Review: Obstetrix

Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer is a novella-length page turner! A radical religious group goes to extreme lengths to get care for their community, especially the population of pregnant women. The story is told from the point of view of the OB/GYN forced to help them. It's very tense. I also appreciated having a menopausal main character who is dealing with hot flashes in a crisis situation. Been there, done that, have the soaked nightgown. Very relatable! I won't give any more away but to say that if you like a thriller with religious cults, you should read this.

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Review: Paradox Inc.

Paradox Inc. by Forrest Brazeal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Paradox Inc. by Forrest Brazeal from Ballantine Books via NetGalley. This book will be published January 5, 2027.

I wasn't sure what I would get when I agreed to read Paradox Inc. by Forrest Brazeal. First books can be a crap shoot. In this case, it was a good bet. First, there is a tiny flamingo on the cover. You have my attention. Next, this is written in an epistolary fashion. That is by far my favorite style of writing. I can't read my email inbox with any joy but give me a book written in any combination of emails, letters, news articles, blog posts, journal entries (you get the idea) and I will not be able to put it down. Then, tell me a story of how Tech Bros are going to ruin time travel for everyone. Make it a super dark story that is also absolutely hilarious so that I am not sure how to describe it to you without saying you will be thoroughly disturbed and also laugh out loud. Because while this is fiction, I feel like it could be true in the not-so-distant future. I also believe that Tech Bros will figure out a way to make it terrible just like they have done with the Internet and AI. Yes, I have strong opinions. Finally, I had to look up where Forrest Brazeal is from/lives. Not in a creepy stalker way, but as someone who grew up smack dab between Joliet and Kankakee, IL, I was momentarily unsettled when those places were mentioned. That doesn't happen often. Now that I live not too far from Madison, the mention of it as well made me wonder if my reading of this book was more than coincidental. Not to get all woo-woo, but it is a book about time travel. Highly recommend!

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