Review of Terms of Service
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Anusha Thatavarthi
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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 is a dystopian science fiction novel written by Craig W. Stanfill. This book is set in a society where every aspect of life is controlled and maintained by artificial intelligence. A place where individualism is not only discouraged but also forbidden and punished. The basic needs of human beings are maintained by some companies. For food, there is The Food Company, for clothes, there is The Clothes Company, for dates, the Matchmaking Company and so on. All the citizens are to follow the terms of services of these companies or else lose their services and go on without their basic needs met. Kim is an average citizen of this dystopian society. She is always willing to keep her head down and follow the rules. She works for The AI Company, which manufactures the AI tools that maintain their society. She works as a trainer for the AIs of The Transit Company.
Life is mediocre and also there is a seed of discontent deep inside her. Kim buries it as an upstanding citizen. All of that changes when Kim’s old best friend moves to the city. Kim loves her friend, Shan, but they have a history of getting into trouble together and Kim fears that the arrival of Shan would disrupt the routine she had fit herself into. They take a fateful bicycle trip in the park near their old school. There, Shan wants to know what is beyond the allowed path. Kim knows curiosity can get both of them into trouble. But they venture into the woods behind the school and Kim’s life will never be the same.
Terms of Service is one of the books that had me flipping through the pages with interest and anticipation. It has major 1984 vibes with a dystopian society where everyone is monitored. The citizens speak a language called Panglobal, similar to Orwell’s doublespeak, and English is considered a classical language. Despite the similarities, the author’s take is completely refreshing. I couldn’t help but be amazed by the author’s world-building. His vision of the nightmare of a society where there is no individualism is terrifying. Everyone wears the same clothes, takes the same trains and has the same entertainment that is designed to keep them from thinking for themselves. They cannot even choose and pair up with the people they love. Everyone has to follow the rules except the elite.
Despite the extraordinary nature and setting of the book, its protagonist Kim is so relatable and believable. Wrenched away from her birth parents as a toddler and raised by a zealot, she is brainwashed from a young age. But there is discontent brewing inside her and I liked the way how her discontent grows inside her and helps her grow as a strong person. Kim’s character arc shows that, above all luxuries and riches, human beings crave freedom and individualism. I liked Kim’s friend group. Among some horrible people in this story, they are like a beacon of sunlight. I liked the process of creating the AIs. It is fascinating.
There is nothing I disliked about the book. There are some minor profanities. There is some violence and some erotic scenes, but nothing too graphic. The book is very well edited. I couldn’t find any errors.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars because it is well edited, thought-provoking and perfectly executed. I recommend this book to young adults and adults. I also recommend this book to readers who like satires, science fiction, dystopian literature and George Orwell’s style of stories.
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Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Terms of Service is a dystopian science fiction novel written by Craig W. Stanfill. This book is set in a society where every aspect of life is controlled and maintained by artificial intelligence. A place where individualism is not only discouraged but also forbidden and punished. The basic needs of human beings are maintained by some companies. For food, there is The Food Company, for clothes, there is The Clothes Company, for dates, the Matchmaking Company and so on. All the citizens are to follow the terms of services of these companies or else lose their services and go on without their basic needs met. Kim is an average citizen of this dystopian society. She is always willing to keep her head down and follow the rules. She works for The AI Company, which manufactures the AI tools that maintain their society. She works as a trainer for the AIs of The Transit Company.
Life is mediocre and also there is a seed of discontent deep inside her. Kim buries it as an upstanding citizen. All of that changes when Kim’s old best friend moves to the city. Kim loves her friend, Shan, but they have a history of getting into trouble together and Kim fears that the arrival of Shan would disrupt the routine she had fit herself into. They take a fateful bicycle trip in the park near their old school. There, Shan wants to know what is beyond the allowed path. Kim knows curiosity can get both of them into trouble. But they venture into the woods behind the school and Kim’s life will never be the same.
Terms of Service is one of the books that had me flipping through the pages with interest and anticipation. It has major 1984 vibes with a dystopian society where everyone is monitored. The citizens speak a language called Panglobal, similar to Orwell’s doublespeak, and English is considered a classical language. Despite the similarities, the author’s take is completely refreshing. I couldn’t help but be amazed by the author’s world-building. His vision of the nightmare of a society where there is no individualism is terrifying. Everyone wears the same clothes, takes the same trains and has the same entertainment that is designed to keep them from thinking for themselves. They cannot even choose and pair up with the people they love. Everyone has to follow the rules except the elite.
Despite the extraordinary nature and setting of the book, its protagonist Kim is so relatable and believable. Wrenched away from her birth parents as a toddler and raised by a zealot, she is brainwashed from a young age. But there is discontent brewing inside her and I liked the way how her discontent grows inside her and helps her grow as a strong person. Kim’s character arc shows that, above all luxuries and riches, human beings crave freedom and individualism. I liked Kim’s friend group. Among some horrible people in this story, they are like a beacon of sunlight. I liked the process of creating the AIs. It is fascinating.
There is nothing I disliked about the book. There are some minor profanities. There is some violence and some erotic scenes, but nothing too graphic. The book is very well edited. I couldn’t find any errors.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars because it is well edited, thought-provoking and perfectly executed. I recommend this book to young adults and adults. I also recommend this book to readers who like satires, science fiction, dystopian literature and George Orwell’s style of stories.
******
Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Like My Mother Before Me by Naley Gonzalez
