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savannahmoore's review against another edition
4.0
[August 2024]: it was pretty good — i would put it in the same category as the outsider and thinner (the category i like to call “it was a nice story but nothing more”)
I love when Stephen King writes horror but I LOVE when he doesn’t write horror.
(I know this book is technically in the “horror” genre, but it doesn’t feel like a typical Stephen King horror. Plus, I would argue it’s more science fiction, borderline thriller.)
I love when Stephen King writes horror but I LOVE when he doesn’t write horror.
(I know this book is technically in the “horror” genre, but it doesn’t feel like a typical Stephen King horror. Plus, I would argue it’s more science fiction, borderline thriller.)
dei_reads422's review against another edition
5.0
I don't think there are words to truly express how much I enjoyed this book. It is truly terrifying. I believe what I liked most about this story is the way it is told. There is more than one point of view and they are all needed to see the whole picture. Orphan Annie is my absolute favorite character.
duncanmcginnis's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent book. Compelling story, well written. Detailed descriptions of places make you feel like you're there. One of King's best.
jmj697mn's review against another edition
4.0
I need all of you to put aside your preconceived notions about Stephen King. Yes, he is the master of horror but you also need to know that he is a masterful storyteller. The way he weaves words and stories together is so fantastic. This book definitely touched on some horror aspects but overall, it was so much more than that. It was a gripping thriller that I could not put down. He makes me care about his characters so much. I highly recommend this genius piece of fiction.
joshjorgz's review against another edition
5.0
Stephen King's latest novel, THE INSTITUTE, is another installment in King's canon of page-turning thrillers. His ability to craft an unputdownable yarn of fiction is unmatched by any other writer I know of. As with most of King's other novels, we are drawn into drawn-out characters that feel real and authentic. Whenever Stephen King writes about children, it always amazes me at his ability to suck me back down into the naivete and innocence that comes with youth.
The story is split between two parts: Tim Jamieson, a man who unexpectedly changes his path to New York, winding up in the small town of DuPrey; and Luke Ellis, a child prodigy genius who is kidnapped by a covert operation and taken to the eponymous 'Institute.'
Eventually these two storylines criss-cross, and figuring out how they do and what is going to happen when they do, is all part of the fun. In typical King fashion, the last half of the book begs to be finished in a single sitting.
Since CARRIE was published in 1976, Stephen King has delivered numerous masterpieces of American fiction. With over four decades of his genius to appreciate, THE INSTITUTE is the latest reminder that Stephen King is one of our most-gifted storytelling wizards.
The story is split between two parts: Tim Jamieson, a man who unexpectedly changes his path to New York, winding up in the small town of DuPrey; and Luke Ellis, a child prodigy genius who is kidnapped by a covert operation and taken to the eponymous 'Institute.'
Eventually these two storylines criss-cross, and figuring out how they do and what is going to happen when they do, is all part of the fun. In typical King fashion, the last half of the book begs to be finished in a single sitting.
Since CARRIE was published in 1976, Stephen King has delivered numerous masterpieces of American fiction. With over four decades of his genius to appreciate, THE INSTITUTE is the latest reminder that Stephen King is one of our most-gifted storytelling wizards.
tchristman's review against another edition
2.0
It hurts my heart to give this book such a low rating. I have been a huge Stephen King fan my whole life. I don’t know, maybe it’s time for him to stop writing. His newer books just don’t have the depth of soul his older work did. What I’ve always loved about him is there’s a great concept and then he writes these magical characters that come to life exploring it. There was absolutely nothing new about the concept of this book. A powerful group experimenting on kids? Come on! This has been played out. And every overused villain stereotype was there, including stern headmistress, sadistic, fallen ex military cohorts, reluctant doctor, the eventually helper with a heart of gold. If you’re going to set your story in modern day, then you need to update all of your clichéd archetypes from the 1960s models. Hello, modern day children don’t say things like jeepers. This worked brilliantly in Stand By Me, but it no longer flies. It took me forever to read this book and I had to force myself to finish it. By the end, I had completely lost interest. This felt much more like a Dean Koontz novel than a Stephen King novel, and in my world that is not a good thing. Maybe novelists just reach a saturation point. I realize I hold him to a higher standard than other authors because most of his other books are just brilliant. If you’re a “Constant Reader” you’re probably going to read it irregardless, but be prepared to be disappointed. If you’re new to him, pick any of his older works instead.
marydyl's review against another edition
4.0
Typical King. Not mu favorite but very good. Not a gory as some of his books.
bookmarksandbrews's review against another edition
3.0
For the MILLIONTH time...GOODREADS NEEDS HALF STAR RATINGS!!
The Institure is a SOLID 3.5 for me. Good story, not great.
7 candy cigarettes out of 10
The Institure is a SOLID 3.5 for me. Good story, not great.
7 candy cigarettes out of 10
misstiffany's review against another edition
4.0
This book read as if Mr. King threw all of his most cherished tropes, names, plots, and settings into a bag...shook it up...and wrote a book based on the random things he pulled out of the bag. The Institute gets 4 stars because even regurgitated King is still a good read. I think his prolific body of work is finally catching up to him and I’ve read so many of those books that it’s like hearing my uncle recount his stories of The Good Old Days™️. I might roll my eyes when the stories all sound the same, but I’ll keep listening politely because I love him.