Words I Write Crazy: Week 22 Reviews: Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifth Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed, Grey, Darker, Freed

Saturday, June 5, 2021

Week 22 Reviews: Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifth Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed, Grey, Darker, Freed

From Goodreads:

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.

From Goodreads:
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.

From Goodreads:
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.

From Goodreads:

Relive the sensuality, the romance, and the drama of Fifty Shades Freed - the love story that enthralled millions of readers around the world - through the thoughts, reflections, and dreams of Christian Grey.

E.L. James revisits the world of Fifty Shades with a deeper and darker take on the love story that has enthralled millions of readers around the globe.

You are cordially invited to the wedding of the decade, when Christian Grey will make Anastasia Steele his wife. But is he really husband material? His dad is unsure, his brother wants to organise one helluva bachelor party, and his fiancée won't vow to obey . . .

And marriage brings its own challenges. Their passion for each other burns hotter and deeper than ever, but Ana's defiant spirit continues to stir Christian's darkest fears and tests his need for control. As old rivalries and resentments endanger them both, one misjudgement threatens to tear them apart.

Can Christian overcome the nightmares of his childhood and the torments of his youth, and save himself? And once he's discovered the truth of his origins, can he find forgiveness and accept Ana's unconditional love?

Can Christian finally be freed?

My first review of Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed, Grey, Darker

My second review of Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed

My third review of Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed

My Review:

I was planning on alternating between Ana's story, Christian's and then the movie, but I finished the first book, started Grey, but was itching to read the second, so I eventually ending up reading them in publication order, and the movies here and there. But with the 6th (and possibly final) book coming out, I had to reread them all and watch all the movies!

One thing that I really loved about this reread, is that I picked up on details that I either didn't previously, or forgot since the last time I read these books. Like the fact that Ana's dad died the day after she was born, which is pretty sad! Then there was the detail of how Kate ended up with the email printout of Ana's first response, but I have that now!

I read that the Sam Taylor-Johnson and E.L. James didn't really get along. So I'm kinda wondering if one line in Grey as the author's way of poking at director. Because in Grey, Christian thinks only a fool would mix business and pleasure by having the discussion about the contract at his place of work. Which in the movie, is where it happens, vs. the books having it in a private dining room. Yeah.

One thing that I was really hoping to find out in Freed, was the status of Mia and Ethan, because in Fifty Shades Freed, it's a bit up in the air, and I really wanted to know what was going to happen with them. And we did, that they aren't a thing, so I'm satisfied!

We learned a few important pieces of information in Freed. Like the fact that Grace and Carrick changed Christian's spelling of his name, because when he was born, it started with a K. But we also got some new moments, because it started right after the ending of the 2nd books, so we got to see wedding prep and activities like his bachelor party, which was very well planned out by Elliot. So that was great!

I enjoy this series, it's flawed, but I enjoy these characters and their story!

Author: E.L. James
Series: Fifty Shades #1, 2, 3, 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, Fifty Shades as Told By Christian #1, 2, 3
First Read: April 8th, 8th, 8th, 2013, October 10th, 2016, November 30th, 2017
Second Read: April 9th, 9th, 9th, 2013
Third Read: October 1st, 1st, 1st, 2013
Fourth Read: February 11th, 11th, 11th, 2017

Read: June 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 3rd, 4th, 4th, 2021

Source: Own, Ebook.bike
Reason Why: Rereading! Again! They're also Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2021 Books!
Publisher: Vintage, Blood Books
Published: May 25th 2011, April 17th 2012, April 17th 2012, June 18th 2015, November 28th 2017, June 1st 2021

Fifty Shades of Grey: