Review of Terms of Service

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 18 Dec 2022, 04:08

[Following is a volunteer review of "Terms of Service" by Craig W. Stanfill.]

5 out of 5 stars

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Terms of Service by Craig W. Stanfill is a science fiction novel that depicts a future dystopia. Kim is an AI trainer at The Artificial Intelligence Company. She knows how AIs work, still her relationship with them is complicated. For example, sometimes she can't convince her smart refrigerator to give her the food she wants rather than the food its analysis considers healthy for her. Kim has to comply with the Terms of Service, so she has to accept the food given by her refrigerator.

Kim finds comfort in her friends but her dates are not particularly successful. She's more focused on her job but when her old friend Shan comes back after living in another city for some time, she's really happy even if in the past, Shan got Kim into trouble a number of times. When Shan and Kim go cycling in a park, they start exploring the place beyond the usual paths and get into big trouble. When The Artificial Intelligence Company's Director summons Kim, she's really scared, what's going to happen to her?

Have you ever read the whole Terms of Service of an app, software, smart appliance, or any other service? Have you ever felt limited in using a service because its Terms of Service don't allow you to do something you want to do? Imagine living in a society in which every part of your life is regulated by Terms of Service that are subject to change without notice. Imagine that violating them can get you into serious trouble. That's the future depicted in this novel.

The story starts slowly, showing a normal workday for Kim, a young woman who trains artificial intelligences. For her, struggling with her refrigerator over food is a trivial part of her life but it's useful to give readers an idea of a life in which she always has to comply with Terms of Service. This is my least favorite part because it's long and maybe the author could divide those bits of Kim's life into different days to make the book start at a faster pace.

After the initial part of the novel, we start seeing what people in that future society risk when they violate any Terms of Service. Artificial intelligences control their lives through surveillance devices and home appliances, so people get busted for any violations. For Kim, there's a self-discovery journey that enables her to see her life as the result of such control. This is the part I liked the most because it shows how a person can be manipulated without realizing it, something that can happen today.

This is not an action-packed novel, though there are parts in which a lot happens with twists and turns. The author focused more on the ethical and moral elements showing a future society that could be what our society will become if people have no awareness when they use technology and accept limitations to their freedom. For example, mass surveillance with the excuse of safety is a problem we've been experiencing in recent decades.

The novel contains various bits of sex that don't go into detail but tell explicitly that Kim is having sex, so it's not a book for kids. Craig W. Stanfill published a sequel but in my opinion, Terms of Service works as a stand-alone novel. It was professionally edited, as I found only one formatting error, so I happily rate it 5 out of 5 stars. If you're interested in ethical and moral issues connected to personal freedom, mass surveillance, and various types of manipulations, I recommend this novel because it offers food for thought about issues that are important right now.

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Terms of Service
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Faisal Kurfi · Post by **Faisal Kurfi** » 28 Dec 2022, 17:32

Great review. This was my last read even though the review is yet to be published.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 29 Dec 2022, 16:04

Faiso wrote: ↑28 Dec 2022, 17:32 Great review. This was my last read even though the review is yet to be published.

Thank you for your appreciation!

Post by **Emily Meadows** » 04 Jan 2023, 10:45

I read and reviewed this book too and I still find myself thinking about it. Have you read the sequel? I think I’ll go and look for it, to continue the journey with Kim!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 04 Jan 2023, 16:24

Emily Meadows wrote: ↑04 Jan 2023, 10:45 I read and reviewed this book too and I still find myself thinking about it. Have you read the sequel? I think I’ll go and look for it, to continue the journey with Kim!

I haven't read the sequel yet but I plan to do it, as I'm curious to see how Kim's journey's continues. Thank you for commenting!

Monkeymoney · Post by **Monkeymoney** » 13 Jan 2023, 06:52

I read this book too, and I must say, your review did justice to it. Kudos.

Jack Winnick · Post by **Alex Reeves** » 05 Feb 2023, 14:46

I've read several reviews of this book, and I must say yours is quite more engaging than the ones I've read. Great work!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 06 Feb 2023, 03:17

Monkeymoney wrote: ↑13 Jan 2023, 06:52 I read this book too, and I must say, your review did justice to it. Kudos.

Thank you for your appreciation!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 06 Feb 2023, 03:18

Alex Reeves wrote: ↑05 Feb 2023, 14:46 I've read several reviews of this book, and I must say yours is quite more engaging than the ones I've read. Great work!

Thank you for your appreciation!

Janet Kimetto · Post by **Janet Kimetto** » 18 Feb 2023, 08:28

I also read this book, really loved it, and went right to reading its sequel. Thank you for your detailed review!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 18 Feb 2023, 11:34

C Janet wrote: ↑18 Feb 2023, 08:28 I also read this book, really loved it, and went right to reading its sequel. Thank you for your detailed review!

I plan to read its sequel as well. Thank you for commenting!

Hazel Mae Bagarinao · Post by **Hazel Mae Bagarinao** » 24 Feb 2023, 01:34

I was hooked on the book when Kim and Shan went cycling. I never thought that was gonna happened to them. The plot is unpredictable, bringing you suspense, which I like it. I hope Kim would be happy in the end, since she feels an emptiness in her situation; she seems she has everything but deep inside, she was unsatisfied. Your review is well-written!

Ben Madeley · Post by **Ben Madeley** » 27 Feb 2023, 09:21

Nice review, personally I found the book a little confusing and weird but I also enjoyed it too. Perhaps it's time to try the next bool in the series.

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 03 Mar 2023, 09:01

Hazel Mae Bagarinao wrote: ↑24 Feb 2023, 01:34 I was hooked on the book when Kim and Shan went cycling. I never thought that was gonna happened to them. The plot is unpredictable, bringing you suspense, which I like it. I hope Kim would be happy in the end, since she feels an emptiness in her situation; she seems she has everything but deep inside, she was unsatisfied. Your review is well-written!

Yes, Kim's life is apparently great but she actually has some personal problems that come out one after another. Thank you for your appreciation!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 03 Mar 2023, 09:02

Ben Madeley wrote: ↑27 Feb 2023, 09:21 Nice review, personally I found the book a little confusing and weird but I also enjoyed it too. Perhaps it's time to try the next bool in the series.

The story is quite complex but honestly, I didn't find it confusing. I plan to read its sequel. Thank you for commenting!