18.5.12

Book Review: Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James

Daunted by the dark secrets of the tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Ana Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a US publishing house.
But desire for Grey still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, she cannot resist. Soon she is learning more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades than she ever thought possible.
But while Grey wrestles with his inner demons, Ana must make the most important decision of her life. A decision she can only make on her own. 
Well the Fifty Shades trilogy just gets better and better. At the end of Fifty Shades of Grey Christian and Ana have broken up as Ana doesn't think she can give Christian what he needs. So Fifty Shades Darker begins with Ana and Christian apart but it soon becomes clear for both of them that they need each other.
E. L. James brings us a little more of the love story in this book. It was fascinating to see the compromises that both are prepared to make in order for their relationship to work. There are graphic sexual scenes again but this book goes a little deeper, however, as before, I felt that the sex scenes reveal a lot about Ana and Christian. In this book, Ana has to admit to herself that although she has limits, there are some things that Christian does which she actually really enjoys. Christian is discovering a whole new side to himself; he has always taken sexual pleasure in hurting women but he can't bear the thought of Ana being in pain.
Added in to this is Christian's past, one of his ex-submissive's contacts Ana; she wants to know how Ana has managed to hold on to Christian. Christian will do anything to keep Ana safe but as he has already found out, Ana does not always do as she is told.
Fifty Shades Darker also explores Christian's awful childhood and we begin to understand why he behaves in such a way. Ana and Christian continue to be fascinating characters in the second instalment. I felt as though they were entirely believable and I wanted more than anything for their relationship to work.
Fifty Shades Darker ends on a bit of a cliff hanger again, E. L. James certainly knows how to make you want more. I can't wait to read the third and final instalment but I know that I will also be quite sad that there are no more books as the world of Christian Grey is completely addictive.

Dot Scribbles Rating 5/5

21 comments:

Nadia said...

I've only just gotten a copy of the first book and have been rather hesitant to read it. Wasn't so sure what to expect - however, after reading your post on the first book and now this post on the second, I'm thinking I should give them a go. I've heard such negative things about these books on other blogs that I wasn't so sure I wanted to even read them. However, I did get the book for free and I figure why not give it a go. After all, I should see for myself why this trilogy has everyone tweeting and chatting about it, right? Plus,your posts have been the first positive reviews I've read from a blogger I trust, so I'm thinking that there has to be something to these books ;) Thanks!!

Dot said...

Nadia- Ah that's lovely to hear that you trust my reviews! I think this trilogy is definitely one that people either love or hate so I just had to find out for myself.

Susan Mann said...

I read the first book and it's addictive. Just about to start this one. Good review. x

Dot said...

SusanKMann- I thought that the second one was even better, hope that you enjoy it!

queenmortner said...

I just got done with the first book and am so addicted I can barely stand to wait for the next one to arrive at my house! I'm glad to find a summary of the 2nd book I'm afraid I may have lost sleep deciding if Ana and Christian would get back together.
This book was awesome and I do not typically this kind of story line!

Dot said...

Queenmortner- they are so addictive aren't they! I think I will be quite lost when I have finished the last one!

Kim said...

I have read all 3 and they are so hard to put down. Now I want to re-read, as I dont want their story to end.

Dot said...

Kim- I am really looking forward to the third one but I think I will have to re-read to in order to get my Christian and Ana fix!

Cheryl said...

I finished the trilogy and was so sad....I did not want to be finished with this love story.....so I re-read them again.....love!!!.....I didn't feel quite as bad after finishing them the second time.......but think this is going to have to make it's way back into my reading list every so often!!!!

Anonymous said...

I've just finished reading the 3rd book of this Trilogy and finished it in two days. Yes, I lost sleep just wanting to read and finding out what is going to happen next.

Now that I'm done...I'm missing these characters a lot. Guess I will have to re-read them again :)

Anonymous said...

I have just started the 3rd book, and although I love it (I think it's my fav of the 3) I'm not speeding to read like the first two bc I don't want their story to be over either. I was hesitant at first to read them, but they have turned out to be so much more than BDSM novels! I will definitely be re-reading them soon!!

Danmark said...

Amazing wordsmith; though, I have to admit, there were a few editing errors. Though I highly doubt it was the author's fault. i think something went wrong during it's publication from traditional paperback to the kindle book. Some words were not separated when they were clearly supposed to be separated with a space. But no biggie, it didn't distract me that much from enjoying the story. Christian Grey is one yummy male alpha and I cannot get enough of him. I'm not into the whole Dominant thing and BDSM, but any woman would have to make an exception with this lead character. He makes it acceptable in a way that'll churn your insides because you're not sure if you'll approve if you were in the lead female character's position.

Anonymous said...

I enjoy the first book. Took me a while to finnish it but I fell inlove with Mr. Grey. I cant wait to start readin the second & third books. The sex was awesome to..

Anonymous said...

At the end of the 2nd book I got so lost I didn't know what they were talking about on the last paragraph. Help!

CourtneyH said...

I just finished the first book not even 30 minutes ago and I was beyond furious with the ending. Glad to hear they try to work things out. goodness i want me some Christian Grey:)

Oormi Nair said...

I just finished reading the first installment. And I must say, regardless of all the controversy this book is surrounded with, I'm addicted and cannot wait to read the second book! Thank you for the review! An excellent one indeed.

Unknown said...

i love these books and their relationship, but they have big issues to sort out.
However, i dont understand the last change of scene, after christian properly proposes to ana. could someone spread some light on if for me please???

Anonymous said...

I respect totally your right to your opinions but for me both the main characters are just whiny babies. About half way into Fifty Shades I just wished he'd kill Ana and relieve everyone of their tedium. I'm looking for a precis of the other two books because I couldn't stand having to listen to their pathetic whinging for another 700 pages or whatever, thanks, Don.

Anonymous said...

I just finished part I and i am so addicted! Im glad i read this because i was getting mixed reviews about part II from peers but this has convinced me to read on!! I thought i was the only one that sware Ana and christian are really..but if you really thin about it there probably are people like this out here.

Anonymous said...

I've read all 3 books. I was and still completely addicted to the story of Ana and Christian. So much so that I can't wait for the movie. I see Ian Somerhalder as Christian and Alexis Bledel as Ana (even though she's 30 years old...she could still pull off 21).

Neha said...

It definitely takes the story forward. Glad to see the character Ana move ahead. Its movement from the first book

Should read - if you enjoyed the first book

Like the subtle suspense in the relationships

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