A review by whatmidoreads
El instituto by Stephen King

dark emotional mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

This book had all the potential to be a five-star read, yet somehow, Stephen King didn’t quite deliver.

Honestly, I’m not sure if it was the repetitiveness, the overly descriptive writing, or the rushed ending that made me settle on four stars.

The Institute offers a story that’s a bit out of the ordinary. Here, it’s not adults who suffer abuse — experiments on their bodies, psychological torment, kidnapping, etc. — at the hands of other adults. No. It’s children (ages 8 to 16) who endure these horrors. These kids have powers (TK and TP) that are enhanced “for the greater good.” If you’ve ever heard the phrase, “The ends justify the means,” it perfectly sums up what The Institute is about. Disclaimer: I’m not saying I agree with that message, but that’s what the book conveys.

I feel like I could say so much about this book, yet so little at the same time. Did it leave a mark on me? Absolutely. It made me cry, hate, rage — a whirlwind of emotions. It’s one of those stories that leaves a trace, making you feel weird when you finish, as if you didn’t get quite enough or the ending left you unsatisfied.

I won’t say more. If you’re curious, just read it. All in all, it’s a “good” book, especially for someone wanting to dive into Stephen King’s work.