Reviews tagging 'Pedophilia'

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

94 reviews

the_liberalafrican16's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• 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

“The Reformatory has a central villain, but the actual villain is a system of dehumanisation” 
I have read LOTS of books in my lifetime and not a single one has ever made me cry…until now. What a gut wrenching ride this was. This book made me feel hopeless, horrified and heartbroken. And whilst it’s labelled as a paranormal horror, those aspects aren’t what make it terrifying. No. The reality of the characters’ situation- Robert and Gloria - depicts more horror than any ghosts or paranormal events do. Due is masterful in her storytelling and character development and you really see how our protagonist transforms from a scared little teenage into a traumatised but resolved character who sheds his fears despite the hell he’s been sentenced to endure. I cried multiple times and had to take many moments just to breathe, but I couldn’t put this book down. Considering it’s inspired by the real events at Dozier School for boys (a truly dreadful place), this is an emotive combination of fiction and real history that everyone should read. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Torture, Forced institutionalization, and Grief

missdeaddoll's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Murder, and Classism

Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail

andreweaver88's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• 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

5.0

I did not think a book could touch The Burning God is the best book I've read so far but this one may surpass it.
This book is so good yet heartbreaking. I don't recommend it to everyone but I feel like it NEEDS to be read. This is my first time reading Tananarive Due and it will NOT be my last of her. I will be thinking of this book for a while. 
‼️‼️TRIGGER WARNINGS‼️‼️
Pedophilia, sexual assault, child porn(pictures), racism,  and death. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Torture

mackenzienoelle's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• 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

4.0

Listened to the audiobook which I think helped it not drag as much. Loved the ending, thought the last half was well paced. It’s a horror story about a children’s reformatory for boys in the Jim Crow south, so yeah it’s very upsetting in general. Check content warnings

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Terminal illness, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Bullying, Blood, and Police brutality

faithemt's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• 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? Yes

5.0

important look at Florida in the horrible jim crow days......and a particular school....

full review is here:

https://goldintheclouds-faith.blogspot.com/2024/08/2024-book-review-34the-reformatory.html

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Classism

etpreads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Classism

Minor: Rape

merirobie's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia, Racism, Terminal illness, Grief, and Murder

kurumipanda's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Confinement, Gore, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Rape, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism

leahcatching's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

theybie_spice's review against another edition

dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The subject matter is tragic and awful. But the book is incredibly well written and will stick with me. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Violence, Police brutality, and Murder