Alpha by R. Vincent

AlphaEvery year there are a handful of books that I eagerly anticipate. Alpha by Rachel Vincent was definitely a big one for 2010.

The unscrupulous new Council chair has charged Jace, Marc and me with trespassing, kidnapping, murder and treason. Yeah, we’ve been busy. But now it’s time to take justice into our own hands. We must avenge my brother’s death and carve out the rot at the heart of the Council.

It’s not going to be easy, and loss seems unavoidable, but I have promised to protect my Pride, no matter what. With a target on my back and Marc at my side, I’m heading for a final showdown that can—that will—change everything forever. A showdown I’m not sure I’m ready for.

But life never waits until you’re ready.

Alpha took me on such an emotional roller coaster that I won’t soon forget it. Honestly not many books do that. Sure, I can get the warm fuzzies when something good happens to the characters or I’ll be rooting for the protagonist to succeed, but Alpha (and really the whole shifters series) made me feel for Faythe and her pain on a level that I just don’t often do. It almost felt like it was happening to me. When Faythe looses someone, I was unbelievably sad right with her; and when she is discriminated against, I was just as incensed as she was. Rachel Vincent’s ability to make me feel what Faythe did is almost eerie. I don’t know if it’s because I’m around the same age as Faythe is, but for me this is the main reason for my love of this series. I was so immersed in the book, so invested in what was going to happen that I would only take a break for the restroom. I literally lost sleep trying to finish Alpha, and I can say that I’m glad that I did.

Faythe is all grown up now. Long gone are the tantrums that she used to throw, the ‘why mes’ that she was constantly spouting, and the punches that she liked to throw without thinking. In it’s place is a young woman who, while still hot-headed, thinks before she acts. Faythe and the South-Central Pride are the underdogs in the fight against Calvin Malone and his allies. His power hungry ways and archaic views make everything go horribly wrong. Faythe faces against unbelievably bad odds, and she doesn’t come out unscathed. It’s a wonder that she doesn’t have a nervous break down with all of the pressure that is on her.

And if fighting against Malone and his allies isn’t enough, there is the love triangle between Faythe, Marc, and Jace that she needs to contend with. Most of the book Faythe just can’t make a decision. She loves both Marc and Jace, and they don’t make it easy on her. They both fight to prove that they are the one who belongs by Faythe’s side. I have to admit that for me I just didn’t know who she was going to choose. I could see the appeal of both Marc and Jace, so I wasn’t all that invested in her picking one over the other. When she did make her final choice though, I was completely happy with it. In my view the guy that she chose was right for her.

Overall, I’m incredibly sad that Alpha is the last in the Shifters series. I can easily see Mrs. Vincent going on to a seventh book, but alas, this is the end and I wouldn’t expect a full Shifters book anytime soon. That being said, this book was an amazing end to an amazing series, and I look forward to reading anything else that Rachel Vincent has to offer in the future. I think that much like myself, followers of Faythe and the South-Central Pride will not be disappointed with Alpha by Rachel Vincent.

Read Order:
Stray
Rogue
Pride
Prey
Shift
Alpha

Also reviewed by: Larissa’s Bookish Life; The Cozy Reader; Wicked Little Pixie; Book Chick City

2 Comments

  1. Great review – I felt much the same after finishing Alpha. It’s been such a wild ride with the were-cats! And Faythe has grown up so much. I’ll miss the cats too! :)

  2. I’m almost ashamed to say that haven’t read this series yet. It’s been on my TBR pile for a very long time but I just haven’t gotten around to reading it. Overall I’ve heard incredible things not only about Alpha and the ending of the series but of the series in general. Your definitely not alone in the emotional roller coaster ride which makes me almost hesitant in starting this series because I’m not very good with goodbyes!

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