Reminiscent of the movie “Kill Your Darlings” but INFINITELY better in every way. I throughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end and was pulled in from the very first page.

The grass is not always greener and a “better world” is not always what it seems.

This story begins as a struggling family known as The Farmer Bowens, sole breadwinner dad loses his job, the paycheck which barely stretched to cover their expenses. The time period is 2090s- so dystopian- An apparent reprieve, in the form of a job offer, allows the family to establish a life in the "Hollow", an elitist company enclave which is dramatically isolated from the steadily increasing crime rate of their former neighborhood in NY.

Once the family arrives in the new town, they learn that there is a steep price to living in the community. This is a mind blowing story that ties to so much of what is happening in our world today. Best yet, it is a beautiful story of relationships -whether it is the marriage, the children or making friends.
The concept was so intriguing and scary. It hit a little too close to home as it seems like something that could really happen in the near future!
As you can probably guess, this so-called "better world" is not all that it's cracked up to be. It's more of a cult. Told with great detail and a phenomenal writing style, this is an author to watch out for. This is one of those books that I feel my review will not do it justice. So I will leave it at that and say that I do recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the early opportunity to read and to review this novel. A better World debuts in April of 2024.

I’ve been trying to figure out how to review this one without sounding like a gushing idiot.

I can’t.

I LOVED THIS!!! LOL – Yes, I went all caps there.

It’s incredibly suspenseful, had characters I loved and features a world I do NOT want to live in. It’s funny, satirical and has more than a few shades of bizarre horror. Seriously, I got shades of Bentley Little without the weird sexual parts Little loves so much.

Now, keep in mind it definitely gets horrific, so if you aren’t a horror reader, you may wish to tread lightly. But it’s well done and oddly delightful.

So, yeah…I’m gushing. Loved this, will recommend it to everyone, and I wish that it hadn’t ended!

• ARC via Publisher

You’ll be safe here. That’s what the greasy tour guide tells the Farmer-Bowens when they visit Plymouth Valley, a walled-off company town with clean air, pantries that never go empty, and blue-ribbon schools.

I did really like this book but I must note that while it is being portrayed as a cult-thriller, it reads more like dystopian fiction. That being said, this book is absolutely terrifying and creepy in the best possible ways. This would be a phenomenal work to turn into a movie or limited series (which to me is always a high compliment since I love seeing work come to life!)

Sarah Langan has returned and she has brought us some more (not so) good neighbors in her latest novel, A Better World. I am deeply saddened, after waiting so long for this moment, that I was not enamored with her latest.

I really wanted to love this, and I had fully expected to, given my feelings for Good Neighbors. While the social commentary is present, it didn’t feel as sharp as it did in its predecessor. I must further confess that I didn’t feel as tightly tethered to the protagonists of A Better World as I did with Good Neighbors.
Langan’s previous novel spoke to me, on a personal level, in a way that this one didn’t. While relatability isn’t the definitive factor in my love for a novel, when so many other aspects make the entire narrative feel distant, it’s difficult not to note the comparison between these two Langan reads.

There is suspense in A Better World, but the tension is muted by how much is openly revealed within the story as it moves long. I correctly suspected how the angle of the climax would look, although Langan did still manage to hit me hard with some shocks within that.

Reading A Better World was kind of like consuming a burger when I’d expected a steak. It was satisfying enough to fill me up, but it wasn’t something I savored.

I am immensely grateful to Atria Books and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.

Phew, that was a hell of a wtf ending!! At its core, this is the story of a troubled marriage, actually a troubled family trying to get along in 2093. Russell, Linda’s husband gets a job with one of the many corporations who have created their own towns and stolen all of the resources. Putting the rest of the country in dire straits. This town holds many secrets, the most complexing is the Winter Festival. With such a growing sense of dread and an absolutely insane ending, this book pulled me in! A wonderful cast of strange characters, with a fantastic strong, and relatable female main character this book ticks all the boxes!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Wow. Just wow. This is a book that would make a phenomenal movie.
I was drawn in right at the first chapter. I finished it in three nights and couldn’t put it down.
It was a non stop ride the whole time. Part science fiction, part mystery and really part horror.
Really great book. Can’t wait to read more from this author!

Ten pages into A Better World, I was already wondering if it should be a feature film or a series along the lines of Westworld. The bunker mentality of the uber-rich—a sad reality of our day—plays out to its logical conclusion in this smart tale about a family of outsiders and their desperate attempt to assimilate in what they’ve been led to believe would be an environment safe from the near-collapse of civilization outside. Hazed, shunned, bullied, and then finally accepted, they come to realize that the real danger lies within the walls of their contrived paradise.

I loved this. I felt so immersed in the story and enjoyed every second. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a story that I certainly feel will stick with me, even if it wasn't an all-time favorite. The premise of this novel is extremely interesting, and I felt that I really got to know the characters (for better or worse). In fact, the characters were my favorite part of the book, as I felt Langan crafted some deeply realistic portrayals of human beings. I think that many readers could relate to those within the group of main characters, either recognizing something of themselves or of those they know. The on-going conflict between Linda and Russell was my favorite sub-plot of this piece; it was the perfect undercurrent for the bigger conflicts at the surface of the plot.

As I said, the premise of this book is very enticing. The setting is quite eerie, always giving the impression that something isn't quite right, though it's impossible to put your finger on it. This made the novel a really fun read because I just didn't want to put it down - I wanted to figure everything out before the end. To me, that's where Langan really shined.
That said, I found myself wanting more at some points. I was left feeling like some of the breadcrumbs Langan left for the reader never quite led all the way home. Self-aware as I am, I can admit that I love closure, a story with all loose ends tied into nice bows, and I understand that just isn't how every author wants their ending to read.

All told, I would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy dystopian fiction and thrillers. The pacing was just right, in my opinion, and there are plenty of social commentaries to wheedle out from this engaging read. I'll definitely be picking up another Sarah Langan book in the future. Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this eARC.

It's obvious from the other Goodreads reviews that I'm in the minority here, but I really didn't love this one. I mean, it was okay and I'll admit that the first fifty percent was pretty great, but it just kind of lost me in the second half.

First of all, A Better World is dystopian fiction. Both the Goodreads and NetGalley blurbs make it seem like more of a cult-based thriller, and while there's definitely some of that, it's also very dystopian. Dystopian fiction has never been my favorite genre, but I actually felt as if that part was done really well. I particularly enjoyed the backstory of the Great Unwinding and the rise of the utopian company towns like Pleasant Valley. I also enjoyed the initial glimpse into Pleasant Valley and its exclusiveness, and its unique traditions (known as Hollow).

The second half of the book, however, was less exciting for me. Once the Farmer-Bowens became part of the in-crowd, the story lost a lot of the sparkle. There's a lot of repetition (the same people keep doing the same things over and over and discussing the same subjects), and all of the initially interesting and fun characters become anything but. I suppose this is intentional – Pleasant Valley is not a place where uniqueness is encouraged – but unfortunately it doesn't make for a particularly exciting read.

The ending, too, seemed rather rushed and lacking in depth and detail. The Big Bad is defeated in what felt like a few sentences, and then it's just … over. Linda doesn't attempt to expose anything that happened in the underground shelter and it all felt rather anticlimactic.

I'm not saying that this book isn't worth a read, however. Despite its flaws, it has an original premise and the (dystopian) world-building is really fantastic. I'd actually love to know more about the world outside of these utopian corporate enclaves. And every Goodreads review prior to this one has been super positive, so others obviously enjoyed this one much more than I did.

Overall rating: 3.45 stars, rounded down. If you like your dystopian fiction with a side of crazy corporate cult members and genetically engineered not-chickens, there's a good chance that you'll really enjoy this one.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC! 💙

First time I read a book by Sarah Langan, and after I finished it, I immediately purchased another written by this author.

Wow, this book will leave an impression on you as distinct as that of the first footprint that touches newly fallen snow (although the imprint this story makes on your brain will be both refreshing and long-lasting).

Although I typically do not seek out sci-fi or fantasy novels, I love a well-written story regardless of its genre.

Unfortunately, after what has occurred in the United States within the past dozen years (in the political and social arenas) the premise of this novel is NOT quite as unimaginable as I wish it was.

This story begins as a struggling family's (a male and female married couple who have a set of twins) sole breadwinner loses his job, the paycheck which barely stretched to cover their expenses. An apparent reprieve, in the form of a job offer, allows the family to establish a life in the "Hollow", an elitist company enclave which is dramatically isolated from the steadily increasing crime rate of their former neighborhood.

I recommend this novel especially for fans of The Hunger Games; this story also seems to give a tip of the hat in tribute to The Stepford Wives,

Basically, though, this is just one delicious treat of a story! It is chock full of mind-blowing originality and it cuts through the lines which typically demand we restrict a book to only one category or type...

I ADORE both the aforementioned novels, and after this book is made into a movie, I expect it to become as equally well known as those titles...

This one, dear readers, is. a five-star HIT that provides spellbinding enjoyment and food for thought far beyond that which is triggered by most books.

I am thrilled to discover this amazing author who is "new to me" although I am the epitome of a "voracious reader".

Much deeper than expected, left me with goosebumps. Not your typical suburban trouble in paradise thriller- you have dystopian and cult thrown in as well. Loved it and eager to see what Ms. Langan does next!

I loved Good Neighbors and this title had a lot of the same humor and creepiness of that novel. But I did feel that it dragged towards the middle/end more than Langan's previous novel, and didn't feel quite as sharp overall.

This is a great book! The story is like a dystopian version of “The Stepford Wives”. I got a little bored in the middle, but it ended strong!

Weird and creepy and really makes you think. "A Better World" is an interesting story of a gated town in the future, run by a sketchy company that has made a product that has "bettered" the world. The concept was so intriguing and scary. It hit a little too close to home as it seems like something that could really happen in the near future! I really enjoyed learning about each of the characters and their complicated relationship with the Farmer-Bowens who come to the town as outsiders. I would definitely read another book by Sarah Langan and thoroughly enjoyed this one.

This book is a rare dystopia that leaves the reader with some hope at the end. The cult-like company town's buildup to their spring festival was fairly predictable, but it had enough action and twists to keep me interested. The ending stood out to me and lifts this novel above the typical dsytopian work. The hope in community and climate resiliency was unique and welcome.

OMG! This is one of the craziest, creepiest, most horrifying books I've ever read! A closed-off community in dystopian suburbia where the top 0.00001 percenters have created a safe and secure environment for themselves away from the destruction and disease of the rest of the world. As you can probably guess, this so-called "better world" is not all that it's cracked up to be. It's more of a cult-like DISTURBIA. These people are CRAZY!! Honestly, I think I'm going to have nightmares about this book for weeks. It was very well written and extremely thought-provoking. A story that I will never forget.

Thank you to the author, Atria Books, and NetGalley for granting me digital access in exchange for my honest review!

A Better World. With its architecturally outstanding suburban homes, manicured lawns, “blue ribbon winner” schools, maintenance services and clean air, Plymouth Valley provides a better world. Or does it? In the near future in the Era of the Great Unwinding, the world is suffering the affects of climate change, nuclear proliferation and more. Russell, Linda Farmer and their two children have been living on the edge since Russell list his job. Then comes the employment offer from BetterWorld. A new career. A home in Plymouth Valley. A car. Food delivery. Superior schools. But when Russell and Linda move to this dream community, their neighbors are unfriendly, their children are shunned at school, co-workers are uncooperative and all the residents are focused on strange birds and stranger holidays. Linda is accepted into a group of powerful women who will assure that the couple stays successful in PV. But Linda fears a darker side, a darkness that will ultimately threaten her and her family.

A Better World deserves every one of five stars. It is totally unique, blending satire with horror. Biting descriptions of suburban life alternate with slow discoveries of corporate greed and growing dread. This is dystopian fiction at its best. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Sarah Langan for this ARC.

Wow, this was an intriguing, thought-provoking novel. I rarely rate a book five stars, but oh this one came close. I love a good dystopian near-future novel, and Sarah Langan created a fascinating version of this in her novel A Better World. Linda, a pediatrician, and her family struggle to make ends meet in the outside world, where their lives are at risk every day due to flooding, pollution, and crime. When they are invited to join the company town Plymouth Valley, they jump at the chance to live inside its safe, serene, and elite walls. But of course, not everything is as rosy as it initially seems. Delightful and disturbing. Engrossing and enraging. Unique and upsetting.

Linda notes cases of pediatric aplastic anemia among Plymouth Valley's youth. This should be an incredibly rare disease, and yet, she knows of multiple children afflicted among the small population. Aplastic anemia is a blood condition where the bone marrow doesn't make enough blood cells of all kinds--red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells. It often arises due to exposure to a toxin or radiation. Treatment can either be a combination of immunosuppressive drugs or a bone marrow transplant. There are only somewhere in the range of 300-900 cases per year in the entire United States.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the early opportunity to read and to review this novel.
I will post this review on my Bookstagram and Goodreads sites on the publication date for this novel, April 9th, 2024.