Stephen King’s The Institute was really excellent. It absolutely has the strong children and friendships of IT and the strange mind power that is in Firestarter. It’s horrifying but also strangely endearing.
I’d strongly recommend anyone to this book who enjoyed IT— the main characters are children who have to quickly become adults, and their bond becomes their biggest strength in the face of evil.
The boys of the group are allowed to be sensitive. Stephen King doesn’t waste any time insinuating toxic masculinity. They’re allowed to be sensitive, they’re allowed to cry, hell, two of the boys even cuddle together??
It had a couple of dark and horrifying chapters, but overall, it’s definitely not the most gruesome by Stephen King.
This book is also being picked up to be turned into a miniseries. A lot of the elements in the book lean towards it becoming a Stranger Things kind of series, but a little darker. It’s definitely really great.
10/10 would recommend to anyone who enjoys Stephen King works or, who has enjoyed Stranger Things