Owl and the Electric Samurai is the third installment in author Kristi Charish's The Adventures of Owl series. The series features Alix Hiboux, aka The Owl, who is an antiquities thief specializing in the supernatural. As we once again jump into the incredible action packed world that Kristi Charish has created, we find Alix having a bit of a dilemma. You see, the IAA (International Archaeology Association) believes that they have Owl between a rock and a hard place. They have even given her an ultimatum. Do what we say, and we will clear your record.

Alix, who is notorious for jobs ending in explosions or cave-ins, may be the only lead in finding the designers of Word Quest (online video game). World Quest is a game based on things that the IAA tries hard to keep secret. Things like magic, and artifacts, and supernatural monsters. Alix uses World Quest in order to find her way through the supernatural world of antiquities, and strange monsters like her boss, who just happens to be a dragon, and Lady Siyu, a Naga who wants to bite her head off. Literally. Oh, and Siyu also has Alix's cat Captain, who is a vampire warning system and has kept Alix safe more than once.

Alix finds herself traveling the globe from Nepal, Las Vegas, Vancouver, Canada, and eventually to a place that is of legend, fiction and myth; Shangri La. But, with the IAA breathing down her neck, mercenaries also searching for the dynamic duo, her best friend Nadya having real world issues in Japan, Alix's only friends may be Rynn, the Incubus who just happens to be her boyfriend, & Carpe her partner in World Quest and an elf who almost got Alix killed over a magic book.

Alix's adventure includes the search for a mythical suit of Armor called Electric Samurai that the Elves made a deal with her dragon boss to retrieve. As Alix, Carpe, & Rynn get closer to finding the Armor, the armor reaches out and calls Alix to become the next bearer of the armor that is said to have been worn by one of Genghis Khan's generals. I echo other reviewers in saying that this story is much, much more serious, and carries a higher stake than previous novels. Especially with events in Shangri-La, and major revelations that occur over the course of this story.

The events of this story will lead to some very interesting avenues for the author to travel. This series just gets better, and better. Alix aka the Owl aka Indiana Jones, is a hoot, with an attitude to back up her swagger. Yes, she is dangerous to everything around her. But, got to love her intentions. They are mostly in the right place. I can't wait to read the sequel called Owl and the Tiger Thieves.

Owl and the Electric Samurai is a refreshing departure from the standard urban fantasy fare.  Owl isn't a dime a dozen Mary Jane who suddenly has immense powers and a horde of hot paranormals chasing after her.  Well she does have paranormals chasing after her mainly because they either want to kill her or want her to find/steal something for them.

Owl is a modern day Indiana Jane, an archaeologist  turned thief who is employed to find supernatural artefacts.  The IAA (the international archaeology association) wants Owl to find the creators of World Quest, a popular online RPG that just happens to have shown the locations of various real life treasures.  Since screwing the IAA appeals to Owl for a multitude of good reason, so Owl plans to find the two developers before the IAA mercenaries do.  Clues point to them being in Shangri-La but exactly where is Shangri-La.  Meanwhile her boss’s lieutenant still has her cat - an intolerable situation, and wants her to find a suit of armor that changes appearance based on the wearer.  Between avoiding mercenaries and navigating the world of supernatural politics, the likelihood of Owl dying is pretty high.  At least she gets her cat back.

I’m impressed.  Like Indiana Jones, Owl is quite adept at narrow escapes in dangerous situations.  This novel has a large number of great action sequences, but that doesn't mean it is lacking plot.  I also liked its unique approach to the supernatural.  And of course Captain - how cool is it to have a cat that not only senses vampires but also intimidates them.  My only quibble is the title. I kept wondering when the Electric Samurai would show up. (The Electric Samurai doesn't come into play until the end.  It’s what Owl terms the magic armor.) I look forward to seeing what comes next.

4 / 5

I received a copy of Owl and the Electric Samurai from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

--Crittermom

Hmmm, not sure what to say. First off, this is the third book in the series, there is absolutely no recap for those of us joining at this point. I have no idea why Alix is called Owl, NOT A CLUE.

Alix is a human, former archaeology student and antiquities hunter (some say thief). She works for a Dragon Mr Kurosawa and his Naga assistant Lady Siyu. She also participates in an online game called World Quest which appears to have some magical link to reality. Although Alix comes across as one of the good guys she appears to be almost universally loathed by most characters who believe her to be untrustworthy and a chaos magnet - maybe that was explained in the previous books. Alix has a cat with special powers, including detection of vampires, and her sort of boyfriend is an incubus.

The International Archaeology Association (IAA) is responsible for keeping all things supernatural under wraps but it appears as though it has become obsessed with its own importance and become a force for evil. The IAA is trying to force Alix to find the two creators of World Quest who have disappeared (although they are still contactable through the game), Alix is trying to find them to warn them about the IAA but the IAA is getting aggresive and trying to force Alix's hand. In addition, Alix's employer Mr Kurosawa has taken a contract from the Elves for Alix to find a mythical suit of armour which gives the wearer super powers.

I enjoyed this book but I found it frustrating that the author felt no need to give some back story, other than an off-hand comment about stealing a magic book for an Elf previously or one of the vampires trying to kill her. I know this is the third book but I expect even readers who have read the previous two books might need some reminder of what happened previously and why Alix is so heartily disliked.

The book ranges far and wide through history and across the world. One minute we are in the Japanese Circus Casino in Las Vegas, then Nepal then Shangri La. The pace is fast and engaging and I will definitely read the previous books to see whether that makes anything clearer.

I've rated this three stars - maybe it would have been higher if I had known what was going on!

The third book in The Adventures of Owl is, in a word, the most significant entry in the series to date. So much of what's been hinted and teased comes to the forefront here with a story that offers up equal measures of character building, world building, and plot development. Kristi Charish has really upped the ante here, and it pays off.

The first thing you'll notice about Owl and the Electric Samurai is that it is neither as frantic nor as fun as its predecessors. This is a slower, more deliberate tale, and one that carries a heavy weight in terms of its stakes for all involved. For that reason, it's also neither as friendly nor as romantic. Sure, the usual cast of supporting characters is there, namely Rynn and Carpe, but there is an emotional distance between them all that is borne out of fear, paranoia, and desperation.

Not only does Owl have lingering tensions with Lady Siyu to deal with, but International Archaeology Association (IAA) is playing hardball, the elves have put her in an impossible position, and the cursed (possibly sentient) armor know as the Electric Samurai has placed its own claim on our heroine. Placed in an impossible situation, it seems as if any action she takes to deal with one issue only increases the pressure of the others.

In terms of world-building, Owl and the Electric Samurai has a lot to offer. We get insights into Rynn's past, as well as his history with the elves; we learn more about supernatural politics than you'd ever imagine possible; and we get some significant revelations about World Quest and its creators. Readers who have been waiting for answers will find many of them here but, of course, they will also find new - and often bigger - questions as a result. The real-life archaeological set-pieces are a bit simpler this time around, but they are balanced with the fantastical details of Shangri-La. Heavy the story may be, full of plots and threats around every corner, but Charish never loses her ability to astound.

The climax here is everything fans could hope for, but it comes at a steep price. There are hard choices and real threats in the final chapters, all leading up to a major development for one character, and an even bigger cliff-hanger. Owl and the Electric Samurai may promise a lot, juggling all its myriad conflicts, but it also delivers. This volume feels like a real game-changer, and I suspect the upcoming Owl and the Tiger Thieves will take things even further.

Everyone’s favourite snarky, disaster-prone archaeologist-turned-thief is back with a vengeance in OWL AND THE ELECTRIC SAMURAI, the third Owl adventure. Although it wasn’t my favourite instalment in the series, this book is a definite game-changer that delivers much needed answers about the forces working against Alix, Rynn, and Nadia.

Alix Hiboux, better known as infamous antiquities thief Owl, has been through a lot in the past few months – and it shows. Sure, she’s still as pigheaded an argumentative as she ever was, but Alix is also clearly more aware of how her actions impact the people around her…and she’s learned firsthand about the consequences of getting in the middle of supernatural business. As the stakes become higher and higher, Alix is forced to take her work more seriously. Her current job? Locating a magical suit of armour nicknamed the Electric Samurai for a shady third party. But what exactly do they want with the ancient weapon? And what does the fabled land of Shangri La have to do with it?

OWL AND THE ELECTRIC SAMURAI marks a major shift in the overall tone of the series, as the narration becomes decidedly less playful. Plagued by paranoia and constantly questioning the motivations of those around her, Alix is barely one step ahead of the International Archaeology Association (IAA), the elves, and the vampires. The plot is tighter and more focused than the previous books in the series, which is a point in its favour. Fans of action adventure stories will find a lot to love here, I think. But there’s also less of the fun and funny rapport between Alix and her friends that I consider a hallmark of the series and I found myself missing it quite a lot. It didn’t help that Nadia was separated from the group for the entire story and is only present in phone calls and emails.

While I wasn’t a huge fan of the change in tone, there’s one thing in this series that certainly has changed for the better: Alix herself. Her character development has been slow and sometimes painful, but that’s just made the results that much sweeter. In OWL AND THE ELECTRIC SAMURAI, Alix is more open with her boyfriend Rynn, more trusting of her friends, and more forgiving of her former enemies. This is good character growth, people! If only Rynn would loosen up and follow suit. Was anyone else bothered by his preachy, holier-than-thou attitude? Dude needs to unclench, just saying.

As always, Owl and co. adventure to all sorts of locales known for their ancient artifacts and we get to learn a lot about the various supernatural types in Tibet and Nepal on the hunt for the Electric Samurai. Elven culture, vampire politics, and a potential looming supernatural conflict are all expanded upon, and the goals of the IAA are finally a bit clearer. We also get a number of great scenes with Lady Siyu, Alix’s Naga nemesis and my personal favourite supporting character. All of these reveals play a role in the climax of the story, and will clearly continue to effect the gang in the coming books. Buckle in, folks – it’s gonna be a wild ride.

Darker and more serious than its predecessors, OWL AND THE ELECTRIC SAMURAI isn’t my favourite instalment in the series, but it does up the ante for our unlikely heroine and her friends. Be prepared for a major cliffhanger, and expect to eagerly anticipate the fourth volume. I know that I am!

One of the things I want to say right off the bat for those who have read the series and are eagerly anticipating this book: the tone of the book isn’t as light as the previous two books. I don’t see that as a bad thing especially because of the events in this book, but I didn’t want readers to be surprised and not like this book because of it. I enjoyed it more, I think, because of its darker tone. We learn more about the characters, more about the world, and everything comes to a head in this book, things that were started from the very beginning. Lovers of the action aspect won’t be disappointed as this book has its fair share. Yes, this has a cliff-hanger and I personally can’t wait to read more in the series. All-in-all, I really enjoyed this well-written, wonderfully plotted, great book. If you like this series so far, you will love this one! If you haven’t read the other ones, you really need to start at the beginning. Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books for the e-book which I voluntarily reviewed. This exact review will be posted on both Amazon and Goodreads.

I had the first two books of this series on my kindle in my TBR. So I just binged and read the whole series. So good! And now I'm hoping I don't have to wait too long for the next one! This is a great UF series, and for me the history that is included is fascinating. I love Owl. She is a great heroine, flawed, but with her own unshakable moral compass. She reminds me a bit of early Anita Blake. But the quests in this series are far better. They are more involved and intricate, and,rely heavily on brain as well as brawn. I'm so glad I finally dove into this series, and can't,wait for the next!

Hard to say what I love most about this series--the fast pace, the real information that meshes so well with the fictional details, the humor--maybe everything. The plot is improbable, but fun. The characters are over the top, but fun and almost believable. Great escape reading!.

Thanks Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and netgalley for this ARC.

Kristi Charish knows how to keep her audience happy and enthralled with this series. Owl throws down with the best out there. I love the chemistry between Owl and boyfriend/bodyguard. This adventure is out of this world, and the cliffhanger leaves us reeling with alarm and excitement

Owl is in the hot seat again. The IAA (International Archaeology Association) wants the designers of World Quest (an online video game) and mercenaries have been hired to find them and remove any obstacle in their way…Owl’s in the way. While the elves have made a deal with the dragon and want Owl to find an ancient suit of armor. And if that wasn’t enough, Owl is tap dancing her way around the dragon’s person assistant and Naga that has taken Owl’s cat hostage.

Charish brings the quirky Owl back into our lives with OWL AND THE ELECTRIC SAMURAI.

I found this installment a little more serious then previous novels. Don't get me wrong, Owl still has the that spunky attitude we've come to expect but the overall tone is much more subdued. It seems that Owl is finally taking what is at stake more seriously. Some character growth but I feel its time for more.

Enjoyable, easy, entertaining and chuck full of adventure.

I received this ARC copy of Owl and the Electric Samurai from Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books - Pocket Star. This book is set for publication May 8, 2017.

My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Kristi Charish
Series: The Owl Series (Book 3)
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication Date: May 8, 2017
ISBN-10: 1501139738
ISBN-13: 978-1501139734
Genre: Urban Fantasy

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The Adventures of Owl is a favorite urban fantasy series of mine. I quite enjoy reading about Alix "Owl" Hiboux adventures.

In this, the third book is she both trying to find the creators of World Quest, the online RPG she loves and at the same time is she "hired" (let's say the dragon she works for is quite adamant that she should locate it) to find the Electric Samurai, a mystical armor that binds itself to whoever wears it. The problem is that it has been centuries since the last wearer died, and no one knows where he is buried. But, Owl is quite famous when it comes to finding things, so together with her boyfriend Rynn and her RPG partner and once friend Carpe, and her beloved cat Captain will she try to find this armor.

I think that this is probably so far the best book in the series, the hunt for the Electric Samurai armor was thrilling and as a BIG Indiana Jones fan do I love books that combine archaeology with a lot of action. And, adding the famous legendary lost city of Shangri-La to the mix was a brilliant move by Charish. Could it really be that the creators of World Quest are hiding there? And, if they are, how to get there? Also, I really like Carpe, but he has to stop being such an idiot.

It's hard to write this review without giving too much away, so I will just end the review by saying that I think Kristi Charish has surpassed herself with this book, the last part is fabulous with a fantastic cliffhanger that makes me eager to get my hands on the next book!

Electric Samurai isn't as crazy fun as the first two books in the series. I would occasionally wonder if the first two books really made sense. Samurai is much more linear, and while the story features supernaturals and the mythical (?) location of Shangri-La, it is a conventional bad guys are after something powerful and willing to wipe out anyone in their way type of story.

I actually put Samurai down and read another book then went back to it. I never would have done that with the first book in this series which got a 5 star review from me. That said, Samurai is still a good urban fantasy read. There's still lots of historical and archaeological bits and globe trekking. Some of Alix's World Quest "friends" get some serious page time.

Some may really howl at the cliffhanger ending with more than one thread not tied up, but it didn't really bother me. The fact that I was able to put the book down and read another shows that I wasn't full invested in the story, not to say I don't want to know how, hopefully, it resolves ok.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.