"The next day started the same, just slightly more hungover than the last." For Gadriel, the protagonist of James Coyle's novel The Adventures Of Mad Gad The Bard, a typical day involves hangovers, singing, and fun nonviolent crime. Oh, and occasionally being slapped with a fish. One day, Gadriel and his best friend Shanks stumble onto a stolen purse of coins and one very peculiar gem. The problem is that many people want that jewel and are willing to do extreme and nasty things to acquire it. And that's how our not-so-heroic bard finds himself an unwilling guest aboard the Midnight, a sleek, dark pirate ship captained by the not-so-lovely but exceptionally deadly Tamara. As they all seek answers about the gem's nature, they discover peril at every turn, and Gadriel realizes that sometimes being mad is the only way to stay sane.

Stand fast, me hearties, yo-ho-ho! The Adventures Of Mad Gad The Bard by James Coyle is a whimsical swashbuckling tale of daring escapades and sheer delight. The plot may seem straightforward, as a dangerous quest for riches and answers. Still, it is expertly executed and infused with an underlying theme of friendship, family, and a struggle against evil. An entertaining and well-developed cast of characters in a low-fantasy setting creates perfect immersion, and you may find yourself ready to hoist the black flag. A few unexpected twists and an energizing pace make this novel a superb read for fans of adventures, fantasy, and action. Not only do I recommend this book, I want to see a sequel or two.

Gadriel is a bard. In Celtic cultures, a bard is a professional storyteller, verse-maker, music composer, oral historian, and/or genealogist. Gadriel fits the bill for many of these talents, especially singing and playing the flute. Gadriel is also talented in getting himself and his friends into difficult situations, including the discovery of a whispering gemstone tale which sets Gadriel and his best friend, Shanks, on an adventure that crosses the high seas, encountering a variety of villains and a series of seemingly impossible rescue missions. If all that wasn't enough, Gadriel learns that his best friend isn't who or what he appears to be, and the world the pair inhabits is turned upside-down!

It's probably just me, but the language and humor that infiltrate the otherwise serious situations remind me of novels written by British authors. I couldn't help it; my brain was translating British language and situational humor into every scene and dialog. I consider that a talent! Another talent that James Coyle possesses is a writing style that sets and moves through relatively complicated scenes with ease; that is to say, excellent descriptions with minimal words and very little extraneous detail. The story is fast-paced and perfectly executed for the action-adventure fantasy genre, a difficult one to conquer, with huge author competition. However, I predict that The Adventures of Mad Gad the Bard, the first book in a planned series, is an indicator that author James Coyle is well on his way up the genre's top 100 lists.