Review of Terms of Service
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Nia Wright
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- Latest Review: Terms of Service by Craig W. Stanfill
Review of Terms of Service
[Following is a volunteer review of "Terms of Service" by Craig W. Stanfill.]
Craig W. Stanfill's science fiction novel, Terms of Service: Subject to Change Without Notice, is a thrilling glimpse into a dystopian future where corporations wield ultimate power, and AI permeates every aspect of human life. Kim, the protagonist, is an AI trainer who has led a lonely existence, following the strict guidelines of her community and relying on alcohol to numb her emotions. When her old friend Shan returns to town, the two embark on a bike trip that takes them beyond the city's boundaries, leading them into a world of trouble with far-reaching consequences.
As the novel progresses, Kim realizes that her life has been a lie and that every decision she has ever made is not hers. She faces a difficult choice: confront a disturbing truth or continue living in a comforting lie. Meanwhile, the author sets the stage for a fascinating exploration of the pros and cons of a society dependent on AI. In this world, gender-specific pronouns are taboo, and individuality is frowned upon. Even child-rearing and matchmaking are under AI control.
The book offers a thought-provoking look at the future of technology and its potential impact on society. As AI becomes more ubiquitous, it raises crucial questions about the role of free will and individuality in our lives.
One aspect of the novel that stood out was the vivid descriptions of the AI-driven society. For example, the use of pale or beige colors in clothing and the unique way of referring to the days of the week were charming touches. The author effectively portrayed Kim's relationship with her appliances, highlighting the story's sci-fi viewpoint.
Another unique feature of the book was the author's vision of a society where merit and reputation, rather than wealth or fame, determined people's social standing. This concept of subdivisions based on ratings and services made for an intriguing read. It was challenging for people to maintain a sense of privacy or control over their lives due to the AI's constant monitoring of people's lives, which added to the dystopian feel of the book.
While the book was a captivating read, there were some aspects I didn't enjoy. The writing style, for one, was a bit plain and lacked descriptive detail, making it difficult for me to immerse myself in the story entirely. As a result, the secondary human characters came across as flat and one-dimensional, and I found it challenging to invest any emotions in them.
Additionally, using "she" as a universal pronoun was confusing and required me to adjust my mental picture of certain characters. While I understand the author's intent to create an equal society, I felt that introducing the characters could have been better handled before introducing the pronoun.
Based on the positive aspects I mentioned above, I'm rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. And also, while reading this book, I noticed no grammar errors, which shows the book was exceptionally well-edited. Through Kim's existential drama, the novel offers a glimpse into the future of humanity. This cautionary tale is relevant to readers of all ages and particularly impactful for teenagers who enjoy science fiction.
I recommend this book to science fiction lovers and people who love to explore different perspectives. This novel offers a thought-provoking exploration of the impact of futuristic technology on society, both positively and negatively. Additionally, the novel presents compelling perspectives on gender identity and sexual orientation. However, you may want to skip this book if you are not open-minded.
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Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Craig W. Stanfill's science fiction novel, Terms of Service: Subject to Change Without Notice, is a thrilling glimpse into a dystopian future where corporations wield ultimate power, and AI permeates every aspect of human life. Kim, the protagonist, is an AI trainer who has led a lonely existence, following the strict guidelines of her community and relying on alcohol to numb her emotions. When her old friend Shan returns to town, the two embark on a bike trip that takes them beyond the city's boundaries, leading them into a world of trouble with far-reaching consequences.
As the novel progresses, Kim realizes that her life has been a lie and that every decision she has ever made is not hers. She faces a difficult choice: confront a disturbing truth or continue living in a comforting lie. Meanwhile, the author sets the stage for a fascinating exploration of the pros and cons of a society dependent on AI. In this world, gender-specific pronouns are taboo, and individuality is frowned upon. Even child-rearing and matchmaking are under AI control.
The book offers a thought-provoking look at the future of technology and its potential impact on society. As AI becomes more ubiquitous, it raises crucial questions about the role of free will and individuality in our lives.
One aspect of the novel that stood out was the vivid descriptions of the AI-driven society. For example, the use of pale or beige colors in clothing and the unique way of referring to the days of the week were charming touches. The author effectively portrayed Kim's relationship with her appliances, highlighting the story's sci-fi viewpoint.
Another unique feature of the book was the author's vision of a society where merit and reputation, rather than wealth or fame, determined people's social standing. This concept of subdivisions based on ratings and services made for an intriguing read. It was challenging for people to maintain a sense of privacy or control over their lives due to the AI's constant monitoring of people's lives, which added to the dystopian feel of the book.
While the book was a captivating read, there were some aspects I didn't enjoy. The writing style, for one, was a bit plain and lacked descriptive detail, making it difficult for me to immerse myself in the story entirely. As a result, the secondary human characters came across as flat and one-dimensional, and I found it challenging to invest any emotions in them.
Additionally, using "she" as a universal pronoun was confusing and required me to adjust my mental picture of certain characters. While I understand the author's intent to create an equal society, I felt that introducing the characters could have been better handled before introducing the pronoun.
Based on the positive aspects I mentioned above, I'm rating this book 5 out of 5 stars. And also, while reading this book, I noticed no grammar errors, which shows the book was exceptionally well-edited. Through Kim's existential drama, the novel offers a glimpse into the future of humanity. This cautionary tale is relevant to readers of all ages and particularly impactful for teenagers who enjoy science fiction.
I recommend this book to science fiction lovers and people who love to explore different perspectives. This novel offers a thought-provoking exploration of the impact of futuristic technology on society, both positively and negatively. Additionally, the novel presents compelling perspectives on gender identity and sexual orientation. However, you may want to skip this book if you are not open-minded.
******
Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Terms of Service by Craig W. Stanfill
