Book Series Review: Fifty Shades of Grey Series by E.L. James

So I read Fifty Shades of Grey last year pre-blog.  Because of the popularity of the book series, and the fact the book is about to be a major Motion Picture, I decided to do an overall review of the series.  You can see the synopsis for each book and my overall review of the series below.

Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades #1) by E.L. James

Genre: Steamy Romance
Publisher:  Vintage
Publication Date: April 3, 2012
Star Rating:  5/5
Links: Goodreads Amazon 

Synopsis:

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.

This book is intended for mature audiences.

Fifty Shades Darker (Fifty Shades #2) by E.L. James

Genre: Steamy Romance
Publisher:  Vintage
Publication Date: April 17, 2012
Star Rating:  5/5
Links: Goodreads Amazon

Synopsis

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

Fifty Shades Freed (Fifty Shades # 3) by E.L. James

Genre: Steamy Romance
Publisher:  Vintage

Publication Date: April 17, 2012
Star Rating:  4/5
Links:  Goodreads Amazon   

Synopsis

When unworldly student Ana Steele first encountered the driven, damaged young entrepreneur Christian Grey, it sparked a sensual affair that changed both their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and ultimately repelled by Christian's singular sexual tastes, 

Ana demanded a deeper commitment; determined to keep her, Christian agreed. Now, together, they have more-love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of infinite possibilities. But Ana always knew that loving her Fifty Shades would not be easy and being together poses challenges neither of them ever anticipated. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian's opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own integrity, identity, or independence; Christian must somehow overcome his compulsion to control and lay to rest the horrors that blighted his past and haunt his present.

 Just when it seems that together their love can conquer any obstacle, tragedy, malice and fate combine to make Ana's worst nightmares come true.

My Overall Impression of the Series:

This was a fantastic series. This is a series people feel very strongly about, either you will LOVE IT…like I did or you will absolutely hate it.  This series is very intense and not for the faint of heart.  With that being said, this book is erotica with BDSM elements.  The BDSM is not hardcore, but should still be mentioned.  Those that are into the BDSM lifestyle really don’t like this book.  They feel it is a false depiction of this lifestyle (so I have heard).  Those that are unfamiliar with this world may find this book very interesting :-).  With that being said sex is not what makes this book great.  I mean there're plenty of steamy and ultra luscious sex scenes (can you say wow)!!   

What makes this series great is the love at the center of it.  It was a love story, of a broken man being slowly healed by the love of a woman.  I mean who would not fall in love with that  kind of story.  

This series had a very strong plot.  I read all three books in three days.  No one in my house ate… FOR THREE DAYS!!  It was that serious.  It took me weeks to find a book to read after FSOG.  I thought I was ruined for life; but I am all better now!!  Everyone should read this book…well maybe not everyone…my grandmother would not appreciate this book at all, but anyone that appreciates a Steamy Romance will. 

If you read the first book, you will read all three. Get some caffeine in your system because this book is a page turner. I do have to mention that Book 3 was just okay, and not nearly as strong as the first two books.  

Characters: 

Christian – I…and so many women around the world are in LOVE with Mr. Gray.  He is absolutely fantastic.  He is controlling, domineering, has emotional issues, rich, and handsome…I mean… what’s not to love!!  Christian has this power about him that I love so much.  I’ve read A LOT of romance novels and there are very few males that can top Christian Gray on my list!!  Like I said before…he is a hero that you will either love or hate

Ana – I loved Ana’s character.  She is supposed to be quite, shy, and demure but she spends the whole series driving Christian out of his dang mind.  She doesn’t have a submissive bone in her body…lol…well except in the bedroom (can you say red room anyone)!!  She was a heroine that I enjoyed to read about.  Her personality could have been stronger at times, but I still liked her. 

Writing & Plot:  The grammar in this book was terrible, hence the reason some literary types dislike this series with a passion.  If you can get over the grammar errors, less than stellar writing, and embrace the story...you can't go wrong.  I feel this book had a strong and interesting plot that will not disappoint the audience.