Shusterman is one of my top YA authors and always a go-to for my reluctant readers and readers who aren’t sure what to read because I know his books will hook them. To say I am beyond excited to add this title my library is an understatement! It terrified me and had my jaw dropping. The pandemic storyline was on point and I found myself going back to 2020 and all the fears, unknowns, and thoughts which really placed me into the storyline of “All Better Now”. I also feel that there’s such a deeper message behind the story and think this would be a great book club read because you’re going to want/need to discuss it. The book will make you reevaluate consumerism and our own world.

First and foremost, this is absolutely a pandemic book. This is 100% not going to be for everyone and deals specifically with a global pandemic which comes with interesting consequences. Catch Crown Royale, and you'll be a whole new version of yourself, one that doesn't care for money, or greed, and is wholly unselfish. Catch Crown Royale and you'll be more interested in how to save your fellow person than personal gain. But not everyone wants to be infected, and those who are infected don't necessarily have the wisdom to recognize the consequences of certain ideas.

I loved this novel, but it definitely freaked me out. The idea of a pandemic that would make everyone a "better person" isn't something I've come across before, and as you read the novel, you definitely start to question whether or not erasing humanity's selfishness is actually for the greater good. The novel grapples with questions of how we deal with our worst (and our best) impulses, and what the impact of personal choice is, especially when facing any type of larger contagion. This is very much a slow burn, but by the end, I definitely couldn't put it down.

All Better Now is likely the best non-romantasy I have read this year. I liked how relatable it was to the pandemic, while not necessarily being about the 2019 pandemic. The Crown Royale virus and the idea of masks and people being embraced vs non-embraced really hit close to home. I can see how this fits in with Teens & YA and I can tell my students are going to love this.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The above is my honest thoughts.

An interesting read on what happens during a pandemic and how it turns into an us vs. them scenario. Fear can bring out the worst in people and this virus makes those who survive it happier and more carefree almost to the point of stupidity. So those who haven't caught it would rather not turn into someone so "mindless". It follows three VERY different characters and how they react and plan for the pandemic and virus. It was a unique story but midway through I was ready for it to wrap up.

I have read every book Neal Shusterman has written and I have three categories for them. This one goes into the category of what, to me, is his finest work along with Unwind and Scythe. I think he is at his best when he is presenting a creepy future that invariably ends up coming true a couple years later. All Better Now feels like his prescience could be at work again with the part of the story concerning a vaccine. Although I didn't like this quite as much as the other two listed above, it is still a fantastic, unique story with deeply realized characters. I can't wait for this to be published so I can hand it to my devout Shusterman readers!

This book delivers a compelling, thought-provoking story that feels brutally relevant today. It is a viral pandemic dystopian narrative that ushers peace, contentment, and compassion for its survivors instead of bringing devastation. The virus acts as a cure for human suffering. This notion challenges the very foundations of society as corporations and governments scramble to suppress the virus in fear of losing their control. The Recovered, those who have saved the infection, are focused on the well-being of their fellow man and turn from a greedy, self-centered society. The result is a charged conflict that examines the delicate balance between systematic power structures. The tension between those who fear the virus and those who embrace it forces readers to consider their values and priorities in a world without ambitions or emotional struggles.

The exploration of warring moralities is its most compelling feature. It doesn't shy away from tough questions about losing our creativity and drive without struggle and whether true happiness exists alongside systems built on inequality and want. The media's role in shaping public perception of the virus and the infected is equally fascinating. The narrative offers a sharp critique of how agendas are pushed and how truth is obscured in a world dominated by conflicting narratives. The moments of reflection and emotional resonance are profound and will leave the reader in deep contemplation. This narrative provides a unique social commentary on the fate of humanity. The writing will immerse the reader and captivate them in a distinct and emotionally charged world. I could not put the book down and would highly recommend it.

I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster.

Thank you to the publisher and to netgalley! I like many other readers love the Scythe series. I was so excited to see a new Neal Shusterman book. The plot intrigued me in this post pandemic world but I couldn’t get into the story and found the characters hard to connect to. I think this book is marketed towards middle schoolers and high schoolers and I think that would be perfect!

If you're as hooked on the Scythe series as I am, you’ll understand my excitement at diving into any new Neal Shusterman sci-fi release! This time, we’re thrust into a world gripped by a unique pandemic, fittingly named after an alcohol brand, “Crown Royale.” The virus gifts its hosts an intoxicating state of bliss, offering clarity and euphoria that seem almost utopian—until it begins to threaten the fragile systems built on ambition, power, and human imperfection.

At the heart of this pandemic are four compelling characters whose lives intersect in unexpected ways to shape humanity’s future. Ron Escobedo, son of one of the world’s wealthiest men, battles clinical depression and the scars of multiple suicide attempts. His unlikely counterpart is Mariel Murdoch, a resilient, immune young woman living in a car with her mother, whose life tangles with Ron’s when she saves him from a fateful decision at the pier. Meanwhile, Margot Willmon-Wu, a ruthlessly ambitious 19-year-old, inherits the empire of her eccentric mentor, Dame Glynis Havilland. Margot’s goal? Exploit the pandemic to create a vaccine for profit and dominance. But Glynis, now humbled and transformed after surviving the virus, regrets her choice to empower Margot, fearing her protégé’s unchecked greed and manipulation.

As Ron, inspired by a former window cleaner turned community leader, embarks on a mission to spread the virus for humanity’s collective benefit, he enlists Mariel’s help, unaware that her immunity may complicate his plans. Meanwhile, Margot begins her morally dubious experiments in a secret lab funded by Ron’s oblivious father. With competing visions for humanity’s future, the stakes couldn’t be higher. What if the cure for this happiness-inducing virus is something far more devastating? Could erasing ambition and anger truly lead to balance, or would a world devoid of its dark edges spiral into chaos?

This thought-provoking novel raises existential questions: Is unfiltered happiness a gift or a curse? Does erasing humanity’s darker impulses destroy its essence? And what, if anything, should counterbalance this blissful contagion—depression, despair, or something even darker?

Overall, this is a brilliantly executed sci-fi story with a unique premise, engaging pacing, and rich characterization. Dame Glynis is a standout, her arc fascinating both before and after her transformation. And Margot—undeniably a cunning, merciless villain—adds layers of intrigue and tension, elevating the plot into a riveting, unpredictable ride. While the beginning starts off slow, patience is rewarded as the narrative builds into a captivating exploration of morality, power, and human nature.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for providing me with this remarkable dystopian tale in exchange for my honest thoughts!

3.5 stars

Shusterman nails the dystopian world again. This particular book felt a bit drawn out for me. Around 20-30% I lost interest a little, but it did pick back up.
It felt somewhat predictable if you've read him before, but you’ll find that to be common with most authors. Overall, it was a good read.

I’ve been waiting to see what the post pandemic YA literature will have to say about the pandemic, Shusterman adds to the conversation with this book, which has a lot to say about humanity, viruses, and the best and worst of us, this one doesn’t shy away from big conversations and ideas. However, I don’t like the characters as much as I do in other books by this author, I have to say I like the first book of Scythe even more, and so do students, since I’ve bought ten copies of it over the years. However, thoughtful readers and sci-fi fans will enjoy this one, too. The info about viruses, places like the seed vault, and implications of human medical experiments would all be great writing/research topics for the classroom as well.

All Better Now centers on a society where survivors of a recent pandemic are left as content, unselfish, and happy. Following three characters and how they approach this new pandemic, All Better Now gives a complex story about survival, mental health, and sacrifice. Especially coming after the COVID pandemic (which is referred to throughout the book), I think that this would make a great choice for book club discussions.

Pandemic fiction at its best. Imagine being infected with lasting contentment… but course there are forces trying to destroy the good feeling. This YA book is definitely recommended for adult readers, also. Once you start reading, you will want to finish it in one sitting .

"All Better Now" is a YA novel by Neal Shusterman. In the near present day, there is another pandemic. The illness is called Crown Royale, and those that get it mostly survive (1 in 25 people die) and those that do survive seem to end up in a permanent state of contentment and often give up their worldly goods to help others. Some people claim that this is a hoax and are trying to stamp out the virus, while others think that CR is amazing and everyone should be infected. We follow three different teens as they face the CR pandemic and make up their own minds about it. The story setting is believable, especially having gone through a recent pandemic and most of the characters are realistic. A must-buy purchase for YA collections, especially where Shusterman is popular.

I could not get into the book at all. The premise sounded wonderful, but I stopped reading about 30% in. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to review this book.

I thought this story had an interesting start. However, I lost interest starting at around 20%. I was hoping the story would peak my interest again, but it ultimately did not.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for my honest review.

Shusterman's books always have such an amazing premise!
All Better Now takes place in what could be today's world. A few years after the COVID pandemic, a new virus is spreading. When people recover from this illness, they have a new outlook on life- selfless, optimistic, never angry or sad.
Through the lens of several characters, you're faced with the questions: Would this attitude make a better world? Without the dark, is the light less valuable? What happens if no one puts themselves first?

This was a deep, thought provoking book.
I recommend for both YA and adult readers!
Thanks to Simon & Schuster publishing and Netgalley for an early copy for review.

Neal comes up with such unique, thought-provoking concepts for books. If you liked the Scythe series, you’ll like this book.

I didn’t realize it was the start of a series (i believe, after reading other reviews) and thought it was a standalone, but either way, the ending leaves things up for speculation — which i assume will be wrapped up if there are other books.

Based in a world that is similar to the current 2024 world, there’s a new pandemic. This pandemic kills 4% of the population, but for the rest of the population, when they recover, they are in a happier state of mind. Those recovered find new purpose in life, are selfless, and are never angry or sad — they’ll always find the glass half full.

Sounds like it could actually be good for the world — but capitalism persists, and groups are working to spread disinformation and create a cure to stop this. Because without other emotions, the economy could collapse.

Overall, it’s thought provoking and interesting to dwell on. I kept finding myself thinking about it when I wasn’t reading and wanted to know what was going to happen. I cared less about the characters and more about the general world.

It follows three people’s journeys through this pandemic. They’re all super interesting and bold personalities, and good choices to follow, which I feel like was hard to get right when you moreso care about the virus, rather than individuals. They all contribute to the overall plot and their stories are part of a larger story.

The weirdest part to me was that Iowa was mentioned. And not just Iowa, but Des Moines and then my hometown, Davenport, and some of the plot takes place in Davenport. Neal, why do you know so much about Iowa??

Would recommend! I’m just disappointed I didn’t know it was a series. Give me the next book now (please).

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC!

An amazing start to a series (so be prepared for a cliffhanger). A disease is spreading that is changing the very fabric of who you are. I loved getting to see both sides of the coin in this one, those who saw it as a change for the better and those who wanted desperately for it to stop.
Although coined as young adult, this definitely will appeal to all those who love a good dystopian/disease novel. It doesn't feel young, although the main characters that we follow throughout the story are.
And the pacing is superb. There is a lot of world and characters to build up, but it never felt like a drag to me. In fact, I finished the 528 pages in three days!

In my reviews I often say a book is “YA for YA,” meaning a book is OK young adult lit for a young adult audience. This is to contrast it with those rare books like this that elevate the genre and cross over into being “YA for everyone” because they are so well done. This 4 star read is one of those books. Good show.

A new pandemic is spreading, but those who survive have long-term….contentment? All their negative feelings, stress and depression are gone. Oh, I want some of that.

And you would think it would be great, but, of course, we can’t have nice things, plus it’s sometimes fatal, plus the power people who rely on people’s dissatisfaction to sell their products just aren’t having it. Those people/entities start campaigns to convince people that happiness is dangerous so the race to find a cure begins, because we, my friends, are complete and absolute morons as evidenced by….well, you know what. Anyway, another group of the population rejects this and wants the virus to spread as quickly as possible.

Three older teenagers, Mariel Mudroch, who is homeless, Ron Escobedo, son of the world’s third richest man and Morgan Willmon, who takes over a fortunes from a misanthrope who instructs her to eradicate the virus have their lives changed in very different ways as they become caught up in this mad new world.

What a wonderful, deep story. So enjoyed how thoughtful this was. This is how you do smart, relevant YA.

This is Shusterman doing what he does best! The way he intertwines dystopia and utopia is such a treat!