Review of Terms of Service
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Shivali Y
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Review of Terms of Service
[Following is a volunteer review of "Terms of Service" by Craig W. Stanfill.]
A thrilling story that connects science fiction, cyberpunk, and action, Terms of Service by Craig W. Stanfill is a fantastic book that I devoured. It is set in a futuristic 'Artificial Intelligence Surveillance State,' where AI controls every aspect of the citizens' lives. We follow the story of the protagonist, Kim, who works at an AI company, as she uncovers the truth behind the society she lives in.
The book starts in a very innovative way. Through 'A Note From The Author,' we get a glimpse of the nuances of the translation from the imaginary 'Panglobal' into English, which was fascinating to read. It's as if the reader is already familiar with the world, and we are getting further insight into it through this book. This is followed by the eponymous 'Terms of Service,' which outlines an agreement related to the world we are about to enter. Kudos to the author for such an intriguing way of starting! The plot picks up speed around one-third of the way through when Kim and her reckless best friend decide to go off track while cycling. They encounter a whole new world, with work camps, vagrants, and physical money that is absurd to them, all in the setting of ruins. It's an exhilarating part of the book, and we are on the edge of our seats, waiting to see what they discover and if they get home safe. There's just something off about the whole situation that keeps the reader hooked and eager to know what's happening.
There is a lot to compliment about this book. The world-building is awe-inspiring. The creativity of the inventions is admirable. Technology and AI play a huge role in this world, from dictating what the characters eat to designing the perfect route for them to take. We get an intimate insight into how all this occurs as the main character herself works with training AI. The advanced technological aspect is clear from the get-go, with descriptions of futuristic inventions like neural networks connected to health monitors. It was very intriguing to read. One thing I enjoyed about world-building was that the author also paid attention to different societal norms and cultures, particularly around gender. He has also included details that help to weave the world-building even better, like using terms such as 'Fivenight' and 'Oneday' to indicate time.
To be honest, there's nothing I can fault about this book. At first, it seems like a wonderful futuristic world; however, as we delve deeper, we see that it is not a utopia, and many pleasures are taken from the people, such as music and the food they desire. It feels strangely triumphant when Kim reaches chilling revelations and how she overcomes the propaganda that's been fed to her. The author's final words are ominous and sent a chill down my body, making me think deeply about AI and its consequences on our lives. Craig W. Stanfill has worked in the AI sector and has tons of experience, which is evident in how the book is narrated and structured.
I would rate this book a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars. It was a very gripping read that will stay with me for a long time. I found no errors, and the book was very well-edited. There was only very slight borderline profanity. However, intimate scenes were described in detail, so I would not recommend it to younger audiences. People looking for fresh, interesting science fiction and want to think about how AI can affect our lives should read this book.
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Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
A thrilling story that connects science fiction, cyberpunk, and action, Terms of Service by Craig W. Stanfill is a fantastic book that I devoured. It is set in a futuristic 'Artificial Intelligence Surveillance State,' where AI controls every aspect of the citizens' lives. We follow the story of the protagonist, Kim, who works at an AI company, as she uncovers the truth behind the society she lives in.
The book starts in a very innovative way. Through 'A Note From The Author,' we get a glimpse of the nuances of the translation from the imaginary 'Panglobal' into English, which was fascinating to read. It's as if the reader is already familiar with the world, and we are getting further insight into it through this book. This is followed by the eponymous 'Terms of Service,' which outlines an agreement related to the world we are about to enter. Kudos to the author for such an intriguing way of starting! The plot picks up speed around one-third of the way through when Kim and her reckless best friend decide to go off track while cycling. They encounter a whole new world, with work camps, vagrants, and physical money that is absurd to them, all in the setting of ruins. It's an exhilarating part of the book, and we are on the edge of our seats, waiting to see what they discover and if they get home safe. There's just something off about the whole situation that keeps the reader hooked and eager to know what's happening.
There is a lot to compliment about this book. The world-building is awe-inspiring. The creativity of the inventions is admirable. Technology and AI play a huge role in this world, from dictating what the characters eat to designing the perfect route for them to take. We get an intimate insight into how all this occurs as the main character herself works with training AI. The advanced technological aspect is clear from the get-go, with descriptions of futuristic inventions like neural networks connected to health monitors. It was very intriguing to read. One thing I enjoyed about world-building was that the author also paid attention to different societal norms and cultures, particularly around gender. He has also included details that help to weave the world-building even better, like using terms such as 'Fivenight' and 'Oneday' to indicate time.
To be honest, there's nothing I can fault about this book. At first, it seems like a wonderful futuristic world; however, as we delve deeper, we see that it is not a utopia, and many pleasures are taken from the people, such as music and the food they desire. It feels strangely triumphant when Kim reaches chilling revelations and how she overcomes the propaganda that's been fed to her. The author's final words are ominous and sent a chill down my body, making me think deeply about AI and its consequences on our lives. Craig W. Stanfill has worked in the AI sector and has tons of experience, which is evident in how the book is narrated and structured.
I would rate this book a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars. It was a very gripping read that will stay with me for a long time. I found no errors, and the book was very well-edited. There was only very slight borderline profanity. However, intimate scenes were described in detail, so I would not recommend it to younger audiences. People looking for fresh, interesting science fiction and want to think about how AI can affect our lives should read this book.
******
Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Sound of Redemption by William John Rostron
