Neal Shusterman always has challenging, thought-provoking ideas that he bases his novels on. Some have worked better than others for me. This premise worked well, although not quite as well as his Arc of a Scythe trilogy. This book takes place in a recently post-Covid world where a new virus threatens to upend the world once again. This virus - Crown Royale - is just as deadly but has a unique side effect for the 96% who survive. Recoverees experience no negative emotions and instead are driven by a compulsion to make the world better. The narrative has three primary characters who all fall into the upper YA age range. Their lives interact with each other and a large host of other characters in various ways as they - and the world - grapple with the complicated ethics surrounding this virus. This is a fascinating case study albeit one that lacks significant depth to any of the characters, the one flaw that brings down my rating. I do recommend this book with the caveat that some may find it a bit lacking.

Master writer Neal Shusterman reimagines the pandemic experience that became familiar to all of us with a different type of virus--one that makes you an optimist and an altruist, and the inevitable consequences fo such a world. This story follows our two main characters, homeless teen Mariel and crazy rich teen heir Tiberon (Ron). When their paths unexpectedly cross and they are affected by the virus in opposite ways, they go on a cross-country mission to change the world. This story expertly explores all angles of this virus' affects and the way people react--to those who support super-spreading to bring the whole world bliss to those who seek to stop the spread by any means necessary for one reason or another. The story is clever, impactful, and a crazy ride all in one. I still prefer Scythe over this, but it's still a great read.

This story is about a world where happiness becomes contagious, and some teens are caught in a conspiracy. I have read some Shusterman books in the past, who is known for his dystopian stories. I have to say that this was not my read. The entire storyline was a cool concept, and I enjoyed the world he built. This was a longer book (over 400 pages), but thankfully, the story didn’t feel that long because of the plot twists and conflicts. This story follows multiple povs of teens in the world.

We have three MCs: Mariel, Ron, and Morgan. I won’t go much into detail, but sadly, the characters just didn’t connect with me. They honestly didn’t even feel like main characters, but instead side characters. So the side characters were like background people in the show. I believe the author was mainly focused on the world, which I get since it’s dystopian, but the book feels more informational than a story. There is a bit of romance, but it was so forced and a sideline part of the story.

For the ending, I see where the author was going with it, but it just didn’t work out. I wish the book had better characters or that the author focused more on his MCs because the entire concept of the story was cool. I was able to finish the book because of the world, but this was not it. Fans of Shusterman might enjoy it, but his other books are much better.

*this arc was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

It was okay. It wasn’t my favorite but don’t mean other people won’t enjoy it. I hope all the success of this author. And best wishes

Yikes. I love Shusterman as an author, but this was a major miss for me. I decided I didn’t like it at about 30% completion, but wanted to see it through. I slogged through what felt like a massive tome….only to have the most abrupt ending for any stand alone book EVER. It just felt like a weak forced philosophical debate with too many complex situations explained in an overly simplistic way.

A new pandemic - one that starts just like COVID with a fever and moves into a respiratory issues, it's main difference is if you survive. Those that manage to fight it wake up euphoric - happy to be alive and love life. For many, the fever and cold are a death sentence and they are masking up and avoiding others. However, for others, each day is hard to wake up and join the rat race again and again. They join ground zero events - concerts when they are still around and other mass gatherings - in the hopes to get it and cure their depression and all around feeling of doom.

This was an interesting story - one that kept me wondering what would come next. It was a big cast of characters, a little overwhelming to start, but I soon rolled with and really appreciated how they each gave a different side of this disease and who was profiting or turning it to their advantage. I like how this made me think, made me wonder, and made me question how this would play out. I no longer know how the world would react to something like this. Although there were a few parts that seemed to slow the story down, I did find each part interesting. The audio narrator was also great. Highly recommend if you're ready to read a book about a pandemic.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

This book follows the world after a pandemic hits. When the pandemic hits and people recover from the virus, they are different. They are happier and have less motivation to make money and whatnot. This has some really interesting effects on society.

We follow a lot of different perspectives as the world changes from this virus.

I am torn for this book. On the one hand, this concept was really interesting and unique. I liked the different aspects that we followed and it took some interesting turns.

On the other hand, this one felt way too long. We had a lot of perspectives, and it was hard to keep track of. I feel like some of them could have been cut out.

I hope others love this one but it didn't totally work for me.

I admit I was disappointed - I had to try a few times to finish. I love Unwind so much, but this struggled to get me engaged at first. And I don't like when books are writtten to be series. Just write a book.

I adore Shusterman books. He is king of the possible utopian but actually dystopian book and how it can reverbate across the world and change the lives of many characters. I was with him until the very end but then so many strands had not resolved that I'm wondering if there is a sequel. Otherwise, very fascinating and thought provoking.

The premise of this book is intriguing and, as usual with Shusterman, there are moral and ethical questions for the reader to work through, but I just could not get into the story. Things dragged on and there were times when I just wanted it to be over. At one point, I realized that I’d skipped an entire chapter (I was listening and reading) and it didn’t even matter - I missed nothing and wasn’t confused about anything later in the book.

Okay, first thing to know before starting is this is the first of a two-book series. I didn't know this going in and when I got to the end of this long book I was like WTF! Zero closure?! How unsatisfying, and what a bummer. But then I did find out there is a planned follow-up book called All Over Now due out at some point in the future, which shifted my perspective to Ahh, cliffhanger, of sorts...

This dystopian story about the division a new, post-covid viral pandemic is causing has several compelling storylines that eventually weave their way together. No spoilers here to ruin things for others but I will share that the plot is really clever in that I am still not clear which side is the side I am supposed to be rooting for. Both camps make some good points for why it makes sense to side with their point of view but both factions can also be complete and total selfish jerks who make super bad choices at times.

As noted above, the book leaves us hanging on just about all the plot-lines but despite this, it is worth checking out. I look forward to part 2 and learning how things will end. And if there is no sequel, even though there won't any closure for the characters, the story does raise some good ethical questions to ponder...

I lost interest in this book about 1/2 way through. There were a lot of characters to keep track of and the way people became once they got the virus, it was just unbelievable. It was well-written, but I did not finish.

Thank you, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers and NetGalley, for the chance to read this book in exchange of an honest review.

A deadly virus is spreading, but those who survived experience utter contentment. Stress, fears, depression, greed and such are gone and soon the happiness is spreading fast. More and more people are happy, without negative feelings, but the big corporations, the people in power are not happy. They lean on people's unhappiness to sell their products and now they are at risk of losing everything. More and more campaigns start to claim that being happy is dangerous and the race to find a vaccine begins. At the same time the Recoveers, happy people, are more than willing to spread happiness in order to save the world. What is the real truth? Three teenagers from different background find themselves involved in a power play that could change lives forever.

All better now is the new, brilliant and thought-proking novel by the fantastic Neal Shusterman, who always push people to think and reflect with his magnificent book. This one is no different. In a world where happiness is a virus and corporations push to find a cure, what's the truth? What to do? What the reality? What's better?
Happiness is contagious, but there are risks in catching it.
I loved, LOVED reading this book! It's so intriguing, so compelling and I loved every single thing about it. It's unique and interesting and absolutely unputdownable.
I recommend this book to everyone!

Neal Shusterman has always been someone i enjoy books from and the commentary he brings to his writing, and this book was no exception. I really am excited to get more people to read this so we can talk about it more.

I'm not a huge Shusterman fan, however, I can't deny that this book was fantastic. the story, the intertwining of all the stoties of different people, but after thought from last meeting, I do see how his writing is formulaic. BUT I still loved it and how thought provoking it was.

The next great novel from Neal Shusterman lives up to the hyper. I think the title is a little generic, but the plot will stick with me for a long time. Reading this after covid adds a new level to reading.

I really enjoyed this book.
I think Schusterman does a great job story telling while also making the plot and characters very relatable.

I liked the way the book began.
The summary says it follows 2 teens but i feel like there's way more main characters than that and I just forgot who was who.

This book is a stunning blend of heartfelt emotion and compelling storytelling. The characters leap off the page, each with their own depth and authenticity. The plot unfolds gracefully, keeping you engaged while delivering meaningful insights. It’s a beautifully written, unforgettable experience that resonates deeply.

3.5/5

I was a huge fan of the Scythe books, so I was excited to read something new by this author. I overall enjoyed this read - I think it was really thought provoking, but the concept was more interesting to me than the story itself. Nothing wrong with the writing, but perhaps it was a little too on the nose and reminiscent of COVID, which didn't work for me. I was pretty pleased with the ending, though.