Review of Terms of Service

Reader_noc · Post by **Reader_noc** » 23 Jan 2023, 15:51

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

5 out of 5 stars

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Kim has learned to follow the rules, keep her head down, and draw no attention to herself over the years of working at the AI Company. She hopes to increase her social cohesion rating and be able to finally work with AIs of higher Orders, just like she has always wanted. Her perfect plan and world come crashing down after her long-time adventurous best friend comes back to town. Her life takes a dramatic turn, and she finds herself struggling to reclaim her identity and freedom.

Terms of Service: Subject to Change Without Notice by Craig W. Stanfill is an interesting work of science fiction set in a dystopian world imagined to exist sometime in the future. A world radically different from anything humanity has ever known. A world lorded over by The Hierarchy, Companies and Corporations. Each has their own terms of service, which must not be violated. Individuality, uniqueness, and gender are considered selfist notions that must be utterly erased. It is a world where order, control, suppression, and docility thrive.

There are several positive aspects to this book. Craig was able to successfully create a fantastic fictional world. He perfectly creates a world from scratch with its own culture, values, language, and government. He addresses the issues of governance, legitimacy, fairness, equality, free will, social justice, and freedom. Obedience is prioritized over morality. Absolute control over everything, including a person’s romantic life, is considered effective. Human nature, their needs, and their wants are not taken into perspective while trying to build this seemingly perfect world. The book provokes thoughts about these social concepts and tactics in a reader’s mind. Does equality in society truly exist? What is the best form of government for a society? The concept of equality seems unattainable. The Companies preach unity, community, and equality as the basis of their society. Yet, people are treated differently based on their social cohesion rating. The biggest lesson for me was that a perfect society can never truly exist.

The author also broached one of the most recurring themes in sci-fi: machine versus man. Can machines ever be a substitute for man? Are AIs superior? There is no clear-cut victor in this war of AIs and humans. The author showcases the strengths and weaknesses of both sides. He deviated from the usual when he portrayed AIs as having human names, understanding human emotions, and having the right to use the pronoun "I." The book was exceptionally well edited, as I could find zero errors. The author also endeavored to use simple yet professional diction. Most especially in writing about The Awakening. I am looking forward to reading the sequel and continuing to follow Kim’s story.

I could not discover any negative aspects of this book. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars because it was well written and very intriguing. I recommend this book to fans of science fiction and books about machines, particularly AIs.

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Terms of Service
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Gabriele Mattia Leonardo · Post by **Gabriele Mattia Leonardo** » 07 Feb 2023, 21:31

Haven't read this book, but your review makes it seem like it's going to be worth my while. I've gotten an insight into the characters, and I know what to expect. Nice review!.

Chiamaka_Glory · Post by **Chiamaka_Glory** » 20 Feb 2023, 01:41

I have seen review on this book and would love to read it. Your review I detailed and I believe would give an insight to what is expected of the plot. Nice review.

Post by **Oluwa Tomisin** » 05 Mar 2023, 13:01

Terms of service sounds like a good book.
I'm not really into artificial intelligence or a fan of it but this as a unique and rather interesting storyline.
Thanks for a brilliant review

Conrad Writes · Post by **Conrad Writes** » 05 Mar 2023, 13:46

The thought of artificial intelligence having such amount of control is a scary fact. But this book manages to show both the good and bad parts of technology.

Sara Nóbrega Bartolomeu · Post by **Sara Nóbrega Bartolomeu** » 05 Mar 2023, 14:23

I haven't read this one yet but your review makes it appealing. Good job!

Success Azuka · Post by **Success Azuka** » 05 Mar 2023, 15:34

I did read through your review and I am intrigued with your method of writing. Although your review is quite lengthy, it is a catchy one. I would love to get a copy of this book.

Egenti Ignatius Chimaobi · Post by **Egenti Ignatius Chimaobi** » 05 Mar 2023, 17:50

I don't think machine can beat man tho. But I hope in the advancement of AI, we never get to find out. Interesting book on sci fi. I enjoyed the review of it and look forward to reading the book.

John Aburzzi · Post by **John Aburzzi** » 05 Mar 2023, 21:43

No matter what I don't think it would ever be possible for machines to be able to displace humans. And there should be regulations to all the use of AIs.

Hazel Mae Bagarinao · Post by **Hazel Mae Bagarinao** » 05 Mar 2023, 23:41

The awakening chapter was quite interesting. AI trainer Kim produces AI Kimberly. And all the memories are transferred, it was amazing to imagine. And how Kimby acted is like a kid like Kee. Your review is interestingly written, by the way.

Active Chris · Post by **Active Chris** » 06 Mar 2023, 03:40

This is a book that talks about Artificial Intelligence. I became interested in the novel because it contains elements of science fiction which I'm a fan of. In this book, Kim does not know what she signed up for. Nice review.

Medina Fedrick · Post by **Medina Fedrick** » 06 Mar 2023, 03:50

Working with AI's sounds fascinating, I hope she is successful at creating these AIs.

Azuka Jessica · Post by **Azuka Jessica** » 06 Mar 2023, 13:12

Did her friend influence her in a bad way? How bad and to what degree is the consequences of this influence? I am looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for an honest review.

3mperor · Post by **3mperor** » 07 Mar 2023, 02:42

After reading your review I have so many questions to ask and my inquisitiveness got higher from every paragraph. I need to read this book to find out. This is a nice review and I’m sure the book would be as good.