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Beyond the Gates
Death awaits outside of the Gates.
If playing by the rules means it keeps you alive, then seventeen-year-old Renna James should know better. She is, after all, the one who broadcasts these rules to the Outpost. What lies beyond the Gates had always lured her, but her venture outside wasn’t supposed to leave her locked out. Now, Renna’s one chance to survive the next seventy-two hours just ran into the forest she’s forbidden to enter.
If playing by the rules means it keeps you alive, then seventeen-year-old Renna James should know better. She is, after all, the one who broadcasts these rules to the Outpost. What lies beyond the Gates had always lured her, but her venture outside wasn’t supposed to leave her locked out. Now, Renna’s one chance to survive the next seventy-two hours just ran into the forest she’s forbidden to enter.
Kindle Edition
First published May 17, 2022
About the author
Erin R. Howard
12 books76 followersErin R. Howard is the YA urban fantasy author of The Kalila Chronicles and The Gates of Deceit (dystopian) series. She is also the content and acquisitions editor for Expanse Books, an imprint of Scrivenings Press.
She loves playing video games with her husband, watching movies with her children, and fueling her many craft addictions. Erin has a Creative Writing degree and is a member of Realm Makers, RagTag Writers, and Once Upon a Page. She resides in Western Kentucky with her husband and three children.
She loves playing video games with her husband, watching movies with her children, and fueling her many craft addictions. Erin has a Creative Writing degree and is a member of Realm Makers, RagTag Writers, and Once Upon a Page. She resides in Western Kentucky with her husband and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 21, 2026
I read the book to my tweeenage daughter. We enjoyed the story and look forward to the next in the series.
May 16, 2022
This was an edge of the seat, what's happening next read! From the start when the main character Renna gets locked out beyond the gates, it's a tail-spinning ride. It's forbidden. Dangerous. And dangerous it is, but in the most unexpected ways. Renna is on the run from the moment the gates close. It's not all her fault, if Miles hadn't stopped her, she'd have made it. The world Howard has built is perilous, but there are many good people even in the most dire circumstances. The question is if Miles can then get Renna back to her home behind the gates and not die or get Renna killed in the meantime.
I also enjoyed the b-storyline in which Renna's sister and her family play a part. Back behind the gates is just as dangerous since, without Renna, they are on total lockdown. Nobody is allowed to go anywhere. And starvation is a real threat. There are more twists and turns that will keep you reading until the very end, and you won't want to miss the end.
Fans of Suzanne Collins and her Hunger Game series, or Veronica Roth's Divergent series will enjoy this new book series by Erin R Howard.
I also enjoyed the b-storyline in which Renna's sister and her family play a part. Back behind the gates is just as dangerous since, without Renna, they are on total lockdown. Nobody is allowed to go anywhere. And starvation is a real threat. There are more twists and turns that will keep you reading until the very end, and you won't want to miss the end.
Fans of Suzanne Collins and her Hunger Game series, or Veronica Roth's Divergent series will enjoy this new book series by Erin R Howard.
May 19, 2022
OH. MY. GOSH!!! I was privileged to read an advanced copy. I can say that I'm glad that I was. This book sucked me in from the beginning. "Beyond the Gates" is full of intrigue, twists and turns, good and evil with just a little romance thrown in for good measure. And the ending left me wanting there to be more on the next page. Let's just say that I'm already waiting for the next book in the series. All I need is for Erin to sign my copy of the book! Not gonna give any spoilers. You've just gotta read it for yourself!
Even though I read an advance copy, these thoughts on the book are entirely my own.
Even though I read an advance copy, these thoughts on the book are entirely my own.
June 7, 2022
Life within the walls of the Outpost is safe. but Renna James's curiosity about what lies beyond the gates puts her in danger and leaves the residents of the Outpost without direction. As the plot unfolds, you discover that all is not well in the social order of things. and you really never know who friend or foe is when your life is at stake. There's the hero, Miles Butler, who risks his life to help Renna get back to her home, and by the end of the book, you know their story isn't finished. I'm amazed at the world and people Erin has created in this first book in the Gates of Deceit Series. The controlled society reminded me of Lois Lowry's The Giver.
May 18, 2022
This is my favorite book so far by Erin Howard! It's full of action, and there are some suspenseful moments too. There's enough romance woven into the story to make you sigh without being too much for those who prefer stories without all the kissy stuff. The story left me wanting more, and I hate that I have to wait a year to get the next part of the story. I received an ARC of this story. The opinions and reviews are my own and freely given.
May 6, 2022
I'm not usually a huge fan of dystopian, but I'll pick one up every now and then. Let me tell you, I'm glad I got to read this one.
It sucks you in, keeps you turning the page to see what happens, gives you all the feels (edge of the seat nervousness to butterflies to awww). The characters are relatable and easy to root for. The backstory is intriguing. And the setting is amazing. I can't wait to read the next one to find out what happens. Because I definitely want to know. ;-)
And I may never look at a hollowed-out tree the same way again.
It sucks you in, keeps you turning the page to see what happens, gives you all the feels (edge of the seat nervousness to butterflies to awww). The characters are relatable and easy to root for. The backstory is intriguing. And the setting is amazing. I can't wait to read the next one to find out what happens. Because I definitely want to know. ;-)
And I may never look at a hollowed-out tree the same way again.
May 21, 2022
Love this book! I am a big fan of Erin R Howard's books but this by far hooked me in from the start.
Renna just wants freedom from her everyday responsibilities. This little break though turns into a bit of a problem when she puts herself in a compromised situation out of her gate.
The journey Renna has to make to get back home is awesomely intense and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
I know I couldn't put it down.
I can not wait for the next book in the series, but until the. I will reread Beyond the Gates 😊
Renna just wants freedom from her everyday responsibilities. This little break though turns into a bit of a problem when she puts herself in a compromised situation out of her gate.
The journey Renna has to make to get back home is awesomely intense and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
I know I couldn't put it down.
I can not wait for the next book in the series, but until the. I will reread Beyond the Gates 😊
May 16, 2022
BEST Dystopian novel I have read in a VERY long time! I couldn’t put it down, and I absolutely cannot wait for the next in the series! My heart was pounding at the end in anticipation for what’s to come! Erin never disappoints in her writing! ❤️❤️
May 6, 2022
Loved this book! It was great to keep me interested, and I would recommend it to my teens! I picked it up and couldn't put it down! Interesting twists and great plot! Can't wait to read more!
September 8, 2023
Beyond These Gates, by Erin Howard is a new twist on the Hunger Games style of storytelling.
At only seventeen, Renna has been the Speaker for her colony for three years. Her family is designated as bakers to feed the town. On the surface, they always seem to follow the law and do as they are told, until secrets unravel.
Renna makes a grave mistake that costs her everything. She gets trapped outside the gates and thus leaves the city without a Speaker to read the rules for each day. She runs into a young boy named Miles who will change her life forever. He shows her his camp and how life can thrive outside the gates. Despite an offer to stay, Renna refuses. She must get back to her family before it’s too late.
Miles agrees to take her back but is met with present mistakes and his dark past. They are soon found out and hunted down by the local government. Renna will discover how heartless and cruel the government she once served can be.
Scoresheet:
Violence: Mild, within reason
Romance: No spice! Some flirty remarks and handholding
Worldview: Hinted Christian worldview
Morals: Healthy/ good.
At only seventeen, Renna has been the Speaker for her colony for three years. Her family is designated as bakers to feed the town. On the surface, they always seem to follow the law and do as they are told, until secrets unravel.
Renna makes a grave mistake that costs her everything. She gets trapped outside the gates and thus leaves the city without a Speaker to read the rules for each day. She runs into a young boy named Miles who will change her life forever. He shows her his camp and how life can thrive outside the gates. Despite an offer to stay, Renna refuses. She must get back to her family before it’s too late.
Miles agrees to take her back but is met with present mistakes and his dark past. They are soon found out and hunted down by the local government. Renna will discover how heartless and cruel the government she once served can be.
Scoresheet:
Violence: Mild, within reason
Romance: No spice! Some flirty remarks and handholding
Worldview: Hinted Christian worldview
Morals: Healthy/ good.
October 12, 2023
Renna ventured beyond the safety of the gates despite knowing better than to feel the grass between her toes. The adventure ensues! She is first injured in the dangerous woods when she finds herself in a stand-off with Miles. The very same woods where many people have gone but few have returned. The woods where mysterious and terrible things whisper in the shadows. The next seventy-two hours are a blur of choices that delve deeper into the underbelly of this dystopian world, a place where deceit, fear, and misinformation are used as weapons. This was an excellent, completely clean dystopian novel. I thoroughly enjoyed Beyond the Gates as well as would recommend it to my teenage daughter. Gates of Deceit will be a series I look forward to reading the next book in. Highly Recommend!
July 12, 2023
I really wanted to like this book because I love dystopian fantasy and wanted to support an indie author. The ending was wild and surprising, easily the best part of the book. But unfortunately, I did not think the world building was very good. A lot of the scenes and choices didn’t make sense to me. Like why would certain characters be involved in certain deals that seem against their benefit? I also never felt on the edge of me seat or gripped by suspense, like I felt I should be. Though I liked this book and the premise, it fell short for me. I would like to read the second book when it comes out to see if it gets better because the ending did give me some hope.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews