BookTrib’s latest roundup, “Bites: Stories of Disruption, Discovery and Transformation,” features four new releases that challenge characters and readers alike to question norms, confront hidden truths, and embrace change. From a distant planet to the depths of the human psyche, these narratives offer fresh perspectives on identity, resilience, and the courage to rewrite one’s story.
In The First Cycle: NUE World Chronicles by F.N. Knight, humanity’s last survivors inhabit Thelo, a planet of twin suns and corrosive mists, nearly a millennium after fleeing Earth. The protagonist, Anibel Azure, is groomed to become Lady Head of the Medium but must first survive the Test—a secret rite that has claimed generations. Haunted by visions of humanity’s violent origins, Anibel questions the history she inherited. With the help of acolyte Jael, she uncovers truths about the ruling Vaine families and a gathering rebellion. This ambitious science-fantasy epic launches a saga about power and memory. Purchase at tinyurl.com/the-first-cycle.
Wayne Williams’s Grab Another Gear: Disrupt the Norm. Ignite Your Passion. is a self-help and leadership guide for those ready to break out of autopilot. Drawing on his experience helping leaders navigate transitions, Williams uses the Grab Another Gear framework, blending racing metaphors, personal insights, and action steps. The book encourages readers to shift from merely successful to truly significant by rekindling passion and making courageous choices. Ideal for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone feeling stuck. Purchase at tinyurl.com/grab-another-gear.
Inspired by real events, Liz Lazarus’s Dawn Before Darkness is a psychological thriller about a stalker’s treachery and a legal system’s failure. Dawn Smith, a vet tech, meets her dream guy, but soon faces a break-in, a missing necklace, and her mother’s declining health. As his facade cracks, Dawn fights to protect her family. Lazarus draws on real guardianship cases and stalking victim interviews to craft a story about manipulated systems. Details at tinyurl.com/dawn-before-darkness.
Brandon Knightley’s Scripts is a literary novel set in mid-twentieth-century America. Arlene Zirner, trapped in a dismissive marriage, discovers a hidden gift for writing after a chance encounter. Through intimate two-person dramatic scripts read by other couples, Arlene finds a language for emotions she cannot express. The novel explores marriage, silence, and the private acts of creation that lead to liberation. Learn more at tinyurl.com/scripts-review or purchase at tinyurl.com/scripts-novel.
