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joybeljera's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Murder, and Racism
hillysreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Child abuse, Child death, and Sexual assault
vegan5533's review
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Gore, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Rape, Blood, Bullying, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Vomit, Sexual harassment, Torture, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, Classism, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Child death, and Gaslighting
kaitlynbarrett's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Sexual assault
bookended's review
4.5
Thank you to Saga Press, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster, for the free e-copy of this book!
Please be warned the triggers in this read include: racial slurs, abuse, extreme violence , racism..
The storytelling in this read was beyond words and left me speechless from start to end. The Reformatory takes place in 1950's Gracetown, Florida, following both Gloria and Robert (Robbie) Stephens, when Robert found himself being sent to a Boy's School (which is led by THE MOST disgusting man) after an incident with his neighbor.
This was a horrific, heart-dropping, stomach-turning read, that was written so well. And knowing that this read was inspired by true events from Tananarive Due's family history made it that much more memorable. Historical Fiction at its finest.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Racism, Child abuse, Child death, Hate crime, Death of parent, and Sexual assault
shamelessbibliophile41's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, Child death, and Racism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Pedophilia
mariakureads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Due wrote an amazingly haunting, gripping and atmospheric tale full of history, and rich with characters to tell this tale of a young black boy in the 1950's, Jim Crow era, who in protecting his sister from a white boy's unwanted advances, is sent to "the Reformatory", a "school" for boys that runs more like a sweatshop/prison in which everyone is aware of but truly have no idea of the real going ons within.
I am speechless with how much I want to talk about this but also aware I don't have all the words I need to use to express how amazing this book really is. At moments, I was left breathless, hair raised and goosebumps all over from the tension and fear radiating from the pages and in some moments just held in suspense at what I was hearing as Joniece Abbott-Pratt narrated this book.
Her narration had me enthralled and pulled me in further as she read in different tones and voices for every character making it easy for me to keep pace with who was who but also her use of tone helped drive key moments in the story as her voices lowers, whispers, breaks and holds the tension in the heavier scenes while bringing in warmth and love for others.
This may be the first time I'm introduced to either , but this won't be my last hopefully. Highly recommend this just be aware that this has some triggering moments so check the content warnings.
Graphic: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Bullying
kyrstin_p1989's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Vomit, Slavery, Child death, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Confinement, Cancer, Alcoholism, Dementia, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Murder, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
kaiyakaiyo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
the speculative and horror elements wove well with the historical fiction aspects, and I really enjoyed how we got a glimpse into so many minds, even if they weren’t always good minds to be in. the way the narrative flowed from one brain to the other was so smooth and satisfying. gloria and robbie were lovely, if tragic :( such sweet, empathetic children in a world where they can sense even more harm than usual due to their clairvoyance. heartbreaking
I also love love love that the author included books in the authors note that tell the true story of the school this novel is based on; it’s clear that she did a lot of careful, tactful research for this book, and wants us to do the same. this is not a light read by any means, but it is a good one
Graphic: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Racial slurs, Forced institutionalization, Racism, Child abuse, Grief, Torture, Hate crime, and Gun violence
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Child death, Death of parent, and Child abuse
Minor: Cancer and Terminal illness
mldavis_2015's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, Child abuse, and Racism
Minor: Animal death, Alcoholism, Rape, Vomit, and Sexual assault