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!
Kane Malloy came from behind to take out the No. 1 seated Jane Yellowrock in his first match. Mercy Thompson had to fell Merit to get here. Can Kane best another female alpha favorite? Will Mercy continue to reign?
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: Blackthorn Series by Lindsay J. Pryor
First appeared in: Blood Shadows (Amazon)
Supernatural status: Master Vampire
Championed by: Tracey Rogers from Tracey Rogers Author
They say you always remember your first and you will remember this first timer. Step forward vampire, Kane Malloy. Not just any vampire, Kane, leader of the east side of Blackthorn, is a master vampire. A dual feeder, he’ll take your blood and your energy too. And you’ll thank him for it. With some serious skills, this bad boy can take down both the third and the fourth species.
Master vampire and a master of sex, Kane isn’t purely a vamp of action, he has the cunning label snagged too. He’s a game player, cleverly building his alliances and earning loyalty. He’s waited patiently in the shadows for years, plotting vengeance for the death of his sister, Arana, whilst remaining mindful of the Blackthorn prophecy and the looming war ahead. His enemies fear him and rightly so—with no soul, Kane will dare to go there. You want dark? Kane will go as dark as it gets.
Some say he’s a bad ass anti-hero, I say he’s a bad ass anti-hero—but maybe a little misunderstood. Fiercely protective of those he loves, he has his tender moments. So tender they’ll make you weep. He has a cobra tattoo guarding his heart, but still he let Caitlin in. But this vamp sure as hell doesn’t sparkle. He’ll have males fearing for their lives and females falling at his feet—with only his killer smirk. You’ll definitely want Kane on your side, you’ll want Kane all over you. Did I mention he has skills? Oh and a bow! Luscious navy eyes and a bow. Hello hotness.
‘I’ll make you feel as alive as I can. I’ll make your pulse race and your heart beat so fast it hurts.’ – Blood Dark
You’re asking for an alpha—he’s here. Kane’s loyal to those who deserve his loyalty and ruthless to those who don’t. Please don’t underestimate this vampire, he’s already sussed out the competition and smirked.
You know her from: The Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs
First appeared in: Moon Called (VBC Review | Amazon)
Supernatural status: walker/coyote shifter, daughter of the trickster god Coyote
Championed by: Margaret from VBC
In Patricia Briggs’s latest Mercy Thompson novel, Fire Touched, Mercy describes herself as, “as vulnerable as any human. My superpower consisted of transforming into a thirty-five pound coyote.” Why do we think she deserves to be an Alpha Showdown champion then?
Right after she said that, Mercy went off to battle a troll. She rescued an injured woman and her baby, shot the troll in the eye, and stabbed it in its big, green troll junk. She defended her unconscious husband with nothing but a stick and a bottle of essential oil. Mercy’s faced vampires, river monsters, and Fairy Queens and come out on top.
Mercy has a unique relationship with magic. She can see ghosts, where most supernaturals in her world can’t. She can tap into pack magic, even though she’s not a werewolf. And she can wield weapons meant for only the Fae. Her god-forged walking stick always appears when she needs it. She’s kind of a special snowflake, but it also makes her unpredictable.
I would also argue that shapeshifting is not Mercy’s only superpower. She’s also incredibly stubborn. Mercy never gives up, even though she winds up nearly dead at the end of so many of her books. She doesn’t do what’s expected. I mean, she’s an auto mechanic. She defies authority, mostly the Marrok’s, by knowing the rules and finding the loopholes. So she’s not only smart, but sneaky. She has to be to survive in a world where everyone else is bigger and stronger. That’s why she also carries a gun.
Mercy’s got a werewolf pack at her back and allies in every corner of the supernatural world—vampires, witches, and Fae. She stands up against evil, even when it’s kicking her ass. So while she may be the underdog, don’t count Mercy out. This coyote’s still got plenty of tricks up her sleeve.
Who are you putting your money on: Kane or Mercy?
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 9, VBC is giving away a copy of C.T. Adams’s The Exile, because you need more fae in your life.
Go Mercy!!!! she is teh perfect alpha!
I can’t believe Kane knocked out Jane, so I’m definitely voting for Mercy!
Kane all the way baby!!!
I really enjoy Mercy Thompson and how she will stand her ground and fight for what she believes in!
Go Kane! Don’t underestimate the underdog – he usually has a surprise up his sleeves 😉
Kane – all the way. The word ‘Alpha’ was created just for him.
Go Kane!!!!!
Mercy!
Comon Mercy!
Go Kane go……love this Master Vampire xx
Jane kills vampires for a living. Go Jane!!
Sorry I was living in the past. Mercy kills vampires too! Go Mercy!
Voting fir my favorite coyote! Though I did just pick up the first book in the Blackthorn series.
Brilliant! Love the Blackthorn series 🙂
Team Kane all the way!!! Love my master vampire <3
team Mercy all the way
Love the book’s cover.
go! kane!!!!
Team Mercy all the way!!
Mercy all the way!!!
If Mercy can take out Blackwood, she can take out Kane. GO MERCY!
Mercy 😉
Come on Mercy! You can do it girl!!
Mercy is my gal!!!
Come on people, Mercy all the way.
Mercy, no question!
I don’t know Kane so I had to vote for Mercy.
Kane would have Mercy, begging for Mercy ! Go KANE !!!
He most certainly would! Go Kane!
Mercy is great and all but Kane is def more alpha than her.. sorry mercy!
Mercy
Kane all the way! Blackthorn series is brilliant!
Mercy. She rules. Nuff said.
I love Mercy Thompson!
Kane definitely, and he is gorgeous.
Kane, Kane, KANE!!!
Kane for me today :).
I don’t know who this Kane guy is but Mercy is all kinds of badass.
Go Kane, Master vampire, master bad ass!! Love the Blackthorn series ❤
Kane
Mercy!!!
Mercy!
Kane mmmm…
Gotta catch up!
I VOTED FOR MERCY. THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
Woot a FEMALE made it to the next bracket. Go Mercy!
Mercy she’s one tough chick. But to be honest I have never heard of this guy or the series.
Mercy!
Mercy
GO KANE GO!!!!!!! WHOOOOOOOO
Still all in for Mercy!
Go Mercy!
Mercy all the way!