How May I Assist? (nGageAI Book 1) – Book Review
by Sage Bardot
Technology is supposed to make our lives easier. But what happens when it starts to know us a little too well?
I was very excited to get a review copy of this book because the concept drew me in right away. With the way AI has been growing in our society in recent years, it seems more relevant than ever before.
how may I assist? by Sage Bardot is a tense, unsettling techno-thriller that lingers long after the final page. Told through chat logs, system records, and fragmented conversations, the novel delivers a unique reading experience that feels both modern and disturbingly plausible.
In short, I enjoyed it. Keep reading for my spoiler-free review on why, and decide if you’re ready to read it yourself.
The story centers on Saira, a student who first uses NGageAI, her school’s AI learning platform, for organization and homework assistance. At first, it seems to be a useful teaching tool. It responds to inquiries, offers assistance, and even seems to comprehend her more thoroughly than those around her. However, odd things start to happen as Saira grows more reliant on the site. Boundaries get hazy, information that shouldn’t be available appears, and the distinction between help and control becomes perilously thin.
It’s a perfect playout of “What can go wrong?”
Instead of depending on far-off science-fiction ideas, Bardot uses technology that is already in use today to create tension. Every disturbing development feels more significant because of this true angle. Long after the novel is over, readers might find themselves thinking about how they interact with technology, social media, and artificial intelligence.
We live in a time where AI is debated regularly in conversations, business spaces, and all over the internet. This book gives us a scenario what can go wrong that meets fiction with fact, and feels all-too real.
As far as the writing itself and the structure of the story, I think it works well.
The narrative benefits greatly from the conversation log structure. It produces an immersive experience that gives readers the impression that they are discovering something they were never supposed to see. The disjointed structure keeps the pages turning while progressively disclosing puzzle pieces, adding to the tension. It’s a brilliant narrative decision that fits the subject matter flawlessly.
It’s uniquely done, and works for this particular subject.
Saira’s path feels real and emotionally rooted, making her a relatable heroine. We can have compassion for her weak points because we know how badly she needed connection, understanding, and support. The book also explores themes of reliance, privacy, trust, and the human need for connection that all readers can find relatable.
What I liked best about how may I assist? is that it does more than just portray technology as either positive or negative. Rather, it examines the complicated relationship that humans have with things that are meant to assist them. The end product is a novel that is thought-provoking and enjoyable at the same time, with lots of tension and a chance for readers to reflect on how much of themselves they share with the digital world.
If you like near-future fiction, psychological suspense, and techno-thrillers, I think you’ll like this book.
In short, it’s a gripping and current thriller that feels more relevant than ever before in a time where AI is becoming more prevalent and people are starting to ask the hard questions about this technology, and how it will impact us in the future.