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raelinton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicide, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Excrement, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Medical content, Addiction, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, and War
mel_s_bookshelf's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Child death, Suicide, Murder, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Death of parent, Torture, and Child abuse
Moderate: Terminal illness
directorpurry'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? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Body horror, Medical trauma, Torture, Violence, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Medical content, Physical abuse, Confinement, Mental illness, Murder, and Suicide
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, and Death of parent
sydbingus'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
5.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Medical content, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
zoebill96'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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Suicide, Drug abuse, Genocide, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Murder, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Gun violence, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Medical content, Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Racial slurs, Trafficking, and Vomit
callikat's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Child death, Death of parent, and Gun violence
_l3489's review against another edition
3.75
Moderate: Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
averyrell'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
3.5
Moderate: Death, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Child death, Child abuse, Confinement, Medical content, and Suicide
mandaraffe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Death of parent, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Gore, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Torture, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Grief, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, Stalking, Suicide, Vomit, Alcohol, Cursing, Gaslighting, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Addiction, and Bullying
Minor: Misogyny, War, Racial slurs, Sexism, Islamophobia, and Police brutality
maddycumerlato's review against another edition
- 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
This is my first Stephen King novel, and as soon as I put it down after reading the last page, I went to my local bookstore and bought two more of his titles. I never understood the hype about King before, but now I get it. His writing is superb, more immersive and emotional than the dozens and dozens of authors I’ve read in the last few years. It’s incredibly fitting of the horror genre.
This story is not the type of strange paranormal horror we expect from King, but commits instead to dark and eerie “realistic” horror, something that could affect people just like ourselves. Hundreds of kids go missing every year and wake up to find themselves in The Institute, <spoilers> a facility in rural Maine meant to test and strengthen the very limits of their minds. These kids are special, have proven in one way or another that they can traverse mind and space in ways others cannot </spoilers>. The people running this facility <spoilers> have plans to use these abilities for their own benefit in a twisted illusion of saving the world, but </spoilers> must train them in brutal procedures. It’s torture, to be completely honest. If child torture a dealbreaker, turn away now… although if you enjoy Stephen King, I figure you’re numb to that sort of thing anyways.
Move with me now to South Carolina, where a man decides to trust his instincts and start a new life for himself. His story seems plain and disconnected, and will become a forgotten memory by the time the stories of the Institute children take the spotlight. But let me tell you… <spoilers> as soon as the word Dupree once more caught my eye halfway through the novel, I had to put my copy down and sit with it for a few minutes. The transition and combination of these two stories was GENIUS. I know it’s possible and probably easy with enough planning, but the way King pulled it off was so stellar. I don’t think I will ever forget that moment.
King’s talent in writing young kids comes out strong in this novel. There’s the immaturity we expect from their outer selves, but also the maturity that stays hidden and unused in many young kids unless absolutely needed. Having to learn so much about death and pain so quickly developed these senses so strongly, it makes you want to cry for these kids. I did.
Each character is immensely thought out and perfectly brought to life, and the story falls into place so effortlessly and clearly. I’m shocked this is not King’s biggest novel yet, and am thoroughly anticipating the same hype for the Institute that It and The Shining get.
Truly some of the best art to leave Stephen King’s mind.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Gaslighting, and Gun violence
Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, and Cursing