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Round 13: Ryodan vs. Christian MacKeltar [Alpha Showdown 2013]

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VBC: Home of Alpha ShowdownThings are advancing in the Alpha Showdown 2013. We’ve hit the second tier of the event. Winners will start battling winners. Expect the stakes to be raised and the smack talk to increase.

This round could be called the Fever Battle. Which complicated anti-hero from Karen Marie Moning’s Fever World is the most alpha: Ryodan or Christian? You decide.

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.

ROUND 13: RYODAN

vs. CHRISTIAN MACKELTAR

Iced by Karen Marie Moning

Ryodan

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.

Iced by Karen Marie MoningChristian MacKeltar

You know him from: The Highlander, Fever and Fever World series by Karen Marie Moning.
First appeared in: Kiss of the Highlander, by mention only, but got his feet wet in Darkfever (VBC review). He played a prominent role in Iced, but we won’t hold that against him. Other things will get held against him.
Supernatural Status: He is a super-powerful druid by birth and a walking lie detector.  However, a series of events, including a stint in dark fae prison, change him into Unseelie royality. Every girl wants a prince, right?

Championed by: Mary from Vampire Book Club

Ok, ladies. You know how sometimes the playoff games leading up to the Super Bowl are more interesting and suspenseful than the big game itself? The reason is usually this: rivalry. That’s what we have today. Christian MacKeltar, druid and Unseelie prince, faces off with Ryodan, unknown, bump-in-the-night, club owner, in one of the biggest rivalries on and off the page.  Fans of these two are about as cordial to each other as the characters are during their confrontations in Iced.  So who is the ultimate Alpha?  I’m in Camp MacKeltar, so here is my opinion on why Christian is the better choice.

Christian comes from a long line of men who have devoted their lives to protecting humanity and their loved ones. In the Fever series, Christian and his uncles are trying to help protect humanity by keeping the walls between our world and the Fae realm in place. Unfortunately, they fail and Christian pays the price. This event starts his change into the next Unseelie Prince.  He did not knowingly choose to become Unseelie royalty, but his sacrifice to save humanity cost him his own human side. Like any good Alpha, Christian came through all of this stronger and still with his goal in sight.

In Iced, he is still trying to help humanity survive. He works with Dani (we won’t hold that against him), the other sidhe seers, and on his own to help what is left of Earth’s population.  This to me makes him the ultimate Alpha. He is the most powerful and uses that power to try and help those who are weak. He recognizes the position that he is in and uses his abilities to make the world a better place.

Now, Ryodan is not Barrons. I think this is a very important distinction. Barrons loves MacKayla.  Ryodan loves being powerful. He ushers humans into his club each night, and gets rid of the bodies the next morning. He only protects things and people he thinks are valuable to him. He’s an opportunist, not an alpha.

When you are casting your vote, it might be easy to say that Ryodan is immortal, can kill the Fae, and is centuries older than Christian. But ask yourself this: If you were on the streets of Dublin after the walls fell, who would you rather run into on a dark night? 

VOTE!

This poll will be open for 48 hours. Alpha with the most votes will advance.

84 Responses to “Round 13: Ryodan vs. Christian MacKeltar [Alpha Showdown 2013]”

  1. Jessica says:

    Ryodan Ryodan Ryodan he’s our “man” !! I’m pretty sure the picture beside the definition of Alpha is of Ryodan! 😉

  2. Karla says:

    Heh. Does anyone else find this amusing? I have a feeling that this is how it’s going to play out in the series, Ryodan vs Christian. And I know that Ryodan is gonna kick ass, both here and in the books! 😉

  3. Anastasia says:

    I have voted for Ry-O, there’s no competition 🙂

  4. Murphy Kennedy says:

    No contest. Ryodan aaaaall the way, ladies!

  5. Alison says:

    Ok, Mary in answer to your question If you were on the streets of Dublin after the walls fell, who would you rather run into on a dark night? The answer is Ryo (repeatedly and naked)

  6. Sheena T. says:

    Ryo all the way. Love your quirkiness Christain. But Ryo is more Alpha in this arena than you are.

  7. Aly P says:

    I have a fondness for A-holes so Ryodan it is :))

  8. Sofija Kapranova says:

    Definitely Ryodan!

  9. JennyJen says:

    How fitting. Pedophile vs. pedophile. -____-

    At least Christian has an excuse. They both suck, though.

    That KMM would compare Ryo to Barrons is APALLING.

  10. Sara says:

    In the Fever World, Barrons will always be my alpha. But Ryo will do in a pinch. He can kick Christian’s butt any day of the week.

  11. dr susanj says:

    I’m abstaining from voting this round, since I don’t believe that alpha=ass, even if they both begin with ‘a’.

  12. Emma says:

    Such a hard decision! Going with Christian for this round.

  13. Angela says:

    I have to admit both give me the creeps but until Christian comes into his faery prince powers Ryodan will wipe the floor with him.

  14. Sadaf says:

    Wow, I was gonna vote for Ryodan, but then I read Christians post and wooh. Was definitely swayed to his side.

  15. Donna A says:

    Ryodan hands down

  16. Heather says:

    Since he’s the closest thing to Barrons, I have to go with Ryodan! 🙂

  17. Followthep says:

    Ryodan all the way!

  18. Cynthia says:

    I have to say Ryodan.

  19. Lathainya says:

    This one was really hard, but I had to go with Ryodan

  20. Laura says:

    I may get beat here but I don’t understand the Ryo love – he is not a good person! *ducks* Christian MacKeltar – really ANY MacKeltar – any time of day or night!

  21. miscanon says:

    Yeah, at the moment, Ryodan would kick Christian’s butt… But once Christian gets used to his powers, who knows?

  22. Julie says:

    Ryordan will eat Christian for lunch

  23. Marybeth says:

    Right now I have to with Ryodan….but I think that may change when Christian fully comes into his powers.

  24. Michelle Bledsoe says:

    Wow, both from the same book. Even though I haven’t read the series yet(please don’t hit me..:P), I picked Ryodan because of his name and he just seems like a very interesting character.

  25. Kelley says:

    I really just <3 the whole MacKeltar clan.

  26. Maya says:

    I know that Rypdan is going to win but i voted for Christian because I really don’t like Ryodan

  27. Beth says:

    Ryodan!!!

  28. Shau says:

    I’m not crazy about either of them but l dislike Ry less so l voted for him.

  29. Andie K. says:

    I LOVE both, but I’m going with Ryo until the very end!!

  30. Lexi says:

    Ryo will never come close to Barrons. Ever.
    And I find Ryo too much of a prick for me, I vote for Christian. I think he has some deep dark untapped potential that we will get to see in the future.

  31. Jen M says:

    Love the MacKeltars…Christian gets my vote this round…

  32. Aimee says:

    I really love Christian, but Ryodan is unstoppable. Voting is going to get very hard as the rounds continue.

  33. Ash says:

    I like Christian, but it has to be Ryodan. Top Alpha. He picks Fae out of his teeth. And Christian is lunch. 🙂

  34. Barbara Elness says:

    I voted for Christian, he’s the best. 😀

  35. Elizabeth says:

    OMG, this one is or was hard. Love Ryo, as well as Christian. However Ryo has had a lot more time to refine his badassness, so I believe Ryo is more of an alpha on that alone. ‘Sighs’

  36. Athena W says:

    Ryodan! Christian is crazy and turning into a fae true, but Ryo kills them like their roaches…inconsequential and tiny pests.

  37. Pyper541 says:

    Its hard to beat something that can’t be killed! Sorry Christian.

  38. Tiffaney says:

    I had to go with Ryodan on this one.

  39. Aoibheal says:

    Ooooh! This is a nightmare!!! Ryodan vs. Christian! :'( I don’t know whom should I vote!

  40. Cocó says:

    Decisions… Tough decisions…

  41. April says:

    I love them both! I have a soft spot for Christian, and since his change I’m sure he can hold his own. But he’s no match for Ryodan.

  42. Amanda says:

    *sigh* a painful decision. I think if Christian wasn’t so new into his powers he might stand a chance…. But Ryodan definitely has the advantage. >.>

  43. snapdragon says:

    I voted for Christian.
    At least his whole family is in the role of trying to save humans. Unlike serving them up to the Fae like Ryodan does.

  44. Meagan says:

    Ryodan. I don’t think Christian compares.

  45. Draconismoi says:

    Ugh, I’ll hold their roles in Iced against them both. Though I admit team Ryodan does an excellent job of pitching him as a non-pedophile in here.

  46. rebecca baker says:

    Ryo has so much more to offer

  47. Rita says:

    Christian will always have my vote. Even before he did his time in the UnSeelie prison he ended up there bu trying to help a world that does’nt always deserve help.He has had his set backs but still throws himself in the face of danger to save the ones he cares for. Oh and he didn’t even need the UnSeelie to make him a damn sexy man

  48. Marlene Howard says:

    Ryodan all they way!!

  49. Cherie Lord says:

    Crap!!! I love them both. I’ll have to go with Christian this round, even though I know Ryodan will kick his butt in this competition. At least Christian is still clinging to his humanity. Once he becomes fully fae though, watch out Ryo!!

  50. gigi staub says:

    Had to go with Ryodan 🙂

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