Fifty Shades Freed (50 Shades Trilogy, #3)

by E L James

THE OFFICIAL MOVIE TIE-IN EDITION. Based on volume three of the phenomenal #1 New York Times bestselling trilogy with more than 150 million copies sold worldwide.

When unworldly student Anastasia Steele first encountered the driven and dazzling young entrepreneur Christian Grey it sparked a sensual affair that changed both of their lives irrevocably. Shocked, intrigued, and, ultimately, repelled by Christian's singular erotic tastes, Ana demands a deeper commitment. Determined to keep her, Christian agrees.

Now, Ana and Christian have it all - love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Ana must somehow learn to share Christian's opulent lifestyle without sacrificing her own identity. And Christian must overcome his compulsion to control as he wrestles with the demons of a tormented past.

Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to make Ana's deepest fears turn to reality.

• ISBN10: 1612130607
• ISBN13: 9781612130606
• Publish Date: 11 March 2012 (first published 1 January 2012)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Published by You Lulu Inc.
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 456
• Language: English

Reviews

[booksandcats]

Well, I'm kinda glad I'm done with this series. The first two books got two stars, the reason being that the characters themselves and the erotic relationship were alright, despite the many flaws. Tis one gets only one because, while the MC's and the sex part aren't worse, it just gets old. Reading the same thing over and over and over again for three freaking books get old. Then, I have to same problems as I had with the first two, so I won't list them again, but I will list some additional ones (some go for the other books as well, some are specific to this one)

Ana calls Christian Fifty in her mind. Because he is "fifty shades of fucked up". And I guess there are people that find that sexy. To me it only brings up the picture of fifty cent, which is kind of the exact opposite of Christian Grey and therefore kinda ruins the mood.

The have the same conversation over and over and over again. He: I love you, don't leave me, how can someone as amazing as you love such a fucked up thing like me? Her: I love you you are amazing, don't leave me to go spank someone, how can someone as amazing as you love someone as average as me? Which, fine, maybe with their mental problems and their past is a fair argument to have, once. But not for the whole fricking length of the book please!

Christian is controlling to the point where it is just annoying. And again, if you need to for his character, start him out that way. But give us some Progress over the book, something to see how they are evolving, growing as a couple... I don't want to feel stuck in the same moment like groundhog's day.

Ana was kinda annoying. Particularly in one scene, when Christian has asked her not to go out (with a really good reason for once, not being overly controlling) and she chooses to go out, not telling him. He gets angry. Her excuse is literally. I'm a woman. Woman change their minds all the time. No. Just no. For one, it's so not in her character to say that. If anyone would have said that to her, I think she would have been angry. Second, it's just... no.

It's just ... the whole book is so damn overly melodramatic... And it feels like we have heard all steamy scenes before, so there is nothing to save it.

So, for the whole series, again, it's not horrible, it could have had potential as a concept, but there was evidently absolutely no need for three books. You could have put all of it into one or two books and it would have been enough.

[kymmiejournals]

I love the ending!

[Vicki]

3.5 stars

[Katie King]

**2 Stars**

I MADE IT THROUGH THE SERIES!

There's very little character development. Christian eases up a little, but when he's angry - he's a lot worse. Just angry a little less often. Ana stands up for herself a little bit, but she always backs down when Christian starts sexing her up.

Can I just say I was absolutely furious with the scene near the end when Christian storms off, gets drunk, and comes home trashed? What he said to Ana is SERIOUSLY THE MOST INAPPROPRIATE OVERREACTION I HAVE EVER READ. SERIOUSLY. I would've bitchslapped him SO fucking hard and kicked him out. And then what he did after? Like at the bar and then when he was home? NOPE-ING RIGHT OUT OF THERE. I was so mad I rage-texted my boyfriend about it.

I feel like I should get a medal.

[Berls]

For more reviews, see: Fantasy is More Fun

My Initial Reaction...
What started off as fan fiction gone erotica has finally and fully left behind it's inspiration with Fifty Shades Freed and progressed into a much deeper story than Twilight ever had. I'm really glad I stuck with this one to the end.

The Characters...
It's almost unbelievable to me that after the first book my biggest complaint was the characters; in this book I love them and am entranced by them.

After book one I would have told you that this series was about an innocent young girl, who met an incredibly handsome billionaire that she found irresistible despite his somewhat intimidating sexual fetishes. I would have been wrong. By the start of this book you're already feeling it, but by the end you know it: This is really Christian's story, told from Ana's point of view. Christian is a marvelously complex character and, as Ana would say, you can't help loving him for all his "fifty shades."

I don't mean to diminish Ana's role, though. Not only is she an incredible character, who develops marvelously, but she is absolutely essential to Christian's development as a character. Ana has grown into a strong, self-confident woman. She may be afraid, but she faces her insecurities and, by doing so, forces Christian to face his own. She does not let Christian overwhelm or intimidate her anymore; instead she stands strong and frees him from himself.

The Story...
We rejoin Ana and Christian in this novel on their European Honeymoon. Even though it's a fabulous honeymoon, it's also abundantly clear that they still have issues to work out. Ana quickly sets off Christian's protective/dominant side while sunbathing on the beach - a seemingly harmless activity, except when you're with Christian and decide to test his limits. But that's the beauty of their relationship - Ana isn't afraid to test those limits and it's her willingness to do so that helps him grow.

Plus when they fight we get to see them make up and that's one of the best parts! And the erotic scenes do not disappoint, with some exciting new advances in the bedroom (and playroom). They've had a whirlwind romance, so they still have a lot of growing to do as a couple, married or not. And that's all without considering that someone is trying to kill them. While on honeymoon, Christian is notified of an attempted sabotage on their building and then threats on both their lives become the main threat and mystery of the story, with Christian's past continuing to haunt the new couple. Oh and once again emails overwhelm the story, but in a really great way. It's how they communicate best as a couple, their love and frustrations shine through brilliantly.

Of course, this book was not perfect. As much as the story and characters have grown up, the writing is stuck somewhere in adolescence. You have to overlook the repetitive descriptions (how many times in a day does one person smirk? let alone everyone they know?) and Ana's sometimes fun, but typically annoying, ever-present inner goddess. I can look past it, though - the story is worth a few annoying writing quirks.

At the end of the book James gives us a little treat, by showing us the beginning of the series from Christian's point of view. I suspect this is a nod to her inspiration, since the unpublished (but partially leaked) Midnight Sun of the Twilight series does exactly the same thing. Regardless of the inspiration, I found it thoroughly enjoyable. There's also a short chapter at the end from child Christian's perspective, which gives a bit more insight into his difficult past. It was a very heartwarming selection.

Concluding Sentiments...
Overall, I really enjoyed watching Ana and Christian fight for a happy and healthy relationship. I fully expected to be exhausted by their relationship by this point, but I wasn't, probably because it changes so much that it's hardly the same relationship. This series really grew up with each novel and by the third I was entranced. I suspect I'll reread it when they make the movies (assuming they really do - I think it's been on a bit of a standstill for a while). I highly recommend it as a fun, steamy, and heartwarming read.

[ellieroth]

Por fin doy por terminada es trilogía/saga, como quieran llamarla.
Sinceramente, el libro no me gustado, tiene "sus momentos" pero nada del otro mundo, cosas que puedes encontrar en cualquier rosa o romántico, cosas demasiado copiadas o basadas en el libro original, recordemos que esto es un Fic.
Más allá de la historia, quiero opinar sobre la manera en la que está escrita.
Una historia, por más simple que sea, mientras tenga una narración rica, sin caer en las mismas muletillas, una y otra vez. Exagerando las "palabras clave" del personaje, hace que cualquier historia te atrape.
La trilogía 50 shades es todo lo mismo: "Vaca sagrada" "Santa mierda jodida" "Sr/Sra Grey". Esto último se supone debe gustar, se supone también que es un juego de palabras cariñoso entre parejas, pero solo es exasperante.
En conclusión, unos libros que no son nada del otro mundo, solo mucho escándalo y nada de bueno.
Sado? pffff No.
Se pone rosa desde la mitad del primero, y la otra mitad que "si lo es", esta muy mal hecho.

[clementine]

Okay, guys. I did it. I wasn't expecting this to be any better than the other two, so pretty much here are my thoughts:

1) I have all the same issues with this one as I did with the previous two.
2) It REALLY bothers me how so many things are misrepresented (BDSM being the obvious one) or presented as perfectly normal when they're not. Obviously there's the controlling, abusive relationship presented as ~*~wonderful~*~ and ~*~loving~*~, and there's Ana's messed up, disordered eating that's just ~*~a quirk~*~ even though not eating a solid meal for like 5 days until your husband forces you to is NOT JUST A QUIRK.
3) The ending was so ridiculous. I understand a happy ending, but the whole "Ana's best friend marries Christian's brother and the two servants who everyone loves marry each other" thing was 100% ridiculous.

Alright, here are my notes since I just can't talk about this anymore without going crazy.

"I know you had an unconventional start to your relationship, but I can see how happy you've both been over the past month. Besides, it's too late now," she adds with a grin. I giggle. Trust Kate to point out the obvious.

EL James, do you even think about what you're writing? You have Kate make a joke about how it's too late for Ana to leave Christian because she just married him and you have your narrator miss the fact that it's a joke and be like "THANKS, CAPTAIN OBVIOUS." No, Ana. It's a joke. You're an idiot.

"This rocks! No wonder Christian never lets me drive."

Presented without comment.

Several sunbathers on the beach watch with that bemused disinterest so typical, I now realize, of the French as Christian carries me to the sea, laughing, and wades in.

Okay, first of all, this sentence is a pile of vomit that has been mixed around and left in the sun for awhile. What are you DOING, woman? This is barely English. Second of all, you throw around the word "bemused" a lot, and I don't think it means what you think it means. The term "bemused disinterest" is nonsensical.

"Sure," I say brightly, trying to hide my disappointment that I'll be without him for an hour. Is it freaky that I want to be with him all the time?

Yes, Ana, yes.

"Can I get you anything?" I ask. He smiles his sweet shy smile.

Really? REALLY? Can you not at least attempt consistent characterization? There is not one thing about Christian Grey that would make me think for a second that he would have a sweet shy smile.

My subconscious looks up from her book - The Complete Works of Charles Dickens, Vol. I - with alarm.

I feel like EL James is getting way too into the whole subconscious/inner goddess thing and thinks it's super clever to do this shit even though it's not, and also that she wants to show us that's she so smart!!!! and knows literature!!!!!!! and doesn't just write erotica for bored housewives!!!!!!

I gaze in horror at the red marks all over my breasts. Hickeys! I have hickeys! I am married to one of the most respected businessmen in the United States, and he's given me goddamn hickeys.

Okay, so, this whole thing kicks off a huge fight between Ana and Christian. Ana's mad and won't talk to him, and he's like "Why are you made at me??" and she gets all hostile and stands up for herself for once and it's kind of like, ooookay, whatever, and then it becomes evident that Christian did it because Ana decided to be topless on a topless beach where nobody gives a shit if you're topless and he doesn't want her to be able to be topless so nobody else can look at what's his!!!!! and it's like "WHAT. THE. FUCK."

Drinking in his scent, I curl around him, trying to ignore the loss and devastation I felt in my dream, and in that moment, I know that my deepest, darkest fear would be losing him.

1) What is this sentence? 2) Ick. 3) WHY DOES IT TAKE YOU SO LONG TO FIGURE THIS SHIT OUT? We all know it's your deepest, darkest fear to lose him, for god knows what reason. Christ, Ana, you're a fucking idiot.

"I know I've objectified women for so long," he says and pauses awkwardly.

I just find this so weird, because once in awhile EL James drops these weird self-aware sentences that just confuse me. But, also, I don't think that Christian's previous BDSM relationships actually were necessarily about objectifying women, and I think it says a lot about EL James' understanding of BDSM that she thinks that. I do, however, think that Christian does a lot of objectifying Ana.

Argon? It rings a distant bell from chemistry class - an element, I think.

Come on, Ana. You're not smart. I never even took chemistry and I know that argon is an element. Please. For all this talk of the medulla oblongata in the first book, you're not actually that intelligent.

"When you frown, a little V forms here. It's soft to kiss."

So, first of all, this is lame because that happens to everyone when they frown so it's not some freaking revelation. Second of all, this line is repeated at the end of the book because apparently it's super poetic and romantic? NO. STOP IT.

His shorts fall a little and hang... in that way so his swim trunks are visible beneath.

This is where EL James gives up trying to pretend she possesses an extensive vocabulary. Okay, great, in that way, I totally know what you're talking about, stupidhead.

"Oh, darling girl! Thank you, thank you!"

This is Christian's mother thanking Ana for being the perfect woman for him and making him whole or whatever. And this is where it's so obvious this is fanfiction, because everything happens perfectly and Ana fixes the broken Christian to the delight of his adoring family who are totally cool with their forever-single, fucked up, extremely rich son marrying some boring, not very bright chick after six weeks of dating.

It always comes back to sex with him. Sex is his coping mechanism.

Wow, Ana, you finally noticed? What an observant person you are!

Holy cow, he really does love me.

I THOUGHT WE WENT OVER THIS IN THE LAST BOOK. STOP IT, ANA. YES, HE REALLY DOES LOVE YOU. HE MARRIED YOU. JESUS CHRIST.

"Well, Mrs. Grey, it seems that you are not only decorative, but useful, too."

This is immediately explained to be JUST CHRISTIAN'S FUNNY JOKING!!!! but, like, it's kind of exactly how he sees Ana so it's less funny and more icky.

amused gratitude

I hate her stupid descriptions. I hate them. You don't get "bemused disinterest" and "amused gratitude". Not every emotion needs to be described with another, completely unrelated emotion. Stop it.

Long dark lashes fan across his cheeks

Your eyelashes would have to be like three inches long for them to actually fan across your cheeks. I don't like this.

"I want your world to begin and end with me," he says, his expression raw.

Okay, ignoring the weird idea of a "raw expression" which I really don't know what to make of, AUUUUUUUGH. NO. STOOOOOOOOP.

I sniff. "It's just... it's just sometimes I'm overwhelmed by how much I love you," I whisper.

I am going to vomit into a trash can. Seriously. I feel ill. STOP.

my nipples are hotwired to my groin

I just do not like this one bit.

"You seem to have studied your ex-boss in some detail, Mrs. Grey."

Okay, so here's the deal. In the previous book Jack attempted to rape Ana, and she kicked him in the balls and then Christian (who, remember, bought Ana's company so he could control her career) fired him. Then someone burned down one of his buildings and they're watching the footage and Ana's like, "Oh yeah that's Jack," and instead of being like, "Oh, wow, good job, Ana," or "Holy shit your ex-boss who TRIED TO RAPE YOU burned down my building??????" he's like, "OMG ANA WERE YOU LOOKING AT HIM????? SLUT"

"You've spoken to her?" I whisper, all the blood draining from my face.

My, my, Ana, all the blood draining from your face is certainly a strong physiological reaction to Christian potentially having a conversation with a woman who is his ex. I mean, I get that you don't like her, but to his credit (and you know it pains me to give Christian Grey any credit) he has never given you any reason to believe she's a threat to you, so maybe tell your blood to get back in there.

"I don't want a fight. I was coming to ask you if I could take my care." "No. You can't," he snaps. "Okay," I acquiesce immediately.

NOOOOOOOooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooOOOOOOOOoooOOO!!!!!! (Also, on the same page is "Well, at least he's letting me to go to work." Oh, GREAT. What a WONDERFUL, UPSTANDING man he is.)

I flit through our conversation last night.

I'm sorry, "flit" is just not an appropriate verb here. Fucking stop it. I hate you.

Then his lips are on mine again, plundering my mouth, taking all I have to give.

Seriously, people, least appealing writing ever.

My subconscious sucks her teeth, wearing her happy face.

I don't know who I hate more, Ana for her delusions of her goddamn subconscious or EL James for thinking this is somehow, in ANY WAY whatsoever, a clever device.

This is not love. It's revenge. "Red," I whimper. "Red. Red."

I don't really have any comments for this. Just... you know, this was horrible to read and reading it again it makes me mad that EL James thought it was appropriate to have Ana and Christian live happily ever after. This is such a gross violation of Ana's boundaries and it's just UHASDFJKMGLF NO. BAD.

"Christian, I will always love you. No matter what you do to me."

Oh, okay. I guess it's okay that he totally played with yor head, made you feel like shit, and made you have to use the safe word for the first time ever just because he was mad at you for some stupid reason. I HATE YOU, EL JAMES.

She smiles broadly, revealing perfect all-American teeth between scarlet lips that match her bowtie.

I don't get it. What are all-American teeth? Seriously. I guess EL James is used to all the British people around her with bad teeth or something? I DON'T KNOW???? This makes me angry because I don't understand it.

Taylor and Mrs. Jones... Wow! I'm reeling. I always thought Mrs. Jones was older than Taylor.

OH NO GOD FORBID AN OLDER WOMAN HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH A YOUNGER MAN. IT'S NOT LIKE YOU ARE MARRIED TO A MAN WHO IS OLDER THAN YOU, ANA!!!!!!!!!!

My mind flits back to my last visit to OHSU, when, on my second day, I fell off a stepladder at Clayton's, twisting my ankle.

Clumsy is not a personality trait, but EL James is trying damn hard to convince us it is.

"No. Not at you." He kisses my shoulder. "For once." I smile. Not mad at me. This is progress.

Progress for who? Ana for not pissing off Christian by breathing? Christian for not flipping his shit at Ana over the smallest stuff? Either way it's kind of fucked.

Oh, the difference his presence makes to my peace of mind.

Ana's dad is lying in a hospital bed after being hit by a drunk driver and Christian walks into the room and all of a sudden Ana's like, "Eh, whatever, dad, my hot husband is here, EVERYTHING IS GREAT."

"I wanted to show you the fucking world and now... Fuck. Diapers and vomit and shit!"

Okay, so, this is when it gets really really bad. Ana gets pregnant and Christian fucking flips out on her and leaves her alone to cry and wallow and it's just the worst thing ever and I don't know how she forgives him for acting like such a shithead when he should be there for her instead of ACCUSING HER OF DOING IT ON PURPOSE.

After one last look at my angelic, sleeping Judas, I leave the bedroom.

VOMIT. She finds incriminating texts on his phone and he comes back totally piss-drunk after yelling at her about being pregnant and she's still thinking this way. ahsfjikl,dfcvb;.'

"You have two minutes," he hisses at the nurse

Okay, so, Ana's crazy ex-boss who tried to rape her kidnaps Christian's annoying sister Mia and Ana has to get him five million dollars and then she shoots him and ends up in the hospital and the nurse has stuff to do to take care of her and Christian is like "NO, YOU CANNOT TAKE CARE OF MY PREGNANT WIFE WHO WAS JUST BEAT UP BY HER PSYCHO EX-BOSS WHO TRIED TO RAPE HER AND WANTED TO MURDER MY SISTER!!!!!!!!!!!"

He mouths something at me. I think it's 'foolhardy', but I'm not sure.

Okay, really? I find it hard to believe that Christian would use the word foolhardy because WHO EVEN DOES THAT? Once again, Edward Cullen has the excuse of being born in 1901. Christian does not have an excuse. Also, hello, that's not the kind of thing people mouth so often that you would just be like, "Oh, yeah, my husband just mouthed 'foolhardy' at me. Makes sense."

"Ana, this si what I do. I'm not usually motivated by revenge"

OH, REALLY, CHRISTIAN???????????????????? ISN'T THAT WHAT YOUR ENTIRE LIFESTYLE IS ABOUT??????????

Christian kisses Ted's copper-colored hair, and blows him a kiss on his cheek

Oh, yes, the book ends with their perfect idyllic family living in their new family home with their married servants and their son who looks exactly like Christian and Ana pregnant with a daughter who Christian can't wait to protect in a creepy, overbearing, paternalistic way. How wonderful.

That's all, folks.

[Hixxup]

this book wasn't as strong as the other two were in my opinion though I still loved it and it was awesome and made me want that kind of love for the rest of my life. But something was lacking from it, I think it might have been Christian's having to be reassured over and over, and Ana's jellified backbone. I don't know but this trilogy will be remembererd.

[neddieb]

After reading the second book i was really reluctant on reading the third. Ana continues to be annoying with the "I dont want to fight", and Half the time I have to go back pages to see what the HELL are they fighting about! This triliogy could have been told in one book. If you take out all the sex in this book, this could have been shelved under young adult...right next to the Twilight Series.

[Cocktails and Books]

Fifty Shades Series Review at Cocktails and Books