Blimpo: The Third Circle of Heck [Hardcover]

After the fateful marshmallow bear incident that sent Milton and Marlo Fauster to Heck, their lives have never been the same. Sure, Marlo was a bad kid who deserved to go to Heck and spend an eternity or until you're 18, whichever comes first. Milton, however, was a pure soul who didn't deserve to be there but was nonetheless forced to sign a binding contract under the unpleasantness of Principal of Darkness Bea "Elsa" Bubb. Marlo managed to escape Principal Bubb's clutches the first couple of times thanks to quick thinking and the realization that she might make something out of herself in Heck. Milton escaped to earth using the buoyancy of Lost Souls but returned to find his sister and his best friend, Virgil, and perhaps retribution for the eternal injustice of Heck.

Having previously been separated from Virgil in Limbo, Milton is shocked when he stumbles upon his best friend in Blimpo, the bulging middle section of Heck. Under the incapable leadership of vice-principals Burgermesiter and Lady Lactose, the overweight kids of Blimpo have been subjected to a new regimented exercise program consisting of DREADmills. Shaped like hamster wheels, the DREADmills provide energy to the Transdimensional Power Grid and supposedly provide an opportunity for the husky kids to lose weight. To supplement the DREADmills, the students also have access to Hambone Hank's Heart Attack Shack barbecue provided by Chef Boyareyookrazee. If the barbecue didn't taste so hauntingly good, Milton and Virgil might not suspect anything, but they are convinced that foul play is involved.

While Milton and Virgil sort through the delectable ribs, Marlo is up to her neck in her new Infernship program serving under Madame Pompadour, who runs Heck's Girl Friday the 13th program. Marlo originally jumped at the chance to make a difference from inside the system of Heck since she never really amounted to anything on the outside. Cool-under-pressure Marlo begins to crack, however, when her Infernship turns out to be more challenging than she realized. She's finding it impossible to keep up with Madame Pompadour's demands to be an amazing assistant and impeccably proper and beautiful.

If this story was set in heaven, then Milton and Marlo would be reunited and spend their days frolicking with the angels in the clouds. If it took place in H-E-double-hockey-sticks, then the Big Guy Downstairs would get involved in the most unmentionable way. This is Heck, though, which means that the powers-that-be and the powers-that-be-evil complicate matters. Both Marlo and Milton stumble upon an evil plan hatched by Lady Lactose and Madame Pompadour to take over control of Heck. Principal Bubb is stopping at nothing to hunt down Milton and take his soul, and Marlo doesn't even recognize herself anymore. It appears as though both Fauster siblings have bitten off more than they can chew.

Dale E. Basye does a tasteful job at keeping the Circle of Heck books appetizing and refreshing. The endless puns, analogies and allusions keep you snickering on each page, and the laugh-out-loud moments are frequent and quite hilarious. At the heart of the series is Milton and Marlo's complex relationship, which is more fully realized as the books continue. Any reader can relate to each sibling's struggle with identity and the quest to do something more with what life may have preordained for you. With four more circles planned, this imaginative series has only started hitting its stride.

My husband picked up the first book of the series "Heck, Where The Bad Kids Go," and loved it. I also loved it. We've since been picking up each following book and thankfully it is a series that will continue for awhile. We also found that this is a series that will get even the most un-reader to begin reading.

They are fun - our of the norm - books that are refreshing to read. Great characters that keep your interest.

The only downside to the books is that once you start reading, you can't stop until finished, and then have that wait for the next one. It's hard to just read a chapter at a time.

Dale's done a great job. I'd pretty much given up on good fiction - reading mainly non-fiction. Dale now has me reading fiction again - and I'm 43. These books aren't just for kids.

I love to read, and this book has made me want more. The characters are interesting, funny and very believable. I love the plot line. I have purchased all the published "HECK" books and look forward to reading them. I originally bought the book to read to my grandchildren, but I love it for myself.

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