Review of Terms of Service
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Review of Terms of Service
[Following is a volunteer review of "Terms of Service" by Craig W. Stanfill.]
Discovering a remarkable novel by an unfamiliar author is a true pleasure, especially when it's recommended by a fellow enthusiast of the science fiction genre.
Although "Terms of Service" may not have the most adrenaline-inducing title and the opening chapter, dubbed "An Ordinary Day," doesn't immediately scream excitement, it all begins with our main character, Kim. We find her waking up with a headache in her simple apartment situated within an unremarkable high-rise building. Despite having a housebot that provides her with excellent coffee, Kim's Food Company fridge frustratingly offers only tofu and spelt for breakfast. Her wardrobe consists of soft blue, yellow, green, and beige tones, and nothing more. She dashes through the rain to catch a bus, barely avoiding the Transit Company penalties that would make her day even gloomier.
However, as Kim's seemingly mundane life unfolds, the reader is suddenly and subtly ensnared.
The hints are sprinkled throughout, starting with the terms of service listed after the table of contents. These ten ambiguous statements, such as "The customer shall not use The Company's goods, services, or property for unauthorized purposes," neglect to mention that the numerous Companies are continually restricting more and more activities, exerting their control over the entire population's lives.
Further hints can be found in the "Notes on the Translation" section. The original novel was written in a language called Panglobal, which lacks gender-specific pronouns. As a result, the English translation uses she, her, and we for everyone, with "we" being the only acceptable form of self-reference. Referring to oneself as "I" is considered offensive and self-centered.
With this in mind, we delve into Kim's work at the AI Company, where her responsibilities involve training robots to identify unauthorized actions by clients of various companies—Transit, Food, Clothing, Housing, and Elevators. These actions can range from inconveniences like pushing others on a bus to more severe transgressions, such as attempting to keep one's children despite the universal birthing contract.
Kim excels in her job, yet her occasional fits of rage outside of work hint at a brewing defiance, especially when her supply of vodka dwindles. A bike excursion with her closest friend, Shan, takes them on a train to a seemingly idyllic national park. Both women are proficient cyclists, but Shan doesn't adhere to the rules. What they uncover after passing through an unlocked gate forever alters their lives, particularly Kim's, in ways they could never have anticipated—and not for the better.
The final two-thirds of Terms of Service are fraught with anxiety and tension, the suspenseful and unpredictable nature of the story making it impossible to reveal any details without spoiling the experience. However, it's worth mentioning that the so-called Artificial Intelligence proves to be far more complex than initially perceived. As evidenced on his website, Craig W. Stanfill's expertly crafted novel is the product of a seasoned AI professional who understands the potential for disaster better than most. I eagerly await the release of Book 2 and hope to make it through until then. Overall I give the book 5 out of 5 stars.
******
Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Discovering a remarkable novel by an unfamiliar author is a true pleasure, especially when it's recommended by a fellow enthusiast of the science fiction genre.
Although "Terms of Service" may not have the most adrenaline-inducing title and the opening chapter, dubbed "An Ordinary Day," doesn't immediately scream excitement, it all begins with our main character, Kim. We find her waking up with a headache in her simple apartment situated within an unremarkable high-rise building. Despite having a housebot that provides her with excellent coffee, Kim's Food Company fridge frustratingly offers only tofu and spelt for breakfast. Her wardrobe consists of soft blue, yellow, green, and beige tones, and nothing more. She dashes through the rain to catch a bus, barely avoiding the Transit Company penalties that would make her day even gloomier.
However, as Kim's seemingly mundane life unfolds, the reader is suddenly and subtly ensnared.
The hints are sprinkled throughout, starting with the terms of service listed after the table of contents. These ten ambiguous statements, such as "The customer shall not use The Company's goods, services, or property for unauthorized purposes," neglect to mention that the numerous Companies are continually restricting more and more activities, exerting their control over the entire population's lives.
Further hints can be found in the "Notes on the Translation" section. The original novel was written in a language called Panglobal, which lacks gender-specific pronouns. As a result, the English translation uses she, her, and we for everyone, with "we" being the only acceptable form of self-reference. Referring to oneself as "I" is considered offensive and self-centered.
With this in mind, we delve into Kim's work at the AI Company, where her responsibilities involve training robots to identify unauthorized actions by clients of various companies—Transit, Food, Clothing, Housing, and Elevators. These actions can range from inconveniences like pushing others on a bus to more severe transgressions, such as attempting to keep one's children despite the universal birthing contract.
Kim excels in her job, yet her occasional fits of rage outside of work hint at a brewing defiance, especially when her supply of vodka dwindles. A bike excursion with her closest friend, Shan, takes them on a train to a seemingly idyllic national park. Both women are proficient cyclists, but Shan doesn't adhere to the rules. What they uncover after passing through an unlocked gate forever alters their lives, particularly Kim's, in ways they could never have anticipated—and not for the better.
The final two-thirds of Terms of Service are fraught with anxiety and tension, the suspenseful and unpredictable nature of the story making it impossible to reveal any details without spoiling the experience. However, it's worth mentioning that the so-called Artificial Intelligence proves to be far more complex than initially perceived. As evidenced on his website, Craig W. Stanfill's expertly crafted novel is the product of a seasoned AI professional who understands the potential for disaster better than most. I eagerly await the release of Book 2 and hope to make it through until then. Overall I give the book 5 out of 5 stars.
******
Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless by Mitzi Perdue
