Review: Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James

Daunted by the singular 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 the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.

Holy. Crap. I just don't get why people are so afraid of this book! There's more appalling stuff in the news, movies, t.v. shows ~ everywhere.. What's the big friggin' deal?

I know, I know. Being strapped up sounds degrading, demoralizing, a total offense to women everywhere, blah, blah, blah. The thing is, Ana becomes a part of that lifestyle and...appreciates...certain aspects of it. It's not like Christian does anything against her will ~ quite the opposite, in fact. The book isn't about lowering women, it's about a man who lives a certain - consensual - lifestyle ~ that really exists, by the way ~ and how he decides to change that lifestyle dramatically for a woman he grows to love. At least that's the way I see it.

Personally, I'm a big fan. Loved the first Fifty Shades and immediately had to open the second. The story is evolving rapidly and Christian is barely recognizable from the *fifty-shades-of-effed-up* he was in the beginning. Ana is causing quite a raucous ~ in a good way ~ and Christian envisions a life for himself that he never before thought possible. I have to agree with those that didn't like the book ~ Christian began as an overly-dominant, bossy, and suffocating ass. He's learning though, and is beginning to turn into someone who can and wants to be in a relationship full of trust and respect.

Lots of drama in this one. Psycho exes, sex-offender-type bosses, vengeful creeps. Ana and Christian encounter more trouble than any normal couple should have to deal with. But then again...I guess they're not that normal. Their relationship grows tremendously and the bond between them strengthens. They take HUGE steps, and it all feels quite fast but somehow, it works for them.

I will admit that the writing gets a little redundant at times with the "Oh my's" and repetitive gushing. I swear I read the same paragraph at least four times. But no one ever claimed this book to be genius in a literary sense. It's a fun, easy read with a good storyline.

There is quite an abundance of romance, but it's not just in the form that the book is known for. There's a sweetness that begins to show itself more clearly in the second book, and it's starting to stand out as the BDSM lifestyle Christian had known before begins to disappear.

If you haven't started this series, I'd say it's worth a shot if you're willing to have an open mind about a type of preference that may be way outside the realm of your comfort zone. It's turned out to be worth it for me as the story evolves. Can't wait to read the third!


Happy Reading Everyone :)




~ Keely ~