Review of Terms of Service
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Jane Miranda
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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.]
Terms of Service, written by Craig W. Stanfill, is a novel set in a futuristic society wherein AIs play a vital role. The story follows the main character, Kim, who works as a trainer in an Artificial Intelligence Company. Kim strives to always play by the rules and live a meritorious life, but a certain bike ride leads Kim to commit a series of violations and discover a dangerous truth. Will the truth finally set Kim free, or will it trap Kim in a web of lies and illusions?
The two aspects of the novel which stood out the most to me are the author's world-building and the spider web metaphor in this novel.
I commend how Stanfill was able to set up this AI-centered society and made it believable to the readers through the exposition. From the talking refrigerator to the repressive terms of use and conditions of big companies, Stanfill was able to show the readers how AIs became an integral part of everyone's life in this society. Stanfill was able to establish the exposition well which helped the readers grasp the differences between their reality and Kim's reality, thus allowing the readers to fully immerse themselves into the story.
Another thing which I find commendable is the author's use of the spider web as a metaphor in this story. This is evident from these lines in the novel, " . . . Hamish, the frightening Blanks, the ruined city, and all the other strange sights they had seen. And then, looming over it all, she beheld an immense spider with a hundred heads and a thousand eyes, sitting in the middle of a vast and cunningly constructed web . . . lurking in the shadows, waiting for its prey to become hopelessly entangled before launching its attack." I think this is such a fitting metaphor to use. Those people in power were likened to a spider with thousand eyes. The thousand eyes in this metaphor are most likely the AIs who monitor the citizens in this web-like society which was created by those in high authority. This metaphor implies the truth that lies amidst this technologically-advanced society. The citizens were robbed of their privacy, their own free will, and their individual identity. They can't openly show preference towards a certain food, music, clothing, and gender, or they will be penalized and condemned for violation of certain terms of use and conditions. This story truly made me reflect on how we took for granted the freedom that we have today. It is a much needed wake-up call for the readers.
I did not find anything I disliked in this book. This novel is well written and properly edited; thus, I will rate it 5 out of 5 stars. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy science fiction especially those who are fond of reading stories about AIs and virtual reality.
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Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Terms of Service, written by Craig W. Stanfill, is a novel set in a futuristic society wherein AIs play a vital role. The story follows the main character, Kim, who works as a trainer in an Artificial Intelligence Company. Kim strives to always play by the rules and live a meritorious life, but a certain bike ride leads Kim to commit a series of violations and discover a dangerous truth. Will the truth finally set Kim free, or will it trap Kim in a web of lies and illusions?
The two aspects of the novel which stood out the most to me are the author's world-building and the spider web metaphor in this novel.
I commend how Stanfill was able to set up this AI-centered society and made it believable to the readers through the exposition. From the talking refrigerator to the repressive terms of use and conditions of big companies, Stanfill was able to show the readers how AIs became an integral part of everyone's life in this society. Stanfill was able to establish the exposition well which helped the readers grasp the differences between their reality and Kim's reality, thus allowing the readers to fully immerse themselves into the story.
Another thing which I find commendable is the author's use of the spider web as a metaphor in this story. This is evident from these lines in the novel, " . . . Hamish, the frightening Blanks, the ruined city, and all the other strange sights they had seen. And then, looming over it all, she beheld an immense spider with a hundred heads and a thousand eyes, sitting in the middle of a vast and cunningly constructed web . . . lurking in the shadows, waiting for its prey to become hopelessly entangled before launching its attack." I think this is such a fitting metaphor to use. Those people in power were likened to a spider with thousand eyes. The thousand eyes in this metaphor are most likely the AIs who monitor the citizens in this web-like society which was created by those in high authority. This metaphor implies the truth that lies amidst this technologically-advanced society. The citizens were robbed of their privacy, their own free will, and their individual identity. They can't openly show preference towards a certain food, music, clothing, and gender, or they will be penalized and condemned for violation of certain terms of use and conditions. This story truly made me reflect on how we took for granted the freedom that we have today. It is a much needed wake-up call for the readers.
I did not find anything I disliked in this book. This novel is well written and properly edited; thus, I will rate it 5 out of 5 stars. I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy science fiction especially those who are fond of reading stories about AIs and virtual reality.
******
Terms of Service
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Latest Review: Terms of Service by Craig W. Stanfill
