Rapacia: The Second Circle of Heck

The Nine Circles of Heck #2

by Dale E. Basye, Bob Dob (Illustrator)

In the second installment of the popular series, Heck, Dale E. Basye takes Milton and Marlo Fauster on a journey that is as clever, as laugh-out-loud funny, and as satisfying as the first.

Welcome to Rapacia, where the greedy kids go . . .

When Milton escapes from Heck in a soul balloon made of old clothes, Marlo is the only Fauster child left to take the blame. Bea “Elsa” Bubb, the Principal of Darkness, sends her straight to Rapacia, the circle where greedy kids are tormented by glimpses of a just-out-of-reach, glittering shopper’s paradise called Mallvana. Marlo soon falls under the sway of Rapacia’s assistant principal, a grinning metal rabbit known as the Grabbit that seems to have plans of its own.

Meanwhile, back on the Surface, Milton has his own problems. He is determined to get in touch with Marlo and help her find a way out of Heck. But it’s hard to concentrate when his body and soul don’t seem to hold together the way they used to. Will Milton ever reach Marlo? And if he does, will they both end up as pawns in the Grabbit’s mysterious game?

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Humor, Young Adult, Adventure, Middle Grade, Childrens

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two in the Heck series I must say I’m in love with this series. Pop culture references seemly blended with the historical and infamous figures of the past. Done in a way that’s both entertaining and educational at the same time, especailly if you haven’t heard of some the real life characters mentioned through out the series.

Now onto to my thoughts at the end of the first book (spoiler alert) Milton escapes Heck leaving Marlo behind. Good old Milty isn’t about to turn his back on Marlo though not that she doesn’t deserve it. At the beginning of Rapacia we find Milton alive so what—readjusting but life this time around he’s more of an outcast then he was before his “death”. Meanwhile Marlo has been moved along to the next phase of Heck Rapacia hell for greedy kids. Being a seasoned kleptomaniac Rapacia is her worst night mare dressed in ugly clothes, and nirvana all rolled into one because she’s introduced to Mallvana (crack for kleptos). By what could only described as a mechanized bunny on steroids. Temptation is the steam that runs the place. Marlo time in Heck is not going so well at first until she becomes the Grabbit’s right hand gal.

I like the fact we see the effect of Heck on Marlo and Miles in the living world, though he’s escaped Heck there are some lingering effects of being dead and coming back to life. Marlo becomes captivated by the Grabbit’s mysterious power, and finds herself embroiled in a power grab. Not to mention the leader of a rather pitiful gang of outlaws and the Grabbit’s pet. Milton has his own share of detours to help Marlo getting advice from a rather unscrupulous lawyer,etc etc don’t want to tell the whole plot.

Needless to say this was another home run for me. The descriptions are detailed, the characters are simple and complicated, the plot is creative with Bayse’s brand of true fiction. Using history’s infamous character as part of Heck’s world. My only complaint is the fact I think he crammed too much into the story the whole business with Milton and the cult I don’t think was necessary but that just my opinion. I gave Rapacia a four out of five. The creativity and delivery alone is worth this rating. Rapacia is a middle grade book and is perfect for kids 12 years old and older and if you’re boy this a great boy it has adventure, and no sparkly vampires.

4/5

[Anne Hawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series and I can understand why kids like it so much. I was testing it as a Homeschool free reading book and I'm putting it on my list.

Milton has been returned to earth, but now he wants to go back to get his sister. In the meantime, his sister is doing just fine, in a manner of speaking. She uses skills as a con-artist, thief to work for her in Heck. The theme of this level of Heck is "greed." She is paired with the kind of girl she hated in school: rich, in-crowd, super consumer, haughty, and obnoxious spoiled brat. However, they are no match for her and neither is her nemesis principal, Bea "Elsa" Bubb.

The torment in this level of Heck is the enormous Mallvana, a shopper's paradise where everything is tantalizingly close, but always out of touch.

In the meantime, her brother, Milton, is having his share of problems. It seems like returning from Heck by chicken power has left his soul sort of fractured and subject to some alarming chicken-like moments.

Add to the mix an enormous metal rabbit called the Grabbit and a few new members of the Heck hierarchy, some wonderful puns and literary references and you can please most middle graders.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the sequel to the first heck book, and it is just as good if not better than the first. I think that Rapacia is my favorite circle as of yet, and the Grabbit was also definitely a high. Milton's journey to save his sister foro the dead, in the process becoming dead was truly touching, especially his mom's present, I won't give it away though. I found myself asking for more and was, sometimes, playfully on the edge of my seat. At some parts, it was a bit confusing, especially when it was from the point of view of a ferret. I will read the third one, Blimpo, when it comes out in paperback. This has a place on my favorite series shelf.

[BrookeLynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Divine Comedy of puns.

[Lanae · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Rapacia, the sequel to Heck, we find Milton alive and not so well as he tries to adjust to being the freak that has come back to life. It seems that no one, not even his parents, knows how to deal with his sudden to return to the land of the living.

And where do we find Marlo? Moved to Rapacia, of course. There, Grabbit is in charge (we'll just say that he's probably a metal cousin of the Mad Hatter). Rapacia is the place where the kids learn about wants and greed. The types of classes that you would expect in Heck are here, taught by the teachers that you'd expect. The kids are also introduced to Mallvana -- it's probably just what you imagine it to be, Nirvana for kids, in Mall format.

Frankly, what is happening in the land of the living is far freakier than what is happening down in Heck -- at least for the first half of the book. Milton is stalked, meets the curator of a paranormal mall, hooks up with a lawyer who is beyond questionable, gets mixed up with a cult -- and that's a relatively nice fairly spoiler free way to explain it. I've got to say Milton's life in Heck seemed a lot easier than life on earth. At least, his second chance at life.

So yup, it's another wild ride for all involved. Not all of it good. It did seem a bit confusing in places. The Milton alive / Marlo dead thing seemed to take away some of the fun of the first book -- it felt as though there was a lot less character interaction / development in this book even as there were even more characters added to the mix. It was a little weird in that sense. Still despite those flaws, they were so minor that I did go ahead and pre-order the third book, because overall it did stay true to the first book / was just as fun as the first. And, of course I do want to see how those unresolved issues are dealt with.

[Conan Tigard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rapacia: The Second Circle of Heck is another fun book about Marlo and Milton's adventures in Heck. For the first half of the book, Milton is a live boy again living in the normal world. At first, I wasn't sure how I liked this turn of events. I wanted both of the kids to be in Heck, struggling to survive. But in the end, it turned out okay as Milton, unfortunately for him as he dies again, returns to Heck. I did feel sorry for his mom for losing her son and daughter.

The book is choked full of puns, I thought a few too many, that will make young readers smile and possibly laugh out loud. We all know that Marlo went to Heck for lying and shoplifting, and it was great to finally see her in action in Mallvana. I love the different teachers in Heck, usually famous people from history. The pace of the story is quick and the book is full of entertainment for both young and older readers alike.

Then there is the bully, Damien. Nobody likes a bully, and Damien is the worst of the worst. I just hope that someday Milton will be able to stand up to this brute of a kid and punch Damien in the nose. Boy, wouldn't that be something?

Overall, Rapacia: The Second Circle of Heck is a wonderful addition to the Heck series and quite and excellent story. Dale E. Basye almost makes me wish I had died as a kid and gone to Heck. It really doesn't seem to be that "bad" of a place and it even seem like it could be a lot of fun. I wonder what adventures Marlo and Milton will have in the third book in the Heck series entitled Blimpo: The Third Circle of Heck? Looks like I am going to have to wait until July of 2010 to find out. Awww . . . Heck!

I rated this book an 8 out of 10.

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rapacia: Second Circle of Heck, by Dale E. Basye

★ ★ ★ 1/2

This was a fast, easy, & entertaining read:

Milton has escaped from Heck, "where bad kids go".

Marlo is sent down to Rapacia, the 2nd level (where the greedy kids go) and is in the thrall of Vice-principle Grabbit. Who chants in rhymes: "....So much for you to long for; the rub is that you can't have it. Feeling empty 'cuz you want more? That's my job, for I'm the Grabbit"

There's Mallvana: which can be Heaven or Heck depending on one's afterlife placement.... If you're in Heck, you might be allowed to shop till you drop, but the Grabbit gets all your loot.

Due to the fact that Milton escaped and has come back to life....Hell has sent an envoy of Lucifer's up to Heck to repair the damage done.... for Heck's stock value has dropped and they are financially on the brink of disaster. Hence the plan to import the "Hopeless Diamonds", which the Grabbit wants to get its greedy little paws on.

Milton's trying to figure out how to bring back Marlo. Marlo is trying to figure out how to escape, but as she is in the Grabbit's thrall....and bent on stealing the "Hopeless Diamonds". In the process, Milton gets killed and ends up back in Heck...where he meets up with Marlo....

I gave this book only 3.5 stars, because the novelty has worn off (it's a sequel) and I'm use to the premise & humor.....

I am starting on Blimpo: The Third Circle of Heck and I hope to be able to finish the series....

[Lisa Ard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up off my 11-year old son's shelf as part of Deb Marshall's Marvelous Middle-Grade Marathon (readathon).

Rapacia: The Second Circle of Heck is the second book by Dale E. Basye to explore the underworld through the eyes of Marlo and Milton - sister and brother who met an untimely demise in a shopping mall with a giant marshmallow (in book one). Now the two are back and forth from the living to the dead and through the various circles of the underworld. These circles are a reference to Dante's Inferno and the nine circles of suffering (might we expect nine books?).

I considered this book above middle grade based on language and content. Readers should be sophisticated, well-read and worldly. This is not a good book for a readathon, as it certainly shouldn't be rushed. One must savor every pun (the lawyer Mr. Cole refers to Cole's Law), wordplay, literary reference, cynicism (the long-dead pirate queen teaching corporate strategy says "thars scarce little diff'rence between bein' a pirate and runnin' yer own corporation. Fer one, there's hostile takeovers") and pop culture reference. Kudos to the brain that can find this many funnies and insert them into a smooth tale of greed, rivalry, and adventure down below.

[Hollowspine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sequel to "Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go," takes place mainly in Rapacia the 2nd circle of Heck where the covetous greedy children are sent. Having died while attempting to perpetrate the theiving of a canoe Marlo Fauster is quite rightfully shipped off to Rapacia, where she meets the Grabbit, the vice-principal of Heck, an extremely greedy metal rabbit statue.

Enthralled by the Grabbit's mysterious power Marlo finds herself embroiled in a heckish power grab. She becomes the leader of a gang of rather pathetic outlaws and the grabbits right hand greedy girl.

Milton meanwhile is trying to re-adjust to his Earthly body, but finds himself coming up short. Of etheric engergies to be specific.

Of course, he ends up doing his best to help Marlo in Rapacia, but I'll leave it to the book to inform just how.

I found the book to be very funny, witty and well plotted. I enjoyed the new characters as well as the hijinks of those we'd met before. I'll continue to greedily grab up these books I'm sure, up next something sure to sate me, the third ring of heck, Blimpo.

[Raynee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good continuation! The perfect version of Heck tormenting Marlo, coupled with Milton's soul and body in disarray makes for a really interesting plot! I can't wait to read the next circle!

[Keli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This high-action, high-vocab level book is well suited to readers who are above reading level. The puns are non-ending and often clever. For example, in the heavenly shopping mall, the store Cleanliness is next to the store Godliness. As sometimes happens with a juveline title, most of the characters are more like characatures. This cheeky novel is far more interested in humor and action than in character development. One warning, despite the Judeo-Christian themes this book is probably too irreverent for the highly religious.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rapacia is where greedy kids go when they die. Marlo, being a seasoned kleptomaniac is sent to this circle of heck. up on the surface however milton is dealing with his own issues, he accedentally 'unplugs' a bully in a coma, and sends him down to heck as well, milton is then blackmailed by a secret organization, and in trying to escape from them he gets 'popped' in a huge popcorn machine. Marlo is forced to steal 2 dimonds for her creepy vice princial , a metal rabbit, cale the grabbit. will the siblings reunite? Can they escape from Bubb again?

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 2nd book in this series that seems loosely based on Dante's Inferno continues to follow the goings on of Marlo and Milton Fauster (get it, Milton?) as they travel the 2nd circle of Heck - Rapacia (dealing with Greed). Damian continues to be a thorn in their side, but his pursuit of Milton leads to a suprising ending to be continued in the next book, I'm sure...so no spoilers here. Principal Bubb is joined by Vice Principal Grabbit, a metal bunny that is out to seriously change the world as they know it. Pretty fun read, so will be interesting to see what comes next for these kiddos.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

occasionally overly silly, definitely too much alliteration...and, yet, really quite enjoyable and smart. Don't think the intended audience will actually understand some of the references...and the gift that Milton's mom gave him is really and truly a cool thing...and for all the silliness of the book, still managed to make me cry (remember, of course, that I'm 7-months a widow, and death is still close)

[Melissa Schneider · Rating 3 out of 5]

Milton and Marlo are in for the ride of their lives (or afterlives) when another one of Marlo's trouble-making schemes ends with a giant marshmallow explosion which leads to their untimely deaths. "What the Heck?" is a pretty good question to ask when they end up in "Heck", a purgatory of sorts for naughty kids. With a zany cast of characters and some wild adventures, this is not your average afterlife!

[Tasha Mahoney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the series was nothing like we expected it to be as my son and I had discussed what we thought would happen in a discussion over the pre read. It was better than we ever imagined it could be. It's fun to see what kind of mayhem these kids find themselves in. The series is very "Little Monsters" meets "Beetlejuice" and has you turning the pages so quickly before you know it the story takes on a life of its own you can't crawl out of until the last page is turned.

[Magnus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mitlon Fauster wanted to escape heck and managed to do it, but with her brother gone, Marlo Fauster is the only sibling left in Heck. So she is sent to Rapacia, where the greedy kids go and has a hard time getting along with the other girls. Then the vice principle of Rapacia asks the girls to steal three of the most valuable diamonds in the city. Will they get all the diamonds back to the Principle? Heck Book 2 is about trustworthiness, bravery and helpfulness.

[Powder River Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let's make it 3.5 stars. Now this second book gives more meaning to the first book. You realize that it's just a goofy "trivial pursuit" kind of history book wrapped around the strangest creatures and place imaginable. Many more characters and a better flow than it's predecessor (no toilets this time). Still funny, stupid, punny, scary, etc but a great adventure. I'm off to hear the third in the series....I hope it doesn't stop at book 3 though as it's a hilariously silly good series.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is completely full of puns, which are often funny, and sometimes over the top. At times, it felt like the puns were trying too hard to move the story along. The second half dragged a bit for me, but still had some entertaining characters, notably the Kooks. I didn't like it quite as much as the first book, but I am intrigued to see where the series goes from here.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 2nd book in the Heck series was pretty good. I liked some of the twists and it left it in a place that makes you want to read the 3rd book to find out what happens next. Margo is in Rapacia for little thieving girls and is assigned to steal something for the Grabbit. Milton is alive and trying to figure out a way to help his sister.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

the crazy adventures of Marlo, Milton and Damien (kid arch-foe) continue. Milton accidentally returns to Heck and finds himself caught up n his sister's escapades on behalf of an insane metal rabbit (rabot?) that may be controlled by a glitchy programmed pop star? Interesting twists and turns, as before. The humor was a bit more subtle than book 1, but definitely present

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this crazy series about the nine circles of Heck and what Milton and Marlo experience along the way. Obviously there was the second circle of Heck. Milton returns and reconnects with Marlo while Marlo is in the process of the biggest score of her life. They have characters in her such as Keats and Lord Byron to liven the story up.

[James Shoop · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one better than the first, but they were both pretty hilarious. If I had to describe this series, and this book in particular in just a few words it would be "Good Omens meets Harry Potter".

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the first book- it was ok. A lot of misses in what should be golden material. For this round I let Bronson Pinchotand it was much better. I have no idea if that is due to the audio format, the books are getting better or both. In any case, audiobooks for this series here on out.

[Mayrocks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can picture every moment of this book perfectly. Very humorous even though the main characters are facing demons, evilness, and utter treachery. But there's a way the author tells the story so no matter how hopeless the situation seems, the story never loses its snappy spark.

[AnnieM · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable audio. The narrator does a perfect job of delivering the sarcasm and bad puns. It would be a good book for those reluctant hard to figure out readers. It has magical elements, but not high magic, gross out humor, and kids triumphing over adults. How could it not be a win?

[Kiersten Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book and you should read it if you like fiction or mystery.

[Suzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is silly and I love it. I really appreciate the puns and historical references.

[Hannah Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just great fun. Not sure that kids would get all the jokes, though.

[Lori Gibbany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great follow up to the first book. I love the pun on names.