How to Read the Eagle Elite Series
Rachel Van Dyken’s bestselling Eagle Elite series is a sprawling, high-stakes romantic suspense saga that blends contemporary NA (New Adult) college romance with dark mafia intrigue. The story revolves around Eagle Elite University, a prestigious academy run by the Chicago Cosa Nostra, where the descendants of the five ruling families—known as the Elect—enforce their own brutal laws.
To navigate the intricate web of family alliances, blood feuds, and romantic partnerships, we recommend reading the series in its original publication order. While there is a chronological order (which places the prequel Enchant first), reading the books as they were released preserves the mystery, explains the lore naturally, and prevents major plot points from being spoiled early on.
Recommended Reading Order (Publication Order)
Following the publication order is the safest and most rewarding way to experience the saga, allowing you to follow the natural development of the characters and the overarching war between the Italian and Russian mafia factions.
- Elite (2013) – The core entry that introduces Tracey Rooks, a Wyoming farm girl who wins a scholarship to Eagle Elite University, and Nixon Abandonato, the lethal leader of the Elect.
- Elect (2013) – Continues Tracey and Nixon's volatile relationship as their bond draws the crosshairs of rival families onto Tracey.
- Enforce (2014) – A companion book that retells the events of Elite from the perspectives of the male leads, offering deeper insight into the inner workings of the Abandonato family.
- Entice (2014) – Shifts focus to Chase Abandonato and Mil De Lange, exploring their painful past, family expectations, and forbidden desire.
- Elicit (2014) – Focuses on Tex Campisi and his intense, slow-burn relationship with Mo, highlighting the personal sacrifices demanded by mafia loyalty.
- Bang Bang (2014) – A fast-paced novella that bridges major character developments and acts as a transition point in the family wars.
- Enchant (2015) – A prequel novella that explores the origin story of the mafia families and the older generation's forbidden secrets.
- Enamor (2015) – A romance-heavy novella that catches up with Chase and Mil as they struggle to find peace amidst ongoing family duties.
- Ember (2015) – Explores the story of Phoenix De Luca and Bee, dealing with themes of vengeance, survival, and escaping a bloody legacy.
- Elude (2015) – Centers on Sergio Abandonato and Andi, showing the emotional scars of a hitman trying to protect the woman he loves.
- Empire (2016) – Continues Sergio's high-stakes narrative, raising the tension as the families face existential threats from internal power struggles.
- Enrage (2017) – Focuses on the escalation between the Italian and Russian syndicates, exploring the dark romance of Dante and El Petrov.
- Eulogy (2018) – A pivotal book that deals with legacy and death, centering on the heavy toll exacted by the family business on Chase and the next generation.
- Envy (2018) – A novella that details the romance between the lethal enforcer Victor "Vic" Colezan and Renee.
- Exposed (2018) – Uncovers long-buried secrets as the original couples, including Nixon and Tracey, face the ultimate trial to secure their families' future.
- Dissolution (2023) – The final, action-packed conclusion to the original Eagle Elite generation, resolving the decades-long conflict for control of the syndicate.
Chronological Order vs. Publication Order
For readers who prefer a timeline-based approach, the chronological reading order shifts a few titles. In this order, the prequel Enchant is read first because it lays down the historical foundation of the families. Additionally, Bang Bang is placed right after Elite to keep the immediate timeline aligned. However, new readers should note that starting with the prequel might lessen the impact of the mysteries uncovered in the first two books.
- Enchant (Prequel)
- Elite (Book 1)
- Bang Bang (Novella)
- Elect (Book 2)
- Enforce (Companion POV)
- Entice (Book 3)
- Elicit (Book 4)
- Enamor (Novella)
- Ember (Book 5)
- Elude (Book 6)
- Empire (Book 7)
- Enrage (Book 8)
- Eulogy (Book 9)
- Envy (Novella)
- Exposed (Book 10)
- Dissolution (Book 11)
Spin-offs and the Extended Universe
Rachel Van Dyken’s mafia world extends beyond the core Eagle Elite series. Once you finish the original books, there are two primary companion series you should explore to continue your journey in this universe:
The Mafia Royals Series
This direct spin-off series focuses on the second generation—the children of the original characters. It returns to Eagle Elite University with a fresh cast of characters, new family rivalries, and the same trademark dark romance. It is highly recommended to read this series after completing the core books to avoid major spoilers regarding who survives and who ends up together.
- Royal Bully (Book 0.5 - Prequel)
- Ruthless Princess (Book 1)
- Scandalous Prince (Book 2)
- Destructive King (Book 3)
- Mafia King (Book 4)
- Fallen Royal (Book 5)
- Broken Crown (Book 6)
The Elite Bratva Brotherhood
Focusing on the Russian mafia elements introduced throughout the main series, this series includes titles like Rip and Debase. These novels feature crossovers with the Eagle Elite characters (especially around the events of Elude and Enrage) but follow different couples and are designed to stand alone as complete stories.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into the dark world of Eagle Elite, readers should be prepared for the specific conventions of New Adult mafia romance. The series features mature themes, including violence, syndicate power struggles, high emotional angst, and explicit romantic scenes. The initial books lean heavily into the "Elect Rules" on campus—specifically, the strict decree that regular students must not touch, look at, or speak to the ruling elite. Over time, the setting transitions from the university grounds into the broader, grittier realities of the Chicago mafia scene, making it a perfect binge-read for fans of intense romantic suspense.