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Round 9: Ryodan vs. Ethan Sullivan [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.

Ryodan dominated the first round of the Showdown. Taking out Mercy Thompson with the power you’d expect from one of the Nine. How will he fare against the cunning Ethan Sullivan, who already bested stellar assassin Secret McQueen?

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 9: RYODAN

vs. ETHAN SULLIVAN

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.

House Rules by Chloe NeillEthan Sullivan

You know him from: Chicagoland Vampires Series by Chloe Neill
First appeared in: Some Girls Bite (VBC review)
Supernatural status: Master vampire

Championed by: Zee the Terrible from the Saucy Wenches Book Club | @SaucyWenchesBC

Ethan Sullivan, Master of Cadogan house, Viking vampire, and force to be reckoned with. Ethan, as far as I’m concerned, has pretty much all the qualities of an unbeatable alpha. Gorgeous as hell, sexy as sin, hard working, a loyal and fierce leader, looks great in a suit (or, some might argue, even better out of one), great sense of humor, a VERY smooth operator, has a way with words that makes your knees wobbly, can seduce a nun out of her habit, and possesses the skills to back it all up (oh my… does he ever!). But that isn’t where it ends. Sure, you’re thinking, all alphas have most of those things. Big deal, right?

I’ll tell you what the big deal is: How many alphas have you come across who have GROWN right alongside the heroine? Evolved in front of your very eyes? Ethan has. Ethan OWNS his mistakes, his insecurities. He learns from his mistakes and will do anything to put them right. He apologizes in the most wonderful, heartfelt, sincere ways possible (and for as long as possible). He is willing to see your point of view and work with it, at whatever cost necessary.

And I can guarantee you, you will never get bored in your relationship with Ethan. Just when we thought we couldn’t love+lust Ethan more, he manages to take it to a WHOLE new level. He is the stuff of freaking legend (and fantasy)! I don’t know how any woman (or man) is supposed to resist him. His charm, his sexy silvered eyes, his eagerness to learn how to win Merit’s heart, his library (100 points to Sullivan for that!), not to mention his unbelievable sparring skills (poetry in motion, according to Merit), and the fact that he is DEADLY with a katana (and without!). Fighting might be his last resort, after diplomacy and political maneuvering, but you don’t get to be a 400-year-old Master vampire because you have a way with words. Enemies would do well to remember that he was a soldier when he was human. A very good one, for a very long time, until he was turned. So, rival Alphas, don’t be fooled by the urbane vampire in the impeccable Armani suits; he can wipe the floor with your ass… and look great doing it.

Where I believe most other alphas have failed, Ethan excels. Communication, perseverance, gentleness when needed, or unyielding badassness. He even handles his crazy exes in the best possible way. And did I mention, he says the most amazing things? And means them? I know words only count for so much, but damn… when you have the heart and sincerity to back them up, it makes them all the sweeter. If you haven’t gotten to know Ethan yet, I STRONGLY suggest you do; he will pass even your first “fight” with flying colors. And you will come to admire the Alpha who puts the vampires in his House, who have entrusted him with their care for hundreds of years and pledged him their undying loyalty, before ALL his own desires. The Alpha who WILL go down with his house and vampires if need be. He leads them. From behind the desk, from the front lines, from beyond the grave. There is no contest. He will always find a way (with the help of the woman he loves and respects more than any other). He will always win. He is what our wildest dreams, sweetest and most carnal fantasies are made of. He is Ethan Sullivan.

“I am your Master and your servant. Just tell me how to please you.” *SIGH*

Need more convincing? He didn’t hesitate for even a nano second before sacrificing his life for the woman he loves. Not.Even.A.Second. NUFF F***ING SAID!

VOTE!

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

91 Responses to “Round 9: Ryodan vs. Ethan Sullivan [Alpha Showdown 2013]”

  1. KateL. says:

    Ryodan – you badass – do not disgrace me after I let you win in the first round! 😉

  2. Ash says:

    Ryodan all the way!!!

  3. Murphy Kennedy says:

    RYODAN!

  4. April says:

    I love them both so much. But when it comes down to it Ryodan would eat Ethan has a snack.

  5. Christy says:

    Ryo for sure!

  6. DeAnna P says:

    Ryo is more Alpha & Ethan only came back to life because a witch helped!

  7. Sofija Kapranova says:

    I can’t… It’s so difficult! Okay, I choose Ethan…

  8. Marcia says:

    Ethan is great, but Ryodan would come out as the survivor in a true fight. He could even die and come back again, without help from anyone. So Ryodan, it is.

  9. dr susan says:

    So sorry, but Ryodan is a bully. He may beat Ethan, but he will get taken down.

  10. Sapphire says:

    Definitely Ryo!

  11. RVASarah says:

    Ethan! He has grown so very much as a character throughout this series. I say, the true test of “alpha-ness” is growth while maintaining a sense of who they are at their core. THIS is Ethan Sullivan. 🙂

  12. I’ve not read Iced but from the description, Ryodan just sounds more alpha than Ethan 🙂

    • Sarah says:

      But Ryodan is lusting after and beating up a 14 year old girl.

      • Margarita says:

        I think he’s just keeping an eye on her until she’s older. He doesn’t age and even he realizes she’s a wild card so it will cause him less trouble in the long run to keep a close eye on her now. He’s a manipulator that has had hundreds of years to learn the art. Dani is a bit of a self centered brat, getting pushed around by her superior will do her some good, she needs to grow up and I think he’s just speeding up the process.

      • Gaëlle says:

        I voted for Ethan.
        But I’m agree with you, Margarita.
        It’s fiction, with fictional characters. Ryodan is supposed to be a thousand-year-old being. He considers the duration of human lives like drops in the ocean of his own life. He watches humans born, live and die. He knows Dani is going to growing up soon, and according to her power and her potential, he wants to keep an eye on her. In his notion of time, she will be an adult soon. Like I said, the durance of a blink of an eye.
        ( I’m very sorry for my mediocre english, french people aren’t good linguists )

  13. Heather says:

    Sorry Ethan! I love u but Ryo could wipe the floor with u.

  14. Mary B says:

    Ryodan!

  15. Sheena T says:

    Hands down Ryo. I am now reading the Chicago Vampire series. And I am seeing what everyone sees in Ethan. But regardless Ryo can back everything he says up without any help.

  16. The Imp says:

    The Nine are the ultimate alphas!

  17. Zee says:

    My Ethan against one of the nine..sigh… no matter what, I love you Ethan!

  18. Amy M says:

    This is a difficult decision! But I think I have to go with….Ryodan! It’s crazy since I love Ethan and would normally choose him no matter what, but lets face it between the two Ryodan is more Alpha.

  19. Laura says:

    I had to pull for the underdog – Ethan! And now I have to read the Chicago Vamps books. I need to meet him. 🙂

  20. Meagan says:

    Ok, this is going to be an uphill battle..

    Ethan is master of 300 vampires, whereas Ryodan is a member of the nine. Ryodan isn’t even top alpha of the nine- Jerricho is. Ryodan definitely has a more in your face personality, which definitely comes across as more dominating….but Ethan seems to be capable of fighting as well as switching up tactics (manipulation, persuasion, etc).

    Ethan seems like the less obvious choice, but I pick him. And, he’s got much better taste in women.

  21. Sarah says:

    Ryodan is a bully but even worse a possible pedophile. He acts way to weird toward a 14 year old if beating her up isn’t bad enough. So have to go for Ethan. Who would win in a fight might be debatable but a true alpha protects those weaker than them.

    • Meagan says:

      Yes!!

    • Maya says:

      I totally agree with you. After reading Iced I started a huuuge dislike for Ryodan and Christian, but specially Ryodan. Even thought I’m still mad at Ethan for the relationship back and forth and voted for him. Anybody is better than Ryodan.

  22. Danielle says:

    Ethan!!

  23. Yvette says:

    Ryodan all the way!!!

  24. Jasmine H. says:

    Ryodan is the man!!!

  25. Esyra says:

    I don’t know ether so I guess I’ll go Ryodan.

    • Sarah says:

      For some info Ryodan has lived lifetimes and is a pedophile and child abuser.

    • Margarita says:

      Ryodan use to be a mercenary but after he was killed the first time, him and the other 9 discovered they cant die and can’t age since they first died. Super powerful and an extreme manipulator. He plays a bit of a background character in the fever series but is one of the main characters in Iced. He keeps an eye on a childish girl named Dani and tries to get her onto his side since she’s a wild card that is extremely reckless. pretty much, she tries to play batman in a post apocalyptic world.

  26. I am nothing if not loyal, so I am going with the stunning Ethan Sullivan. Because a true Alpha inspires loyalty, and Ethan’s 300 Cadogan vamps love their Liege. 😉

  27. Kristin D says:

    Oh man- I gotta go with Ethan b/c like Meagan said, while Ryo is one of the Nine he is no JZB. Ethan thought- true master and as a fellow Chicago gal I feel I need to represent for our city (even though this looks like it will be an uphill battle)

  28. Amber says:

    Crap on a stick. This is the hardest match-up yet! I LOVE Ethan, but come on, Ryodan is just… there are no words to describe his awesomeness. I guess I’m flipping a coin… tales Ethan, heads Ryodan… *flip* it’s… ETHAN!!!!!

  29. Vicki Wilson says:

    Ryodan!!!!!!!!

  30. Beth says:

    Ryodan!!!

  31. Fallen says:

    **SPOILERS for those who haven’t ventured into the Fever world**

    Ryodan is unkillable and has yet to display a single weakness. He’s the epitome of chillingly cool, calm, collected. He is what the abyss is afraid to stare into. He can’t be defeated.

    Hypothetical situation:
    Somehow Ethan actually manages to “kill” Ryodan. (Laughable thought, but play along… it amuses Ryodan.)

    Reality:
    Ryodan pops up alive and pissed in a desert somewhere, shakes off the sand, beats feet to Chicago, doesn’t bother wasting time or energy going beast, rips Ethan’s head off and puts it on display at Chester’s… as a bowl for bar nuts.

    THE END

    ‘Nuff said.

    • I agree. Ryodn has my vote. I kicked the Chicagoland Vampire series to the curb two books back. I had enough of it. I used to like Ethan but no more.

      • Fallen says:

        I read the Chicagoland Vamps series, but I’ve never been an Ethan fan. I’m more of a Jonah girl. 🙂

        I’m also hoping that Christian will win his bracket so that we can have that Ryodan vs. Christian showdown before KMM writes it, lol.

  32. Andie K. says:

    Ryo’s my master!

  33. Lenissa says:

    Ryodan all the way.

  34. Donna Mitchum says:

    I have no idea who Ethan is, but even if I did Ryodan is alpha incarnate!!

  35. Mags says:

    Seems they’ve both come back from being dead so it could be a very long fight. But here’s my deciding factor: so far Ryo’s a dick. Vote for Ethan!

  36. Cherie Lord says:

    Ryodan all the way, baby!!!!!!

  37. NO QUESTION! RYO!

    Nods head.

  38. mar says:

    ETHAN…..No Need to say more.

  39. DeLeetra J. Staley says:

    Ryodan all the way

  40. Elizabeth Tardencilla says:

    Ryodan is a bully and a possible pedophile
    Ethan is my Master!!

  41. Sara says:

    Gotta go with Ryo!

  42. Heather says:

    The hardest to pick so far. I love them both!

  43. Emma says:

    Gotta stick with Ethan! I love that vampire! 🙂

  44. Jen says:

    Ethan! !

  45. Shau says:

    Voted Ethan!

  46. Karla says:

    Ryodan will always be number one in my book. I’m voting for him to go all the way!!

  47. Margarita says:

    Ryo is THE ALPHA, hands down.

  48. Joanna Ts says:

    Loved Ryodan before Iced. I can’t stand the idea of him lusting after a 14yr old so Ethan it is. Not a bad choice this boy!*sigh*

    • Sarah says:

      I can’t stand Ryodan anymore either. I don’t think I’ll be continuing those books.

      • Margarita says:

        keep reading, I think its odd too but I think it will be a fever thing where moning shows the character changing and the main male standing by her side through the change. For Mac is was an emotional change, for Dani I think it will be an age and emotional change. I think its the potential Ryo is looking at right now. fingers crossed anyways.

  49. Theressa says:

    Ryodan all the way…IF somehow in some alternate universe Ethan COULD actually manage to kill him—Ryo would simply come back to life and take Ethan’s head…simple as that… 🙂

  50. Lathainya says:

    Ryodan !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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