Home of the Alpha Showdown, and one-stop shop for urban fantasy, paranormal romance and fantasy news and reviews.
I’ve already been told the Alpha Showdown is evil. Several times, in fact. Yet, you all are just as bad as I am: You love it. Thanks for all the positive feedback on Twitter and Facebook and in the comments. Just know I’ll continue to pop giveaways in sporadically during the battles, like on the Dimitri vs. Jace poll (which is still open).
That said, today we’re putting the vicious vampire and Brotherhood member Zsadist into the ring with the Beast Lord of Atlanta Curran. Both are big. Both are cunning. Both know the importance of a good woman. But only one can advance. It’s up to you.
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)
ZsadistYou know him from: The Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward
First appeared in: Dark Lover ((review | get your copy),
Supernatural status: Vampire
Championing for Zsadist: Chelsea from Vampire Book Club
Think back to the very first Black Dagger Brotherhood novel. (Giving you a minute, we are on book nine after all.) The cohesive unit of vampire warriors — the biggest, the strongest — are all scared of Zsadist. He’s unpredictable and vicious. He seeks out pain and can dole it out just the same. Even at that point, he was tough to beat in a fight. But, you see, Zsadist has changed. He’s still a terrifying warrior, but now he has a reason to flay every vampire slayer (called Lessers in the series): Bella. With her help, Zsadist has become more reliable and stronger (switching to drinking vampire instead of human blood). He’s also paranoid about losing the bright spots in his life — Bella and their daughter.
So, maybe Curran is the Beast Lord. And anywhere else that might matter. But let’s be honest here: We’d just whisper to Z that Curran was thinking about harming Bella and Nalla. There would be a blur of obsidian as his daggers cut the cat up. Moments later, Z’s scarred face would be marred by blood and we’d have trouble finding all the pieces of the Beast Lord. Zsadist already had the speed and stealth of a vampire, the cunning of a warrior, but now he also has a damn good reason to be coming back home. Even a lion couldn’t stop Zsadist from going home to Bella.
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.
Come back tomorrow to when things get even more complicated when the battle features Jericho Z. Barrons from Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series and King Dorian from Richelle Mead’s Dark Swan series. You can see the full bracket, and keep updated on which polls are open by visiting the Alpha Showdown page.
There can be only one. This is no contest for my male Zsadist!
Girl, you know it. Zsadist is top dog.
Zsadist all the way!
Now I love the Brotherhood. So much so that I recently accused my freshly diapered niece of being a lesser. She smelled like baby powder!
Here’s the thing they’re useless during the day and Zsdadist, Scribe Virgin love him, is still a little unstable.
Curran on the other hand is good to go all day and night, has more animal’s than Noah at his beck and call, not to mention Kate Daniels, and is’nt just a heavy hand, he’s a thinker. All he has to do is comment on Zsadists’ “sweet tats” and the fight’ll be over with the scarred one down for the count wrapped tight in a fetal position.
Heh. I won’t argue.
Zsadist. No if’s and’s or but’s about it!
If you can beat them (which Z can) then bite ’em (which he can also do)! Total win-win hands down for Z!
Ok, I haven’t read the Kate Daniels series, but I’m not sure anyone could ever top Z (except maybe Acheron). I’m all about the tortured soul and this guy brings the heat!
Without a doubt Zsadist
Zsadist all the way baby. A true bad a$$ and a ture male of worth!!!
This is just mean! I tottally dig Curran but can not deny my love for ZSADIST.
You guyssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!! How am I supposed to vote on this?!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL
Z
Zsadist my ABSOLUTE weakness!!!!
For me it’s Curran. He is my Ultimate. He is a wonderful Alpha and he’s yummy. What a combo!
after bones my next big love is Zsadist, so i vote for him.
i also believe that the final bottle will be between those characters, and oh my!!!!!who will i be voting for???
I agree, this is MEAN! I love them both.
Is there any other? Z, baby!!!
There’s no question on this one… Zsadist is the male who gets my vote!
There is no comparison. Curran wins hands-down. He’s not only an insanely powerful shapeshifter, but one of the First. His kind were here before the vampires… Don’t get me wrong. I love Z; but he’d be following Curran if there was no Wrath.
Curran killed a freakin’ god, he wouldn’t have a problem with a vampire. And he can keep up with Kate.
How anyone could go Z over Curran?? Hello… Curran not only rules ALL the shifters of Atlanta with an iron fist, he also puts up with Kate’s craziness! He can kill damn near anything. No contest there!!
I love Curran, but Z gets my vote!
Zsadist hands down!!!
Curran can bite Z in half. He could slice him like a pear (Ewww). Curran is a thinker and a doer. Z can’t compare. Curran is the Beast Lord for a reason. Plus, he can growl and purr at the same time. Sorry, Z is outclassed.
Z is awesome. I love the Brothers. But Curran is a legend and he doesn’t need brothers, shellans or a lack of sunlight to prove it.
Zsadist!!
Okay, so I’ve read both these series and I liked Z and all, but really, can you honestly compare him to Curran? They both have their psycho moments, but Curran’s are controlled and have a purpose, not to mention extremely sexy. Curran is the ultimate badass. He’s killed a god. He rules over an entire city of shapeshifters, the second biggest Pack in North America and is very good at his job. All of his Pack members show Curran the utmost loyalty and respect and he deserves it. He knows just when to intimidate and just when to negotiate. And no one can argue that he’s The Alpha.
Here, here! Excellent!
What she said. No contest.
For me this is no contest. Z hands down!!
Z all the way
Hands down it’s Z all the way!!!
Okay, Zadist a man who uses guns and knives to kill basically humans who are evil. Curran a man who rules 400 shifters, fights sea demons, umpire, and managed to get Kate Daniels to cook him dinner (and glue her butt to a chair). REALLY? No contest…Zadist will be baking in the sun while Curran is taking his head home for a new Keep Decoration.
Zsadist totally rules!
I have to say Curran’s waaaaay more alpha than my beloved scarred daddy!
Curran. For all the reasons mentioned above and then some. Yes please.
Curran all the way. I like Zsadist, but I love Curran. There is no contest. Beast Lord all the way!
OK this is a NO brainer here Zsadis! Although for you to pick this Curran Lion guy over Z I may have to read this book about this Curran cat. No pun intended. But back to the poll, Zsadist is one of the baddest in the Brotherhood and now that he has a Shellan (wife) and baby girl I don’t think anything can stop him even in death I think he’d kill the scribe virgin to bring him back to avenge. Bad Ass top to bottom.
That doesn’t make him an alpha. In Atlanta, that barely makes him a neighborhood thug. Curran has a wife, a child (by adoption – possibly children depending on how you count his strays), and a people he cares for. He’s more on par with Wrath than Z, and Wrath wouldn’t stand a chance.
That’s what I’ve been thinking Liana. There have been so many comments that Z’s badass, and that’s true, but that doesn’t make him an alpha and this contest is over who’s the top alpha, which Z isn’t. In the BDB books that would be Wrath and I agree, Wrath wouldn’t stand a chance against Curran.
Curran <3
Have you people not read BDB?!? You are so missing out. HOW in the world does King Wrath lose in an earlier poll?
Robyn, I have read both series, and I liked Zadist as a character. However, this is about Alphas, and that means leader of the pack, able to take on all comers for the defense of his people. Not just a person, a mate, but for his group. Curran is a leader of people. He has to make complex decisions to keep all of them safe in a world that would love to see them all dead. He is part politician, part judge, part father figure, part business man, and all about what is best for the pack. The only decision he has made in the series that could be seen as maybe not for the best of the pack, was his decision to join with Kate as his mate.
“”I was dead until you found me, though I breathed. I was sightless, though I could see. And then you came…and I was awakened.”
Zsadist might be tortured, but he said the most romantic words from all BDB books (and from all books that I’d read, that words still the best!). He’s my #1 favorite brothers!
ok, so i haven’t read either of these series but reading the champions comments i had to go with curran. after all, he’s an alpha in the most alpha-sense of the word – he’s a werelion and leads a pack (i think). so glad these books are on their way to my house, i love finding new paranormal romance series to read, the men are the most smoking hot, sexy in the fictional world. now…where are they in the real world?
The series is AMAZING. Well written, well thought out, and all around well built. It isn’t repetitive or predictable as some larger series tend to be.
And the humor is HILARIOUS!!!!!! Seriously some of the best dialogue I’ve ever read. And Curran is quite sexy which is a major plus.
Curran
<3!!!Curran!!! <3
It’s a little unfair to put Z up against CURRAN. Z’s a sweetie and all, but it’s no alpha.
Z is a fighter, he’s a nice boy, but he’s not a leader. And it’ll be a cold day at the center of the sun when he could beat Curran at anything!
It’s inhumane to make me choose between these two!! I love them both. **sniff**
Jen at Red Hot Books
Curran for me. A scary, scary dude.
Curran!!!!!!!!!
I’m sorry, I cannot vote for a character who’s name is just a fancified version of sadist. Ugh! Not going there. Curran all the way.
I am a huge Cellie and Zadist is, by far and away, my fav of the brothers. But lets face it, Wrath is still top dog in his world so he’s already behind on kings. Curran is super-king/top dog in his world. Therefore, Curran must be more alpha than Zadist *sigh*. I feel like a traitor *sniff* I’M SOO SORRY Z!!!!!! FORGIVE ME!!!!!
this was easy, Curran is Beast Lord, and clear winner, I just don’t know what to do when he goes against Barrons. I won’t be able to choose.
Ditto Dina. OMG I just know its going to end up being those two~ ! How to choose between Curran and JZB?
Personally, I’m going to vote for Curran.
Putting Zsadist up against Curran is like putting a mini cooper up against a monster truck*. We’re talking about complete brute strength here (though he’s very intelligent and cunning too – lethal combination). Curran would rip Zsadist’s head off in a split-second, just a flash of the claws and it’s bye-bye Z. He’s the frickin Beast Lord. He’s not losing to a vampire for ANYTHING. For all there’s talk of Zsadist wanting to protect his wife and kid, it’d still be a suicide mission. Come on. This one’s easy.
*Speaking of monster trucks, Curran could most likely bench press one.
My vote is for Curran! I love Zsadist but it’ll be Curran for the win I think 😀