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fanboyriot's review
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
-5 stars*
Short Version:
- Unhealthy relationship is romanticized
- No consent
- Actually plotless and not in a pwp way
- Painful to read
- Repetitive
- Overhyped
- Barely changing anything—except the names—from the original??
- Lazy writing tbh
Long Version:
I feel like this was one of those books were I could go off on a tangent every time I hear the name. There are so many problems with it and yet there are so SO many people who read this as if it is the kinkiest, nastiest, amazing romance they had ever read. How?? Frankly it’s very vanilla, so I’m just confused with why people are saying it is so X rated or the worst thing they have read in regards of smut.
There was no—to very little—consent is given with this relationship, which isn’t really my thing even in fiction. I mean you are telling me that he made a big deal about what’s her face signing a contract (which was one of the only things that made sense) and then goes and hits her (without consent of course) before she signs it?? Makes SO much sense. It’s not like she sobbed to her mom after that—oh wait.
BDSM is about communication, consent, things are discussed before scenes are done. Limits/boundaries are respected and etc. this book has none of that.
This isn’t even talking about the characters I mean both of them were annoying. Christian only liked Anastasia because she reminded him of his mom. Yeah, not creepy at all… They both needed therapy, Christian most of all. Anastasia was one of those characters that “isn’t like other women” quirky, clumsy, nervous, shy, and boring to default. Christian was one of those characters that was the “attractive rich man who everyone wants” the “man” had severe mommy issues and he is praised for it almost, he has past trauma that he takes out on others, he’s really clingy, and manipulative, and selfish, and boring as well to read.
To be honest I hate giving books this low of a rating, especially when I find out it started as a fan-fiction, however, even the fan-fiction seems to be exactly like the original work, again with just switching out the names. How did this get so popular?? Do yourself a favor and just read the fan-fiction version on this if you what to, at least it’s free.
Short Version:
- Unhealthy relationship is romanticized
- No consent
- Actually plotless and not in a pwp way
- Painful to read
- Repetitive
- Overhyped
- Barely changing anything—except the names—from the original??
- Lazy writing tbh
Long Version:
I feel like this was one of those books were I could go off on a tangent every time I hear the name. There are so many problems with it and yet there are so SO many people who read this as if it is the kinkiest, nastiest, amazing romance they had ever read. How?? Frankly it’s very vanilla, so I’m just confused with why people are saying it is so X rated or the worst thing they have read in regards of smut.
There was no—to very little—consent is given with this relationship, which isn’t really my thing even in fiction. I mean you are telling me that he made a big deal about what’s her face signing a contract (which was one of the only things that made sense) and then goes and hits her (without consent of course) before she signs it?? Makes SO much sense. It’s not like she sobbed to her mom after that—oh wait.
BDSM is about communication, consent, things are discussed before scenes are done. Limits/boundaries are respected and etc. this book has none of that.
This isn’t even talking about the characters I mean both of them were annoying. Christian only liked Anastasia because she reminded him of his mom. Yeah, not creepy at all… They both needed therapy, Christian most of all. Anastasia was one of those characters that “isn’t like other women” quirky, clumsy, nervous, shy, and boring to default. Christian was one of those characters that was the “attractive rich man who everyone wants” the “man” had severe mommy issues and he is praised for it almost, he has past trauma that he takes out on others, he’s really clingy, and manipulative, and selfish, and boring as well to read.
To be honest I hate giving books this low of a rating, especially when I find out it started as a fan-fiction, however, even the fan-fiction seems to be exactly like the original work, again with just switching out the names. How did this get so popular?? Do yourself a favor and just read the fan-fiction version on this if you what to, at least it’s free.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Pedophilia, Racism, Stalking, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent
nannaolsen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
readingisforhotgirls's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
i have a love/hate relationship with the movies (love, mainly because of dakota johnson) so i decided to read the books as well… the writing style is pretty low quality and the story was quite lacking. for an as-advertised erotica novel, the sex scenes were honestly quite dull and i don’t think this was a fully accurate nor realistic depiction of the bdsm lifestyle. it also shouldn’t be considered the “bdsm staple”. characters are weak, poorly written, abusive, and not very lovable. james’ writing is often very embellished and not in an enjoyable way. i found myself skimming a lot of the chapters yet still processing the information fully, which typically is not a good sign. and so everything about this story is telling me to hate it, but with dakota johnson my beloved as ana in the film adaptations, i physically cannot!!! christian grey sure is fifty shades of fucked up, but i’m still probably going to continue reading the rest of the trilogy because i know the plotlines develop further on a bit later. hopefully it gets better rather than worse? despite all this, i didn’t completely despise reading it. it was fine despite it not being necessarily “good literature”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
jay_jade736's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
This is Twilight basically, just minus the wolves and vampires
Ana is a horny girl who's main driving force is her hormones despite having gotten passed puberty. She think she's "in love" with Christian despite being only in love with his body and her romanticisation of his past despite him being emotionally unavailable and sexually not fit for her. But nope, it's got to be him
Christian Grey is just a sad man with trauma as excuse for being bad and one sided as a character
The only reason why I'm rating it 2 stars is that the ending gave Ana some sense and Christian Grey an ending that should have made him reflect
Update: This is better than what if it’s us. I actually had fun reading this although it’s quite stressful (Dec 22, 2024)
2.25 stars ⭐️
Ana is a horny girl who's main driving force is her hormones despite having gotten passed puberty. She think she's "in love" with Christian despite being only in love with his body and her romanticisation of his past despite him being emotionally unavailable and sexually not fit for her. But nope, it's got to be him
Christian Grey is just a sad man with trauma as excuse for being bad and one sided as a character
The only reason why I'm rating it 2 stars is that the ending gave Ana some sense and Christian Grey an ending that should have made him reflect
Update: This is better than what if it’s us. I actually had fun reading this although it’s quite stressful (Dec 22, 2024)
2.25 stars ⭐️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, and Gaslighting
crystalmd1998's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This is the worst book I have ever read. Christian is a toxic manipulative person and Anastasia isn’t a good person either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Stalking, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent
marilupch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Nobody will understand the abuse and torment, Christian has gone through if they do not get over the sex. I love this book and the series as a whole. Anna grows and becomes strong, independent, and just amazing, while she helps Christian grow and change. This is the beginning of something intense and life-altering!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
rachal_e's review
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content