Diablo 4 Reveals Lord of Hatred Prequel Novel

Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred is officially getting a prequel novel called The Lost Horadrim. Featuring Lorath Nahr and Askari leader Adreona on the island of Skovos decades ago, this book is perfect for players hoping to dig a little deeper into the next story. Diablo 4 expansion pack.

Ahead of The Game Awards, Geoff Keighley's mysterious statue had many fans believing Diablo 4 planned to reveal its second expansion pack. Although the idol ended up being related to Larian Studios Divinity, Diablo 4 revealed its next DLC as well. Titled Lord of Hatethis exciting expansion will finally let players take on Mephisto, the oldest Prime Evil and father of Lilith, when it releases on April 28, 2026.

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Lord of Hatred proves that this Diablo game will forever reign as the king of the franchise

With the new features coming in Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred, it's clear that one entry in the series is a favorite and will forever impact the series.

Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred Prequel Novel – The Lost Horadrim

diablo 4 the lost horadrim full cover art

But fans don't have to wait until then to start exploring some of the story Lord of Hate. On April 21, Diablo 4 will release The Lost Horadrimone more official prequel novel Lord of Hate which features several characters and locations central to the expansion's story. Set almost 50 years before the expansion, just after the events of Diablo 3: Reaper of Soulsthe story stars a younger Lorath Nahr as he sets out with Tyrael and Donan in search of a group of Horadrim who disappeared on the legendary island of Skovos.

There, the trio meet the Askari Amazons and their captain, Adreona. Although Skovos, known as the place where Inarius and Lilith created the first born Nephalem i Diablo series, seems to have escaped the devastation of the harvest country, the island is not as peaceful as it seems. Lorath and Adreona, who are both featured on the cover, must battle the Drowned and other threats “that lurk just below the surface” to save both of their peoples.

diablo 4 inarius and lilith firstborne nephalem

Both Lorath and Adreona play major roles in Lord of Hate. Lorath, the Horadric sage who left on a mission of his own at the end of Diablo 4was absent during The ship of hatebut he is back as a prominent ally in Lord of Hate. Meanwhile, Adreona was a prominent captain during the prequel novel, but has since become queen of the Askari. The Lost Horadrim will explore the relationship that exists between these two characters, which players will see in Lord of Hate — and if the hints from Gamespot's interview with lead designer Matt Burns and narrative designer Eleni Rivera are any indication, the two may have some kind of romantic entanglement during the book.

What's in Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred's prequel novel, The Lost Horadrim?

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272-page prequel novel released April 21, 2026
Available in hardcover ($30), e-book ($15) or audiobook ($15-$22)
Featuring Lorath Nahr, Donan, Tyrael, and Adreona, Queen of the Amazons on Skovos, the new region of Lord of Hatred

The Lost Horadrim is written by Matthew J. Kirby, the award-winning author behind original novels including The Clockwork Three, Icefall, The Lost Kingdom, A taste for monstersand Star Splitters. Kirby is no stranger to Sanctuary or Lorath Nahr himself, as he was also responsible for The book Prava and that Book of Lorath Diablo 4 lore codes. Outside of Sanctuary, he has also done franchise work for Assassin's Creed earlier, inclusive Last Descendants series and Geirmund's saga.

diablo 4 matthew kirby book of lorath book of prava

Penguin Random House, known for publishing many game novels and comics, is responsible for the publication The Lost Horadrim.

Interested readers can pre-order hardcover or e-book versions of The Lost Horadrim on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and most other booksellers. Fans looking for the audiobook version of this novel can alternatively pre-purchase it from Apple Books, Audible, Spotify, or just about anywhere audiobooks are sold.

Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred itself is also available for pre-order right now in three separate editions. In addition to getting access to the expansion when it's released, players also get instant access The ship of hate expansion, early access to the Paladin class released with Season 11, tons of cosmetics for Diablo 4and also some home decor items for World of Warcraft.