A "prequel novel" is a story that takes place before another story. It gives background information about the characters and events that happened before the original story. Full definition
All supported by a series of prequel novels starting with Blade of the Avatar. (mmogames.com)
This young century alone has seen Finding Neverland dramatizing the play's creation, no fewer than nine stage adaptations, NBC's live television special, Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson's Starcatchers series of bestselling prequel novels, the major 2003 filming, and the Syfy miniseries Neverland. (dvdizzy.com)
James Dashner, author of The Maze Runner books, says he'd «give anything» to see the series» prequel novels get the big screen treatment. (screenrant.com)