Cartel Books In Order

Publication Order of The Cartel Books

Working together, the husband and wife team of Ashley Antoinette and JaQuavis Coleman, as they operate under the name of ‘Ashley and JaQuavis’. Creating literature together that really does burst of each and every page, they create worlds that truly are visceral and real in equal measure. This has lead to them gaining success from all quarters, as they combine their resources to create one singular seemingly unstoppable team. Evident in their work, this is especially the case when considering how it is that they go about building their characters and really setting the scene for the reader. Ashley Antoinette comes with a whole host of credits and achievements, having built an impressive backlog of work. Regarded as one of the most successful female writers of her generation, she has a unique voice that really gets straight to the heart of the issue. Writing from a very real and very genuine place, her work is at once personal yet accessible, with countless readers worldwide attracted to her work. Setting herself apart from the rest, she also creates characters that really leap off of the page, as they come across as altogether extremely real for her readers.

Her husband JaQuavis Coleman is also an extremely well established writer, being highly regarded throughout the literary industry from an early age. Starting out at the young age of just eighteen, he quickly made a name for himself with his direct and immediate style of writing. Knowing exactly how to talk to the reader, he would deliver the material in a manner which was entertaining and exciting. Showing no signs of slowing down, he has published numerous ‘street fiction’ classics, many of which he and his wife have written together. One series that they have become particularly well known for is that of their series titled ‘The Cartel’ set in the criminal underworld. Taking place largely in Miami, they feature a large cartel and all that goes on around it, in what is essentially a ‘slice-of-life’ series of books. Working ostensibly as a saga, they capture all the high-drama that surrounds this particular organization, looking at their day to day ongoing surrounding their business. With a whole host of different characters, it provides readers an insight into this dark and otherwise unseen way of life, whilst also not forgetting to entertain and enthral them.

Running for seven books so far and counting, this collection of novels definitely manages to capture the essence of what they’re about. Starting out in 2009 they’ve run to 2014, with the series growing and building on extensively over the course of its entire run. It also has spin-off series, such as the ‘Carter Diamond’ series of novels, which feature the eponymous lead character from the original Cartel series. Featuring deceit, betrayal and murder, this is one saga that reaches Shakespearean levels with its action and excitement.

The Cartel

Released through the Urban Books publishing label, this was first published in 2009, on1st of January to much acclaim. Coming together for the first in the series of ‘The Cartel’ novels, Antoinette and Coleman really make the most of their story and their world. Setting up all the principal characters and their backstories, it gets everything into place for what will be a huge series to follow.

Effectively introducing the story and the world of The Cartel, this takes the reader and places them squarely in the center of the action. Allowing them see everything directly, it also takes its time to flesh out each of the characters individually as well, really giving an insight into their lives. It also goes about foreshadowing much of what’s to come in the series to follow as well, letting the reader get a clear insight into the world as a whole. Not only that, but it also provides an exhilarating sense of action and speed, providing the audience with an action packed ride.

Bringing in approximately millions dollars of cocaine every year, the port of Miami is a cornerstone to the drugs trade there. With The Cartel owning around eighty percent of it, they’ve managed to successfully secure the trade and base of operations essentially. Then, all of a sudden chaos breaks out after their leader is lost, the once famous and most ruthless gangster to ever reign Carter Diamond. He leaves behind a daughter, twin sons, and an illegitimate secret son known of as Carter Jones, who arrives in town after hearing of his father’s death. Here he learns of The Cartel itself along with his father’s legacy, as well as meeting assassin and leader of the Murder Mamas, an opposing clan, as she has sworn vengeance against them for taking her sister. How will she react after unknowingly falling for Carter Jones, her most sworn enemy? Can she wreak her vengeance against him? What will become of Carter and The Cartel?

Tale of the Murda Mamas

Marking the second book in the series of ‘The Cartel’, this provides another story and another angle to the criminal underworld laid out in the first. Following on from the last it essentially builds upon what came before, working as a novel that is a world-building and character developing instalment. Published through the Urban Books publishing imprint once more, this was also released in 2009, this time on the 1st of November.

Featuring the story of the ‘Murder Mamas’ organization this time, the series turns its focus to them and their operations. Combining seduction, betrayal, lies and deceit, this really manages to get to the heart of the story. With a whole cast of rich and layered characters all fighting for their place, it’s definitely a thrill packed ride. Who will come out alive? Who will get left behind? What will become of the tale of the Murder Mamas?

The Cartel Series

This is one series that really has it all, with its fast paced sense of action and excitement, providing a sense of escapism, whilst also keeping itself grounded. Allowing the reader into its world, it guides them along with both wit and intelligence, not letting up for one single moment. Not only that, but there’s also plenty of character development too, letting the reader invest themselves in each of the people individually and grounding the storyline. With a lot more room to continue building upon itself indefinitely, this is one series that will not be going away anytime soon.