Reviews tagging 'Violence'

El Instituto by Stephen King

60 reviews

ajay913's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Blood, Cursing, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical content, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Torture, Body horror, Violence, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Gun violence, Cancer, Vomit, and Alcohol

Minor: Gaslighting, War, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts

gold_star_reader's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Child abuse, Violence, Cursing, Kidnapping, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Death, Physical abuse, and Trafficking

Moderate: Murder, Alcohol, Blood, and Torture

Minor: Racial slurs

sebnia_05's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Blood, Self harm, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Child abuse, Dementia, Medical content, Grief, Gun violence, Confinement, Kidnapping, Murder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Chronic illness, Cancer, Physical abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Stalking, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Vomit

barbietheboomop's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Physical abuse, Suicide, Child abuse, Violence, Torture, Medical trauma, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Sexual assault

tifftastic87's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

The Institute focuses on two stories. In the first Tim Jamieson an ex cop who was let go due to a reckless decision and ends up hitch hiking to a small town in South Carolina. He decides to stay a while as both a night knocker and an unloader at the train station, and gets to know the town. In the second, Luke Ellis is a very intelligent 12-year-old boy about to attend both MIT and Emerson. But in the middle of the night he is kidnapped and taken to The Institute a place that doesn't care about his intelligence, only about his minor telekinetic ability. All the kids here are used and abused, but the employees have gotten a little lax. It will take everything look has to be able to escape. 

I think Stephen King really excels when he writes stories about children. His stories with adolescent teen boys are some of the most compelling and well written. The story doesn't have the normal tendency to go off the rails but is a great analysis of power and what those who have too much of it choose to do with it. Stories where "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely" are where King shines the most, the absolute horror of having zero power and control in a situation reaches into some deep fear inside of us. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Murder, Violence, Torture, Suicide, Death, Child abuse, Confinement, Grief, and Cursing

Moderate: Racial slurs, Addiction, Bullying, Chronic illness, Racism, Alcohol, Body shaming, and Ableism

spooderman's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-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

3.5

the book was good but i would’ve chosen someone other than santino fontana to narrate it. idk i think he’s great in general but i didn’t vibe with his narration

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Terminal illness, Torture, Medical trauma, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Trafficking, Vomit, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Physical abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, and Bullying

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Cancer, Addiction, Blood, Body horror, Toxic friendship, Gore, and Grief

Minor: Misogyny, Alcohol, Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Cultural appropriation, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexism, Racism, Drug use, Fatphobia, Eating disorder, Excrement, Car accident, Drug abuse, and War

ilmariel's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Torture, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Torture, Grief, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder

em_chata's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful tense medium-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

I’ve read this book twice now. It is by far one of my favorite books of all time, partially because of Stephen King’s writing and partially because it can appeal to people from a variety of age groups. I’ve always admired his way of researching and incorporating that into his work, and Luke Ellis is one of my favorite characters. He’s not made out to be anything incredibly special, and he doesn’t turn into a superhuman, but his character develops incredibly over the course of the book. I will always give it five stars:)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Child death, Child abuse, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Gun violence

Minor: Violence, Cursing, Forced institutionalization, and Murder

fuathling's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

5.0

King knows how to write a story. Fleshy characters. Tasty plot. And a good full-circle roundhouse kick to the chest at the end. Just the way I like it. Mwah. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death

Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Torture, Gun violence, and Violence

Minor: Racial slurs

writtenbycj's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Stephen King, a master of horror, delivers yet another captivating tale in "The Institute." This chilling novel showcases King's ability to immerse readers in a world so realistic that it feels like a film unfolding before their eyes. From the outset, the author weaves a narrative filled with intricate details and vivid descriptions, pulling readers into a web of intrigue and suspense.

One of the remarkable aspects of "The Institute" is the level of realism present throughout the narration. King excels at creating believable scenarios and characters, and this book is no exception. The characters, from the courageous and determined Luke Ellis to the enigmatic and morally ambiguous staff members of the institute, are all highly likable and well-developed. Their personalities and struggles resonate with readers, making them easily relatable.

However, it's important to note that "The Institute" is not for the faint of heart. The story explores dark themes and occasionally ventures into uncomfortable territory, particularly due to the involvement of children. King's depiction of certain scenes can be disturbing to read, eliciting a genuine sense of unease. While this may be unsettling for some readers, it underscores the gravity of the situation and adds an extra layer of emotional impact to the story.

The tension in "The Institute" is expertly crafted, keeping readers on the edge of their seats throughout. King skillfully builds suspense, gradually revealing the sinister secrets of the institute and the true nature of its operations. The pacing is well-executed, allowing the tension to ebb and flow, while the stakes continue to rise. This creates a sense of urgency that propels the narrative forward, making it difficult to put the book down.

With its realistic narration, well-rounded characters, and skillful handling of tension, "The Institute" earns a rating of 4.00 out of 5.00. Stephen King once again proves his mastery of the horror genre, delivering a thought-provoking and gripping story that lingers long after the final page is turned

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Violence