Master of the Universe

Fanfiction
Title:	Master of the Universe
Author(s):	Snowqueens Icedragon
Date(s):	2009-2011
Length:	ebook 494 pages
Genre:	het
Fandom:	Twilight
External Links:
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Master of the Universe is a Twilight story by Snowqueens Icedragon aka E.L. James.

This is the fanfic that the author filed off the serial numbers and republished as the original fiction book Fifty Shades of Grey.

When it was deleted from FanFiction.net in 2011, it had over 56,000 reviews.

History

Publication

Vintage, 50s Shades of Grey's professional publisher, claimed that the novel was a purely original work:

"As numerous reports have outlined, 50 SHADES OF GREY grew out of a multi-part series of fan fiction called MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, based on Stephenie Meyer’s TWILIGHT novels, that James (a pseudonym for London-based television executive Erika Leonard) published online between 2009 and 2011 in various venues, including fanfiction.net and her own website. When she contracted with Writers Coffee Shop in early 2011 to publish the works, lightly rewritten to take out any references to Twilight characters and situations, James took the fan fiction versions offline.

Vintage issued a statement to the AP Saturday defending 50 SHADES as an original work, and said to us that James had warranted the books were, indeed original. Messitte added she was “aware of the narrative that [50 SHADES] started as differently titled piece of fiction, but that they were and are two distinctly separate pieces of work.” A request for comment from Meyer’s agent, Jodi Reamer at Writers House, was not responded to at press time."

• Master of the Universe versus Fifty Shades by E.L James Comparison, Dear Author (website), posted March 13, 2010

Reviews at Goodreads

here.

Some examples:

I am glad I haven't started to read fifty shades of grey yet. I am in love with this original version. With Edward and Bella... I have fallen for their story in twilight saga, and with master of the universe I have fallen in love with them all over again. It's been quite a while since I have picked up a book and been so into that I have read it well into the night and going to bed at 4 am. I love the whole alternate universe. It isn't about mystical creature, but about true life scenarios that cause you stop and think about. Granted there is a lot of sex, but when you get pass that part and you look at how two people will go to any length to keep that person happy. A great story to read.

With all the 50 shades hype I thought I would try this book. Its brilliant - loved the plot and how the storyline developed. There are a few surprises.

I can see the raw edge of it all.

I am glad I haven't read the 50 shades yet - this is perfect without any need for tweeks. The ending is left opening for a sequel.

If I had to describe it - it would fall under 'Bridget Jones girly book with a bit more of an edge'

Fantastic read cannot fault it!!!

Loved it better than 50 Shades only because it has Edward and Bella; I fell in love with them in the Twilight series, so I absolutely loved them here, it was exiting. I must said I'm disappointed I didn't read this one first... Or maybe not; I do tend to like having the best for last, and, to me, this is the best one.

I read a few reviews of FIFTY SHADES OF GRAY before I had even considered getting anywhere near it, and subsequently resolved to keep my distance and dissuade anyone on my path from doing any different.

Then a very close friend suddenly posted on FB her deep, heartfelt desire for a Christian Gray of her own. A rather short-lived Whatsapp debate ensued (on our friends-group-chat, no less... let's just say the others weren't impressed), in which I questioned her sanity in wanting a clearly disturbed and overly controlling man abusing her. She was all "oh, but he's not an abuser, he's madly in love, and they have a contract and she can jump on him whenever she wants, and he's filthy rich and gloriously hot". I think the question of rape was raised, which I'm sorry about, since it later turned out that Ana/Bella was never less than willing to be fucked by her man. But the abuse, I couldn't let go. The discussion ended with her telling me that it's a beautiful love story and that I should really read it. I gave her a non-committal "de gustibus" and resolved to read this sorry excuse for a literary phenomenon and get back at her with hopefully renewed enthusiasm.

That's when I realized I had no way of getting a copy of the book in English and for free for a while. Luckily, research has shown that the original ff which originated the trilogy is 89% identical to the finished book, and that 11% must account for all the name changes.

Reviews at Fifty Shades Of Grey Wiki

Completely misrepresents those I'm the BDSM community. Not to mention, relying on a man with money and power is the least safe position to put yourself in. Ladies please be careful who you play with.

Shitty rape/abuse porn. Go read real smut on the Internet and stop glorifying abusive relationships and calling it BDSM.

It's not even rapey lol. Tame compared to some AWESOME Buffy BDSM fics that are no longer online. Christian didn't even fuck her ass - big letdown.

Just goes to show that you can do whatever you put your mind to, even if most people seem to think it's mediocre or plain fucking bizarre. There's thousands of people on fanfiction.net and archiveofourown writing porn alike on the daily, so you can bypass FSOG and go read some actual decent sex lit on there. Some of it involves original characters, but most is based off the fandoms the authors are in. I could go write a so-called intense sex story right now with a less-than-decent plot based off one of my fandoms, then switch all the names after I'm done with it, and attempt to turn it into a best seller. Not as easy as it sounds though, because it's probably become all too common after Snowqueens Icedragon did it. Supposedly being able to put sex into words is considered a talent nowadays, because we're just sick of the same old visual pornography. Might as well offer some kind of curriculum in a college writing course considering they teach you crap you're most likely not going to use in your daily life. A real kudos to you, E.L. James. This is coming from someone whose mother couldn't even get through the book because she lost interest less than halfway through.

I agree with you completely. The books were some of the worst I have ever read, along with the twilight saga. And I was a champ and finished both of those series, but good lord was it painful. FSoG has no plot I found. I've never read a book without a plot before. The people who read these books really must have no clue what a well written book from a talented author really is. E.l James has zero imagination. If she did her whole trilogy would not have sprung from Twilight fan fiction.

Clearly you are a boy, or you just have not read the books. Try read it before you judge it. Calling her a ugly middelaged twat just makes you look like a huge asshole. It is not mom-porn. It is a beautiful love trilogi, with a man who has some special tastes, luckily. The books are a succes. And you are just being bitchy for some reason. Im not American so there is probably a lot of wrong words. But im sure you understand my message.

Other Reviews

MotU is the biggest, steamiest pile of shit I have ever had the misfortune to read. If you look at the "popular" Twilight fanfiction stories, I can assure you that the quality and themes are about %80 alike. Going on that, it speaks volumes about the kind of literature the average "Twimom" would like to read. And in case anyone wants to know, MotU in a nutshell is a story loaded...with...ellipses... every...single...word...is...an...ellipse, and it also explores a "submissive" woman who is near forced into a Dom/Sub relationship against her better judgement and forced to endure emotional abuse by a man with some hardcore issues. It's acceptable in the eyes of readers because it's "Edward and Bella."

Further reading

• This Series is Blatant Plagarism of Twilight, ^{Archived version}
• Chronicles of Greed (2012), ^{Archived version}
• Online Copy of Master of the Universe, ^{Archived version}