All Better Now
Written by: Neal Shusterman
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2025
Is pure happiness a cure or a disease? Dive into All Better Now and see if the world would be better when being content is both.
Neal Shusterman has created a thought-provoking novel following three young adults as they grapple with the disease named “Crown Royale,” a disease that leaves people changed. It makes the reader think about happiness and the cost of it.
Storytelling
I had no idea what I was getting into with All Better Now. As part of the Simon Teen Influencer program, I was offered the opportunity to receive an ARC of this novel. Needless to say, I said, “Yes, please!” Shusterman is an author I have been interested in reading for some time, so I thought it was better now than never.
And honestly, I have absolutely no regrets.
What I loved about this novel was the thought-provoking nature of the novel. There is this disease that changes people. It reminded me of Invasion of the Body Snatchers in a way, but the disease is not replacing them. The disease removes all negative emotions, such as fear, anger, and hatred, and replaces them with happiness, with being content.
People give away their houses and money, and they build communities based on giving. It is almost like a utopia.
But what happens to the economy when people stop spending money and become content with what they have? When people decide they no longer want to work, are they content with leaving their jobs and no longer worried about paying their bills and living?
But then, think about it, no war? People are suddenly respectful of others’ beliefs even if they still don’t agree with them. It’s such a wild concept, weighing the pros and the cons, and it makes you think. Without realizing it, you’re thinking about it as you read, which is compelling.
Intriguing Characters
Moreover, Shusterman puts things into perspective by following three personalities dealing with the disease differently. Rón suffers from anxiety and depression, having made several suicide attempts, and willingly goes out to get infected because he’s tired of living the way he does.
Mariel, living in her car with her mom, wants to stop worrying about what they will do next and wants to get infected. But with a natural immunity, she can’t. So when she meets Rón, we see how the disease changes their perspectives.
And then, there is Margot. Margot is as ambitious as they come. She does not want to lose her drive and wants nothing more than to eradicate the disease, and if she makes a profit because of it, all the better. She’s not particularly likable but adds tension to the story as she plots, becoming quite the villainous character.
Final Thoughts
All Better Now is a thoughtful and provocative dystopian that pulls you in and makes you think.
Is Happiness The Cure or The Disease? | All Better Now Review
Is pure happiness a cure or a disease? Dive into All Better Now and see if the world would be better when being content is both.
Cynthia Ayala
Cynthia Ayala-Bujnicki majored in Writing and Publishing from Emerson College. Editor-in-chief of Cyn's Workshop, she loves to read and write while tending to her pepper plants. She currently lives in South Florida with her husband, two kids Dante and Selene and two furbabies Mr. J the Kitten who Thinks He's Batman (yes, that is his full name) and Nyx.
