Second Story Work by Josh Cybulski
As part of supporting the self-pushing community, Josh Cybulski is our latest author to highlight. He published Second Story Work in September 18, 2020. Josh used podcasts and Twitter to promote this book. Like so many first time authors, he was bitten by the writing bug and is currently working on a second novel.
Since publishing the book, Josh has worked hard to promote the book within the liberty podcast movement. The movement is really good about helping rising stars and promoting works that support freedom and voluntary interactions. Here is a list of some of his appearances,
As for the story itself, it is a thriller set in Vancouver and its movie industry. I plan to read and review the book soon, hopefully by the end of the year. Here is the description of the book:
Josh Cybulski’s debut novel explores a generation who were told they could do anything. Some did, and without a doubt still are, and some became disillusioned at the first signs of adversity. Meet Sarge, Messy, Hecky and R-Luv, four media school grads who head towards the booming film industry in Vancouver. Art is a distant memory as they pursue North Hollywood lights and their spoils of sex, drugs, and, let’s face it, more drugs. But, good luck turns bad in Second Story Work as these young men scramble to sustain whetted appetites that they could never satisfy. Cybulski’s gritty tale is one of crime, betrayal, and moral apathy, where the difference between friend and foe is blurred line after line.
Check out his novel and support a fellow travel:
Review
I read the book in a little less than a week. Once I got into the story line, around page 100, I couldn’t put it down. Josh draws you into the story line that builds throughout the book. And just when you think you know the next move, the story shifts in unexpected and surprising twists.
Josh wanted to make the story into a screenplay. After reading the book, I can see how the story would be prefect for the big-screen. The story focuses primarily on one character named Derek, who seems to be the only one of a group of four with any remorse. You follow his struggles and challenges as he keeps getting deeper into the drug, gang, and crime scene of Vancouver.
Rest of my 5 star review (as posted on Amazon):
Second Story Work is an action-packed novel that explores the entitlement and degeneracy of late 00’s Vancouver. The story, and the main characters’ drug usage, spirals down a dark abyss until a final climatic ending.
You want to route for the ‘boys’, but they continue to make foolish, short-sighted decisions throughout the book. However, the characters are interesting and get into situations that is engaging to read.
The book addresses several short comings in the war against drugs without being preachy. Josh Cybulski does a great job of illustrating some moral hazards created by outlawing recreational drugs.
Finally, I would recommend this book to anybody looking for a fun and easy to read novel. There is violence, raw language, and lots of drug usage, so it may not be for everybody. However, if that doesn’t bother you, then you will enjoy the adventure and action in this novel.
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