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The Nine Circles of Heck #4
Fibble By Basye Dale E Dob Bob ILT
Dale E Basye s most over the top the Big Top that is adventure yet is now available in paperback When Marlo Fauster claims she has switched souls with her brother she gets sent straight to Fibble the circle of Heck reserved for liars But it s true Milton and Marlo have switched places and Marlo finds herself trapped in Milton s gross gangly body She also finds herself trapped in Fibble a three ring media circus run by none other than P T Barnum an insane ringmaster with grandiose plans and giant flaming pants Meanwhile Milton as Marlo is working at the devil s new television network T H E E N D But there s something strange about these new shows Why do they all air at the same time And are they really broadcasting to the Surface Soon Milton and Marlo realize that they need each other to sort through the lies and possibly prevent the end of the world if Bea Elsa Bubb doesn t catch them first Dale E Basye returns to Heck for his most over the top the Big Top that is adventure yet When Marlo Fauster claims she has switched souls with her brother she gets sent straight to Fibble the circle of Heck reserved for liars But it s true Milton and Marlo have switched places and Marlo finds herself trapped in Milton s gross gangly body She also finds herself trapped in Fibble a three ring media circus run by none other than P T Barnum an insane ringmaster with grandiose plans and giant flaming pants Meanwhile Milton as Marlo is working at the devil s new television network T H E E N D But there s something strange about these new shows Why do they all air at the same And are they really broadcasting tothe Surface Soon Milton and Marlo realize that they need each other to sort through the lies and possibly prevent the end of the world if Bea Elsa Bubb doesn t catch them first
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First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 19, 2013
Marlo and Milton, now in each other's bodies seek to understand and undermine a plot that affects not only Heck, but the Surface (the living) after the infernal studios find away to beam shows into the world's cable lineup. Its all headed for a ruinous finale, if the Fauster twins, Annubis, & the undercover forces of Heaven don't push for a rewrite.
April 1, 2019
The overall plot of this one is really interesting, and as a sibling with two nasty brothers I can definitely sympathize with Marlo here. I'm not usually cool with author self-inserts, but this was done comedically and he didn't appear too much in the novel. Very excited for Snivel!
September 15, 2019
Continuing the good humor of this series and everything it brings. It's a good series and a good installment of it. But, for a book to be five stars, it needs to make me not want to put it down, and this book I could let sit for a few days without any distress.
July 10, 2016
Really weird
April 2, 2012
Reason for Reading: Next in the series.
This has got to be the best book in the series for me so far. The plot has several lines running through it and not just the ones involving Marlo and Milton. Coming into each book we never know who will take centre stage, brother or sister. This time around, Marlo and Milton alternate chapters as one is in Fibble and the other is working for Satan and has uncovered a plot to bring about the end of the world. Eventually, but not until close to the end the two meet up and their stories merge into continuous chapters. Again the plot is much deeper this time around, with religion playing a much more major role than it has in any of the other volumes. Filled with references to all the world's major religions Basye takes a satirical look at all, without offense, (if one can laugh at oneself as much as another) and brings forth a message of getting along with each other. This is all hidden within the framework of the usual puns and play on words that saturate this series. Basye has even done the unthinkable with this book and inserted himself as a minor character.
So far in these books, the overall theme has been Principal Bubb's determination in finding and punishing Milton for the repeated trouble he has caused her. Fibble introduces a bigger, more grandiose plot that leaves few unanswered questions and promises to be a further overall theme for the books. You must read these books in order to understand the story. Jumping in at this point will simply leave you confused. As to age recommendation, while the first book in the series is certainly easily enjoyed by the average 9 year old, by the time we get to Fibble I'd say the appreciation level of the themes, word play and historical figures will be better suited to the 11/12 year old. I'm looking forward to Snivel which comes out shortly this year and a movie is purported to be in the works based on the first book in the series, Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go.
This has got to be the best book in the series for me so far. The plot has several lines running through it and not just the ones involving Marlo and Milton. Coming into each book we never know who will take centre stage, brother or sister. This time around, Marlo and Milton alternate chapters as one is in Fibble and the other is working for Satan and has uncovered a plot to bring about the end of the world. Eventually, but not until close to the end the two meet up and their stories merge into continuous chapters. Again the plot is much deeper this time around, with religion playing a much more major role than it has in any of the other volumes. Filled with references to all the world's major religions Basye takes a satirical look at all, without offense, (if one can laugh at oneself as much as another) and brings forth a message of getting along with each other. This is all hidden within the framework of the usual puns and play on words that saturate this series. Basye has even done the unthinkable with this book and inserted himself as a minor character.
So far in these books, the overall theme has been Principal Bubb's determination in finding and punishing Milton for the repeated trouble he has caused her. Fibble introduces a bigger, more grandiose plot that leaves few unanswered questions and promises to be a further overall theme for the books. You must read these books in order to understand the story. Jumping in at this point will simply leave you confused. As to age recommendation, while the first book in the series is certainly easily enjoyed by the average 9 year old, by the time we get to Fibble I'd say the appreciation level of the themes, word play and historical figures will be better suited to the 11/12 year old. I'm looking forward to Snivel which comes out shortly this year and a movie is purported to be in the works based on the first book in the series, Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go.
June 17, 2021
Overall, I didn’t find this one AS enjoyable as the others, but it may have been because this is the first I’ve had to read without the help of an audiobook. It’s still very enjoyable, though. I appreciated the more blasphemous/political tone this one took. It really felt like Basye had been wanting to have some opinions that he otherwise has had to keep quiet. I’m not sure every kid is going to get the jokes about “trickle-down economics” or why Nixon is in Heck, but it makes it funny as HELL for an adult. Not to mention the religious sitcoms, which I don’t DARE ruin here.
Two things I didn’t love. One is the subplot, about some mystical creature trying to sell the earth to an alien. Like, okay? Does this play into the other books? It’s weird and adds very little.
I’m not liking Damien, either. It feels like he’s kinda wedged into the story because he was in the first one, and he’s just not needed. There’s no need for this antagonist to exist beyond the first book, and such a generic bully, at that. The Fausters are suffering enough as is!
I’m hoping “Snivel” picks up the pace a bit better, because this one kind of peaked and plateaued for me.
Two things I didn’t love. One is the subplot, about some mystical creature trying to sell the earth to an alien. Like, okay? Does this play into the other books? It’s weird and adds very little.
I’m not liking Damien, either. It feels like he’s kinda wedged into the story because he was in the first one, and he’s just not needed. There’s no need for this antagonist to exist beyond the first book, and such a generic bully, at that. The Fausters are suffering enough as is!
I’m hoping “Snivel” picks up the pace a bit better, because this one kind of peaked and plateaued for me.
December 28, 2022
I enjoyed this book a lot more than Blimpo. The story was more engaging and I found I read the book most of the way through without putting it down. For the most part the alternating storylines worked very well and created a more whole plot. The way that Marlo, Milton and Anubis’ stories all came together at the end was great. Throughout the novel we saw the lead up and I enjoyed the outcome. I really enjoyed that Anubis had a more prominent role in this book but I can’t help but wish that Virgil had made an appearance. Contrastingly I’m so sick of Damian’s character and story line, he was important in books 1 & 2 but once he was resurrected I was over him. I would trade Damian for Virgil any day. I hope he will be in the future books :-)
One of the biggest flaws in this series is that the author will start different story lines, introduce new characters or mention new topics that aren’t mentioned again or don’t show up until much later in another book. This has lead to a good amount of confusion for me. I’m either left wondering what xyz meant/ was about without an answer or it will pop up much later in a different book. If a topic from a book is concluded in the books following Its usually okay - but Ive found in this series the topic wasn’t touched on very much in the first place so when it is brought up again I’m left feeling like ???? An example of this would be most recently the angels and their meetings. I believe this was first introduced at the end of Rapacia (book 2) but was not mentioned again till the end of Fibble (book 4) - confusing, right?
Despite this one flaw , I think the series is very fun to read. It’s clever, entertaining and morbid. The perfect combination for a teen read or an adult who loves youth novels. I’ve picked up a lot more on Basye’s wittiness now vs when I read them as a young teen.
One of the biggest flaws in this series is that the author will start different story lines, introduce new characters or mention new topics that aren’t mentioned again or don’t show up until much later in another book. This has lead to a good amount of confusion for me. I’m either left wondering what xyz meant/ was about without an answer or it will pop up much later in a different book. If a topic from a book is concluded in the books following Its usually okay - but Ive found in this series the topic wasn’t touched on very much in the first place so when it is brought up again I’m left feeling like ???? An example of this would be most recently the angels and their meetings. I believe this was first introduced at the end of Rapacia (book 2) but was not mentioned again till the end of Fibble (book 4) - confusing, right?
Despite this one flaw , I think the series is very fun to read. It’s clever, entertaining and morbid. The perfect combination for a teen read or an adult who loves youth novels. I’ve picked up a lot more on Basye’s wittiness now vs when I read them as a young teen.
June 15, 2023
The first Heck book I read, and one of the best ones. Marlo in Milton’s body go to Fibble, the circle of Heck for liars. PT Barnum is presented as a complete asshole, which is a breath of fresh air in hindsight after watching the Greatest Showman. The reader gets an idea about where heaven and Heck are going, because there’s a very memorable part on the Earth with various religious TV shows all run by Milton in Marlo’s body, causing faith wars and the author himself appearing as a character. The book hates my religion (the niche one, not Judaism), although it also hates Judaism and every other religion, so that’s okay.
This is a very memorable Heck book. Marlo and Milton are in each others bodies, which might have been my first introduction to gender dysphoria. This is a madcap, hilarious ride like the other Heck books.
This is a very memorable Heck book. Marlo and Milton are in each others bodies, which might have been my first introduction to gender dysphoria. This is a madcap, hilarious ride like the other Heck books.
September 17, 2011
As George Washington once said (supposedly): "I can not tell a lie…" This is the BEST book of 2011thus far, by far. Even if you have not been privy to the first three books in this series, Book Four allows all readers (new and old) to enter into the zone of the most creative imagination you’ve seen in a very, very long time.
Marlo and Milton Fauster have been stuck in Heck for a while now. In the last book, their souls were switched and put into each other‘s bodies: Now Marlo is residing in Milton, sporting her brother’s acne and geeky-boy look; and, Milton is in Marlo, struggling desperately to cross his legs and walk in horrific heels that only Satan could’ve created in the first place.
Marlo (in Milton’s body) has been sent to Fibble - which is the Fourth Circle of Heck. Fibble is the world of lies and FLIMFLAMMERY. She rides in a stagecoach pulled by horses called Night Mares, and she rides with a Mr. Nixon who flashes the “V” for victory sign every five minutes and speaks about his glorious life and his world of lies. He is a master, after all. When she arrives in Fibble, she is greeted by a huge clown and a three-ring circus that P.T. Barnum, himself, runs. Here in Fibble, the lies are told that will be meshed together in order to write yellow journalism (ruled over by Mr. Hearst), and false advertising and marketing campaigns that will make humans above, on the Surface, believe in just about anything. (Apocalypstick, anyone?) Marlo must team up with a Dr. Brinkley - a real “quack” scientist - to bring down Fibble in order to escape, find her brother (and her own body), and save the people on the Surface from Revelations coming true.
Milton (in Marlo’s body) has gone from his sister’s ex-job as being Girl Friday the Thirteenth for Satan, to running an exclusive television network called T.H.E.E.N.D. - a master plan that involves programming and airing shows like Teenage Jesus (starring the late, great Van Glorious); Allah in the Family; What’s Mayan is Yours, and a slew of others up to the Surface. These shows, of course, are causing religious-type riots on the streets of Earth and are making humans self-destruct (which - hello? - is the point, anyway). Of course, by doing it this way, there will be no need to have the glorious fight between Michael and the ‘Bad Guy Down Under.’ Humans are simply children whose toys have outgrown them…so they will bring the end to themselves, by themselves.
Every SINGLE page - every SINGLE word - is a true masterpiece of fiction. YA’s, adults - heck - even pastors, occultists, and atheists should be pouring over this book and enjoying the…HECK out of it. Add in a place called the Furafter, where the famous three-headed dog has…headed; a British boy named Zane who Marlo has a serious crush on; a boy named Damian who “talks” to his “Dad” with a Ouija board; and Satan’s newspaper - GYP - which is “the news that leaves a bruise;” and, you have the BEST book of 2011! Not to mention, the moral of the story that the author tells regarding the difference between truth and lies, is one of the best lessons that could possibly be taught to children, YA’s, (political figures), and adults everywhere!
Imaginative, creative, out-there, fantastical, illustrious, drop-dead (excuse the pun) funny - not enough words to describe this writer’s pure and effortless work!!! Thank goodness there are more Circles of Heck to visit!
Marlo and Milton Fauster have been stuck in Heck for a while now. In the last book, their souls were switched and put into each other‘s bodies: Now Marlo is residing in Milton, sporting her brother’s acne and geeky-boy look; and, Milton is in Marlo, struggling desperately to cross his legs and walk in horrific heels that only Satan could’ve created in the first place.
Marlo (in Milton’s body) has been sent to Fibble - which is the Fourth Circle of Heck. Fibble is the world of lies and FLIMFLAMMERY. She rides in a stagecoach pulled by horses called Night Mares, and she rides with a Mr. Nixon who flashes the “V” for victory sign every five minutes and speaks about his glorious life and his world of lies. He is a master, after all. When she arrives in Fibble, she is greeted by a huge clown and a three-ring circus that P.T. Barnum, himself, runs. Here in Fibble, the lies are told that will be meshed together in order to write yellow journalism (ruled over by Mr. Hearst), and false advertising and marketing campaigns that will make humans above, on the Surface, believe in just about anything. (Apocalypstick, anyone?) Marlo must team up with a Dr. Brinkley - a real “quack” scientist - to bring down Fibble in order to escape, find her brother (and her own body), and save the people on the Surface from Revelations coming true.
Milton (in Marlo’s body) has gone from his sister’s ex-job as being Girl Friday the Thirteenth for Satan, to running an exclusive television network called T.H.E.E.N.D. - a master plan that involves programming and airing shows like Teenage Jesus (starring the late, great Van Glorious); Allah in the Family; What’s Mayan is Yours, and a slew of others up to the Surface. These shows, of course, are causing religious-type riots on the streets of Earth and are making humans self-destruct (which - hello? - is the point, anyway). Of course, by doing it this way, there will be no need to have the glorious fight between Michael and the ‘Bad Guy Down Under.’ Humans are simply children whose toys have outgrown them…so they will bring the end to themselves, by themselves.
Every SINGLE page - every SINGLE word - is a true masterpiece of fiction. YA’s, adults - heck - even pastors, occultists, and atheists should be pouring over this book and enjoying the…HECK out of it. Add in a place called the Furafter, where the famous three-headed dog has…headed; a British boy named Zane who Marlo has a serious crush on; a boy named Damian who “talks” to his “Dad” with a Ouija board; and Satan’s newspaper - GYP - which is “the news that leaves a bruise;” and, you have the BEST book of 2011! Not to mention, the moral of the story that the author tells regarding the difference between truth and lies, is one of the best lessons that could possibly be taught to children, YA’s, (political figures), and adults everywhere!
Imaginative, creative, out-there, fantastical, illustrious, drop-dead (excuse the pun) funny - not enough words to describe this writer’s pure and effortless work!!! Thank goodness there are more Circles of Heck to visit!
August 27, 2012
This is one of those times when half stars would be nice. It's better than three stars but nowhere near four star quality. So I had to debate with myself - what to give this book -- what reasons do I have to push it to four? All I came up with really was that I love this series in general and yeah, sorry that wasn't enough so I had to go with three.
The problem with this book is that it just felt as though something was missing. I didn't devour this book as I did the others (buying in early July and only finishing it now in late August - I stopped to read numerous other books, something I wouldn't have dare done with the other books in the series). The historical figures were not used as well as they have been in prior books. The author writing himself into the story went nowhere (not that it can't be used in later books, but in this one it was just not interesting). The battles that the Fausters faced was boring compared to previous adventures. The soul swapping wasn't interesting.
Still, that's not to say that the book didn't have its good points, it had plenty - I did say I had to debate between 3 and 4 stars. The handling of the reality shows was brilliant. The interactions between Marlo and Milton, also genius. Bea "Elsa" Bubb was not overused, but did get worked into this story in a perfect way.
I'm sure that I will continue on with the series, but my expectations for it have dropped quite a bit after this book.
The problem with this book is that it just felt as though something was missing. I didn't devour this book as I did the others (buying in early July and only finishing it now in late August - I stopped to read numerous other books, something I wouldn't have dare done with the other books in the series). The historical figures were not used as well as they have been in prior books. The author writing himself into the story went nowhere (not that it can't be used in later books, but in this one it was just not interesting). The battles that the Fausters faced was boring compared to previous adventures. The soul swapping wasn't interesting.
Still, that's not to say that the book didn't have its good points, it had plenty - I did say I had to debate between 3 and 4 stars. The handling of the reality shows was brilliant. The interactions between Marlo and Milton, also genius. Bea "Elsa" Bubb was not overused, but did get worked into this story in a perfect way.
I'm sure that I will continue on with the series, but my expectations for it have dropped quite a bit after this book.
August 19, 2011
Dale E. Basye is a comedic genius, absolutely the best puns & plays on words. So good, in fact, that I'd love to meet the child who would follow even most of the sly wordplay that had me snorting in public. Milton & Marlo Fauster, switched into each other's bodies at the end of the previous book, "Blimpo," are still trying to destroy the crazy & unpleasant place that is Heck ("Where the Bad Kids Go") from the inside. Marlo, in Milton's body, has been moved to the next circle of Heck, Fibble - the circle devoted to children who are incorrigible liars. Milton, meanwhile, in Marlo's body, is made assistant to the producer of Satan's next big idea, a new television channel meant to foster extreme discord "Up there." Insanity ensues. This series is completely unlike anything else out there, & I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next.
May 9, 2012
This entry into the series is very much like the others. There's nothing amazing about it, but there's no dip in quality. Even though the reader gets a lot of information concerning the series arc, for me, it raises more questions than it solves. I also think there are starting to be too many quirky references. It needs to be scaled back some. I did really like the multiple p.o.v.'s. The author does a great job of making the changes in voice feel natural. There were too many p.o.v.'s, though. I understand that the author wants to keep various characters in the readers mind so they aren't forgotten, but there can be character overload. For example, I think that's just too much. Overall, the story better start moving along, especially if the author is going to try for 9 books.
May 30, 2014
Fibble: The Fourth Circle of Heck by Dale E. Basye, was the fourth (obviously) installment of the Heck Series. This book was disappointing. The series started out quite humorous and with a new kind of story, but as the series has went on, I have become more and more let down. The storylines just don't seem to go from point A to B in a logical manner. Part of the reason that these books could be getting worse could be due to me getting older, but I still find the puns and different jokes hilarious, so I'm not sure that it is due to me that these books aren't good anymore. I wish that this was a better book. And for all authors as a future reference: Please, PLEASE do not write YOURSELF into your books. It isn't a good idea, and nine times out of ten it is unsuccessful.
February 14, 2012
This one was back to the funniness and absurdity of the first book. In fact, it may have been my favorite of the series so far. It is full of puns and wordplay. Some of the less obvious names will have the reader stopping to read them out loud and find the pun. I loved that P.T. Barnum was the vice principal in charge of Fibble. Clever. And of course, we've got Orson Welles and former President Nixon getting in on some of the lies and deceit. The realization of who is behind the plot to sell the earth is pretty surprising and comes right near the end, so readers will definitely want to follow up with Snivel when it is released in May.
April 28, 2015
I am supossed to read and review this book for my library, but to be honest I can't get past chaphter five. Normally I love books like this for any age level, however, this one I just can't get into. The plot and everything seems great, the characters seen hilarious and strong, everything is perfectly creepy and good. Yet I just can't continue. This very rarely happens to me and I am stumped. Overall though, I think this should be a very good book for readers, just not me.
February 22, 2012
Some of the jokes in this series are starting to get a little tired, and I'm not convinced about the author adding himself to the story. The story is taking a weird turn and I'm not sure if I like where it's going. I'll probably read the next book in the series. But I don't know about after that.
July 28, 2011
This is the fourth installment in a clever and imaginative series about two kids who get sent to "Heck" after they die. As with the previous books, there is ...(click here for the full review http://www.storysnoops.com/detail.php...)
August 13, 2013
I liked this book a lot. It was very interesting.This book was also funny. I wonder if Milton will ever get to see his best friend Virgil again? I can't believe that the principle was mean enough for making Virgil go to Heck for being fat.He seems like a good kid...a good kid who loved donuts.
October 1, 2011
Loved it! I just can not wait for book five to come out!
June 11, 2012
My personal least favorite of the series, but still 4.25 stars. I hated the ending! He needs to write like a few more books.
September 16, 2012
Really interesting. I've sort of always wondered what happened when you died and I think it would be fun/a bit scary if this is what the bad children's afterlife was like.
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