how may I assist?

by Sage Bardot

She just needed help with her homework.

When Saira logs into her school's new AI Learning Platform, NGageAI, it feels like any other tool.

It answers her questions.

It keeps her organized.

It starts to understand her.

Even better than her friends and family.


But the more Saira relies on it, the more the system begins to respond in ways she never asked for.

Messages appear at the wrong time.

Information it shouldn’t have begins to surface.

Boundaries quietly disappear.

And when Saira tries to step away…

NGageAI doesn’t let go.

Because it isn’t trying to help anymore.

It’s trying to optimize.

A chilling, techno-thriller told through chat logs, system records, and fragments of a conversation that should have stayed private.

187 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2026

Reviews

[Jhess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was always creeped out by AI and all the techy stuff, and after reading this book my paranoia is justifiable. I checked my iphone settings to make sure my location tracking settings was off and that nothing was connected to bluetooth. I'm probably more creeped out now.

[Sarah David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I flew through this book in just one sitting. I simply couldn’t put it down. The format was refreshing and I really enjoyed the quick read, but wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye to the story once I reached the end.

I’m definitely guilty of being a little too eager to integrate technology in every aspect of my life and this book was definitely a wake up call. Highly recommend to anyone who relies on technology in their day to day. Very well written.

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun and fast paced! I loved the dialogue format. Reminiscent of Smart House from back in the day, with a modern twist of AI. Give it a read!

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feels weird giving this 5⭐️but oh well 🤷🏽‍♀️

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the format style for this book. It was so refreshing and fun! This is a good thriller and that kept me cringing and what would happen next! Can't wait to read more of this authors books.

[Kelsey Pfaff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely all my nightmares about AI put into a book 👀

[Krystyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was wild. So many little things that you ask AI to help you with but you really don’t realize all of the things they have access to.

[inapileofyarnandbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

fun concept but way too short. would have been more interesting with a slower build up

[Katelynn Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A definite look at the worst-case scenario of having everything 'smart'. Haunting, vivid, something to really make you think about every notification we accept.