From Innocence to Arrogance

by Ezekiel King

From Innocence to Arrogance is the most authentic British crime novel on the market today. This book takes the reader on the journey in first person as Cyrus Johnson lives his day-to-day life.

Every 15-year-old is somewhat the same, what makes Cyrus so different is his mentality and decision-making. Read this! It will open your eyes to a world you never knew existed right under your nose. The information to live this life is here, but after having it, would you still want to?

250 pages, Paperback

Published August 30, 2019

About the author

Every 15-year-old is somewhat the same, what makes Cyrus so different is his mentality and decision-making. Read this! It will open your eyes to a world you never knew existed right under your nose. The information to live this life is here, but after having it, would you still want to?

Reviews

[Lel Budge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Coventry, this is the tale of Cyrus, a young man living on a council estate in a, let’s say, less than wealthy area. He’s fed up and bored of this life and he wants more, to have cash in his pocket and a little respect.

So, he decides to be a drug dealer.

He ‘employs’ friends and even family to help and quickly becomes successful. Cy is quite naive and trusting at first, but he gradually becomes more wary, harder and arrogant. He has the money, cars, girls and the lifestyle he so sorely wanted, but at what cost?

This really is a glimpse into a world many of us never see (thankfully) but a world many young men get drawn into by the idea of easy money, the glamour and respect. But it’s a violent world too and so many become victims of it. Ezekiel King knows this world and has eloquently shown both sides in this eye opening fictional tale. It’s honest, gritty and clearly heartfelt as it shows the consequences of this lifestyle…….it will not end well. I found this to be utterly absorbing from start to finish and I’m hoping to read more of Cy and what happens in his life.

Thank you to the author, Ezekiel King for the opportunity to read From Innocence To Arrogance for free. This is my honest and unbiased review.

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fictional story of Cyrus Johnson as told by a very interesting author (more about him later). At the age of 15 he makes a monumental decision: in order to achieve the level of wealth and the lifestyle he desires, he is going to become a drug dealer. Cyrus lives with his parents and older brother in a cheap house on a run down council estate. His father is controlling and quick tempered, and at that time Cy doesn't know that his father has a fearsome reputation as a former gunman. He envies his Auntie Delma and her partner who have a better standard of living and fancy cars. Virtually everyone around him smokes cannabis and no one, even the parents of some of the teenagers, seem to have a problem with it, and there doesn't appear to be anyone telling him not to do it or point out that it is an illegal substance. It is easy to see how his decision is not that startling, considering his whole family either condone or actively help him in his new venture, and it is an interesting reflection of society today in some areas. Cy is quite naive at the start of the book and is fortunate to have friends that help him, and also that he is not taken advantage of or attacked by rival dealers. He is a bright lad and astute, quickly finding his target market and expanding his business rapidly, and soon is living the life he dreamed of, wearing designer clothes and driving fast cars. Such is his arrogance that he rarely mentions fear of the police apart from recognising the importance of keeping his drug supply away from his home address to prevent a possession charge. He certainly never seems to consider arrest a possibility, even though it is obvious from his clothes and new flashy car that he has a hefty unexplainable source of income. He believes that he is admired and respected. He is in deep by now, and soon moves into selling harder drugs and hooking up with shady characters. Sadly he is ever greedy for more and more. Might this lead to his downfall? Read the book to find out what becomes of Cy.
This story has been written by a gentleman who formerly led a life very similar to Cy's and is based on first hand true life experience. I found the book completely absorbing, and made all the more engrossing by the fact that it is true to life, particularly as it is set not too many miles away from where I live but in a completely different world to the one I inhabit. The author is keen to stress that it is not a "how to" manual nor does he seek to glamorise this type of lifestyle. In fact his aim is to deter young people from the lure of following the road that he did before he turned things around and to seek a better way for themselves to live. I can only applaud the author for his honesty and candour in writing this book and wish him well with it. 4.5*

[Sarah Bendle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Great read. Really enjoyed reading this book. Well worth a read. Ended on a cliff hanger. When's the second book out?

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

If people think they know what happens on the streets of their own cities, I would consider them to be terribly mistaken. This I believe, shows the truth about what is happening under the nose of millions of people and we all truly have no idea what’s really going on.
An extremely eye opening book that’s gives a real insight as to how and why young children get into this type of lifestyle. The author has done an exemplary job in delivering these extraordinary rare accounts of what this lifestyle really in-tales. This book will shock you to your core with the in depth detailing of the drug world.
Unquestionably one of the best books I’ve read.

[Ben Obrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆☆☆☆☆ .truly a revelation to give the reader such a euphoric experience while reading a book. This authour uses excellent vocabulary and ,exquisite attention to detail to give the reader an insight into the criminal underworld and workings of the justice system in great detail.a must read for all book lovers.

[Ben Obrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly a masterpiece from start to finish .the vocabulary used is on another level and in a class of its own.You will never be able to comprehend the truth of the matter unless you read yourself. One thing I will say is if you buy 1 copy and you have more than 1 reader in the family there will be many squabbles to say the least over who will be reading it .just try you will see .

[Michael Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of a young man who grew into that life making money with clever strategic thinking. Mr King really opens up the reader to the world in detail. A must read and an absolute 5 star in my opinion that will give the needed guidance to pull through by understanding all needed to know