Molly Gloss

Vren, exiled into the dark forest outside the Gates, finds a new life with a friendly weather-worker, until their gentle existence is disrupted by a spellbinder misusing his power.

Outside the Gates

Villagers were always warned that monsters live outside the gates, but when a young boy named Vren is cast out, he finds a home in the world beyond, in Whiting Award winner Molly Gloss’s classic fantasy novel. Vren has always been told that the world beyond the gates of his village is one filled with monsters, giants, and other terrifying creatures. But when he confides with his family about his ability to talk to animals, he’s outcast to the very world he’s been taught to fear his whole life. He expects to die alone, lost and confused, but he finds something different altogether—refuge in a community of shadowed people with extraordinary powers. Thirty years later, Molly Gloss’s dystopian fantasy novel is just as timely, poignant, and stirring as ever, in a brand-new edition!

Janice Hopper

Oh my goodness, I loved this little book.

Folks on the plain that have special powers aren't welcome. They're put outside the gates, with the monsters and the shadow men.

Vren makes friends with animals. The way he does it isn't allowed. He gets put outside the gates, and expects to die. Instead, he's found by Rusche, who looks rough and terrifying. But looks aren't everything. And Rushe and Vren take care of each other.

In a world where it seems like any encounter between a young man and an older man so often seems to fall into abuse and exploitation, it's refreshing to see a relationship that isn't like that. Sometimes a friendship is just a friendship, and loyalty and caring don't have to be declared out loud all the time.

This is another story that's really mostly hopeful. I really need those right now.

I read it in one session in the middle of the night.