6.56k reviews for:

The Reformatory

Tananarive Due

4.56 AVERAGE

leah_bia's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

brandonpg's review against another edition

4.5

challenging 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: No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Classism

rynalias's review against another edition

4.0

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Guilt is shared by the community that allows injustice.
An injury to one is an injury to all.

ashlynanneveland's review against another edition

4.75

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

chewxonxtinfoil's review against another edition

5.0

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One of the best books I've ever read. Parts of it are a little hard to get through due to the violence against children, but it's necessary to sit with the discomfort. I see a lot of white folks rating it poorly for that reason, and everyone is entitled to their opinion but it sure is ironic.

SPOILERS BELOW





This book had me hooked at every turn. The victims of a violent and oppressive system coming back and helping Robert escape? Perfect storytelling. A hopeful ending. Like the author said, she wanted to give the real Robert a happy ending. I also love the homage to residential schools as an indigenous person. These are topics that need to be discussed more. Everyone should read this book, especially white people.

marta_dotti's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad 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: Complicated

agnesjlopez's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury

deandra_w's review against another edition

4.75

emotional hopeful tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

amd_reads's review against another edition

5.0

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Due did a wonderful job writing about tragedies, death, abuse, and systematic mistreatment without overdoing it to the point of “torture porn.” The characters had incredible depth and the few chapters from the villain’s POV were an interesting insight into the mind of an abuser. The supernatural element seemed a bit random for the first part of the novel, but once it worked its way into the plot it was very well done.

mrsjordan83's review against another edition

5.0

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This book was absolutely AMAZING! The author’s style evokes the feeling of being present and experiencing the events alongside the characters. This book has it all… grief, sadness, fear, racism, bigotry, murder, and abuse. On the other hand, the author was able to insert redemption, determination, resilience, and bravery. Though this is historical fiction, the author had a keen ability to draw from the experiences of real people and create a riveting depiction of the realities of this time period. I’m excited to read more from her!