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Comments (72)

Community comments are the opinions of contributing users. These comments do not represent the opinions of Contra Costa County Library.
What did you think about this title?
1 to 25 of 72 items
Nov 19, 2023LongRyder rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A real page turner, dificult subject matter but i dare you to put it down!
Oct 01, 2023JoDeeNelson rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
This just seemed to be a rehash of plots I have seen before. Sort of a meatloaf made with leftovers. Not bad, but not original.
Aug 26, 2023BillKaspbrak rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
It had it's weak points, I definitely think the book should have been longer, and some of the character did fall flat. but despite my complaints, I enjoyed the heck out of the book. It was fast paced, entertaining, there were parts where…
Jul 31, 2023cassbjorn rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
One of my favourites by SK until the last 100 pages. It just felt too drawn out which isn’t usually how I feel about other SK books.
May 18, 2023kimjluke rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
It's been awhile since I have read Stephen King, WHY? He is a master storyteller, and unlike many books I read, he is in no rush for his storyline to unfold . . . he is the one telling the story, and every word is an integral part of the…
Dec 28, 2022Crave83 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The Institute by Stephen King 557-page Kindle Ebook Genre:Horror, Thriller > Mystery Thriller; Science Fiction, Fantasy > Paranormal; Adult Fiction Featuring: Bible Verses, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Minnesota, Maine, Drifter,…
Nov 10, 2022Xemlo rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
From the first page you are invested and hooked. A tense thriller, with a touch of 'that really could be happening' to make it that much more unsettling. I found myself going through a whole range of emotions with Luke - fear, anger, rage,…
Sanzibar
Oct 09, 2022Sanzibar rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I don't usually like supernatural or science fiction but this book was so exciting right from the first page. It's like the Twilight books or the Harry Potter books in that people have a non-existent ability but the writer almost makes…
Jul 26, 2022joyful2743 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book by Mr. King. I couldn’t put it down for more than a few minutes. It isn’t horror more a thriller with children with paranormal powers being taken. How one highly intelligent boy escapes the institute and saves…
Jul 26, 2022BrantTeenReviewers rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The Institute is an incredible piece of literature. From the moment I picked it up, I did not want to put it back down. The way it made me feel, the sadness and hope and joy were just overwhelming. From the very first page, you become…
Jul 25, 2022HPL_Teen_Volunteer2 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This novel, The Institute, being my favorite of Stephen King’s, is unique in different ways. It has the traditional supernatural powers that King’s books are known for and many of the humanistic factors. I enjoyed the part of the novel…
Jul 10, 2022ScorchingSun rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
An evil covert conspiracy that turns its victims into "Hershey bar wrappers". A setting similar to King's "Firestarter" and other stories of paranormal people (often children) subjected to dark cruel abuse. Morality, courage and loyalty…
Mar 28, 2022markram rated this title 2 out of 5 stars
An OK King Novel. Readable but not spectacular.
Jan 18, 2022iktomi23 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I know Stephen King novels can sometimes feel a little redundant- the noble drifter, the wise child, the evil government agency determined to hunt down and exploit those special ones... And it's all here. I enjoyed the heck out of it…
Jan 10, 2022InnisfilTeenReads rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
The Institute follows a boy genius named Luke Ellis who was taken from his home in the night due to his telekinetic powers. Once Luke wakes up in this weird place, he sees that They’ve taken other children who also have psychic abilities.…
Nov 21, 2021DMJBALTIMORE rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A MUST READ for all Steven King fans. Once you pick it up you don't want to put it down. The INSTITUTE will keep you on the edge of your seat till the last page. Ellis, Avery, and all the children will steal your heart. It makes one wonder…
Jul 07, 2021Wako rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
The Institute reads like a classic King novel, and that’s not necessarily a good thing. Yes, it feels like a King novel, the author returns to many of his tried and true formulas, and this book resonates with King’s magnum opus work. But,…
Jul 01, 2021JCLCherylMY rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
Smart kids with special abilities, being used and abused by powerful adults. A specialty of King's is in how he'll use his storytelling ability to flip the scenario so that the kids have the upper hand and the adults lose power.
Jun 17, 2021Cindy_163 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Luke Ellis, a twelve-year-old boy, is abducted from his parents by intruders. Upon waking up, he finds himself in a room similar to his but without windows, and beyond his door is are several other doors. Several other kidnapped children…
May 13, 2021abcDena rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
Yuck.
Mar 18, 2021dwlueth rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This is a very engaging King read with some disturbing parts for sure. My only reason for not giving 5 stars is IMO is just took way too long to bring the story full circle.
Mar 01, 2021joseehicks rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This was my first Stephen King book and I wasn't sure what to expect - but I loved it and now I can't wait to read more of his work. This was more of a thriller than a horror, about kids with special abilities who get abducted and forced…
Feb 19, 2021
i think this book is 5 stars not 3
Feb 17, 2021alburke47 rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
**Audiobook Warning** So, we’ve got telekinetic kids, a small-town cop (actually, two) who is more than meets the eye, shadowy agents, numerous references to Maine and a Scooby Doo ending. Yes, people, we are in Stephen King territory.…
Jan 14, 2021anderloo rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
As a fan of Stephen King I would rate this book highly - but the ending could have been thought through a bit more. The pace of the book was wonderful right up to when Luke had to survive not one but two automated weapon shootouts. …