E.L. James

394 pages

The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House, September 2011

Daunted by the singular tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house.

But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven and demanding Fifty Shades.

While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her, and make the most important decision of her life.

This book is intended for mature audiences.

I was planning to read Fifty Shades Darker next year. I even put in on one of my reading challenge. I was thinking I need a gap to keep my mind ‘sane’. But when I found out the ending of Fifty Shades of Grey was *spoiler* so sad, I could not wait to read what happens next. I tried to calm myself. Yet I ‘accidently’ opened the e-book. (Trust me, I was JUST gonna check that the e-book can be open. I got several problems before) I went through several emails from Christian to Ana and it made my heart race! I kept scrolling the pages. When I realized, I just finished it on two days. Wow!

Fifty Shades Darker takes time five days after Ana left Christian’s place. Ana is grateful that she has a new job, which she likes, to get her mind of her ‘ex’. But, a bucket of beautiful flower came and Christian even sent her an e-mail, offering to take her to Portland to see Jose’s show. On the way to the venue, Christian come to his senses after Ana left. That is why he offers to a new deal. No rules or punishment. Just a normal relationship between man and woman. Ana is very happy yet worries Christian could not take it. He had needs to fulfill and Ana is not up for the job. The problem is not only that. Jack Hyde, Ana’s boss, is making move to her. It really bothers Christian. He does everything he can to prevent that man touches his girlfriend.  Later he discovers something on Jack’s files. And Leila, one of Christian’s submissive pay a visits Ana’s office. She asks what Ana has that she does not have and just disappear. She clearly still has a feeling for her old master. Ana is afraid that someday Christian finds someone new that can fulfill his needs and leave her. Then she is gonna end up like Leila.

Fifty Shades Darker is an amazing sequel. I think it is way better than the first book. The writing is somehow improved. I could see that the description is longer and pretty clear now. It is not only valid on ‘that’ parts but all of it. I found nothing new about the vocabulary, but it was fine. Then the plot is more interesting. It not always goes around Ana and Christian’s the sexy time. Although I like ‘that’ part, I am not quite a fan. This time I could not go through all of it. I tried. Really. But I just gave up. It is also because I did not find the parts give an impact to the main plot. They did it and that is all. They did it again, in different place with different style, and that is all. So I started to skip that ‘vanilla-yet-kinky’ parts in the middle of the story. I was more curious about Jack’s and Leila’s conflict. I was not expect that kind of conflicts in this romance (and erotic) novel. But it was quite interesting to follow. Those things are kinda force Christian to reveal his past that caused his character and also his taste of ‘pleasure’ to Ana and I like it. Still, my favorite part is when they exchange emails. Sometimes, Christian changes his sign in the end of emails in sexy yet sweet way. I could help myself but laugh and blush a lot!

Although I skipped the sexy time parts in the middle, I have to listen to a song in a loop to distract me. I choose two songs this time. First is Missing You from 2NE1 (that just release right after I finished the first book). I think it really portrayed the sadness in the beginning of the story when Ana and Christian try to define their new relationship. After that I listened to Don’t You Worry ‘Bout a Thing from Stevie Wonder (yeaaah, I just watched Silver Lining Playbook again before read the book). Those two songs are always reminded me of this story. Wherever, whenever, I listen to the song, especially the first one, I feel so sad.

At last, Fifty Shades Darker gave me satisfaction of reading that I did not expect. It is better than the first one in so many aspects. I am glad I read it now instead of next year. Yet it makes me more eager to watch the movie adaptation in next two Februaries. The news from the set was crazy! I do not think I would free from Grey’s spell anytime soon ;)