Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

118 reviews

katiearcher's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring sad tense slow-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? No

5.0

This book is heartbreaking and so difficult but worth every second. It’s the perfect combination of horror, supernatural, and historical fiction.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Racial slurs, Racism, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Hate crime, Pedophilia, Police brutality, and Death of parent

iheartchickenss's review against another edition

tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

whit807's review against another edition

The subject matter of the book was too heavy for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Slavery, Violence, and Death of parent

kdawg420's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• 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

Wow. I'm usually skeptic of a book that has near-perfect ratings, but this masterpiece fully lived up to the hype in every way. I can't shut up about it! Thrilling plot, courageous characters, demonic villains. This book is categorized as "horror," but the true horror is reflected in the evil humans that played a role in perpetuating the suffering of children. The Reformatory is a larger book (almost 600 pages), but you will fly through it. This is a book that every person who calls themselves an activist for racial justice needs to read. I will keep The Reformatory on my shelf forever, and recommend it to anyone. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

corriejn's review against another edition

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal death, Vomit, and Death of parent

Minor: Rape and Sexual violence

allitacat's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent

Minor: Sexual violence

jomerl's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

burnourhistory's review against another edition

dark 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? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Racism, Terminal illness, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Bullying, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Abandonment

Minor: Alcoholism, Vomit, and Antisemitism

pages_with_a_preoccupied_prin's review against another edition

dark hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

Wow. This book is something else. I couldn't put it down and will have a book hangover, for sure! If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would!
The story telling from the off was well paced and immense. The characters were so well developed that if you told me they were real people, I would believe you. The story itself is harrowing but needs to be told. There is the perfect mix of historic relevance, horror elements, and intense stress. 
Gloria, Robbie and Miz Lottie were so loveable as characters that you want the best for them throughout.  Tananarive does an incredible job of focusing on the main characters, whilst introducing plenty of important side characters, but doesn't draw the story or focus to them too much. 
The books pacing was perfection. I could read this book over and over again and not get bored. It made me cry, had me on the edge of my seat, and so stressed I couldn't concentrate on anything else, and I frequently gasped aloud on my commute. 
The fact that this is based on pieces of real history is so sad and it made me so angry that we live in a world where at some point in history this level of horrific treatment of humans was acceptable, and what is more terrifying is that you can still see aspects of it today.
Tananarive Due has an incredible piece here, and I would recommend it to absolutely anyone and everyone.

I'm gutted it's over to be honest. What. A. Book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault

mintii's review against another edition

challenging dark informative inspiring mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.75

This book is a powerful read set in 1950s Jim Crow Florida, masterfully portraying the harsh realities faced by Black Americans. The narrative is both dark and deeply emotional, drawing you in as if you’re watching a film. Robbie and Gloria, the main characters, are vividly written, embodying the innocence and complexities of childhood. Robbie’s observations reflect a childlike wonder, while Gloria’s fierce protectiveness and impulsiveness keep you on edge. The author captures their perspectives beautifully, creating a compelling and haunting story that resonates long after the last page. Highly recommended for those who appreciate profound storytelling.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Sexual violence, Slavery, and Classism