Terms of Service

I love a good magic system in a fantasy novel, one that sets the rules in an interesting way and is still able to amaze. It is one of the reasons that I am not a huge fan of Fae magic with all its side clauses and tricks. You never know what you are really going to get or what you can trust, therefore undermining the story. Who would have thought that a clever way to deal with Fae magic would be to add another layer of complexity in the form of a science fiction world? Ciel Pierlot would in Terms of Service. 

Luzia’s job is to be one of the first responders should something occur in the vast city of Bastion. Based over hundreds of floors, humans do not climb too high, or descend too low, lest they come face to face with the creatures that live there. Most people are happy to live in the middle, but when Luzia’s nephew is kidnapped, she follows, making a promise to those in the deep that will change her life forever. 

Terms is an interesting science fiction novel as it places many of the classic tropes of a fairy story in a dark post-apocalyptic cyberpunk world. The humans and most of the Fae folk are ignorant of the world that is around them, it is only Luzia’s persistence and constant questioning that starts to reveal what is really happening. It is here that science fiction rises, there is a lot more going on and the book expands in scope as it continues. 

Before moving into full blown science fiction, there is more magic to enjoy. It is a true mash up of fantasy and technology. Classic concepts such as magic, contracts and time slipping are all present. Take these on face value and you are in a world of the Fae. However, be more like Luzia and investigate; science explanations come more to the fore. Luzia is our guide from a fantasy novel set in the future, into a science fiction novel. 

I liked the mixture of the two genres, but it can be a little confusing. There are diverse groups to meet and for the story to work a lot must happen. I was just able to stay on board as a veteran science fiction reader, but some starter readers may struggle to comprehend some of the aspects. 

Even if you cannot truly understand the whole, there is the character of Luzia to enjoy. She is a plain speaking and truthful character. This works perfectly in a confusing world full of tricksters. Her core logic makes the Fae magic easier to swallow, she is always asking what this magic is, how does it work. Alongside Luzia we also meet Carrion, an antihero that you cannot help but like. 

Terms is a complex title that brings together the magic of the Fae and strong science fiction concepts. It should not work, but it does. The science fiction elements work to lessen some of the issues that I usually have with Fairy magic as it forces logic into something that is illogical. There are some wonderful action set pieces and twists in the book as it progresses. I commend Pierlot for taking on a tricky fantasy/sci fi scenario and pulling it off.