Reviewed by OHS Student, Ishaan A.
This compelling dystopian novel transforms a strange premise into a powerful exploration of what it means to be human. Ron and Mariel are swept into the struggle over Crown Royale, a virus that leaves survivors calm and compassionate, as powerful groups race to control or cure it across a changed America. All Better Now is a science fiction, dystopian novel with strong social implications and moral choices. The story uses a fast-paced plot, rising tension, and multiple characters to explore fear, power, and human behavior in a way that keeps the reader thinking. What I liked most about the book is the way Shusterman turns a strange premise into a thought-provoking story about human nature. The book’s high-stakes conflict and unsettling contrast between a seemingly better world and the danger lurking beneath it make it especially compelling. I disliked that many characters were introduced with the same weight, which made them harder to tell apart; this sometimes made the story feel less focused than it could have been. Readers who enjoy dystopian fiction, psychological thrillers, and stories with ethical dilemmas would likely like this book. They should read it because it offers a fast-moving plot, an original and unsettling conflict, and plenty of ideas to think and talk about afterward.
