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the_reading_goblin's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nklosty's review
5.0
I was immediately hooked on Spencer. The quirkiness and the whole idea of drawing the taxonomy of things intrigued me. His connection to Hope seemed both realistic and heartbreaking at different points in the story. I love it when big brothers act like big brothers. There was something to like about how Dean was ultimately there for his brother. 97
lauren_yee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
lattelibrarian's review
5.0
This book taught me so much about love, friendship, death, feelings, and Tourette's. This book is so well designed and so well written that it would be a crime not to share it with you all. Spencer loves taxonomy--classifying things into groups and subgroups helps him understand them better. And each new year begins with a taxonomy diagram featuring what just might happen in the following section. And it's usually pretty dang funny.
This book also makes great use of different storytelling abilities. It features both classic storytelling, instant messaging, and letters. It also switches between Spencer and Hope's points of view to give a better rounded view of what's going on in their respective personal lives which helps elaborate on their personal and interpersonal struggles.
What I also really appreciated was how the emotions played out. Because the characters were angry. And sometimes suicidal. And happy. And confused. And it all felt so realistic.
I also truly appreciated how much I learned about Tourette's, and how Allen was effortlessly able to slide in information about ableist language and how different medications can affect people without seeming overbearing or too distracting from the plot.
Overall, this is just a beautifully tailored coming of age story that I think will immediately enrapture all of its readers.
Review cross-listed here!
This book also makes great use of different storytelling abilities. It features both classic storytelling, instant messaging, and letters. It also switches between Spencer and Hope's points of view to give a better rounded view of what's going on in their respective personal lives which helps elaborate on their personal and interpersonal struggles.
What I also really appreciated was how the emotions played out. Because the characters were angry. And sometimes suicidal. And happy. And confused. And it all felt so realistic.
I also truly appreciated how much I learned about Tourette's, and how Allen was effortlessly able to slide in information about ableist language and how different medications can affect people without seeming overbearing or too distracting from the plot.
Overall, this is just a beautifully tailored coming of age story that I think will immediately enrapture all of its readers.
Review cross-listed here!
bookmarkedjosie's review against another edition
3.5
A Taxonomy of Love, by Rachael Allen, is a medium-paced YA contemporary romance. It consists of short chapters and various forms of writing support. You get regular chapters, as well as taxonomies, letters and text messages.
I found the book really cute and interesting. I loved how the main character has Tourette's syndrome but it doesn't define him. It's just part of who he is. I don't know anyone with Tourette's, but it felt like a good representation of it and I grew attached to Spencer.
The book is separated into different parts, following Spencer's age. We see him grow up, going from 13 years old, to 19. The language and writing style evolves accordingly and it really feels like we watch him grow up and mature.
Although it was cute and fun to read, I felt like the plot and/or the characters were missing depth. I would've wanted more. I would still recommend it for romance lovers as it is a nice read overall.
I found the book really cute and interesting. I loved how the main character has Tourette's syndrome but it doesn't define him. It's just part of who he is. I don't know anyone with Tourette's, but it felt like a good representation of it and I grew attached to Spencer.
The book is separated into different parts, following Spencer's age. We see him grow up, going from 13 years old, to 19. The language and writing style evolves accordingly and it really feels like we watch him grow up and mature.
Although it was cute and fun to read, I felt like the plot and/or the characters were missing depth. I would've wanted more. I would still recommend it for romance lovers as it is a nice read overall.
j_olip's review
2.0
Advanced Reader Copy received at BookCon (June 2017).
This book was the definition of "meh". Wasn't bad but wasn't exactly good. Hope was borderline a manic pixie dream girl, which is always a hard pass for me. I wanted to like Spencer but I just couldn't. I wish the novel dealt more with navigating high school with a disability, about the relationship between the brothers (there were some major problematic things going on here) and gave any other character more backstory. We know nothing about the other characters in play, and they had lots of potential.
This book was the definition of "meh". Wasn't bad but wasn't exactly good. Hope was borderline a manic pixie dream girl, which is always a hard pass for me. I wanted to like Spencer but I just couldn't. I wish the novel dealt more with navigating high school with a disability, about the relationship between the brothers (there were some major problematic things going on here) and gave any other character more backstory. We know nothing about the other characters in play, and they had lots of potential.
junjun10's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5