It’s officially time for Alpha Showdown 2013! You made your nominations and we have 16 of the most badass, alpha characters from urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels locked into the bracket. Only one will be named champion and today’s first bout is sure to end in a knockout.
Round one pits a man full of mystery who overwhelms just about everyone sharing space with him against a resourceful, Ryodan, one of the mysterious nine from Karen Marie Moning’s Fever World, against a resourceful, bright shapeshifter who knows how to handle just about every aggressive supernatural type.
Read the pitches, then make the call. Who should advance to the next round in the Alpha Showdown? The poll at the end of this post will be open for two days. Remember, alphas don’t share titles. Your votes decide who advances in the Alpha Showdown 2013.
New for 2013! Every (non-spam) comment on an Alpha Showdown post will enter you to win books featuring the final four alphas. So make sure to join the discussion and cheer on your favorite alphas.
You know him from: The Fever Series and Iced by Karen Marie Moning
First appeared in: Vocally in Bloodfever, physically in Dreamfever
Supernatural status: We’re too scared to ask
Championed by: Krista from Vampire Book Club
Every once in a while a character comes along who terrifies you, while at the same time obsessively intrigues you. You know you shouldn’t be attracted to them, but you just can’t help be dragged under their spell. Ryodan is this and so much more. The words alpha and omega should be defined by the standard he sets. So the final outcome of the Alpha Showdown 2013 is a foregone conclusion. To paraphrase Ryodan’s own words, if they’re stupid enough to show up, they’re stupid enough to die.
Some may argue that Ryodan is a more civilized version of Barron’s or the beta to Barron’s alpha but they would be wrong. This thin veneer only makes him more dangerous.
“She thinks he’s not an animal like Barrons. That he’s more civilized. She’s right, he is more polished. But it only makes him more dangerous. With Barrons you expect to get fucked up royally. With Ryodan you don’t see it coming.”
He’s the “devil in a business suit,” perceiving everything until finally making a decision. Then everyone who “pissed him off or offended him or just breathed wrong dies.” Ryodan isn’t the person who pushes you off the cliff. Instead he “allows” you to come to the conclusion that it was your own idea to jump off the cliff. Not that he couldn’t easily throw you off said cliff. It amuses him to do it this way.
“They don’t call him the master of manipulation for nothing. Barrons breaks heads. Ryodan turns them inside out. Barrons fucks you up. Ryodan makes you fuck yourself up. He pushes buttons and rearranges things to his own private, coolly sociopathic plan.”
He has the lethal magnificence of an ancient predator. He is at the top of the food chain and he revels in it. He has the crafted, impossible beauty of Greek statue, but the scars of a violent life. He doesn’t wear underwear because it chafes (“Too small and confining”). He likes sex for breakfast, “early and often.” He is the only man who can survive a fight with Barrons. The Nine (un-killable creatures like himself) are more loyal to him, than they are to Barrons.
Barrons calls him when he needs back up. He suffers no inner conflict on his choices, his needs or his actions. He is the ocean and everyone else is the earth that he shapes to his whims. He is everything which we should idolize and demonize at the same time.
There is no question in my mind and shouldn’t be in any other sane individual’s—Ryodan is the clear-cut winner of this Alpha Showdown. The rest are just pretenders. They may as well not even show up.
Ryodan says it best, “I’m King, Liege, Lord, and Master.” The rest of you are just cannon fodder.
You know her from: Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs, Mercy Thompson series
First appeared in: Moon Called
Supernatural status: Coyote Shifter/VW mechanic
Championed by: Jen from Fiction Vixen Book Reviews | @FVJen_Cardsgirl
Mercy Thompson. What does her name make you think of? Kickass chick? Sexy coyote shifter?The female all women aspire to be like and all men want to mate? I will tell you what I think of… The Ultimate Alpha!
Ryodan?? Pfft. Who does Ryodan think he is to go up against Mercy? His biggest claim to fame is that he doesn’t wear underwear. Mercy has faced off with a whole werewolf pack and tamed their alpha. She might seem like the weaker opponent here, but Mercy has taken on all number of beings and come out on top. Fae, vampire, river monsters, human crazies… nothing can keep Mercy down.
Her connection to her mate has only made her stronger and given her new abilities but the best ability Mercy has is her brain. She can think circles around all the baddies. She lives in a world full of things that are bigger, meaner and stronger but she can outsmart them and come out the winner in any fight. Anyone wanting to take Mercy down is going to have to bring out the big guns (you hear that, Ryodan?).
Mercy has shown us that she just keeps getting smarter and stronger. And she has what it takes to WIN.THIS.SHOWDOWN!
This poll will be open for 48 hours. Alpha with the most votes will advance.
Thanks for the props Guys! I was so scared of disappointing. But it’s totally Ryo all the way!
Don’t get me wrong- Mercy is definitely kicka** but Ryo will kick her a** then make her believe SHE wanted him to 🙂 If I needed backup Ryo would be my first call- not Mercy because there is something to be said for top of the food chain un-killable alpha sociopaths if you ask me 🙂
You did a killer job at describing Ryo 🙂 very far from disappointing
I loved reading your “why Ryo?”… very well done! NAIL.ON.THE.HEAD. ALPHA!
If it were Barrons vs Mercy the Alpha would be clear. However, Ryo against Mercy as Alpha is no contest. It isn’t just strength that makes you an Alpha, and Mercy is definitely The Alpha in this match.
Well said!!!
I have read the Mercy Thompson books and agree with everything said about her badassness…however. That description of Ryodan makes her pale in comparison!
The most feared individuals aren’t those who have to prove their mettle, it’s the ones who’s mettle is so scary no one wants to see it in the first place.
“The most feared individuals aren’t those who have to prove their mettle, it’s the ones who’s mettle is so scary no one wants to see it in the first place.”
That! Perfect for Ryodan…
God this was a tuff one for me. I think they are both kick ass alpha’s, but my heart says Mercy.
I have to vote Mercy all the way, too. She has depths of strength she doesn’t even know about. Ryo would so underestimate her.
Love Ryodan!
I love Mercy she’s tough but I would have to say Ryodan he is scary bad.
This is CRUEL. I adore both. But Mercy is a coyote, and more of a trickster than what I consider a badass Alpha. Ryo is tough, and rules over all.
Voted for Ry..I LOVE him!
I love Mercy, but this was no contest. Ryoden would take her down. He’s as Alpha as they come.
I’m for Mercy. 😀
We love you Mercy,but
Big, bad beautiful Ryoden all the Way!
Gonna have to go with Mercy on this one.
Surprised how close this is – I suppose Mercy has lots of books whereas Ryo has only just stepped into centre stage. I love Mercy but Ryo gets my vote. I nominated him and I think he will go all the way.
Mercy all the way. I love Ryo, but I’d call Mercy first if I were in trouble.
You forgot to mention that Coyote is actually her father. We found that fun fact out in River Marked. I’m sorry, but when one of your parents is a God I’m a little more respectful…
It takes more than brute strength to be an alpha. Mercy takes care of her own and always puts herself on the line when the odds are clearly stacked against her.
This is a tough one but Ryodan gets my vote.
I love Mercy and up against anyone else, I’d say no contest. However, since there is so much we don’t know about Ryo, I wouldn’t put anything past him.
I love them both. Really, I do. And if it was Barrons, he’d win in a heart beat. But I have to vote Mercy here.
hell yea Ryo
Its always going to be Mercy for me! She has battled way to many dangerous villains and come out on top!
I love the alpha showdown! I hope Ryo wins and I can’t wait to read more about him in BURNED
They both obviously have incredible strength but my heart goes with Ryodan and it’s been that way since he first appeared in Bloodfever and I’m sticking with him through the thick and thin. Yeah it would seem that Mercy finding her mate made her stronger in every which way but Ryodan has the loyalty of the Nine and they are ready to do for him no matter what.
Mercy Thompson all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Team Mercy all the way!!
Mercedes is the shit but Ryodan is a crazy scary sob and I wouldn’t want to be on his bad side! So I vote for Ryo!
Blech, I’m probably one of the very few that absolutely despised “ICED” and all its characters..
So there’s no choice really, Mercy 🙂
There’s no competition. Ryodan wins. Period.
Team Mercy. I’ve not read the Fever series or Iced and I need to get started I think 🙂
I like Mercy but i loooove Ryodan !!!!
I think Ryo would underestimate Mercy & she would kick major butt! Go Mercy!
Mercy is an indomitable spirit, always willing to step up to plate, no matter how much bigger or badder the foe is. She is fiercely protective of those under her care (pack or not!) and would go through Hell (or the Fae realms) to see them safe. I admire her so much that I even got a coyote pawprint tattoo, to remind me that brains and bravery will get a girl farther than brawn and bluster. GO MERCY!!!
Ryodan may be kickass but by the time Mercy’s through with him he’ll either be vanquished or one of her greatest supporters. Mercy will put you down if you are a threat to her people but she is willing to be friends if you want to be sensible and do things her way.
Mercy all the way. She is tough, loyal and loves the her husband and the pack. She would put her life on the line every time. Strong woman need to be recognized! Go Mercy!!
RYODANNNN. He can nod at me anytime!
Mercy of course…who else can hold her own with alpha werewolves, vampires and fae? Not to mention wiley Coyote himself.
I’ve read both series and don’t even understand how this is even a competition. I liked the Mercy stories but LOVED the Fever series. And Mercy is mortal..Ryo is not. No competition. He CANNOT be stopped! Ever! Sorry Mercy!
Ryodan!!!!!! Definitely!!
Definitely Ryodan. No contest
RYO all the way!
Ryodan. Elucidate. R-Y-O-D-A-N.
Ryo, Ryo, Ryo. I like Mercy, but when it comes down to doing anything and everything, no matter what, Ryo will come out the winner. Even if he were human, he is a ruthless killer with out mercy (pun intended).
YESSSS! Ryo has advanced to the next round! 🙂
Ryodan, no contest <3
My money would definitely be on Ryodan, What I wouldn’t give to visit Chesters… With Ryodan by my side of course!
Love Mercy, but Ryo would wipe the floor with her.
Ryo all the way. Mercy may be a survivor but NO ONE survives Ryodan if he wants them dead as Dani knows.
What a voting difference! Ryodan so did it.
Mercy!!!!
Ryodan, the only Alpha that could beat him is Barrons
Mercy is the best secret alpha there is! Love this series!