Update: Only 100 votes separated these two in the end, but like the unknown beast he is Barrons came out on top.
Two ultimate leaders are pit against each other in this round of the Alpha Showdown.
They’re also both big-time favorites and frequent faces on book boyfriend lists everywhere.
But we’re mean, so we’re going to make you pick: Acheron or Barrons?
We’ve lined up great bloggers to explain why each alpha deserves to advance. Read the pitches, and then make the call.
You know him from: The Dark-Hunter Universe by Sherrilyn Kenyon (The Dark-Hunter series, The Chronicles of Nick series)
First appeared in: Fantasy Lover (VBC Review | Amazon)
Supernatural status: The first Dark-Hunter and more
Championed by: Jill from Vampire Book Club
I wish that I could fully tell you why Acheron (or Ash to his friends) is the biggest, badness, most awesome Alpha out there; unfortunately, I don’t like spoilers, so I won’t ruin it for you. Suffice it to say that it takes fourteen wonderful, totally-worth-it books for the author to *finally* tell us Ash’s story. (The wait is so worth it.)
We first meet Ash through the Dark-Hunter series as the mentor who first trains a new Dark-Hunter, telling them their purpose and the rules in the Code of Conduct. He’s the first Dark-Hunter that the goddess, Artemis, created and he’s eleven thousand years old. They say that since he was the first Dark-Hunter made, that the gods didn’t quiet get the conversion correct, and this left Ash with some “strange side effects.” We learn, however, that this isn’t quite the case, and Ash has a tragic, terrible history that makes his determination to save humanity simply awe-inspiring.
He’s described as having mesmerizing eyes, with colors that swirl. He stands over six feet tall, usually dressed in all black, always with sunglasses on to protect his sensitive, Dark-Hunter eyes. His hair changes color constantly from lime-green to plum purple. Women are literally stopped in their tracks when he’s around, grabbed by his presence and held hostage until he releases them. Kenyon says it best in Seize the Night;
“He held an aura that was dangerous and wild; and by his slow, languorous moves, it was obvious that he would be incredible in bed. It was something you knew intrinsically when you saw him and it rippled through your body like hot, seductive chocolate…He wore his long black hair loose and flowing around his shoulders. It was a perfect drape for a face that was eerily pretty and yet wholly masculine. Flawless. There was something about Ash that made every hormone in her body stand up and pant for more.”
Ash can obliterate you with a thought, and yet, is one of the most gentle, kind male characters around. He would never, ever turn his back on anyone in trouble, or that needed his help, no matter how insignificant the character is to the “big picture.” Which after eleven thousand years is truly remarkable, and admirable.
So, not only is Ash the kind of guy that you would totally date, and bring home to mom, but he’s a hero. A guy that kept getting kicked down by Fate, and refused to give up, or to turn to darkness. The kind of strength needed to simply remain “good” in the face of all that he has endured, is definitely worthy of Alpha status. He has had to organize, control, and maintain the network that helps the Dark-Hunters fight the Daimons from killing humans. Which includes wrangling all the stubborn, rude, egotistical, powerful, and damaged Dark-Hunters into a cohesive working unit.
Ash is powerful, compassionate, intelligent, and honorable, not to mention sexy, dark, and mysterious. He definitely deserves your vote for Alpha status!
You know him from: The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning
First appeared in: Darkfever (VBC Review | Red Hot Books Review | Amazon)
Supernatural status: No One Knows
Championed by: Jen at Red Hot Books | @RedHotBooks
It’s been years since I have had the chance to get down and dirty with Jericho Barrons. Years. But time hasn’t dulled the memory. He is not a man you could ever forget. Maybe it’s the barely restrained animal in him. Maybe it’s the tightly controlled violence. More likely, it is the way that he oozes sex. Dominance. Strength.
Barrons is a unique blend of primal and polished. His veneer is slick and civilized. But underneath, you know he would probably be just as comfortable doing it in the dirt as he would be a top silk sheets. Hell, he’d like it better.
Barrons uses whatever is at his disposal to get what he wants. His mind, his experience, and his body are all weapons—to intimidate, to seduce, or to destroy at will. Skilled in the Druid arts, he can bend your mind to his control. That’s if his sex appeal doesn’t do the trick. The dark hair, golden skin and strong, chiseled features are likely to make you weak in the knees long before he needs to use The Voice.
His beast form is a creature so base and raw, there isn’t even a name for it. But you want to know him anyway. You want to put your hands on him. You want to fuck him. And you know it will be the best you’ve ever had.
He’s not perfect, but that’s not what Alpha means. It’s not about gentle and sweet; or pretty words and poetry. It’s about all those things that may make you uncomfortable even as they turn you on. It’s about power and knowing what to do with it. Jericho Barrons definitely knows what to do with it. Whether it’s love or war, he is sure to come out on top.
WINNER – BARRONS
Who will continue in the Alpha Showdown?
Only votes submitted via the Rafflecopter form below will be counted. This means your vote is tied to your email address. It also means we’re giving away something awesome.
For Round 12, we’re giving away a copy of Jeaniene Frost’s Once Burned. This contest is open internationally, provided The Book Depository ships to your location.
You can get additional entries into the contest by tweeting, following and the like, but your vote is still only counted once.
JZB
Always Barron’s!!
ACHERON YAYAYAY
Barrons boohoo sorry buddy you loose.!!!!
I think this might have been the hardest yet! I gave my vote to Ash though it was very very close!!
Barrons
I went with Barrons on this one, mainly because I miss him. I think they would be pretty evenly matched though. Ash may be more powerful over all, but seeing how Barrons will just respawn, I think they would be fighting for a while.
I voted for Barron’s, can’t get more bad-ass then that, plus I haven’t yet read the Dark Hunter series…
Idk who Barron’s is as I have not read the series now I will but I’m sorry out of ALL the series I have read , believe me there are thousands no exaggeration,My all time never to be beaten always and forever is ASH. You just can’t top his royal God but daimon slaying finest ever @$$.
Awe Dawn you ROCK!!
They both are awesome but Barrons is the definition of Alpha
JZB of course!!
I’m voting for Acheron. He is a god after all 🙂
Acheron
Acheron – I still think Jerico Barrons is a huge Asshat.
ROFL Hornays off Judy!! Too freaking funnies
Ash all the way. No competition.
I voted for Jericho of course 🙂
ACHERON
I don’t think I can improve on Jill’s description of Ash’s alpha awesomeness; she hit it pretty much on the head – well done, Jill! I can add though that of all the paranormal characters I’ve read (a lot) Ash is the most complex, IMO. So, well done Sherrilyn! I guess you’ve all figured out by now that my choice is ASH?
WOO HOO!
=D Thanks. It was really hard to encompass all the awesomeness that is Ash in just a few paragraphs =p
Has to be Ash. He stole my heart t he first time I met the guy in the Dark Hunter series and loved his attitude.
BARRONS, hands down! He wouldn’t let anyone, especially a goddess like Artemis, make a b*!@$ out of him. JZB is the ultimate alpha!
Hard choice – but have to vote for Barrons.
Barrons
Ash all the way!!!
JZB
Ash all the way baby!!
Acheron!!! All the way… the ultimate BB!!!
Love both of them, voted for Barrons though!
Absolutely Acheron!
Barronn all the way!!!!!!
Barrons. I’ll havre to check out these books!
Barrons hands down!
Barrons. I’ll have to read this other book.
It’ll always be Barrons. No one is hotter than Barrons….
This was a really tough choice for me— but in the end Atlantean god Acheron has my vote (altough I love JZB as well)…
“God Said: Let there be light!
I said: Say please.” ~Jericho Z. Barrons
Barrons, the first Alpha
I love this comment 😀
Haha !! Me too !!
JZB of course
Yup. I like Ash, but he’s no match for Barrons!
Barrons
BARRONS!! 🙂
Acheron
Definitely Barrons!
so freaking hard to choose, but I had to go with Ash because through the series, you see so much more character development and Acheron (the novel) was such a gut wrenching, emotional ride that I could only read it the once, though there are scenes I re-read just because they make me smile…Similicious!!
Awe THANK YOU Lisa!!
Wow- and my comment was one long ramble. My apologies. I’m a middle school teacher and this is the second to the last day of school.
Acheron
Jericho
I had to vote for Ash….takes a true man to show love to others when he has known mostly Hell
I adore Jericho but its gotta be Acheron.
I adore Jericho but its gotta be Ash
Barrons will always be my alpha.
I love Acheron but God help me I am obsessed with Jericho Barrons my book husband, Ash is so humble were Barrons is just well the supreme Alpha
I had to pick Ash….only a true man can choose to spend his life helping others…when his own life has been nothing but Hell…sorry but that is true strength!
Thanks!!