book reviews

Review: Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sci-fi but it doesn’t feel very sci-fi.

Liz, an OB/GYN is kidnapped by a fundamentalist cult after being acquitted for providing the last abortion in North Dakota. She is forced to care for the girls and women on the compound while trying to find a way out. It’s a fast, intense novella with a premise that feels (is) terrifyingly realistic.

This story was fast-paced and still has some important themes and moral quandaries. Liz is an obvious hero to root for, and the writing made the situation feel urgent and dire.

It would have been interesting to have more backstory on some of the cult characters, as well as some history on the cult and the compound itself. The story ends fairly abruptly and uneventfully, so it would have been nice to have a little more closure.

Overall, this was a gripping and quick read that packed a lot in!

Thank you Tor and Netgalley for the eARC!
Obstetrix will be published on June 9.

03.24.26 | leave a comment

Review: Habits of the Sea by Shea Ernshaw

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

As a child, Ellie Mills discovered a floating island off the coast of Nova Scotia, where she meets a man named Clay. Several years later, Ellie returns to uncover the mystery of the island and is forced to choose between her life back home or the unreal world on this island that she feels pulled to.

I was unbelievably excited to recieve the ARC for this! Shea Ernshaw is one of my favorite authors.

Habits of the Sea is slow-paced and steady, and the writing is atmospheric without being overwhelming. What starts as a mystery turns into a tragic story of love and belonging.

Thank you Atria books for the ARC!

Habits of the Sea will by published July 7.

03.23.26 | leave a comment

Review: Rolls and Rivalry by Kristy Boyce

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rolls and Rivalry is the third book in Gaming and Romance, a YA Dungeons and Dragons romance series.

Hazel’s senior year is turned upside-down by her former childhood crush and now nemesis, Max, transfers to her school. Their marching band section rivalries keep them apart, but their history and love for D&D pull them together.

Kristy Boyce’s YA romance series has been so cute and I’ve loved reading all three books. I liked that this one was more centered around marching band than D&D, though some may not be expecting that. It seemed almost as if Hazel’s parents and Max’s mom were more into D&D than Hazel and Max were. However, Boyce was so accurate in her depiction of high school marching band (especially the band bus, my goodness) that as a former band nerd, I really enjoyed it.

I did not like: Max.

I LOVE the cover. 😍

Thank you netgalley, Random House, and Delacorte Romance for the eARC!

Rolls and Rivalry will be published May 5.