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This match-up scares me a bit. I expect there will be missing limbs, blood and clumps of fur left in the ring afterward. But no one said becoming the alpha was easy or pretty. Both Beast Lord Curran (from Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series) and Jericho Z. Barrons (from Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series) know the pains one suffers in leading others. They’re willing to make the sacrifices necessary to put the needs of the world before their own.
I know who I’ll vote for, but do you? Remember, only one can emerge victorious.
You can get a refresher on just what this Alpha Showdown thing is here, but a key point to remember: Each poll is open for only 48 hours. Then, the champion will advance to the next round until only one alpha remains. So, vote while you can. (Jump to the poll)
CurranYou know him from: Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews
First appeared in: Magic Bites (review | get a copy)
Supernatural status: Lion shifter, Beast Lord
Championing for Curran: Lily from ShadowKissed.com
Let’s just get this all out of the way, and crown Curran as the ultimate alpha right now. It’s not like any of these other ‘alphas’ actually have a chance.
This were-lion is no cuddly kitten, though there are many women who wouldn’t mind stroking his, uh… ego. As the Beast Lord of Atlanta he has ruled the pack, a thousand-strong group of shapeshifters, with an iron hold for the past 16 years.
His golden hair and smoky grey eyes may lull you a false sense of security, as you fantasize about inappropriate activities with him, but don’t get too distracted. In moments, this incredibly sexy man can be replaced by a humanoid beast standing eight feet tall with teeth as big as dinner forks. At the age of 15 he left the head of a 2,580 lb. were-Kodiak, who had gone berserk, on the steps of the capitol. More recently he ripped the head from a troll with his bare hands.
The thing that makes him the ultimate alpha, though, is not necessarily his insane strength, or his skill in battle, but the fact that he’s observant and shrewd. He uses diplomacy and intimidation, breaking into violence only as last resort.
Jericho Z. BarronsYou know him from: The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning
First appeared in: Darkfever (review| get a copy)
Supernatural status: Wouldn’t you like to know? Just accept he’s ‘other’
Championing for Barrons: Bells from Hanging with Bells
BARRONS! This one word says it all. Just by seeing or reading his name causes women everywhere to conjure up images of red satin sheets, crimson and black tattoos, and dark and dirty seductive thoughts. These thoughts run rampant when thinking of Barrons. Why is he the ultimate alpha? He is carnal. He is an animal. You want to be ravaged by him. He knows this, and so he has lots of swagger. He knows that you want him and he knows that you can’t handle him. He will be too much and not enough at the same time. He messes with your mind and afterwards he leaves you speechless and wanting more. You can never have too much of Barrons.
To put it all in a nutshell, Barrons is very dangerous. He’s been around for a long time and is a natural leader. Everyone fears him including the very powerful Fae. He cannot be defeated and trust me you want to be on his team. He is sin incarnate all wrapped up into the body of one man. Barrons does what he wants, says what he wants, and doesn’t care what you think or if your feeling are hurt. He is one bad mofo!
If you survived today’s brutal choice, we hope you’ll come back for more tomorrow when Raphael (Guild Hunter) and Kate Daniels enter the ring. You can see the full bracket, and keep updated on which polls are open by visiting the Alpha Showdown page.
I really do like Curran…but up against Barrons? Am I the only one who can hear him laugh as he taunts the kitty before mopping the floor with Lions blood?
…Sorry Curran….GO JERICHO! 😀
I love your comment! JZB all the way!
arghh I can’t choose… This is so hard..
I like Curran but I adore Barrons. Tough choice but I had to go to Jericho.
This battle is so hard I think I shall have to wait till tomorrow to vote. Barrons has voice, but wait Curran can resist and fight against Words of Power (the equivalent of Voice). Curran has mad fighting skills, and is able to withstand pain to win a battle, but wait Barrons also has mad fighting skills able to withstand any thing other than a RPG in a battle (honestly he told someone that if they wanted to know if he was dead, burn his body, stir the ashes and then wait for three days…before you counted him dead.) But the winner in this battle won’t have to kill him, only to put him down. Winner in battle? It is a tie.
But being an Alpha is more than fighting skills. It is about leadership. Both these men lead groups, but in the end, which one is the better leader. And on that front, Curran wins. Hands down.
But which man would back the other one down? Neither…Curran would not sacrifice his people to fight some stupid battle over ‘alphahood’ nor would Barrons *not because of the sacrifice, but because Barrons would not care”. In the end neither of these men fight for glory…battles have a reason. Now go after their mates…and both would take apart the other for them…and yell at the women afterwards for getting in that situation.
So I refuse to vote…because I believe this battle would be a tie.
Barrons is sooo sexy and badass, but when I think alpha, I also think of the ultimate leader. Curran is more balanced in that role. He’s tough in a fight (granted-not immortal), but he also takes responsibility for fixing the pack’s problems. This is the hardest poll, because I’d want a night with Barrons, but I think deep down I’d want Curran to be my “personal Alpha”…… Best luck to all!
Lyssa and Chellbell, you both make great arguments. I’m not a fan of Barrons, but I don’t have to insult him to support Curran. I don’t believe “hot” is a requirement for the ultimate Alpha, but being a leader is. With everything I know of the two, I choose Curran.
Haha, I think we’ve voted for the same people in every round.
That’s what I’m thinking. This is a contest for ALPHA, not hottie. (Imagine JZB’s face when he hear someine call him that LOL)
Holy Hell! This is the hardest one ever!!! My two most fave leading men!!!!!
Easy choice…BARRONS!!!
…..YOU CAN’T MAKE ME PICK! I’LL BE BETRAYING BOTH MY BABYS =DDDDDD
NOOOOOO! How can you be so cruel?! I love Curran, but Barrons is just so much more… I’m so sorry, Curran…
Barrons is the ultimate Alpha, no question! He commands the room as soon as he walks into it, whether it’s a room full of sexy highlanders, a room full of unseelie fae or a room full of the eight baddest men you know (and who he leads). They might not like him but there’s no question who the Alpha is.
Split second decision … JERICHO BARRONS!
Whimpers and hides in the corner. I can’t vote…
Barrons all the way! Definitely THE Alpha!
Ooooh BARRONS! All the way! Can he be sexier!
While I think it would be an even FIGHT. The ultimate Alpha to me is Curran. He is smart, shrewd, political, diplomatic, strong AND hot as hell. An Alpha takes care of others. Barrons is selfish.
This why I voted Curran too.
Crap! Couldn’t you guys make it harder?
The lord beast VS THE beast? Really?
*Joins the whimpers team with Regina in the corner*
OMG! It’s like Sophie’s choice >.<
Shadows fear him. Barrons! Period.
Barrons, hands down.
Barrons all the way Baby! Though the decision is not a fair shot for Curran because I don’t know him yet… I did say Yet…
Who is the ultimate alpha… to me Barrons all the way… because doesn’t matter if you defeat him onces and by miracle you kill him… he would just come back the next day (maybe 3 days later) to try again and again… after all he’s unkillable… And… you can feel his power being near him… so… my choice is JZB
SPOILER SHADOWFEVER !
I Love Curran he is really great and all but against Barrons … Common the man can’t die ! There no competition here, even if i’m in love with Ilona Andrew’s character.
I think Barrons falls better from your lips while he dominates your body! Just sayin’!
Who’s Curran? LOL
Barrons is epic … it puts a leash on Curran and takes him to walk! FACT
LOL
Like there is *any* other Choice!! JZB!!!
AAAAhhhhh! My two utmost favorite Alphas all the way baby! But I am sorry Curran, you are incredible, but Barrons would use your gorgeous hide as a mop for his floor then dump your hot hide out the door. Sad but true, but your definitely second to no one but him when it comes to alphas in my book. 😉
This was a horribly hard decision because I love both these characters and their authors so much! But Barron’s ability to beat death sorta tops Curran.
There’s a difference between dominant and alpha. JZB is dominant all the (hot!) way, but Curran is BOTH. 🙂
You said it fairyfreak! Plus, I think they’d be evenly matched in a battle (other than the fact that if Curran did kill him, Barrons would show up in a few days to fight again). But Barron’s isn’t an Alpha, in the same way Curran is. Barrons is selfish and manipulative and could give a rat’s petunia about saving the world. Curran, on the other hand, would risk the world to save a little girl (and still try to save the world). He puts his life on the line for the people he loves. Barron’s can’t say that.
Curran is a God Killer. What’s JZB killed lately? Curran rules over thousand crazy shifters and JZB cant even control Mac long enough to keep her safe. An Alpha is in charged JZB is just not in charge of anything.
Curran hands down.
One of the most interesting males who’s ever been written. He dominates every page he is on and even the pages he’s not.
You may not know what he is but ALL know to fear him. He takes what he wants, when he wants, how he wants it and that’s why we love him! There are no apologies. He is what he is, the Ultimate Alpha!
Of course I’m talking about the one and only Barrons!
CURRAN!!!!! He holds the leash on thousands of shapeshifters. He has proven his worth fighting monsters, mages, and everything else. My main reason? He cares. He won’t sacrifice anyone for the greater good. Barrons will. And has.
So freaking hard to choose! I love them both soooooo much! But, there is only one man that can effect me the way that he does. BARRONS!!!! I LOVE YOU!!! I can never get enough of him and want more. I hope KMM writes something soon because I’m dying without my man. I miss him sooo much! BARRONS!!! (just had to yell that out one more time)
Oh lord, I couldn’t deside. Can we have a button for those of us who just can’t pick…that says Both? *hopeful look* Both of them make me drool. *fans self*
The only question is who will come in second in the end of this poll. No one can beat Barrons, unless they have a K’Vruck in their back pocket. Barrons Forever!! : )
What’s so hard about this decision? Barrons turns into a beast and Curran is the Beast Lord. Point to Curran.
Ha, that’s a good one. I need to remember that.
I voted Curran ’cause he’s as scary as hell, a genuine psycho, manipulative, scheming, insane, protective as hell and has been keeping shapeshifters in line since he was a kid and built an entire society from the ground up.
LOl, that is an amazing point. And I like the play on words…CURRAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How could anyone possibly be more Alpha than Jericho Barrons?? He appeared as a ginormous wild beast and peed around Mac marking his territory for crying out loud!
Poor Curran didn’t have a chance here, did he…
Nobody stands a chance against JZB…
For me, it’s not a hard choice. Curran is awesome! His next book is 5 days and counting. 🙂 I can’t wait!
Barrons, Barrons, Barrons… always. There just no other in my library. 🙂
BARRONS!! all the way, mmmmm….Barrons hehe
Curran !!!
Ughhhhh….tough, tough, tough! But I had to go w Curran! Though I must say, Bells, you wrote one HELL of an opening paragraph for Barrons! I have to admit to some major wavering after I read that. WOW! But I stayed w the guy that brought me, in this case Curran, lol. Mainly the big difference was – Curran has it all. Even though he’s an alpha’s alpha, a bad ass’s bad ass – he’s still compassionate and caring and enough of a bad ass to not care who sees these things in him. That’s what makes him the ultimate alpha – Barrons leads because he’s forced to and not w compassion…..though I wouldn’t kick Barrons out EVER. lol
Barrons isn’t forced to lead, he knows no other way:) Alpha males aren’t about compassion and feelings, in fact most alpha males are asses and in Barrons case, a constant jackass. I can’t even type that without smiling, LOL.
hard choice but I have to go with Curran. Although JZB is super Alpha male he is too wrapped up in his own things to be a true “Alpha”. Curran is cunning, ruthless and at the same time cares about others. Sorry JZB but Curran is my vote.
Sorry Curran but you’ve been K’Vrucked!
Nice one 😀
He just ACTS like he doesn’t care…but he cries in the inside.
Um no questions. Barrons! He has it all. He’s ruthless to protect his own and at the same time he would paint my nails if I was injured. He by far is a strong fighter and can’t permanently die! He will always come back to me!
My gawd, this was hard. I have to go with Curran since he is the Beast Lord after all. 😉
I think anyone up against Barrons has a disadvantage Fever fans rock and were many!
it was soooo hard ….. i couldn’t decide so my sis wrote two numbers and i was supposed to choose one without knowing who’s who and i chose Barrons ;)) uffff…. i like them both equally…. but numbers don’t lie xD