Darker
Fifty Shades as Told by Christian, Book #2
By E.L. James
ISBN# 9780385543910
Author’s Website: http://www.eljamesauthor.com/
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi
*Beware of Spoilers*
This book is a retelling of Fifty Shades Darker, this time we hear it from Christian himself!
Ana has left Christian after he went too far with his punishment, despite her telling him to do his worst. He can’t understand why she just didn’t use her safe word, but he has now lost her. He’s miserable without her and now is armed with a plan to win her back! He’s ready to give up his playroom and try his first ever vanilla relationship, if only she’ll agree to give him one last chance!
But even as Christian and Ana embark on this new adventure, he’s plagued by his own demons of his past. He knows that if she ever knows the full depravity of his mind, a glimpse of the monster, he will lose her forever. How could someone as sweet and wonderful as his Ana ever love someone as dark and demented as him?
“She doesn’t really know me. She doesn’t know what I’m capable of, or why I do what I do. No one can love a monster, no matter how compassionate they are.”
So yes, this is Fifty Shades Darker … the exact same storyline … told to us once again. We don’t get a whole lot of extra scenes, but there are some. For instance, we get to see Christian’s crash in Charlie Tango through his terrified eyes and the conversation between his mom and him at the end of the book after Grace discovers his past relationship with Elena.
Just like it was with Grey (the retelling of Fifty Shades of Grey), I really enjoyed revisiting the story and seeing it through Christian’s eyes. I kept trying to remember when certain events in the story happened and relate them to where I was at in the book … of course I also kept thinking of events in the final book and telling myself I have to wait! It’s great to see Christian evolve as a person and the childlike wonder he brings to the story as he discovers love and more importantly someone who can love him in return. I liked seeing his true feelings when it came to those around him; Ana, his family, and even Elena! And, he’s a lot mushier in his thoughts than I ever would have expected when I read the original books! It was kind of heartbreaking to realize that he didn’t think anybody loved him and it was a joy to see him discover how many people truly do care for him. I also liked seeing how his mind works with his surprises for his girl, especially his surprise for her in the boathouse! *Swoon*
“She gasps at the sight that greets her.
The florists have gone to town. There are wild meadow flowers everywhere, in pinks and whites and blues, all lit by tiny fairy lights and soft pink lanterns.
Yes. This will do.
Ana is stunned. She whips around and gapes at me.
“You wanted hearts and flowers.”
She stares at me in disbelief.
“You have my heart.” And I wave at the room.
“And here are the flowers,” she murmurs. “Christian, it’s lovely.” Her voice is hoarse and I know she’s close to tears.
Plucking up my courage, I lead her farther into the room. In the center of the arbor, I sink onto one knee. Ana catches her breath, and her hands fly to her mouth. From my inside jacket pocket, I pull out the ring and hold it up for her.
“Anastasia Steele. I love you. I want to love, cherish, and protect you for the rest of my life. Be mine. Always. Share my life with me. Marry me.”
She is the love of my life.
It will only ever be Ana.
Her tears start to fall in earnest but her smile eclipses the moon, the stars, the sun, and all the flowers in the boathouse.”
This was another enjoyable romp with Christian and Ana! Now, I must impatiently wait for the final story’s retelling…
“We move in the light.
We slow in the shadows.
We stop in the dark.”
