tifftastic87's review against another edition
- 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
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.
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
- 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
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
pkc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide, Confinement, Cursing, Self harm, Bullying, Child abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
nicole_cob_reads'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
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Gaslighting, Grief, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Slavery
pridiet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Confinement, and Torture
Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Death of parent
mondovertigo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, and Suicide
Minor: Alcohol and Excrement
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
rugsnotdrugs's review against another edition
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Gore, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Torture, Trafficking, and Violence