logo

Alpha Showdown 2014 Round 12: Acheron vs. Jericho Z. Barrons

logo

VBC: Home of Alpha Showdown

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.

ACHERON PARTHENOPAEUS

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

Acheron by Sherrilyn KenyonI 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!

JERICHO Z. BARRONSDarkfever by Karen Marie Moning

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

VOTE!

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.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

211 Responses to “Alpha Showdown 2014 Round 12: Acheron vs. Jericho Z. Barrons”

  1. Geenakmom says:

    Always Barron’s!!

  2. Lori Jolly says:

    ACHERON YAYAYAY
    Barrons boohoo sorry buddy you loose.!!!!

  3. Joani S says:

    I think this might have been the hardest yet! I gave my vote to Ash though it was very very close!!

  4. Nicole says:

    Barrons

  5. Aimee says:

    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.

  6. Pam Blome says:

    I voted for Barron’s, can’t get more bad-ass then that, plus I haven’t yet read the Dark Hunter series…

  7. dawn durrell- bray says:

    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 @$$.

  8. Stephanie F. says:

    They both are awesome but Barrons is the definition of Alpha

  9. Lacey T says:

    JZB of course!!

  10. ShameinR says:

    I’m voting for Acheron. He is a god after all 🙂

  11. Marianna Cullars says:

    Acheron

  12. Judy-Ree says:

    Acheron – I still think Jerico Barrons is a huge Asshat.

  13. Midnight says:

    Ash all the way. No competition.

  14. Samantha Newbury says:

    I voted for Jericho of course 🙂

  15. Mary Preston says:

    ACHERON

  16. 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?

  17. Dawn Roberto says:

    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.

  18. Maria says:

    BARRONS, hands down! He wouldn’t let anyone, especially a goddess like Artemis, make a b*!@$ out of him. JZB is the ultimate alpha!

  19. DeeAnn K says:

    Hard choice – but have to vote for Barrons.

  20. ChristYLANG says:

    Ash all the way!!!

  21. kristy says:

    JZB

  22. Dania says:

    Ash all the way baby!!

  23. Heather says:

    Acheron!!! All the way… the ultimate BB!!!

  24. Betul E. says:

    Love both of them, voted for Barrons though!

  25. karla says:

    Absolutely Acheron!

  26. sandra tellez says:

    Barronn all the way!!!!!!

  27. Catwomanmsp says:

    Barrons. I’ll havre to check out these books!

  28. Jenese Leon says:

    Barrons hands down!

  29. Catwomanmsp says:

    Barrons. I’ll have to read this other book.

  30. nancy says:

    It’ll always be Barrons. No one is hotter than Barrons….

  31. Theressa Griggs says:

    This was a really tough choice for me— but in the end Atlantean god Acheron has my vote (altough I love JZB as well)…

  32. Lisa says:

    “God Said: Let there be light!
    I said: Say please.” ~Jericho Z. Barrons

    Barrons, the first Alpha

  33. Loraine says:

    JZB of course

  34. Rebecca says:

    Barrons

  35. Rebecca says:

    BARRONS!! 🙂

  36. Viki S. says:

    Acheron

  37. Ana says:

    Definitely Barrons!

  38. Lissa Garcia says:

    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!!

  39. Lissa Garcia says:

    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.

  40. Stephanie says:

    I had to vote for Ash….takes a true man to show love to others when he has known mostly Hell

  41. Nikki Noffsinger says:

    I adore Jericho but its gotta be Acheron.

  42. Nikki Noffsinger says:

    I adore Jericho but its gotta be Ash

  43. Jennifer Sanders says:

    Barrons will always be my alpha.

  44. Debbie Jordan says:

    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

  45. Stephanie says:

    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!

  46. Arianna says:

    Thanks!!

Leave a Reply to Jenese Leon Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

logo
logo
Powered by WordPress | Designed by Elegant Themes
Malcare WordPress Security