Books On Board
series Reading Order

Cartel Trilogy Books in Order

3 Books
2015 – 2016 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order
01
Cartel
Cartel
2015
Amazon
02
Kingpin
Kingpin
2015
Amazon
03
Empire
2016
Amazon

Recommended Reading Order: Where to Start?

While the Cartel Trilogy acts as a prequel to the Gypsy Brothers series, Lili St. Germain recommends reading the original series first. Reading the books in publication order allows the dark mysteries of Venice Beach and the Gypsy Brothers Motorcycle Club to unfold naturally before exploring their origins in Colombia and the US.

Option 1: The Author's Recommended Order (Publication Order)

Start with the fast-paced, serialized events of the Gypsy Brothers series, and then dive into the full-length prequel novels of the Cartel Trilogy to see how the chaos began. This is the optimal path for suspense and narrative tension.

  • Gypsy Brothers Series (Books 1–8 plus novellas)
  • Cartel Trilogy (Books 1–3)

Option 2: Chronological Order

If you prefer to understand the timeline sequentially from the very beginning, you can start with the Cartel Trilogy. This path traces Mariana Rodriguez's tragic transfer to the Gypsy Brothers club and Dornan Ross's rise to power before the main events of Seven Sons.

  • Cartel Trilogy (Prequel backstory)
  • Gypsy Brothers Series (Main timeline)

Cartel Trilogy Book List

The Cartel Trilogy consists of three full-length novels published between 2015 and 2016. The books should be read in this exact order:

  1. Cartel (2015) – Mariana Rodriguez is handed over to the Gypsy Brothers Motorcycle Club to settle her father's massive debt.
  2. Kingpin (2015) – The stakes rise as Mariana navigates captivity and her complex relationship with Dornan deepens.
  3. Empire (2016) – The dramatic conclusion to Mariana and Dornan's struggle for survival and redemption.

The Gypsy Brothers Reading Order

If you follow the recommended path and read the original series first, here is the complete order of the Gypsy Brothers series:

  1. Seven Sons (2014)
  2. Six Brothers (2014)
  3. Five Miles (2014)
  4. Four Score (2014)
  5. Three Years (2014)
  6. Two Roads (2014)
  7. One Love (2014)
  8. Alternate (2014, Bonus Novella)
  9. Zero Hour (2015)

Frequently Asked

QShould I read Gypsy Brothers or the Cartel Trilogy first?

Lili St. Germain recommends reading the Gypsy Brothers series first, even though the Cartel Trilogy serves as a prequel. Reading in publication order preserves the mystery and suspense of the characters' fates.

QHow many books are in the Cartel Trilogy?

The Cartel Trilogy contains three full-length novels: Cartel (2015), Kingpin (2015), and Empire (2016).

QAre the Gypsy Brothers and Cartel books dark romances?

Yes, both series are gritty dark romances containing themes of organized crime, motorcycle clubs, and mature elements. Reader discretion is advised.

QIs there a Gypsy Brothers omnibus edition?

Yes, the entire Gypsy Brothers serial series is collected in Gypsy Brothers: The Complete Series, which is convenient for readers wanting to read the main timeline in one go.

QWhere does the novella Alternate fit in the reading order?

The bonus novella Alternate is best read between One Love (Book 7) and Zero Hour (Book 8) within the Gypsy Brothers series.

QWho are the main characters of the Cartel Trilogy?

The trilogy focuses on Mariana Rodriguez, the daughter of a Colombian drug lord, and Dornan Ross, a prominent and dangerous figure in the Gypsy Brothers Motorcycle Club.