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RALF: An Artificial Intelligence Techno-Thriller
A groundbreaking AI. A devastating cyber-attack. A global conspiracy.
When Marco Ranieri, a brilliant Italian engineer, creates RALF—an autonomous, self-sufficient robot capable of harvesting its own energy—his breakthrough draws the attention of a prestigious U.S. research institution. The American team wants to merge Marco’s work with their own innovative project: a vast neural network of AI entities capable of seamlessly mimicking human interaction.
Then, everything goes dark.
On the eve of Marco’s departure for the United States, catastrophe strikes on both sides of the Atlantic. The entire RALF project is stolen from the Italian laboratory in a high-stakes heist. At the exact same moment, a lethal cyber virus guts the U.S. university’s mainframes.
Who is sabotaging the future of artificial intelligence? And how far will they go to stop humanity’s next evolutionary step?
Winner of the World SF Association Award for Best Italian Science Fiction Novel, RALF will make you think about AI in a completely new way: not as a terrifying monster to be feared, but as a fragile, growing entity to protect.
Why readers love RALF:
High-Octane Suspense: A fast-paced blend of techno-thriller and hard science fiction loaded with unpredictable twists.
Relatable & Human: Beyond technology, a deeply human story about ethics, vulnerability, and the choices that define us.
Thought-Provoking: A realistic look into our AI-driven future that offers hope and celebrates human resilience rather than doom.
Note: This updated edition features a fully revised, professional English translation.
When Marco Ranieri, a brilliant Italian engineer, creates RALF—an autonomous, self-sufficient robot capable of harvesting its own energy—his breakthrough draws the attention of a prestigious U.S. research institution. The American team wants to merge Marco’s work with their own innovative project: a vast neural network of AI entities capable of seamlessly mimicking human interaction.
Then, everything goes dark.
On the eve of Marco’s departure for the United States, catastrophe strikes on both sides of the Atlantic. The entire RALF project is stolen from the Italian laboratory in a high-stakes heist. At the exact same moment, a lethal cyber virus guts the U.S. university’s mainframes.
Who is sabotaging the future of artificial intelligence? And how far will they go to stop humanity’s next evolutionary step?
Winner of the World SF Association Award for Best Italian Science Fiction Novel, RALF will make you think about AI in a completely new way: not as a terrifying monster to be feared, but as a fragile, growing entity to protect.
Why readers love RALF:
High-Octane Suspense: A fast-paced blend of techno-thriller and hard science fiction loaded with unpredictable twists.
Relatable & Human: Beyond technology, a deeply human story about ethics, vulnerability, and the choices that define us.
Thought-Provoking: A realistic look into our AI-driven future that offers hope and celebrates human resilience rather than doom.
Note: This updated edition features a fully revised, professional English translation.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2026
About the author
Maurizio J. Bruno
6 books2 followersMaurizio J. Bruno is an Italian author and engineer whose writing bridges hard science fiction, archaeology, and techno-thriller suspense.
He is the author of RALF (winner of the 10th edition of the Ernesto Vegetti Award for Best Italian Science Fiction Novel), EDEN, and VEIL. His novels blend technical accuracy with fast-paced storytelling and deep attention to character relationships. While exploring high-concept premises—ranging from advanced neural interfaces and alien ethology to historical alchemical mysteries—his stories dive into the emotional depth and vibrant personalities of relatable characters.
He is the author of RALF (winner of the 10th edition of the Ernesto Vegetti Award for Best Italian Science Fiction Novel), EDEN, and VEIL. His novels blend technical accuracy with fast-paced storytelling and deep attention to character relationships. While exploring high-concept premises—ranging from advanced neural interfaces and alien ethology to historical alchemical mysteries—his stories dive into the emotional depth and vibrant personalities of relatable characters.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 26, 2026
A gripping and thought-provoking techno-thriller! RALF delivers suspense, fascinating AI concepts, and unexpected twists while exploring the human side of technology. A fast-paced and intelligent read that kept me engaged from beginning to end.
July 1, 2022
Recensione FILOMENA
È un onore per me parlare del vincitore del Premio Vegetti come Miglior Romanzo Italiano di Fantascienza 2021, scelto dalla World SF Italia (Associazione degli Scrittori Italiani di Fantascienza).
Il romanzo è scritto in terza persona attraverso un lessico accurato, dettagliato e scorrevole. Il susseguirsi di immagini e dialoghi ben fatto e ricco di informazioni permette di vedere ogni scena descritta materializzarsi intorno come se fosse un film.
Per gli amanti dell’informatica e della robotica questo libro risulterà un vero e proprio capolavoro; infatti, non mi meraviglio per il premio ricevuto. Per chi, come me, ha invece voglia di cimentarsi sempre in nuovi generi, consiglio vivamente “Ralf” perché la storia evolve attraverso le strutture tipiche della fantascienza, del thriller, del romance, del contemporary: i normali aspetti di una vita quotidiana fatta di sentimenti, imprevisti, debolezze e ripensamenti…
Un romanzo che alla fine lascia delle riflessioni profonde: quanto di buono può fare l’uomo se solo si applicasse o se solo ci fosse per davvero da parte sua la volontà di fare del bene, ma siamo troppo egoisti per poter pensare di andare avanti, di evolvere e di avere fiducia nelle nostre stesse capacità.
Vi consiglio, amici lettori, questa incredibile storia
È un onore per me parlare del vincitore del Premio Vegetti come Miglior Romanzo Italiano di Fantascienza 2021, scelto dalla World SF Italia (Associazione degli Scrittori Italiani di Fantascienza).
Il romanzo è scritto in terza persona attraverso un lessico accurato, dettagliato e scorrevole. Il susseguirsi di immagini e dialoghi ben fatto e ricco di informazioni permette di vedere ogni scena descritta materializzarsi intorno come se fosse un film.
Per gli amanti dell’informatica e della robotica questo libro risulterà un vero e proprio capolavoro; infatti, non mi meraviglio per il premio ricevuto. Per chi, come me, ha invece voglia di cimentarsi sempre in nuovi generi, consiglio vivamente “Ralf” perché la storia evolve attraverso le strutture tipiche della fantascienza, del thriller, del romance, del contemporary: i normali aspetti di una vita quotidiana fatta di sentimenti, imprevisti, debolezze e ripensamenti…
Un romanzo che alla fine lascia delle riflessioni profonde: quanto di buono può fare l’uomo se solo si applicasse o se solo ci fosse per davvero da parte sua la volontà di fare del bene, ma siamo troppo egoisti per poter pensare di andare avanti, di evolvere e di avere fiducia nelle nostre stesse capacità.
Vi consiglio, amici lettori, questa incredibile storia
August 30, 2026
A well written story about Robotics (RALF), a bit in the likes of E.T. Albeit I did the translation, the reading is fast, gives some insights into the Italian society, and the strings between Universities when it comes to researchers and their alter ego.
A perfect weekend lecture, crime, technology mixed with old-style detective stories.
A perfect weekend lecture, crime, technology mixed with old-style detective stories.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews