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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.
A Most Anticipated Nerd Daily | Goodreads
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.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
A Most Anticipated Nerd Daily | Goodreads
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.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 9, 2026
3999 people want to read
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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).
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was an FLDS/Scientology vibe if I've ever read one (outside of Leah Remini's memoir). In it, an OBGYN named Liz is abducted during a fake interview after recently being acquitted for performing a medically-necessary abortion.
She is drugged and driven who-knows-where and forced to live on the compound of a religious cult that's in need of a permanent doctor. She spends every moment of every day trying to find ways to get help or leave or even get a message to her elderly father, but she has a hard time determining who she can trust - especially knowing someone on the compound shot the last kidnapped doctor for not following orders.
This book was...something. We learn a lot about how Liz works and thinks, and it's clear that Kritzer did her homework when it comes to medical terminology and procedures (she says in the Acknowledgments that she worked with a gynecologist). It wasn't overwhelmingly jargony but had the right about of information that made me understand what was serious and what these women went through on the compound.
We also see the daily minutia of the religious cult. What they're allowed to do (nothing but also sewing); what they're not allowed to do (be alone or talk); where they're allowed to go (the cafeteria). This aspect of the novel was the most interesting to me because we see it through the lens of an outsider. There were moments when not a lot was happening outside of Liz trying to strategize or build relationships, but when things were happening, it was bananas. My biggest gripe (and there really aren't many) is that it went on a little too long. Most of the last chapter felt unnecessary. I would have appreciated a little more ambiguity, but that's just my opinion. It was an overall good book, and I will be recommending it.
*Thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Naomi Kritzer for this eARC. This review contains my honest, authentic thoughts and opinions.*
She is drugged and driven who-knows-where and forced to live on the compound of a religious cult that's in need of a permanent doctor. She spends every moment of every day trying to find ways to get help or leave or even get a message to her elderly father, but she has a hard time determining who she can trust - especially knowing someone on the compound shot the last kidnapped doctor for not following orders.
This book was...something. We learn a lot about how Liz works and thinks, and it's clear that Kritzer did her homework when it comes to medical terminology and procedures (she says in the Acknowledgments that she worked with a gynecologist). It wasn't overwhelmingly jargony but had the right about of information that made me understand what was serious and what these women went through on the compound.
We also see the daily minutia of the religious cult. What they're allowed to do (nothing but also sewing); what they're not allowed to do (be alone or talk); where they're allowed to go (the cafeteria). This aspect of the novel was the most interesting to me because we see it through the lens of an outsider. There were moments when not a lot was happening outside of Liz trying to strategize or build relationships, but when things were happening, it was bananas. My biggest gripe (and there really aren't many) is that it went on a little too long. Most of the last chapter felt unnecessary. I would have appreciated a little more ambiguity, but that's just my opinion. It was an overall good book, and I will be recommending it.
*Thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Naomi Kritzer for this eARC. This review contains my honest, authentic thoughts and opinions.*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars
Super compelling near future story about an obstetrician having to figure out ethical choices in a life-and-death situation. I only read this in two sittings rather than one because I read the first chapter far too late at night, after being unable to resist starting it the second I found the e-ARC invite in my email. Definitely has the moreish thing I need from books.
It was intense and good and as horrific stories go, it really made me feel quite bolstered and like we will manage things together somehow despite all of the awful going on. I liked several of the characters a lot, and appreciated the nuance given to others whom I really disliked. The story was so clear and so involving, while staying grounded in what the narrator reasonably could know or work out. The narrator was someone I cared about a lot.
I also liked the metatextuality and bookishness going on, it helped me to stay with the story and made me really appreciate how well balanced everything was, so that it stayed gripping and horrible with thriller pacing, without falling into either of the common fail-for-maribou grim-thriller modes of "overwhelming, too much, too graphic" or "insufficiently realistic, insufficiently grim, why is this dystopic cult so twee". not at ALL twee, very realistic including in the mundane good bits about it. loved it.
Highly recommend reading it when it comes out in June.
CN: complicity, moral injury, other trauma stuff, spoiler: , obstetric complications, other medical things described in detail, realistic and upsetting near-future US politics, realistic depiction of religious abuse and coercive control
Super compelling near future story about an obstetrician having to figure out ethical choices in a life-and-death situation. I only read this in two sittings rather than one because I read the first chapter far too late at night, after being unable to resist starting it the second I found the e-ARC invite in my email. Definitely has the moreish thing I need from books.
It was intense and good and as horrific stories go, it really made me feel quite bolstered and like we will manage things together somehow despite all of the awful going on. I liked several of the characters a lot, and appreciated the nuance given to others whom I really disliked. The story was so clear and so involving, while staying grounded in what the narrator reasonably could know or work out. The narrator was someone I cared about a lot.
I also liked the metatextuality and bookishness going on, it helped me to stay with the story and made me really appreciate how well balanced everything was, so that it stayed gripping and horrible with thriller pacing, without falling into either of the common fail-for-maribou grim-thriller modes of "overwhelming, too much, too graphic" or "insufficiently realistic, insufficiently grim, why is this dystopic cult so twee". not at ALL twee, very realistic including in the mundane good bits about it. loved it.
Highly recommend reading it when it comes out in June.
CN: complicity, moral injury, other trauma stuff, spoiler: , obstetric complications, other medical things described in detail, realistic and upsetting near-future US politics, realistic depiction of religious abuse and coercive control
February 5, 2026
Wow, I want to shout from the rooftops about this book. I want to buy a copy for all the women in my life. I want to read it again immediately. I read it in one sitting and enjoyed every minute.
Naomi Kritzer has written a wonderful fast paced thriller about an OB/GYN in the Northern USA who’s abducted by a cult and forced to provide care for the many women who are pregnant in their isolated compound. The story raises many thought provoking ideas such as the level of care she owes these people. And in order to escape, would she, as a doctor, be capable of shooting someone?
But beyond thinking of escape, there is the boredom. Treating a group of 100 fairly healthy adults and their children isn’t overly taxing. The compound has one bible kept under lock and key and no other books. At night our protagonist Liz longs for a story that takes her outside her current situation. She longs for written words. These are the most poignant bits of the story. I want to write more about the plot and how much I loved it, but I also want to avoid any spoilers & because you should read it instead.
I realized while reading Obstetrix that my eyes were leaking. Which then turned to tears and by the end of the novel I was fully weeping. A beautiful little story.
I heard about this book because the author KJ Charles wrote a review for it way back in November. The book doesn’t publish until June, but I hope it gets the buzz it deserves. A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Naomi Kritzer has written a wonderful fast paced thriller about an OB/GYN in the Northern USA who’s abducted by a cult and forced to provide care for the many women who are pregnant in their isolated compound. The story raises many thought provoking ideas such as the level of care she owes these people. And in order to escape, would she, as a doctor, be capable of shooting someone?
But beyond thinking of escape, there is the boredom. Treating a group of 100 fairly healthy adults and their children isn’t overly taxing. The compound has one bible kept under lock and key and no other books. At night our protagonist Liz longs for a story that takes her outside her current situation. She longs for written words. These are the most poignant bits of the story. I want to write more about the plot and how much I loved it, but I also want to avoid any spoilers & because you should read it instead.
I realized while reading Obstetrix that my eyes were leaking. Which then turned to tears and by the end of the novel I was fully weeping. A beautiful little story.
I heard about this book because the author KJ Charles wrote a review for it way back in November. The book doesn’t publish until June, but I hope it gets the buzz it deserves. A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
January 11, 2026
Thank you to TOR and Netgalley for providing this advanced copy!
As miserable as it is that our current political landscape makes this book plausible, I could have read like 600 more pages of this.
Obstetrix is a tense novella detailing the experience of a doctor who is kidnapped by religious fundamentalists to work as the only medical provider on their compound. Kritzer writes from the extremely engaging POV of a main character who handles her situation much, much better than I could in her shoes. Dr. Liz's determination to survive and escape is really well foiled by her moral drive to care for the women and children around her, regardless of the fact that she isn't there willingly.
The atmosphere of the cult's remote compound is another bright light of the book--it doesn't need to be driven home to readers over and over again that they're in the middle of nowhere. It makes the feeling of constant surveillance and the riskiness of trusting the intentions of the women around Liz really effective.
I'm not sure how I feel about this book being billed as "near-future science fiction". It's almost a little too grounded in its bleakness for me to associate it with the far-flung realm of science fiction. I feel like we're gonna read about a heath care provider getting arrested for performing an abortion, like, tomorrow. (Will they then be acquitted just in time to be taken against their will by a small-scale Gilead? Probably not, but you know what I mean.)
As miserable as it is that our current political landscape makes this book plausible, I could have read like 600 more pages of this.
Obstetrix is a tense novella detailing the experience of a doctor who is kidnapped by religious fundamentalists to work as the only medical provider on their compound. Kritzer writes from the extremely engaging POV of a main character who handles her situation much, much better than I could in her shoes. Dr. Liz's determination to survive and escape is really well foiled by her moral drive to care for the women and children around her, regardless of the fact that she isn't there willingly.
The atmosphere of the cult's remote compound is another bright light of the book--it doesn't need to be driven home to readers over and over again that they're in the middle of nowhere. It makes the feeling of constant surveillance and the riskiness of trusting the intentions of the women around Liz really effective.
I'm not sure how I feel about this book being billed as "near-future science fiction". It's almost a little too grounded in its bleakness for me to associate it with the far-flung realm of science fiction. I feel like we're gonna read about a heath care provider getting arrested for performing an abortion, like, tomorrow. (Will they then be acquitted just in time to be taken against their will by a small-scale Gilead? Probably not, but you know what I mean.)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fiction about reproductive rights and/or religious cults is my jam, so I was stoked to read Obstetrix. Unfortunately, for me, it did not live up to its promise. First off, classifying it as sci-fi/fantasy isn't really appropriate. There were no sci-fi or fantasy elements, unless you could the book that Dr. Liz read as a kid and brought up over and over again.
My two main problems (and they seem to go hand in hand) were that there were essentially no stakes, and the book was too short. This left it without much tension for me and not enough world building. When I think of religious cult I want fundamentalist Mormons in Short Creek; I want Branch Davidians. When there was mention of the FBI potentially coming to save her (in Idaho no less) I want Ruby Ridge. Outside of corporal punishment and off-page murders, there was no peril on the page. Everything was too neat. I wasn't afraid for Dr. Liz or really the rest of the Harvesters. Her rescue was too tidy and clean. The end a little too peaceful, despite hinting at her inner turmoil. It's rare I want a book to be longer, but this one needed more.
If you're looking for something similar but more successful, I'd recommend Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdich, Red Clocks by Leni Zumas, or Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler.
2.5 stars rounded down, because this only seemed like half a book. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC all the same!
My two main problems (and they seem to go hand in hand) were that there were essentially no stakes, and the book was too short. This left it without much tension for me and not enough world building. When I think of religious cult I want fundamentalist Mormons in Short Creek; I want Branch Davidians. When there was mention of the FBI potentially coming to save her (in Idaho no less) I want Ruby Ridge. Outside of corporal punishment and off-page murders, there was no peril on the page. Everything was too neat. I wasn't afraid for Dr. Liz or really the rest of the Harvesters. Her rescue was too tidy and clean. The end a little too peaceful, despite hinting at her inner turmoil. It's rare I want a book to be longer, but this one needed more.
If you're looking for something similar but more successful, I'd recommend Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdich, Red Clocks by Leni Zumas, or Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler.
2.5 stars rounded down, because this only seemed like half a book. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC all the same!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars rounded down. This was SO good. It is short but doesn’t feel short because so much happens, and it is incredibly well written.
An obstetrician in the not-too-distant-future lives in a world where OBs have left a number of states because of restriction on their professions when it comes to ending pregnancies. And yes, this feels predictive and terrifying.
Liz was put on trial for saving the life of a mother by terminating her pregnancy and though she was acquitted, she was without a job (she was the last remaining OB in North Dakota) despite moving to a state with more opportunities. That’s why she was receptive to a phone call inviting her to work for a midwife office as a backup OB.
I won’t summarize this here and you can read the description, but what follows is wild. The setting is so clearly described you can picture where she is and you can hear and see the people she is with and you feel her pain and fear and hopelessness. You also feel her hopefulness. And her despair.
And the moments of good, particularly the connection amongst those who might feel the way she does.
Half star deducted only because I felt like I needed more details about this near-future world where obstetricians left a number of states.
Thank you Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
An obstetrician in the not-too-distant-future lives in a world where OBs have left a number of states because of restriction on their professions when it comes to ending pregnancies. And yes, this feels predictive and terrifying.
Liz was put on trial for saving the life of a mother by terminating her pregnancy and though she was acquitted, she was without a job (she was the last remaining OB in North Dakota) despite moving to a state with more opportunities. That’s why she was receptive to a phone call inviting her to work for a midwife office as a backup OB.
I won’t summarize this here and you can read the description, but what follows is wild. The setting is so clearly described you can picture where she is and you can hear and see the people she is with and you feel her pain and fear and hopelessness. You also feel her hopefulness. And her despair.
And the moments of good, particularly the connection amongst those who might feel the way she does.
Half star deducted only because I felt like I needed more details about this near-future world where obstetricians left a number of states.
Thank you Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
February 11, 2026
3.5 (rounded to 4 on platforms that don’t have 1/2 ratings)
The premise of this book is what immediately pulled me in, an obstetrician kidnapped and forced to serve as the doctor for a cult? That’s an idea with so much potential, and I went in expecting to be completely hooked.
Overall, I did enjoy this one, but it never quite went as deep as I was hoping. The story didn’t grab me as quickly as I expected, and I didn’t really get that “I need to know what happens next” feeling until around the 80% mark. A lot of the tension felt delayed, which made the pacing a bit uneven for me.
There were also moments that felt repetitive, particularly the constant reminders that she was trapped with a cult, we already know, and I would have loved that space to be used for more character development instead. The medical jargon, while understandable given the main character’s profession, felt excessive at times. I would’ve preferred learning more about the people and the cult itself rather than getting so much technical detail.
That said, by the end I was invested, and I do think the concept is a strong one. With a little more depth, tighter pacing, and more focus on the characters, this could have been a standout for me. As it is, it was a solid, interesting read ,just one that didn’t quite fully deliver on what I was looking for.
The premise of this book is what immediately pulled me in, an obstetrician kidnapped and forced to serve as the doctor for a cult? That’s an idea with so much potential, and I went in expecting to be completely hooked.
Overall, I did enjoy this one, but it never quite went as deep as I was hoping. The story didn’t grab me as quickly as I expected, and I didn’t really get that “I need to know what happens next” feeling until around the 80% mark. A lot of the tension felt delayed, which made the pacing a bit uneven for me.
There were also moments that felt repetitive, particularly the constant reminders that she was trapped with a cult, we already know, and I would have loved that space to be used for more character development instead. The medical jargon, while understandable given the main character’s profession, felt excessive at times. I would’ve preferred learning more about the people and the cult itself rather than getting so much technical detail.
That said, by the end I was invested, and I do think the concept is a strong one. With a little more depth, tighter pacing, and more focus on the characters, this could have been a standout for me. As it is, it was a solid, interesting read ,just one that didn’t quite fully deliver on what I was looking for.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Obestetrix follows Liz after she’s kidnapped by a fundamentalist cult in desperate need of an OB/GYN. Liz is desperate to escape, but she must carefully plan as they murdered their last obstetrician they kidnapped. But no matter what, she’s going to get out and help the girls trapped at the compound if it’s the last thing she does.
This was a really good thriller/horror. I found it super easy to engage with and found the plot to be very fast-paced. The cult is so terrifying and I loved the look at body autonomy and grooming. It’s horrifying because it very much felt like it could exist today or tomorrow. Women are treated so poorly in the cult and the author made it so easy to empathize with them. I really enjoyed the writing style too and definitely want to read more from this author.
I really enjoyed Liz as a protagonist. She’s determined and intelligent and made very smart, calculated decisions. She felt really realistic and had to much care and kindness for her patients. She was so easy to root for and I loved how her story ended.
If you love books about cults that discuss women’s bodily autonomy, I’d definitely recommend it!
Thank you to Tor and Netgalley for the arc!
This was a really good thriller/horror. I found it super easy to engage with and found the plot to be very fast-paced. The cult is so terrifying and I loved the look at body autonomy and grooming. It’s horrifying because it very much felt like it could exist today or tomorrow. Women are treated so poorly in the cult and the author made it so easy to empathize with them. I really enjoyed the writing style too and definitely want to read more from this author.
I really enjoyed Liz as a protagonist. She’s determined and intelligent and made very smart, calculated decisions. She felt really realistic and had to much care and kindness for her patients. She was so easy to root for and I loved how her story ended.
If you love books about cults that discuss women’s bodily autonomy, I’d definitely recommend it!
Thank you to Tor and Netgalley for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Fast-paced amd short. Read it in about 3 hours.
It was good. Not great, didn't love it, but enjoyed it. I appreciate that it was a quick read.
There wasn't much character development or growth. Aside from the doctor, I only cared about one other character.
The plot was straightforward. Doctor kidnapped, taken to cult compound, wants to escape. I won't say anything else about that so there aren't any spoilers.
It was character driven more than plot driven.
I enjoyed the premise and the paranoia. I enjoyed the medical details (and that they weren't overly complicated yet easily described in a conversational way).
I'm not sure the glimpses into the MC's fantasy book memories were necessary. However, it did make me think of just how lost I'd be without something to read! NOTHING. No books were allowed, no magazines, not even a Bible even though it is a religious cult. The only Bible is kept under lock & key by the leader and only he or another Elder is allowed to get it out. That is only for reading it aloud to the Harvesters (cult community) during their daily sermons & such.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with some tense scenarios.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. These are my own honest opinions.
It was good. Not great, didn't love it, but enjoyed it. I appreciate that it was a quick read.
There wasn't much character development or growth. Aside from the doctor, I only cared about one other character.
The plot was straightforward. Doctor kidnapped, taken to cult compound, wants to escape. I won't say anything else about that so there aren't any spoilers.
It was character driven more than plot driven.
I enjoyed the premise and the paranoia. I enjoyed the medical details (and that they weren't overly complicated yet easily described in a conversational way).
I'm not sure the glimpses into the MC's fantasy book memories were necessary. However, it did make me think of just how lost I'd be without something to read! NOTHING. No books were allowed, no magazines, not even a Bible even though it is a religious cult. The only Bible is kept under lock & key by the leader and only he or another Elder is allowed to get it out. That is only for reading it aloud to the Harvesters (cult community) during their daily sermons & such.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with some tense scenarios.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. These are my own honest opinions.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This short novel packs a great punch. At just over 200 pages this book gets right to the point..
The protagonist, Dr. Liz Gwinn is an Obstetrician who performed a banned abortion in North Dakota was acquitted on the charges. But Dr. Gwinn finds herself looking for focus and a job after the ordeal.
Just pages into the novella, Dr. Gwinn is kidnapped by a religious cult who needs an OB/GYN to serve the women in its compound.
What follows is a chilling story of fundamentalists keeping Dr. Gwinn captive. On the surface this story is a kidnapping thriller story. But deeper in it is a look into a horrific dystopian future, a look at body autonomy (or lack there of) and resistance. This book explores grooming, lack of choice and purpose. Women are regarded as second class humans and Liz isn’t having any of that for her, or some of the women she meets during her imprisonment.
As mentioned, this is a short book, it wastes little time and tells a compact story of a heroine.
Thanks to Netgalley, Naomi Kritzer and Tor Dot Com for the review ecopy. Thanks for printing books on important topics, Tor!
The protagonist, Dr. Liz Gwinn is an Obstetrician who performed a banned abortion in North Dakota was acquitted on the charges. But Dr. Gwinn finds herself looking for focus and a job after the ordeal.
Just pages into the novella, Dr. Gwinn is kidnapped by a religious cult who needs an OB/GYN to serve the women in its compound.
What follows is a chilling story of fundamentalists keeping Dr. Gwinn captive. On the surface this story is a kidnapping thriller story. But deeper in it is a look into a horrific dystopian future, a look at body autonomy (or lack there of) and resistance. This book explores grooming, lack of choice and purpose. Women are regarded as second class humans and Liz isn’t having any of that for her, or some of the women she meets during her imprisonment.
As mentioned, this is a short book, it wastes little time and tells a compact story of a heroine.
Thanks to Netgalley, Naomi Kritzer and Tor Dot Com for the review ecopy. Thanks for printing books on important topics, Tor!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks netgalley for the chance to have an early read of this book. This story follows an obstetrician who os kidnapped by a religious cult to provide medical care to pregnant women in their community. I loved the premise of the book, but unfortunately I was not able to connect with the characters. I felt a lack of connection to the characters and the emotion just wasn’t present. The plot has one central event but the story drags around that movement. The author spends most of the time describing the community but not illustrating the emotional stakes that are underlying the action. There are also plot element, such as the doctor’s initial trial, that’s left unexplored beyond the first chapter or two. The book could have been fitted from more time setting up and exploring the emotional stakes of the character’s choices and moral dilemma the situation posed. It is a telling story that touches on themes of women’s rights, misogyny, Christian nationalism, and fascism. Unfortunately that intensity is lost in the character arcs, and the ending in some ways betrays the theme of women’s empowerment as the doctor is rescued in the end by men.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2026
Thank you to Tordotcom and Netgalley for this advanced copy.
This was definitely a page turner!
Liz is an OBGYN and is desperately looking for a job after a controversial public trial made it hard for any company to want to hire her. She accepts an impromptu interview, and it turns out to be a big mistake. Kidnapped, and being forced to be a doctor/obgyn for an extremist religious cult, she has no idea where she is or if anyone is even looking for her.
I thought this was very well written. I had read somewhere that this was Waco meets Gilead in a story, and I couldn't describe it any better. The author did a great job portraying it in a quick easy to read way, while giving us the suspense and twists that we would expect in a plot like this. I actually was impressed at how this was a shorter book, and it felt like a very complete story without it needing to be any longer.
I loved Liz's character. She was calm, composed and smart about what she needed to do. While taking necessary risks at the same time. Cue the suspense!!
The author did a good job describing what the compound and the people were like, it felt very easy to picture it all.
I had a great time reading this.
This was definitely a page turner!
Liz is an OBGYN and is desperately looking for a job after a controversial public trial made it hard for any company to want to hire her. She accepts an impromptu interview, and it turns out to be a big mistake. Kidnapped, and being forced to be a doctor/obgyn for an extremist religious cult, she has no idea where she is or if anyone is even looking for her.
I thought this was very well written. I had read somewhere that this was Waco meets Gilead in a story, and I couldn't describe it any better. The author did a great job portraying it in a quick easy to read way, while giving us the suspense and twists that we would expect in a plot like this. I actually was impressed at how this was a shorter book, and it felt like a very complete story without it needing to be any longer.
I loved Liz's character. She was calm, composed and smart about what she needed to do. While taking necessary risks at the same time. Cue the suspense!!
The author did a good job describing what the compound and the people were like, it felt very easy to picture it all.
I had a great time reading this.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Obstetrix is a short, fast-paced, fictional account of an average modern-day OBGYN who, after a lengthy trial regarding her agreement to terminate a patient’s pregnancy due to life-threatening complications, finds herself kidnapped by a fundamentalist Christofascist colony in need of her obstetric services for their isolated compound.
Unfortunately for me, this book turned out to be very different from what I was expecting. The pacing allows for very little breathing room, and the prose gets quite clunky and repetitive for such a short work. It is also, for some reason, categorized (in some places but not others) as “science fiction”… which it most certainly is not.
Speculative fiction it is indeed though, and if you’re looking for a flashbang contemporary medical thriller that examines themes of coercion, medical ethics, and bodily autonomy through the lens of gender and politico-theological ideology, then this is the book for you. With a witty title to boot!
I think I would’ve enjoyed Obstetrix more if it had been a more long-format, slow-burn speculative medical thriller with more unique or artful prose, but I’m glad to see it’s resonating so strongly with other early reviewers! Many thanks to NetGalley and TOR Publishing for this ARC.
Unfortunately for me, this book turned out to be very different from what I was expecting. The pacing allows for very little breathing room, and the prose gets quite clunky and repetitive for such a short work. It is also, for some reason, categorized (in some places but not others) as “science fiction”… which it most certainly is not.
Speculative fiction it is indeed though, and if you’re looking for a flashbang contemporary medical thriller that examines themes of coercion, medical ethics, and bodily autonomy through the lens of gender and politico-theological ideology, then this is the book for you. With a witty title to boot!
I think I would’ve enjoyed Obstetrix more if it had been a more long-format, slow-burn speculative medical thriller with more unique or artful prose, but I’m glad to see it’s resonating so strongly with other early reviewers! Many thanks to NetGalley and TOR Publishing for this ARC.
February 10, 2026
I flew through reading Obstetrix! The story follows an OBGYN who is searching for work after getting prosecuted in a state with anti-abortion laws. She’s goes to a job interview, and what unfolds at her new “job” at a cult left me turning the page to see what would happen next.
Unfortunately for our world, I could see something like this happening in cult groups that I’m sure exist across remote America. The questions at the center of this story is the same question at the heart of women’s health care- what happens when a woman is not allowed to choose for herself? Why are so may people complicit in stripping away other people’s rights? Who can be trusted?
I loved that the protagonist is a menopausal woman-so many stories in this genre are about people in their teens or twenties. I also loved how some of the women worked to help other women.
I definitely recommend Obstetrix- it’s a quick, fast-paced read that absolutely touches on issues that exist in our current, real world.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately for our world, I could see something like this happening in cult groups that I’m sure exist across remote America. The questions at the center of this story is the same question at the heart of women’s health care- what happens when a woman is not allowed to choose for herself? Why are so may people complicit in stripping away other people’s rights? Who can be trusted?
I loved that the protagonist is a menopausal woman-so many stories in this genre are about people in their teens or twenties. I also loved how some of the women worked to help other women.
I definitely recommend Obstetrix- it’s a quick, fast-paced read that absolutely touches on issues that exist in our current, real world.
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2026
Dr. Liz is kidnapped by a cult under the false pretense of a job interview. She has no idea what state she is in and is completely cut off from technology. Although she is respected as the community’s doctor, she is painfully aware that she is a prisoner who is constantly being watched. Liz is torn between caring for the patients, many of whom she sees as either prisoners themselves or deeply brainwashed, and finding a way to escape so she can ultimately help them all.
Once I started this book, I found it impossible to put down. I read it in a single sitting. The pacing is fast and intense, and I constantly felt the need to know what would happen next. I especially appreciated how, the longer Liz remains in the compound, the more we learn about the other women and children. While Liz is a captive, she is still expected to assimilate into the cult’s strict daily routines, which adds another layer of tension and psychological complexity to the story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Naomi Kritzer for the eARC
Once I started this book, I found it impossible to put down. I read it in a single sitting. The pacing is fast and intense, and I constantly felt the need to know what would happen next. I especially appreciated how, the longer Liz remains in the compound, the more we learn about the other women and children. While Liz is a captive, she is still expected to assimilate into the cult’s strict daily routines, which adds another layer of tension and psychological complexity to the story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Naomi Kritzer for the eARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Lizzie, an OBGYN physician gets kidnapped by a cult to be the only person that can provide medical help in the cult’s compound. With a setting like this, I was expecting some horror elements, or the cult to be really messed up (other than sounding like every other fundamentalist Christian cult), or to be some sort of plot twist (the cult was a breeding ground for aliens!). However, the plot is as straightforward as it sounds. Lizzie tries to find ways to escape. The cult doesn’t educate its children. Misogyny runs rampant. There’s nothing different or interesting about this book as a fiction book. If it were a memoir, it would perhaps be a harrowing tale but considering it’s fiction, it’s just so tame. There’s no deeper commentary than “cult bad”. There’s a straightforward plot and a happy ending. The book was fast paced which made it a quick read but I wouldn’t really recommend it to anyone as it’s just so simple.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars
Liz is an obstetric doctor who is going through a tough time and is looking for a new job in her field of work. She gets offered an interview out of the blue. She gets kidnapped and is forced to care for the pregnant women at a compound cult-like ranch. Liz tries to help the women, but also how to get them to safety. The ending felt a bit unrealistic and then it ended with a lot of loose ends. It seemed it could’ve used another chapter or epilogue. The writing was good and I was invested in the story and the characters. I do recommend this book if you’re looking for a quick read that involves women’s rights. If you’re sensitive to triggers then I’d recommend checking trigger warnings.
Thank you, NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for allowing me to read this early. The opinion in this review is my own.
Liz is an obstetric doctor who is going through a tough time and is looking for a new job in her field of work. She gets offered an interview out of the blue. She gets kidnapped and is forced to care for the pregnant women at a compound cult-like ranch. Liz tries to help the women, but also how to get them to safety. The ending felt a bit unrealistic and then it ended with a lot of loose ends. It seemed it could’ve used another chapter or epilogue. The writing was good and I was invested in the story and the characters. I do recommend this book if you’re looking for a quick read that involves women’s rights. If you’re sensitive to triggers then I’d recommend checking trigger warnings.
Thank you, NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for allowing me to read this early. The opinion in this review is my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Naomi Kritzer’s "Obstetrix" is a powerful and unflinching portrayal of a future all too close to our reality. Through the eyes of a young OB/GYN physician, Kritzer explores the endless conflict between medical ethics and oppressive ideology, creating a story that resonates deeply, especially for those in the medical field. The protagonist's struggle to uphold her oath amid escalating government restrictions and religious interference captures the urgent and ongoing battle over women's rights today. Rather than feeling distant or purely fictional, this narrative reflects real challenges, making Kritzer’s fearless exploration both timely and necessary. I applaud Naomi Kritzer's courageous call to attention in a time when even words on a page can feel dangerous.
Thank you so so so much to Naomi Kritzer, Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the eARC.
Thank you so so so much to Naomi Kritzer, Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the eARC.
December 2, 2025
A long novella or very short novel, set in the very near future. (It's almost unnoticeable.) Dr. Elizabeth Gwinn is an obstetrician who was prosecuted--and acquitted--over a medically necessary abortion. She moved from North Dakota to Minnesota and is looking for a new job. A last-minute job interview leads to an abduction. She finds herself in an isolated cult compound...somewhere. The cult badly needs a doctor, specifically an obstetrician, and the last one didn't work out. As each day and week brings new horrifying realizations, she tries desperately to keep her sanity and find a way out.
Great characterizations and a gripping story.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Great characterizations and a gripping story.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Kritzer has a knack for extremely compelling stories that make me tear up a little. 5 minutes into the future, with all the haunting plausibility you should expect if you've read CatNet or Liberty's Daughter.
I started Obstetrix this morning at work. I finished it before I clocked out, and already told a friend I'd be reminding her to pick it up on release.
(and by sheer coincidence, I got home to write this up and this same day, an asshole (ICE) in Minnesota made the news. Hope you're safe, Naomi, and I know you'll be out protesting.)
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I'm so glad I got to read this and give it a boost, so maybe more folks will pick it up. (be careful about content warnings, though; it may be short but it's not light.)
I started Obstetrix this morning at work. I finished it before I clocked out, and already told a friend I'd be reminding her to pick it up on release.
(and by sheer coincidence, I got home to write this up and this same day, an asshole (ICE) in Minnesota made the news. Hope you're safe, Naomi, and I know you'll be out protesting.)
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I'm so glad I got to read this and give it a boost, so maybe more folks will pick it up. (be careful about content warnings, though; it may be short but it's not light.)
January 10, 2026
Um, WOW. This was such a uniquely thrilling story! I especially appreciated this because of my medical background and of course being a mom. This tells the story of an OBGYN kidnapping and her being held hostage at a religious cult. The women in the cult are arranged to be married young and reproduction is highly encouraged, therefore the OBGYN Dr. Liz has her work cut out for her. You see the corruption within as well as the creation of an escape plan. The men keep a close eye on the members and Dr. Liz struggles to find someone to trust. She uses her skillset to deliver babies and keep the women as safe as possible all while trying to escape. It will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time!
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group for providing this ARC for review purposes!
Thank you to Tor Publishing Group for providing this ARC for review purposes!
Review of advance copy received from Author
[They] want to believe that this could never happen to them, and that means they need a reason to believe that what happened to me was because I was a bad doctor.
A sharply engaging thriller. Kritzer is able to say a lot with few words, and somehow write characters who combine intense emotion with a grounding sobriety that makes everything feel real. The latter reminds me of Greg Egan’s work (e.g., Vouch for Me) and Elizabeth Bear’s A Time to Reap, both of which I would favorably compare this story to.
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