Review of Terms of Service

[Khasheem]

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

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

Terms of Service by Craig W. Stanfill is a dystopian sci-fi novel that follows Kim, an average law-abiding, ordinary, forgettable citizen. She has a boring life, a tedious job, unfulfilling relationships, and is an alcoholic. Keeping her head down and trying to blend into society, Kim does her utmost not to break any rules for fear of being terminated or worse.

The daily struggle with transportation, the mundanity of her job, the unfulfilling lifestyle, and the constant anxiety about doing the wrong thing make Kim an incredibly relatable protagonist. She goes about life in a way that is believable, and I really felt for her.

The author has done a great job of world-building. Genders no longer exist. Everyone goes by she/her. The idea of individuality, uniqueness, and personality has been stamped out, everyone referring to themselves as we/our. To stand out of the crowd invites trouble and, in the worst case, destroys your life. The world is controlled by AIs, who eavesdrop on every conversation, decide meal plans, match dates, fix matches, host dance nights, and arrange transport. There is absolutely no sense of privacy. I was exhausted simply at the thought of having to live like this. Not once does the author try to pretend that the world around Kim is anything but terrible, and more than half the book is spent rooting for Kim to realise the horrible conditions she’s living in.

The language of the book is simple, and the pacing is incredible. Not once did it drag or move too fast, and the information was parsed out well, so that I was never confused or lost while reading. The dialogue flows smoothly, and the plot unfolds deliciously without taking any abrupt, unbelievable turns. The ending is exactly what I expected but was hoping against.

The author has segued smoothly into the second book. Kim’s arc in this book is over, but there is definitely more to be told and a lot of things to look forward to.

I recommend this book to anybody who loves dystopian sci-fi, as well as those who love fast-paced fiction books. There is no overt violence, which I was pleasantly surprised by.

I was genuinely enjoying the book. I cannot think of any negatives that I pulled from my experience, and the book is exceptionally well-edited. The book was excellent, with a tight plot, great pacing, and amazing world-building. It delivered exactly what it advertised. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

******
Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes