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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 six puts vampire against vampire. The Viking vampire from Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse series is known to be vicious when it comes to protecting what’s his, but Qhuinn from J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood is a trained vampire warrior. Who will come out on top? 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.
Eric NorthmanYou know him from: The Southern Vampire Mysteries/Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris
First Appeared In: Dead Until Dark, but became a prominent character in Dead to the World (VBC review)
Supernatural Status: BAMF Viking Vampire
Championed by: Barbara & Kat from Saucy Wenches Book Club | @SaucyWenchesBC
Eric Northman, the Sheriff of Area 5, is the oldest, sexiest, and most powerful vampire in the great state of Louisiana, and he perfectly personifies all that we expect and long for in our alpha males. He knows what he wants and is ruthless in his attempts at getting it. He is extraordinarily confident, and not only does he not make excuses for his nature, he relishes it. He is 100% sure of himself in every situation. He is protective and sexy as hell, and he always gets what he wants, every time, without exception.
But don’t let this BAMF fool you. He has a playful heart, and can be thoughtful and kind as well. I’m not talking about merely paying attention and taking notes on the girl he wants to hit the sheets with—he gets to know her (Sookie), what makes her tick, who she is, and what she is all about. All that wrapped up in a 6’5”, blond-haired, blue-eyed, Nordic god of a man? How could you NOT love him!
This vampire Viking sex god is good at everything, really. He is a dedicated Maker, an epic lover, a great listener, and a wise and loyal vamp to have on your side. Don’t be fooled by his sexy, fanged smile either. He is also a phenomenal fighter! Lethal with both a sword and his fangs. He relishes a good fight. Is it wrong to swoon when this Viking lets loose his battle cry? Or sigh when he swings that giant sword in the midst of battle with the grace of a dancer? Honestly, we don’t care!
Who can resist this Viking’s teasing, his playfulness, his charm, his sense of humor, and his almost infectious passion for life and all its wonders. When this Alpha beckons, we answer. A flash of those fangs, and that smile, and we yield to him faster than Sookie can say, “Yikes. Yahoo. Yum.”
QhuinnYou know him from: The Black Dagger Brotherhood series by J.R. Ward
First appeared in: Lover Revealed (VBC review), but see his HEA in Lover at Last (VBC review)
Supernatural status: Vampire
Championed by: Jen at Red Hot Books | @RedHotBooks
Imagine, if you will, a male so seductive that he is a magnet to both men and women alike. A male who could walk into a crowded bar, a tattoo parlor, or even the mall, and walk out with another notch on his bedpost. Of course, you don’t really have to use your imagination—you need only meet Qhuinn.
Pierced and powerful. 6-foot-5. 250 pounds of chiseled muscle. And he knows what to do with every ounce. Not just in the bedroom—where he has shown he can handle more than one partner at a time—but on the streets. For years, Qhuinn served as a bodyguard to his best friend, John Matthew. He fought alongside the Black Dagger Brotherhood long before he joined their ranks, slaying Lessers, battling the Band of Bastards… doing whatever was necessary to protect the males at his side.
Qhuinn and Eric may both be vampires, but that’s where the similarity ends. Eric is an opportunistic tool. A user. And frankly, cares more about himself than anyone around him. Qhuinn is his own man. One who stands up for the people who stand for him.
With one green eye and one blue, he’s considered an outcast among the elite, but the trials he faced in their rejection only served to make him stronger. To make him unwavering in his loyalty to those who have always stood by him. Whether he is crash landing a plane, cracking skulls, or breaking furniture in a sexual frenzy, he does nothing by half measure. He fights hard. He fucks hard. And he doesn’t need amnesia to know how to love.
Through the eyes of his lover, we see in him what makes him so undeniable. So Alpha. “It was the thrust of that stubborn jaw, and the dark, slashing eyebrows, and those piercings up his ear and in his full lower lip. It was that thick, glossy black hair and the golden skin and that heavily muscled body. It was the way he laughed and the fact that he never, ever cried. It was the scars on his inside no one knew about and the conviction that he would always be the first to run into a burning building or a bloody fight or a car wreck. It was all the things Qhuinn had been and was ever going to be.”
Move over, Viking. There’s a real warrior in town.
This poll will be open for 48 hours. Alpha with the most votes will advance.
This was a toughie for me…but I totally went with Eric. I’m all for the playful at heart 🙂
Loyalty and selflessness always wins for me. I vote Quinn.
I’m not too vested in either alpha, but I’ll go with Eric.
A tough call, but I had to go with Eric. He’s one awesome vampire and totally kick-ass.
As this is Eric’s last chance to be in this contest, my vote goes to him. Go Mr. Northman (and not to Oklahoma)! 😉
I’m going to have to agree with you. Qhuinn could have another go next year…possibly?
I have to go with Qhuinn on this one. Nothing against Eric but even though Qhuinn is just a baby next to him, Qhuinn is easily more badass.
YES! Age does not make an alpha!
Notice that, in the description of Eric, there was no need to insult Qhuinn. He’s just that bad ass. However, in order to make Qhuinn seem good enough, his champions needed to tear Eric down (falsely) in order to make it look like Qhuinn was up to the challenge. Which he clearly is not. This is an easy choice. Eric, hands down, every time. No doubt about it!
Thank you, Rae! Eric is certainly confident enough in his own abilities to let his sword do the speaking for him!
I second Barbara! Eric has my vote. 🙂
I like my vampires old and pale (that sounded sexier in my head) so this was a no brainer for me. Go Eric, go! Then again, I may be a little biased, since I’ve never had the pleasure of “meeting” Qhuinn. But a pierced vamp? Sounds positively yummy. I may have to start a new series because of what I learned here tonight. But my vote, and my heart, still belong to Eric for now.
Qhuinn should respect his elders. Eric wins. Simple as that.
Qhuinn!!!
Eric! Always! (Qhuinn’s pretty yummy, but.. still a baby vamp)
Hands down no contest for me. It is always Qhuinn. Eric is a total badass. I give him that. But oh my gosh there was never a time I felt bad for Eric. Being an Alpha is not always being hard and tough 24/7. Qhuinn gets what it is like to be an outcast and still fighting for what he believes is right. He will do anything for his friends and family and I mean anything.
QHUINN ALL DAY EVERYDAY!.
You’ve NEVER felt bad for Eric? How about when his memories returned? How about when Sookie cut the bond without telling him? Oh, my heart aches for that beautiful Viking vampire! The things that Eric has done to keep his people and the woman he loves safe, are staggering.
Eric Northman. He was a Viking and has thousands of years experience on Qhuinn.
YES!!! 😀
BDB fan here…Qhuinn of course!!
Both are fantastic but I had to give it to Quinn
Has to be Quinn… BDB all the way 🙂
I vote Quinn!
Eric may be super duper smexy but he is an opportunistic, manipulative asshat to the nth degree. Qhuinn is the real deal. He doesn’t manipulative people or move them around like pieces on a chess board to get what he wants. He walks into danger and saves those he cares about with absolutely no regard to himself. He would sacrifice himself for his friends, mate, and the Brotherhood as well as the rest of the vampire community when they have done nothing but shun him his whole life. That is TRUE alpha material through-and-through. You feel me?
I feel you!! My sentiments exactly.
I’ve not read Lover At Last, but I’m voting for Qhuinn not only for the blurb but because Eric is a subordinate who will always do what his master commands. Not much of an Alpha in that regard if you ask me.
So true! Eric wanted Sookie but he didn’t stand up for her. Not very alpha like IMO.
Eric stood up for Sookie repeatedly! Against a maenad, against a witch, against Queen Sophie-Ann, against Victor, against his maker, and against King Felipe DeCastro. Sookie stood up for Eric…oh never. There’s only so much disregard a man can take before he gets the hint. :p
I voted for Qhuinn, but Barbara, i’m agree with you at 100% on the Eric/Sookie’s relationship..
I haven’t been too pleased with Eric in the last few Sookie books (I still have yet to read the final book too). But I’ve also not read up to date on the BDB. So my vote has to go to Eric.
Eric would have had my vote all the way until the LaL plane scene. Sorry, Viking. But that was badass.
“Eric is an opportunistic tool.” – YES!
Qhuinn all the way!!
I have not read these books so one or the other those not really matter to me.
Qhuinn was afraid to go after what he wanted or admit who he was. He is not a leader of vampires, by any means, and leadership is the #1 requirement of any Alpha.
Eric, OTOH, is every inch a leader, constantly looking out for the best interests of his people. And any Alpha worth my time has to be confident, loving exactly who he is. The self-loathing alone disqualifies Qhinn in my book!
I love them both !!!!
But Eric is no more alpha since the 12th book, for me.
He’s more and more weak over the lasts books…
On the contrary, Qhuinn is stronger and stronger…
I always love Eric, but now I love Qhuinn more.
( I’m french, so sorry for my bad english..^^)
Go Qhuinn!!!
It took guts to go on what your convinced is a suicide flight with the plane crash scene, not to mention killing your cousin (almost, until the “good doctor” came along), and just how he holds himself. Zsadist was my favorite but this round should go to Quinn
Qhuinn did hold back. He did hesitate. And he did it because he thought he was doing the right thing for the person he loved. Sometimes, it takes a stronger man NOT to go after what you want; to not put your own needs and desires first.
Eric lies and manipulates Sookie (and everyone else) into doing what he wants. It’s far less about the best interest of his people and more about the best interest of Eric. From the blood bond to tricking Sookie into marriage, Eric is constantly pulling the strings to suit his own needs. And when push comes to shove, he puts his own best interest before those around him.
What she said!
LOL
That Viking will always have my heart. Eric, without a doubt!
This wasn’t a hard one for me, at all. ERIC ERIC ERIC!!!
Eric because he can be politic when he has to but if politics don’t do it he has other skills that will.
No question – QUINN! Totally takes care of what he cherishes. Only getting better with age.
I haven’t even read his book, but I’m going with Quinn hands down. This is based on the blurb up top, and the fact that Eric can’t win since he ditches his female in the end. Not a very alpha thing to do.
I agree!
Wow, this is close. But for me, Eric all the way!
It has to be Eric. Phwoar!
ERIC FTW!!!
Yeah, simply for the plane scene. Quinn
This one was easy. It’s Quinn all the way. I love the BDB series so much…LOL
Haven’t read the other series yet.
It is Qhuinn for me. For putting his body on the line every day to protect those he loves and his community. Even when the community does not appreciate it.
Eric has his good points but they do not stack up against Q.
Eric cause he looked out for Sookie til the end.
This is a tough one, but I’m going with Eric.
Oh, jaysus. I struggled with this one. Going with Qhuinn!!!!!!
Eric hands down! Once you go Viking you never go back!
I don’t know on this one because I haven’t read Qhuinn’s books. Eric doesn’t seem like a top alpha to me though with all that’s happened with arranged marriage his dead maker set up. Plus I don’t really like him for keeping it secret from Sookie and not following his heart.
Qhuinn always!!!
Qhinn all the way. The Sookie series has nothing on the Brotherhood. We’ve seen him grow so much.
I love both equally in different ways and for different reasons!
Team Qhuinn!!
I got to go with Eric.
Qhuinn – and I haven’t even read Lover at Last yet! I know what he’s done, what he is going to do, and how the Brothers all are. He has always protected his people, even after how he has been treated all his life.