Friday, April 5, 2013

Book Review for: 50 Shades Darker




Book Review for: 50 Shades Darker
Written by: EL James
Vintage Books
ISBN: 978-0-345-80349-8
4 Stars

James pens a suspenseful erotic tale with "Fifty Shades Darker." Businessman Christian Grey falls to pieces when Ana leaves him. Can he earn her love despite his past?

The novel opens with Anastasia committed to her choice of leaving Christian, but soon she challenges herself. Despite Christian's dark background, the attraction between them is undeniable. Dare Anastasia give him her heart once she learns his all-consuming dark past?

James delves into the depths of Christian's demons and splays them before Ana for her to accept or reject. James' writing is easy to read, but her style can be jarring at times as the story is told in the present tense through Ana's perspective. The characterization is the best part of the novel. Christian bares his dark, haunted soul to Ana. The story challenges the reader to hope like Ana, that Christian can let his demons go.

50 Shades Darker is an erotic romance. The sexual scenes are intense, and intended  for a mature audience. While intimacy grows the trust between Christian and Ana, the sexual scenes feel excessive at times. This book is not for those readers who would easily be offended by the graphic sexual content.

Overall, the novel strips away barriers and challenges readers to go outside their comfort zone with Ana and Christian. "50 Shades Darker" will leave you breathless and on the edge of your seat, daring the reader to believe that the seeds of love can bloom in darkness. 

3 comments:

  1. You summed it up well, Steph. I've read them all - nearly stopped after the first - but the story improved for me as it went on and the relationship became more balanced and like you I got used to the author's style of writing.
    Angela Britnell

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    1. Angela, you nailed it. Overall, I think the stories are worth the read because of the characterization, but of course I think what makes it popular is the sex scenes. LOL!
      smiles
      Steph

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  2. I agree that the characterization is the best part of all three books. Christian is so well drawn. It's hard (or it was for me, anyway) not to like the guy and root for him. Reminds me a lot of a certain soap opera character. ;)

    "Darker" did not leave me breathless the way the first book did. I was desperate to read book two after the cliffhanger ending in book one. It took me months to muster up the interst to read book three, "Freed". I enjoyed it, but still not as much as the first book.

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