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Obstetrix
From the Hugo award-winning author Naomi Kritzer comes a tense portrait of a future we desperately hope to escape.
O Lord, deliver us.
Doctor Liz has just been acquitted for performing the last abortion in North Dakota when she's kidnapped.
They're not just any kidnappers, but a fundamentalist cult, deep in the rural west, without respect for law or decency, and in desperate need of an OB/GYN.
Guarded, isolated, without access to the outside world, Liz nevertheless is treated with respect as the only doctor on the compound, but she is very aware of what happened to the last obstetrician they kidnapped.
She must escape, and bring help to the girls trapped at the compound, if it's the last thing she does.
O Lord, deliver us.
Doctor Liz has just been acquitted for performing the last abortion in North Dakota when she's kidnapped.
They're not just any kidnappers, but a fundamentalist cult, deep in the rural west, without respect for law or decency, and in desperate need of an OB/GYN.
Guarded, isolated, without access to the outside world, Liz nevertheless is treated with respect as the only doctor on the compound, but she is very aware of what happened to the last obstetrician they kidnapped.
She must escape, and bring help to the girls trapped at the compound, if it's the last thing she does.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published June 9, 2026
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November 13, 2025A fast-moving feminist thriller, in which an obstetrician is kidnapped by a violently patriarchal extremist christian cult somewhere in nowhere USA and forced to provide midwifery and medical help for their (many) pregnant women. Great atmosphere of surveillance and fear, and a very realistic depiction of how a normal person would react in the circumstances, which is to say, if you are expecting the heroine to go Jackie Reacher on the cultists, you will be disappointed. Rather, it builds a horrifying high-tension picture of the heroine's helplessness and desperation to escape, along with her sense of obligation to her patients, and an awful feeling of not knowing who to trust or help. Compelling reading that feels all too plausible in the current climate.
I had an ARC from the publisher (which is also my publisher).
I had an ARC from the publisher (which is also my publisher).
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April 27, 2026I received this audiobook through NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.
Obstetrix was a quick, tense, fast-paced listen, and I really enjoyed it. It pulled me in fast and stayed easy to follow. I didn’t even mean to finish it in one sitting.
What worked for me was how plausible it felt. The story deals with medical control, abortion, cults, and kidnapping in a way that does not feel that far removed from reality. So this is not a light casual listen if you have those specific triggers.
The audiobook worked really well for this. Jennifer Pickens handled the single narration smoothly, and the voice transitions between characters never pulled me out of the story. Her pacing kept everything moving, and the audio made it easy to stay locked in from beginning to end.
I’d recommend this to readers and listeners who like tense, fast-paced speculative fiction that feel a little too believable and who are okay with the heavier subject matters.
Obstetrix was a quick, tense, fast-paced listen, and I really enjoyed it. It pulled me in fast and stayed easy to follow. I didn’t even mean to finish it in one sitting.
What worked for me was how plausible it felt. The story deals with medical control, abortion, cults, and kidnapping in a way that does not feel that far removed from reality. So this is not a light casual listen if you have those specific triggers.
The audiobook worked really well for this. Jennifer Pickens handled the single narration smoothly, and the voice transitions between characters never pulled me out of the story. Her pacing kept everything moving, and the audio made it easy to stay locked in from beginning to end.
I’d recommend this to readers and listeners who like tense, fast-paced speculative fiction that feel a little too believable and who are okay with the heavier subject matters.
November 26, 2025
** I received an advance digital copy from the publisher, because I am a librarian and librarians are awesome **
While the publisher bills this as near-future science fiction, the "science" aspect is that the narrator is a physician, and the "future" (where an OB/GYN is prosecuted for her role in terminating a viable pregnancy) basically feels like it could happen any second, so, yeah.
I found myself flying through the story, though, because it has many features that I like in a book, among them: natural childbirth, cults, and a premise ripped from true crime.
While the ending felt like it wrapped up too quickly, and absolutely nothing can compare to Candace Fleming's Death in the Jungle when it comes to capturing the insidious creep of a cult's control over its members (like falling in love John Green style - slowly, then all at once), the story was realistic enough and entertaining enough. This is a case of appreciating what it is, even if I probably would have enjoyed a novel-length version with rotating POVs even more for its ability to ratchet up the tension and stakes.
While the publisher bills this as near-future science fiction, the "science" aspect is that the narrator is a physician, and the "future" (where an OB/GYN is prosecuted for her role in terminating a viable pregnancy) basically feels like it could happen any second, so, yeah.
I found myself flying through the story, though, because it has many features that I like in a book, among them: natural childbirth, cults, and a premise ripped from true crime.
While the ending felt like it wrapped up too quickly, and absolutely nothing can compare to Candace Fleming's Death in the Jungle when it comes to capturing the insidious creep of a cult's control over its members (like falling in love John Green style - slowly, then all at once), the story was realistic enough and entertaining enough. This is a case of appreciating what it is, even if I probably would have enjoyed a novel-length version with rotating POVs even more for its ability to ratchet up the tension and stakes.
January 14, 2026
Another typically fresh and fantastic novella from Tor, and from Naomi Kritzer, author of the delightful Catfishing on CatNet!
I read this 200-ish-page treat in basically one sitting. I relished the voice and thought process of Dr. Liz, the pragmatic and straightforward but compassionate (and fantasy literature-loving) obstetrician who finds herself mysteriously stuck in the rural compound of the cult-like group Harvest during a time when obstetricians are in short regional supply due to increasing hardship and pressure for medical professionals in that line of work - as Dr. Liz has already discovered all too well.
This moving and suspenseful little story read like a mix of Big Love, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Call the Midwife. In some ways - and especially in their shared ability to find calmness and inspiration through escapism into a fantasy narrative - Dr. Liz reminded me of another favorite Tor character who is also beloved for their keen-eyed observations and askance assessments of the humankind around them: that’s right, Murderbot! The book should also appeal to fans of Tor luminary Sarah Gailey. And is not the cover striking?
I’m not sure that Tor ever commits a misstep, and they certainly haven’t done so with this one. Obstetrix is due on June 9, 2026. Big thanks to Tor Publishing Group, NetGalley, and the author for the ARC!
I read this 200-ish-page treat in basically one sitting. I relished the voice and thought process of Dr. Liz, the pragmatic and straightforward but compassionate (and fantasy literature-loving) obstetrician who finds herself mysteriously stuck in the rural compound of the cult-like group Harvest during a time when obstetricians are in short regional supply due to increasing hardship and pressure for medical professionals in that line of work - as Dr. Liz has already discovered all too well.
This moving and suspenseful little story read like a mix of Big Love, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Call the Midwife. In some ways - and especially in their shared ability to find calmness and inspiration through escapism into a fantasy narrative - Dr. Liz reminded me of another favorite Tor character who is also beloved for their keen-eyed observations and askance assessments of the humankind around them: that’s right, Murderbot! The book should also appeal to fans of Tor luminary Sarah Gailey. And is not the cover striking?
I’m not sure that Tor ever commits a misstep, and they certainly haven’t done so with this one. Obstetrix is due on June 9, 2026. Big thanks to Tor Publishing Group, NetGalley, and the author for the ARC!
May 28, 2026
This was an interesting one! I did read the synopsis a while back so technically knew what it was about but over time and as my many NetGalley tbr grew, I couldn’t completely recall. This served me well as I didn’t know where this was going at so many times.
But with my lack of knowledge of what was coming next, the beginning did feel a bit jumbled. It’s not that it was confusing with what was happening, but rather, the voice and tone felt confused. It took time to really get the intention, the tension, and the commentary of the book.
It did get there about halfway through and was an interesting read that I’m definitely not mad at having read. While it wants to partially be thriller and literary and post fascist takeover, this would’ve served better in one lane. But it was an unbelievably quick read and I enjoyed it despite its uncontained voice.
But with my lack of knowledge of what was coming next, the beginning did feel a bit jumbled. It’s not that it was confusing with what was happening, but rather, the voice and tone felt confused. It took time to really get the intention, the tension, and the commentary of the book.
It did get there about halfway through and was an interesting read that I’m definitely not mad at having read. While it wants to partially be thriller and literary and post fascist takeover, this would’ve served better in one lane. But it was an unbelievably quick read and I enjoyed it despite its uncontained voice.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
it was fine. the premise was interesting but I just didn't connect with it. I consume a lot of content about cults and fundementalist christian groups, and I am by NO MEANS an expert, but the 'kidnapping a doctor who was involved in a high profile court case' seems like something a cult would NOT do, as it would put them in a position for their actions (not just the kidnapping but the inner workings of the cult) to be exposed. also why have an educated secular outsider come into your cult? wouldn't that itself be a risk to the control of the members, at least in the eyes of the cult leaders? I also have no idea what the cult actually believes in besides a vague blanket of christian fundamentalism. this made the story seem more topical and trendy rather than really thinking about how religious doctrines and spiritual abuse and manipulation play out in groups like this and endanger women, children, queer folks, and more. I think if the novel was longer (my ARC is just under 200 pages, but im not sure what the final printing will be like) then some of these topics could have been fleshed out a bit more and explored more thoroughly. the ending was also pretty sudden and kind of unbelievable. of course, this is fiction and some suspension of belief I am fine with, but this was so unbelievable I laughed out loud. I'll hide this review for SPOILERS COMING AHEAD:
her dad just gets his Air Force buddies to go find her and rescue her and raid the compound? like come on. the cult has so many people, liz doesn't even know or has even met all of the members by the end of the book, and they all have guns and are familiar with the terrain and layout of the compound but a handful of some retired Air Force guys can just handle the whole situation? idk. seems a little messy to me.
her dad just gets his Air Force buddies to go find her and rescue her and raid the compound? like come on. the cult has so many people, liz doesn't even know or has even met all of the members by the end of the book, and they all have guns and are familiar with the terrain and layout of the compound but a handful of some retired Air Force guys can just handle the whole situation? idk. seems a little messy to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2026
Meh I thought this was gonna be a banger of a sci-fi horror kidnapping, but it was almost YA it was so tame? I know the stakes were *technically* high because our main character is kidnapped by a cult who is violently, fundamentally religious, but it was written in a way that never had you doubting a happy ending. I skipped over every single instance of the childhood book references after the first three. And there’s A LOT. Anyway. I didn’t hate. But it was forgettable. Thanks for my ARC, NetGalley!
June 13, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing access to this audiobook. Thank you TorDotComPub and Storygram Tours for providing this gifted physical copy. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Given the current state of reproductive health within the United States, a novella in which an obstetrician is kidnapped by a fundamentalist cult isn’t too far out of the realm of possibility.
Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer is a thought-provoking and tense novella that illustrates the dangers that accompany restricted healthcare access for women and the frightening control that those in a position of power can wield over others.
The cult itself is presented as possessing regressive ideals pertaining to the roles of men, women and children, with a penchant for violence and a restriction of anything that could encourage critical thinking.
The narration by Jennifer Pickens is excellent; her portrayal of Doctor Elizabeth Gwinn is a wonderful balance of calm and collected throughout most of the story and yet still emoting uncertainty and fear when the story demands it. Her voices for the other male and female characters are also good and despite the shortness of the audiobook, the narration does not feel overly rushed.
I was wholly invested in the story, especially as the situation became more dire and the need for escape more crucial. Doctor Liz’s experience within the cult are harrowing, as she has no choice but to care for women and children with very limited medical assistance and the threat of violence and even death ever-present.
Doctor Liz is compassionate and resilient, her desire for escape is balanced by her need to provide the very best care that she can despite the circumstances. As the time passes, her fear-and mine as I listened-that she won’t ever be able to leave the cult and a very bleak future-grows.
Though the instances where she mentally recites a favorite childhood novel are also very relatable for those who cling to the comforting moments in moments of stress.
Obstetrix is a cautionary tale and a dark glimpse of a future that is sadly not as improbable as it should be.
Given the current state of reproductive health within the United States, a novella in which an obstetrician is kidnapped by a fundamentalist cult isn’t too far out of the realm of possibility.
Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer is a thought-provoking and tense novella that illustrates the dangers that accompany restricted healthcare access for women and the frightening control that those in a position of power can wield over others.
The cult itself is presented as possessing regressive ideals pertaining to the roles of men, women and children, with a penchant for violence and a restriction of anything that could encourage critical thinking.
The narration by Jennifer Pickens is excellent; her portrayal of Doctor Elizabeth Gwinn is a wonderful balance of calm and collected throughout most of the story and yet still emoting uncertainty and fear when the story demands it. Her voices for the other male and female characters are also good and despite the shortness of the audiobook, the narration does not feel overly rushed.
I was wholly invested in the story, especially as the situation became more dire and the need for escape more crucial. Doctor Liz’s experience within the cult are harrowing, as she has no choice but to care for women and children with very limited medical assistance and the threat of violence and even death ever-present.
Doctor Liz is compassionate and resilient, her desire for escape is balanced by her need to provide the very best care that she can despite the circumstances. As the time passes, her fear-and mine as I listened-that she won’t ever be able to leave the cult and a very bleak future-grows.
Though the instances where she mentally recites a favorite childhood novel are also very relatable for those who cling to the comforting moments in moments of stress.
Obstetrix is a cautionary tale and a dark glimpse of a future that is sadly not as improbable as it should be.
May 5, 2026
This dystopian is very terrifying considering the current political climate. It sucks you in to it following Dr. Elizabeth’s daily attempts at trying to solve an escape from her captors. Emotional pulls throughout the story. The climax to this story is everything, I can’t say anything more without spoilers. Thank you to Netgalley & Macmillan audio for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a quick, tense read that felt a little too real.
I appreciated the ending and the follow-up on what happened to the characters. This gave the story a sense of closure that a lot of dystopian novellas skip. That said, I did wish we’d gotten more backstory on the cult itself. I kept wondering how the world got to that point. But honestly… with the way things are right now, it’s not that hard to imagine.
I also would have liked more character development. There were several people introduced that I never fully connected with, and I think a little more depth would have made the emotional stakes hit harder.
Still, what this book does well is capture something deeply unsettling about living in a world where women’s bodies are constantly treated as something to control. It’s dark, uncomfortable, and unfortunately very relevant. At its core, it’s a story about survival and the quiet, relentless strength it takes for women to endure cruelty and keep going.
Not an easy read... but a powerful one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.75 rounded up to 4 for platforms that don't allow this rating.
I appreciated the ending and the follow-up on what happened to the characters. This gave the story a sense of closure that a lot of dystopian novellas skip. That said, I did wish we’d gotten more backstory on the cult itself. I kept wondering how the world got to that point. But honestly… with the way things are right now, it’s not that hard to imagine.
I also would have liked more character development. There were several people introduced that I never fully connected with, and I think a little more depth would have made the emotional stakes hit harder.
Still, what this book does well is capture something deeply unsettling about living in a world where women’s bodies are constantly treated as something to control. It’s dark, uncomfortable, and unfortunately very relevant. At its core, it’s a story about survival and the quiet, relentless strength it takes for women to endure cruelty and keep going.
Not an easy read... but a powerful one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.75 rounded up to 4 for platforms that don't allow this rating.
June 11, 2026
This was a relatively short audiobook, but it was an incredibly compelling listen.
As the blurb says, Dr. Liz has just been acquitted after a highly controversial lawsuit involving an abortion she performed. Struggling to find stable work afterward, she receives a promising job opportunity and heads out to meet a potential employer.
Instead, she gets kidnapped.
Liz wakes up inside a secluded religious compound, where she quickly discovers why she was taken: the cult desperately needs an OB/GYN.
From that moment on, she is forced to care for the women and girls living there, while also serving as a general physician for the rest of the community. The compound operates almost entirely cut off from the outside world. Phones, books, and outside influences have gradually been removed, and the group's beliefs have become increasingly extreme.
Even though Liz is treated respectfully because of her medical knowledge, she understands very quickly that she is still a prisoner.
And things become even more disturbing when she realizes that girls as young as fourteen and fifteen are being forced into marriages and pregnancies.
This was one of those books that immediately pulled me in and never let go. The situation is uncomfortable, frightening, and infuriating, but I found myself rooting for Liz from beginning to end. She is smart, resilient, and determined, and I desperately wanted her to find a way out.
The audiobook narration was fantastic and made an already engaging story even more immersive. I genuinely looked forward to every minute of it.
Overall, this was a gripping book that managed to pack a lot into a relatively short runtime. My only complaint is that I wanted more. I would absolutely read a sequel or even an epilogue just to see how/what Doctor Liz is doing after some time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing the ALC widget, and thank you to Naomi Kritzer for such a compelling story.
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
As the blurb says, Dr. Liz has just been acquitted after a highly controversial lawsuit involving an abortion she performed. Struggling to find stable work afterward, she receives a promising job opportunity and heads out to meet a potential employer.
Instead, she gets kidnapped.
Liz wakes up inside a secluded religious compound, where she quickly discovers why she was taken: the cult desperately needs an OB/GYN.
From that moment on, she is forced to care for the women and girls living there, while also serving as a general physician for the rest of the community. The compound operates almost entirely cut off from the outside world. Phones, books, and outside influences have gradually been removed, and the group's beliefs have become increasingly extreme.
Even though Liz is treated respectfully because of her medical knowledge, she understands very quickly that she is still a prisoner.
And things become even more disturbing when she realizes that girls as young as fourteen and fifteen are being forced into marriages and pregnancies.
This was one of those books that immediately pulled me in and never let go. The situation is uncomfortable, frightening, and infuriating, but I found myself rooting for Liz from beginning to end. She is smart, resilient, and determined, and I desperately wanted her to find a way out.
The audiobook narration was fantastic and made an already engaging story even more immersive. I genuinely looked forward to every minute of it.
Overall, this was a gripping book that managed to pack a lot into a relatively short runtime. My only complaint is that I wanted more. I would absolutely read a sequel or even an epilogue just to see how/what Doctor Liz is doing after some time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing the ALC widget, and thank you to Naomi Kritzer for such a compelling story.
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
May 16, 2026
I flew through this book so fast. I would say the characters aren’t fully developed but that’s because of the length of the book. That doesn’t mean you don’t care for them or become concerned for their safety. This book packs a lot of social issues into its pages. It is fast paced and it works as a shorter novel but I could envision it being longer and delving deeper into the subjects covered. My biggest critique is that I’ve seen it labeled as sci-fi and dystopian but my question is…….is it??
Thank you to TOR Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel.
Thank you to TOR Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel.
January 10, 2026
I finished this book (edit: this is considered a novella!) in one, four-hour sitting. It was a fast paced thriller about an obstetrician that was kidnapped by a religious cult to help the often very young women (and children) deliver babies. Naturally it had strong feminist themes, but also presented really interesting moral/philosophical debates within the main character that made me consider what I would do in a similar situation.
It is everything I hoped for when I requested this ARC, if anything I wished it was a little longer. I would have loved more character development from some secondary characters, like Bethany’s parents, or backstory about Pastor John and the development of the compound (although, I think we can assume, these types of cults are all essentially a copy-paste). The ending came fast, but I loved it.
A free ARC was provided through NetGalley and Tor publishing exchange for an honest review.
It is everything I hoped for when I requested this ARC, if anything I wished it was a little longer. I would have loved more character development from some secondary characters, like Bethany’s parents, or backstory about Pastor John and the development of the compound (although, I think we can assume, these types of cults are all essentially a copy-paste). The ending came fast, but I loved it.
A free ARC was provided through NetGalley and Tor publishing exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2026
Thank you Tordotcom and Macmillan Audio for my free ARC of Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer — available Jun 9!
» READ IF YOU «
🏥 want a tense dystopian read centered on reproductive rights
✊ are furious about the state of women's healthcare in America
📖 aren't looking for something with sky-high stakes
» SYNOPSIS «
Dr. Liz has just escaped a guilty verdict for performing an abortion in North Dakota when she's kidnapped by a fundamentalist cult. They are way, way out there—geographically and ideologically—and very much in need of an Obstetrician. Their last doctor? Buried in a shallow grave after refusing to treat patients. Liz is desperate to leave, but to take the young, innocent girls with her.
» REVIEW «
Alright, so, the beginning of this book? Completely gripping. A doctor BARELY acquitted for performing an abortion is kidnapped by a religious cult? I was so in. But after that, somehow, the stakes were so low that I had trouble remembering our girl Liz was actually, like, in danger.
The middle of the book (and it's a short one) settles into a routine that, while intentional (life in this isolated cult IS monotonous), does drain a lot of the urgency. I kept waiting for the stakes to ratchet back up and they just...didn't really. There were definitely some tense moments! But I wish we had kept up the suspense of the beginning.
My main beef is actually with the ending, which I won't spoil, but it reeeeally didn't do the female empowerment message any favors. I needed more from Kritzer here. The writing itself is genuinely good and the subject matter is important as hell. But this is a book that had the bones to be something truly devastating, and it played it a little too safe for my liking.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
» READ IF YOU «
🏥 want a tense dystopian read centered on reproductive rights
✊ are furious about the state of women's healthcare in America
📖 aren't looking for something with sky-high stakes
» SYNOPSIS «
Dr. Liz has just escaped a guilty verdict for performing an abortion in North Dakota when she's kidnapped by a fundamentalist cult. They are way, way out there—geographically and ideologically—and very much in need of an Obstetrician. Their last doctor? Buried in a shallow grave after refusing to treat patients. Liz is desperate to leave, but to take the young, innocent girls with her.
» REVIEW «
Alright, so, the beginning of this book? Completely gripping. A doctor BARELY acquitted for performing an abortion is kidnapped by a religious cult? I was so in. But after that, somehow, the stakes were so low that I had trouble remembering our girl Liz was actually, like, in danger.
The middle of the book (and it's a short one) settles into a routine that, while intentional (life in this isolated cult IS monotonous), does drain a lot of the urgency. I kept waiting for the stakes to ratchet back up and they just...didn't really. There were definitely some tense moments! But I wish we had kept up the suspense of the beginning.
My main beef is actually with the ending, which I won't spoil, but it reeeeally didn't do the female empowerment message any favors. I needed more from Kritzer here. The writing itself is genuinely good and the subject matter is important as hell. But this is a book that had the bones to be something truly devastating, and it played it a little too safe for my liking.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgally and Tor for providing this ARC.
This was a very fast-paced novella about an obstetrician who was recently acquitted for a medically nessceary abortion. While looking for a job, she gets kidnapped by a cult. The premis was very interesting and what kept me reading.
However, I am sad to say this story fell a bit short for me. The story lacked character development. I wasn't invested in any of the characters. The ending was very unrealistic and rushed.
This was a very fast-paced novella about an obstetrician who was recently acquitted for a medically nessceary abortion. While looking for a job, she gets kidnapped by a cult. The premis was very interesting and what kept me reading.
However, I am sad to say this story fell a bit short for me. The story lacked character development. I wasn't invested in any of the characters. The ending was very unrealistic and rushed.
June 16, 2026
The most unnerving part about this book was that I kept waiting for the horror. The dystopia or otherwise something that would make me think “oh this definitely has to be fiction because this would never happen in real life”
It’s horrifying because the story is so alarmingly…real.
Someone could easily be kidnapped and forced to join a cult. That cult could be made up of mostly normal people that—while suffering from religious psychosis—have families they love and tell stories. The hardest pill to swallow is knowing how easily someone could take power and control over people’s lives like the leader of the compound.
When I finished the book I couldn’t help feeling like I wanted more to the story but looking back, it’s a perfect representation of today’s world. You could live through the most harrowing experience a human can be subjected to but at the end of the day, it’s just another short moment in life. You’ll be expected to get back to normal before long without taking the proper time to process.
Needless to say this story made me realize how numb I am to violence and that scared me even more than the book did. Excellent work.
It’s horrifying because the story is so alarmingly…real.
Someone could easily be kidnapped and forced to join a cult. That cult could be made up of mostly normal people that—while suffering from religious psychosis—have families they love and tell stories. The hardest pill to swallow is knowing how easily someone could take power and control over people’s lives like the leader of the compound.
When I finished the book I couldn’t help feeling like I wanted more to the story but looking back, it’s a perfect representation of today’s world. You could live through the most harrowing experience a human can be subjected to but at the end of the day, it’s just another short moment in life. You’ll be expected to get back to normal before long without taking the proper time to process.
Needless to say this story made me realize how numb I am to violence and that scared me even more than the book did. Excellent work.
June 21, 2026
This was fine. Fast-paced but not much depth to it, and I could have done without the rehashing from memory of a children's fantasy book.
Edit: Okay, I'll try to be more detailed about this. This book is like seeing one of those news reports about a woman found in a cult, and there's matter-of-fact reporting on the facts, and that's the end of the report. The whole subject is incredibly plot-based, and there is no layered commentary or characterisation to be found, which is disappointing to me. Basically, as it says on the can, an obstetrician is kidnapped by a religious cult who need one because, as hardline religious cults tend to do, they encourage a lot of fornicating after young marriages, and someone needs to help deliver the babies. She's stuck there and tries to find a way to escape, and that's the entirety of the plot. Disappointing, but if you like straightforward plotline-based books, this one may be for you.
Edit: Okay, I'll try to be more detailed about this. This book is like seeing one of those news reports about a woman found in a cult, and there's matter-of-fact reporting on the facts, and that's the end of the report. The whole subject is incredibly plot-based, and there is no layered commentary or characterisation to be found, which is disappointing to me. Basically, as it says on the can, an obstetrician is kidnapped by a religious cult who need one because, as hardline religious cults tend to do, they encourage a lot of fornicating after young marriages, and someone needs to help deliver the babies. She's stuck there and tries to find a way to escape, and that's the entirety of the plot. Disappointing, but if you like straightforward plotline-based books, this one may be for you.
June 10, 2026
Well. If that doesn’t make you want to go to a rage room with your girls and let out a few hundred years’ worth of generational feminine rage… Idk 🤷♀️
3.5 ⭐️
It’s not a long book, the audio only took me one sitting. There could have been more background on the characters added in, in my opinion, but that’s just me. Overall, it’s still a very chilling look at what society can potentially look like when you take away more and more of women’s rights to healthcare, what people will resort to.
3.5 ⭐️
It’s not a long book, the audio only took me one sitting. There could have been more background on the characters added in, in my opinion, but that’s just me. Overall, it’s still a very chilling look at what society can potentially look like when you take away more and more of women’s rights to healthcare, what people will resort to.
June 17, 2026
Imagine going to a job interview and ending up getting drugged and kidnapped to become the midwife of a religious cult. You wear, eat, sleep, drink, and do as they say, but you are not free to leave, well, you can in a body bag. Does it sound like fun? This book is a fast-paced thriller that is a quick listen/ read but listed as a horror, which is the only part I disagree with.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ALC. This has no impact on my review.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ALC. This has no impact on my review.
June 9, 2026
Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
3.5 stars
I went into Obstetrix expecting a tense, thought provoking thriller, and for most of the book, that’s kind of what I got. The rundown, a doctor kidnapped by a fundamentalist cult who is forced to provide medical care, is terrifyingly plausible and kept me turning the pages. Liz is a competent, intelligent protagonist, and the constant sense of dread made this a somewhat gripping read.
What worked best for me was the atmosphere. Kritzer does an excellent job creating a claustrophobic environment where every interaction feels tense and sometimes dangerous. The story causes you to think about power, bodily autonomy, and survival without feeling overly preachy. I was invested enough in Liz and her patients to keep reading.
Unfortunately, the ending landed with more of a shrug than a punch. After spending so much time building tension, I wanted something sharper, messier, or more emotionally satisfying. Instead, it felt like the book hit the brakes just when I was ready for the payoff. It wasn’t a bad ending, just one that left me staring at the last page thinking, “That’s it?” Overall, a solid 3.5-star read. It was compelling, unsettling, and highly readable, but missed the knockout finish that would have pushed it into four star territory.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tordotcom for the digital advanced reader copy
Publish date: June 9, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
3.5 stars
I went into Obstetrix expecting a tense, thought provoking thriller, and for most of the book, that’s kind of what I got. The rundown, a doctor kidnapped by a fundamentalist cult who is forced to provide medical care, is terrifyingly plausible and kept me turning the pages. Liz is a competent, intelligent protagonist, and the constant sense of dread made this a somewhat gripping read.
What worked best for me was the atmosphere. Kritzer does an excellent job creating a claustrophobic environment where every interaction feels tense and sometimes dangerous. The story causes you to think about power, bodily autonomy, and survival without feeling overly preachy. I was invested enough in Liz and her patients to keep reading.
Unfortunately, the ending landed with more of a shrug than a punch. After spending so much time building tension, I wanted something sharper, messier, or more emotionally satisfying. Instead, it felt like the book hit the brakes just when I was ready for the payoff. It wasn’t a bad ending, just one that left me staring at the last page thinking, “That’s it?” Overall, a solid 3.5-star read. It was compelling, unsettling, and highly readable, but missed the knockout finish that would have pushed it into four star territory.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tordotcom for the digital advanced reader copy
Publish date: June 9, 2026
March 30, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of Obstetrix in exchange for an honest review.
I was initially drawn to Obstetrix because of its eye-catching cover and compelling premise. The core idea behind the story is meaningful and highlights themes that feel important and worth exploring.
That said, the execution didn’t work for me. The writing is repetitive, and the overall style comes across as underdeveloped. I also found the use of parentheses for background information distracting, as it interrupts the flow of the narrative instead of blending naturally into the story.
The pacing felt uneven due to a lack of smooth transitions between scenes, and the dialogue occasionally seemed unnatural or difficult to follow. I think the story would benefit from more “showing” rather than “telling” to create a stronger emotional connection with the reader.
Overall, while I appreciated the concept and message, this one didn’t meet my expectations in terms of execution. The manuscript would greatly benefit from additional developmental editing and refinement before reaching its full potential.
I was initially drawn to Obstetrix because of its eye-catching cover and compelling premise. The core idea behind the story is meaningful and highlights themes that feel important and worth exploring.
That said, the execution didn’t work for me. The writing is repetitive, and the overall style comes across as underdeveloped. I also found the use of parentheses for background information distracting, as it interrupts the flow of the narrative instead of blending naturally into the story.
The pacing felt uneven due to a lack of smooth transitions between scenes, and the dialogue occasionally seemed unnatural or difficult to follow. I think the story would benefit from more “showing” rather than “telling” to create a stronger emotional connection with the reader.
Overall, while I appreciated the concept and message, this one didn’t meet my expectations in terms of execution. The manuscript would greatly benefit from additional developmental editing and refinement before reaching its full potential.
May 19, 2026
Obstetrix, written by Naomi Kritzer and narrated by Jennifer Pickens, is a 5-star book for me. Obstetrix was filed under “SciFi and Fantasy” and “Women’s Fiction” in NetGalley. Having finished this, the SciFi/Fantasy label is really surprising to me— it is only science fiction in that it is a fiction work that contains many references to medical science. I’ve also seen it tagged as “dystopian” on Goodreads & have to disagree there as well. It is hard to reconcile this as dystopian when the current administration has made it very clear they don’t view women as people, and the type of thinking exhibited by the cult is becoming more normalized in US culture. I would really have to argue that this is a thriller- the general concept being a woman is kidnapped and needs to get out.
Current disagreement with the genre category aside, I chose to read this because right away the cover grabbed my attention. The bubblegum pink with the syringe was so minimal while being such a sharp contrast that I had to click to learn more. The title on top of that had me super intrigued, because from there I assumed it was going to be women’s health-related.. and the publisher summary sealed the deal.
Obstetrix follows Dr. Liz as she looks for a new job following acquittal for performing a medically necessary abortion in North Dakota. During her job hunt, she ends up kidnapped by a religious cult in specific need of an OB. Once in their captivity, she realizes she needs to escape not only for her own survival, but to help the girls and the women living there.
This read is really on the shorter side, but it definitely packs a punch for its size. The narration was excellent- Pickens did a great job giving Dr. Liz a vibe of calm and calculated without any of it being overdone, even when tensions picked up. What I found most unsettling (in a good way!!!) was the elements of “this community has parts that are so nice” contrasting with the more horrific stuff that is occurring there. When one of the cult members mentions the children in the community getting to be outside and never on phones or tablets… I was like yeah that sounds idyllic— but then had to snap myself out of it, because of the darkness that was also omnipresent. I also really enjoyed the references to Dr. Liz’s favorite book, The Onyx Dagger, being threaded throughout the story. Her regularly thinking back to her favorite piece of literature was definitely something that I identified with. Another thing I liked is that Obstetrix dove into themes of women’s bodily autonomy from a governmental perspective and from the POV of in the home.
I really have nothing of substance to say in terms of negative. I do think it would’ve been nice if it was a little longer of a book and we got to know the different cult members a bit better. This could’ve been an opportunity to lean more into thriller and make made it a little more ominous, a little scarier. But I say that only because I enjoyed the book so much and greedily want MORE. Oh I guess one thing I had an issue with was that I’m pretty sure laughing gas is commonly used in labor, so unsure why this was something “new” Dr. Liz learned when treating the women of the cult. Unsure why this was mentioned multiple times- it bothered me, but doesn’t actually impact my rating haha.
I would honestly recommend this book to any woman, whether you’re into thrillers or not. It’s a fast paced read that you’ll enjoy, but importantly I think the themes re: women’s bodily autonomy can lead to really valuable discussion.
Current disagreement with the genre category aside, I chose to read this because right away the cover grabbed my attention. The bubblegum pink with the syringe was so minimal while being such a sharp contrast that I had to click to learn more. The title on top of that had me super intrigued, because from there I assumed it was going to be women’s health-related.. and the publisher summary sealed the deal.
Obstetrix follows Dr. Liz as she looks for a new job following acquittal for performing a medically necessary abortion in North Dakota. During her job hunt, she ends up kidnapped by a religious cult in specific need of an OB. Once in their captivity, she realizes she needs to escape not only for her own survival, but to help the girls and the women living there.
This read is really on the shorter side, but it definitely packs a punch for its size. The narration was excellent- Pickens did a great job giving Dr. Liz a vibe of calm and calculated without any of it being overdone, even when tensions picked up. What I found most unsettling (in a good way!!!) was the elements of “this community has parts that are so nice” contrasting with the more horrific stuff that is occurring there. When one of the cult members mentions the children in the community getting to be outside and never on phones or tablets… I was like yeah that sounds idyllic— but then had to snap myself out of it, because of the darkness that was also omnipresent. I also really enjoyed the references to Dr. Liz’s favorite book, The Onyx Dagger, being threaded throughout the story. Her regularly thinking back to her favorite piece of literature was definitely something that I identified with. Another thing I liked is that Obstetrix dove into themes of women’s bodily autonomy from a governmental perspective and from the POV of in the home.
I really have nothing of substance to say in terms of negative. I do think it would’ve been nice if it was a little longer of a book and we got to know the different cult members a bit better. This could’ve been an opportunity to lean more into thriller and make made it a little more ominous, a little scarier. But I say that only because I enjoyed the book so much and greedily want MORE. Oh I guess one thing I had an issue with was that I’m pretty sure laughing gas is commonly used in labor, so unsure why this was something “new” Dr. Liz learned when treating the women of the cult. Unsure why this was mentioned multiple times- it bothered me, but doesn’t actually impact my rating haha.
I would honestly recommend this book to any woman, whether you’re into thrillers or not. It’s a fast paced read that you’ll enjoy, but importantly I think the themes re: women’s bodily autonomy can lead to really valuable discussion.
June 10, 2026
Fast-paced and propulsive, OBSTETRIX is part cult-thriller and part damning social commentary on patriarchal religious extremism and the state of women’s health care in this country. Kidnapped by a cult in need of an obstetrician following her acquittal for performing an abortion after it was outlawed in her home state, Dr. Liz must figure out who she can trust in order to survive. This is A Handmaid’s Tale for the modern world, except it will have to be shelved under contemporary rather than dystopian fiction. Couldn’t put it down but wish it was a full-length novel.
Pub Date: 6/9/26
Review Published: 6/9/26
eARC provided at no cost by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 6/9/26
Review Published: 6/9/26
eARC provided at no cost by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2026
At first, I didn’t know if I was mentally in the mood to read a book on religious cults and pregnancy, but when I saw the NetGalley email that I was preapproved for this audiobook, I figured why not. I was so thoroughly invested in the story that I didn’t even realize how short the book was, and when the ending came, I was disappointed it wasn’t longer. I didn’t want to leave this world, and the narrator did a phenomenal job — something about their voice really fit the story. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
June 12, 2026
What made this so terrifying and unsettling was how real it felt. The inside look at the cult and it's workings/beliefs was great. There's a big conversation around women's reproductive rights and the influence (power) of the patriarch, especially within the cult. It mirrors a lot of what's going on in the real world. This did a great job of keeping me on edge about how she would survive, if she would survive. There is hope in this book/story and she made sure to hold on to it.
December 29, 2025
This novella/short book went by so fast I was left wanting so much more! I wish there had been a little more depth and character development, but the premise for the story was interesting and it’s hard to go very deep in a novella.
I really enjoyed the story overall though. It feels very timely and very likely to happen, if it isn’t already. I think fans of Neal Shusterman’s Unwind series would enjoy this book and I would recommend it to teens and young adults. This might also be a great book for adults who are learning to read since it has adult topics but isn’t too long.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and Edelweiss for providing this advanced readers copy for free for review.
I really enjoyed the story overall though. It feels very timely and very likely to happen, if it isn’t already. I think fans of Neal Shusterman’s Unwind series would enjoy this book and I would recommend it to teens and young adults. This might also be a great book for adults who are learning to read since it has adult topics but isn’t too long.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and Edelweiss for providing this advanced readers copy for free for review.
May 20, 2026
Obstetrix was a relatively short book about a disgraced OB Doctor, who after being found not guilty of her "crime", had an extremely difficult time finding a job in North Dakota/Minnesota. Suddenly, a promising, yet concerning position falls into her lap. Out of desperation, she decides to go check out this proposal. Horrible mistake. The proposal turns into her being kidnapped by a religious cult to be their OB/GYN on staff for the high risk pregnancies in their communities. Isolated from the outside world, Liz is surprisingly treated with respect as the only doctor in the compound, but shortly after arriving, it becomes very clear what happened to the first OB/GYN and she must escape before she meets the same fate.
Obstetrix was a really good little audiobook! Eerie atmosphere, cult vibes, dystopian vibes, and just overall super unsettling. It was definitely a solid story! As much as I love a short book, I do wish this would have been a bit longer for the ending to have more substance. I felt like it kind of went from kidnapped, to living on the compound, to being rescued in kind of an insane way really quickly.
Otherwise, this was a really good little book & a good listen as well!
Obstetrix was a really good little audiobook! Eerie atmosphere, cult vibes, dystopian vibes, and just overall super unsettling. It was definitely a solid story! As much as I love a short book, I do wish this would have been a bit longer for the ending to have more substance. I felt like it kind of went from kidnapped, to living on the compound, to being rescued in kind of an insane way really quickly.
Otherwise, this was a really good little book & a good listen as well!
June 11, 2026
Feminist dystopia with a religious cult twist is very much my niche genre. I had a compelling time and the book was a fun read. The ending did feel rushed and wrapped up with a pretty bow which felt incredibly unrealistic and not fully fleshed out. Especially as the book is not particularly long and I feel there was opportunity for the author to explore and flesh out the ending a bit more.
June 18, 2026
A tense and compelling thriller, probably set five minutes into the future but actually it doesn't feel speculative at all which is kind of terrifying. The main character is deeply characterized and it's effortless falling into her viewpoint and feeling the fear and anxiety and the weight of her moral choices. The other characters are also quite well drawn and understandable.
June 21, 2026
Dark but riveting.
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