I wanted to give this 4.5, mainly because there was a lot of narrative I could have done without and still gotten the gist. Such is an SK book, though.

The Institute is a good story with excellent characters, with just enough conspiracy theory and sci-fi, suspense and some horrific deaths of characters thrown in. The ending was just good enough, not overdone, and I enjoyed plowing through the last 200 pages in a day without even thinking twice about it.

I am skipping commentary on parallels to other things out there (other books, Stranger Things, etc). I read some SK interviews, and I get what he was doing with this story. Similar idea, different details.

Will never not love SK's writing style. I think that's why I keep coming back.