Neal Shusterman’s All Better Now is a thought-provoking and grimly enjoyable tale exploring a strange future. Set in a post-COVID world, a new virus called Crown Royale emerges, killing some but leaving survivors utterly happy and filled with empathy. The narrative follows three teens from diverse backgrounds—Mariel, Rón, and Morgan—whose lives become intertwined as they navigate the virus’s profound societal impacts. Shusterman’s darkly witty style delves into ethical questions, making readers ponder the true cost of perpetual happiness. A must-read for fans of dystopian fiction. 

I loved Shusterman's Scythe series and I think it caused me to go into this book with high hopes. Shusterman has interesting points throughout the book (for example, the motives of people or how being so happy has impacted choices) and it was a (mostly) enjoyable read. So why just three stars? I felt the pacing was off and the book was far too long for what it was. Good base concepts with interesting points but this should have been a shorter standalone book with a complete story line. The fact that it has no full conclusion made it a dissatisfying ending and almost ruined the book for me. I don't think I'll pick up the sequel because of the pacing issues. There were also a lot of spelling and grammar issues but this may have been from reading an advanced copy that maybe still had a few more edits ahead of it. If the concept interests you, it's worth the read, but if you just want to give Shusterman a try, I'd recommend starting somewhere else.

I wanted to like this book. It could have been smart. And deep. A second pandemic in one lifetime. But everything about it was shallow and unrealistic. For those of us who remember just a couple of years ago it should not be that hard to write realistically about a pandemic. And a pandemic that left you stress free? And the people who don’t want you to be? It could have been a statement about how little we learn with so much time to reflect. About how little we regard each other. It was so much less.

A few years after COVID, a new pandemic emerges—Crown Royale. While it shares some surface similarities with COVID, it comes with startling differences. High-risk groups include the elderly, the sick, diabetics, and, surprisingly, those who are colorblind. Even stranger, survivors undergo a personality shift, becoming entirely selfless and compelled to care for others, even at their own expense.

The story follows three main characters: Mariel, a homeless teen; Ron, the son of the world’s third-richest man; and Morgan, a nineteen-year-old intern working to eradicate Crown Royale. On paper, they’re an intriguing trio, but in execution, they didn’t quite hold my interest. There were moments of excitement, but overall, the story felt like it was building toward something that never arrived. The ending left me frustrated—not because I wanted more, but because I wanted the plot to feel like it was going somewhere. Instead, it read like the setup for a new world that never fully took shape. At its length, I expected more payoff.

I really wanted to love this book, but in the end, it just didn’t deliver.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited to read this because I absolutely loved Scythe…that one is one of my absolute favorites. This one was a major fail for me.

I had an issue with several things. First, the book was about 550 pages, but I think it easily could’ve been 200 pages shorter. The author kept introducing new characters randomly throughout the entire book--we only saw them once and never again. I hated that-- he used them to show what was going on in the world, but I felt like it could’ve been done differently.

Secondly, the book started interesting enough. After a while, I thought we were getting close to the ending--we were only halfway…. That is a horrible feeling. The rest was just drudgery.

Last, none of these characters were likeable or even understandable. We see one character who is actively trying to spread this virus knowing 1/25 will die---it’s just gross. I guess it’s supposed to be gross but I'm truly not sure. He wasn’t really presented like a villain--he was the protagonist. The villains were the ones trying to stop the virus--it was very weird.

I had other issues, but they are spoilery. I would totally skip this one. If you like dystopian, I would try Scythe or even Divergent instead.

Thank you, Netgalley for this copy.

2.5 rounded up

I have been a fan of Neal Shusterman since i was a teenager, so I was thrilled with getting the opportunity to read and review his newest book All Better Now prior to publication. Unfortunately, it wasn't a favorite of his.

The book is set shortly after the Covid 19 pandemic, where a new disease known as Crown Royale is becoming a new pandemic. We follow various characters, which at times made the story feel more complicated than it needed to be. Some characters I enjoyed their storylines, while others I didn't care much for. I also felt like the book took a bit too long to get to the point. The beginning caught my attention, but the middle dragged a little bit. I feel like there was some scenes that could have been edited out.

But I love the way Shusterman incorporates societal issues into a Dystopian landscape. It forces readers to really think about situations and the pros and cons of decisions. In All Better Now, Crown Royale survivors find themselves with a new positive and blissful view of life. Which sounds amazing, right? Well, not exactly. At various points in the book, recoverees seem to lack basic self preservation when someone else is in danger. So it begs the question, is happiness, empathy and the pursuit of the greater good always what we should strive for? Going into the book, I would have answered a quick yes. Now, I am not so sure.

I still think the book is worth the read, despite the less than stellar rating I gave it. The book follows an interesting concept, just be prepared for the possibility of varying pacing.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25 / 5

Though this book brought me a lot of flashbacks of COVID (shudder), but the concept of a virus affecting people emotionally after the fact is so intriguing and worked really well.

Summary: A virus called Crown Royale has suddenly overtaken the world. But unlike a normal virus, this one leaves survivors feeling utterly content. Gone are any negative feelings they used to experience before they were "embraced." Most people who have experienced the after effects, or have witnessed loved ones experience it, believe the virus could be a gift that is meant to bring the world back into balance. But people in power see it as a disease that snatches the person you used to be and replaces it with a more genteel and docile person. They also don't like that the embraced are not buying into the greed and desires that go along with a capitalistic society. Even just having a small amount of the population "embraced" has left the economy in turmoil, putting those in power into a panicked spiral wondering how they can combat this virus. The story follows two teenagers who are on opposite sides of the spectrum when it comes to the virus, but can they help reveal the truth of the virus? Or are they meant to remain enemies forever?

My thoughts: All Better Now has such an engrossing plot with plenty of action and intrigue that kept me rapt with attention and guessing until the end. It was so interesting to watch this pandemic play out on both sides. We follow Morgan who is completely opposed to the virus, Crown Royale, and the "embraced" survivors, and we also follow Rón who survived Crown Royale and is able to spread the virus even though he is fully recovered.

Both teenagers have their own vendettas when it comes to the pandemic, and though one has more resources at their disposal, it's amazing what one can do when they have the backing of so many others who have been embraced by Crown Royale.

We also get to watch another character, Mariel, as she grapples with whether the virus is good for humanity or should be eradicated. She gets to spend time with both Morgan and Rón and has to decide where her loyalties, and morals, lie in the end.

I found All Better Now to have a powerful message of choice embedded into the thrilling story. It's one I'd recommend for fans of dystopian novels with complex characters and an ending that will leave you satisfied yet wanting more.

No one does sci-fi and speculative YA fiction like Neal Shusterman! This novel n is no exception. In this pandemic story-which definitely has some nods to COVID-a new pandemic blazes through the population, causing death for many, and… happiness? Those who survive are left with contentment, a commitment to help others and a deep sense of joy. Sounds amazing, but markets are shutting down as no one needs material goods, people die trying to save others at their own expense, and the desire to spread the disease so others can feel that same sense of enlightenment drives the “embraced” to go to extreme lengths to meet their goals. Much like other Shusterman novels, there is a diverse cast of characters and an almost adventure-like feeling to the story. Will it be a series? This reader hopes so.

All Better Now reimagines the pandemic, if the side-effects of Long COVID were a newfound and permanent sunny disposition. Who else but Neal Shusterman could come up with this stuff, right? Now, don't misunderstand: this pandemic is equally deadly, or rather, more deadly than COVID. It's just that if the person does recover, they don't have heart problems and chronic fatigue, they just have... perma-rose colored glasses.

Yes, it is weird, but because it is Shusterman, it somehow inexplicably works. You buy it, it seems plausible, even though your logical mind is asking if you've gone mad. We get point of view accounts from several different characters. Some are into this idea of becoming enlightened via the virus, such as Rón ("with a pretentious accent above the O"), and some are adamantly against the whole thing, and trying their best to put the kibosh on it (not for any altruistic reasons, mind). Basically the problem is, everyone takes everything too far. Rón decides that everyone should have the virus, even though it can kill. Mariel, one of the very few immune, knows she cannot allow innocent people to die. Basically everyone has an agenda, and since there is no clear "right" move, it makes for a very morally gray story, which I adore.

I won't say too much else, but it is light and fun at times, and definitely darker in others. The whole concept is incredibly thought provoking, and as such quite readable. It seems like it may be part of a series, though I am not finding any confirmation (or denial), as the ending tends to leave things a bit open for my liking (but I don't mind if it is a series). I would, of course, be reading any further books if they exist!

Bottom Line: It's so bizarre, yet it somehow works for providing great thought provoking commentary, as always.

My favorite thing about Shusterman is that his books revolve around morally complex issues with no clear “correct” answer. All Better Now definitely felt similar in spirit to his Scythe series.

Based not long after COVID, All Better Now is about a new pandemic. One with twice the mortality rate, but a weirdly positive twist: those who do survive end up with a deep sense of contentment and altruism.

Shusterman’s books always leave me considering what I would do if I ended up in his worlds. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC, and I hope this gets a sequel 😅

Happiness is contagious in Neal Shusterman's new book, All Better Now.

Having just recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, the world is dealing with an unprecedented condition. It acts like a virus. Patients suffer from fever and coughs, and some lose their lives. But those who recover from the infection experience a "mass unburdening." Recoveries find their stress, anger, lack of empathy, and despair are gone. Money and jobs are no longer a concern for the recovered. The money they spent on needless things is now funneled toward charity and helping others. Those who have yet to be infected worry that the Recoveries' newfound carefree lifestyle will destroy the world.

I can always count on Neal Shusterman to write unique stories that force readers to sit with their thoughts. All Better Now was so good. I am still thinking about it days later. I have discussed the concept of the book and the questions it raises with all my friends and family. I genuinely want to know how they think the world would react if we were all suddenly empathetic and put others' lives and feelings above our own. As beautiful as it sounds, Schusterman raises realistic consequences for a world that is all better now.

The story follows multiple POVs, and I found several characters multi-faceted and interesting. The morally grey and more villainous characters are especially well-written.

I did a tandem read with both the ebook and the audio. Greg Tremblay once again delivers a fantastic performance.

I highly recommend All Better Now for those who enjoy thought-provoking science fiction, stories that raise interesting questions about society, and good vs. evil. While marketed toward young adults, I think those readers who typically shy away from YA may find this an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster, and Simon Audio for advanced copies in exchange for an honest review.

A virus that may begin with a fever but ends with long lasting happiness is sweeping through. Sounds great, right? Well, the widespread contentment has powerful people worried. What happens to the drive to succeed when everyone is happy where they are? What happens to the sale of products aimed at repairing the flaws some focus on? Where does this leave the economy long term?

There are some excellent discussion points to be tossed around in these pages.

The main characters are older teens from different walks of life. The book is told from multiple perspectives which ended up being a double-edged sword for me. On a positive note, it showed a broad range of how the virus affected different areas and many differing views. However, the constant jumping around made it impossible for me to connect with any of the characters. The large cast of characters felt like bare bones representations of archetypes. There was so much back and forth I struggled to stay engaged, but I understood that the author was trying to demonstrate far-reaching consequences.

The novel was unnecessarily long. The minor plot threads that tie in eventually are compelling, but it took so long that it lost some of the punch that it would have had if the writing was more concise.

The premise was intriguing, and the novel definitely had its moments, but the tone didn't grab me.

***If mentions of Covid are triggering for you, this may be one to avoid.**

Currently Available

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for providing an Advance Reading Copy for review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you for the chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
It took me quite some time to wrap my mind around what was actually going on when I began reading. However, the thing that bothered me the most was that, like Corona, the virus was another alcoholic beverage name, Crown Royale. It felt a little silly and made it hard for me to really get behind the concept in the book.

I also had a hard time finding a connection to any of the characters. Although there were many points of view, it still just didn’t resonate with me in any way. I typically like dystopian worlds, but this one fell flat for me in the sense of falling in love with the actual plot of the story.

I didn’t hate the story, but I felt like the concept of the story was better than its actual execution.

What if you caught a highly contagious, deadly virus, but like the 96% of the people who contract the illness and survive, you are forever altered to be happy in your own skin, no longer yearning for the next big deal, the bigger house, better car, better life? What if the powers that be relying upon greed, comparison, and the yearn for more want do not want this result and will do anything and everything to return to the way things have always been? As in all his novels, ALL BETTER NOW by Neal Shusterman takes a cool, clear look at society and the way things seem to be. While parts of the story dragged on -- it felt slow and wordy in places -- I enjoyed the story immensely for the keen perspective Shusterman offers of who we are and who we think we need to be. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

All Better Now contains interesting speculative fiction ideas for which Shusterman has become known, but it fails to portray an engaging plot and characters the reader will root for.

I really struggled to understand the *point* of this book, and at over 500 pages, the point should be crystal clear. The plot blurb sounds super intriguing, sharpening the content's disappointment. Was this a plot-driven story? No. The plot meandered and it was hard to discern who you should be rooting for. So was this a character-driven story? No. The writing style was disconnected from the characters and the heroes were more villains or complete middlemen.

I wanted to love this. I adored Shusterman's Scythe and Unwind series, so I was excited about characters along those veins, but instead, I was left disappointed. I will not be continuing with the series (yes, I was upset this was only the first book in a series that didn't really NEED to be a series--especially at 500+ pages), but I am going to read summaries of future books to see how everything turns out. However, I predict the ending will be as mediocre as the beginning with no real resolution.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with copies of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for honest feedback. An interesting take on the pandemic novel, can't wait to see what happens next!

A new virus has arrived, but its recoverees find their lasting symptoms unlike any virus ever seen before - all their negative feelings are gone. The "embraced," as they begin calling themselves, find they now enjoy utter contentment. And while many are happy to expose themselves to this new virus, Crown Royale, in order to unburden themselves, many in power, who depend on people's negative feelings and desires to sell their products and agendas, fight to convince people of the danger of Crown Royale. Mariel Mudroch and Tiburon (Ron) Escobedo, two teens from different backgrounds, soon find themselves at the center of this power play, trying to determine the truth.

This was a really interesting read. Shusterman does a wonderful job of setting up a dystopian sci-fi plot in an entirely believable way. I also appreciated that Shusterman shifted the POV between not only Ron and Mariel, but also a handful of other key players in the central struggle. This gives the reader the chance to see and consider the moral dilemmas of the virus and the creation of a counter-virus from both sides. And although there is very much a "us versus them" mentality, Shusterman leaves it up to the reader to decide which side of that struggle they want to be on.

The book raises some really interesting questions about society. There's a lot of focus on money in the book, especially as several of the most wealthy people on the planet contract the virus and go on to give away their amassed fortunes.

My biggest complaint is that it felt like there could have been some additional editing to reduce some of the wordier parts of the book and maybe even out the pacing. It definitely felt a bit slow in the beginning, but it picked up in the last 20-30%.

Read if you like:
Multi-POV
YA dystopian
Found family
High stakes
Viral pandemic
Social commentary

Imagine a world where a virus is plaguing humanity... oh, wait, we've already done that and are still suffering some of the lasting consequences of it's effects.

However, in this book, Shusterman imagines a virus which has a 4% mortality rate, but if you contract it and survive, you are left on the other side with a sense of euphoria and being unburdened by the weight of the world. There is a loss of greed or jealousy to buy new things and the corporate world is determined to rid the world of this "blight" since they are no longer able to capitalize on the FOMO people use to feel. Some people want to catch the virus and alleviate the burden of want and anger, however, some aren't sure if they will be a true version of themselves if/ when they get the virus and recover.

I know some people would find this type of book premise to be a bit close to home with the world still recovering, however, I do think this book is incredibly good and takes an interesting look on capitalize and society. It also shows some of the darker parts of a plague, which echo things we've been through; but it also shows some of the rays of hope where there are volunteers and services to help those who are struggling.

Each time I read something by Shusterman, I do feel he is pretty good with providing a sense of social commentary on the topics he writes about.

Thank you Netgalley for a free copy for my honest review and simon & schuster!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Thought-provoking & deeply emotional

Neal Shusterman does it again! All Better Now is a gripping, mind-bending read that dives deep into morality, second chances, and the messy complexity of being human. 💭✨

From page one, I was hooked. The story pulls you in with its intense premise and doesn’t let go. The characters? Flawed, raw, and real. The themes? Deep and unsettling in the best way. Shusterman challenges readers to question what they think they know—about themselves, about justice, about redemption.

📖 What I loved:
✔️ Complex, morally gray characters
✔️ Unpredictable twists that keep you thinking
✔️ Emotional depth that lingers after you turn the last page

⚠️ What I struggled with:
➖ Some pacing dips in the middle
➖ The ending felt a little too open-ended for my taste

Overall, if you love books that challenge your perspective and stay with you long after reading, this one’s for you!

All Better Now is just as it says a book that asks what is happiness and worth and if the cause for happiness is a disease are you really the same afterwards. This book asks some interesting questions and then investigates from multiple points of view.

Characters
Mariel—excellent use of a character who desperately wants something only to have it withheld. Our middle of the two other extremes
Morgan—Successor of Haviland Consortium, Firmly Anti Crown Royale
Ron-Tiburon-- Alpha Spreader. Believes that everyone would be better with disease
Dame Havillard and Rooks—former president of Haviland Consortium
Javins—Creepy voice. A double recoveree.

Atmosphere
Atmosphere was well done, I at times could really feel the pandemic situation. The way people treat others who are sick or “might” be sick. Very realistic

Writing
Good writing
Didn’t take the lazy way out of making people lazy after contentment

Plot
I wish that Morgan had taken a slightly different approach with making it seem like she was supporting Recoveree’s while working on cure, to not raise suspicions, but it makes sense not to because the recoverees don’t seem like a threat until its too late.
Investment
I was very invested in Morgans storyline and Maribels plot. Ron was interesting but less engaging for me.

Logic
The ability to overcome instincts.
Instinct to help/save ends up killing more people
I like that it didn’t change who people were, it just took away the anger, the pride, the meaness. But people could still be ambitious and were even more so.

Enjoyment
Really enjoyed this. The concept and the question of would you accept a virus if it made you happy


Misc
Like the fake out of With Morgan dying not dying
Preston Morgan’s VP assistant. Gets the Anticure La Llorona out. The name of the chapter is everything he touches.
The Virus at the end makes you need. I thought it was going to be an retroviral that would balance out. love and hate, not a 1 or the other.
Touch vs Airborne.
The hate posted towards those who had it all the propaganda.