Covid is a thing of the past and there’s a new virus in town, going by the name Crown Royale! This virus is nothing like Covid. Instead of losing your sense of smell and having a foggy brain, you lose all the stress and depression you once felt. ‘Recoverees’ of Crown Royale are no longer greedy and selfish; they are just utterly content. Some say the virus is body snatching and will do anything to avoid catching it; others see it as a gift that they must share with the world.

In the midst of this pandemic, All Better Now follows four characters: Ron Escobedo, who struggles with depression and is the son of the third richest man in the world; Mariel Murdoch, a homeless teen who appears to be immune to the virus; Margot Willmon-Wu, whose ambition and ruthlessness wins her an inheritance from Dame Glynis Havill. Dame Glynis’s fear of Crown Royale and what it will do to her leads her to relinquish her fortune, only to instantly regret her decision once she becomes a recoveree. The four characters’ lives intertwine while a search for a vaccine collides with the mission to spread Crown Royale far and wide.

It’s a good year when Neal Shusterman has a new book out; his imagination knows no bounds and All Better Now certainly doesn’t disappoint. It’s a dystopian thriller that will have you constantly questioning what is wrong and right and who the real heroes are. This book is addictive. It’s fast-paced, and the unique storyline and strong character development make it utterly captivating. I highly recommend this to fans of Shusterman, lovers of dystopian tales and sci-fi, or anyone who loves a good story. For ages 14+.