I wanted way more of this story than was given. When it ended I groaned, "Noooo!" And I mean that in a very good way.

I would like to thank NetGally and RB Media for the Advanced Listner Copy of A season of Monstrous Conceptions.
When babies are born with monstrous defects, what can one midwife in training do to save the day? The only bad thing about A season of Monstrous Conceptions is that it wasnt long enough! The world is engrossing, the characters are endering I would love a full length novel of this story. The narration by Amy Scanlon is beautiful and really transports you into the story. Her accent and tone fit the setting perfectly!

3.5 stars rounded up.

Lina Rather's prose is so gorgeous. It feels like I'm watching a movie about an alternative historical London while being wrapped up in warm blankets. I'd definitely love to read more from this author!

Amy Scanlon was the perfect narrator for this novella. It added another layer of depth to the story.

With that being said, this is one of those novellas where it would've worked out so much better as a full-fledged novel. There were so many ideas that emerged from something so short. I wanted a lot more out of everything. It's such perfect mix of cosmic horror, fantasy, feminism, queerness that a novella just doesn't do it justice.

The ending also felt rushed, but then again, it's similar to my earlier complaint where I really wanted a whole lot more out of all of these ideas.

Thank you to Recorded Books and NetGalley for this arc.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this. The writing was absolutely exquisite. I feel like I could leave my review at the writing was amazing and the story messed up and beautiful.

We see a world in which babies are born either normal or a little... off. Literally the story opens with a baby born with gills. TW for child death because there is a LOT of it mentioned, and some seen. The main character is a midwife, just to give you an idea.

What i really enjoyed about this was the fact that these monstrous babies are the innocents and normal people are the monsters. I absolutely love this idea and the author did a fantastic job showing this.

All in all, I enjoyed this and highly recommend it.

In 17th century London, uncanny babies are being born with animalistic features. Sara escapes a dark past and becomes a midwife's apprentice in London. Can she do something about these "monstrous" babies?

I enjoyed the world building in this short novella. The author brings this London to life. While the book is short, the characters and their relationships are deep. A great spooky read.

a brilliantly-written, atmospheric novel taking place in an alternate history london. i wish it was longer, frankly, but what was here was wonderful. the descriptions were at times breathtaking and alternatively nauseating--when it was clear that was the goal. i do believe this work achieved what it wished to, and it's short enough to be easily consumable while still maintaining quite a bit of depth and implied history.

this work functioned fully as something self-contained, reviewing its necessary pieces and checking those off. i, of course, still wish there had been even more to it. it was brilliantly shaped into a novella-size, but it felt like it had the potential to go even deeper, grittier, getting into even more. overall, however, it was an excellent book.

I really didn't know what to expect but I found the premise very interesting. I liked the setting and the main character. There is a creep/disturbing factor of the monstrous creatures but I just found something lacking.

This is a very cool story concept, but it was very short. I would have loved more depth to it. I think those who enjoy novellas or short stories would really like this though!

Sarah Davis is a midwife apprentice to Mrs. June she is learning all she can and unbeknownst to their clients sometimes getting a little magical help. Sarah was born different and although for the most part looks normal some people can still see her side of different. She was once married but thanks to her other taking over her husband walked into the river and drowned him self. The babies Sarah in Miss June have been birthing or more suited to living in a river then as human babies they have bigeyes some more than one said well the hands and feet and aren’t the same color as normal babies. When Sarah gets hired to stay with Miss Rin throughout her pregnancy she meets her husband sir Christopher wren
Sarah enter professor become way too close he becomes way too obsessed and despite Junes warning before it’s over all that is normal will lay inside Saras Hand’s. Even when his own baby is born monstrous he thinks he can fix it but by fixing it will ruin everything. This was a pretty good book I thought the narration was great I thought the author pay great attention to historical detail. I thought this was good interesting book but felt like something was missing I don’t know what exactly are but most people love this book and I really really liked it so I definitely recommend it if you love books with magic and a creepy storyline you will definitely like this book. I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Fantastically atmospheric gothic novella!!! The characters are lovingly crafted! I FELT the scene! There was a pull from the main character that forced me into this other world. Just fabulous!

**4.25/5**

“What must it be to have a life that was not on loan to you.”

In 17th century London, a strange new occurrence is beginning, where babies are being born more and more strange…additions. Horns, tails, scales, signs of evil and demons, according to Londoners. Although this is not a new concept of a story, the viewpoint it is told from is refreshing and intriguing.

Sarah, a midwife’s assistant, is the one who tells us this story. Of helping to deliver babies, both of this world, and some not. The story captured my attention from the very beginning and did not let go until the final word. I think the storytelling was done beautifully, and I was able to visualize the events and characters easily in my mind.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something a bit odd, dark, witty, and enthralling. Be aware of some content warnings in this book, including:

-Infant Death
-Suicide
-Pregnancy Related Issues

Thank you to NetGalley, Lina Rather, and RB Media for allowing me to preview this ARC of the audiobook A Season of Monstrous Conceptions, narrated amazingly by Amy Scanlon.

In 17th-century London, where strange babies with uncanny traits come into the world, Sarah Davis seeks refuge in the bustling city. As a midwife's apprentice within the secretive Worshipful Company of Midwives, she hopes to carve an independent life for herself. With each unnatural birth, fear of the supernatural swells, casting a shadow of unease over London.

This enthralling tale follows Sarah's journey as she takes on the role of midwife, concealing her unique abilities while navigating a city gripped by fear. When Lady Wren, a woman of means, enlists Sarah to guide her through her pregnancy, Sarah becomes intertwined with the influential architect Lord Christopher Wren, who harbors a keen interest in the uncanny. However, his fascination leans dangerously close to obsession, pulling Sarah into a captivating web of magic and intrigue.

The story masterfully weaves a sense of enchantment and trepidation, creating a spellbinding narrative that explores the depths of Sarah's powers and the covetous pursuits of those who wish to harness them. As the plot unfolds, the stakes rise, threatening not only Sarah but the very fabric of the world itself. This novella's only shortcoming is its length. With its richly drawn characters and compelling premise, it leaves you craving more. The blend of history, mystery, and the supernatural makes for a riveting read.

In summary, "The Midwife of the Universe" is a mesmerizing and enchanting tale of secrets, magic, and the pursuit of power. It's a captivating read that leaves you yearning for an extended journey through this evocative and mysterious world.

I read this in as an EARC and I loved it! I loved it so much. So when I saw that it was available for an audiobook I signed right up. I just had to experience it in this format. I have no complaints! The narration was perfection and I already loved the story.

DANGIT -- this was so good.

I've been pining after this one for some time due to the cover art and synopsis alone, and when RB Media granted me audiobook access, I dropped everything on my to-do list to devour this one. A Season of Monstrous Conceptions is set to hit shelves on October 31, 2023, the perfect Halloweenie read for this spooky season.

Sarah Davis is an apprentice to a famous midwife in 17th-century London. Mrs. Davis, freshly widowed after the sudden death of her husband (which she may or may not have had some hand in) is reacting as any concerned caretaker would in her position, as many pregnant women are giving birth to half-human/half-creature-like monsters. This is hardly a coincidence, and I wouldn't say Sarah is frightened, for she was one of these creatures at birth and was spared her life but has been deemed a witch by her hometown.

When Sarah and her Master Midwife are hired by a couple whose patriarch is quite interested in the supernatural side, Sarah fears her life is at risk for the Wren family knows her best-kept secret. At first touch, Sarah can tell that this new Wren child is of the "other side" and not like any normal child, but still she has duties to uphold and a state of professionalism to manage.

This time in England is past the horrors of witch hunts and hangings, but yet there is still a tinge of hate in the air for those who like unlike everyone else.

A huge thank you goes to NetGalley and RBMedia for providing me with the audiobook version of A Season of Monstrous Conceptions in exchange for my honest review.

In this book, Sarah, a midwife's apprentice, begins to assist with the deliveries of strange and unusual babies. When she is hired by Lady Wren, things really get interesting.

The audiobook quality was great. Fantastic narrator with clear diction and good pacing. It definitely kept my interest from start to finish.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book! The babies were reminiscent of the characters of the Miss Peregine series, which I love! They are creepy and intriguing. With the book is novella length, it left me wanting even more! More details. More story. Just more! I could definitely see myself reading a series based on these hybrid kids. Or one day even seeing their stories play out in a TV series if they play their cards right.