Yesterday we kicked of the fifth annual Alpha Showdown by pitting mage against assassin. Today we’re bringing two alphas you would not want to mess with into the battle.
Skinwalker and general badass Jane Yellowrock from Faith Hunter’s series is taking on the mysterious ass-kicker Jericho Z. Barrons from Karen Marie Moning’s Fever novels. He’s won the Alpha Showdown before, but Jane’s fans came out in force for the nominations. Who will claim victory?
We’ve lined up excellent bloggers to fill you in on why each alpha deserves to advance. Read the pitches, and then make the call.
You know her from: The Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter
First appeared in: Skinwalker (VBC Review | Amazon)
Supernatural status: Skinwalker, vampire hunter, and all around badass
Championed by: Laura from Little Read Riding Hood | @littleread1 | Facebook | Instagram
In the most recent installment in the Jane Yellowrock series, Dark Heir, we learn a lot more about what makes Jane an Alpha, but for me, it has never been in question. You see, Jane is a Skinwalker—a Native American who can change into any animal that she has the DNA for, and she shows us time and again how useful that can be. From bloodhound to owl, to her preferred form, mountain lion. But Jane is unique, even among Skinwalkers—through a bit of chance and magic, she shares her body and mind WITH a mountain lion, affectionately known as Beast. Beast is awesome, and one of my favorite characters in the entire series. But I digress …
Being Skinwalker along with having Beast with her, Jane is much, much faster, stronger, and heals quicker than an average human. She has used all of that to defeat vampires that should have beaten her, demons that shouldn’t even exist, “light dragons” that no one knew existed, and many, many, MANY other big bad uglies in her time. Even as powerful as she is, she uses her strength sparingly. She doesn’t kill unless she has to, and would much rather subdue an opponent, knowing that many of the baddies she fights will respect her more than if she just killed everyone. Which she could and they know it.
Jane has learned from Beast, and Beast from Jane, making them more than the sum of their separate parts. Beast learns from Jane that not everything is as black and white as “Prey” and “Not Prey”, and Jane learns from Beast that sometimes … it is just that simple. They were on their own for a long, LONG time, but as the series progresses they get friends and family—that Jane will protect and save and rescue, even if she thinks she will lose.
Being an Alpha is not always about being the best ALL THE TIME. It is about protecting those less able to care for themselves, whether they like it or not, whether the odds are against you or not, and not being cowed by the other “Alphas” in your territory—no matter how big and bad they are. It isn’t about not being afraid, it is about what you DO in the face of that fear. In spite of that fear.
Here, in Round 1, I imagine Jane has a healthy dose of fear. Barrons is no on to sneeze at. But because of that fear she will be cautious. Barrons is too cocky for his own good, and his confidence will make him sloppy. Beast is a patient hunter, and will share her strength, speed, and courage with Jane against Barrons. Here Beast will find a worthy predator, and together she and Jane will no doubt prevail.
You know him from: Fever series by Karen Marie Moning
First appeared in: Darkfever (VBC Review | Amazon)
Supernatural status: Other
Championed by: Jannelle from VBC | @JannelleReads
Barrons is not just an alpha—he is the alpha. His presence demands attention and subservience in the most primal of ways. His visceral nature is understood by every species in our beloved paranormal worlds as he is all about the primitive dominance of every one and every thing. For my fellow fans of the Fever series, you will know that Barrons is not a man of words, but a man of action. And if you’re not familiar with the series, well, now you know. Barrons gets things done, and if that means getting down and dirty, then he will be more than happy to do so.
You see, Barrons is the proverbial bad boy. Except that unlike every other bad boy cliché, there’s no hope of turning him good. He’s wild and dangerous, transforming that raw energy into the best kind—the sex kind. Barrons’ sexual magnetism is woven through every stance, word and gesture. It fills up the space around him and presses up against you until you can’t breathe without want of it.
But best of all? Barrons is honest, and (like the rest of you) I can appreciate that. While I’m not one for quotes, I think Barrons might be able to explain himself better than I could:
“I’m not the hero, Mac. Never have been. Never will be. Let us be perfectly clear: I’m not the antihero, either, so quit waiting to discover my hidden potential. There’s nothing to redeem me.” – Shadowfever
Whichever of his forms he is in—beast or… “Human”—you are experiencing an alpha male. There is no doubt that by voting for Barrons, you are voting for the winner of this Alpha Showdown because he always comes back.
Who are you putting your money on: the skinwalker or the mysterious badass?
At the request of last year’s voters, we’re going back to traditional polls for the voting, but keep reading for your chance to win awesome books. Your to-be-read pile could always use more. Trust us.
Participating in the Alpha Showdown is all about fun, and free books totally lead to fun, right? We hope you’ll find lots of great new reads during the Showdown, and to help that along, we’re giving away some stellar reads.
With Round 2 we will be giving away a copy of Nicole Peeler’s Jinn and Juice. The VBC team liked this one, and we expect you will, too. Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter.
Love Jane and Beast! Jericho gives me the creeps.
Barrons is one of the ultimate Alphas ever!
Barrons all the way!!
I love Jane and as we know, she, so far, cannot be killed……think it is about time to give these Alpha women some love so my vote goes to Jane Yellowrock and Beast!
Barrons is alpha to the core and no matter what happens to him, he always comes back. He loves Mac, it is his only soft spot but he uses it to strengthen himself.
I haven’t read any of the books, but based on the wonderful descriptions, I believe Jericho is all muscle with no wit, while Jane has the mind of two, which, hopefully, makes her smarter. So, Jane it is.
Jericho is actually extremely smart. He owns a book store and is extremely crafty. You should give the books a try if you have the time =)
Barrons all the way!!!
JZB all the way
I don’t know ether one but i’d like to start the series with Jane Yellowrock so I voted for her :p
Barron’s ……
Love Jane Yellowrick!
ok, that was difficult but i’ll go with barrons!
That was a tough one love Jane/beast but JZB is definitely ultimate alpha
Love them both! Two of my favorite series
Daggoneit! Lol. Who to choose? I want Jane, but I think Barrons would win. Hate my comment.
Definitely Jane all the way.
Neither are my personal favorites, but I’m going with Jane all the way!
So hard for me to vote for either one cause I love them both but Jane just squeaked it out
Jane/Beast are top alpha in my book, especially because Jane has heart, as well as power. She carries herself gracefully, although she thinks she’s clunky, and Beast powers and shares her inner being creating one of the most fascinating characters I’ve known in books for a very long time.
JANE FOR SURE!!!!!
I have yet to read any of these books but I have to go with the female Alpha so Jane all the way!!! Now I wonder what is the better series to read or listen to next would be?
Barrons all the way!
Jane & Beast rule
Jane 🙂 just cuz she and Beast are so fierce! Thanks for sharing!
Love me some JZB!! So fun 🙂
I’ve read and loved both series. But Jane is the more approachable alpha, because Barrons is a comparative cypher. We know Jane’s heart. But Barrons’ is mysterious; it’s just part of his nature (because he’s been alone so long?). That makes him harder to really know. So for me, it’s Jane FTW!
Barrons makes my heart swell, i would happily be his love slave, I LOVE YOU BARRONS!!!!
Barrons all the way!!!!!! May rhe best alpha (*ahem* Barrons) win!!!!!
BARRONS CAN NOT BE MATCHED!!!
BARRONS ALL THE WAY