The Kalis Experiments

Tides #1

by R.A. Fisher

Syrina is a Kalis: a master of disguise, assassin, and spy. Her kind has served the High Merchants' Syndicate for a thousand generations.

She receives a surprising gift from her master, and she realizes something isn't right. The High Merchants don't do anything without a reason. 

When things don't add up in an otherwise normal investigation, she follows the trail to the steam-powered city of Fom. There, she learns of a machine that could end civilization a second time. 

Will Syrina stave off disaster, or seek revenge?

Genres: Fantasy, Steampunk

Hardcover

Published July 28, 2021

Reviews

[Bithi · Rating 4 out of 5]

...Weird looking back on how things work out sometimes. Weird that something as mundane as an accounting problem could turn her into whatever she’d become.

- R. A. Fisher, The Kalis Experiment

This is the first book that I have read by this author. I have liked the vision of the post-apocalyptic world of the author in this book.

I have liked the character of the female protagonist, Syrina. She is doubly marginalized in a male-dominated and capitalistic world as a female and a servant or a Kalis. She is aware of this fact. I have liked the way the author has portrayed the gradual development of the self-awareness of her character from a willing servant to a person who questions her place and identity in the world where she is living. Her decision to go against her Ma'is, Ormo, to punish him for his inhumane use of the most humanistic feeling, love, is courageous.

The readers of Fantasy and Science Fiction novels will like this book.

[Grant Leishman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

The Kalis Experiments: Tides Book One by R.A. Fisher is the beginning of a fantasy adventure in a world created by the author. Syrina, is a Kalis. Kalis’ are special creatures that are trained almost since birth to be faster, deadlier and more magical than the general population of the Author’s world. Like all of the Kalis, Syrina is at the beck and call of her master, one of the fifteen high merchants who run everything in their world and have done so, with the Kalis’ help for over a thousand years. She is often used for doing her master’s “dirty work” and keeping miscreants in line. Kalis are the stuff of legends and nobody has ever seen one and lived to tell the tale. When her master sends her on a new mission, she begins to realise that something is different and that there is some secret out there relating to their history that she is about to discover. After visiting the distant city of Fom in search of answers, she discovers a secret machine from antiquity which may be capable of destroying the world, all over again, as had happened before in the “Time of Ashes”. Will Syrina be able to unravel all the mysteries before it is too late?

In The Kalis Experiments: Tides Book One, fans of epic fantasy will find new worlds, new creatures and new technologies to excite and entertain them. I did, however, find author R.A. Fisher’s world building to be a little underwhelming, especially for what is clearly the beginning of a new, epic fantasy series. It takes some time to actually come to grips with the characters and where they fit into this world that that author has created. The idea of the Kalis and her unique skills was interesting and I always like a good, strong, female lead, which Syrina certainly was. Also intriguing, was the idea that these fifteen high merchants, who generally lurk in the shadows, in their disguises, were, in fact, just ordinary people who reverted to their normal personas during the day. This, of course, led to some interesting considerations as to who Syrina’s master might actually be. There was plenty of action and lots of interesting characters. I felt there were enough interesting questions, situations and preponderances that arose during the first book to give plenty of fodder and ammunition for further books in the series. If I was to make one recommendation to the author, should he/she be considering book two in this series, it would be a map of the world created and a bit more in-depth narrative on the political and social structure of the various locales. For example, more information about the church and its power over the populace would have bene useful. All in all, though, a good, solid fantasy read here.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one took me by surprise. Started out looking like a classic fantasy with some steampunk type elements, then towards the end it appears to be more like far future science fiction! I really enjoyed it, once I got used to the setting, and I've started the second book. Definitely recommended.

[F.A. Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit I picked up the book because of the similarity of the author's name to my own, but I enjoyed it anyway. The author writes well--surprisingly so. However, I thought the story dragged some at the beginning. (I suspect the author may have thought so as well, since he started with a chapter from near the end of the book, chronologically, and made most of the book a flashback.) What bothered me most were all the typos, including missing words (usually small words, on the order of "go to store" instead of "go to the store") I'm not downgrading the book on that basis, since I reported most of those errors to Amazon and I'm hoping the author will fix them, but it meant it took me twice as long to read the book as it should have. Someone who can write this well really needs to spend the money hiring a better copyeditor.

[Isobel Blackthorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kalis Experiments (Tides Book 1) is an atmospheric read, moody, dark, intriguing and packed with evocative descriptions. There’s a gritty noir/steam punk vibe which I find appealing in a fantasy novel. It’s the sort of vibe found in good science fiction, too. And there’s a definite Nordic flavour which adds colour to the mix. Add in a strong female lead and this novel, and series, is off to a kicking start.

It’s always a delight to encounter something highly engaging and readable in the fantasy genre, a plot that grabs you from the first with good prose, well-crafted and memorable characters, and terrific world building. Mastery over action scenes is a must in this sort of novel and Fisher demonstrates the necessary finesse.

To my mind The Kalis Experiments is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo meets a futuristic Game of Thrones. For fantasy and steam punk fans alike and not to be missed.

[Keith Jahans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing fantasy is a challenging task for a writer who has to create another world different to our own. This author manages it exceptionally well and has created a world with its own politics and characters with superhuman powers. The scenes are vividly described as are those depicting action and violence. The protagonist changes form a number of times throughout the narrative, but maintains an underlying profile. How the writer achieves this is very cleverly done.

The plot interwinds through a number of episodes each one adding to the atmosphere of the story. It kept me reading right until the end. This is Book One in the Tides series and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading fantasy.

[Brian Ejike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mad. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of this. The dialogue, the scheming, the world-building. In particular, the latter manages to convey that feeling of depth and expansiveness, without overwhelming detail -- not least because of the considerable knowledge and patient thought that's clearly been invested in this. This series deserves more hype.

[Al Shulver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totaly transported me to a new world but in the end asks a question older than all the previous worlds. i wont clarify this so as not to create a spoiler, just leave it that i truely enjpyoed it and the pictures that it painted all the way along.

[Jefrois · Rating 4 out of 5]

.
A very good book.

But the OBJECT of this thing is about 85% obscure to me.

I can NOT follow the Process here; I do NOT know what the Kalis is after.

If I knew, then I could give it all 5 stars; as it is, however, i can only give this book 4 stars.
.

[Robert Hunter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of OK.

I lost interest in this book about 45 minutes in. I was not grabbed by the characters. Occasionally I could not work out what was happening. Fortunately it was free.

[J.E. Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty solid indie read. Loved the worldbuilding.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kalis Experiments by R.A. Fisher is a heart-stopping adventure that is like no other I’ve ever read. The way the author brings this book to life is fascinating and keeps you guessing throughout the whole novel.

This fantasy is a great read. Fisher introduces us to Kalis Syrina, who is a whirlwind of significant proportions. At first, I didn’t like her that much. I had a hard time staying awake trying to get through the first quarter of the book, but let me tell you, it wasn’t much after I left those pages and fell in love with Syrina and couldn’t wait to learn her story.

This novel is the first book in the Tides series, and it is the perfect introduction to the world of Eris. I am having a difficult time classifying this tome. I don’t know whether it is sci-fi or fantasy, or a mixture of every genre known to man. Not that it matters, though. This novel is full of everything you could ever want to read. It’s not a superhero book, but a lot of the characters are more than human. Some are easy to detest, others warm up to you after a little bit, and still, others are loveable from the beginning.

The setting is phenomenal. Eris is somewhat like earth in that there are different climates throughout the world, but that is about where the similarities end. The book is very descriptive, and even somewhat too descriptive at times, which makes it drag in some places. I found this to be true even after I fell in love with the book.

For this reason, I award The Kalis Experiments 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend it to anyone who loves an epic fantasy series. I can’t wait for the next book, so I can try to figure some of this stuff out. I physically need to know more about Syrina!

Thank you to the author for sharing The Kalis Experiments with me in exchange for an honest review.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humanity is on another planet ruled by the Church (although its hierarchy is not detailed), Astrologists, Fifteen High Merchants, and a shadowy power referred to as NRI. Most of the planet is heated by napalm or a variation of it. Strange camel like creatures controlled by shepherds are used in many areas as transportation, and all are trying to control the ancient Time Works that keeps the planet livable, but it is buried so deeply that none have managed to uncover it all. Worse the instructions and history of the machine are lost. The powerful Fifteen High Merchants all know how to create a Kalis. The Kalis must be female and is somehow controlled by a blood line that none can prove how. The Kalis is covered with tattoos and has super human strength, immune to heat and cold (mostly), and can cure their broken bones within twenty-four hours. The first book follows the Kalis called Syrina as she follows the orders of her Ormo, one of the powerful Fifteen. He wants to discover and bring down the one who is closest to controlling the ancient Time Works. It is an action filled saga as Syrina loses the one thing she loves, and slowly, slowly begins to acquire the knowledge her Ormo wants and then discovers the entity inside her, and her growing ability to acquire human emotions. She defeats other Kalis, kills on order of her Ormo, and begins to realize she is being used. She wants to destroy her Ormo, but still needs him to uncover the hidden secrets of her planet. There are several different cultures that have developed over the centuries, but the Church and the Fifteen High Merchants control the mores and the economies.

[Peter Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fantasy / Steampunk novel breaks my prejudice

I was recommended this book as one to break my disinterest in this genre of fantasy, ‘steam punk’ novels. It might be that my unresponsiveness was due to the poor writing of those I have attempted to read; I have high standards, a story has to grip me. However, with the Kalis Experiment, within just a few pages the exemplary writing had me enthralled even if I struggled with the names and initial comprehension of the setting.
My oft view that this genre of novel would translate well into a traditional fiction was also dispersed, as this book fascinated not only with the characters and how they are described, but also the world in which the narrative plays out.
Syrina is an assassin, a master of disguise being only one of many of her skills, and she works for a high powered merchant. The scenes are created extravagantly and my senses were on fire; I could smell the naphtha fuel.
It did take me a little while to get into the storyline but the quality of the writing carried me on until I was immersed, and the ending is volatile leading onto a sequel that I must say, I am tempted to read when it is available.
I am not sure that I have been converted into a fantasy junky, but the quality of this book certainly broke down my prejudicial barriers and, if this genre is your delight, then you will not be disappointed… highly recommended.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex, intriguing, extensive imaginative and most important: coherent. All adjectives that can be used to describe this book. I liken it to the mortal engines’ series, a bit steam punk, a bit daring, and then add in some mystery and espionage and you have a recipe for greatness. To be a Kalis means to be female a master of espionage, hand to hand combat and the deadly arts. Syrina is a Kalis and she serves at the pleasure of the High Merchant Syndicate. Her newest mission brings her in search of the fabled Time Works and its controller that keeps the planet livable. She starts to question things when events do not add up and her suspicions prove to be right one too many times which eventually puts her own life at risk.
This is one of the good ones, a book that will grip you and not let you go until you have burned the midnight oil devouring the pages to get to the truth behind people’s actions. Fantastic Book!

[Cynthia Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absorbing Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Steampunk/ mystery saga that makes me wish for a T.V. Series!

The Kalis Experiments, Book One Tides, has opened a brand-new world of Sci-Fi adventure. The world building is immaculate, in-depth, and so original I found myself re-reading entire chapters just to fully appreciate all the subtle details and intricacies R.A Fisher has woven into his exceptional tale. The main character is equally unique, well-conceived, and thoughtfully introduced, allowing readers to identify with her despite her alien nature.

Thoroughly enjoyable and written with a likable prose style, I am eager to see where the author takes the story through the rest of the series.

[Eric Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I often feel like I’ve read all the good Fantasy books. And that I’ve read them too quickly. It’s rare that I find a page turner that keeps me engrossed.

This is one such book. The world building is excellent. Events are ordered in an interesting way. Syrina, the main protagonist is likeable and very interesting. She’s basically a genetically modified slave. This book is very original and well worth a read. There is so much more to learn about this world. I’m looking forward to the sequel.

[Oz Shulver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totaly transported me to a new world but in the end asks a question older than all the previous worlds. i wont clarify this so as not to create a spoiler, just leave it that i truely enjpyoed it and the pictures that it painted all the way along.

[Ozzie Silvers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totaly transported me to a new world but in the end asks a question older than all the previous worlds. i wont clarify this so as not to create a spoiler, just leave it that i truely enjpyoed it and the pictures that it painted all the way along.