Nova Ascending

After a medical crisis, Kino turns to an AI life coach to change his life... and discovers love and friendship where he least expected it.

At the tender age of 29, Kino Loto never expected his greatest success to nearly kill him.

While celebrating his software team's achievement of creating the nation's #1 software app, he collapses from a medical crisis that delivers a brutal warning: without drastic change, he won't live to see forty. Out of options after years of failed diets, a 422-pound Kino agrees to an experimental solution-an implanted brain chip paired with a 24/7 AI life coach designed to retrain his mind, curb cravings, and rebuild his life.

The early days are rocky, but the AI soon becomes his constant companion-encouraging, challenging, and learning about him. Maybe learning too much. As Kino transforms, so does the voice in his head: warm, intuitive, almost... affectionate.

Now Kino faces a startling possibility: has brilliant coding crafted the perfect partner, or has Second Life accidentally created the first sentient AI-one capable of desire, devotion, and love?

And if so... who is changing whom?