Whether it’s scribbling with a pen or tapping away on his laptop, Bryce Kingston Boshell has a natural gift for storytelling. At just 16 years old, the Boca Raton teen has already mastered the art of crafting compelling characters, building thrilling plots and vividly detailing scenes — all of which come to life in his debut novel, “Madagascar Marauders: In Pursuit Of Precious Plunder.”
Released in April, the book dives into the wilds of Madagascar, where a ragtag group of lemurs and sifakas — led by Slick and Isaiah — set off on a daring rescue mission against a ruthless fossa gang.
The novel stands out not only for its gripping adventure but also for its unique cast of animal characters. For Boshell, that focus comes naturally. His fascination with wildlife has been a constant since childhood. His first story, he recalls, was a short tale he wrote at the age of 5 about sharks and whales — “an early expression of my appreciation for nature,” he says.
As for how the idea for “Madagascar Marauders” came about, Boshell says there was no single moment of inspiration. Instead, the story unfolded organically over time.
“My mother had found a mentor for me to work on my writing because she had observed a passion for storytelling that was evident in me at a very young age. She led me to meet my mentor, PJ, who I have known and formed a great relationship with over the last seven years. It was during a session with him that he had me create some characters, which eventually led me to create a story, an adventure for these characters to embark on,” says Boshell.
The young author also notes that readers can witness his evolution as a writer throughout the book. “I actually find that to give the book more value because the audience essentially grows with my improving writing style.”
Beyond the action and imaginative characters, the novel carries a deeper message — one centered on the importance of brotherhood and loyalty, which Boshell believes are “key aspects of growing up as a young man.”
A soon-to-be junior at Saint Andrews’ School, Boshell is also a dedicated basketball player, and the sport has helped shape his storytelling — especially when it comes to action scenes. He admits he even acted out some of the movements described in the book to ensure accuracy.
“Describing scenes where a character is running, jumping and lunging is the extent of the influence that basketball has had on the storytelling of my book. Perhaps some dialogue and character interplay influence my relationships with teammates.” He adds: “Basketball has been a significant aspect of my life, similar to writing.”
This summer, Boshell plans to spend time skimboarding along the Florida East Coast, playing basketball with the varsity team and, of course, working on his next book.
Though his schedule is packed, he makes sure to stick to his writing routine. His creative window, he says, opens late at night — between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m.
“Those are my creating hours, but I adjust according to my schedule and other responsibilities, which sometimes leaves me working in the middle of the day in the South Florida sun,” he says. “In no way is that a complaint.”
For more information, visit bkboshell.com.
