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Alpha Showdown 2016 Round 6: Simon Wolfgard vs. Vlad

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VBC: Home of Alpha ShowdownThe Alpha Showdown is underway, and already proving to be a good one. There’s stiff competition this year, just look at the bracket!

Two newer favorites battle it out in Alpha Showdown Round 6 as Anne Bishop’s Simon Wolfgard takes on Jeaniene Frost’s Vlad.

Who will advance in the Alpha Showdown, though?

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.

SIMON WOLFGARD

You know him from: The Others Series by Anne Bishop
First appeared in: Written in Red (VBC Review | Amazon)
Supernatural status: Alpha Wolf Shifter—Leader of the Lakeside Courtyard. Views humans as a food group.

Championed by: Jessie H. aka Rose Red from Goldilox and the Three Weres | @BookishJessi

There are a lot of wolf shapeshifters out there whose bark is definitely worse than their bite. That’s not how it is with Simon Wolfgard. He won’t bark. He’ll bite first and ask questions later. Simon is one of the terre indigene—the “others.” As the wolf Alpha of the Lakeside Courtyard, Simon rules his territory with an iron will and his teeth. He may have learned to live in human skin, but he is not even close to being human. He’s very much a wolf. He looks at the world and its inhabitants through the eyes of a predator and has no qualms with making you disappear if you get in his way. If you piss him off, he will eat you.

Written in Red by Anne Bishop // VBC Readers' Choice for 2013“I’m not some human you can intimidate. And I’m not a pup anymore. You don’t tell me what to do. NO ONE tells me what to do.”

Simon is the ultimate alpha. Strong, commanding, ruthless, and untamed, any attempts to usurp his authority are dealt with swiftly and painfully. He doesn’t like humans, but he will use them in any and all ways in order to make the world a better place for his pack and all the terra indigene in his Courtyard. He demands complete obedience and respect. He needs it. Danger is everywhere. The Others of the Courtyard are scary but they are not the scariest beings in Thasia and Simon acts as a liaison between them and the lesser terra indigene.

“While he waited, he made up the bed, more to discourage Meg from falling back into it than because he wanted to tidy the room. Besides, running his hands over the sheets and breathing in her scent made him happy.”

Once Simon accepts you into the pack, you are pack forever and he will fight to the death to protect you. He may not understand a lot of human emotions and responses like those concerning romance but he understands friendship. He will eviscerate you if you frighten or try to hurt his friends, especially Meg. Unlike some lesser alphas, Simon will never give you reason to question him or yourself. He tells it like it is and you can trust him to never lie, cheat, or give you reason to be jealous. His honesty is both refreshing and a bit disconcerting. Simon will always have your back because once you’re pack…there is no going back.

VLAD

You know him from: the Night Prince series by Jeaniene Frost
First appeared in:
As a side character in At Grave’s End (Night Huntress #3), as the main character in Once Burned (VBC Review | Amazon)
Supernatural status: 
He is the OG vampire

Championed by: Scandal of Scandalicious Book Reviews

Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost (Night Prince #1)In a world of cold, pasty vamps, Vlad Tepesh is hot, like pyrokinesis hot—he can control fire. Vlad is literally smoking hot, all the time. He lights up a room, he’ll burn down the house, I swear, the jokes just write themselves here. Sadly, Vlad would not enjoy my humor at all. He’s so alpha, he scoffs at silly humor. I don’t know that I’ve ever been so intimidated by a character’s masculinity as I am by Vlad Tepesh. Vlad wins the alpha contest because he is, is the epitome of old school badass, in fact, he may have originated the concept of alpha. I think the best way to show you how alpha this guy is to let him tell you himself. He might be smoking hot on the outside but he is stone cold alpha badass on the inside. Vlad learned very early on not to show emotions. Emotions can be used against you but the love of a good woman, makes this Alpha say things, protective, intense things like this…

“I want no misunderstanding between us. I am everything you think I am, but I love your daughter, and what I love, I protect with all of the violence in me, which, as you’ve guessed, is considerable.”

Another quality of a strong alpha is his ability to love, and express his love. Don’t get me wrong, Vlad doesn’t shy away from the evil glares and grunts, but when he feels, he feels it deep and makes all of the ladies swoon.

“When I heard the ghouls coming for you, all I cared about was reaching you in time. How often must I tell you that you mean more to me than vengeance? I can live without defeating my enemies, but I cannot live without you…I love you, which is why I intend to lock you inside the house as soon as we’re home.”

Priorities people, priorities. But hey, if you disagree with my assessment of Vlad’s level of alpha badassery, feel free to take it up with him, I’m sure he has a stake with your name on it. Vlad Tepesh can’t be beat.

 VOTE!

Who are you putting your money on: Simon or Vlad?

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.

WIN!

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 6, we have a copy of The Blood Gospel by James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

47 Responses to “Alpha Showdown 2016 Round 6: Simon Wolfgard vs. Vlad”

  1. Yvonne A. says:

    Vlad 😉

  2. Nicole says:

    Have to go with Vlad!

  3. Maggie says:

    Great chance to win! I love Vlad.

  4. Kamelia says:

    Simon!

  5. Kelsey C. says:

    Love them both, but it has to be Vlad, I just keep picturing Simon being turned into a crispy wolf,and no one wants that.

  6. Susan says:

    I voted for Vlad, of course. I’m also excited to see the free book today! This series of books was great and deserves to be represented here! I hope whoever wins, enjoys the series as much as I did!

  7. Leona says:

    This poll makes me want to cry since these are two of my favorite alphas. The only reason I chose Vlad was because more was revealed about him, and we still don’t know a whole lot about Simon. I’m sorry Simon! I still love you!!

  8. Amanda N says:

    As much as I love Simon, Vlad would have burnt him to a crisp. Sorry Simon.

  9. Zee says:

    Vlad is such an angsty, sad cliche in his own series, especially as it progresses. The Vlad from Night Huntress would win hands down, the Vlad from after.. Not so much.

    I’m with Simon. Unique alpha who doesn’t need theatrics or posturing.

    • Margaret says:

      Nice to know I’m not only the only one who liked Vlad better before he got his own series.

      • Zee says:

        Definitely not the only one Margaret. I loved his snark, his personality, his sense of humor, and just his all around awesomeness in NH. His own series, I’m sad at what an almost Twilight type angsty vamp he is in it. Very one dimensional. Sure, it works for some readers. But just doesn’t for me.

  10. Kim says:

    Vlad! Vlad!

  11. Dawn Cavenee says:

    Vlad! I haven’t started Written in Red although I do have it.

    • Brad says:

      Dawn I would highly recommend reading Written in Red. The Other series is ranked up there for me with Kate Daniels series. Anne Bishop’s world building is very unique with her version of shifters, vampires, and elementals. Then for the bonus you get MEG!

      • Dawn Cavenee says:

        Thanks Brad. I think I will start Written in Red next! Especially if there is some humor!

      • Dawn Cavenee says:

        Brad, I am ssssooo glad you recommended Written in Red. I started it yesterday and am at 40%. Loving it so far!! Thank you, thank you!

  12. Brad says:

    Vlad just doesn’t really do it for me as Alpha compared to his nemesis Bones in the Night Huntress Series. I was also never a huge fan of Bones, some books I enjoyed him in it and others not so much.

    When I first started reading Written in Red I did not care for Simon. But by the end of the book and into the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Book I really enjoy Simon. Some of the stuff he says and does with Meg is just hilarious. After all what male/wolf would have a tough time deciding to play with the female, or a Cookie! (end of book 1 Written in Red).

    So I went with Simon! Really I just love the Non-Alpha Meg Corbin and the Elementals in the Other series.

  13. Janie McGaugh says:

    I pick Vlad!

  14. I love both characters, but my vote is for Vlad. He is the most alpha of the two. I wouldn’t want to be on either of their bad sides. Simon would eat you and Vlad would most likely torture you and then kill you.

  15. Corrina says:

    I love Vlad. Though now I’m going to read about Simon.

  16. Shannon says:

    Vlad. Mmmff.

  17. Katie says:

    Love Vlad!!!

  18. Meggin says:

    Who could compete with a Vlad?!

  19. BookLady says:

    Vlad!!!

  20. Sarah says:

    Their ain’t nobody except for Bones, Jericho Barrons, and Cat that I could ever possibly even consider choosing over Vlad. Not only would he outmatch Simon in any kind of fight (and yes I read all the books available on both sides) but he’s just the better alpha! (In my opinion)

  21. Liz S says:

    Simon Wolfgard is tough. Don’t count him out yet!

    • Jay says:

      Vlad. Vladimir. Vlad Tepesh. Vlad Dracul. Vlad Tepesh Dracul. Vlad III. Prince of Wallachia. Prince of the Night. Prince of Romania. Vlad the Imapaler. Dracula. The Dragon. Son of the Dragon. Vampire.

      Simon will never ever ever have the ability to beat Vlad. He’s got over 500 years of experience and one of the biggest legacies in the world. Sorry, Simon but Vlad is the freaking Prince Of The Night, its estimated that 100,000 people died at the hands of Dracula in just his first 45 years of life, this is a showdown to see who would win in a fight between the two. It’s Vlad. No questions asked. The guy is ruthless, a master strategist, powerful, trained in combat, pyrokinetic, telepathic, courageous, loyal, and most of all, loving. He loves with a red heart of passion, he would gladly die for Leila and sacrifice everything and everyone for her, she’s his redeeming angel and even though he doesn’t have many friends, the one’s he does have he would run to the moon and back for. He is an Alpha and he is THE alpha, the one that deserves to take home the prize for this round and the rounds after. Perhaps he’ll be our next Alpha Showdown winner.

      • Sarah says:

        Really well said! GOOOOO VLAD!!!!!!!!!

      • Pamela Gramlisch says:

        Way to go Jay! We love Vlad and how can you beat someone that can set you on fire with just a thought. But we know he does have a caring side too when he cared for Cat.

  22. Raine says:

    Vlad! ‘Nuff said!

  23. Nicole Potter says:

    I’m gonna go for Simon! Wolf shifters all the way!!

  24. Pamela Gramlisch says:

    Go Vlad Go. Just burn those competitors up!

  25. Mary Preston says:

    Come on Vlad!!

  26. miki says:

    i do like Vlad but lately Simon made me laugh a lot more so go Simon!

  27. Betul E says:

    Simon!!

  28. Dea says:

    Ugh, I want Simon to win but I get a feeling it’ll be Vlad.

    Still, Voting for Simon! Che, wish I were wrong, so Far Vlad’s ahead and seems unlikely to change

  29. I think comparing these two characters is like comparing apples & oranges. Ms. Bishop’s books are an allegory of human history, past and present, and they make one think. Simon, an Other, is set up as a catalyst for possible change, and I like him a lot. He’s learning to be a leader, can be very dangerous due to his wolf nature, and he’s clearly falling for Meg but I don’t think that makes him an alpha in the paranormal romantic sense. He’s a work, and maybe a potential alpha, in progress.
    Vlad, on the other hand, has crazy freakin’ supernatural powers which are barely contained – that’s the dangerous part. Yet he sublimates his predatory nature for the woman he loves – most of the time, anyway! – that’s the romantic element. He’s strong-willed, supremely confident in his powers (and rightly so), a natural born leader, and that aura of danger surrounds him constantly. Supernatural with a capital “S”, IMO.
    So I voted for Vlad.

  30. christine gervais says:

    simon for sure

  31. Caro B. says:

    I have to go with Vlad. But love Simon.

  32. Amber says:

    I love Vlad, but I have to go with Simon for his protective instincts toward his people.

  33. Lingeorge says:

    Com on people. Simon Wolfguard is pretty bad ass.

  34. Paula jean says:

    Glad hands down.

  35. kristina says:

    Vlad hands down!

  36. Victoria Sloboda says:

    No one but Vlad :)!

  37. snapdragon says:

    Simon for sure.

  38. Tanya Guthrie says:

    Honestly I’m a fan of both!! But I’m going for Vlad!!

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