The Reformatory
- Downloads：1326
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2023-10-24 07:23:21
- Update Date：2025-09-08
- Status：finish
- Author：Tananarive Due
- ISBN：179716015X
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Horror DNA
，
Having only previously read a quirky YA zombie short story called ‘The Garage’ by Tananarive Due， concerning a family hiding out in their garage from the masses of creatures， I welcomed the opportunity to explore her work further。 The Reformatory does not disappoint， packing a serious punch blending a supernatural story with that of racial and social injustice in fifties Florida。 Note， this book uses authentic and very realistic language from the period， most of which would be considered highly Having only previously read a quirky YA zombie short story called ‘The Garage’ by Tananarive Due， concerning a family hiding out in their garage from the masses of creatures， I welcomed the opportunity to explore her work further。 The Reformatory does not disappoint， packing a serious punch blending a supernatural story with that of racial and social injustice in fifties Florida。 Note， this book uses authentic and very realistic language from the period， most of which would be considered highly offensive these days。 But the fact it does not hold back helps creative a very rich， vivid， and immersive reading experience。You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here。 。。。more
Yolaine
，
The Reformatory is one of the most haunting books I have ever read。 It is painful to read。 The atrocities that were visited upon these young boys is unimaginable。 I put off finishing this book for a few days because I couldn't predict how it would end。 Tananarive Due is a gifted writer who kept me in suspense until the very end。 Thank you Ms Due for a story that will stay with me for quiet some time。 The Reformatory is one of the most haunting books I have ever read。 It is painful to read。 The atrocities that were visited upon these young boys is unimaginable。 I put off finishing this book for a few days because I couldn't predict how it would end。 Tananarive Due is a gifted writer who kept me in suspense until the very end。 Thank you Ms Due for a story that will stay with me for quiet some time。 。。。more
Johanna
，
This is one of my top reads of 2023！ It's official！[AD: thanks to Titan Books for an advanced copy]SYNOPSIS:"A gripping， page-turning novel set in Jim Crow Florida that follows Robert Stephens Jr。 as he’s sent to a segregated reform school that is a chamber of terrors where he sees the horrors of racism and injustice， for the living， and the dead。"MY THOUGHTS:✨ My first book by Tananarive Due and most certainly not my last - if you've read their books， hit me with recs！✨ This is described as hor This is one of my top reads of 2023！ It's official！[AD: thanks to Titan Books for an advanced copy]SYNOPSIS:"A gripping， page-turning novel set in Jim Crow Florida that follows Robert Stephens Jr。 as he’s sent to a segregated reform school that is a chamber of terrors where he sees the horrors of racism and injustice， for the living， and the dead。"MY THOUGHTS:✨ My first book by Tananarive Due and most certainly not my last - if you've read their books， hit me with recs！✨ This is described as horror but it's more the kind of horror of true crime （despite a paranormal element） this is the true horror of racism， child abuse， segregation， and the Klan。 Although fiction this story is inspired by the infamous Dozier School for Boys。✨ Following two main POVs， that of Robert who's incarcerated in The Reformatory and his sister Gloria who's determined to get him out， their stories are gripping and heartfelt。✨ The fear that runs through Gloria and Robert's stories is intense， incessant and impossible to avoid because of the blatant injustice。✨ Due's writing is stunning， utterly superb。 I need to read more of their books！✨ Due's story is an epic and filled with systemic racism， the horrors of child abuse， loss， grief， and trauma but it's all topped off with hope！✨ This book kept me on tenterhooks on a whole other level！ 。。。more
Siobhan
，
The Reformatory is a tense historical horror novel about a boy sent to a reform school in 1950s Florida。 Robert Stephens Jr is twelve and living with his older sister Gloria when a momentary fight with a rich White boy results in a judge sending him to The Gracetown School For Boys， a segregated reform school that is haunted by the many boys who have died there。 Robert can see these ghosts， and he must use that power to survive， even when the ghosts have their own motivations and the school gove The Reformatory is a tense historical horror novel about a boy sent to a reform school in 1950s Florida。 Robert Stephens Jr is twelve and living with his older sister Gloria when a momentary fight with a rich White boy results in a judge sending him to The Gracetown School For Boys， a segregated reform school that is haunted by the many boys who have died there。 Robert can see these ghosts， and he must use that power to survive， even when the ghosts have their own motivations and the school governor wants to stop these spirits who could reveal his horrifying actions。This is very much a horror novel when a lot of the horror is the horrifying reality of reform schools and the system that sends children there， making it charged with a sense of fear that isn't just due to ghosts。 The supernatural element is then woven into that in a very effective way， a reminder that there are lingering traces of terrible things happening， and that ghosts might most haunt those who deserve it。 There's a lot of historical and political stuff particularly in the earlier two thirds of the novel， which cuts a lot between focusing on Robert and on his sister Gloria trying to fight for justice for him。 The narrative holds back on Robert's story for a while， giving small amounts whilst showing Gloria's attempts to free him， and then as it draws towards its conclusion， you see a lot more of the horrors of the reform school close up。Long and intense at times， The Reformatory keeps you on the edge of your seat whilst combining events based on real historical ones （there's an afterword going into this） with a supernatural edge。 。。。more
Carolyn
，
Review to follow。
Katelyn
，
A deeply dark historical fiction read taking place in 1950 Florida。 Robbie is a living in a small segregated town when he ends up in an altercation with a well known white family。 He’s sentenced to 6 months at the Gracetown School for Boys - a notoriously horrible place where Black boys struggle to escape and often end up dead。 Robbie though has a gift; he’s able to see the ghosts of boys’ past， which the headmaster is extremely interested in。 This book is heartbreaking。 Not just the story itsel A deeply dark historical fiction read taking place in 1950 Florida。 Robbie is a living in a small segregated town when he ends up in an altercation with a well known white family。 He’s sentenced to 6 months at the Gracetown School for Boys - a notoriously horrible place where Black boys struggle to escape and often end up dead。 Robbie though has a gift; he’s able to see the ghosts of boys’ past， which the headmaster is extremely interested in。 This book is heartbreaking。 Not just the story itself but the elements of it that come from truth。 Juvenile incarceration of the past and present and horrible problematic。 The Jim Crow era of the south was evident in the past; something that continues today。 The emotional and spiritual ties that hold individuals to traumatic places。 & so much more。 The read itself was a bit long （500+ pages） and moved slowly for my taste。 This book would make a fantastic book club read。 There’s so much to discuss from it！ Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this gem。 CWs: rape， racism， child abuse， child death， hate crimes， racial slurs， institutionalization 。。。more
Jessica
，
Set in 1950 Jim Crow Florida， where the brutal realities of systemic racism have literally contaminated the soil， The Reformatory is both haunting and compelling。 This is historical horror at its most effective， where the history—and its legacy—is more terrifying， more disturbing than the horror， and every choice， every action， every decision is fraught。 If you've wondered if this book lives up to the hype—and I know there's been quite a bit of hype—then stop wondering and start reading。 This is Set in 1950 Jim Crow Florida， where the brutal realities of systemic racism have literally contaminated the soil， The Reformatory is both haunting and compelling。 This is historical horror at its most effective， where the history—and its legacy—is more terrifying， more disturbing than the horror， and every choice， every action， every decision is fraught。 If you've wondered if this book lives up to the hype—and I know there's been quite a bit of hype—then stop wondering and start reading。 This is the kind of fiction that leaves its readers changed。[I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review。] 。。。more
Genesee Rickel
，
Thank you， Edelweiss， for my ARC！ I will never forget the way my heart pounded all throughout the last 25% of the book as I furiously read faster and faster so that I could know what happened。 In this work of historical/social horror， the history is more terrifying than the paranormal， made all the more so by the knowledge that it was， and in many ways still is， real。 Intergenerational trauma from racism is on full display。 The book bounces between brother and sister so the audience can see the Thank you， Edelweiss， for my ARC！ I will never forget the way my heart pounded all throughout the last 25% of the book as I furiously read faster and faster so that I could know what happened。 In this work of historical/social horror， the history is more terrifying than the paranormal， made all the more so by the knowledge that it was， and in many ways still is， real。 Intergenerational trauma from racism is on full display。 The book bounces between brother and sister so the audience can see the fight for freedom and justice from both within the prison （boy's school） and on the outside （the legal system）。 I believe the strongest point of this novel is Due's characterization。 Yes， the intensifying pace captured me， but it was investment in the characters that got me through the first 75%。 The vivid setting and heart-wrenching scenes will stay with me for a long time。 Suggested for fans of "When the Reckoning Comes" by LaTanya McQueen and "The Nickel Boys" by Colson Whitehead。 。。。more
Caleb Masters
，
Tananarive Due is a modern master of horror and this historical novel set in a Florida Jim Crow reformatory school for boys is one of her best。 Mixing the real life horrors of the Dozier School for Boys with a propulsive ghost story （haints as the book calls them） and instantly memorable characters; The Reformatory is a gripping example of what the best horror writing can do。 Heartbreaking， brutal， haunting， and ultimately hopeful; I can't recommend The Reformatory enough！ Tananarive Due is a modern master of horror and this historical novel set in a Florida Jim Crow reformatory school for boys is one of her best。 Mixing the real life horrors of the Dozier School for Boys with a propulsive ghost story （haints as the book calls them） and instantly memorable characters; The Reformatory is a gripping example of what the best horror writing can do。 Heartbreaking， brutal， haunting， and ultimately hopeful; I can't recommend The Reformatory enough！ 。。。more
Chris
，
Sixteen year old Gloria and twelve year old Robbie Stephens， Jr。 are living on their own in 1950 Gracetown， Florida after their widower father flees for Chicago after being falsely accused of raping a white woman。 When Robbie is sentenced to 6 months at the Reformatory school for kicking a white boy while defending his sister's honor， Gloria springs into action to get her brother released ASAP。This book is an emotional gut punch。 We've all learned about the rampant racism thar went on in the Jim Sixteen year old Gloria and twelve year old Robbie Stephens， Jr。 are living on their own in 1950 Gracetown， Florida after their widower father flees for Chicago after being falsely accused of raping a white woman。 When Robbie is sentenced to 6 months at the Reformatory school for kicking a white boy while defending his sister's honor， Gloria springs into action to get her brother released ASAP。This book is an emotional gut punch。 We've all learned about the rampant racism thar went on in the Jim Crow era， but to see it play out in this book， despite it being fiction， takes it yo a whole new level。 This book will suck you in and make you want to keep turning the pages all while making you really think about the things these characters and real people went through in this time。 It will make you angry and pull on your emotions。 Which is how you know this is an extremely well written book。 Be warned though， just because this book has hints in it， doesn't mean it's a horror novel， buy it is a novel of horrors， both psychological and physical in the way young Robbie is treated， as well as the other Black characters in the book。 The characters aren't necessarily fully fleshed out， but you get enough to get behind them and hope the best for them as they try to survive each day and set things right for Robbie。 The pacing is also a little slow at times， but it wasn't enough that I didn't want to put it down。 I'm sure I'll be thinking about this one for quite a while。 My thanks to Gallery Books， author Tananarive Due，and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book。 My opinions are my own。 。。。more
Peggy
，
Let me start by saying that this is one of the hardest books I have ever read。 I can't believe that this powerful story is based on on an actual school。 Set in the Jim Crow era。 Twelve year old Robert Stephens Jnr is sent to the Gracetown School for boys for six months after kicking a white boy。 As soon as he arrives he is brutally indoctrinated into the rules of the school。 This is a true house of horror。 The worst of the worst work here。 Can Robbie and the other boys stay alive with the help f Let me start by saying that this is one of the hardest books I have ever read。 I can't believe that this powerful story is based on on an actual school。 Set in the Jim Crow era。 Twelve year old Robert Stephens Jnr is sent to the Gracetown School for boys for six months after kicking a white boy。 As soon as he arrives he is brutally indoctrinated into the rules of the school。 This is a true house of horror。 The worst of the worst work here。 Can Robbie and the other boys stay alive with the help from others。 This book will stay with me long after I had turned the last page。 This is one very talented author and I admire her bravery as this is based on fact！！！！Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc。 。。。more
Siân
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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐞𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫: Releases 31st October 👻 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘭𝘺𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟒 ⭐️This story will stay with me for a long time。 A beautifully written yet harrowing read that made me uncomfortable。Based on the real Dozier School for Boys in Florida， thankfully closed in 2011。 The author had a relative that died at the school so came this imaginative， horrific story。 I connected with the characters as I felt so sorry for them， I wanted to give them hug 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐮𝐞𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫: Releases 31st October 👻 𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘭𝘺𝐌𝐲 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟒 ⭐️This story will stay with me for a long time。 A beautifully written yet harrowing read that made me uncomfortable。Based on the real Dozier School for Boys in Florida， thankfully closed in 2011。 The author had a relative that died at the school so came this imaginative， horrific story。 I connected with the characters as I felt so sorry for them， I wanted to give them hugs and protect them。 The paranormal elements in this gave me chills。 It did take a while to read as I found it a very heavy read and I can’t say I enjoyed reading it due to the subject matter， however it is a powerful book about dehumanisation。 Thank you to @netgalley and @titanbooks for this Arc！ Perfect read for Halloween！ #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booksbooksbooks #netgalley #netgalleyreads #books #bookstagramuk #booktok #dozierschoolforboys #horror #crime #race #harrowing #booklover #bookish #bookphotography 。。。more
Emi
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I requested this book after seeing a few online friends had also requested it and were so excited to read it。 I couldn't be more grateful that I was given the pleasure of reading this book。 The book as a whole made me feel so many emotions throughout， and the hard work and research that went into the writing really shone through。 Although it is a work of fiction， it's unfortunately easy to imagine the horrors within the book happening in the real world， which I think makes it all the more emotio I requested this book after seeing a few online friends had also requested it and were so excited to read it。 I couldn't be more grateful that I was given the pleasure of reading this book。 The book as a whole made me feel so many emotions throughout， and the hard work and research that went into the writing really shone through。 Although it is a work of fiction， it's unfortunately easy to imagine the horrors within the book happening in the real world， which I think makes it all the more emotional and harrowing to read。 However， I think reading this book and others like it is so important for us to never forget how so many people were treated， and are still treated to this day。 。。。more
Amanda
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Trigger warnings: Physical and sexual abuse of children， racism， segregation， sexual assault。 I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway。 I have been equal parts fascinated and horrified by the story of the Dozier School For Boys since I read a nonfiction book about it earlier this year， so I was very intrigued by the fact that this book， while a work of fiction， was inspired by it。 The author did a fantastic job of finding a balance between illustrating the horrors inspired by the r Trigger warnings: Physical and sexual abuse of children， racism， segregation， sexual assault。 I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway。 I have been equal parts fascinated and horrified by the story of the Dozier School For Boys since I read a nonfiction book about it earlier this year， so I was very intrigued by the fact that this book， while a work of fiction， was inspired by it。 The author did a fantastic job of finding a balance between illustrating the horrors inspired by the real "school" and threading the ghost story into it。 The setting and time frame were perfect， and while it wasn't necessarily an easy read because so much of the subject matter was upsetting， it was beautifully written and haunting in a way I won't forget any time soon。 。。。more
Karen Bullock
，
WOW！Reform school for bad kidsSegregation runs at an all time high at both the school and the surrounding townA sink or swim/damned if you do， damned if you don’t mentalityA bitter world where the atrocities are。 It known until the boys get sent to the schoolAmongst the most evil of men， are the “haints” the ghosts of boys who’ve passed away in the most horrible ways imaginableInterchangeable communication between main character， Robbie and the ghosts of the lost souls， will either help him or h WOW！Reform school for bad kidsSegregation runs at an all time high at both the school and the surrounding townA sink or swim/damned if you do， damned if you don’t mentalityA bitter world where the atrocities are。 It known until the boys get sent to the schoolAmongst the most evil of men， are the “haints” the ghosts of boys who’ve passed away in the most horrible ways imaginableInterchangeable communication between main character， Robbie and the ghosts of the lost souls， will either help him or hurt his chances of being released at his scheduled time。Realistic and sadistic characters， make this a gut wrenching readIt felt much like quicksand- the further in you go， the further one sinks， just as Robbie’s horrific venture into the reformatory。An epic historical horror story that was an investment into an emotional ride that deals with racism， torture most inhumane， and hauntings。Thank you to SimonandSchuster for this incredible gut punching story， all opinions are my own。 。。。more
Wendi
，
I received this book through a GoodReads giveaway in exchange for an honest review。 A difficult， yet important read。 This is my first journey through the stories of Tananarive Due。 Let me tell you， her storytelling lives up to all the hype。 This is the story of a young boy of 12 in 1950s Jim Crow Florida。 After standing up for his sister and partaking in the most basic of school boy retaliations， he is sentenced to the Reformatory。 Touted as a school for wayward boys， with a campus separated by I received this book through a GoodReads giveaway in exchange for an honest review。 A difficult， yet important read。 This is my first journey through the stories of Tananarive Due。 Let me tell you， her storytelling lives up to all the hype。 This is the story of a young boy of 12 in 1950s Jim Crow Florida。 After standing up for his sister and partaking in the most basic of school boy retaliations， he is sentenced to the Reformatory。 Touted as a school for wayward boys， with a campus separated by race， this is essentially a prison with a warden allowed to live out his own depravities。 While this is a story of fiction with supernatural elements， it is undeniable the amount of truth running through the pages。 The horror that faces the young men in the Reformatory， I'm sure， were faced by many young men during that time - and far worse。 This is a story of family， friendship， and justice （or lack of）。 Check your trigger warnings， there are some difficult scenes in this one。 。。。more
Brennan LaFaro
，
The Reformatory masterfully mixes the historical with the supernatural， asking the lingering question horror seeks to explore: what is scarier？ The humans or the spooks。 Due instantly endears both Robert Stephens and his sister， Gloria， to readers， surrounding them with impossible circumstances and only the barest glimmers of hope。 Being black in 1950s Florida makes life considerably harder than necessary， yet they strive to go on。 Due fills the Reformatory with haints and human monsters that ma The Reformatory masterfully mixes the historical with the supernatural， asking the lingering question horror seeks to explore: what is scarier？ The humans or the spooks。 Due instantly endears both Robert Stephens and his sister， Gloria， to readers， surrounding them with impossible circumstances and only the barest glimmers of hope。 Being black in 1950s Florida makes life considerably harder than necessary， yet they strive to go on。 Due fills the Reformatory with haints and human monsters that make for a host of chilling moments and rage reading。 The result？ One of the most powerful novels of 2023 and a brilliant spooky season read。 。。。more
Chloe
，
The reformatory by Tananarive Due is a brutal but beautiful horror/historical fiction book。 Set in Florida during the Jim Crow era it is a tale of two halves as we follow Robert Stephens a 12 year old boy sentenced to serve time at a reform school （based on the infamous Dozier School for Boys） and his older sister Gloria who is working tirelessly to seek justice for him。 This is classed as horror and there are supernatural elements but it goes without saying that the true horror here comes from The reformatory by Tananarive Due is a brutal but beautiful horror/historical fiction book。 Set in Florida during the Jim Crow era it is a tale of two halves as we follow Robert Stephens a 12 year old boy sentenced to serve time at a reform school （based on the infamous Dozier School for Boys） and his older sister Gloria who is working tirelessly to seek justice for him。 This is classed as horror and there are supernatural elements but it goes without saying that the true horror here comes from the racial injustice and the horrific treatment of the incarcerated children。There may not be many moments of light in this book， but when they come they are truly beautiful。 The family relationships and the unlikely friendships that are formed feel so real。 The writing is atmospheric and the characters are richly drawn。 This is a long story but it is incredibly immersive。 Raw and realistic without feeling exploitative， this story is extremely harrowing but I would certainly recommend it to those who can handle it。This story will stay with me for a very long time。Thank you to the author， Titan Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this amazing story。 。。。more
Chloe
，
The reformatory by Tananarive Due is a brutal but beautiful horror/historical fiction book。 Set in Florida during the Jim Crow era it is a tale of two halves as we follow Robert Stephens a 12 year old boy sentenced to serve time at a reform school （based on the infamous Dozier School for Boys） and his older sister Gloria who is working tirelessly to seek justice for him。 This is classed as horror and there are supernatural elements but it goes without saying that the true horror here comes from The reformatory by Tananarive Due is a brutal but beautiful horror/historical fiction book。 Set in Florida during the Jim Crow era it is a tale of two halves as we follow Robert Stephens a 12 year old boy sentenced to serve time at a reform school （based on the infamous Dozier School for Boys） and his older sister Gloria who is working tirelessly to seek justice for him。 This is classed as horror and there are supernatural elements but it goes without saying that the true horror here comes from the racial injustice and the horrific treatment of the incarcerated children。There may not be many moments of light in this book， but when they come they are truly beautiful。 The family relationships and the unlikely friendships that are formed feel so real。 The writing is atmospheric and the characters are richly drawn。 This is a long story but it is incredibly immersive。 Raw and realistic without feeling exploitative， this story is extremely harrowing but I would certainly recommend it to those who can handle it。This story will stay with me for a very long time。Thank you to the author， Titan Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this amazing story。 。。。more
Kimberly
，
THE REFORMATORY， by Tananarive Due， takes place in 1950， Florida， in the midst of the extreme racism and Jim Crow laws governing the South。 I knew going into this that it would be a tremendous read， but even I hadn't been prepared for the horrors on the page。 Learning about the abuse， torture， and practices that POC faced in our land is entirely different than immersing yourself in a novel--where you feel the characters and what they go through。Robbie is twelve year old boy， unfairly sent to a b THE REFORMATORY， by Tananarive Due， takes place in 1950， Florida， in the midst of the extreme racism and Jim Crow laws governing the South。 I knew going into this that it would be a tremendous read， but even I hadn't been prepared for the horrors on the page。 Learning about the abuse， torture， and practices that POC faced in our land is entirely different than immersing yourself in a novel--where you feel the characters and what they go through。Robbie is twelve year old boy， unfairly sent to a boys' Reformatory for instinctively protecting his older sister， Gloria。 Knowing that this "school" is more likely a death sentence， or at least， place of torture and pain for any child--let alone one who's father is wanted for crimes he ran off from--Gloria rallies everyone she can to try and free her brother。 Of course， in this prejudiced time， there is nothing people can do。There are spirits of those that died （and SO MANY did） under vicious circumstances at the Reformatory， and Robbie has always been able to see ghosts。 Is this any kind of help to a young man against the tyranny of those in charge， and even the other boys sentenced there？This novel was so emotionally charged that I doubt anyone could tear themselves away once they started it。 Many of the scenes were so horrific that it was difficult to believe it was only a book 。 。 。 because things like those depicted DID actually occur。 The subject material here is heavy， and more so when you realize the reality of the situation it was based on。 Recommended。 。。。more
Kasey
，
This book was gripping。 The ghost story element is scary enough on its own， but the real life horrors of Jim Crow and the dangers they put the characters in are far scarier。 The two combined， plus the beautifully written characters of Robbie， Gloria， and their network made this one a real page-turner that， for better or worse， I am sure I will be thinking about for a long time。
AndiReads
，
The Reformatory is based on the Dozier School for Boys and set in 1950 during the Jim Crow times in， Florida Robbie Stephens Jr。 is only 12 and is sent to the reformatory after defending his sister from a predatory wealthy boy。 Because he has the ability to see spirits he is able to see the truth behind the reformatory。 He know that there are many boys who are just。。。missing。His sister is working against the clock to free him while Robbie does the best he can to stay alive。This is a haunting tru The Reformatory is based on the Dozier School for Boys and set in 1950 during the Jim Crow times in， Florida Robbie Stephens Jr。 is only 12 and is sent to the reformatory after defending his sister from a predatory wealthy boy。 Because he has the ability to see spirits he is able to see the truth behind the reformatory。 He know that there are many boys who are just。。。missing。His sister is working against the clock to free him while Robbie does the best he can to stay alive。This is a haunting truth based story that you are not soon to forget！。#gallery #TheReformatory #Tananarivedue 。。。more
Erin
，
Won a Goodreads Giveaway from Saga Press。 A historical horror for October。Content warning: racism， explicit physical violence toward children， sexual assault of children that is referred to several times but takes place offstage。 This is a creeping， tense horror。 The haints are friendly， spiteful， spooky， and pitiful in turns， but the truly horrifying piece of this story settles in the fact that nothing the haints do is as terrible as what the humans do to each other。 Robert and Gloria struggle Won a Goodreads Giveaway from Saga Press。 A historical horror for October。Content warning: racism， explicit physical violence toward children， sexual assault of children that is referred to several times but takes place offstage。 This is a creeping， tense horror。 The haints are friendly， spiteful， spooky， and pitiful in turns， but the truly horrifying piece of this story settles in the fact that nothing the haints do is as terrible as what the humans do to each other。 Robert and Gloria struggle after a series of tragedies。 Their mom dies of cancer after a long illness， their community runs their dad out of town after he tries to organize a union， and then their neighbor tries to come on to Gloria。 Robert gives him a swift kick for his cheek， but their teenage neighbor’s father is one of the wealthiest and most powerful white men in town; he sees the altercation and presses charges。 Now Robert is in the system， which is bound and determined to eat him alive。 Robert and Gloria encounter a number of folks — alive and dead， Black and white — some of whom are trying to help them， some trying to hurt them， and some just trying to carry on。 Everyone has baggage， and most folks have an agenda。 Some characters are deeply evil， some have become so over time， and there are a lot of characters who want to be supportive and do something good， but lack the courage。 This would make for a great discussion on racism， bravery， and how to offer support during dangerous times。 The tension is high， and following along gives the reader just the mildest taste of the oppressive atmosphere for Black Americans in 1950s Florida。 There are so many moments throughout this book when I thought， there is no way these kids are getting out of this alive。 Everyone is going to be haints by the end of this。The biggest challenge of this book （besides the dark subject matter） is that the advance copy did not have an author’s note。 I hope it’s a good one。 。。。more
Phillip
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An amazing novel that was inspired by the author discovering she had a great uncle who disappeared at the infamous Dozier School for Boys。 Starting with her Uncle as inspiration， and adding a supernatural story line （which turns out no where as scary as the racism pictured） Due makes this story her own。When young Robert kicks a rich man's son in the leg he gets sent to the Reformatory for 6 months， and quickly learns the gruesome history of the place due to visions of the dead that includes how An amazing novel that was inspired by the author discovering she had a great uncle who disappeared at the infamous Dozier School for Boys。 Starting with her Uncle as inspiration， and adding a supernatural story line （which turns out no where as scary as the racism pictured） Due makes this story her own。When young Robert kicks a rich man's son in the leg he gets sent to the Reformatory for 6 months， and quickly learns the gruesome history of the place due to visions of the dead that includes how they died。 Knowing that the six month sentence might easily be extended， Robert has no choice but to escape， but will the dead help or hinder？3。5 Stars 。。。more
Harmony Soto
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DNF -- it has a really intriguing premise but the pacing was a little bit too slow for me at the moment。 Also I want to protect Robbie at all costs。
Mia Smith
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This is the first horror novel I’ve read where I put it down and thought… ‘that was a really great book。’ Set in the 1950’s in Jim Crow Florida， twelve-year-old Robbie Stephens Jnr is sentenced to six months at The Gracetown School for boys， a reformatory renowned for horrific abuse， murder and of course， ghosts。 Within the first couple of chapters you understand that this isn’t going to be your typical scary book， but instead a historical fiction centred on the racism and atrocities during this This is the first horror novel I’ve read where I put it down and thought… ‘that was a really great book。’ Set in the 1950’s in Jim Crow Florida， twelve-year-old Robbie Stephens Jnr is sentenced to six months at The Gracetown School for boys， a reformatory renowned for horrific abuse， murder and of course， ghosts。 Within the first couple of chapters you understand that this isn’t going to be your typical scary book， but instead a historical fiction centred on the racism and atrocities during this era of the American South。 When Robbie arrives at the reformatory， he discovers that 30 years earlier there was a fire that killed 25 boys。 It is those 25 boys who Robbie is eventually able to see and communicate with。 The racism and abuse in this book made my skin absolutely crawl - you quickly realise the ghosts were never intended to be thing that scared you。This book was incredibly well written and I found myself gripped from beginning to end。 It was told with sensitivity whilst maintaining a sense of rawness that I think sometimes lacks in horrors。 The author never shied away from the realities of this time and while that could be confronting， it was also what made this book so powerful。。 It was dark， creepy and at times difficult to read but a fantastic book regardless。 If you like spooky （but not too spooky）， historical fictions and powerful themes， this is one you should definitely be picking up。 。。。more
SpellsBooksandKrystals
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The Reformatory is a book that is a horror inside a horror inside another horror。 It is a book rooted in the Jim Crow era of the American South。 It is historical fiction while also being both a social and paranormal horror novel。 It is emotional， triggering， maddening， and hopeful。 From the immediate beginning it sets a tone of somberness and hopefulness that doesn’t let you go until the very end of the book。In Gracetown， Florida （a real town by the way）， a twelve year-old boy named Robert Steph The Reformatory is a book that is a horror inside a horror inside another horror。 It is a book rooted in the Jim Crow era of the American South。 It is historical fiction while also being both a social and paranormal horror novel。 It is emotional， triggering， maddening， and hopeful。 From the immediate beginning it sets a tone of somberness and hopefulness that doesn’t let you go until the very end of the book。In Gracetown， Florida （a real town by the way）， a twelve year-old boy named Robert Stephens Jr lives with his sister Gloria in their 90 year-old shack that was built by their grandfather。 It has been about a year since their mother died of cancer and almost as much time since their father escaped to Chicago。 You see Robert Stephens Sr is something of a troublemaker。 He’s a Black man in the south who believes he’s actually a human being with rights in the Jim Crow era of the American South。 That is enough to get not only a man killed but the Black side of town burned to the ground。 （If you have never heard of it， I suggest researching the Tulsa Massacre for example of a real life assault。） So， Gloria and Robbie， as he likes to be called by his family， are basically on their own。 They have Mizz Lottie， an octogenarian acting as her father’s adoptive aunt/mother。 But， as she stated many times in the book， Robbie is Gloria’s responsibility even though Gloria is only sixteen。 If you ask me， they are both their father’s responsibility。 However， I find it hard to blame a man on the run for his life from people who kill him but hesitate to injure a dog。 So， Robbie and Gloria are alone with the heavy burden of their family troubles when one more unnecessary circumstance gets thrown their way when Robbie has a run in with his family’s former slave owner/master。 This leads Robbie to a stint in the Reformatory， a state school for both white and ‘colored’ boys who break the law。 Although Robbie’s sentence is brief， the history and gossip surrounding the Reformatory makes it clear that any amount of time spent inside its grounds is too much time。This book explores many different themes。 It includes social horror and paranormal horror while also serving as historical fiction。 The social horror and historical fiction aspects of this book are explained and explored through the Jim Crow south time period the novel is set in。 Absolutely zero punches are pulled as far as the environment。 When the book starts， you know you are in the Jim Crow south and are never allowed to forget it。 You see the world through Robbie and Gloria’s eyes as they navigate their land mind of an existence。 You can also feel how they are treated as less than people by the white citizens of Gracetown。 However， you can also feel the love and unity that surrounds them by the black citizens in Gracetown。 The author does a great job of setting up that divide and showing that it doesn’t just exist as a line separated physically by railroad tracks。This book also explores the concept of decades long atrocities and how they poison a whole entire community from the soil up。 Gracetown is a town of anything but Grace。 In the book it is described as a place where haints/ghosts roam the land because so many people were killed unjustly or just flat out murdered。Bubbling anger from mistreatment， dismissal， and flat out racist dogma is also explored throughout this book。 Both Gloria and Robbie experience anger at various parts。 They are angry at their father for leaving。 They are angry at the racist community they live in for keeping them in a constant state of fear and anxiety。 They are also angry because of the many unjust and unfair things that occur to them after Robbie is arrested and sent to the Reformatory， things they can do nothing about because the law was not written to help them。 Even if it was， who would enforce it in a town covered in black blood？This book was both a joy to read and an emotional anchor。 It is satisfying to read a book that pulls no punches when it comes to atrocities in America in the Jim Crow era， but also disheartening because I can feel both the anger and defeat at knowing nothing could be done about it。 The horror in this book is palpable， and it will sit with you long after you have finished the book。I feel compelled to mention that Mizz Lottie was my favorite character。 She is a true auntie， a pillar of strength， an emotional shoulder， but also a person that takes no crap from anyone and will push you into doing the right thing no matter what you think because auntie said so。Thank you to @netgalley and @sagapressbooks for providing me with this ARC。 All opinions are my own， and I leave this review voluntarily。 。。。more
Pamela
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Really loved this book。 Surprised how fast I read it considering it was over 500 pages。 It got to the point where I could not put it down。 Some very upsetting parts but what a great book。
Jendi
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"The Reformatory" is a gripping ghost story with non-stop suspense and a lot of ugly history that the State of Florida would like to prevent you from learning in school。 "Haints" are the least of Robbie Stephens' problems when he's sent to a sadistic juvenile prison for a trumped-up offense against a white boy in the rural Florida of 1950。 The town's white power brokers want to use him as a pawn to bring his father out of hiding; Klansmen and police alike are gunning for Robert Senior because of "The Reformatory" is a gripping ghost story with non-stop suspense and a lot of ugly history that the State of Florida would like to prevent you from learning in school。 "Haints" are the least of Robbie Stephens' problems when he's sent to a sadistic juvenile prison for a trumped-up offense against a white boy in the rural Florida of 1950。 The town's white power brokers want to use him as a pawn to bring his father out of hiding; Klansmen and police alike are gunning for Robert Senior because of his work organizing millworkers and registering Black voters。 Meanwhile， Robbie's teenage sister and her 80-year-old godmother are discovering that even NAACP lawyers aren't a match for the racist judicial system。 Freeing Robbie will require supernatural intervention。 I stayed up late reading this book even though it gave me nightmares。 The author doesn't shy away from recognizing the sexual sadism component in white subjugation of Black youth （though never in graphic detail）。 I wanted an even bloodier and more comprehensive payback for the antagonists， but maybe that would have been ahistorical wish-fulfillment。 The novel was inspired by a real-life ancestor of the author who died in the boys' prison。I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Emma
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