melissarose

So - who has read this book and what are your thoughts?

M2LR

I finished all three last week.

The first one, pretty good. Story line was pretty strong. I am not sure about the whole "controlling" aspect (outside of the bedroom), though. I could see how it could be seen as abusive. He wants to control just about everything about her; what she eats, when she eats, what she wears, grooming, exercising, the car she drives, etc. I'm not a fan of controlling men IRL, online, in books, etc. And I am not a fan of women who are seemingly weak, like she seems to kind of be, though she tries to stand up against him in the first book.

Second book. Not bad. Not as good as the first. I found that I wasn't rushing through this one like I did the first. Still interesting, but still not a fan of the controlling aspect of it all. Outside of the bedroom. In the bedroom, I have no problem with controlling, being controlled, etc as long as its two consenting adults.

Third book. Meh. I felt like the dialogue was copied/pasted in many spots and the arguments between the two got exceedingly tiring. Same arguments each time. He tells her not to do something, she does it anyways. He gets "Very mad" at her. Punishes her in some way, etc. Teh second book was a lot like this too. Ending felt rushed. Kind of anti-climactic, for lack of a better term despite the fact that the author tried to create a "situation" that put the characters in danger, etc. It was an interesting twist and I would have liked to see more behind that part of the books.

Overall, not bad. I'd re-read the first one, but not the second or third. I felt the same way about the Twilight series. I liked the first couple of books, but the third and Breaking Dawn were terrible.

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RedCatWaves

A woman at the gym today was reading the first book while using the weight machine that *I* wanted to use. Oy vey...she was taking for-frigging-ever. I wanted to strangle her.

Sorry...this had nothing to do with the OP's question, just needed to vent.

*Marah*

I read them all. Ana was unlikeable by every stretch of the imagination for me. I tried and tried to "like" her..but couldn't. I just can't imagine Christian Grey seriously being interested in her after he got to know her. She was just too self absorbed, phoney, annoying, aggrivating, whiny, and her attitude in general irked me. I really didn't think she deserved a dude like Christian AT ALL.

I know the story line was based off of Twilight but my goodness even Bella wasn't that darn annoying in the Twilight Saga books...and she was pretty annoying initally to me..so that's saying something.

I thought the story concept itself was good and the intimate stuff was pretty fun to read.. but I didn't think it was well written at all in general (but I give the writer a pass on that..she's a fan fiction writer and this is her first major crack at it). Plus I certainly could tell someone that wasn't American wrote it.. because it was just way too much in there that screamed English rather than American. Which was sort of a shame since the characters were American and it was set in present day.

I think this sort of caught on so well is because a lot of middle aged women are reading it and totally dig the concept of this incredibly handsome, rich, powerful man, that can be very cold has this "sensitive side" because the right woman came along and changed all that in him.. blah, blah, blah. And it's been touted in the media as "Mommy Porn".

To me, it was just basically a modern version of Harlequin Romance jazz I was reading at like 12. So I wasn't all that impressed. But I will say the first book was probably the best one.. I think it sort of pulls you in to want to know what is going to take place with these people. In the end for me personally.. it was a big let down though. I thought Ana would get herself together and be more likeable..but she wasn't. Until the very end she was annoying and off putting. That really ruined the books for me.

Now the Christian Grey character was written very well. And I liked his family a lot. I'd rather have read a story just about him and his exploits than Ana being involved at all!

And DO NOT listen to this on Audible..the reader is horrific. She sounds like a 13 year old girl from the valley. I listened to an excerpt and read the reviews on it..people hated her reading. Thank goodness I read the books myself instead of wasting my precious credits on that mess! UGH!

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M2LR

Marah, the writing was tough for me to read as well. I didn't care for the little blurbs of inner dialog, "Oh. My Fifty." Time and time again. Got tiring. I think that's how I felt at the end of the second and mostly the third books, tired.

I've read MUCH worse in terms of the erotic novel genre, and this one wasn't too bad. I was actually expecting MORE in the second and third books as there was a relationship brewing and she would have become more comfy with him...which I guess she was, but not in the way I woudl have pictured.

Ana was annoying, and you're right, not written well. Christian was an intriguing man, and I don't see what he would have seen in her, either.

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*Marah*

I like this video about the book someone put together:

Master of the Universe - YouTube

But I am in looooooooove with Robert Pattinson's looks so he could have been just sitting there and I would be thrilled..LOL! The frickken hair does it for me...I love it messy.

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melissarose

Ya I've just finished the first book and am starting the second. The writing isn't the best but I am curious to see what happens with Christian, like how he turns out. Plus I'm sure I'll want to see the movie. Two things I hate though: 1) how she constantly talks about her "inner goddess" - so annoying! and 2) how she refers to her crotch (ok ill admit I don't know what word I'd use either) as her "sex". I've never read an erotic novel
before so I don't know what terminology they use but I couldn't stand it!

M2LR

That video was cool, though I'd really like him NOT to be in the movie version of the book. He's not that great of an actor, neither is she, lol.


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*Marah*

Awww. I like Robert.. LOL! I'd watch him. But I highly doubt they will even consider him or Stewart for the parts.

So who would you prefer play Ana and Christian ?

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xcptnl

Orgasm every freaking time? That is how you know it's fiction. And I think the author got worn out trying to make the sex different every time. It got repetitive. Do not get me wrong it was good to read. Ana's character is annoying. Christian's character is more interesting. I am just starting the 3rd book.


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rouquinne

i haven't read these books, but every time i hear about them, i think that the audience they target would be highly grossed out if they read Anne Rice's take on the subject!

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Poodlehead

I was thinking the whole time that Anne Rice did it so much better. More intense, stronger female character.

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Corrina777

I've read the first two books so far- haven't had time to start the third. I tried starting a thread a few weeks ago because I was wanting to discuss with other people (my friends are slow readers and still working on Hunger Games).

First, the whole mommy porn thing- really?? The book is labeled erotic romance, but is really only slightly more graphic than a regular romance novel. Okay, there's the who Red Room thing but even that's nothing compared to Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty Trilogy. And yes, Ana is a horribly weak female lead. Zane's books are just as explicit, but the women are strong. I was much more impressed with Addicted, which I still recommend to people.

So I find the idea that Ana can magically cure Christian over the course of only two books (and a time frame of maybe a couple of months tops?) to be unrealistic and completely over-romanticized. Basically I found both characters to be over exaggerated and it's too bad because if done the right way, this could have been an excellent idea to delve into. Maybe I'm a cynic, but I don't want a straight Cinderella story. I want to read more true to life ups and downs.

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M2LR

I read Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty Trilogy years ago. Very well written, but I do agree that there are some aspects that would probably gross out many that are reading these.

Marah, I read an article that Ian Somerhalder or Alexander Skarsgaard might play Christian. I'd be more than ok with those two choices. Not sure who would play Ana. It would have to be someone that is good looking, and young, but also very plain. Maybe Dakota Fanning? She's kind of annoying, too. LOL

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M2LR

Also...

I found the Black Dagger Brotherhood to be better written and much "hotter" in terms of the intimate scenes, but I know vampire porn isn't everyone's favorite.

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*Marah*

To the bold.. not true.. not true at all.

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*Marah*

Well come on.. JR Ward's books wipe the floor with those 3 little books by E.L. James. That's like taking a grade school basketball player and putting them up against Michael Jordan in his prime.. LOL!

I own all the BBD books and they are amazing. I'm listening to the last one on Audible and dragging it out because I hate when her books end. BBD is definitely the best vampire romance series out today for sure.

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M2LR

LOL.

Have you read the most recent one about Tohr? I think it came out in March? What did you think? I read the reviews and it seemed that it was a little weaker than the other books.

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*Marah*

Well both of them are very handsome. I think I would prefer Alexander Skarsgaard but I guess they would have to dye is hair. I think Ian Somerhalder is attractive and can act but I just don't see him as Christian. I definitely do NOT want to see Dakota Fanning play Ana. I still think of Fanning as a little girl. I'd rather see Natalie Portman. I think it has to be someone that is attractive but not over the top with it. And I think Natalie has the right build as well. I think Mila Kunis.. hmm I think she might be just too naturally sexy for the part. Plus Natalie can look pretty young with the right hair and makeup.

I hope they take poetic license and make Ana less irritating.

I've read Anne Rice's books...years ago. I used to be a big fan of hers. She is an excellent writer period. E.L. James is not in her league either. I enjoyed those but they were um unnerving at times.. LOL!

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*Marah*

That's the one I'm listening to on Audible and dragging it out. Yes.. it is a little different than her other books but I expected it to be. Tohr has always been "different" from the start. So I knew his book wouldn't be like the others. I actually like it so far. It's still JR Ward's well written work but it's just not as much "action" and a lot of the brothers aren't involved. It's less fighting. It's also giving us more of a chance to learn about "The Band of (word I can't say on NC).

And I think she was correct in doing it that way. Having a slow build up. Noone had been abused horribly and Tohr lost the love of his life tragically. I really just didn't want it to be like the other books. That's the great thing about Ward..she handles these things very well just like she did well with handling Zsadist's story. Plus John Matthew and Xhex are having issues in Tohr's book so to me she's done a masterful job handling these things properly. I sure as heck don't want to stop listening that's for sure! I just think people are not thrilled that it's not all that regular BBD action and then cussing, fighting the enemy, and buck wild sex every 10 pages is all. Well guess what folks..it's not supposed to be in this particular story.

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