Donte: A Prequel to The Lights of Isarn

by Naomi King

Paperback

Published January 2, 2024

About the author

Drawing upon her experiences in Jamesport, the largest Old Order Amish community west of the Mississippi, longtime Missourian Naomi King (a.k.a. Charlotte Hubbard) writes of simpler times and a faith-based lifestyle in her new Seasons of the Heart series. Like her heroine, Miriam Lantz, Charlotte considers it her personal mission to feed people—to share hearth and home. Faith and family, farming and food preservation are hallmarks of her lifestyle, and the foundation of her earlier Angels of Mercy series. She’s a deacon, a dedicated church musician and choir member, and when she’s not writing, she loves to try new recipes, crochet, and sew. Charlotte now lives in Minnesota with her husband and their border collie.

Reviews

[Graeme Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donte: A Prequel to The Lights of Isarn serves as an intriguing entry point into Naomi King’s broader world, offering readers a focused, character driven introduction to the forces and histories that shape the main series. As a prequel, the book works less as a standalone epic and more as an atmospheric foundation, inviting readers to lean into mood, motivation, and mythic context.

What stands out most is the sense of intentional restraint. Rather than overwhelming the reader with exposition, the narrative centers on Donte himself, allowing character to anchor the story’s larger implications. This approach gives the book a quiet confidence and makes it especially appealing to readers who enjoy fantasy that prioritizes character and setup over spectacle.

The novel’s strength lies in its function as a bridge deepening curiosity about Isarn while rewarding readers who appreciate origin stories and formative moments. It feels designed to be read in conversation with the main work, enriching the world without spoiling its mysteries.

Ideal for fantasy readers who enjoy immersive settings, prequel lore, and character focused storytelling, Donte successfully lays the groundwork for what promises to be a larger, more expansive journey in The Lights of Isarn.