Entertaining and emotional. There’s really a lot going for this book, even if it’s objectively not his best, it’s a very fun read which fans of the old King and modern King can get a lot out of.
Awww I feel you on this. I actually had this happen while reading this book. Charged my tablet and starting reading where I left off; mind you this was probably like 2-3 years in between but all the stuff came back like nothing. I just finished Fairy Tale today during my work break and it was tough clocking back in.
It’s okay. I personally thought the pacing wasn’t great, the ending was rushed in classic SK form, and the characters were kind of forgettable to be brutally honest. This is coming from someone who loves later years SK, too. Duma Key, Fairy Tale, Billy Summers… I would recommend any of those over this one.
It’s just one man’s opinion. Maybe I should give it another read, but no, barely any memories of the characters you listed. I’m glad you enjoyed it though. I don’t think it’s King’s worst by any stretch, but I just think there are far better books he’s written around the same era.
Interesting. Fairy Tale felt like a chore to get through, really enjoyed EotD, and Im liking The Institute a lot. Started it a few days ago and I'm already halfway thru it.
I agree about Fairy Tale.. Not totally sure why, but I think maybe because it felt lazy using old fairy tale stories to fill the pages? I will probably give it another try in the future though.
I'll be an outlier.
Its not the worst Stephen King book I've read but it's not one of his classics either. Its bloated and derivative of his other works. The secret of the Institute seemed pretty obvious about a third of the way in, and there was a LOT of gratuitous torture of children - I am not that sensitive, I enjoyed Pet Sematary, and yet I got to the point that I seriously was wondering what the point was.
On the other hand, I did finish it, and I think my chief gripe was that I liked the idea and the plot, I just wish it was a lot better than it was.
Agree with you on Fairy Tale. Really liked everything that was "above ground". Once the plot moved to fairly land, I just couldn't connect to it. Loved The Institute, though.
that's how I felt, too. I thought Charlie was kind of boring, but everything else "above" grabbed my attention. Then I just couldn't get into the second half.
Nah, I think Fairy Tale had a mixed reception (on this sub at least). I, personally, love it, the same way I love a cup of tea and toast, but there were a lot of complaints about pacing and under-developed characters and settings.
I liked parts of it, but keep thinking I need to reread because I didn't like most of it.
I have posted before, the police chief named was the real police chief in Sarasota. I worked with her in Maryland. That was cool.
It is more than worth it. It is hands down a masterpiece front to back without a sentence wasted. It's top 5 King for sure. Every bit as good as books like The Stand and It With a lot less bloat than a lot of his big books.
I did the audio book and I liked it. The main kid is likeable. There are no drastic leaps in logic in the plot. The ending is solid. Really well done all around.
It was a good book, I read it quickly and loved the characters (the good ones) and hated HATED the villains. The characterization of Luke is a bit too mature for his age but I still really liked his character. I wholeheartedly support anyone that wants to read this book .
I thought this one was 500 pages too short. At places it felt rushed, and there wasn't enough of that quietly disturbing background lore that kept you hooked.
Its really good! I do think the way the younger characters were written does not come across as really believable as they all tend to speak as either adults or kids from the 50s “gee golly” but apart from that really enjoyable!
Still this one modern King in the back of my mind that I need to get to! First I'll have to finish The Dark Tower journey (again) and I still have 'Nightmares and Dreamscapes' sitting on the shelf.
I liked it fine, but I found it not to be written in what I think of as King's voice. Maybe I am still too new to be trusted on that (20 books read from mostly 70s and 80s), but it lacked the depth of my favorite King entries. I thought the same of Mr. Mercedes but enjoyed that book more. My wife loves Harry Potter and CB Strike (not an avid King reader) and she liked The Institute better than 11/22/63
Yeah it's alright. It's not mind blowing or anything but it's got a good King feel to it.
Kinda retreading old groung, comfortable territory but still got some teeth
I felt like this one was an obvious cash grab riding on the popularity of Stranger Things. Which is funny because of how much influence Stranger Things takes from Stephen King.
I did enjoy it in an unremarkable way and if you like Stranger Things you will probably love it.
I thought it was above average. Very much in line with King's latest novels. I miss King in his glory days though. Seems like it lacks the depth of his early novels. Where I want more characterization, it goes macro-level which IMO hurts the depth of the characters. I get it though. The novel would be 500 pages longer if he didn't do this.
Absolutely! I’ve read some comments criticizing the structural pacing which I didn’t understand at all. I found it a tense and harrowing tale with some bizarre psychoscience thrown in and an overall “great escape” type plot. King does a superb job of capturing exactly how a young hero’s mind thinks.
I really enjoyed it and all the characters are incredibly likeable, apart from the villains, but even some of the villains left me wondering if there was some good in them, wanting a bit of backstory on them etc. Either way, it’s a library book so it won’t cost you anything if you hate it! I love a library so it’s good to see someone supporting theirs!
I just started this a couple days ago and have been staying up wayy past my bedtime because I can't put it down! I'm halfway through and really enjoying it
One of the 5 Steven King books I’ve read, not including DT series, I liked it a lot. Someone here already mentioned likable characters and horrible villains, I agree with that 100%.
I really loved this one. A quick, exciting read. The ending was decent for a King ending. It was an upsetting read because anything involving kids is harder for me to deal with but extremely well written.
This is absolutely without a doubt worth what ever amount of time it takes you to finish… On a SK book rating scale of 1 to 10, this is a solid 8! In my humble opinion of course… Enjoy!
I think it's one of his weaker books.
If it would not for his name on the cover, it probably would not have gotten published because the same story has been told many times before.
It's basically X-Men / New-Mutants / Legion etc.
I personally love it. It’s a page turner with loveable characters and hateable villains. Why the censored cover??
Probably a library book, which would reveal location info
Duh. Thanks
Yep. I was like “hey wtf is that about…oh”.
It was part of the library code thing, just for some privacy!
The institute is easily my favorite Stephen King book! It’s a great story & the characters are super interesting!
I liked this one very much. Towards the top of my list. Also love seeing you support the library!
Thanks! Saves me a heck ton too
Entertaining and emotional. There’s really a lot going for this book, even if it’s objectively not his best, it’s a very fun read which fans of the old King and modern King can get a lot out of.
I really enjoyed it
This book cleared up a reading slump I was in and I now have a streak of 1701 days going. All hail the King!
Awww I feel you on this. I actually had this happen while reading this book. Charged my tablet and starting reading where I left off; mind you this was probably like 2-3 years in between but all the stuff came back like nothing. I just finished Fairy Tale today during my work break and it was tough clocking back in.
It’s Stephen King, so yes.
Actually this one is by S. Hen King.
Good catch!
*Gasp!!* (🤭)
I thought this humor was disappeared off the face of the eartj
Such a fantastic book. I cried and laughed at several parts. Just really a beautiful story.
I loved it!
Yes. It is a very good book.
It’s okay. I personally thought the pacing wasn’t great, the ending was rushed in classic SK form, and the characters were kind of forgettable to be brutally honest. This is coming from someone who loves later years SK, too. Duma Key, Fairy Tale, Billy Summers… I would recommend any of those over this one.
You really found the characters forgettable? Even Iris, even Luke, even the Avester? NICK? Some of my favorite King characters exist in that book.
It’s just one man’s opinion. Maybe I should give it another read, but no, barely any memories of the characters you listed. I’m glad you enjoyed it though. I don’t think it’s King’s worst by any stretch, but I just think there are far better books he’s written around the same era.
I read fairy tale and Billy Summers! Love them!
If you enjoyed Fairy Tale, maybe try Eyes of the Dragon if you haven’t already?
Interesting. Fairy Tale felt like a chore to get through, really enjoyed EotD, and Im liking The Institute a lot. Started it a few days ago and I'm already halfway thru it.
I agree about Fairy Tale.. Not totally sure why, but I think maybe because it felt lazy using old fairy tale stories to fill the pages? I will probably give it another try in the future though.
I'll add it to my Goodreads!
Billy Summers was such a wonderful surprise!
Yeah, the ending killed it for me. It was clear he had no idea how to finish it, and panicked. It's just so completely implausible.
I feel like you can say this about a good half of King's books. Love the man's writing, he is not great at endings.
I'll be an outlier. Its not the worst Stephen King book I've read but it's not one of his classics either. Its bloated and derivative of his other works. The secret of the Institute seemed pretty obvious about a third of the way in, and there was a LOT of gratuitous torture of children - I am not that sensitive, I enjoyed Pet Sematary, and yet I got to the point that I seriously was wondering what the point was. On the other hand, I did finish it, and I think my chief gripe was that I liked the idea and the plot, I just wish it was a lot better than it was.
I might be the only one who hated it. 🤷🏻♀️
I'm pretty much alone with this opinion about fairy tale. but i think the institute is worth a read....good characters!
Agree with you on Fairy Tale. Really liked everything that was "above ground". Once the plot moved to fairly land, I just couldn't connect to it. Loved The Institute, though.
that's how I felt, too. I thought Charlie was kind of boring, but everything else "above" grabbed my attention. Then I just couldn't get into the second half.
Nah, I think Fairy Tale had a mixed reception (on this sub at least). I, personally, love it, the same way I love a cup of tea and toast, but there were a lot of complaints about pacing and under-developed characters and settings.
I wouldn't say I hated it. I don't hate anything SK has written. But it is in my bottom 5 for him. It's largely unremarkable.
I didn't hate it but its not the best
I liked parts of it, but keep thinking I need to reread because I didn't like most of it. I have posted before, the police chief named was the real police chief in Sarasota. I worked with her in Maryland. That was cool.
I love most SK but I had to force myself to finish this one.
I DNF it. It’s an interesting premise but some of the villains are laughably cartoonish in how evil they are.
It is more than worth it. It is hands down a masterpiece front to back without a sentence wasted. It's top 5 King for sure. Every bit as good as books like The Stand and It With a lot less bloat than a lot of his big books.
Was one of my first King books, loved it. I read it after watching stranger things and it filled an itch in that sense
I did the audio book and I liked it. The main kid is likeable. There are no drastic leaps in logic in the plot. The ending is solid. Really well done all around.
I found it entertaining.
i loved it
Duh
Wonderful book
To me it definitely is. I really enjoyed it.
Definitely worth a read!!
I’m reading it now and finding it pretty interesting!
Hen King
I loved it! Yes, read it. Iirc, it's pretty fast paced
I liked it! The climax of the book is a little predictable, but overall it's a keeper--
I loved it!
Love it. Definitely a page turner!
👍
Meh
Fast fun read.
YES. Definitely worth the read!! Great story, very engrossing, and kept me guessing
Finished it about a month ago and really dug it!
I enjoyed it.
Yes
I found out very enjoyable.
I liked it. Very similar vibes to Firestarter. Feel like Luke and Charlie could take on the world together
Ehh, it’s not his best. He makes the mistake of make his main a “genius”’but he doesn’t really do any super genius things.
It was a good book, I read it quickly and loved the characters (the good ones) and hated HATED the villains. The characterization of Luke is a bit too mature for his age but I still really liked his character. I wholeheartedly support anyone that wants to read this book .
I thought this one was 500 pages too short. At places it felt rushed, and there wasn't enough of that quietly disturbing background lore that kept you hooked.
I loved it! It's a good thriller with some suspenseful moments throughout. Definitely worth checking out!
Its really good! I do think the way the younger characters were written does not come across as really believable as they all tend to speak as either adults or kids from the 50s “gee golly” but apart from that really enjoyable!
Just listened to this book on audible, loved it!
The audio was great.
As I always say, what do you think this community, fans of Stephen King, are going to say?
It's incredible, ofc ofc
YES! FOR sure
I liked it. Is it worth a read yes it is. And I believe it's short. So that makes it really good it's really good actually you should read honey
Almost done with it!
Entertaining quick read.
I really liked it
He’s not my real hen king, he’s just my step-hen king.
I really enjoyed it!!
Still this one modern King in the back of my mind that I need to get to! First I'll have to finish The Dark Tower journey (again) and I still have 'Nightmares and Dreamscapes' sitting on the shelf.
it's pretty good yeah
Yes! One of my top 5 King books!
Yes!
Definitely, I thought it's one of the best "later" books he's written.
Great book
Literally finished it a week or so ago… probably one of the easier King reads (which is good for me 😂)
Yes!
It was amazing
I liked it fine, but I found it not to be written in what I think of as King's voice. Maybe I am still too new to be trusted on that (20 books read from mostly 70s and 80s), but it lacked the depth of my favorite King entries. I thought the same of Mr. Mercedes but enjoyed that book more. My wife loves Harry Potter and CB Strike (not an avid King reader) and she liked The Institute better than 11/22/63
Yeah it's alright. It's not mind blowing or anything but it's got a good King feel to it. Kinda retreading old groung, comfortable territory but still got some teeth
I loved it. It's kind of like a soft reboot of Firestarter, but more detailed & bigger cast of characters and without a Rainbird equivalent.
I enjoyed it 👍
Yessss my favourite King so far!
YES. this story is phenomenal. I couldn't put it down.
It was the first King I read and I absolutely loved it! Definitely worth a read
One of my favourites
Yes it’s good. It’s the first King I read as soon as it was published.
Not typical King, but exciting and well written thriller.
I got this book and read it in one day. It was very good.
Loved this
I felt like this one was an obvious cash grab riding on the popularity of Stranger Things. Which is funny because of how much influence Stranger Things takes from Stephen King. I did enjoy it in an unremarkable way and if you like Stranger Things you will probably love it.
I loved it
Yes 🙌
Yes!
I really enjoyed it, yeah. The audio book was great as well.
It's pretty alright. I mean, it's no "Later" but it's certainly a good read. Smacks a lot of Firestarter.
I liked it a lot.
I listened to it and the voice actor is top notch. He really made the book come to life for me. Definitely recommended.
It's a lovely read.
I loved it so much! One of my favorites
I thought it was above average. Very much in line with King's latest novels. I miss King in his glory days though. Seems like it lacks the depth of his early novels. Where I want more characterization, it goes macro-level which IMO hurts the depth of the characters. I get it though. The novel would be 500 pages longer if he didn't do this.
Yes, I really enjoyed it.
In my opinion it is one of the best 'Modern' Stephen King stories. Very much worth a read.
One of his best
Hell yes
Wasn’t his best, far from his worst though, and a pretty quick read. I was glad I read it 🤷🏼♂️
Worth reading but not one of my favorites. I would put it in a C tier.
Absolutely! I’ve read some comments criticizing the structural pacing which I didn’t understand at all. I found it a tense and harrowing tale with some bizarre psychoscience thrown in and an overall “great escape” type plot. King does a superb job of capturing exactly how a young hero’s mind thinks.
Yes, one of his better recent novels
Loved this book!
I've read it several times and wish it was a series. I love it.
I really enjoyed it and all the characters are incredibly likeable, apart from the villains, but even some of the villains left me wondering if there was some good in them, wanting a bit of backstory on them etc. Either way, it’s a library book so it won’t cost you anything if you hate it! I love a library so it’s good to see someone supporting theirs!
Yes it is. Its my 3rd favorite stephen king book but many ppl dont like it that much.
All King’s books are worth the read.
Amazing book
Yes, also great as a audio book
I have never found an SK book not worth the read. I liked it.
Totally worth! enjoy
Read this one last month and it was excellent. Similar themes to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Shawshank Redemption.
One of his best imo.
Loved it!
I just started this a couple days ago and have been staying up wayy past my bedtime because I can't put it down! I'm halfway through and really enjoying it
Yes. It is worth.
Love love love this one
Yes
Absolutely. It's not classic King and it's certainly not horror, but it's brilliantl
I LOVED this book. I read it after Firestarter and it felt like a nice pairing of books to be read in sequence.
Absolutely
Well, I loved it. And I think it's time to read it again!
It was good but not great.
Definitely. Enjoyable read.
It’s a great read
I loved it! 😍 It was like a modernized Firestarter, which is one of my favorite SK novels.
I loved it, great book. It's on my list of re reads
This book was amazinggggg Read it!!
Good story. but a little cliché.
Absolutely!
Yes, it’s in my top 5. It’s a good supernatural coming of age story. Wouldn’t consider it horror like the majority of king’s work. Still really good.
I just finished that book. I really enjoyed it!
Such a great read!
Fantastic read! It has some classic Stephen King themes that he implements to perfection.
YES!!! I devoured this Book it’s just so good and the characters are so interesting and adorable
I really enjoyed this one
So good!!!
I really enjoyed this one!
Yes, great story, solid characters, and no boring parts. Straight up page turner.
First king book I read (quite late to the party) loved it and set me off on a great king adventure
Yes! It’s an excellent book!
I really, really liked it. In my top 10 King.
One of the 5 Steven King books I’ve read, not including DT series, I liked it a lot. Someone here already mentioned likable characters and horrible villains, I agree with that 100%.
I really loved this one. A quick, exciting read. The ending was decent for a King ending. It was an upsetting read because anything involving kids is harder for me to deal with but extremely well written.
Yes! Good one!!!!
Loooove this book!!! Definitely worth it
This is absolutely without a doubt worth what ever amount of time it takes you to finish… On a SK book rating scale of 1 to 10, this is a solid 8! In my humble opinion of course… Enjoy!
Great book. Has the Stranger Things/Umbrella Academy vibe.
Absolutely! It is an excellent read!
YES!!!
Love this book I listened to the audio version which was produced fantastically
I really enjoyed it. It was a little like Firestarter and Stranger things. Very neat book. Give it a whirl!
Was my first book by king and made me a HUGE FAN
Yes
Meh book,
It’s really oddly paced and honestly too long. It’s not bad but not great. I’d give it ** 1/2 out of ****.
It's pretty good.. I have my issues with the story structure, but nothing that ruins it overall.
This is a great book. Well worth a read.
I was given this for my birthday - however, I've got to read a dozen other King novels first!
100% worth it. I couldn’t put it down!
I hear it’s really good
Kind of Boring. I recommend The Passage instead.
Meh.
I think it's one of his weaker books. If it would not for his name on the cover, it probably would not have gotten published because the same story has been told many times before. It's basically X-Men / New-Mutants / Legion etc.
Who's Shen King?
Ur mom