Review of The Prophecy of the Heron

[Kathryn Dench]

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Prophecy of the Heron" by Craig W. Stanfill.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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The Prophecy of the Heron by Craig W. Stanfill is a remarkable sequel to his first book in the AI Dystopia series, Terms of Service. Picking up mere seconds after the first book finished, The Prophecy of the Heron follows Kim as she faces the consequences of her decisions. Where the first book immersed us in the spotlessly-controlled inner districts of the AI environment, this sequel has a grittier feel, as Kim is immediately exiled to an area with new characters, different dangers, and new norms that she must adapt to in order to survive.

Fortunately, Kim’s resourceful nature and determination continue to develop, and the story unfolds as she explores the history of her world in an attempt to understand how to tackle present problems. As well as unveiling some of the secrets that were left hanging at the end of the first book, the author expertly guides us on a mind-bending exploration of the parallel events that can occur when intelligent programming meets human consciousness. The adventure is fast-paced and gripping, with just enough anchoring elements to keep you orientated as the plot moves along like a whirlwind.

For me, the book made a great sequel as it explored the questions still lingering from Kim’s first adventure, and offered a completely different perspective on the dystopia and how it worked. The technical details and ethical quandaries Stanfill presented were thought-provoking, and the intermittent return to matters of the heart provided relief and continuity through the story. The book was free from editing errors and was a pleasure to read.

I give The Prophecy of the Heron 5 out of 5 stars. Stanfill has created an intricate and captivating world, where you find yourself continuously rooting for the main characters and their quest. I believe it would be easier to engage with the book if you have already read Terms of Service, as the story relies on a certain degree of understanding of how the dystopia is set up and how the AIs run. I highly recommend the series to readers who enjoy dystopian novels, action-packed stories of good vs evil, and exploring the ethical dilemmas of societies.

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The Prophecy of the Heron
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