Terms of Service is a science fantasy novel written by Ciel Pierlot, published by Angry Robot Books. A novel that I've absolutely loved, and that continues showing the amplitude of registries that Pierlot can touch with her writing, a blend between science fiction and fantasy elements that allows her to explore current themes and with a scope that grows as we advance through the character's journey.

Luzia N.E. Drainway works as First Responder in the Bastion megalopolis, a city that spans between two realms that are the domain of the Astrosi, who normally don't involve themselves into human business. However, when Carrion, an infamous Astrosi trickster, kidnaps Luzia's nephew and sells him to the Queen of the Deep, Luzia exchanges her own life for her nephew's, entering into the Queen's service and starting a journey that not only will transform how she sees her world, but how she understand it. Chasing Carrion will be only the first step of a changing process in many senses for our main character.

Luzia is a character that contrasts with the world that is set as the background to her: even when things are going in chaotic directions, she's always trying to fit all into a scheme of reason and logic. It can be totally considered as a neurodivergent character, especially in some behaviour patterns; with that in mind, Pierlot delivers a complex and nuanced character whose journey is one of transformation along discovering the truth on his world. A journey that wouldn't be possible without Carrion and how they lays the hints and the signs that she needs to follow, even if she doesn't realize at the moment. Carrion represents a clash with the motionless vision of the world that everybody sustains; the one that is realizing how close they are to the catastrophe if they don't change things.
The cast of secondaries is a bit overshadowed by how powerful our duo is, but still they play a good role in the plot, especially when Luzia needs a push in the correct direction.

The worldbuilding is another of the highlights: not only for how it allows fantasy elements to coexist with a base of science fiction (the decaying technological city), but also how it ends pointing us to the need of working towards solutions now instead of closing the eyes and delaying the actions that could change it.
The pacing is a bit slower at the start, taking its sweet time to introduce us to this world, but it incrementally picks up, putting some slower scenes in between more tense parts, letting us some moments to catch the breath and incorporate all what we've read.

Terms of Service is an excellent science fantasy novel, continuing the excellent record of novels written by Ciel Pierlot: each one is its own beast, but all of them are absolutely amazing. Can't wait to see what's the next this author has under the sleeve.