Review of Terms of Service

[Opeyemi Popoola]

[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 is a dystopian sci-fi novel written by Craig W. Stanfill. It takes place in a highly developed, futuristic planet where artificial intelligence dominates. It chronicles the life of Kim, an artificial intelligence trainer, as she learns that beneath the seeming efficiency and order of her society, there is actually a more sinister plan at play.

Kim was born in a society where people were powerless over their own lives. AI machines controlled their decisions, and every move they made was thoroughly scrutinized to make sure they adhered to a rigid set of regulations. She has been able to learn more about how AIs function and how their rules are created thanks to her job as an AI trainer for an artificial intelligence firm.

Until one fateful day, when she goes on an adventure with a rebellious friend of hers, her life in this world had been a monotonous affair for her, devoid of any thrill. After that day, Kim's life took an unexpected turn as she started to doubt her earlier beliefs. These doubts eventually led her to realize that this society was merely a cunning means of controlling people.

The title of this book is what first caught my attention. This book makes me think of George Orwell's 1984. The author shed light on the darker side of our reliance on technology; he depicted a deeply uncomfortable picture of a world where virtually all human free will has been suppressed in the name of order. We witnessed the efforts of the enigmatic governing body known as the Hierarchy to rob humanity of all sense of individuality and identity, leaving only the minimal needs required to ensure that the various components operate correctly.

The entire plot held my attention from beginning to end. It was simpler to follow the plot because the author took the time to explain enough about how this universe functions. I had a great time reading this book because of all these elements and the way the author used a well-known idea about technology taking over human existence to create an engrossing novel. My favorite.

In conclusion, Terms of Service was a fantastic book. It receives 5 out of 5 stars from me. Nothing about it bothered me; everything—from the plot to the ideas employed to the editing—was flawless. There is no need for me to comment negatively. Thus, the rating of 5 stars. Those who appreciate dystopian books like The Hunger Games and 1984 should read this, in my opinion.

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Terms of Service
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