Book Review: Fifty Shades Freed by EL James

As most of you probably know, Fifty Shades Freed is the final installment in the Fifty Shades trilogy, and for my money, it is entertaining if you have enjoyed the series-to-date, but also entirely too expected.

What started out as an interesting, dark and psychologically twisted sexual tale, soon becomes a story about change, love and all of that mushy unrealistic crap that's penned in some of these fictional romances.

To my mind, Christian Grey is annihilated in character within these pages, turned by affection and what he believes is the weakness of his past. Anastasia Steele (now his wife), excavates to the very essence of what drives the darkness that makes Christian so infallible and interesting in earlier plots. She smooths his emotional wrinkles and even begins to embrace what she found morally reprehensible within his previously rigid character in earlier novels.

Although there was a part of me that enjoyed this happy, safe and neatly wrapped up ending, there was a part of me that longed for something more sinister, perhaps more of a play on Anastasia's unfurling confidence versus Christians domineering and heavy-handed approach to all situations.

There was no lack of sexual content. In fact, towards the end of the book I felt like throwing it at a wall, wondering what the hell my husband and I were doing wrong if simply the darkening of his mercurial expression made her insides tighten and mouth part in need. I mean, what married couple really has sex three to four times a day? I was honestly exhausted just reading about it!

Once again the plot followed expectation. There was no real mystery or unexpected twist requiring clever deduction on the reader's part. The action was limited (unless you count the incessant fornication) and the writing style was adequate but not overly expressive (unless you count Anastasia's ability to orgasm with a simple worded command - unrealistically impressive).

Overall, as I've said before the series is enjoyable if you take it at surface value - a simple, slightly twisted romantic read with a few shock factors. Fifty Shades Freed was the lightest of all novels with the predictable happy ending. Again, this is only going to be a three out of five fangs rating for me but this is based on my earlier interest in the much more complex, self-serving and charismatic sadist known as Christian Grey.

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.

Suddenly 30 ... Take 2

I last posted about this tragic event a little over six weeks ago (Suddenly 30). With two weeks to go now until the big three-o, I've started to get a little worried about the strength of my resolve. For one, six weeks ago I was dead set determined to loose ten kilograms and kick Zumba's ass. And two, I was going to get a swimming pool to show off my new bikini body.
Well ...
I haven't lost ten kilograms , I've gained two and half. I haven't been to Zumba because for some reason, every Friday night in Cairns for the last six weeks it has rained! And, as for the swimming pool - no need. It has been raining so much that my backyard is now an Olympic size swimming pool.
I guess you have to be careful what you wish for.
So, in light of the fact that my thighs are still clearly plotting against me and my lazy ass is too afraid to catch the sniffles because of a bit of rain, I've decided to make more achievable goals for the next fortnight.
1. I will not cry my eyes out on April 2nd. I still have ten years before I'm forty anything.
2. I will go back on my diet and stop folding to supermarket pressure and eating hot cross buns three weeks before Easter.
3. I will not buy chocolate. I will not let my husband buy me chocolate even when it's PMS time and I'm screaming at him for it.
4. I will get a tattoo, or at the very least, design one with good intentions of it someday marking my pasty white flesh.
5. I will drink less soda. It is not part of the healthy food groups no matter how much I keep trying to convince myself that 'sugar free' means 'good for you'.
6. I will get a haircut. I am not Rapunzel.
7. I will stop biting my fingernails ... for real this time.
8. I will try to read at least one book per week.
9. I will stop getting pissy about my lack of time. After all, I've had thirty years of scheduling practice, you'd think I'd have the time management thing licked by now.
10. I will probably forget about all these goals but nevertheless will honor the intent behind them.

So that's my round up for turning thirty. I should probably have thrown in world peace, kindness towards others and my favourite - perform a miracle. But, since I already have my minions working on all three of the above, I can concentrate on the baby steps and a side order of world domination.
Alas, I will let you know if the world ends on April 2nd. I will tell you if the wrinkles take over and devour my face, or if my weak knees deiced to make me bust any unnecessary moves. I will cry out in anguish if I end up with a fringe after my haircut, and I will pray for absolution if the chocolate fetish wins out.
Have a good one,

Kristy :)