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Obstetrix
Not yet published
Expected 9 Jun 26From 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
Expected publication 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!
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
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.
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.
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!
March 19, 2026
This one is difficult to rate. I was definitely engrossed in the story and entertained the entire time, but it didn’t feel exceptionally fresh. & I was not fond of how the ending wrapped up.
Thank you to Tor for the ARC
Thank you to Tor for the ARC
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.
May 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley & MacMilliam Audio for the ARC Audiobook.
I highly recommend reading this, regardless of your genre of choice. It’s only 200 pages so it’s not a huge commitment and it’s absolutely worth it.
Obstetrix follows Dr. Liz, an obstetrician whose life is thrown into chaos after a highly publicized trial for performing a life saving abortion.
This is one of those books that just keeps getting worse (in a good way; it’s emotionally devastating, not poorly written). I knew that the book was going to be dark but what really got me was how real everything felt. The situation, being kidnapped by an extremist religious cult to be an on-site Obstetrician for said cult; the situation itself is extreme but the reactions from people, the systems that are supposed to help but don’t, and the way certain characters justify what’s happening… especially in this political climate that we are living in, it felt way too real which is why it felt like a psychological horror novel.
There’s a character named Bethany, she’s a few months shy of turning 14; you very quickly realize that although life on the compound is all she’s ever known - it’s obvious to the reader that she wants more than what this compound has to offer. Bethany’s character is one that sticks in your brain long after you finish the book.
Specifically, the thing that stuck with me the most is that Bethany was scheduled to marry a man in his 30’s (I believe, he may have been in his 40’s) and the way that Liz did everything she could to protect her from it. She tried to tell Sarah (the lady who kidnapped her, she is essentially Liz’ babysitter throughout the entire novel) that Bethany was not physically ready to get pregnant and Sarah responds by saying that “God will not bless us with a baby too big for our bodies to carry” and I wanted to scream! I wanted to reach through the book and shake Sarah. It was absolutely infuriating especially considering the state of things in America currently and we constantly have people completely disregarding science because it doesn’t match their beliefs. That interaction made the whole novel feel a little TOO REAL.
The FBI doing basically nothing to find Liz and Liz’ father having to take matters into his own hands? Again, it hits a little too close to real life. Time and time again, while listening to true crime stories, we hear that the police sat back and did nothing and had they just done their jobs; the victim may have survived.
This is not an easy read. It’s uncomfortable, frustrating, and at times I was straight up angry reading it—but I also could not put it down. It was the first book in a long time that I stayed up way past my bedtime to read.
I do wish a few things had gone differently. There were moments where I wanted certain characters to go a little more… feral. And I definitely thought that we were going to watch Liz lose her shit when it was mentioned that the men on the compound carried guns. I was hoping we were going to see Liz take lives into her own hands and I’m not talking about her obstetrician duties.
But overall this is the kind of book that stays with you. Specifically at the end, [SPOILER ALERT!!!] Liz is watching the very people who made her a victim go on the news and talk about how badly they wanted to escape. The reality of this sank in because how many times have we seen people get away with horrific things and face zero repercussions for their horrendous actions? Way more times than I can count. People who were complicit in the crimes of this religious cult cried on television and painted themselves as the victims while the REAL victims in this story, people like Joy and her newborn baby who are forced to live in a shelter. Children like Bethany, who truly has NO idea how the real world works because she asks Liz if she can “still be her apprentice” at 13/14 years old!
It’s absolutely horrifying because you know that this is happening right now to a child somewhere in America.
If you like darker, more realistic stories that make you feel something (even if that feeling is rage), you’ll probably get a lot out of this book! I will be recommending this book to all of my friends who read.
Notes on the audiobook specifically: The narrator, Jennifer Pickens, is officially one of my favorite audiobook narrators. She was incredibly easy to listen to. She doesn’t just read the book to you, she makes you feel the words that are being spoken. It makes for an incredibly immersive experience which is sometimes difficult when you listen to audiobooks on anything other than 1.0x. Some narrators sound like an AI robot voice - Jennifer Pickens does a great job doing the opposite. She sounds like a human, speaks with emotion and it feels like someone is telling you their story; not like you’re just reading another book. I will be looking for more books that she narrates in the future.
I highly recommend reading this, regardless of your genre of choice. It’s only 200 pages so it’s not a huge commitment and it’s absolutely worth it.
Obstetrix follows Dr. Liz, an obstetrician whose life is thrown into chaos after a highly publicized trial for performing a life saving abortion.
This is one of those books that just keeps getting worse (in a good way; it’s emotionally devastating, not poorly written). I knew that the book was going to be dark but what really got me was how real everything felt. The situation, being kidnapped by an extremist religious cult to be an on-site Obstetrician for said cult; the situation itself is extreme but the reactions from people, the systems that are supposed to help but don’t, and the way certain characters justify what’s happening… especially in this political climate that we are living in, it felt way too real which is why it felt like a psychological horror novel.
There’s a character named Bethany, she’s a few months shy of turning 14; you very quickly realize that although life on the compound is all she’s ever known - it’s obvious to the reader that she wants more than what this compound has to offer. Bethany’s character is one that sticks in your brain long after you finish the book.
Specifically, the thing that stuck with me the most is that Bethany was scheduled to marry a man in his 30’s (I believe, he may have been in his 40’s) and the way that Liz did everything she could to protect her from it. She tried to tell Sarah (the lady who kidnapped her, she is essentially Liz’ babysitter throughout the entire novel) that Bethany was not physically ready to get pregnant and Sarah responds by saying that “God will not bless us with a baby too big for our bodies to carry” and I wanted to scream! I wanted to reach through the book and shake Sarah. It was absolutely infuriating especially considering the state of things in America currently and we constantly have people completely disregarding science because it doesn’t match their beliefs. That interaction made the whole novel feel a little TOO REAL.
The FBI doing basically nothing to find Liz and Liz’ father having to take matters into his own hands? Again, it hits a little too close to real life. Time and time again, while listening to true crime stories, we hear that the police sat back and did nothing and had they just done their jobs; the victim may have survived.
This is not an easy read. It’s uncomfortable, frustrating, and at times I was straight up angry reading it—but I also could not put it down. It was the first book in a long time that I stayed up way past my bedtime to read.
I do wish a few things had gone differently. There were moments where I wanted certain characters to go a little more… feral. And I definitely thought that we were going to watch Liz lose her shit when it was mentioned that the men on the compound carried guns. I was hoping we were going to see Liz take lives into her own hands and I’m not talking about her obstetrician duties.
But overall this is the kind of book that stays with you. Specifically at the end, [SPOILER ALERT!!!] Liz is watching the very people who made her a victim go on the news and talk about how badly they wanted to escape. The reality of this sank in because how many times have we seen people get away with horrific things and face zero repercussions for their horrendous actions? Way more times than I can count. People who were complicit in the crimes of this religious cult cried on television and painted themselves as the victims while the REAL victims in this story, people like Joy and her newborn baby who are forced to live in a shelter. Children like Bethany, who truly has NO idea how the real world works because she asks Liz if she can “still be her apprentice” at 13/14 years old!
It’s absolutely horrifying because you know that this is happening right now to a child somewhere in America.
If you like darker, more realistic stories that make you feel something (even if that feeling is rage), you’ll probably get a lot out of this book! I will be recommending this book to all of my friends who read.
Notes on the audiobook specifically: The narrator, Jennifer Pickens, is officially one of my favorite audiobook narrators. She was incredibly easy to listen to. She doesn’t just read the book to you, she makes you feel the words that are being spoken. It makes for an incredibly immersive experience which is sometimes difficult when you listen to audiobooks on anything other than 1.0x. Some narrators sound like an AI robot voice - Jennifer Pickens does a great job doing the opposite. She sounds like a human, speaks with emotion and it feels like someone is telling you their story; not like you’re just reading another book. I will be looking for more books that she narrates in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 19, 2026
It's not often that I immediately turn around a review after finishing a book, but sometimes you read something incredibly special and know you're going to be hearing a lot about it coming up and want to be part of hyping it up. Takes place in a near future where we are still living in the aftermath of Roe v Wade calling, and our main, Liz, is an ob/gyn who was just acquited for performing the last abortion in North Dakota. She's kidnapped by a fundamentalist cult with the lure of a job interview in Minnesota to be their doctor. We get a hell of a tale of how she survives, the things she witnesses, how she tries to prevent harm as best she can in a place where fourteen year old girls are married to forty year olds with the expectation of rapid and frequent childbirth, and how the power of stories gives hope and shared power in a patriarchal nightmare cult. This comes out in June, but preorder it now, and enjoy the summer treat.
January 13, 2026
This was a really good read from start to finish, as is the usual with Naomi Kritzer’s books no matter the subject matter. There were so many small details that gave the story a face no matter how central any particular characters were, and I couldn’t help but be invested in every plot point no matter how small.
The narrative also makes the cult seem like a parallel for rigid gender roles overall, with details such as the myriad of ways that the cult seems to only care about healthcare when it extends to pregnancy, that have an effect on their whole society.
The narrative also makes the cult seem like a parallel for rigid gender roles overall, with details such as the myriad of ways that the cult seems to only care about healthcare when it extends to pregnancy, that have an effect on their whole society.
May 11, 2026
This was a very straightforward story about the horrors of living in a cult. It was equal parts entertaining and horrifying, and the kind of book I could see playing out well as a movie. It definitely makes me even more thankful for modern medicine.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
May 24, 2026
The anxiety made my stomach hurt in this tale of a doctor abducted to provide care for women in a cult. I wanted a little more intensity and tension from the story. I’d definitely be interested in reading more from the author! I do highly recommend the audiobook as the narration was great.
I received an advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received an advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2026
3.5⭐️ The end was kind of a disappointment.
Arc review pending…
Arc review pending…
May 20, 2026
* received an arc through NetGalley *
I flew through this! It was very fast paced and kept me hooked.. until the last 25%. I felt as if the story concluded too quickly (and perfectly?) which took away some enjoyment for me.
I do, for sure, still recommend this to others but due to the execution it wasn’t quite for me. The premise was very interesting, and I do feel like it could easily happen in real life, so I am bummed that I didn’t love this like I thought I would.
I flew through this! It was very fast paced and kept me hooked.. until the last 25%. I felt as if the story concluded too quickly (and perfectly?) which took away some enjoyment for me.
I do, for sure, still recommend this to others but due to the execution it wasn’t quite for me. The premise was very interesting, and I do feel like it could easily happen in real life, so I am bummed that I didn’t love this like I thought I would.
February 17, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
January 18, 2026
'm not usually a dystopian reader, but one that has to do with women's rights, sure I'll buy in! Yesterday I shared a book about ethics in fertility treatment, today I'm here with a 5⭐ read about an OB/GYN in a future we hope to escape!
In Obstetrix, Dr. Liz has just been acquitted for performing the last abortion in North Dakota when she’s abducted by an isolated fundamentalist cult in need of an OB/GYN. Cut off from the outside world and keenly aware of what happened to the doctor before her, Liz must navigate fear, control, and uneasy respect to survive. Gripping and unsettling, the novel follows her race to escape and find help for the girls trapped alongside her.
I really liked this book. The cult aspect was great, the kidnapping/held captive situation was a bit stressful without being too scary, and the lack of books and technology was a huge difference from the reality we live in today. I would highly recommend this book and am looking forward to checking out some of the author's other books.
Obstetrix comes out in June, so add this one to your TBR and keep your eye out for it in the summer!
Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher @tordotcompub for giving me the chance to read and review this excellent book!
In Obstetrix, Dr. Liz has just been acquitted for performing the last abortion in North Dakota when she’s abducted by an isolated fundamentalist cult in need of an OB/GYN. Cut off from the outside world and keenly aware of what happened to the doctor before her, Liz must navigate fear, control, and uneasy respect to survive. Gripping and unsettling, the novel follows her race to escape and find help for the girls trapped alongside her.
I really liked this book. The cult aspect was great, the kidnapping/held captive situation was a bit stressful without being too scary, and the lack of books and technology was a huge difference from the reality we live in today. I would highly recommend this book and am looking forward to checking out some of the author's other books.
Obstetrix comes out in June, so add this one to your TBR and keep your eye out for it in the summer!
Thanks to @netgalley and the publisher @tordotcompub for giving me the chance to read and review this excellent book!
March 14, 2026
*Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley for review.
This was a disappointing read. I wanted more from the plot. I was hoping this would be a thrilling novella, but I was bored throughout most of it.
I liked the beginning, where this doctor is kidnapped by this crazy cult and forced to be their obstetrician. It had a good setup, but not a lot happened. I lost interest pretty quickly and it wasn’t a long book. Most of the action happened towards the end of the story and the ending was not my favorite.
I did like the author’s writing style, so I would read another book from them, but this book was not for me.
👉Recommended for: readers interested in cults, who enjoy shorter reads or slower paced plots
✍️Also by this author: Catfishing on Catnet
This was a disappointing read. I wanted more from the plot. I was hoping this would be a thrilling novella, but I was bored throughout most of it.
I liked the beginning, where this doctor is kidnapped by this crazy cult and forced to be their obstetrician. It had a good setup, but not a lot happened. I lost interest pretty quickly and it wasn’t a long book. Most of the action happened towards the end of the story and the ending was not my favorite.
I did like the author’s writing style, so I would read another book from them, but this book was not for me.
👉Recommended for: readers interested in cults, who enjoy shorter reads or slower paced plots
✍️Also by this author: Catfishing on Catnet
February 20, 2026
An interesting idea for a story ruined by amateurish writing. Also prob not the author’s fault but this is not sci-fi or spec fic. Like, at all. And shouldn’t be tagged as such
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer is advertised as a dystopian/fiction/horror novella that introduces us to Dr. Liz, an OBGYN who is recently out a job due to a court case where she was acquitted after performing the last abortion in North Dakota (a medically necessary abortion). She's searching for jobs when she receives a call about a "partnership" with a local homebirth midwife. Upon arriving at the impromptu interview however, Liz becomes groggy and realizes she's been drugged. Thus begins her kidnapping, and subsequent experience in a cult in rural Idaho.
I would firmly place this book in a fiction category however, not in dystopian or fantasy or horror as the tags suggest, especially considering the state of politics and human rights policies currently in the world. I have heard much farther fetched things on recent news casts than I read in this book.
What to expect:
💉Timely "dystopian" (but extremely believable) book centered on reproductive/women's rights
🩺Political commentary
💉Fairly low stakes overall
🩺Short, fast paced read
💉Cults
🩺Mentions of abuse including child abuse, spousal abuse, CSA, corporal punishment, etc
Books like this almost read like something you'd hear about on the news, especially lately (2026). However, upon reading, the story itself didn't feel very high stakes. It was very short, which isn't always an issue, but the author didn't use many words to dive into the character development along the way for the FMC or supporting characters, and overall, that really detracted from the story as a whole for me.
I was expecting the abortion court case to come into play during the story, and was disappointed that it didn't really come up - because of that it felt like a filler, and not the inciting incident that kicked off the entire novella. And, this may be a bit nitpicky, but as someone who works in the homebirth field as a doula, there were definitely vibes vilifying that kind of care. I think it's a fine line to walk when you write a book like this, that you don't accidentally also throw other communities into the pot with the Cult itself. I often see this with homeschooling, homebirth midwives, etc.
The middle of the book definitely slows down, which is expected because of the lifestyle the folks in the compound lead, however, it really didn't help the sense that the stakes were supposedly so high - in fact it made it feel less urgent/intense. Because the book is so short, I felt there was a lot of action missing that would have served the plot better. Had it been a longer book, I absolutely can see those slower moments being important to help with the pacing - in this novella, not so much.
The actual "bad guy" in the story isn't entirely clear, unless "the cult" as a whole can be considered the villain. The punishments that happen, and the CSA are mostly glossed over instead of landing as the horrific events that they are. To really be impactful for a social commentary on control, women's rights, etc, this needed to be expanded upon.
My biggest issue with the book is the ending. It just didn't sit right with me that the member's attempts to escape were thwarted, but then a group of retired military guys show up to save the day. It also felt like the ending was very rushed, and if the book had been longer, there would have been more opportunity to drop more hints or doubts about whether some cult members were there willingly versus against their will. I really feel as though this book could have benefitted from a longer format.
If you are into books about cults, enjoy short fiction/thrillers, and don't need a ton of character development or high stakes, check this book out!
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group, Netgalley, and the author for the eARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I would firmly place this book in a fiction category however, not in dystopian or fantasy or horror as the tags suggest, especially considering the state of politics and human rights policies currently in the world. I have heard much farther fetched things on recent news casts than I read in this book.
What to expect:
💉Timely "dystopian" (but extremely believable) book centered on reproductive/women's rights
🩺Political commentary
💉Fairly low stakes overall
🩺Short, fast paced read
💉Cults
🩺Mentions of abuse including child abuse, spousal abuse, CSA, corporal punishment, etc
Books like this almost read like something you'd hear about on the news, especially lately (2026). However, upon reading, the story itself didn't feel very high stakes. It was very short, which isn't always an issue, but the author didn't use many words to dive into the character development along the way for the FMC or supporting characters, and overall, that really detracted from the story as a whole for me.
I was expecting the abortion court case to come into play during the story, and was disappointed that it didn't really come up - because of that it felt like a filler, and not the inciting incident that kicked off the entire novella. And, this may be a bit nitpicky, but as someone who works in the homebirth field as a doula, there were definitely vibes vilifying that kind of care. I think it's a fine line to walk when you write a book like this, that you don't accidentally also throw other communities into the pot with the Cult itself. I often see this with homeschooling, homebirth midwives, etc.
The middle of the book definitely slows down, which is expected because of the lifestyle the folks in the compound lead, however, it really didn't help the sense that the stakes were supposedly so high - in fact it made it feel less urgent/intense. Because the book is so short, I felt there was a lot of action missing that would have served the plot better. Had it been a longer book, I absolutely can see those slower moments being important to help with the pacing - in this novella, not so much.
The actual "bad guy" in the story isn't entirely clear, unless "the cult" as a whole can be considered the villain. The punishments that happen, and the CSA are mostly glossed over instead of landing as the horrific events that they are. To really be impactful for a social commentary on control, women's rights, etc, this needed to be expanded upon.
My biggest issue with the book is the ending. It just didn't sit right with me that the member's attempts to escape were thwarted, but then a group of retired military guys show up to save the day. It also felt like the ending was very rushed, and if the book had been longer, there would have been more opportunity to drop more hints or doubts about whether some cult members were there willingly versus against their will. I really feel as though this book could have benefitted from a longer format.
If you are into books about cults, enjoy short fiction/thrillers, and don't need a ton of character development or high stakes, check this book out!
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group, Netgalley, and the author for the eARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
(3.5🌟 rounded up)
Perfect for a short, simple, engrossing read!
The story follows Liz, a OB/GYN who was practically outlawed from North Dakota when she performed an abortion, even though she was acquitted. She's desperate for a new job and reluctantly accepts a job interview that feels suspicious. It ends up being a member of a cult who kidnaps Liz and forces her to become the cult's doctor, especially since they have so many pregnant women.
When I initially read the synopsis of this blurb, I was expecting something more outrightly sinister, so I was surprised by the direction this book took. It's sounds like it might be a dystopian book, but it really isn't, because this could have happened today, or even a couple of years ago, given the current policital climate in the US and frankly globally.
The story focuses on Liz's time with the cult, and while it initially feels like a story about escape, it ends up being an unsettling read because of the underlying horror of what it means to actually be a woman in that cult. There's a sense of dread as you learn more about the expectations of girls and women in this cult, and how Liz struggles with these revelations as a doctor who actually seems to care for her patients and who had taken it upon herself to become a knowledgeable and safe doctor for all types of patients.
I ended up really liking Liz's character, mostly because she was quite a uniquely written character given the circumstances. Instead of her becoming this unlikely hero who manages to do something wildly brave and become the saviour of the cult, she instead bides her time and waits for an opportunity to present itself while slowly learning more about the people around her and their beliefs. She provides the best care she feels she can, and she becomes fiercely protective over some of the girls and women she gets to know. She's unique because she feels extremely relatable, and I don't think I would have done anything differently if I was in her situation.
The book is quite short and it's a pretty straightforward read, which was exactly what I needed at this moment. It felt refreshing after reading quite a few lengthy and heavy reads, so I found myself speeding through this book! The writing seems overtly simplistic at first and almost choppy, but it took me about a chapter to get used to it and then I didn't even notice it anymore.
Highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a short and satisfying read with an interesting and realistic main character in an impossible situation.
Perfect for a short, simple, engrossing read!
The story follows Liz, a OB/GYN who was practically outlawed from North Dakota when she performed an abortion, even though she was acquitted. She's desperate for a new job and reluctantly accepts a job interview that feels suspicious. It ends up being a member of a cult who kidnaps Liz and forces her to become the cult's doctor, especially since they have so many pregnant women.
When I initially read the synopsis of this blurb, I was expecting something more outrightly sinister, so I was surprised by the direction this book took. It's sounds like it might be a dystopian book, but it really isn't, because this could have happened today, or even a couple of years ago, given the current policital climate in the US and frankly globally.
The story focuses on Liz's time with the cult, and while it initially feels like a story about escape, it ends up being an unsettling read because of the underlying horror of what it means to actually be a woman in that cult. There's a sense of dread as you learn more about the expectations of girls and women in this cult, and how Liz struggles with these revelations as a doctor who actually seems to care for her patients and who had taken it upon herself to become a knowledgeable and safe doctor for all types of patients.
I ended up really liking Liz's character, mostly because she was quite a uniquely written character given the circumstances. Instead of her becoming this unlikely hero who manages to do something wildly brave and become the saviour of the cult, she instead bides her time and waits for an opportunity to present itself while slowly learning more about the people around her and their beliefs. She provides the best care she feels she can, and she becomes fiercely protective over some of the girls and women she gets to know. She's unique because she feels extremely relatable, and I don't think I would have done anything differently if I was in her situation.
The book is quite short and it's a pretty straightforward read, which was exactly what I needed at this moment. It felt refreshing after reading quite a few lengthy and heavy reads, so I found myself speeding through this book! The writing seems overtly simplistic at first and almost choppy, but it took me about a chapter to get used to it and then I didn't even notice it anymore.
Highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a short and satisfying read with an interesting and realistic main character in an impossible situation.
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