Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
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.
Go Barrons!! Sexy beast of a man.
Can’t wait to see who wins!
Let the battle begin
I could never really get into the Jane Yellowrock series, I enjoyed the first one but lost interest early in the second one and never went back.
Having said that, its JZB all the way in any event
There’s no contest! Barrons all the way!
vote for jane
Voted for Jane.
I love the Jane Yellowrock series! Every book in the series just gets better and better.
Go Jane!!!
You don’t have to be male to be an Alpha!!!!!
I totally just voted for Jane Yellowrock because I am quite possibly am the only person on the planet who hated the Fever serious and thought Barrons was a colossal douchecanoe.
You are not alone. I liked the series but was never in Barrons fan club.
The Fever series was okay, but Jane rocks! She’s managed to beat other large, supposedly immortal jerks; I think she could take Barrons.
You’re not the only one. I never liked Barrons.
Barrons FTW! I didn’t think I could love him more.. and then Burned came along and proved me wrong.
Barrons
Come on Jane Yellowrock!!!
I voted for Jane Yellowrock.
Jane Yellowrock is one of the best series of books I have read. Strong, intelligent, vital and unique – Jane is the ultimate Alpha!
Alphas protect their own. Alphas command respect because they have earned it. Jane Yellowrock is the ultimate Alpha. Great series!
Barrons.
No contest whatsoever Barrons has my vote! Always.
Who to chose when they both rock big time , And Jane got extra points for being Female sorry Barrons you rock also you stud muffin you…
Jane all the way! I love how she has grown as a character and her little family she has gathered.
Jane all the way!
I can’t believe I’m saying this but I vote for Jane. JZB has had his time being alpha. I want someone new to win.
If I can’t have Reyes, I’ll take Barrons!!
To be honest, I haven’t read the Jane Yellowrock series, but i voted for her because, even though I like Barrons a lot, Barrons had his victory in one of the previous showdowns.
I think Jane stands a very good chance in a competion – she can stop time, shift faster than Barrons and heals much faster from injury….c’mon Jane/Beast fans!
That’s a tough one, but I’ll bet on my girl, Jane!
Me too!
Love this contest
Voted for Jane.
Yay!
Does killing to first but not final death count? Because in that case, my girl got this.
It’s never a fair fight when the opponent can’t die true death 😉
Good one Karey!
Barrons, nuf said 😉
Gooooo Jane!
Jericho
Jane Yellowrock! I love this series! She kicks butt, does what’s required to protect the innocent, and is fiercely loyal to her family!
Sorry Jane. Vote Barrons
I mean its not even close…. this quote from Jannelle sums it up: Barrons is not just an alpha—he is the alpha.
Go, Jane! She actually cares about humans, unlike Barrons. She will fight for us! And, if she is on the point of death, she will shift into her Beast form and heal quickly, instead of having to make her way back from whatever realm it is that Barrons comes back to life in.
Jane.
Nothing else needs to be said.
Just Jane.
Barrons is the Ultimate Alpha. No matter what, he will always get my vote.
I love both, but Janie gets my vote.
Barrons!
GO JANE YELLOWROCK! Barrons is a jerk!
Love Barrons!
JBZ, just give him the belt.
Come on Jane/Beast show them what your made of.
Go Jane!!!
This was hard because I adore Jane and am all about girl power but Barrons is, well, Barrons!
This made me nauseous. I had to pick between my 2 favorites. I had to go with Jane all the way.
Fingers crossed for Barrons
Barrons is the ultimate alpha.
Jane kicks arse!