sex; fight; makeup sex; fight; fight fight; flight; yell; pregnancy scare; panic; OMG; major fight; weep; "hi," I breathed, "hi," he whispered back; makeup sex; happily every after. I really had high hopes for Fifty Shades Freed after liking the second book in the series so much, but alas, EL James disappoints.
6 out of 10 hearts (3 stars): Satisfying for a first read, but I'm not going back.
Source: Complimentary copy provided by Edenfantasys in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!).
I was highly annoyed by Anastasia's weird internal conflict; she wants her kinky ways with Christian, trying to adjust to his lifestyle, but breaks down every time he obligescrying it's too much and it's too painful. Make up your mind, woman! Everything is repetitive as always. It's like EL James copy-and-pasted her sex scenes into each other because most of them have the exact same wording and structure, but different venues, e.g. bed, table, aircraft, toilet (yes, she went there... kinky!).
Ana and Christian's roller-coaster ride of a relationship isn't even dramatic or heartfelt anymore; it's just exasperating. I'm also not sure how the fuck so deeply committed to each other after having known each other for only two months. Two. Months. Anastasia doesn't even know what Christian does for a living, for crying out loud! All she knows is that he's some hoity-toity entrepreneur. I have suspicions he's an underground slave auctioneer but sadly, this tidbit isn't actually revealed in the book.
SPOILER START: And they don't get a prenup??/ He's a BILLIONAIRE and they don't get a prenup because he trusts her so much. Just let that sink in for about fifteen seconds. This series should be relabeled as fantasy, not romance. SPOILER END
The ending... ugh. Grossly idealized, but I one thing I liked is how the book concludes exposing Christian's full story. Getting to know him so deeply was probably the best part of the novel. His love for Ana is clouded with overprotectiveness and insecurity, but it's still deep nonetheless. The heart of the dilemma is his need for control and his need for Anastasia. She believes the two aren't mutually exclusive, but even so, they just might be his ruin. These emotions are brutal, and they're actually sweetknowing where they come from, but really: that's the only thing that kept me reading.
Stylistically, you guessed it! Pretentious big words thrown around carelessly, but otherwise very basic, very weak. It's a shame to erotica writers that James identifies herself as one of them.
Pros: Great character-building // Christian's past
Cons: Let's put it like this: Book 1 should never have happened, Book 2 is dumb, and Book 3 is dumber. That's all you have to know
Love: Real quotes from the book that I needed to share with you:
He looks so sexy and genial.
(What?)
He's so adroit.
(What?)
I'm so aroused.
(I would be, too, if I orgasmed at the slightest breeze.)
(Two reasons to shoot me now:)
1. Mr. Orgasmic was using his fine-motor sexing skills on me.
2. Why are his feet so hot?
(Accurately displaying the length of Anastasia's attention span, or lack thereof:)
I will never understand this man. Hmmthis crème brulée is delicious.
I glance at my watch: 2:15 p.m. He should be here soon. My tea is cold... Ugh!
Verdict: Don't bother reading the actual book, because I can summarize the entire thing up for you here: sex; fight; makeup sex; fight; makeup sex; fight; fight fight; flight; yell; pregnancy scare; panic; OMG; major fight; weep; "hi," I breathed, "hi," he whispered back; makeup sex; happily every after. I really had high hopes for Fifty Shades Freed after liking the second book in the series so much, but alas, EL James disappoints.
6 out of 10 hearts (3 stars): Satisfying for a first read, but I'm not going back.
Source: Complimentary copy provided by Edenfantasys in exchange for an honest and unbiased review (thank you!).
Helpful Score: 1
This book got pretty repetitious before it was over. We know he is gorgeous because you've said so repeatedly for 3 books now, etc.
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.
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
Helpful Score: 1
Boring repetitive drivel! I wondered if I should have just left off at book two, which was pretty bad, but I couldn't resist. I should have resisted! It was so boring, even the sex was boring. It was PG BDSM, nothing really sexy ever happens in the bedroom and there's really no plot or character development to speak of. I thought the constant arguing made sense for a couple who married two minutes after they meet but it wasn't any fun to read. I did think James succeeded in creating another sendup of Twilight here - you recognize story elements but it wasn't as fun or funny as in the first book.
For erotica it was boing and PG
For romance it was pathetic and un romantic
For a resolution to a trilogy, just read the first 100 pages and the last 50. That should do it.
And seriously, take note of how many pages you can turn without reading Oh my, Holy expletive, or Inner goddess. The answer is 1. I'm not joking.
For erotica it was boing and PG
For romance it was pathetic and un romantic
For a resolution to a trilogy, just read the first 100 pages and the last 50. That should do it.
And seriously, take note of how many pages you can turn without reading Oh my, Holy expletive, or Inner goddess. The answer is 1. I'm not joking.
Jane M. (broomhilda222) -
I have to say I loved this trilogy.I was hooked at midpoint of the first book. The personal trials that both characters went through was very interesting. The story line was believable. Highly recommend this series.
May have to read it again.
I totally agree with ncbooknut's review of this trilogy.
May have to read it again.
I totally agree with ncbooknut's review of this trilogy.
good read.
Finally completed this series, I put of freading the third book because I had an idea where the story was going after book two.... More Christian character development was a pleasure to read. The vanilla sex effect was lame to see his transformation from someone in control to someone giving into his emotions (I watch as he runs his fingers through his hair.... over an over). Sadly this installment of Christian and Ana turned out to be predictable and echoing twilight. NEXT!
Okay, I have to admit, this one was better than the first one, Fifty Shades of Grey, and WAY better than the second one, Fifty Shades Darker. I didn't think I was going to read it, but I couldn't keep away. I had to find out what happened. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment. Plus, I was next in line on the library wait list.
But there was actually a story in this one instead of all the dribbly smut. We actually find out more about Christian and why he is the way he is. There is actual drama and some exciting action instead of reading about the apex of Ana's thighs and her inner goddess. Ana's still annoying and whiny, but not to the level in the first two.
Yes, it's still a sex filled story, full of heaving, thrusting, and handcuffs, but there was a little bit more depth and quality as opposed to quantity (meaning sex, sex, and more sex.) Over all I would give it three stars out of five. This series is really hyped up and it keeps people buying it and enjoying it so I guess that has to say something, but I don't think it will stand the test of time.
But there was actually a story in this one instead of all the dribbly smut. We actually find out more about Christian and why he is the way he is. There is actual drama and some exciting action instead of reading about the apex of Ana's thighs and her inner goddess. Ana's still annoying and whiny, but not to the level in the first two.
Yes, it's still a sex filled story, full of heaving, thrusting, and handcuffs, but there was a little bit more depth and quality as opposed to quantity (meaning sex, sex, and more sex.) Over all I would give it three stars out of five. This series is really hyped up and it keeps people buying it and enjoying it so I guess that has to say something, but I don't think it will stand the test of time.
This book was MUCH slower than the previous two in the series,but once it got good, it got GOOD!
It's hard to review a book of this kind, not knowing who will read your review. All of the Fifty Shades books are extremely graphic but they, also, have a storyline...unlike a lot of the other "porn" books. I will say that I didn't know a lot about S and M before I read the book. Even though the book tells you how she gets involved in S and M, it makes one wonder how it would happen in real life. I think most women will read this book and wish their sex life were adventurous but will stop at wishing for S and M. I will say that, once you start reading these books, it's hard to put them down.
I read this entire series but actually grew very tired of the constant sex that went on for pages. I was interested in the characters and continued to read to find out what was going to happen to them. This last book was particularly not interesting for me. I stopped about midway through and then picked it up about a month later and finished it.
Sandra A. (dahliaprincess) reviewed Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty Shades, Bk 3) on + 2 more book reviews
I loved this series. Great ending to a wonderful love story.
Liked it, but not as exciting as I thought it would be.
Sallie M. (oldrockandroll) -
This was the best book of the series of 3. I will definitely read them again. Ana and Christian evolved well over the 3 books and Christian finally came to some great revelations about himself and Ana. Can't wait for the next books from Christian's point of view!
The third book wraps up the story...this one had more action--not sexual action--than the other two books and I think we find out more about Christian than in either of the other two. My favorite part of this book was the change in the relationship with his family--to me that was the best thing about the series. The relationship between C & A finally gets to a place where they are equals, which i wasn't sure would happen after reading the first two. Overall, it gave the story a happy ending...with a few more bumps in the road to make it interesting!
Ashley B. (daredevilgirl013) reviewed Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty Shades, Bk 3) on + 746 more book reviews
Though the star was a bit boring (there was less sex scenes compared to the other two books and sometimes she would just imply they had it and move on..details woman details!!) But then in the middle of the book it picked up and the last couple of hundred pages were AWESOME! Loved this book and how it ended and how we also get into Christian's mind. Cannot wait for the fourth book!
very poorly written. I am surprised that a book with so much hype was this poorly written.
The best of the three books - but I still think that the entire story just perpetuates the myth that a woman's love can change a man - some men can not be changed!
These books are A MUST READ !!!! I had never read books like these before but I am so glad I did. I was hooked on these books and could not put them down. I read this series in record time. Many of my friend have read them and have said the same thing.
Glad the book had a little mystery going on.
More of the same...wound things up..resolved issues...
loved it :)
Can't belive it ended.......
I almost didn't read this third installment.I really didn't, but curiosity won out and I'm glad I did. True the first and last books were better than the second. The second book could have been cut in half and made apart of the first. If you want more details before you buy or use your credits seek my other reviews. My main problems with this book was the excessive use of certain expressions like: Gah! or Bah! That I believe are old woman expressions and it aged her character about 50 yrs. Plus,it was annoying!As a writer myself I also thought it was inconsistent for Christian to blow up about Ana being pregnant and then wanting more children after all. The conflict/blackmail was good there was less repetitive sex which was great.
Great read!
I didn't really see what all the fuss was about.
I loved this book!
I love this book i would say its not my favorite out of all three books but the trilogy is one of my favorite books to ready. i have read this trilogy 3 times so fare. i now every one compares it to Bord to you book trilogy i like both there different and that is what i like about them. there is a lot more thriller in this one. love this book trilogy.
great reading love the whole series
