Book Review: Alpha - Rachel Vincent

"The only thing I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt - I would live and die for my Pride."
Everything is about to change for werecat Faythe when her father is ousted from the council that controls their secret world. And a shocking tragedy jeopardises her future as Alpha of the Pride.
Now a rebel on the run, Faythe's biggest fight lies ahead. Old allies from the supernatural world are ready to stand by her side. And weretoms Marc and Jace would give their very souls in the duel for Faythe's heart...
Yet as their enemies draw near Faythe knows that she - and she alone - can lead the pride into what may be their final battle. - From the back of the book.

Alpha is the last book in the amazing series by Rachel Vincent (*FOR ADULTS*). It is an exception to my usual reading, as when I first started the series, I didn't realise it wasn't YA, and was very surprised. It is most definitely an adult book, and I wouldn't recommend it for anybody younger than 16. Anyway, back to the book.

I have loved the Shifters series since I read the first book, Stray, back in 2008. I was on holiday, and I was glued to the book for a whole day, sitting there in the sun turning pages, and ignoring what was going on around me, in the pool, at the table etc. It was just that good. But that was Stray, and this is Alpha.

Alpha picks up shortly after where Shift finished. There's going to be a vote for the new council chair, and Faythe, Marc and Jace, have accompanied her father to the vote. Calvin Malone is determined to come out winner, and he will do anything to make sure he is. Again. Things don't go well, and this leads to events so bad, loss so hard for Faythe, harder than any loss she's ever had to face before. Vincent doesn't shy away from details, and I found myself crying more than once while reading this book, something which doesn't happen very much.

There is a lot of tension between the three main characters. Faythe's heart is still being pulled in tow opposite directions, by two completely different toms. Will she choose Marc, who's been with her forever, or will she choose Jace, who can't help but be completely and utterly in love with her. Marc and Jace are angry at each other, always arguing, and completely ready to fight to the death for Faythe's love.

After finishing this book, I didn't know what to do. I can't bring myself to read anything else, because nothing could be as good, so all I want to do is start again, and go through all the emotional ups and downs that Faythe endures throughout the book. I don't think I have ever felt the characters emotions quite as much as I did with this series, and throughout the six books, I have laughed, cried, and thrown the book across the room, only to run over and pick it up again, so I could find out what happens next.

I am completely content with the ending. I will not tell you which or Faythe's love interests I prefer, though, I will tell you that the one I wanted, was the one she chose. I have always loved him, and I am so happy for Faythe, because he is just the best. Hehe.

Faythe has grown so much as a character. If you compared the Faythe from Stray, and the Faythe from Alpha, you wouldn't recognize them as the same person. By the end of Alpha, she's learnt to cope with her emotions, and has grown up into a strong, independent, and feisty woman. I admire her strength, and her courage, and she has to be one of my favourite heroines of all time.

So, all in all, the finale to the Shifters series was an amazing one, and it was definitely my favourite book of the six in the series. If you haven't read them yet, hurry down to your local bookstore or computer, depending on where you buy your books from, and buy them all. Stray, Rogue, Pride, Prey, Shift and Alpha. You will not be disappointed.

I give it 5 Feet!