SiP

by Marius Trevelean

When an enormous red and white striped drinking straw appears in the Atlantic Ocean and sucks up his dad’s naval battleship, twelve-year-old Jim Moss is left with no choice but to face his fear of water and search for his father.

Teaming up with his wacky inventor uncle, a bunch of fishermen (who think they’re pirates), and a group of bizarre alien castaways, Jim’s incredible journey takes him from a sleepy village in Portsmouth, England, across the Atlantic and into the very edge of space.

If that wasn’t enough, the President of the United States is trying to stop everyone from blowing the straw to pieces, while the Earth could well be doomed if Jim can’t convince the mysterious presence in orbit that the world is worth saving.SiP by Marius Trevelean. The last straw for Planet Earth.

SiP is a science fiction mystery adventure for tween girls and boys thirsty for new and exciting books to read. Suitable for middle school kids ages 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 and even parents, teachers, grown-ups with a sense of humor, and anyone who loves adventure stories, science fiction, and funny books! All content is good, clean, fun, and age-appropriate for school grades 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th.

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 6, 2024

About the author

Author, father, and humorist. Writer of satirical fiction for adults (Tartare) and humorous science-fiction adventures for Middle-Grade children (The SiP Saga).

Marius has penned TV scripts and award-winning short fiction.

He lives in the US but is still clinging to his original British accent.

Lover of movies, comic books, the natural world, and sandwiches. Not exactly in that order.

Reviews

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

SiP, by Marius Trevelean, is a delightful blend of adventure, humor, and heartfelt characters. The story follows Jim Moss, a boy tasked with saving Earth from being discarded. The narrative begins with Jim's severe aquaphobia, stemming from a near-drowning accident. Fearing he'll never fulfill his dream of joining the Navy like his hero father, Jim's life takes a dramatic turn when a giant red and white drinking straw descends from the sky and anchors itself in the Atlantic Ocean, sucking up the battleship his father commands. Together with his inventor uncle, Professor Bartholomew Banks, a crew of fishermen reminiscent of pirates, and a host of extraterrestrial allies, Jim must overcome his fear of water to thwart the alien responsible for Earth’s potential condemnation.

Written in a style reminiscent of Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams, complete with a playful nod to the latter via the number 42 bus, this book is ideal for teenagers aged 13-17. The story’s core theme of friendship shines through Jim's diverse companions—from his loyal friend Ben and his eccentric uncle to the eclectic group of fishermen, stranded aliens, and even the very alien threatening Earth. Jim's kind-hearted nature leads him to help the giant alien understand the best qualities of humanity, even at great personal risk.

SiP features clean, well-crafted humor, exemplified by playful jabs at Flynn's appearance, Peg's wooden leg, Captain Shanty's exaggerated tales, Hello's unique voice, Aunt Muriel's indifference, and Professor Banks' seemingly impractical inventions. The crisply-written narrative makes for an easy yet impactful read, combining light-hearted moments with touching themes.

SiP, by Marius Trevelean, is a captivating and enjoyable read that masterfully blends humor, adventure, and heartfelt moments. Through the journey of Jim Moss and his eclectic group of companions, readers are treated to a story that celebrates friendship, courage, and the resilience of the human spirit. Trevelean’s witty and engaging writing style ensures that both teenagers and adults alike will find much to love in this imaginative tale. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a delightful escape into a world where humor and heroism go hand in hand.

[Teri Takle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jim Moss used to have it together. One little mistake changed everything. He only slipped, fell into the water, had to be rescued by his father, who had to administer CPR, and was hospitalized. It’s no big deal, just because he almost died. Now, he cannot dive into the pool. His school swimming club was mocking him for being terrified of diving in the water. He was utterly humiliated in front of his teammates. He is the son of a Commander in the Royal Navy! How can he be afraid of swimming?

Afterward, Jim is biking with his friend, Ben, when he hits a pothole and flips off his bike. After losing two inches of skin off his shin, Ben is amazed by Jim’s lack of concern. Ben knows Jim wants to join the Royal Navy, but he can’t be terrified of swimming! Unfortunately for Jim, there are challenges to being the son of a Royal Navy commander. His father is at sea for much of the year, so he is not at home with Jim. It is also challenging right now as his mother is at a teaching conference in America. So, who takes care of Jim? His Aunt Muriel is extremely lazy and more interested in herself than anyone else. Jim’s daily life is frustrating.

Another problem has occurred. While communicating by a form of a video camera with his father at sea, Jim’s father had an alert on his ship. It appears that a gigantic storm appeared out of nowhere. A dark cloud appeared with what appeared to be a hole in the sky. What seemed to be a black disc morphed into a shape that resembled a gigantic straw. Jim watched, as the straw-shaped vessel seemed to devour his father’s ship and an incredible amount of water. What can you do?

SiP is the story of this wild adventure. The story is fun to read. Yes, it is a bit contrived, but highly engaging and delightful. The story is well organized, with entertaining characters, even aliens. Creative storytelling enhances every page with a beautiful fable and even a few life lessons and morals. I can’t imagine organizing or imagining this book, but the author was utterly masterful in this creative tale. The intended audience for SiP is 10-11-year-old boys who have dreams of being courageous and heroic.

[Abdul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will begin by saying that the way dialogue and internal monologue allow readers to follow Jim’s inner life and evolution makes the novel personal and enjoyable. The author successfully applies Jim’s affliction of aquaphobia to the novel’s thematic setup of powerlessness and the significance of the individual’s capacity to confront one’s fears.

The concept of explaining fear of water and Jim's dream to join the navy gives the novel a fresh perspective compared to typical stories for such a genre.

The author's writing style is appealing, with moderate usage of dialogue and narrative descriptions.

The characters and situations with the closer focus on the President and Captain Shanty complement the more serious aspects of the plot.

The story has a good flow where dramatic scenes are balanced with exposition scenes that help in character development. The chapter headings of the novel are distinct, and the layout of the whole text is comprehensible; therefore, the progress of the storyline is easy to track. Additionally, the font size and type have been selected well enough to guarantee easy reading of the content in the text.

I would recommend "SiP (The SiP Saga)" by Marius Trevelean to readers who like to read novels with realistic characters and issues within a plot. I have no critiques on it. I also think bravery and finding oneself and the issues of the strained parent-child relationships are going to be familiar and relevant to young readers.

[Gladys Nakote · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel SiP The SiP Saga by Marius Trevelean tells the story of a twelve-year-old boy, Jim Moss, who wanted to be in the navy like his dad, commander John Moss.

Nevertheless, a one-time, nearly drowning situation has plunged Jim into a severe water phobia that jeopardizes his dreams. In the midst of a fight with the rod, Jim goes through ordinary teenagers issues combined with a lack of attention from his distant naval officer father. 
 
The author possesses what can be described as a mood-invoking writing style. Also, they demonstrate remarkable abilities to describe the atmosphere of the events, be it a swimming trial or the opening of the Atlantic Ocean. 
 
In my opinion, this book is best suited for young adults due to certain themes and settings and for persons interested in coming-of-age young adult stories with elements of fantasy as well as realistic problems. 
 
I recommend "SiP The SiP Saga" for schools libraries and any young audiences that would deem the mixture of adventure and a journey of self-discovery appealing.

In that regard, it is not only a fun read but also one that offers its audience a valuable adventure that encourages people to overcome their fears and pursue their dreams, making it an asset to the genre of young adults. I actually do not have any negative thoughts in relation to this novel.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun book. Very creative and descriptive. Well-written and takes you on an adventure with the main characters and, well, everyone in the story!

A book for all age groups, even if it was geared to a younger audience. I read some of it out loud to my younger grandkids and found my teenage grandson sitting to listen in as well!

I grabbed it originally thinking it would be like "Idiocracy" but it was better and again, meant for all ages. We are looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Victoriouslane · Rating 5 out of 5]

When mysterious alien structures arise in the Atlantic Ocean, young Jim Moss must sail across oceans to find his missing father, facing his fear of water. It is an inspiring read that evokes certain important principles about being courageous and overcoming oneself. With a group of companions who are unique and interesting, like the alien scholar Max, Jim travels to unravel this mystery and rescue his father. It's a very well-written narrative with mystery. That makes it very compelling to go through. I would so recommend this book to everyone, rating it 5 out of 5.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sip by Marius Trevelean is an extremely enjoyable read! The imagination, the descriptions are wonderful and transported me to a different place. The characters are vividly described, and I especially loved captain shanty. But hello and hiya made me laugh! So did the president! I don’t want to give up much of the story but the solution was quite brilliant in its simplicity. I eagerly await the next book!

[D. Thrush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim’s father’s naval ship is sipped up by a giant straw disappearing into the clouds in this book for middle school kids. Jim and his inventor uncle set out with some fishermen, posing as pirates, to rescue his father. They encounter aliens and a giant being and must prove the earth is worth saving. I’m not the target reader, but I found it fun and funny with a message, though a bit slow in some spots. I hope the author will include more (positive) female characters in his next books.

[Margret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just reviewed "SiP (The SiP Saga)" by Marius Trevelean and gave it 5 stars! Check it out: https://www.ebookfairs.com/Book/Title...

[Sarah Zain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sip (The Sip Saga) by Marius Trevelean is a journey that takes us to England, where Jim, a twelve-year-old boy, lives with his aunt Muriel. He suffers from a phobia of drowning (aquaphobia) as a result of an incident. Jim adores his father, who is a Navy commander, and sees him as a hero.

Events continue, and something strange appears from the sky over the Atlantic Ocean, leaving behind a giant straw-like tube. This straw is trying to suck out the ocean. During this time, Jim's father's warship, Excalibur, vanishes. Is he still alive? That was the question.

Wondering and anxiety increased: What is this thing, what did it do to the naval fleet, and why is it trying to suck up the ocean? Is it an alien technology? In an attempt to hold on to hope and save his father, Jim asks for help from his uncle, Professor Banks, and some fishermen who have the spirit of pirates. Will they succeed in their endeavor? You'll get the answers to these questions once you've read Sip.

Events gradually escalate, taking me out of our atmosphere with a theme twist. And with each step, my interaction with the story increases, which puts me in a state of anticipation for the next event.

Presenting the story as scenes, each scene shows a different point of view and reaction toward the events. On one side, we see Jim, his uncle, and the fishermen on the boat, while in another scene, there's the dialogue between the president, his vice president, and the two Star female scientists, each trying to find a solution in their own way.

Linking events together and making them seem imaginative and closer to reality is admirable.

The author's description of the characters and places makes it easy to envision the happenings. Leaving you aware of all the characters and dialogues without distraction or gaps between events and allowing you to decide whether the actions of some characters are justified or not.

Feelings of sadness when Jim's father disappears, confusion when a strange eye appears in the sky, or anxiety and tension are all emotions that the narrative style was able to convey without complexity.

I could sense the humor in the conversations of the captain and his crew. Moreover, I liked the political satire; the reader can relate to it easily.

The ideas implemented within the events, such as the environmental problems, the water shortage, and saving the Earth. In addition to the political projection that appears in the dialogue between the president and his vice president, all of this is mixed carefully, which gives the story a purpose besides enjoyment.

The storyline shows the confusion in decisions, especially during crises, and the importance of knowledge, science, and being careful in understanding what is around us, whether it is familiar or not.

Although I would have preferred a faster pace in some situations, by limiting some details. Also, adding some illustrations here and there would have enhanced the liveliness of the story, especially for children. However, I don't see it as negativity, but as a matter of personal opinion. Overall, the theme makes me wait for a new part of the saga.

The book is well edited, and the language used makes the reading experience smoother. It is suitable for all readers, starting with young teenagers, especially science fiction fans. I also think that younger children will enjoy reading the story with their parents.

Fiction is full of enthusiasm, adventure, sailing, friendly aliens, and facing fear. The story's sequence of events encourages friendship, courage, and the desire to change for the better. All of these and more are elements that make the book a good choice for reading.