Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
We’ve made it to the semi-finals in the sixth annual Alpha Showdown. We’ve had some intense battles, and some big surprises already. Want to know the current wins/losses? Take a look at the bracket!
It’s about to get really vicious in here. Raphael managed to take out our favorite elemental assassin Gin Blanco, and Kate Daniels bested Naasir. Now Kate will take on another Guild Hunter. Can she overcome the power of the archangel? Will he flaunt his might again?
Your votes will decide!
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 him from: Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh
First appeared in: Angels’ Blood (Amazon
Supernatural status: Archangel
Championed by: Jo from Wicked Lil Pixie | @kindlejo_jo
Can we just start by saying: ARCHANGEL <– Hello! Born of two powerful archangels, Raphael’s rise to power was the stuff of legends. He doesn’t just lead a small band of vampires or a group of shape shifters like you’d find in your run of the mill paranormal/urban fantasy.
Nope—Raphael creates vampires, commands angels, and rules over all of North America. He inspires such loyalty that the other archangels in the Cadre of Ten both covet and fear his “Seven,” warriors that willingly give their allegiance to Raphael and are bad ass enough that more than one of them have been in this same showdown. <- Let that sink in for just a minute, his subordinates are that bad ass, and they respect and follow HIM.
Raphael is physical perfection, so physically and mentally powerful that he has to temper himself when dealing with almost any other being on the planet, and wicked smart making him the total alpha package. *wink wink* Raphael is as alpha as they come. He is ruthless without being overtly cruel, he is intimidating but fair, and best of all he’s willing to have a little fun. He takes calculated risks but never unnecessary ones.
A true leader, Raphael allows those around him to do what they do best which means he and his territory come out for the better from each altercation. All that before he allowed Elena into his heart and made her an angel. MADE HER AN ANGEL. I mean, yeah—biting your lady love and changing her into a vampire or a shape shifter is cool and all, but it isn’t anything new. An angel though, with wings and everything? Yeah, that’s much higher on the Alpha scale than blood sucker or sometimes wolf.
All joking aside, as the Guild Hunter series progresses, so does our archangel. He has become somewhat tempered with Elena’s humanity without losing his edge or his calculating efficiency.
“But it is legend that ambrosia only rises when—”
She held her breath.
“—an archangel loves true.”
The world stopped. The air particles seemed to still above her, the molecules suspended as she stared at the magnificence of the man who held her in his arms. “Maybe I was just biologically compatible.” It came out a ragged whisper.
“Perhaps.” The possession of lips against her neck. “We have eternity to discover the truth. And in that eternity, you will be mine.”~Raphael and Elena in Angels’ Blood
You know her from: The Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews
First appeared in: Magic Bites (VBC Review | Amazon
Supernatural status: Your guess is as good as mine. Can we just say badass?
Championed by: Amy from VBC
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say most of you are already familiar with Kate Daniels. She’s been one of the staples of the annual Alpha Showdown since its inception in 2011.
Kate began the series trying to project herself as that of a lowly merc. Hiding does no good because it’s clear very early on that she’s packing some whopping power. With her predilection for finding trouble in all its forms, Kate has had plenty of opportunities over the course of the series to flex her muscles—both with her unmatched ability with her sword, and with her inherent knowledge of magic.
Kate has faced Gods, demi-gods, vampires, mages, legendary creatures, shifters gone loup, egotistical warlords, plus her own maniacal father—just to name a few. She’s come out on top each time not only because she’s a skilled fighter, but because she has the knowledge and understanding of so many religions and mythologies, and she uses that knowledge in cunning ways to thwart her enemies time and time and time again.
Putting all that aside, though, this is the year for the first ever female Alpha Showdown winner. No one deserves that title more than Kate Daniels.
Now for some facts*:
Kate Daniels has made it farther in the competition than any other female contestant.
Not only is she the most nominated female, she’s also one of the most nominated competitors in general for the competition (male or female).
Besides Kate, only Kate’s honey-bunny, Ethan Sullivan, and Bones have been nominated as many times. And out of these Kate has bested both Curran and Bones in past years (Kate has yet to be put up against Darth Sullivan, but I’m confident that if that comes to pass she’ll wipe the floor with him too).
You, dear fans, have made the effort to vote Kate Daniels into the competition year after year and now is your chance to crown her the 2016 Alpha Showdown Champion!
When the time comes click Vote: Kate Daniels.
*All research was done by yours truly, any errors are my fault.
Who are you putting your money on: Raphael or Kate?
At the request of Alpha Showdown voters, we’re leveraging traditional polls for the voting, but also keeping reading for your chance to win awesome books. Your to-be-read pile could always use more. Trust us. Each poll will be open for 48 hours.
Participating in the Alpha Showdown is all about fun, and free books equal fun, right? We hope you’ll find lots of great new reads during this year’s Alpha Showdown, and to help that along, we’re giving away some stellar reads.
For Round 12, we’re going to make sure you have discovered the Devil’s Isle series by Chloe Neill. One lucky reader will win a copy of The Veil (VBC review).
1st go Kate.
Go Kate!!!
Kate all the way, while I like Raphael he was a major arrogant prick in the first book. I actually prefer the Raphael in Kate Daniels world better.
Go Kate!!
I know kate will win but I’m still voting Raphael!
KAAATTEE!!!
Raphael!!! I don’t know anything about Kate but I know that Raphael kicks major butt on his worse day just ask Elena and his Seven.
Kate, obviously. Hands down win!
Kate all the way. Go girl!
Oh, I think Raphael is badass but I’m pretty sure that Kate measures up to him. Besides, Girl Power all the way. KATE!
this one was hardest but i go with teh one i liked for the longest go kate!
I’m voting for Raphael only because I’ve read the series…but it would be really cool if Kate won too! We need a female alpha winner!!
Kate can control vampires. Raphael is badass but no match against Kate. Kate to the end!
Both are very strong but I like Kate more AND I think she could take him in a fight
Kate all the way for the win!
Love’em both, but it’s Kate all the way for me.
Kate Kate Kate!!!
Kate
It’s Kate all the way!
As much as I like Raphael I know Kate can take him any day! So Go Kate!
Everyone’s delusional if they really think Kate could ever possibly HOPE to stand a chance against Raphael. He’s an immortal archangel, she would be dead in seconds!!!
Raphael
Kate, without a shadow of a doubt! And I agree with what someone has already said: Ilona’s Raphael is much better.
Kate! She’s got this in the bag
Kate!
i love angels with a attitude and raphael has one!!!!
I voted for Raphael
Raphael without a doubt. If people want a female alpha to win so much, why was Gin Bianco eliminated in the first round. And lets be realistic here, there’s no doubt in my mind that Raphael would kick Kate’s ass, I mean c’mon, yes she’s tough and yes it would be nice to have a female alpha win the showdown but this is an IMMORTAL ARCHANGEL were talking about. She wouldn’t have a chance against him.
I love both Raphael and Kate. Most I choose Kate this time i take Raphael
I’m going for kate this time around
Holy hell this is impossible!!
Going with Raphi, he deserves to go far this time.
This is a tough one, but GO RAPHAEL!!Immortal Archangel that makes vampires and controls minds. Kate’s blood magic won’t stand a chance if she doesn’t get a chance to use it 😉
Love them both but have to choose Raphael!
One of the first Fantasy novels I ever read was from Ilona Andrews. I have to stick with Kate.
Raphael 🙂
Kate all the way!
Kate!!
It’s Kate :).
oooh another good battle but Katie all the way!!
Kate!
This feels a little like blasphemy as Kate is generally my all time favorite kick ass heroine but Raphael is such a good alpha. Archangel or demigod? This is the most difficult choice for me so far.
Good match up but Raphael gets my vote!
Worst choice yet. Kate is my girl but I love Rapheal.
Go Kate!!!
Kate! I’m heartbroken that Mercy didn’t win her round, GAH!!
Kate all the way !
Go Kate!!!
Raphael may be “all that”, but Kate is my choice, hands down!
KATE ALL THE WAY! THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
Kate hands down