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.

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

“Steeped  in  myth  and  mystery,  Gates  of  Erin  sweeps  readers  into  a  world  of  forgotten  gods,  hidden  realms,  and  an  ancient  war  between  worlds.  Elizabeth  Gabel  crafts  a  spellbinding  adventure  where  destiny,  courage,  and  old  magic  collide.”

Kyle T. Cowan author of Sunshine is Forever, actor in Preacher, Manhattan, and Better Call Saul

“Elizabeth  has  brought  to  life  a  fantastic  world  populated  with  interesting  and  colorful  characters.  She  weaves  a  wondrous  tale  of  Ireland  of  old  with  its  myths  and  legends  clashing  with  a  world  that  has  forgotten  its  magical  past.  A  world  open  to  a  young  girl  who  sees  the  possibilities  laid  before  her.”

Jose Antonio Ponce Author of Killing Coyote
Gates of Erin book cover
Pages

384

Language

English

Available

July 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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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, found their way onto the blank pages of her imagination and continue to shape the stories she tells today.

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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 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 Ireland

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

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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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In Conversation

Elizabeth Gabel, In Her Own Words

A few notes from Elizabeth on writing, mythology, film, travel, and the creative work still ahead.

What kind of writer do you feel you are?

I think of myself as a historical fantasy writer.

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 nineteen, but the desire to create my own worlds motivated me to expand into fiction.

How would you describe yourself professionally?

I hold a degree in English Literature with a minor in journalism. Fascinated by the whimsical and widely documented myths of ancient Ireland, I have indulged that passion by scouring old bookstores for stories nearly lost to time.

What kinds of writing have you done so far?

I have written screenplays and many short stories, along with my fiction work.

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

Yes. I have written six screenplays, though they have not been produced. I also had the opportunity to go to Paramount to pitch for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and I had a script that DreamWorks considered, though they ultimately passed.

I also worked as an extra on more than sixty film and television productions, with directors including Joel and Ethan Coen, Gore Verbinski, and Denis Villeneuve.

What themes or kinds of stories do you return to?

I love science fiction and fantasy, especially stories that explore humanity through ancient mythologies.

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

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

What life experiences or passions influence your work?

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

Celtic mythology, Ireland, and Irish history, especially before 1050, are recurring passions that connect strongly to my work.

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

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

Besides Gates of Erin, what else 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.

Do you write in more than one genre or form?

Yes. I write books and short stories, and I have written six screenplays. I am especially drawn to historical fantasy, science fiction, mythology, and stories with a strong sense of imagination.

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

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

Do you want visitors to see you primarily as a novelist, or as a broader creative writer and storyteller?

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

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

I would be open to public speaking, especially speaking to schools to encourage children to write. I would also welcome opportunities for interviews, podcasts, events, book clubs, panels, and collaborations.

What does a good creative day look like for you?

A good creative day is research and writing from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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

I love science fiction, especially The Expanse, The Martian, and Star Trek. I am a die-hard Trekkie.

Where can readers connect with you online?

Facebook is the main platform I use, where I have a large community of followers and friends. Readers can also find me on Goodreads and IMDb.