All Better Now by Neal Shusterman, 528 pages. Simon & Schuster, 2025. $22.
Language: R (94 swears, 6 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL
APPEALS TO: MANY
Rón (16yo) wants to believe that Crown Royale, the latest virus, really leaves survivors happier because he needs that in his life. Morgan (19yo) wants nothing to do with the virus—until a wealthy patron offers to hand over her entire fortune if Morgan will fight against it spreading. Mariel doesn’t know what to think; she just wants to survive another day of living with her mom out of their car. Though they don’t yet know it, these three teenagers will affect the future of Crown Royale all over the world.
In Shusterman’s version of the future, Crown Royale comes after coronavirus. The various points of view from all over the world share different perspectives on whether the new virus is good or bad and why they believe that. Rón’s, Mariel’s, and Morgan’s stories invite readers to step into a new space to discuss concerns about viruses and vaccines that allows them to ask questions from new points of view and with new vocabulary. On top of that, the story itself is engaging and surprising. I look forward to the sequel.
Rón is described as having “brown” skin, Morgan is Eurasian, and Mariel is implied White. The mature content rating is for illegal activity; alcohol use, including underage drinking; mentions of drugs, nudity, condoms, masturbation, sex, and rape; kissing; and innuendo. The violence rating is for assault, mentions of domestic and child abuse and war, gun use, bioterrorism, suicide, and murder.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
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