Young Adult Fantasy

Gates of Erin

In a time of war, two Irish teens are pulled into an ancient prophecy.

By

Elizabeth Gabel

Two grieving Irish teens stumble into an ancient cairn—and a mythic underworld where old gods don’t stay buried, a YA fantasy rooted in Irish mythology.

To survive, they’ll need courage, cleverness, and allies they’re not sure they can trust.

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Gates of Erin by Elizabeth Gabel — book cover
Gates of Erin book cover
Pages

384

Language

English

Available

07/28/2026

Available Formats

Paperback & eBook

Two Heirs of Erin Awaken an Ancient Prophecy

YA Fantasy Irish Mythology

In a time of great war, two Irish teens become the heirs to an ancient prophecy—and must fend for their lives in a battle between realms.

Dragged from Dublin to live with distant family in the countryside, fifteen-year-old Virginia is out of her depth. But when a great beast chases her into a strange world underground, she’ll need to forge new allies and bold schemes to stay alive in a kingdom of cruel fairies, warrior leprechauns, and mercurial gods.

At seventeen, Connell is reeling from the death of his soldier brother and falling for the new girl in town. When Virginia disappears, Connell is the only one who knows where she’s gone, and soon finds himself apprenticed to a legendary hero, tasked with saving a realm—and fulfilling a destiny—he barely understands.

Intricately woven with Irish mythology, this thrilling YA fantasy debut transports readers to Otherworld, where two human teens become unwitting pawns in a dangerous game between gods and men.

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Faces of Otherworld

The people and powers shaping the world beyond the gate.

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Book trailer

What happens when humans meet gods?

The world splits. Two Irish teens are swept into a wild adventure through mystery and history, ancient laws and warcraft, and an unseen war of mercurial gods, fairies, leprechauns, and vile Nazi soldiers. Gates of Erin carries readers through the mists of ancient Ireland to the beginnings of a modern and cruel war.

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A midnight summons, a black stallion’s cry, and Virginia’s first plunge into the mist.

From Chapter 2

Warm and tight in her bed, she thought about the day. Patrick’s soft snore coming through the thin door was calming and reassuring. She drifted in and out of sleep. A soft scraping against the window above her bed woke her. Confused for a moment, she remembered where she was. She sat up, and saw those lavender eyes again, only now it was a whole face. She hit the window to scare away the creature. The face disappeared, but she heard hurried footsteps run to the front of the house. She jumped out of bed and grabbed a big kitchen knife. She was getting answers out of these spies.

Throwing the door open, she caught a fleeting glimpse of two shadowy figures. The mist was too thick to see where they went. They walked on two feet but sometimes flited so fast she was sure they flew. That didn’t make any sense at all.

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Release date: July 28, 2026 • Paperback ISBN: 9781963511413 • $19.95

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About Elizabeth

Origins

Elizabeth Gabel holds a degree in English Literature with a minor in Journalism from the University of New Mexico. Drawn to storytelling from an early age, she began writing in first grade and later published as a journalist at nineteen.

Fascinated by the whimsical and widely documented myths of ancient Ireland, Gabel spent years scouring old bookstores for stories lost by time. Those old legends, along with her love of history, fantasy, and science fiction, overflowed onto the blank pages of her imagination and continue to shape the stories she tells today.

Connect with the Author

Elizabeth Gabel author portrait

Professional Life

Experience

Elizabeth’s writing life has been shaped not only by books, but by years spent working around story in other forms. She worked as an extras casting director on more than sixty film and television productions, gaining a close-up view of the craft, collaboration, and discipline behind visual storytelling.

Her creative path has also included screenwriting, with six completed scripts, a pitch opportunity at Paramount for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and a script considered by DreamWorks. Along the way, her work in fiction has remained grounded in curiosity, imagination, and a deep respect for the reader.

Explore More

See more of Elizabeth’s film work on IMDb
A spiraling staircase at Trinity College, Dublin

Beyond Writing

Joy

Elizabeth’s creative life is nourished by the world beyond the desk. Travel, research, reading, swimming, and scuba diving all feed the imagination she brings to the page. Her experiences exploring places around the world—from ancient landscapes to the waters of the South Pacific—have deepened her sense of wonder and discovery.

She is especially drawn to Celtic mythology, Ireland, and Irish history before 1050. Swimming with humpback whales, diving on WWII wrecks, and following old stories across time and place have all helped shape the curiosity, awe, and adventurous spirit that continue to open new doorways into the stories she tells.

Diving the Leru Cut in the Solomon Islands

Creative Connection

Collaboration

Elizabeth is drawn not only to storytelling itself, but to the conversations that grow around it. She welcomes opportunities to connect with readers, educators, book clubs, and fellow lovers of history, myth, and imagination.

She is especially open to speaking engagements, particularly opportunities to encourage children and young readers to write, read widely, and discover the power of story for themselves.

Get In Touch
Tara, the Hill of the High Kings of Irelandr

Get In Touch

Connect

Elizabeth welcomes thoughtful notes about her work, speaking invitations, classroom and school inquiries, book club conversations, media requests, and other meaningful opportunities to connect.

Common reasons to reach out

  • Reader notes and questions
  • Book club conversations
  • Speaking invitations
  • School and classroom visits
  • Media, interview, or review requests
  • Thoughtful creative inquiries

Find Elizabeth Online

For speaking, classroom, media, or event inquiries, it’s helpful to include a few details such as dates, audience, and location.

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Elizabeth Gabel

In Conversation

A few answers about Elizabeth’s background, creative life, current work, and the stories that continue to shape her imagination.

How would you describe yourself professionally?

I hold a degree in English Literature and a minor in journalism. I am fascinated by the whimsical and widely documented myths of ancient Ireland, and I've indulged that passion by scouring old books stores for the stories lost by time.

What drew you to writing in the first place?

Enchanted by the art of storytelling, I began writing stories in the first grade. I first published as a journalist at the age of 19, but the desire to create my own worlds motivated me to expand into fiction.

What parts of your education or background have shaped you most as a writer?

My education never stopped. Working with Jonathan Rogers from the Habit, his online workshops, helped me learn to love my reader. Thinking of the reader first makes better storytelling.

What life experiences have influenced your work?

I traveled all over the world from China, Russia, Israel to swimming with whales in Tonga and scuba diving on WWII wrecks in the Solomon Islands. Swimming with humpback whales in the south Pacific brought me closer to my humanity, reminding me what a beautiful, almost magical world we have.

Is there anything about your writing journey people might not know from a short formal bio?

My writing journey has taken me on a long journey through the film industry. I traveled a twisting road that ended where it started, but brought many adventures with it.

What kind of writer do you feel you are?

Historical Fantasy

What kinds of writing have you done so far?

I have written screen plays and many short stories.

Do you write in more than one genre or form?

I write books and short stories and have written 6 screen plays. None of which were produced. I did get to go to Paramount to pitch for Star Trek Deep Space Nine. I did have a script that Dreamworks considered, but passed.

What themes, questions, or kinds of stories do you find yourself returning to again and again?

I love science fiction and fantasy, exploring humanity through its ancient mythologies.

Are there recurring passions that connect to your work?

Celtic Mythology, Ireland, Irish History, especially before 1050.

What parts of your life most shape your imagination?

My passion for reading and my curiosity

Besides Gates of Erin, what other projects are you working on?

I am currently working on the second book in the Gates of Erin Series. I am also working on an adult science fiction novel called “Where the Rivers Meet.”

Are there unfinished or future creative projects you may want the site to support later?

Yes. I have many short stories that no one has ready. Some about

Are there any long-term creative goals you would want the website to help support?

I would like to us the website to publish some of my short stories and to promote my books.

How would you like visitors to think of you?

I would like visitors to see that I am a storyteller.

Have you written any screenplays or worked on film-related projects?

I've cast extras on over 60 film and television productions, working with directors including Joel and Ethan Coen, Gore Verbinisky and Denis Villeneuve.

Have you had any professional roles outside of fiction writing that feel important to include?

My role in the film industry.

What kinds of professional opportunities would you be open to through the site?

Public speaking, especially to school to encourage children to write.

Would you want to be contacted about interviews, podcasts, speaking, guest articles, events, book clubs, teaching, workshops, panels, or collaborations?

Yes absolutely!

What kinds of opportunities should people feel welcome to contact you about?

Speaking engagements in writing and history.

Is there a particular audience you most want to attract through the site?

Young Adult

What does a good creative day look like for you?

Research and Writing from 8 am to 3 pm,

What kinds of books, films, or art do you love?

I love science fiction, Especially “The Expanse” “The Martian” I am a die-hard treki

What do you love when you are not writing?

Swimming and Scuba Diving

What social platforms do you currently use?

Facebook is the only one, but I have 5,000 followers and 5000 friends!

Do you have any existing profiles elsewhere online?

IMDB Elizabeth gabel
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1732770/?ref_=fn_t_1