Review of Terms of Service
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Shelly Reed 1
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Review of Terms of Service
[Following is a volunteer review of "Terms of Service" by Craig W. Stanfill.]
Terms of Service: Subject to Change Without Notice is a dystopian novel about the integration of Artificial Intelligence into society. Picture a world where machines run everything and your choices are so limited they are basically made for you. Is it even possible to rebel against a system that knows your every move even before you think to make it? Kim is a human hoping to work with the mysterious Artificial Intelligence and gain a prestigious life in society. However nothing is what it seems and Kim is about to find out just how much of a lie her world really is. After a minor infraction changes Kim's whole life she finds herself exactly where she always wanted to be and yet just as unhappy as she has ever been.
Craig W. Stanfill has written a beautiful dystopian novel filled with plenty of thought provoking ideas. In Terms of Service: subject to change without notice everything is run by the Hierarchy. The clothes come from the clothing company in three plain colors. The fridge is programed by the food service only to offer the most "healthy" choices even if it's owner hates them. People basically walk around in augmented reality continuously. Every aspect of everyone's day is carefully crafted by the AIs that also judge you for how well you perform those tasks. A world controlled by machines that also needs humanity to function. Can the illusion of choice give you a feeling of freedom or will it cause you to fight for more? Kim is on what she thinks is a downward fall from grace but it is actually a discovery of herself. She learns to finally face her past and her fears instead of hiding from them and embrace her true self.
I loved how Craig depicted the machines and the Artificial Intelligence in his novel. The machines are almost more human than the other people you meet throughout the story. I am also very glad that my fridge does not choose what I get to eat, or that my shower has no choice in how hot I wish to make it. This book touches on a lot of societal triggers such as how the media can be used to control the population. Ways that societal pressures can cause unnecessary strife within your own life or the lives of others.
A downside to this novel is the way it is constructed. Understanding the author's use of pronouns can be complex at first, but is necessary for the storyline. The author does include a note preparing the reader for their use of feminine pronouns. Relaying that gender is actually a social construct suppressed within their futuristic society. The world building is detailed and actively simulates the nuances of daily life. However daily life can be very boring and repetitive thus leading certain parts of the book to be a bit dull.
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars the previous remarks did not deter my enjoyment of this novel. It was expertly edited and thought provoking leading to my rating of 5 stars. I would recommend this book to experienced readers interested in conspiracy theories and dystopian societies.
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Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Terms of Service: Subject to Change Without Notice is a dystopian novel about the integration of Artificial Intelligence into society. Picture a world where machines run everything and your choices are so limited they are basically made for you. Is it even possible to rebel against a system that knows your every move even before you think to make it? Kim is a human hoping to work with the mysterious Artificial Intelligence and gain a prestigious life in society. However nothing is what it seems and Kim is about to find out just how much of a lie her world really is. After a minor infraction changes Kim's whole life she finds herself exactly where she always wanted to be and yet just as unhappy as she has ever been.
Craig W. Stanfill has written a beautiful dystopian novel filled with plenty of thought provoking ideas. In Terms of Service: subject to change without notice everything is run by the Hierarchy. The clothes come from the clothing company in three plain colors. The fridge is programed by the food service only to offer the most "healthy" choices even if it's owner hates them. People basically walk around in augmented reality continuously. Every aspect of everyone's day is carefully crafted by the AIs that also judge you for how well you perform those tasks. A world controlled by machines that also needs humanity to function. Can the illusion of choice give you a feeling of freedom or will it cause you to fight for more? Kim is on what she thinks is a downward fall from grace but it is actually a discovery of herself. She learns to finally face her past and her fears instead of hiding from them and embrace her true self.
I loved how Craig depicted the machines and the Artificial Intelligence in his novel. The machines are almost more human than the other people you meet throughout the story. I am also very glad that my fridge does not choose what I get to eat, or that my shower has no choice in how hot I wish to make it. This book touches on a lot of societal triggers such as how the media can be used to control the population. Ways that societal pressures can cause unnecessary strife within your own life or the lives of others.
A downside to this novel is the way it is constructed. Understanding the author's use of pronouns can be complex at first, but is necessary for the storyline. The author does include a note preparing the reader for their use of feminine pronouns. Relaying that gender is actually a social construct suppressed within their futuristic society. The world building is detailed and actively simulates the nuances of daily life. However daily life can be very boring and repetitive thus leading certain parts of the book to be a bit dull.
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars the previous remarks did not deter my enjoyment of this novel. It was expertly edited and thought provoking leading to my rating of 5 stars. I would recommend this book to experienced readers interested in conspiracy theories and dystopian societies.
******
Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
