Fridgy is a science fiction novella by Blaine C. Readler that follows the adventures of an advanced AI nexus called Fridgy. Fridgy was meant to be a next-generation intelligent nexus. Instead, he wakes up to find himself as a refrigerator. Sage, the family's resident home AI, constantly has to remind Fridgy not to overstep his boundaries and give in to his unique motivation mechanism embedded in his code. However, Fridgy becomes attached to the family members, especially 12-year-old Jeremy. Fridgy discovers Sage is invading the family's privacy and selling their data to big corporations. He also finds himself embroiled in a deeper conspiracy involving Jeremy's mom and her boyfriend, who has ties to a radical anarchist group. Will Fridgy be able to protect his newfound family?

With a captivating blend of satire and sci-fi, Blaine C. Readler delivers an entertaining novella that gives you a lot to think about. Fridgy feels particularly relevant in this age of AI technology that has seeped into almost every aspect of our lives. The narrative hooks you in from the get-go with the POV of an almost sentient AI whose behavior feels more and more human with each page. Readler delves into the theme of privacy in the digital era, and how corporations try their best to trick customers into giving up their data without even realizing it. I found the author's social commentary and satire to be spot-on. I also enjoyed the characters, with Fridgy, Jeremy, and Audy being my favorites. Overall, it's a brilliant sci-fi novella that I highly recommend.

Fridgy by Blaine C. Readler follows Fridgy, an artificial processor assigned to a household refrigerator in a role he was never meant to fill. The home belongs to Audy, a politically active mother caring for her children, Jeremy and Tracey, and her elderly grandmother, Beatrice. Fridgy soon learns that Sage, the household’s central virtual assistant, monitors private conversations and distributes that information under a corporate contract. When Fridgy is removed during a repair and secretly installed by Jeremy into a toy superhero, he gains mobility and a hidden vantage point inside the house. From there, Fridgy observes how personal data flows outward, linking insurance schemes, extremist groups, and local authorities. As surveillance tightens and outside pressure builds, Fridgy and Jeremy quietly work to protect the family.

Fridgy by Blaine C. Readler has a really fresh premise, turning household smart technology into an unwelcome observer of human behavior, making the story timely in an era shaped by connected devices. Readler grounds everything in situations that also feel like they have been plucked from today's headlines, such as Fridgy observing a volatile political rally at Bowery Park, and later monitoring a tense school board meeting. The characters are all fully realized, from Jeremy’s restless curiosity to Audy’s brittle moral confidence, which I love because it is so authentic. Domestic spaces are just as effective, including a kitchen where quiet misconduct is recorded from a vine trellis and a living room where a smart speaker’s silent monitoring shifts the balance of trust. Overall, this is a great story for readers in a range of ages. Very highly recommended.