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Update: This was our closest round yet, but underdog Griffin squeaked into the lead with 52 percent of the vote. He will advance to the next round.
Jane Yellowrock from Faith Hunter’s series of the same name has been a powerful contender in the Alpha Showdown for several years. She’s never claimed the title, though. Will this be her year? She’s up against another of the new faces this year, Griffin from Amanda Bouchet’s Kingmaker Chronicles.
Griffin is strong, loyal, and pretty handy with a sword. Will he best the skinwalker in the third round of Alpha Showdown 2017?
The competition is stiff this year (peek at the bracket), but the winner is all up to VBC readers. Each round is open for 48 hours. The winner advances.
JANE YELLOWROCKYou know her from: Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter
First appeared in: Skinwalker (VBC Review | Amazon)
Supernatural status: Cherokee Skinwalker
Championed by: Kris D. from VBC
Seven years ago Faith Hunter introduced the world to Jane Yellowrock. A Cherokee skinwalker (she can change shapes into a variety of different animals) that hunts rogue vampires for a living. Over the years, Jane has honed her skills and today she is not only a true badass with the highest vampire kill in the United States but a genuine alpha. A veritable living arsenal—she is skilled with blade and bullets, time slowing magic, and hand-to-hand combat.
Jane has faced countless opponents and always comes out on top. Rogue vampires, dark witches, and legendary creatures have all fallen to Jane’s hand. It is never easy, but Jane comes out on top and learns something new from every encounter.
Like a true alpha, Jane has gathered a pack of equally talented and dangerous compatriots. Every member of her little family brings something to the table. They follow Jane not because of fear, but because of loyalty and love. Jane protects what’s hers, and woe to anyone that would try to hurt those she loves.
As if all of this were not enough to have any enemy quaking in their boots, Jane is no ordinary skinwalker. She is host to the soul of a Puma concolor—Beast. When you face Jane Yellowrock, you are not just facing a deadly woman but also an ancient predator that gives Jane all the natural skill and strength of mountain lion.
Leather-clad, exotic, and powerful, Jane has faced danger at every step, developed a keen understanding of vampire politics, and delved into her own mysterious and painful past and continues to win. Master Vampires respect her, powerful witches are her allies, magical creatures orbit her, some very skilled humans fight at her side, her lover has his own set of deadly abilities, and there is even an angel that has taken interest. If all else fails, she has a one or two (or twelve) very pointy silver tipped stakes she would love to introduce you to.
Let the challengers come. Jane is more than ready for a fight!
GRIFFIN, BETA SINAYou know him from: The Kingmaker Chronicles by Amanda Bouchet
First appearance: A Promise of Fire (VBC review | Amazon)
Supernatural status: Sintan warlord, Hoi Polloi (non-magic user)
Championed by: Ronelle from Red Hot Books
“I conquered a kingdom and found a treasure.” His voice turns gravelly, low. “I won’t let you go. Not now. Not ever.”
If you’re looking for an alpha male’s alpha, then Griffin Sinta is your warlord. He’s fierce, cunning, loyal, and can brood with the best of them. Griffin knows what he wants and how to get it–or who can get it for him. You can either come along willingly or be tied up with a magic rope and carted off; he isn’t picky. Resist or flee? You can try.
But don’t be fooled; Griffin isn’t all sexy demand-and-conquer. He loves and protects just as fiercely as he commands, and he values loyalty above all. His family and his people, his men and his woman, Sinta, Fisa, and Tarva, Griffin has big plans for them all. And the fact that he’s Hoi Polloi ruling in a world of Magoi is unheard of, but he doesn’t care.
Oh, and before you try to take him out with magic, you should know one thing: Griffin is immune to that garbage. Monsters, deities, and homicidal neighboring sovereigns? Don’t make him laugh. Convinced your fate will lead to destruction? Not if he has anything to say about it.
Think you can take him, resist him, or outmaneuver him? Well…you can try.
So I have an unyielding love for the movie Labyrinth. If you do too, OMG do you need S. Jae-Jones’ Wintersong in your life. Luckily for you, a VBC reader is going to win a copy just by voting in the Alpha Showdown. (This is why you like us, isn’t it?) You must vote in the Showdown to be entered, but there are optional chances to get more entries by tweeting, liking us and generally being pro-VBC.
I like Griffrin but Jane is awesome!
Jane.
Same here love Griffin but Jane in bad to the bone.
I don’t know the other dude but I probably would have voted Jane anyway!
Jane Yellowrock. This series is one of my all time favorites.
Jane Yellowrock!
I love Griffin
Jane
Jane 😉
Jane!
Jane Yellowrock, though Griffin certainly impresses
Jane!
Jane!!!
Jane Yellowrock
Jane all the way
My vote is for JANE– all the Way
JANE Yellowrock–You Rule
Janie!
No competition for me! Jane is a girl’s role model!
Team Jane ….
Jane
Jane all the way…. but I really want to read the other series too!
Jane!
Jane!
Jane Yellowrock
Griffin!
JANE!! There is no doubt.
Jane Yellowrock!
Griffin!!!
Jane
Jane all the way!
Jane is the bestest!
Hmmm which one? It would be a close call.
Jane!
Griffin is amazing, but I gotta give it to Jane.
Jane
I finished Cold Reign at 7:00 a.m. today, and Jane simply wins – best yet. 🙂
Thanks!! Jane all the way!!!
Jane all the way!
Jane of course!
Jane is a snarky badass, but loyal to the family she has formed around her. She is in my favorite series!
Jane, sometimes she frustrates me but she´s also amazing
Jane Yellowrock!
Jane Please!
Jane today.
Totally Griffin!
Griffin.
Griffin!!
Griffin is immune to Magic, good for him but Jane/Beast don’t need no magic to take him down. She is lethal with guns, knife, stakes, heck with her half form she has deadly claws and teeth.
GRIFFIN, BETA SINA! Go Griffin!!!!!!