Reviews

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

mila_conway's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

leesamudio's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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

5.0

kamisha's review

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? Yes

4.0

sammyisobsessed24's review against another edition

5.0

This is, without a doubt, one of the best books I have ever read.

I was so attached to the characters, especially Robby, from the very beginning. I had to pause listening to the later half of the audiobook, being about 70ish percent in, because I needed to go grocery shopping and there's no signal in the store. I turned it back on the instant I stepped back outside. These characters are so complex and real. You love the protagonists and hate the antagonists with a burning passion. But it isn't as black and white as good vs evil. The Gracetown Reform School for Boys would not be a much better place without the Warden.

I learned a lot from this book and the research it prompted me to do. This is one that is going to stay with me.

canadian_cristal's review

4.0

Haunting.

gtuck's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

apushie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

vix682's review

challenging dark emotional inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

This is my first Tananarive Due book but it can't be my last. This was such a hauntingly, powerful book. It's a real horror story of schools that exist and have existed in this world. It doesn't shy away from racial atrocities but also builds these strong black characters. Robbie and Gloria overcome so much on their own and grow up in such a short span of time. I'm relieved to see these two reunited and move towards a promising future.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Child abuse, Hate crime, and Racial slurs

bookdragonkatie's review

challenging dark emotional 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? Yes

5.0

robbiesbookshelf's review

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5