The Cartel

by Ashley Antoinette and JaQuavis Coleman, Don Winslow
The Cartel cover
Good Books rating 3.92
Crime, Mystery, Thriller/Suspense
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Paperback • £9.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 5955
  • Added: 2025-10-27
  • Updated: 2025-12-13
  • ISBN: 9780434023554
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2015-06-25
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

The Cartel is a gripping, true-to-life epic that delves into the heart of the Mexican-American drug wars. It's a story of power, corruption, revenge, and justice, spanning a decade of brutal conflict. DEA agent Art Keller has spent thirty years in a blood feud against Adan Barrera, the head of El FederaciÃ3n, the world's most powerful cartel. Keller's relentless pursuit of Barrera costs him dearly, including the woman he loves and the life he wants to lead. As Barrera rebuilds his empire, Keller goes on a ten-year odyssey to take him down, fighting his personal battle against the backdrop of Mexico's devastating drug war./n/nThe Cartel is not just a story of one man's obsession with justice or revenge, but a broader narrative of the war on drugs and the men and women who wage it. It's a tale of honour and sacrifice, as Keller struggles to face down the devil without losing his soul. The novel is a testament to the author's deep understanding of the subject matter, offering a vivid and unflinching look at the realities of the drug war.

Reviews
The StoryGraph · 2025-11-14
phenomenal 5.00

Everything in this book is on point, from the story and themes to the settings and characters. The main protagonist and villain are particularly well-crafted.

The reviewer praises 'The Cartel' for its exceptional storytelling, themes, settings, and characters. They highlight the main protagonist and villain as particularly well-crafted, making the book a standout in the genre. The reviewer appreciates the depth and complexity of the narrative, which keeps readers engaged from start to finish. They also note that the book's themes are timely and relevant, adding to its overall impact. The reviewer finds the book to be a phenomenal read that showcases the author's skill and attention to detail.

Quick quotes

    Everything is on point in this book.

    The story, themes, settings, and characters were phenomenal.

    The main protagonist and villain are particularly well-crafted.

Reddit - r/books · 2025-11-14
compelling 3.50

The second half of the novel is excellent, but as a whole, it is not as good as 'The Power of the Dog'. The book is compelling and gripping with an intricate plot.

The reviewer notes that while the second half of 'The Cartel' is excellent, the book as a whole does not quite match up to 'The Power of the Dog'. They find the book compelling and gripping, with an intricate plot full of twists and turns. The reviewer appreciates the gifted writing and meticulous research that goes into the novel, making it a worthwhile read despite some shortcomings. They also mention that the book's characters are well-developed and the story is engaging, but it lacks the overall impact of its predecessor.

Quick quotes

    Closer to 3.5 stars than 4 stars.

    The second half of the novel is excellent.

    The Cartel is not as good as The Power of the Dog.

Amazon · 2025-10-27
thrilling 4.70

The book starts strong with a compelling opening that sets the tone, and the characters grow on the reader quickly. The story is engaging and keeps readers hooked with its intense and dramatic narrative.

Amazon reviewers appreciated the strong start of 'The Cartel,' particularly the way the opening scene sets the tone for the rest of the book. The characters quickly grow on the reader, making them invested in the story from the beginning. The intense and dramatic narrative keeps readers hooked, making it a compelling read. The book's pacing and character development are praised, with readers finding the story engaging and well-crafted. However, some readers might find the graphic content challenging, but for those who enjoy a thrilling and intense read, this book is a great choice.

Quick quotes

    The characters quickly grow on the reader, making them invested in the story from the beginning.

    The intense and dramatic narrative keeps readers hooked.

    The book starts strong with a compelling opening that sets the tone.

The Storygraph · 2025-10-27
disappointing 2.50

The book had potential but fell short due to its rushed pacing and underdeveloped characters. The story's fast pace prevented the characters from growing, leaving them one-dimensional.

The Storygraph reviewers noted that 'The Cartel' had all the makings of a good book but ultimately didn't deliver on its promise. The fast-paced narrative was a double-edged sword; while it kept the story moving, it also meant that the characters didn't have time to develop fully. This resulted in one-dimensional characters who lacked depth and growth. The story's potential was evident, but the execution fell short, leaving readers feeling that the book could have been much more impactful with a slower, more thoughtful pace.

Quick quotes

    The story's potential was evident, but the execution fell short.

    The fast-paced narrative was a double-edged sword.

    The characters didn't have time to develop fully.

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