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gentleclowntm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
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italic
strikethrough
italic
Heading
quote
- ul
- ol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual harassment, Death, and Confinement
what further information?hannahparadise's review against another edition
dark
funny
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
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
annaofjesup's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
tense
slow-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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Torture, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Cursing
Minor: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Abandonment, Fatphobia, and Vomit
meganpbennett's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
After *years* of being told that I couldn't discuss how this book normalizes abuse and is a bad example of BDSM practices, I finally read it. And it's somehow worse than I imaged.
First things first: Grey is an abuser. He's a bit of a gaslighter as well, but first and foremost, he is an abuser. He gives the BDSM community a bad name, using "but I'm a Dom" to excuse his stalking, controlling, and abusing of women. One of the many examples is that contract, which does nothing but give him an excuse for controlling and abusing her (I can hear it now: "you signed the contract, Anastasia, you're mine for good."). She's very leery of the contract, and sends back her changes, most of which he rejects or otherwise indicates are part and parcel of getting into a relationship with him.
He shows her his "playroom" without discussion it with her. Just sort of whip out his whips. When she indicates that she doesn't know very much (anything) about it, he tells her to do some research and sends her off. It's very one-sided, and he seems unwilling to accept any concessions from her, even when she says something is hard or soft no. A hard no is not negotiable.
Within the book, it is very clear that she's not interested in and doesn’t actually want to do this (both the D/s aspects and the B&D aspects), but Grey makers she feels that she has no choice but to accept the contract and the minor concessions he’s made to it. This comes up again and again with aspects of play that she's leery about or uninterested in - such as gagging - but he pushes the topic again and again, attempting to get her to change her mind.
Aftercare. Aftercare is an important part of any BDSM relationship, and is sometimes considered the most important part of the scene. There is next to no aftercare in the book, and as she doesn't know that it's supposed to be, it never comes up.
Grey admits that he likes hitting women, that he likes hurting women. She doesn't take him seriously, and believes that he won't hurt her. This is very apparent in his play practices. I'm not going to get into why they are so bad, but they are incredibly unsafe, and very likely to hurt the submissive partner. As in, "send the submissive partner to the hospital" hurt if the Dom is experienced, and "send the submissive partner to the morgue" if the Dom is inexperienced.
Grey stalks her, something she mentions regularly, but she somehow never realizes that it's a bad thing. She even calls him a stalker, but it's somehow not important that he's stalking her.
Grey attempts to isolate her from her friends, which is a hallmark of abuse. It makes the victim dependent on the abuser, and keeps the family and friends from figuring out the abuse. His first attempts at isolation are passed off as jealousy, and he uses that jealousy as an excuse to get extra Dommy on her. He gets mad at her when she mentions that she was thinking about visiting her mother, because she hadn't discussed that with him. It's as if he was trying to police her thoughts, as well as her actions. He doesn't like that she interviewed from jobs that weren't at his company, because he wanted her under him thumb, dependent on him for everything, including financially (which is another hallmark of abuse).
When we get Grey's backstory, we learn that he was groomed and abused by a pedophile. A pedophile who is now one of his closest friends. A close family friend took advantage to groom and abuse him.
This book excuses and romanticizes abuse. It plays into dangerous stereotypes about BDSM, and badly misrepresents the community.
First things first: Grey is an abuser. He's a bit of a gaslighter as well, but first and foremost, he is an abuser. He gives the BDSM community a bad name, using "but I'm a Dom" to excuse his stalking, controlling, and abusing of women. One of the many examples is that contract, which does nothing but give him an excuse for controlling and abusing her (I can hear it now: "you signed the contract, Anastasia, you're mine for good."). She's very leery of the contract, and sends back her changes, most of which he rejects or otherwise indicates are part and parcel of getting into a relationship with him.
He shows her his "playroom" without discussion it with her. Just sort of whip out his whips. When she indicates that she doesn't know very much (anything) about it, he tells her to do some research and sends her off. It's very one-sided, and he seems unwilling to accept any concessions from her, even when she says something is hard or soft no. A hard no is not negotiable.
Within the book, it is very clear that she's not interested in and doesn’t actually want to do this (both the D/s aspects and the B&D aspects), but Grey makers she feels that she has no choice but to accept the contract and the minor concessions he’s made to it. This comes up again and again with aspects of play that she's leery about or uninterested in - such as gagging - but he pushes the topic again and again, attempting to get her to change her mind.
Aftercare. Aftercare is an important part of any BDSM relationship, and is sometimes considered the most important part of the scene. There is next to no aftercare in the book, and as she doesn't know that it's supposed to be, it never comes up.
Grey admits that he likes hitting women, that he likes hurting women. She doesn't take him seriously, and believes that he won't hurt her. This is very apparent in his play practices. I'm not going to get into why they are so bad, but they are incredibly unsafe, and very likely to hurt the submissive partner. As in, "send the submissive partner to the hospital" hurt if the Dom is experienced, and "send the submissive partner to the morgue" if the Dom is inexperienced.
Grey stalks her, something she mentions regularly, but she somehow never realizes that it's a bad thing. She even calls him a stalker, but it's somehow not important that he's stalking her.
Grey attempts to isolate her from her friends, which is a hallmark of abuse. It makes the victim dependent on the abuser, and keeps the family and friends from figuring out the abuse. His first attempts at isolation are passed off as jealousy, and he uses that jealousy as an excuse to get extra Dommy on her. He gets mad at her when she mentions that she was thinking about visiting her mother, because she hadn't discussed that with him. It's as if he was trying to police her thoughts, as well as her actions. He doesn't like that she interviewed from jobs that weren't at his company, because he wanted her under him thumb, dependent on him for everything, including financially (which is another hallmark of abuse).
When we get Grey's backstory, we learn that he was groomed and abused by a pedophile. A pedophile who is now one of his closest friends. A close family friend took advantage to groom and abuse him.
This book excuses and romanticizes abuse. It plays into dangerous stereotypes about BDSM, and badly misrepresents the community.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Cursing, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, Violence, Sexism, Confinement, and Infidelity
danger_softie's review
funny
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? It's complicated
0.5
Never ending. Mediocre sex scenes. Literally nothing happens. Took me about 3 months go get through because of sheer procrastination. Go read better erotica on ao3.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Self harm
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: Gaslighting, Violence, Misogyny, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Stalking, Racism, Pedophilia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent
michele_reads's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny
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
2.0
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
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
joshine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I actually expected it to be worse. Oh it was still terrible, racist AND terrible.
Just so we're clear, I love to watch train wrecks, and to know things that everyone else knows. And since this has turned into something of a cultural touch-stone, I had to.
Just so we're clear, I love to watch train wrecks, and to know things that everyone else knows. And since this has turned into something of a cultural touch-stone, I had to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Racism
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