An imaginative world exploring entropy, and the danger of resisting change. This curious book takes fae like beings and puts them into an almost urban fantasy setting. It’s fantasy that’s leaning towards sci-fi. We have Luzia who lives and works in the bastion. She is meticulous in her work on safety and is trying to spread this knowledge to her nephew, her brother’s son and her dearest family. The bastion sits between two worlds of the ‘astrosi’ unknown and mythical beings that engender both fear and curiosity in the residents of the bastion. When her nephew is kidnapped, Luzia finds herself on a desperate mission to rescue him.

This started off well and I was fascinated by Luzia and her role working in safety and her attention to detail. This knowledge gives her an edge later in the story when she’s thrown into a situation that she isn’t prepared for and has a physical disadvantage for. I did find my interest waned a little in the middle but it definitely pulled it back towards the end.

There’s a fair bit of exploration of morality in this story, and how doing the right thing isn’t always the easiest, furthermore, the difference between cruel and heartless.

My second read from the author and I would pick up more from them. I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This story started out slow and was a bit hard to focus upon, maybe because I was trying to read 8 different books at once... maybe. But at about the ¼ mark I put everything else aside and just breezed through this in a couple of days. It just got better and better and I’m so glad that I persevered and didn’t let it simmer on the side any longer.

This ends up being a blend of Fae-based fantasy and hard sci-fi, in a way I wasn't expecting. It almost feels like another direction Destiny could have gone, once upon a time. We have various courts of Fae esque creatures in a sci-fi structure that's slowly collapsing, and a young woman who makes a pact with the Fae queen to try and save her family (and man, time scales are so a thing). This was a really interesting read, and definitely worth a read when this comes out this fall.

Terms of Service by Ciel Pierlot

4.5 rounded up to 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I am yet but a simple piece of sand. Ever-present in my environment, I peer into the skies and depths of Bastion. The wind blows me below, underneath, down below to where the Eoi dwell. The flora comforts me upon my approach. Flowers of all varieties shout their names for attention. There is a magical feel about this place. Queen Sef the Third rules this realm, and she calmly sits upon her throne awaiting to seal yet another contract.

Whisked forward, I land onto a lift that takes me through Bation itself and high above. I calmly land upon the shoulder of a Vespari, a menacing lot, commencing in the warfare of pit fighting. Rising above them all stands King Ari, their leader. These interesting characters are called Astrosi, and they are after one item, the diamond. I know this because I have been the victim of being trampled by Carrion, our rogue-like Astrosi, on more than one occasion in Bastion. Carrion is at the forefront of seeking this item, with those above and below in constant pursuit. Carrion has the advantage; they know the schematics of Bastion and play a cat-and-mouse game in places few dare to venture.

Our story begins with the child Stazi, who is stolen by Carrion and dragged down to Queen Sef’s quarters, with Stazi’s Aunt Luzia hysterically chasing them.

Luzia, or rather Ziane, Acolyte of the Deep, a name given to her by Queen Sef, has signed her life away to fulfill a contract. Once the ink has dried, Ziane becomes one of the netherworld and soon learns the ways of the Eoi. Her sole purpose for living is to hunt down Carrion, providing a sense of retribution.

Primarily made of SiO₂, or rather silica, for those unaware, I consider myself quite intelligent. However, I have been bamboozled and swindled by Ciel Pierlot, the author of this delightful novel. My perceptions were the truth, weren't they? Perhaps I didn't have the proper guide or map to see the answers more clearly... In this tri-level experience, magic persists. I feel the Astrosi calling out to me, and yet I ignore them. I gaze at the abrasions within the very fiber of Bastion's existence. The architecture is failing, and foundational cracks appear to be widening. I nervously await what the future holds for us, Bation dwellers, sandwiched in the middle of two magical domains on a collision course. Yet I can’t help but wonder, what lies beyond Bastion? Not above or below, but on the outskirts.

Simply fascinating! As the dust settles and the creaks go unheard, I leave this world utterly content. My suspicions were dead wrong. This is what downright awesomeness to the umpteenth degree looks like. The book plods along at a decent rate, whetting the reader’s appetite like a Spanish tapa. Ciel Pierlot has decided that enough is enough. The reveal happens, and my jaw drops, leaving me saying, "What just happened?"

Luckily, as readers, we read that occasional book where the created world just hits us differently. The characters linger just a tad longer, and our hearts pitter-patter slightly more. That was this novel for me.

Highly Recommended!

Many thanks to Angry Robot for the ARC through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.or the ARC through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.

Amazing book loved the characters and plot. I couldn't stop reading I stayed up all night. I loved the book so much thank you for the arc.

4/4.5

Do you always agree to the Terms of Service without reading the contract? Maybe you shouldn't...

This book was a great read. I would suggest getting in the right reading space before starting it, because it's dense. It's separated into 2 parts and it makes the book even more interesting. The cliffhanger at the end of part 1 left me hanging; part 2 solved it. I'm a bit puzzled by the end, but it is what it is (no spoilers here for me, you will have to read it for yourself).

I really like the characters and their complexity. Lu and Carrion's dynamics were intriguing at first and then absolutely amazing.

A note: In some parts of the world wide wide, there is a mention about the enemies-to-lovers trope for this book, and YES, there is some of this. BUT don't pick this book for the romance, you will be disappointed, this is not the point of the book. It's more about emotions, feelings, interactions, the quest for truth, and the meaning of life.

I would recommend this book if you like sci-fi, dystopian worlds, and if you have read any of the dystopian books from the 2000s. That one might hit the mark.

Pick it up if you like:
- Sci-fi / Fantasy
- Complex characters
- World-building with layers
- Mysteries
- Quest for truth

I like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for this one.

I admit, the story moves really fast, the action pulls you in. Her brother is taken, she has to go underground to reclaim him. Meanwhile, she is captured by a court and its queen. The queen indicates that her brother was taken as a trade - a life for a life thing. She indicates for them to take her instead and so they agree, and she is taken prisoner.

It is then that they tell her they are looking for the object, the same object the person who took her brother was looking for. So she and the queen's men head out to find the person.

I got some strange Deadpool vibes from the person that she meets and who is taking out the queens men. I think the story will appeal to someone who likes pulp, super-hero stories, and Deadpool / Crazy characters.

Unfortunately this book wasn't my thing.

I received a free copy from Angry Robot via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Publish date 23 September.

This book was already one of my anticipated new releases for this year, so I was happy to receive a review copy. In Terms of Service, first responder Luzia trades herself to the fairy-like Astrosi in exchange for them sparing the life of her young nephew. Plunged into an alien garden far from the sterile hallways she grew up in, Luzia slowly begins to realize that there is far more to the world than even the Astrosi know.

Terms of Service is a very worldbuilding-forward novel with a strikingly science fantasy setting. Luzia's home is dystopian, set in a gray world of corridors and failing life support systems, where people live off of ration bars and have never seen a live animal. The lush underground gardens of the Astrosi are deeply alien to her, not to mention their byzantine and punitive legal contracts. While Luzia sees the Astrosi as magical, it's clear that at least some of their powers are due to advanced technology, nicer food than nutrient bars, and binding contracts, rather than fairy magic. The mix of magic and aging technology make a compelling blend that's neither SF nor fantasy.

While the dystopian setting and plot focus on Luzia's slow journey to discovering the truth of her world is lightly reminiscent of the YA of ten years ago, the execution is very different. Most importantly, it means there's not a tedious romance with the Astrosi supersoldier who is loudly contemptuous about Luzia's inability to fight and shoot people. (Although there is an underdeveloped romance plotline with a different character introduced at the end of the novel). Luzia herself is a fun character--she's passionately devoted to her job as a first responder, and her narration constantly notes possible electrical safety hazards and degraded infrastructure. She's a woman looking for any opportunity to tell you Fire Safety Facts. Fundamentally, Luzia's first responder thing is a reflection of a desire to protect her community, which is also why she flat-out refuses to kill people.

Terms of Service is no Le Guin, but the worldbuilding felt fresh, the main character was a strong and original personality, and the pacing flowed briskly. Compelling.

Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for the arc! No. Nope. Every single one of the three chapters I’ve read so far has been dry and trying. Things are hard to visualize, and it’s not good and different enough from previous fae books to justify continuing to slog through it. I wish I enjoyed this more