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.

This is an entertaining, thought provoking dystopian read. Neal Shusterman’s Scythe series had me in such a choke hold, 2025 is all better now that he’s releasing a new book (ha)
This story is so unique and fast paced, it’s a freaky concept and really makes you think hard about the year who can’t be named.

This was such an interesting story and premise! It was captivating and engaging, told from multiple perspectives about how people react when they get infected with a virus that causes them to only feel happiness/contentment and rids someone of any negative thoughts. It's interesting to consider how the economy would falter if people didn't feel compelled to purchase things to keep up with the Jones' or to impress others or to compensate for their own insecurities. Really interesting concept overall!

I didn’t love this book as much as I thought I would. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been reading the Scythe series at the same time, or something else, but I just don’t think this compares

Characters

Rón
I didn’t like Rón at all. The idea that he was forcingly affected people with a virus just rubbed me the wrong way. He was just to self righteous - he literally believed he was the second coming of Jesus or whatever.
I don’t know if we were even suppose to like him.

Morgan
She’s my favorite character. I love a good grey character and I think she was written extremely well. I actually do agree with her moral stance, maybe not the method.

Mariel
She was okay. Her indecisiveness was understandable, but I just don’t like her saying with Rón in the end.

Plot
While the idea was gold, I just don’t think it was executed well. Rón was just a horrible character, the insta-love was annoying and the self-righteous of all the compromised was just disgusting.
I’m really disappointed because I love of all his other books.
I don’t think the characters had depth. In the end they all had one like idea on how the should fix the pandemic, but that was it - an idea. They were just their morals in a way.
I also hated the ending, I think it was rushed.

Would I recommend this book? Maybe. Would I read it again? Definitely not.
In the end, I do think certain people would like it, but I’m just not one of them.

If anyone could take on such dark subject matter for a YA book, it’s Neal Schusterman. I don’t know if this is as good as it could be. But it’s still decent.

This is about a pandemic where survivors let go of their previous pain and suffering and become at peace with the world. Even more, survivors become focused on helping better the world around them, to the point of their own destruction. But is it them, or the disease making the decisions?

This is such a great premise. It’s complicated, taking on issues of bodily autonomy and consent, personal identity, and the interconnectedness of every person. But this is one of those times where I feel like Schusterman pulled his punches. I guess I would have been okay with him going much much darker here. This is the man who murdered people for the greater good in Scythe, so we know he can do it.

I do think this is good. I do think a lot of people will like this. I just wish it had been great.

Love Neal Shusterman, and All Better Now is a really good young adult thriller. It's a fast-paced, dystopian book that is written in Shusterman's masterful storytelling voice.

Neal Shusterman has a real gift for presenting stories that leave you conflicted. In All Better Now, a Covid-like virus is sweeping the population, but those who survive it find they are eternally happy. Would you risk it? Would you even still be yourself if you did, and came out the other end?

Fast paced and full of interesting characters, this was definitely a book that will stay with me.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a review copy

Imagine no longer struggling with stress, depression, and negative thoughts.; feeling happy, selfless, and free from emotional burdens. Sounds amazing, right? What if to obtain that level of contentment you must first become very ill with a 1 in 25 chance of succumbing to that illness? Would it be worth it? A few years after Covid-19 shook the world, Crown Royale is the next global concern. While the side effects the "recoverees" face sound ideal, the change causes a shift the world isn't prepared for.

This dystopian novel hits close to home after being a part of a global pandemic and also as a person who struggles with mental illness. Throughout the novel, it was easy to see how so many people were divided on whether or not this illness was something to run from or toward; and the answer doesn't come without consequence. The book follows three teens from different walks of life with different views about the virus. The various points of view and motivation behind their actions felt realistic and many elements of the book felt very similar to what we saw when Covid-19 first came into focus.

I enjoyed the different perspectives and the character development and found myself anxious to find out how everything would come together. The middle of the book felt a little long, but it was worth it as the story became much more exciting toward the end.

The book finishes with a lot of loose ends, so be prepared to not have a satisfying conclusion just yet.

4 Stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for an ARC of this book!

A virus is infecting people and if they survive, they come out with absolutely no negativity. Priorities change, their countenance changes and ultimately it can change your core being. So since these are technically “positive” attributes, is it good? Right? Should people purposely be infected? It would make the world a better place, right? Right?
This was a wild ride! It had me debating morals, life questions, peoples rights and more. It is definitely a fascinating premise and the intrigue carried throughout. The psychology and unpredictability really kept me entertained!
I highly recommend this for those who love dystopian fiction!

This book is set in a post-COVID world where humanity faces a new pandemic caused by an unknown virus that kills 1 out of 25 people. However, the survivors find themselves permanently changed, experiencing complete happiness and contentment.

What will humanity choose to do? Accept this virus or fight against it?

I won’t lie: it took me a while to get through the first 30-35% of the book. It starts off a bit slow with character introductions and world-building. However, after that, I was completely hooked. This book prompts you to think deeply about humanity and capitalism.

It also makes you question yourself: if you were offered the gift of eternal happiness through an irreversible virus that would suppress all negative emotions, would you accept it?

Overall, it was a fun and interesting read! If you enjoy dystopian stories, I highly recommend checking this out!

Once again this author has written a story that makes you think, but in a fascinating, entertaining way. Overall I really enjoyed this one, although there were one or two spots that dragged a tiny bit for me. But not enough that I ever didn’t want to keep reading, and I hated how busy everything was when I was trying to read this one that I couldn’t sit and read as much as I wanted.

So, even though the publisher did send me a finished copy, I decided to read the e-galley because the book was a little bigger and it was easier to hold my Kindle, lol. So some of the lines I’ve quoted may not be in the final copy, I should have looked to see! I wasn’t even 10% of the way in when I found two quotes that really spoke to me.

People who did follow the science and the rules wished death upon those who didn’t.
If we judge the work by the sins and temperament of the creators, the world would be virtually void of art, literature, and music.

Both of these spoke to me so much. Even if the second one was from a character that hadn’t contracted the virus Crown Royale yet and was a not so great person, it is something that seems to be more and more true the closer we look at some artists/authors/musicians. The first one is something that always made me angry at the hypocrisy of some people in certain situations, although the “science” followed wasn’t always anything more than what was being reported by the media. As a former science teacher, believe me, I did my research in all things before making decisions.

What I love about this author is that his books make you think. Not just the teens that these books are written for, but as an adult, when I’ve read all his books as an adult, they made me think too. They made me see both sides. In my opinion they call out the good and the bad and facts of both sides. Because yes, there are facts on both sides, even people don’t always follow the truth when they make their decisions, or they use it to try to prove things that aren’t connected.

Yes many people don’t want to read books about THE pandemic we just went through. And so the fact that this is about a “next” pandemic might turn some off. But wow, Crown Royale, I think I want to get that virus! I totally felt for Mariel and her bad luck with the virus, although some didn’t see it as bad luck. And then there were the downfalls from this wonderful new disease/virus that gave some credit to the idea that we don’t want everyone to think exactly the same, that there does need to be a voice out there making you think and not just agreeing with everything.

The book was so good, and I don’t know why I assumed how it would end, because the author knows how to do endings that might make you gasp a bit! Such a wonderful, wonderful story!

All Better Now by Neal Shusterman is an intriguing young adult thriller about a world where happiness is contagious but the risks of catching it may be just as dangerous as the cure.
I enjoyed reading this sorry and found it to be entertaining and thought-provoking.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was really excited when I saw this eARC available on Netgalley. I really enjoyed Neal Shusterman’s Unwind Dystology and I thought the concept of All Better Now sounded so intriguing. The concept of another pandemic that leaves people feeling grateful and happy was very interesting! While I enjoyed the read, it did feel a little hard to follow. I normally like multi POV books, but this one felt like it jumped around quite a bit.

Even though it was good in theory, It didn’t live up to my expectations based on other books I have read of his. Is it bad? Not at all! I just felt like there was much more that could have been done with it and the story didn’t move as quickly as I had hoped. I definitely still recommend that people give it a shot though!