This novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys stories of personal growth, resilience, and the complexities of the human experience. Shusterman once again proves his skill as a master storyteller, delivering a powerful, uplifting message of hope and redemption. Thank you for the opportunity to read this!

Wow. Well, this was certainly an intellectual read: not that I would expect anything less from Neal Shusterman. He is known to make you think deeply about what you read... but holy cow. I need a few days to decompression from this one.

I should start with what I love about this one besides the thinking part. The main premise is that after Corona Virus, another pandemic breaks out: the Crown Royale. If that doesn't make you want to read this novel... well, I don't know what else will because I found the virus name endless entertaining. Okay, how about if the virus's side effect is that you will be content and happy once you recover? You will go about your days in bliss (if you survive). What would the world ramifications be if everyone was suddenly content with their lives? I never thought so much about this concept until this novel.

I loved the juxtaposition of Rob and Mariel throughout the entire novel: it was clever and powerful. Morgan could possibly be my favorite character just for her drive and ruthlessness.

If you want a book that makes you think, this is it!

Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-arc of All Better Now by Neal Shusterman.
Having been through Covid so recently, I am not typically a fan of pandemic books. However, Neal Shusterman puts an interesting spin on the pandemic concept. What if a pandemic made people happy and empathetic? What if the world became a little bit nicer because of those infected? Crown Royale brings a sense of peace to those it touches, but not everyone is happy. As with any conflict, there are always two sides. Shusterman does a great job making you think and question who you believe. Creating a list of strong characters, Shusterman presents the conflict from many sides and allows the reader to determine who to cheer for. I'm excited to see how teens react to this book!

Sci-Fi is a new to me genre, so I was so excited to come across this story! The Scythe series has been on my list for a long time, and now its at the top of my list. I loved the characters in this story, and the multiple POV was done really well! A pandemic that makes people happy is just what our world needs, and I had to keep reminding myself this is fiction. Well done!

I personally did not enjoy this and I believe it’s completely a me problem. The parallels to COVID 19 were a bit more pronounced than I had anticipated.

Dystopia meets pandemic. Shusterman never fails, and this YA book is one that anyone can enjoy! It was a 'can't put down' book for me. I enjoyed each character and each of their narratives. This is a must to your library, if you are purchasing for libraries!

I decided to complete the book despite my first reservations. It was actually pretty good so I’m glad I continued.. I am a big fan of Neal Shusterman and this book was definitely not as great as some of his past writings but it grew on me! Give the book time to develop is my best advice!!!!

This is one of those books that once you start, you aren't going to want to put it down. I like the idea of the virus and the effects it has on people, and I don't think i have read anything like this. I love the way we get the story of four very different people but then it all comes together, and their stories intertwine. And it kept me guessing for the entirety of the book. I love when I can read a book and simply have fun with it. This book did exactly that for me and just exemplifies why Neal Shusterman is an auto-buy author for me.

Neal Shusterman has some of the most unique and interesting concepts for his books, and All Better Now is also fresh and thought provoking. Now that we have experienced a recent and decidedly negative pandemic, readers can consider a positive one. If you were happy all the time, could there be drawbacks? And who could be against it? Teens will be hooked and eagerly waiting for the next installment.

"All Better Now" was an interesting take on a pandemic-ridden world. It is clear why Neal Shusterman is known for his intriguing post-apocalyptic stories.

The novel follows three main characters, Mariel (a potentially immune woman), Ron (a billionaire's son with Recovery Syndrome), and Morgan (an executive who was hired by yet another billionaire). The first half of the novel is told from their individual perspectives regarding the new disease ravaging the world, Crown Royal, until their lives ultimately converge later in the story.

I found this book to be truly fascinating particularly after having lived through a global pandemic ourselves.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for selecting me for this ARC. It was a fun read.

Neal Shusterman is known for crafting thought-provoking speculative fiction, and All Better Now is no exception. The novel presents a chilling yet fascinating premise: a virus that eliminates stress, greed, and negative emotions, leaving survivors in a state of absolute contentment. While this might seem like a utopian dream, it quickly becomes a nightmare for those in power, who thrive on insecurity and dissatisfaction to keep society functioning as it always has.

Shusterman explores a world divided between those who embrace this newfound peace and those who fear its consequences. The novel follows three teens from diverse backgrounds as they navigate the political and ethical dilemmas surrounding the virus. As media manipulation and conflicting agendas come into play, the story questions what it truly means to be happy and whether absolute contentment can coexist with ambition and progress.

While All Better Now raises intriguing philosophical and societal questions, its execution may not be for everyone. The novel’s parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic are unmistakable, and for some readers, this may feel too close to home. The portrayal of misinformation campaigns, government interference, and public panic mirrors real-world events in ways that could be unsettling rather than engaging.

For those who can separate fiction from recent history, All Better Now offers a compelling, if deeply unsettling, look at human nature. However, if pandemic-related narratives are still overwhelming, this book may be difficult to fully enjoy. Personally, I found myself unable to finish at 43%, as the themes hit too close to real-world experiences. That said, fans of dystopian fiction who appreciate moral ambiguity and thought-provoking ethical debates might find All Better Now a fascinating, if uncomfortable, read.

I love Neal Shusterman’s imagination, I don’t know how he comes up with his ideas. This book gave me a lot to think about. It was a little longer than I usually like but I did find it engaging and wanted to keep reading. I didn’t love the characters, which was probably the point, but I found it hard to connect with and root for them. The ending gave me a good chuckle.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

As always, Shusterman excels at blending philosophical themes with gripping storytelling. The book encourages readers to reflect on the importance of all emotions—both positive and negative—and the balance needed for a truly fulfilling life. It’s a nuanced exploration of happiness, loss, and the ways in which they shape our lives, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read.

I don't read a lot of YA, but I'm glad I read this. Dystopian YA is such a fun combination of a book and All Better Now was everything I wanted it to be: interesting, page turning, and with some emotiona resonance.

What a mind twister!

I’ve never read Schusterman before, but I loved this book so much. I was a little unsure if I would like it, not knowing what to expect. I was completely blown away by the plot and the storytelling.

It was so thoughtful, this idea of happiness being both a cure and a disease. I mean, it made me think and kept me hooked, especially with the various POVs. They are so distinct and fit together so well to build up that tension.

There came a point where I didn’t want to put the book down. The storytelling just hooks me. This is a must-read, hands down.

Neal Shusterman has written another wonderful book! All Better Now is a riveting tale about another global pandemic, one that is lethal, but which also has surprising after-effects for the survivors. Those that make it through the disease seem happy, charitable, and docile; perhaps abnormally so. Maybe catching Crown Royale virus isn't such a bad thing? Or is it?! The main characters find themselves hunting for answers and discover things about themselves and about the world that are surprising and frightening. There is a subversive plot against mankind, there is violence and romance and a wonderful adventure for the intrepid reader. I would recommend this book for upper grades on up. There is strong language, scenes of peril, death and suicide.

I received an advance reader copy for free. All opinions are my own.

No one does Sci-Fi quite like Neal Shusterman. After the COVID-19 pandemic, I never thought I'd choose to read about a pandemic ravishing society, but Shusterman came up with a concept that was thought-provoking without feeling too real. Based on the synopsis, I thought Crowne Royale was supposed to be a stand-in for COVID, but I really liked Shusterman's decision to acknowledge COVID as its own pandemic while developing this completely new disease. One thing I love about Shusterman's novels is how seamless his world-building is and how easy it is to imagine going along these journeys with his characters. I'm in awe of how masterfully Shusterman juggled so many different storylines in this novel before expertly and seamlessly weaving them together.

This is a fantastic and thought-provoking dystopian that is very timely in post-COVID times. The story follows 3 people from different walks of life as a virus that causes utter contentment as a long-term effect. It was an interesting look at how people may take advantage of those who are not happy and don’t want the world to be fully content. It really made me think hard about whether I would want to catch the virus or not.

I love how much thought and care went into crafting this story and bringing in such different perspectives on the world as things develop. This is a must-read for all dystopian fans and is certainly a great addition to this new wave of dystopian.

This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

I was looking forward to reading this book. I imagined it would be a bit more apocalyptic. Instead, it was another pandemic that the author kept comparing to covid, except this sickness (if you survived it) transformed you into a euphoric person with no worries. The premise is that those in power want to stop this pandemic at any cost. Having people in a constant state of bliss, walking away from consumerism and materialism, is not good for business. The story is basically the rich and powerful creating a super vaccine to stop anyone else from getting sick and transforming. The characters were ok, but I didn't really connect with any of them. The book is long at 528 pages. I often would stop reading and finding it difficult to want to continue. However, the plot was interesting and I'm glad I didn't DNF it. It does look like the book ends with a too be continued...not sure how I feel about that...
I received a complimentary e-book from Netgalley.com in exchange for a review.