Dooon Mode

"Not As Expected" is the one phrase I would associate with the final Mode novel. The shock of the fourth novel is the fact that the focus of the story is on conversations and thought processes. If action occurs, it seems to be summed up too quickly. There is nothing wrong with the focus, it is just not what one would expect in the Mode series. The book had many wonderful concepts, but lacked the movement and action of the earlier books. Lack of action is not a fault, but it is not what I expected. I would recommend this book to anyone who has read the earlier Mode books, but, by itself, it will not immerse the reader in the world of the Modes enough to allow for complete understanding.

I am not surprise that there is so much variety of opinion about DoOon Mode, the last book of the Mode series. A lot of people have criticized this series for his used of sexual explicit scenes of rape and child abuse involving a 14 years old girl. DoOon does offer this and more in this concluding book of the series.I have to disagree with those that thought the book was a disappointment. It would have been a disappointment if he has never written an ending of what happen to Colene. I think it is nice that Piers decided to listen to his fans and finishing to publish this book. Some don't like the use of the Nulls characters in the series and thought that they were too stupid in Virtual Mode. I don't agree. They weren't stupid just slaves. Piers used the same style that he used in Fractal Mode. To use the first chapter of the book to introduce fully the new anchors before Colene and her gang show up in the scene.But let's talk about the merit of this book. I found the story enthralling and poignant. Throughout the book we learn a lot more of why Colene is a depressed and suicidal teenager. We got hints in Virtual Mode when she told Sequiro how unhappy she was when she visited Panama before the rape. The rape just exacerbates a downhill trend that was killing her slowly already. We learned even more about Maresy and why she is important to Colene. In a way, this is ultimately Colene story and we get all the answer of our questions that came up throughout the previous 3 books.I did enjoying learning more about the Nulls society. I don't know if they are philosophers but they indeed are worthy people that unfortunately know that they are doom in DoOon to do as they are asked or died. They are aware of their condition. They have been conditioned to behave in certain ways and as usually Colene changes all that. Pussy, Tom and Cat are loyal characters and friends and I think it makes sense, when the times come, that Pussy helped Colene to face her fears, the same way Colene helped Pussy in her world. It would have been better to have Nona instead but at the same time, Nona couldn't evade her duties forever so we lost her previously in the story.The action and pace was good, although there is more dialogue and inner-dialogue in this book than the previous one but not by much if we think of Chaos Mode who has a lot of inner dialoge. Darius surprised me as the end when he kept his word to send the Chip back to the evil emperor but still foiling him. It was pleasant too to have Sequiro back with Colene together with Maresy. The character that was most underused was Burgess unfortunately.A warning to readers. If you don't like sexual explicit scenes don't read the book. Because it have them and plenty. They are in the proper places and they are justified but nevertheless, some of them are not for the faint of heart. To understand Colene's fears and trauma it is needed to look very deeply in all the horrible things that had happened to her. I like the cathars

I'm a longtime fan of Piers Anthony and felt that DOOON MODE was, in many ways, a homecoming. Anthony mixed a bit of Xanth (Colene and her group actually visit Xanth during their mode-crossing), the Apprentice Adept (in the game playing the nulls conduct at the beginning), and the psychological insights that played such a major part in the Tarot series.Anthony does a fine job integrating character psychological development with the story action, allowing both to reflect one another. Colene needs to grow in order to become a good wife for Darius but, more importantly, to achieve her potential as a person. All of her friends try to help but, ultimately, may get in the way of her resolution.Two warnings are appropriate. First, DOOON MODE is sexually charged with descriptions of child abuse and rape. Children and young teens may find it disturbing. Second, the dialogue is incredibly clunky. It is difficult to imagine a depressed teen, even one as intelligent and travelled as Colene, saying some of the things she says--and why does she have to say them so often? Anthony runs through the Colene can't have what she wants with Darious thing about thirty times--maybe twentyfive too many.It isn't perfect (the way, say Anthony's ON A PALE HORSE is), but DOOON MODE is vintage Anthony and worth the read.

I've read the whole series and I couldn't wait until this book came out. I'm glad it did, because it gave deep insight into the characters old and new. Piers wove wonderful detailed story and kept up the expectations of the book. You feel every sorrow, joy, triumph and defeat of the characters. It's amazing how the characters in the book are not just evil or good but so many shades of grey and complicated. It's a joy to figure out the story and what's going to happen next. I definately recommend this book to anyone.

I have read the first three books of this series and all I can say is FINALLY. He has been so busy with his other series that I thought he forgot this one. It has stuff every person could love: science, love, action, and fantasy. I love the heroine. Usually, authors make their protagonists look like they are this perfect person, but with Colene, it's quite the opposite. She has very dark flaws, but you realize that we all do, and that's what makes her character so realistic. If you are a Piers Anthony fan, this is a series to get. Especially, for all those teenage girls out there, because this series says that you do not have to be perfect to be a HERO. ENJOY!!