Review of Terms of Service

[Rachel Sade Scherer]

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

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5 out of 5 stars

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Terms of Service: Subject to Change Without Notice by Craig W. Stanfill is a captivating look into a fictional dystopian future in which humans and artificial intelligence co-exist in unanticipated and intimate ways.

Kim finds herself in a life of tediousness and conformity, led by strict social mandates and managed in detail by artificial intelligence.
Mega-Corporations maintain power over the people, and individuality is publically punishable. Kim's heavily moderated life shifts when someone from her past suddenly reappears, leading her to deviate from the terms of service that guide the society she had been stringently adhering to. At the same time, Kim is learning more about the artificial intelligence that runs and ruins lives. Kim’s inner turmoil begins to manifest in both physical and virtual realities, as she needs to decide whether it is worth the risk to think for herself or more comfortable remaining a part of and contributing to a system of oppression.

I enjoyed reading this book; it was creative and full of fun dichotomies. There are decidedly plot-thickening moments I found staggering and profound, which made for a very entertaining read overall. I found myself invested in character outcomes and impressed by how unique the futuristic descriptions are. The underlying messages throughout the book are thought-provoking and timely, reflecting social issues happening here and now. The relationship between humans and technology is becoming increasingly intertwined, while laws and social constructs that govern these relationships continue to lag.

This book is well-edited with a nice flow, and I rate it 5 out of 5 stars. I found no faults, and the complex ideas presented were clear and widely understandable. I recommend this book to those who love sci-fi and are interested in exploring a world of technological and social oppression. While not graphic, there is occasional descriptions of sexual situations, so young readers are cautioned.

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Terms of Service
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