BookTrib’s latest roundup of new releases features stories of disruption, discovery and transformation, from a science-fantasy epic about humanity’s future on a distant planet to a psychological thriller inspired by real-life stalking and guardianship cases.
In "The First Cycle: NUE World Chronicles" by F.N. Knight, set nearly a thousand years after humanity fled a dying Earth, the planet Thelo serves as both refuge and prison. Anibel Azure, the youngest daughter of the ruling Azure family, must face the Test, a secret coming-of-age rite that has claimed generations of Azure daughters. Haunted by visions of humanity’s violent first days on Thelo, Anibel begins to question the history she has inherited. With the help of Jael, an acolyte, she may uncover the truth behind the ritual, the ruling Vaine families and the rebellion gathering in the shadows. The novel is available at https://tinyurl.com/the-first-cycle.
Wayne Williams’s "Grab Another Gear: Disrupt the Norm. Ignite Your Passion." is a self-help and leadership guide designed for those ready to break out of autopilot and live with greater purpose. Drawing on his experience helping leaders navigate pivotal transitions, Williams introduces the Grab Another Gear framework, blending racing metaphors, personal insights, and actionable "Gear Check" steps. The book aims to help readers clarify identity, strengthen relationships and make courageous choices. It is available at https://tinyurl.com/grab-another-gear.
Liz Lazarus’s "Dawn Before Darkness" is a psychological thriller inspired by real events, following Dawn Smith, a vet tech who meets her dream guy only to face a ruthless stalker and a failing legal system. Drawing on real-life guardianship cases and interviews with stalking victims, Lazarus crafts a story about how systems designed to protect can be manipulated. Details are available at https://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 in a park. The novel weaves intimate two-person dramatic scripts read aloud by other couples, exploring marriage, silence, and the liberating power of private creation. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/scripts-review or purchase at https://tinyurl.com/scripts-novel.
